Archive for March, 2008
The Gates of San Diego
March 30th, 2008 Categories: Luxury Homes, Oceanside, San Diego Real Estate
Wendy Barbour is a recent addition to the Murphy Group at Villa Sothebys International Realty. She brings with her an impressive San Diego real estate resume and extensive knowledge of San Diegos urban and beach living. She is passionate about San Diego real estate and homes, and chose to write her first article here about the statement a fine gate can make about a residence, whether in the country, in suburbia or protecting the entry of an Oceanside urban row home.
Here she goes:
I have always been fascinated with gates. They serve as protection for a home, they create architectural interest, and are an investment that can yield impressive returns.
Take a meandering drive through Rancho Santa Fe, and you will see impressive iron and/or wood gates that protect an entire estate. These are generally situated at the street entry to the driveway and are electronically con trolled. The beauty of these gated Rancho Santa Fe estates starts at the point of entry with gated elegance. Prices for driveway gates such as these can range from $900 for a small custom walk-through gate , or $12,000 to $85,000 for a grander drive-through gate or to the Strato$phere for the likes of Bill Gates or Google founders.
But you dont have to have protected acreage in Rancho Santa Fe to make use of beautiful gates.
Drive through almost any San Diego neighborhood, and you will see fine examples of custom gates. Even builders of new homes are now adding gated interest with some of their models. Some of the gates are small, and might serve to keep a chihuahua away from the street, while others are more imposing.
I recently interviewed Chris Barrett, Vice President of FenceWorks, Inc in Southern California. He is nothing short of passionate as he describes the visual impact a gate can make as an entry to a home, a ranch or even a simple garden. Architects and landscapers usually give great consideration to gates as part of the aesthetic and functional plan, because they are the entry to the home and a point through which everyone goes to get in.
The old adage about not getting a second chance to make a first impression certainly holds true with the gate that guards your home!
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Lower Your San Diego Real Estate Taxes in 3 Easy Steps
March 29th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad, Encinitas, Real Estate News, San Diego Real Estate, San Marcos
Many clients from the past few years have been calling, wondering if it might be worth the effort to get their San Diego property taxes reduced. Property values have dropped significantly in parts of San Diego County, and many are paying property taxes based on what they paid for their homes, rather than what they are worth today.
Others wonder if its really worth paying one of those services $200 or so to tackle the property tax reduction task on their behalf.
Might we be able to reduce our San Diego property taxes on our own?
The short answer is YES but only IF your home is worth less than what you initially paid for it or if you were subjected to a property tax increase because of permitted improvements made on your San Diego County property.
1. Go to: http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/docs/calrev.pdf and print out the required form.
2. Go to Zillow.com or our own free and easy San Diego Home Appraisal tool. You can also search the San Diego MLS for comparable properties. Be realistic, and make sure the property comparables you use have similar square footage, neighborhood location and construction quality. The closer you can come to homes that closely match your own, the better off you will be.
3. Complete the package and return to:
Gregory J. Smith
County Assessor
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 103
San Diego, CA 92101
If your San Diego home is worth less than what you paid for it, this effort may save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 760-402-9101.
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San Diegos Newest Urban Luxury: Oceanside Terraces
March 27th, 2008 Categories: Oceanside, San Diego Real Estate, San Diego Relocation
For 11 days straight, we have been working in a makeshift sales office at Oceanside Terraces, the new luxury midrise residence in downtown Oceanside. The office consists of a small table, two plastic chairs and a 2-drawer filing cabinet. Cardboard is taped over the lobbys travertine floors, and we have to compete with workers for elevator space. Theres no coffee maker, no copier and even paperclips are in short supply.
And nobodys complaining.
We think we are in heaven, because we are dealing with amazed guests and interested buyers all day long. Many step off the new Sprinter train next door, having come for a day trip from inland Escondido, Valley Center, San Marcos or Vista. They cant resist checking out Oceansides version of luxurious high rise living. Others come from Los Angeles, Orange County, North Dakota, Connecticut, Manhattan, Tucson, Las Vegas and Scottsdale and are no less amazed.
The most excited guests, though, are Oceanside residents, who watched the construction of Oceanside Terraces over the last few years.
They understand the significance of this six-story multi-use building with prime retail on the first floor, offices on the second, and residences and penthouses on the fourth through sixth floors. They know that downtown Oceanside is becoming a walkable community and is on its way to becoming a shining model for urban living. They also know they have 3.5 miles of great beaches, a balmy year round climate and some of the friendliest people in San Diego County.
They are also savvy and know that Oceanside Terraces offers the coastal urban lifestyle so many buyers are seeking:
- They want spacious single level homes large enough for guests, entertaining and long-term living.
- They want close proximity to the beach. (How about 400 yards?)
- They want a walkable community that offers fine dining, shopping, museums and farmers markets.
- They want secure buildings, adequate covered parking and large lockable storage for bicycles, surfboards and other toys.
- They want to be close to public transportation. (How about a train and transit center on the adjacent block?). They want an easy train ride to downtown San Diego to see Padres games, San Diego Civic Center theater productions, or perhaps enjoy dinner or a day in San Diegos Old Town or Gaslamp District. The appeal of more distant travel also beckons as a possibility with Amtrak.
And though it may surprise some of the real estate doomsayers and bubble bloggers, we are happy to report that the Oceanside Terraces are selling. So far this week, we have reservations from one Carlsbad and two Oceanside families. Others are returning for second and third visits.
Oceanside Terraces offer floorplans that range from 1730 to almost 2600 square feet. Prices range from the high $600s to $1.7 million and many boast sparkling ocean views.
We may not be able to offer you a cup of coffee, but please feel free to stop by 301 Mission (at the corner of Cleveland) and well happily show you what Oceanside Terraces has to offer. We are open 7 days a week from 11-4.
And if you can remember, please bring a few paperclips with you.
Read also:
San Diego Baby Boomers: The Wish List
Fun at Oceanside and San Diego Farmer’s Markets
Oceanside and San Diego a Bargain for Foreign Investors
Things to Do with Kids in Oceanside and San Diego
Oceanside and San Diego Real Estate Irresistible to Foreigners and Expats
Things to Do in Downtown Oceanside
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La Costa Villas: Great Investment Bonus
March 27th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad, Golf, La Costa, Luxury Homes, Luxury Resorts, Real Estate News
Investors are moving back into the San Diego real estate market with impatient wallets.
They are seeking well-priced foreclosures, pre-negotiated short sales and real estate investments with income streams.
So-called bargains in sub-marginal areas may not be the wisest San Diego real estate investment move. Perceived bargains in outlying markets may be nothing of the sort, and we persistently advise our clients to stay with blue chip real estate investments especially in volatile economic times.
We just received a whisper from La Costa Resort and Spa that buyers of their Villas will receive up to $125,000 at closing for leasing their properties back to them for two years. And of course, there is always the option of using their condos as well.
This is a very limited offer, as only 10 La Costa Resort Villas whole-ownership, luxury condominiums remain. Each is fully furnished (just pack a toothbrush) with designer décor and high-end amenities throughout, and is located on the grounds of the world-class La Costa Resort and Spa.
Low out-of-pocket expenses enable resort ownership for minimal cost.
One-bedroom luxury condos start at $594,825, while two-bedroom units list for up to $1,033,000. With 75% financing, buyers can claim ownership with considerably low out-of-pocket expenses of up to $125,000. Plus, La Costa management will also waive monthly fees for two years to save La Costa Villa buyers even more.
A bonus of complimentary Villas Signature La Costa Sports Membership, valued at $16,500, is also included.
If you are interested in this exceptional value, please call Mike or Roberta Murphy for additional information at 760-402-9101 or 760-402-9102. We are including some luxury spa treatments for our buyers as well.
Read also:
Carlsbad FSBO’s and Short Sales: Carlsbad Real Estate Scoop
Carlsbad and San Diego Real Estate a Bargain for Foreign Investors
La Costa Chateaus: A Tale of Two Sisters
Carlsbad, La Costa and San Diego a Bargain for $1 Million Luxury Homes?
Pricing Your Carlsbad or San Diego Home in a Range
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San Diego a Bargain for Foreign Investors
March 17th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, La Jolla, Luxury Homes, San Diego Real Estate
How I wish I were buying San Diego real estate with Euros or Loonies or Yen or Yuan. As a European, Canadian, Japanese or Chinese real estate investor, I could be plucking off prime coastal real estate in San Diego County at an amazingly steep discount.
For this mornings rant , we can thank Mr Bernankes surprise quarter point cut in the Fed rate Sunday, which has helped to trigger a further decline in the dollar versus other foreign currencies. The US dollar against the Euro currently stands at around $1.58, which can be a dream or a nightmare, depending upon the denomination of ones bank account.
This decline comes as many are expecting an even steeper cut by the Fed this week.
Some American expatriates we know are selling off foreign investments and returning home. The declining dollar has made European retirement increasingly more expensive, and $4.00 per gallon gasoline is still more attractive than $8 per gallon. Its all a matter of relativity. And San Diego County has become a natural home target for many of those returnees.
And why not?
Blue chip real estate in downtown San Diego, Coronado, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, La Costa, Aviara, Carlsbad and even Oceansides blossoming downtown area can now be purchased by foreigners and expats at even steeper discounts, thanks to the decimated dollar and an already discounted real estate market.
Its a rare combination astute foreign investors cannot ignore and for those seeking to buy a slice of paradise, there is little that can compete with coastal San Diego.
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