lake forest shores

Hello, Sunny(er) Times?!

June 13, 2021

Summer is quickly approaching, so get ready for fun in the sun! It seems the economy is on the verge of reopening, schools will be fully operational by the fall 2021 term and the days of pre-pandemic traffic levels are almost non-existent. Of course, there will still be limitations for months to come; perhaps years. At this point, I'm really interested in knowing about the mask mandate. Will the mandate end on June 15, 2021, the target date to fully reopen the economy? Will there be new guidelines for both indoor and outdoor settings? Maybe new guidelines for those who have been vaccinated? Will there be a COVID passport / ID to check who has been vaccinated? What about those who have had COVID, but were asymptomatic and already triggered an immune response to the virus? These are questions I don't have the answers to, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. For the meantime, let's focus on what's happening in the neighborhood.


Yep, summer is fast approaching. By next week, the heat will be climbing into the 90's. To the point A/C might be needed to make it more comfortable. If not, we'll be finding other ways to make life more tolerable. One of the ways is by having fun in the pool at both the Lake Forest Shores or the newly renovated Beach & Tennis Clubhouse.

Starting with a fun-filled event, the Beach & Tennis Clubhouse is having a summer luau on June 19, 2021 (10:00am - 2:00pm). This event is for members only and it will be offering music, kids craft, food and beverages (no alcohol). And since it is a luau, it is highly encouraged that you come in your Hawaiian shirt/attire. Tickets will have to be purchased in advance, but please call (949) 837-6100 for any questions and/or concerns.

As for utilizing the amenities at the Beach & Tennis Clubhouse, it seems some of the COVID restrictions have been lifted. Right now, members are able to bring up to 6 guests to enjoy the outdoor activities. No reservations are needed for basketball, volleyball and pools. The lanes will be kept in the Junior Olympic pool to accommodate the lap swimmers and the Sharks Swim Team from 7:00am to 11:00am. As for tennis, pickleball and the gym, reservations are still needed until further notice. And to start the summer off in the right direction, Sunday Funday - Summer Bar is back! Adults get to partake in some alcoholic beverages to in the sun at the North Pool, starting June 20, 2021 (12:00pm - 5:00pm).

That's it for the Beach & Tennis Clubhouse. Let's move to matters concerning the Lake Forest Shores. It seems to be a seller's market right now. This is when demand exceeds supply or there are more buyers seeking to purchase homes than there are available. From December 2020 to the present, home prices have increased by 18%. Currently, there are a few 3-bedroom condos on the market at Lake Forest Shores, but I wouldn't be surprised if more units get listed for sale with summer fast approaching.


Based on trends and forecasts, home prices are expected to continue rising through the rest of 2021 and early 2022. At some point, home price increases will start to decelerate. As for the "dip", the market doesn't seem to be losing steam. I've thought several times about selling my place, but where to go afterwards? Unless I'm relocating far away to an area that is more affordable, it doesn't seem financially feasable to purchase property. For the meantime, Lake Forest Shores is stuck with me. ^.^

So, what's driving the rise in home prices? Let me begin with, "I'm not an expert". In my opinion on what I've been told and/or read, it's due to a few factors. First, COVID has forced people to stay inside. Companies allowed their employees to work from home and it will continue with some; therefore, larger living spaces are needed. Second, mortgage rates have decreased. Who doesn't want lower monthly mortgage payments? Third, a shortage in home building material and skilled labor has had a negative impact in the new construction of homes. I'm sure there are other factors that play into the rise in home prices, but that's left up to Google to let us know.

Now let's revert back to the approaching days of summer. It's forecasted to be a hotter than average summer, particularly in the western and central United States from mid-June to mid-August. I'm not a big fan of the heat, but it is what it is. So make sure you have a working A/C system. It's probably best to take the precautionary measures to have your A/C checked before the prices spike. Also, I just read that closed blinds will keep up to 30 percent of the summer heat out. Of course, my issue has always been the dreaded humidity; perhaps a dehumidifier is in my future. Luckily, access to our community pools to cool down is only a hop, skip and a jump away.

Until next time. Stay cool...