Investing in Real Estate - Learnings From a Master - 06/30/08 03:43 PM
We just had our quarterly membership meeting for the Southern California Chapter of CRS (Council of Residential Specialists) in Santa Barbara on Friday, June 27. These meetings are always a good source of networking and earning from others, and sometime picking up or giving away a referral.
The educational focus of these meetings for members is one of the big advantages of joining our chapter, and our most recent speaker, Chris Bird, was yet another great opportunity for learning, in this case about investing in real estate. Much of the focus was on helping us understand the benefits of investing, but more importantly … (10 comments)

In The Funk Zone, Jazz at the Courthouse, and Great Dining - Cool Shopping, Music and Food in Santa Barbara California - 06/29/08 11:28 PM
I was in Santa Barbara on Friday June 27 for a quarterly meeting of the Southern California Chapter of the CRS - more on some learning from that meeting.
Before heading back to Los Angeles where we were staying we decided to poke around Santa Barbara a bit and enjoy dinner before the 90 mile trek to LA.
Santa Barbara is a beautiful city...with the ocean to the south, and the mountains to the north... while it was a bit hazy the weather was terrific and we enjoyed a couple of hours in the Funk Zone.
IN THE FUNK ZONE - … (10 comments)

Favorite Breakfast Place in Manhattan Beach, California - 06/29/08 06:59 PM
My favorite breakfast place is in Manhattan Beach, some 90 miles north of Carlsbad. Not only is it my fave in Manhattan Beach but my favorite anywhere I think.
The Local Yolk is on Highland in the heart of this charming, and expensive, beach town and has been feeding locals since 1984.
I first learned about it about 9 years ago when my daughter was at USC. We have visited many times over the years for breakfast, most recently this morning on the trip home from Los Angeles to Carlsbad.
If you are a resident in the area you undoubtedly know … (6 comments)

Taking Curb Appeal to a New Level - 06/28/08 06:09 PM
As we all know, curb appeal is an important first impression that a buyer gains of a home. It conveys lots of information about the property...good, bad, and over-the-top.
Sometimes what you find inside is consistent with the curb appeal, sometimes not. And it can go either direction.
Los Angeles has a reputation for being over-the top, being the center of the entertainment industry, and the housing there can be as well. From Malibu to Beverly Hills and beyond, money can translate into some pretty amazing properties - some regarded as tasteful, and others as, well, over-the top.
This home (some … (4 comments)

Relocating Buyers - Is Your Buyer Agent a Liability? - 06/27/08 06:44 PM
If you are relocating you have a lot to think about and accomplish. Even more so if you are selling your home.
But the big task, in my mind, is finding a home in your new location. Depending on your familiarity with the new locale, and the time you have to find a home and purchase it, this task may be a huge challenge. Working with the right buyer agent to help find a home is a good idea, and for those of you moving to a brand new area, this may be the biggest aid to your home search.
I … (21 comments)

Encinitas Things to Do - Summer Concerts on Moonlight Beach - 06/26/08 11:26 AM
Summertime in Encinitas presents us with lots of things to do.
Of course the year-round fabulous weather allows folks to be outside almost all the time.
The summer months bring a host of outdoor festivals and concerts to the Encinitas area, and the Sunday Summer Concerts by the Sea at Moonlight Beach is worth a visit.
Read about Moonlight Beach
On 4 Sundays in July and August (July 6, July 20, August 3 and August 17) you can enjoy a terrific beach, great weather, and music and dancing from 3 - 5 PM. Musical styles vary, and with the gorgeous beach, … (4 comments)

Carlsbad Things to do - Attend a Show at The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park, San Diego - 06/26/08 09:15 AM
One of the pleasure of living in Carlsbad, apart from all the things to do, is the relatively close proximity to San Diego. You can drive down town, non-rush hour, in about 30 - 40 minutes depending on your speed (and we know California drivers are all about speed on those massive freeways).
The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park, on the edge of down town San Diego, is set amidst the lush vegetation and multiple museums and other architectural gems in the heart of the park, with free parking nearby (but not close, IMO).
I had the opportunity to attend … (4 comments)

Hate Voice Mail? Try VoiceCloud - 06/25/08 10:15 AM
Inspiration for this post, and for trying VoiceCloud, came from local Carlsbad friend and blogger Roberta Murphy, and Pat Kitano. I owe them a big thank you! You will too.
I first read Roberta's post on VoiceCloud, which got me thinking, and then saw Pat's post as a subscriber to his blog. That was it - two recommendations from two trusted bloggers and I was hooked.
If you hate checking voice mail on your cell, or perhaps just prefer a better way to get messages, VoiceCloud is the answer.
Messages are send to your email as MP3 files AND transcribed into … (35 comments)

Blog Talk on the Beach - Insights, Perspectives and Revelations - 06/24/08 06:12 PM
We were with a small group of friends on the beach this past weekend for an al fresco dinner to celebrate some birthdays. The weather was spectacular and the beach was crowded. Good company and good food made for a most pleasant evening.
I had the opportunity to meet someone new, who was interested in meeting me because of my blogging. As a real estate trainer (not an agent, and not a blogger), she was curious to learn more about it from the perspective of someone who is training agents on on-line marketing, among other things.
A friend at the gathering, … (6 comments)

Top 10 Reasons to Love Encinitas, California - 06/23/08 10:49 PM
Encinitas, California, in North County San Diego, offers a lot to love for residents and visitors.
Located about 25 miles from San Diego and about 100 miles south of Los Angeles, there are many things to like about living in this seaside community.
Here’s the top 10 list (in no particular order):
Terrific weather – well, that can be said about America’s Finest City in general, but it really is true about the area. It never gets too hot or too cold (average temperature is around 72 degrees) in Encinitas.
Surfing – you may not be a surfer, but surfing here … (11 comments)

A Crazy Day of Ups and Downs in the Life of a REALTOR - 06/22/08 10:54 AM
We all have good days and bad, and some truly crazy ones mixed in that drive the stress level up, and tire the brain. It’s part of the real estate business, and life in general.
Showing property downtown, to me, is a huge challenge. It was so in Boston, and it is here in San Diego as well. I don’t do this often but when I do I can always expect some major challenges – finding the properties, finding parking and feeding meters, traffic, the dreaded parking meter sadists, difficult access to condo towers, getting lost in buildings, keys that don’t … (47 comments)

Carlsbad Real Estate Challenges for Real Relocation Buyers - 06/21/08 02:07 PM
This article is about REAL real estate challenges for serious relocation buyers to Carlsbad, or anywhere for that matter. If you are not serious about your relocation and buying a new home now, you can certainly benefit from these pointers, but then if you are not really serious when the time is right they will become more meaningful.
Relocation is a tough task.
Perhaps one could say a monumental series of tasks. Selling a home and buying a new one in this market is tough enough, but combining this with moving to a new area that you don’t know, especially a … (2 comments)

San Marcos Real Estate - The Residential Community of Santa Fe Hills - 06/21/08 09:58 AM
San Marcos is a growing and thriving community just east of Carlsbad. A broad range of housing that is more affordable than it's westerly neighbor, similar weather, and a large commercial and retail area have contributed to the growing popularity of San Marcos for many local buyers and those who are relocating. Buyers looking at San Marcos real estate will be encouraged by the inventory and diversity of newer and homes, and a variety of different communities.
Read: San Marcos - A Thriving Community
On the northern edge of San Marcos is the large residential community of Santa Fe Hills. Located … (5 comments)

Carlsbad is Going Green Again - 06/19/08 11:08 PM
Like a number of other Southern California communities, Carlsbad is going green, in more ways than one. Just a few of their efforts:
Most recently the town offices were retrofitted with new energy efficient heating, venting, and air conditioning units Solatubes were installed in the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce offices to cut down on electric lighting An Environmental Action Plan is being developed for the city Focusing on improvements such as purchasing recycled materials where possible CERMT, the Carlsbad Environmental Resources Managements Team was created in 2007 to evaluate and improve how Carlsbad manages its environmental initiatives (other project involvement include … (5 comments)

Carlsbad Things to Do - Luxuriate at the La Costa Spa - 06/19/08 10:33 PM
Living close by the La Costa Spa and Resort makes it tough to not spend time there frequently. Located in the La Costa area of south Carlsbad, it's a short walk from my home, and nearby many of Carlsbad's popular neighborhoods. So a visit should be on your list of Carlsbad things to do.
We have been to a number of parties there, hosted by the resort, as part of the relationship-building over the last several years with the lot line adjustments for abutting home owners along the golf course. And dinner at BlueFire Grill on a number of occasions is … (4 comments)

Carlsbad Area Wedding Venues - 06/19/08 09:52 AM
June is traditionally a month for weddings, so it seems appropriate to talk a bit about wedding venues in our lovely town, and in nearby communities.
I am not a wedding planner, have never planned a wedding (except my own small one years ago), have only attended a few, and know almost nothing about what things one needs to worry about these days in our age of over-consumption and extravagant over-the-top wedding ceremonies and receptions. I do know it takes time, so this information may be better suited to folks planning for later this year, or next June.
So about those … (7 comments)

A Pointless but Hopefully Pleasurable Post in Carlsbad - 06/18/08 02:33 PM
Nothing to say here. Just enjoy the pics taken on an early morning stroll through the garden. Not a spider fan but...
 


 
 


 
 


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Carlsbad Things to Do - Annual Jazz Concerts in the Parks Starts Friday June 20 - 06/18/08 09:30 AM
Carlsbad’s noteworthy TGIF Jazz in the Parks series is set to begin again.
For many who live in Carlsbad, or in nearby towns, this jazz concerts series is a highlight of the summer – which, BTW the way, is this Friday, the 20th!
Heading into the 23rd season, the highly popular event is another one of the top reasons to love living in Carlsbad and one of the many things to do (click Carlsbad Things to Do in my Tag Cloud for a full list). Here’s an opportunity to enjoy 10 successive Friday evenings of music in one of Carlsbad’s gorgeous … (2 comments)

Aren't Those Carlsbad Jacarandas Pretty? - 06/17/08 10:18 PM
This is one of those silly posts...talking about trees in Carlsbad, especially purple ones.
But for a guy from New England, purple trees are a big deal. It was one of the things I noticed about the area 3 years ago.
Of course the palm trees seem to be the ultimate tree symbol in Southern California, but they are around all year.
The Jacarandas, however, emerge in full purple splendor in May or so and last for a couple of months, give or take. Like the tulip and dogwood trees back in Boston, in my mind they are a vivid reminder … (25 comments)

San Elijo Hills Real Estate - A Video Tour of this Master Planned Community - 06/17/08 09:19 AM
San Elijo Hills is a recently built (still under construction) master planned commnunity in San Marcos, built on the highest point in North County San Diego. Fabulous views, quality builders, a focus on walkability, and a feeling of a self-contained village combine to make this one of the more popular residential neighborhoods in north San Diego.
Real estate in San Elijo Hills varies widely, with both attached and detached homes ranging in price from the $300,000s to around $2 million for the most expensive and newest homes being built at the summit at Symphony and Masterpiece. You'll find homes in both … (9 comments)

The LA Scene - The Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl - 06/16/08 11:12 PM
The annual Playboy Jazz Festival (the 30th this year) at the Hollywood Bowl is a hugely popular event.
With a terrific venue like the Hollywood Bowl in the entertainment capital of the world, how can you go wrong? The festival features two days of both well-known and lesser knownbut up-and-coming jazz performers and the first day always seems sold out (and in my opinion has the better list).
The line-up is usually pretty good, with some performers that stand-out and others that are, perhaps, a bit more lackluster. But folks are there to enjoy the outdoor party scene with about 18,000 … (10 comments)

Carlsbad Businesses - Tip Top Meats and European Deli - 06/14/08 10:13 AM
I finally had the opportunity to go to this terrific store yesterday.
Tip Top Meats and European Deli has been around Carlsbad for years, ‘bout 25 I think. It gets written up all the time, and people I know who have been there rave. Well I now can see why.

I’m not sure that there is any meat or poultry that isn’t in this store (like elk? How about ostrich? Squab?), plus a myriad of other delicacies – bottled, canned, frozen, and fresh. In addition to the fresh meats, poultry, sausages and deli delights, they have aisles of gourmet food … (8 comments)

Reality on the Carlsbad Freeway - A Video Tour of a California Freeway - 06/13/08 11:49 PM
This is a bit off the wall, but this is California, and me. And if you are not from here, or have never visited, a reality cruise on the freeway is a new adventure.
Thinking about relocating here? Or just curious? Take a look at a short drive on local freeway.
A Video-Cruise on the 5 Freeway in Carlsbad, California from Jeff Dowler on Vimeo. ************************
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 … (13 comments)

Carlsbad Real Estate - BIG News, a Lot is for Sale - 06/13/08 09:48 AM
There's big news here in the Carlsbad real estate market.
There's a lot for sale. You may not think that's big news, but it is, at least in the minds of many Carlsbad residents.
Not a lot of property (but that's true too), but an actual lot. The lot is located at the corner of College Boulevard and El Camino Real a short distance north of PAlomar Airport Road in a residential area where there is also a fair amount of open space. The reason it is BIG NEWS is that the seller is Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart purchased this land in the … (6 comments)

Carlsbad Real Estate Buyers - Are You Doing Enough with Your Home Inspection? - 06/12/08 07:23 PM
Folks who are buying Carlsbad real estate, or anywhere for that matter, owe it to themselves to do a thorough investigation of the property they wish to buy. This is not new news, or shouldn’t be.
Most REALTORS strongly encourage buyers to hire a home inspector to investigate the home they are trying to buy and part of the due diligence process. To not do so is foolhardy, in my opinion. We even have a disclosure here that advises buyers that to not conduct such an investigation is going against the recommendations of the agent. But sometimes folks don’t listen.
With … (16 comments)

Carlsbad Things to Do - Area Summer Camp Ideas - 06/12/08 10:37 AM
The best thing about summer for many kids is being out of school. We can all identify with that feeling.
For many kids, though, summer also means Summer Camp. It’s a tremendous way to broaden kids’ learning and social experiences, and for working parents with younger children it may be essential, or finding some other alternative.
Carlsbad and surrounding communities offers lots of options, and while summer is about here and schools are ending, or in some cases already have, there are unique area Summer Camp programs for kids that may be of interest to your children, or at least to … (10 comments)

A Video Tour of Bressi Ranch in Carlsbad, California - A Master Planned Community - 06/11/08 10:59 PM
Here's a video tour of the Bressi Ranch master planned community in Carlsbad, California. One of the newest planned communities in the Carlsbad real estate market, Bressi Ranch offers a range of housing, amenities, recreational opportunities and both corporate and retail facilities.
This community is about 5 miles inland from the Carlsbad beaches and Carlsbad Village,with easy access to shopping, restaurants, recreational activities and lots of touristy things to do.
Read:
Bressi Ranch Master Planned Community in Carlsbad for more information about this terrific neighborhood
Carlsbad Village by the Sea
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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding … (9 comments)

Encinitas - A Center for Yoga in San Diego County - 06/10/08 01:38 PM
I took my first yoga class last week. Big deal, you might say. I have been thinking about taking yoga for a long time, certainly as long as I have lived here in Carlsbad. And I’ve been told it would be good for my back. So I finally took the plunge at my local gym where I go. It was great, and I hope to continue as my schedule allows.
That being said, the real purpose of this post is to talk about yoga and Encinitas, the town just next door to Carlsbad. Encinitas is well known for several things, perhaps … (8 comments)

A Video Tour of Carlsbad Village in Carlsbad California - 06/10/08 12:23 AM
If you are considering buying Carlsbad real estate, or are just plain interested in this terrific seaside community in North County San Diego as a place to live or visit, you might enjoy these two videos of the downtown village area.
If you want to learn more about Carlsbad and Carlsbad real estate:
Read:
Carlsbad Village by the Sea
Things to Do in Carlsbad
Carlsbad Village
Carlsbad Subdivisions and Neighborhoods

NOTE:
The first video is about 2 1/2 minutes long. The second is about 1 minute and 40 seconds (I apologize for the loud truck noise and the abrupt ending … (6 comments)

A Video Tour of Pacific Beach in San Diego - 06/09/08 10:57 AM
Here's a short video tour of Pacific Beach in San Diego, California.
Read more about Pacific Beach here.
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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
All content copyright © 2007 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

… (8 comments)

A Video Tour of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla, California - 06/08/08 10:10 PM
I recently wrote a longer post about Mt. Soledad in beautiful La Jolla, but here are just the videos. Enjoy.




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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
All content copyright © 2007 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

… (16 comments)

REAL ESTATE VIDEOS USA - A New Group for Community Video Bloggers - 06/08/08 03:21 PM
This NEW group was inspired first by a community post I did, but more so by a suggestion by William Johnson, a great friend and fellow RE/MAX Associates agent here in the San Diego area.
Yes, I know – do we really need another group? I can hear the collective groan. GROOOAAANNNNN. But this is about potential clients, both buyers and sellers. And it’s an attempt to get some of you video naysayers off your duffs and into the 21st century of real estate. BTW if I missed a group that already exists like this let me know – no duplication … (50 comments)

Carlsbad Real Estate - Town Homes at Mystic Point in Calavera Hills - 06/06/08 10:14 AM
Carlsbad home buyers have a diversity of choices when searching for a new home, depending on their budget and the area they prefer to live in.
There are many different Carlsbad neighborhoods and subdivisions, and each one has a different feel and appeal. Knowing which neighborhoods are likely to offer the homes that meet your requirements will save you time in your searching. For many, because of affordability, the choices are financially driven. And since there are lots of things to do in Carlsbad, some buyers prefer to live near these amenities and activities.
Calavera Hills is a newer planned community … (4 comments)

Financial Planning and Your Second Home - 06/04/08 11:54 PM
I started a series recently on financial planning as it pertains to real estate purchases.
We talked about financial planning in general, keeping in mind our overall financial goals as we consider our real estate purchase. My friend Paul Paroti, a financial planner, shared his wisdom with me regarding making these real estate purchase decisions with long term goals in mind.
Next we discussed the issue of down payments and the financial considerations associated with making decisions about where the money is coming from, long term goals, tax implications and so on. As a financial planner, Paul again shared some thoughts … (2 comments)

MT. Soledad in La Jolla, California - Forever Views of San Diego and La Jolla - 06/03/08 05:58 PM
Mt. Soledad in La Jolla is a fascinating place to visit for a visual perspective on the San Diego area.
With views extending 30 miles or more in all directions, one really gains a better idea of the diversity of the San Diego landscape, as well as a bird’s eye view of La Jolla itself…considered “the Jewel” of Southern California. It’s a great place to visit on a clear (or relatively clear) day, and folks who live in the area often bring their out of town guests for a tour. Sunsets are spectacular, unless you have a marine layer roll in.
… (15 comments)

Using Video to Market Investment Properties - 06/03/08 10:16 AM
Selling investment real estate in some areas has become increasingly challenging due to pricing issues – higher prices and rents not keeping pay to provide sufficient cash flow unless the investor is putting down a large chunk of cash.
And marketing these properties can be difficult when there are tenants in the units.
Often the property cannot be shown unless there is a signed acceptance of an offer Or perhaps one of the units can only be viewed with 24 or more hour notice Buyers should be pre-approved (they normally should anyway but I find some agents show clients to properties … (43 comments)

What Pops up on YOUR Cell Phone? - 06/02/08 10:04 AM
The cell phone (smart phone, whatever you use and want to call it) may be THE tech tool of our industry, at least in terms of the number there are in existence. Heck, some folks have more than one. And telephone numbers are running out in some locations because of the sheer number of phones (we are getting a new area code for this very reason).
The real estate business has always thrived on communication between agents and potential clients (and of course that is true of mortgage brokers, escrow folks, inspectors, staging professionals and so on), and despite the advent … (22 comments)

Moonlight Beach in Encinitas (Video) | Something for Everyone in Encinitas CA - 06/01/08 07:57 PM
Moonlight Beach is an attractive activity-oriented beach located just a couple of blocks from the down town Encinitas area. Plus there is lots of stuff to do nearby
Read:
Encinitas Dining and Shopping Extravaganza for a tour of the down town area and information on shopping and dining Encinitas Things to Do - Visit the Meditation Gardens at the Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat The video will give you a good idea of why this beach is so popular with locals and visitors. With shopping nearby, plenty of restaurants, beach activities such as kite flying, beach volley ball, and surfing, plus the amenities … (17 comments)

 
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Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Homes for Sale ~ 760-840-1360

Jeff Dowler

Carlsbad, CA

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Solutions Real Estate (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)

Address: 6005 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 280, Carlsbad, CA, 92011

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