Page 20 Real Estate


By Ken McCord


International home-buying activity strong in California


by Ken McCord The California Association of


Realtors recently completed a survey of California agents re- garding international buyers. There are some interesting find- ings. More than one in three interna-


tional buyers (36 percent) were from China, and their purchas- es remained very cash-strong. Two-thirds (66 percent) of in- ternational buyers paid all cash, down slightly from 69 percent in 2013. Those who purchased homes below $500,000 had the greatest tendency to pay all cash (66 percent), compared to those who purchased homes costing $500,000 to $1 million (57 per- cent). Being more affluent than the


average California home buyer, overseas buyers purchased more expensive homes at a median price of $490,000, compared to 2014’s


single-family median


home price of $447,000. Those who purchased homes


below $500,000 had the highest percentage of investment pur- chases (40 percent), compared to those who purchased homes between $500,000 and $1 million (17 percent for investment) or those who purchased homes over $1 million (34 percent for invest- ment reasons). Other findings from C.A.R.’s


2014 International Home Buyers Survey include: •36 percent of international


buyers in California were from China, 11 percent were from Canada, and 9.1 percent were from Mexico. The United King- dom and India round out the top five countries of origin, with both under five percent. •Nearly half of overseas buyers purchased a home in the suburbs.


The percentage who purchased in a city center or urban area de- clined from 38 percent in 2013 to 33 percent in 2014, while pur- chases in small towns/rural areas increased from nine to 10 percent over the same period. •Of international buyers who


obtained financing in the U.S., 85 percent said the source of their down payment came from their personal savings; 11 percent cited proceeds from a sale of a previous property; seven percent received a gift; and five percent from the sale of personal assets, excluding real property. •Two-thirds (67 percent) of in-


ternational buyers bought single- family detached homes, and 23 percent purchased a condomini- um or townhome. •International buyers in 2014


intend to keep their property for a median of seven years, compared to five years in 2013. •The percentage of first-time


international buyers in the U.S. declined from 59 percent in 2013, to 54 percent in 2014. •Three-fourths (75 percent) of


overseas buyers said they con- sidered buying in the U.S. to be closer to family and friends, for investment and tax reasons, or because of a child attending col- lege in America. •Those who purchased homes


over $1 million bought primarily for investment/tax advantages, because they have a business in the U.S., or children in school here. Those who purchased homes under $1 million bought primarily to be closer to family and friends. California remains a very vi-


brant market for property invest- ment from overseas buyers, and this year should continue to see strong sales with this buyer seg- ment.


Foothills Sentry Canyon


Academians take first


Canyon High School’s Aca-


demic Decathlon team finished first in its division, and seventh overall in the 2015 Orange Coun- ty contest during its first year of competition. Canyon High School students


also earned a first-place finish in Super Quiz, a game-show-style decathlon competition where students must answer questions within seconds. Team members took home several individual awards. Sophomore Chuyin Wen finished seventh overall in Or- ange County, and earned a perfect score in the science and interview portions of the competition. Also earning top-10 county


finishes were juniors Johanna Vil- lacorta and Teline Tran. Tran and fellow junior Anoushka Patel also received perfect scores in the in- terview category. Only seven stu- dents earned this distinction. Academic Decathlon is a


10-event scholastic contest that started in Orange County in 1968. It has since grown to na- tional levels, and governing rules require that students of varying academic achievement levels make up teams. Teams can con- sist of nine members, with no more than three “A” students, three “B” students, and three “C” students. When asked what Academic


Decathlon can provide students, seniorAngeline Phan said, “Now, I feel I can accomplish anything.”


Weed whackers Orange County Public Works


will conduct its annual weed abatement inspection commenc- ing in April. Homeowners in fire prone areas are advised to remove vegetation, litter or other flam- mable material prior to April 14. Property with hazardous weeds and vegetation not cleared and maintained will be subject to clearing by county-contracted crews. The clearing charges for vegetation, litter, and other debris will be billed per square foot and an administrative fee (up to $550) paid by property owners.


Gloria June Dunne


1930-2015


Era Chicago, Gloria’s parents owned a tailor/dry cleaning store in which both she and her sister worked as soon as they were old enough. She attended Catholic grammar and high schools in the Chicago area. After marrying Bob, she began raising a family, and in the process, moved to new cities all across the United States as he rose in the sales and mana- gerial ranks of Corning Glass Works. Gloria was a stay-at- home, loving mom who was ac- tive in a myriad of activities. She was a volunteer for the Assistance League of Orange, St. Joseph’s Hospital and OUSD. Starting in the 1980s, she


Gloria was born on March 23,


1930, in Chicago, Illinois and died in the City of Orange on Jan- uary 30, at the age of 84. Born Gloria June Swanson,


daughter of Swan G. Swanson and Mae Passmore Swanson, she had one sister, Peg Kennedy, who preceded her in death five years ago. Married to Robert R. Dunne in 1948, they had three children, Raymond, Connie (Kanady) and Jeff, all who live in Orange County. Her husband died in 1990 at the age of 59. She has two grandchildren, Amee Kanady Scigliano and David Kanady, and two great-grandsons, Declan and Braden Scigliano. Growing up in Depression


SOUP’S ON By


Liz Richell


for different meals, there are sev- eral areas where you can meet up and enjoy eating together, includ- ing a veranda that has both tables and a row of rocking chairs –- a particularly good spot to savor a chocolate-dipped popsicle or a generous ice cream cone. To date, I have indulged in


I’m always glad to see a little


history preserved instead of being subjected to the wrecking ball, so it was a delight to visit what was once a bustling part of the coun- ty’s citrus industry and enjoy the creative renovation of the Ana- heim Packing House. The old building’s entrances


Freshman Quentin Gonzales and sophomore Julia Bjornstad earned Sweepstakes Awards for the top science projects at the annual Villa Park High School Science Fair. Gonzales’ project, which extracted components from common pool algae to create ink, won first in the Botany Applications division. Bjorn- stad took first place in the Chemistry division, demonstrating that harmful chemicals, such as BPA, are contained in sales receipts, and may leach onto skin. The students were judged on their work, scientific process, visual and oral presentation. The students will advance to the Orange County Science and Engi- neering Fair to be held in April.


are whimsically guarded by huge white rooster statues. The inte- rior is light and airy, with two stories hosting a couple of dozen vendors bent on tantalizing one’s taste buds. Whether you are alone or with a bunch of friends, there will be something to please al- most any palette. The choices include fish ‘n chips, soul food, wood-fired pizza, crepes, Indian fare, a grilled cheese bar, southern specialties, sushi/ramen, fix-your- own hot pot, Vietnamese goodies, homemade ice cream, unique burgers, gelato on a stick, Mexi- can food, charcuterie, waffles, ar- tisan coffees. There’s a centrally- located bar, even a speakeasy. Most vendors have small seat- ing areas, but if your group opts


rice-noodle-wrapped Vietnamese spring rolls, a blood-orange pop- sicle dunked in dark chocolate, and an unusual repast at the Kettle Bar. This is one of the only places that offers wait-staff service, for which Marilyn, Sarah and I were grateful, as we needed menu ad- vice. We opted for a Caesar salad, a side of “Nolo” sweet potato fries (so named for the New Or- leans seasoning that sets these morsels apart) and a house-spe- cial bowl. The portions here are enormous, so these three items more than satisfied three friends. While you could choose starters and sandwiches, the main fea- ture here is the bowl. Its base is a thick, rich spicy (not hot) tomato sauce, with, in our case, shrimp, chicken, crab and lobster, topped with a liberal scoop of rice. Ab- solutely delicious. There are other bowl ingredient options, but this one is highly recommended. Another visit is high on my list


as so many appetizing choices are offered. The Packing House is located at 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. The facility has its own parking, but on a weekend you may have to look for an alterna- tive spot on the street or a public parking lot.


worked in a couple of businesses that she and Bob owned in the Or- ange area. She enjoyed skiing, bowling


and golfing. Her passion was tak- ing care of her two horses and riding the surrounding hills of Or- ange Park Acres (where she was a long-time resident) until crippling arthritis prevented her from this love. But it wasn’t only horses that she loved, as she raised over 20 dogs and cats over the years. She was a loving wife, mother,


grandmother and great-grand- mother who is tremendously missed by her family and friends. Memorial gifts may be sent to St. Angela School in Chicago, or Trinity High School in River For- est, Illinois.


Tuesday, March 10, 2015 OBITUARIES


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