How Walkable is your San Diego Neighborhood?
June 28th, 2008 Categories: Oceanside, San Diego Communities, San Diego Real Estate
With San Diego gas prices going through the ceiling, interest is building for homes that are in walking distance to shopping, theaters, schools and other local destinations.
In the past, many of these properties were shunned by home buyers because of traffic noise and “urban noise.” These days, more and more buyers of San Diego real estate are asking about the nearest grocery store, and how close homes are to schools, parks–and train stations.
Noise is no longer the deterrent it once was.
A new site offers you the opportunity to check the walkability of your own San Diego neighborhood–or perhaps the one you grew up in across the country.
Curious about how walkable your neighborhood might be? Just go to: WalkScore
Now, think I’ll go walk the dog and consider the possibilities….
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North County School Site Needed
June 23rd, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, San Diego Real Estate, Schools
Sometimes it is good to write about something other than San Diego real estate, Rancho Santa Fe news or La Costa condos. Sometimes, it just feels good to see if there is a way to lend a little hand to the community.
This morning, for example, I heard Sanderling Waldorf School in Encinitas and Cardiff is losing its lease and needs a new location somewhere in North County.
Any ideas?
This north San Diego County private school currently needs around 4500 square feet, with room for 7 classrooms, a kitchen, offices and storage. It is anticipated that over the next four years, there will be a requirement for 6300 feet and 10 classrooms.
The ideal site would have room for two playgrounds: The preschool would be fenced with around 2400 square feet, while the elementary playground would have at least 4000 to 6000 feet.
Location?
Their current school community resides in the Encinitas area. Sanderling Waldorf School would consider sites from Del Mar,Carmel Valley or Encinitas in the South; to Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, or San Marcos in the North; and Elfin Forest, Olivenhain or Rancho Santa Fe in the East.
There is a current budget of $7000 per month. The ideal site would have a natural setting, with zoning and permits in place for a school.
Perhaps a church? Or perhaps a public school that is closing its doors in Oceanside? Hmmm…..
Think I’ll place a few calls–starting with Sanderling Waldorf School, Villa Sotheby’s agent Sandy Mirisch, and Main Street Oceanside.
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Short Sale Home Warranty? Absolutely!
June 12th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad, Oceanside, Real Estate News, San Diego Real Estate
We have negotiated a number of San Diego short sales, and have yet to have one shorted lender or seller agree to fork over several hundred dollars for a one year home warranty.
And why might the buyer of a short sale need a home warranty?
Consider that homeowners in dire financial straits tend to ignore routine maintenance–and remaining appliances may or may not be in the best condition. Additionally, many of the homes may be vacant or have been tenant-occupied, and seller disclosures may be somewhat meaningless.
What to do if the seller or lender refuses to pay for a one-year home warranty–which we always demand for our San Diego home buyers?
Either negotiate with your Realtor or the seller’s representative to assist with the cost (or pay it in full)–or purchase the coverage for yourself.
This insurance can provide protection if the hot water heater goes cold, if the dishwasher doesn’t, or the air conditioner just blows hot air. There will almost always be a reasonable deductible for service calls, but the protection can be invaluable–especially with neglected homes.
And in case you are wondering, we always insure that our buyers are provided with this coverage–even if we have to pay the cost ourselves.
It is coverage we wouldn’t be without.
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Fun and Food at Oceanside Beaches
June 1st, 2008 Categories: Oceanside, San Diego Activities, San Diego Beaches, San Diego Events
by: Roberta Murphy
Villa Sotheby’s International Realty is opening an office near the beach in downtown Oceanside at the new and luxurious Oceanside Terraces. We look forward to meeting our new neighbors at or near Oceanside beaches, including homeowners of the San Miguel condos, North Coast Village, Marina Towers, the Aegean, and Oceanside’s Row Homes–to name just a few.
Great places to meet downtown Oceanside neighbors are at community events (Sunset Market) and along Oceanside beaches and the pier, where local vendors offer everything from surf lessons, bicycle rentals, Italian ices, steaming coffee and expressos, fresh-squeezed lemonade and other fun foods. Many of these foods and services are only offered during the summer season and fold up after Labor Day.
So when you are visiting Oceanside beaches this summer, you might want to keep this list on hand as a handy community guide. And if you are in the market for Oceanside real estate, please stop by our office at 301 Mission in the Oceanside Terraces to discover what this quintessential California beach city has to offer.
You may decide to stay for a lifetime!
Oceanside’s Beach Services
Courtesy of downtown Oceanside’s Main Street Association
Asylum Surf. Body boards, surf boards, swim fins & wetsuit rentals in the kiosk south of the amphitheater, on the north edge of Betty’s Lot. 760-722-7101 http://www.asylumboardshop.com
Surfin Fire. Surf lessons - 1st time or to improve skills. North of the Oceanside Amphitheater on the Plaza. 760-889-6775 http://www.surfinfire.com
Wheel Fun Rentals. Exciting products, like Surreys, Quad Sports and Choppers, designed for singles, couples, kids, or bring the whole family! Located under the Oceanside Pier. 805-650-7770 http://www.wheelfunrentals.com
Mobile Money. ATM machine next to the Oceanside Beach Community Center. (coming soon)
FOOD:
Cafecitó. Espresso, Coffee, Tea and 100% Fruit Smoothies, pastries and snacks. New for this summer: Ultra-thin organic pizzas. South of the Oceanside Pier Plaza, adjacent to the north amphitheater entrance. 760-473-1947 http://www.cafecito.org
Dad’s NY Hot Dogs. Assorted hot dogs, toppings, prepackaged beverages, chips and candies. Tyson Street Park area near the restrooms - Life Guard tower #5. 760.805.6448
Kokomo’s Beach Café. Best Burgers at the Beach - variety toppings. Beef/veggie dogs, wrap sandwiches, ice cream & specialty desserts. 2 for 1 SPECIALS. South of the Oceanside Amphitheater, adjacent to the south entrance. 760-967-1234 www.kokomosbeachcafe.com
L’Limone. Fresh squeezed lemonade, soft frozen Minute Maid lemonade cups and authentic salt water taffy. North of the Amphitheater on the Plaza.
Nutty Bavarian. Roasted nuts and assorted canned and frozen beverages. Tyson Street Park area near the restrooms - Life Guard tower #5.
Oh My Gosh Donuts. Hot fresh mini donuts - various toppings; deep fried candy bars - Snickers, Baby Ruth, & more; hot & cold drinks. North of the Pier on the Plaza. 760-579-1775
Skweezrz NY Italian Ices. Better than ice cream. Tyson Street Park area near the restrooms - Life Guard tower #5. 760-707-9559
Surf & Sea Hawaiian Shaved Ice. Various cool and refreshing flavors of Hawaiian shaved ice. Seagaze Park area.
Food and services are available daily through Labor Day. Weekend hours are 9:00 am to sunset. (Note: weekday hours may vary slightly through mid-June.)
You may also wish to read:
Phantom Art Galleries in Oceanside?
Downtown Oceanside: Moving Up?
Oceanside Urban Luxury: Oceanside Terraces
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
Testimonials from Our San Diego Real Estate Clients
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Shhh! San Diego Real Estate Commissions Revealed
May 30th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad, Del Mar, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe
It’s a taboo of sorts to discuss real estate commissions, not because it’s an impolite topic (like discussing one’s salary or bowel habits at a social gathering), but rather, it could land a real estate licensee in jail (or so we are warned). Of course, it is legal and necessary to discuss commissions with a home seller–and as we all know, this is a negotiable fee. But to publicly discuss real estate commissions is insane, unless, of course….
the courageous San Diego real estate blogger is quoting a bigger mouth.
So what can I say about San Diego real estate commissions? Well, according to HomeGain (the bigger mouth), San Diego real estate commissions during the month of December, 2007 (time for an update?) averaged 5.1 percent across the board, whether it was a $300,000 Oceanside condo, a $500,000 San Marcos home, a $750,000 Carlsbad home–or a $1,000,000 or more Del Mar or Rancho Santa Fe mansion.
I don’t suppose this is earth rattling news of any sort, and it feels about right to this writer and real estate broker–except for those San Diego sellers who overprice their homes and think that a 9 percent commission and a paid trip around the world will enable or convince us to sell this overpriced property to some unsuspecting buyer. Not a chance.
Home Gain says this figure is based on historical commission averages for San Diego real estate sellers who found their agents through Home Gain. And they, too, disclose that real estate commissions are negotiable.
(Note to myself: Yippee! I crossed that real estate minefield and am still in one piece).
Have a nice weekend–and enjoy all the graduations and celebrations in our midst!
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