The Witte Team - exp Realty

10/18/2026

Good news for our neighbors in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano: all Norte Fire evacuation orders were lifted Saturday night.

Here's where things stand, per the Orange County Fire Authority: the fire has burned 570 acres and is 25% contained, damage assessment teams confirmed seven homes were damaged or destroyed, and the cause is under investigation. Via La Mirada remains closed north of Esperanza, and the burn area is still closed, so please follow OCFA and local officials as you head home.

If your home was affected and you have insurance questions, the California Department of Insurance consumer hotline is 800-927-4357.

We track California home insurance news, with a source link for every item, here: https://cainsurancetracker.com/news

Source: Orange County Fire Authority via ABC News. Not insurance advice.

– Mark, The Witte Team | eXp Realty

10/17/2026

A perfect side dish when you don't have a lot of time!

A colorful side dish that will complement any autumn meal.

10/17/2026

OPEN HOUSE TODAY 🏡
Saturday 10/17 | 12:00 to 3:00 PM
4331 Rafael St, Irvine (Greentree)

4 bedrooms, including a main-level primary suite | 2 remodeled baths | about 1,782 sq ft | about 5,000 sq ft lot | $1,599,000

Dennis will be hosting. Stop by, tour the home, and see the Greentree neighborhood for yourself.

Questions? 949-269-7270

Mark Witte | The Witte Team | eXp Realty of California | CA DRE #02102425

10/17/2026

JUST LISTED in Greentree, Irvine 🏡

4331 Rafael St | $1,599,000
4 bedrooms | 2 baths | about 1,782 sq ft | about 5,000 sq ft lot

Main-level primary suite, vaulted ceilings, and a long list of upgrades already done: newer HVAC and ductwork, a tankless water heater, an upgraded electrical panel, and fully remodeled bathrooms.

Open house TODAY, 12 to 3 PM. Come say hi!

DM me or call 949-269-7270 for a private showing.

Mark Witte | The Witte Team | eXp Realty of California | CA DRE #02102425

10/17/2026

🏡 Open House: Sat Oct 24, 10:00am - 1:00pm
1427 E Hukee, Anaheim

Step inside this stylishly updated single-story home featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1,452 sq ft of living space. Renovated in 2023, it offers updated laminate flooring, granite countertops, gas appliances, copper plumbing, and a generous 6,732 sq ft lot for outdoor entertaining. ✨

Offered at $985,000. Stop by the open house to see it in person! 🔑

https://markwitteteam.com/d8r5x2de

10/17/2026

Our hearts are with everyone in San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente affected by the Norte Fire.

Here's what officials reported as of Friday night (Oct. 16): the wind-driven fire burned about 570 acres, damaged or destroyed at least six homes, and put about 16,000 residents under evacuation orders. Please follow the Orange County Fire Authority and local officials for the latest evacuation updates.

If your home was affected and you have insurance questions, the California Department of Insurance consumer hotline is 800-927-4357.

We track California home insurance news, with a source link for every item, here: https://cainsurancetracker.com/news

Source: officials via ABC7 Los Angeles. Not insurance advice.

– Mark, The Witte Team | eXp Realty

10/16/2026

The winning offer is not always the highest offer.

Imagine a buyer who finds the right home and submits a clean, well-prepared offer while another buyer delays to sort out financing details. In a competitive situation, preparation can make the difference.

A strong offer reflects more than price: clear financing, realistic timelines, and terms that fit the seller’s priorities all matter.

Tip: Before touring seriously, ask your lender and agent what documents and decisions you can prepare in advance.

Thinking about buying? Let’s talk through a smart offer strategy.

10/16/2026

One of the questions I hear most from buyers and homeowners lately is, "Who will even insure this house?"

It's a fair question. As of June 30, 2026, 665,862 California homes were on the FAIR Plan, the state's insurer of last resort. Here in Orange County, that number went from 4,015 in September 2021 to 26,812 in June 2026. In Laguna Beach (92651), it's 1,606 homes.

So our team put together a free resource: https://cainsurancetracker.com

Look up any California county or ZIP to see the local FAIR Plan numbers and trend, plus a table of 31 insurers showing who's writing new home policies, who's limited, and who's paused, with a source and date for each.

It's free, with no signup and nothing to buy. It's not insurance advice, just a helpful starting point before you talk with a licensed insurance agent or broker.

If you know someone buying a home or facing a renewal, please pass it along. 💙

– Mark, The Witte Team | eXp Realty, Laguna Beach

10/15/2026

Dana Point sellers: buyers are still watching closely, but they have more time to compare than they did in a frenzy. 🌊

That makes presentation and pricing the real competition—not simply being on the market.

Seller tip: prep the property before launch and price against the most relevant current alternatives, not last season’s headlines.

Want to know how your home would stack up today?

10/14/2026

🌊 Open House: Sat Oct 17, 11:00am - 2:00pm
34365 Dana Strand DR #1, Dana Point

Tour this single-level oceanfront condominium perched above Strands Beach, with panoramic ocean, coastline, whitewater wave, and Catalina Island views. 🌴 2 beds, 2 baths, and 865 sq ft of turnkey coastal living.

Offered at $2,998,000. Stop by the open house to experience the front-row coastal setting. ✨

https://markwitteteam.com/d8r5v842