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San Diego Mortgage Rates to Spike in 2013?

May 22, 2013 by Comments
Rising San Diego Mortgage Rates

by Roberta Murphy The San Diego real estate market is red hot, and we can't help but wonder if increased mortgage rates might cool things down a bit? That would be great news for investors, but a struggle for some home buyers. It seems the Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae and our own National Association of Realtors are forecasting 30-year mortgage rates to meet or beat 4% by the end of 2013. What difference would that make to a San Diego home buyer? The folks at the KCM Blog have created a terrific … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Market Trends, Tips for Buyers, Tips for Sellers Tagged With: , , , , ,

Why Some San Diego Real Estate Agents **** Me Off

May 21, 2013 by Comments
San Diego real estate agents hiding information

by Roberta Murphy It's been a long day, and I owe a debt of gratitude to Varsity Team San Diego real estate agents who aren't afraid to share vital information about pending sales. The San Diego real estate market is hot, and appraisers can barely keep up with rising values fueled by hungry buyers and multiple offers. We currently have buyers wanting to make an offer on an Encinitas Ranch property. There are several comparable listings that are pending in Encinitas--or in other words are homes under … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Carlsbad, Encinitas, Tips for Buyers, Tips for Sellers Tagged With: , , , , , ,

San Diego Tea Party Patriots to Picket IRS

May 20, 2013 by Comments
San Diego Tea Party Patriots

100 IRS Offices around the country are going to be targeted at noon tomorrow for peaceful protest by the Tea Party Patriots against the Internal Revenue Service. Being challenged is the government agency's abuse of power while targeting and harassing various Tea Party groups. There are many Tea Party groups, but the Tea Party Patriots is one of the largest coalitions with more than 3000 organzized chapters around the country. The organization is sending out protest information, talking points, sample press … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Living in San Diego, San Diego, San Diego News Tagged With: , , ,

The Latest San Diego Remodel: Staircases

May 15, 2013 by Comments
Older staircase in La Costa home

by Roberta Murphy Carlsbad, CA--Over the past decade, there has been a flurry of home remodeling in San Diego County--particularly in coastal areas, where building activity first blossomed. During the last ten years, tile and formica surfaces in kitchens and baths have been replaced with natural stone products, while stainless steel appliances dominate kitchens. Popcorn has been scraped from ceilings and energy efficient dual-paned windows are replacing their single-paned predecessors. Now, the staircases … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home Improvement Tips Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Alert: Does Your Agent Have Insurance?

May 13, 2013 by Comments
Errors and Omissions Insurance

One of the first questions you should ask of any San Diego real estate agent you are thinking of engaging: Are you covered by Errors and Omissions Insurance that will protect us both in the case of litigation? Can you provide proof of said coverage? According to the 2013 Realtors Member Profile, fully 78 percent of all Realtors are NOT covered by E&O insurance. This sends shivers down my spine. Most real estate lawsuits are leveled against the sellers by their disgruntled buyers. Errors and Omissions … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Blog Posts, Relocation, Tips for Sellers Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

To Rent or Buy in San Diego?

May 13, 2013 by Comments
Increaed costd of renting

My heart goes out to those who struggle over whether to rent or buy in the San Diego real estate market. On one hand, folks fear getting caught in a real estate bubble that destroyed so many in the past few years. Alternatively, renters in San Diego are seeing rental costs soaring, with no let-up in sight. So what to do? Should you buy a home now while rates are low and lock in your monthly payment. Or should you continue to rent and wait to see if prices go down? This visual from the KCM Blog shows what has … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Blog Posts, Market Trends, Tips for Buyers Tagged With: , , , , ,

Living Large at the Jockey Club in La Costa

May 12, 2013 by Comments
Jockwy Club

by Roberta Murphy When showing luxury condos in North County, I almost always try to introduce clients to the Jockey Club at La Costa--and enjoy their amazement. The Jockey Club at La Costa represents the epitome in large and luxurious condo and townhome living in not only Carlsbad, but all of San Diego .Ceilings in the living areas must vault up 20 feet, and large skylights above keep the rooms awash with natural light. Closets are oversized and storage space is abundant. All offer grand stairways, huge … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Carlsbad, Golf Courses, La Costa Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Best Llife Hacks Ever!

May 7, 2013 by Comments
Life Hacks for Living in San Diego

by Roberta Murphy Son Eric Murphy knows how I love elegant solutions to seemingly complex problems. This afternoon he sent to me a link not with one--but 100 life hacks that can solve myriad problems and entanglements--not only for me, but for our San Diego real estate clients as well. Read and enjoy--but beware though, you may become a compulsive hoarder of empty toilet paper rolls, paper clips, walnuts, plastic bottles, old suntan lotion containers, clothes hangers and even those little plastic tabs that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home Improvement Tips, San Diego Tagged With: , , , ,

Deficiency Judgment on San Diego Short Sale?

May 3, 2013 by Comments
Lots of confusion about san diego short sales

Put to rest the nightmare of a lender pursuing a deficiency judgment against you for mortgage debt forgiven in a California short sale. It's not going to happen! Mortgage lenders are prohibited from obtaining a deficiency judgment following the short sale of a residential property with no more than four units. Junior lien holders are also prohibited from pursuing a deficiency judgment if they have agreed to the short sale (per Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 580e). In effect, lenders who agree to a short sale can no … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Blog Posts, Military, Short Sales, Tips for Sellers Tagged With: , , , , ,

Will I Owe Taxes on My San Diego Short Sale?

May 2, 2013 by Comments

This is a question anyone facing a short sale in 2013 should ask their Realtor. We've written about these taxes before, but once again here is the information we present to our San Diego real estate clients: For Federal tax returns, the mortgage fotgiveness debt relief on principal residences will remain in effect until December 31, 2013. Will it be extended? We don't know. For California tax returns and according to the California Franchise Tax Board, the debt forgiven on or after January 1, 2013 may still … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Blog Posts, Foreclosures, Short Sales, Tips for Sellers Tagged With: , , , , , , ,