San Diego's Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - An Icon in the La Jolla Area - 01/31/10 11:47 PM
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is an icon in the San Diego area.

Located along the 5 freeway, it is impossible for the Church of Latter Day Saints to not grab your attention as you drive north or south in La Jolla, but it can also be seen from many of the area hilltops, including Mt. Soledad in La Jolla.
While I have seen it countless times from a distance, I have often wanted to stop by and take photos, but never took the time to do so. Today was the day, as I was showing … (16 comments)

Out-of-Area Agents - Let's Play by the Rules - 01/30/10 04:50 PM
As our market has shifted in the last several years, especially with more REOs and short sales, there has been an influx of out-of-area agents, especially on the listing side. 
This change has complicated the showing process from a Buyer Agent's (and buyers!) perspective, for a host of reasons - limited or inaccurate information, lockbox issues, poor communication, and so on. 
We really do want to help your sell your listings and work hand in hand with you, so here are some suggestions to improve the process. If everyone would play by the rules, life would be so much simpler.
FOLLOW … (21 comments)

San Marcos Restaurants – The Market St. Café and French Bakery is a Winner - 01/30/10 01:53 PM
Of the San Marcos Restaurants I have enjoyed, the Market St. Café and French Bakery is a winner.
 
I was introduced to the Market St. Café a year or two ago by good friends, and we had several wonderful meals there...a pleasant surprise given what seems to be a wealth of chain and fast food San Marcos restaurants. Their half price wine night is a real treat and a deal! I took some clients there for lunch and they, too, thoroughly enjoyed the food and the atmosphere on their outdoor patio. 
San Marcos Restaurants - The Market St. Café in … (8 comments)

Close of Escrow or Settlement = Move In Day. Maybe. (A debate) - 01/29/10 09:37 AM
The main purpose of this article is to generate discussion and debate, with advice offered by fellow agents, and a sharing of good, and bad, experiences. 
The issue?  When does the buyer get to move into the new home? 
In general, once escrow has closed, or settlement occurs, the new home owners are given the keys to their new home and can move in. Occupancy is specified clearly in the Offer to Purchase Contact here in California and is part of the negotiation and contract. But there are a number of scenarios that can occur. 
Is occupancy by the end of … (15 comments)

I Love Sticky Notes Off-Line and On-Line - 01/27/10 11:02 AM
I have been a big fan of sticky notes, a.k.a. Post-It Notes (Post-Its), for years. A great invention. In the corporate world they were indispensable. Still are, no doubt. 
Their use carried over into my real estate business and became a staple when I started blogging. Post-Its were everywhere, with all my ideas for blog articles.
I got more organized and started keeping a file filled with clippings, notes, etc. to keep track of all my ideas. Post-It Notes are still a big part of that organization. And I continue to use them in a variety of ways as I suspect … (53 comments)

Sellers - Is YOUR Home Sale Slip-Sliding Away? My List of Top 6 Boo Boos - 01/24/10 11:50 PM
Is YOUR home sale slip-sliding away? 
In light of all the rain this week in California you might think I'm talking about mudslides. And granted, there are some of those, unfortunately, with more likely to come unless the rain stops. 
But this post is really about home sales losing their potential to become a reality...for a host of reasons. Some may be YOUR fault, deliberate or not. Others, quite frankly, are the result of your agent's actions. Maybe you aren't aware. Maybe you are and don't care. 
As an agent who is, at the moment, working with lots of buyers who … (60 comments)

An Interesting View of Real Estate - 01/24/10 11:29 PM
I took this photo some years ago from the top of one of the tallest buildings in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The view of the nearby real estate was intriguing. And all you could see in the distance was high rise buildings.

When we visited we saw an incredible array of homes - gorgeous high-rise condos, slums, estates surrounded by barbed wire, guard gates, and cameras, and so much more. It is an incredible city (the world's 3rd largest) that extends for miles and miles) and we enjoyed our visit immensely (my daugher was in school for 18 month there). I would … (7 comments)

The Hook of Using a Good Photo - 01/24/10 10:53 AM
Morning musings, over a cup of coffee, can sometimes lead to interesting thoughts. Or generate ideas for a post.
Such was the case just now, after getting a comment from fellow blogger and CRS Sam Miller. Sam is a very successful agent and blogger in the Knox Country real estate market in Ohio, and he knows about the power of the Internet in his business. 

I wrote a short article recently about Lake San Marcos and included a couple of photos (one shown above) I had taken plus a video. Sam's simple, but powerful comment a short time ago was … (9 comments)

Carlsbad Real Estate – Attached Townhomes in Portico at Rancho Carrillo in Carlsbad - 01/23/10 05:40 PM
The Carlsbad real estate market offers upscale attached townhomes in Portico, a gated neighborhood in the master planned community of Rancho Carrillo in Carlsbad. 
READ MORE:
  Carlsbad Village by the Sea
Rancho Carrillo - A Master Planned Community in Carlsbad  
Portico is located off of Melrose at the south end of Rancho Carrillo, about 5 miles inland from the ocean and beaches, and just up the street from the private residents club with swimming pool, tennis courts and more. The Carrillo Elementary School (in the San Marcos Unified School District) is less than ½ mile from Portico, and the Leo Carrillo … (3 comments)

California - Land of Superfoods - 01/22/10 03:53 PM
California is a land of many things - fruit and nuts, as folks say jokingly, beaches, celebrities and celebrity wannabees, and agriculture. 
We've all heard "you are what you eat," and with the increasing health awareness and the focus on diet this seems to be truer than many believe. And California, with the wealth of agricultural produce, is a great place to be for year-round fresh fruit, vegetables and more. 
I read an interesting article recently in California Country magazine about Superfoods, foods which "have health benefits that go beyond basic nutrition," according to food expert and international superfood authority Clare … (11 comments)

There's a Body in the Driveway!! - 01/21/10 12:43 PM
As folks may know, Southern California has been deluged with rain and wind - we are on the 3rd or 4th storm of the week, with flooding, some mudslides, home evacuations and other unpleasantness. 
My seller let me know that my sign had blown down yesterday so I schlepped out in the pouring rain to go fix it. I was working on getting it righted and sunk in the ground in a firmer spot and happened to turn and look across the road to the neighbor's.
Yikes!! There was a body in the driveway!! 
It (appeared to be male) was lying … (48 comments)

Agents – Some Tips to Get Your Homes Sold - 01/18/10 01:07 AM
This list of tips, admittedly, is a bit tongue-in cheek. But I think some folks can use the help. Perhaps they do know but just don't care, or are lazy, forget or for some other reason don't bother. Regardless, some help is needed.
I hope if these apply you take these suggestions to heart. 
Some of this seems so obvious and common sense. But clearly it's not. And it is certainly not doing clients any favors and getting their home sold. 
TAKE SOME PHOTOS Don't be so lazy. Buyers want to see them. REO agents are the worst. Guess they figure … (100 comments)

OPEN HOUSE at 1136 Hubbard Avenue in Escondido, California 92027 Sunday January 17 - 01/16/10 09:45 AM
The first and only PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE will be held this Sunday January 17th at 1136 Hubbard Avenue in Escondido
 

 
 
Come PICK ORANGES and enjoy a personal tour of this unique property: 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths (2 masters, 1 up and 1 down)
24 x 28 Detached Workshop
Citrus and Avocado Orchard
Separate Rental Unit at $850/month
2-Car Garage with Extra Storage Bay and Private Office
Fabulous Mountain Views
 
SUNDAY JANUARY 17th from 1 until 4 pm
Visit 1136 Hubbard for more information, photos and videos
********************************
Subscribe in a reader
If I can … (8 comments)

A Video Tour Through the Lake San Marcos Community in San Marcos California 92078 - 01/15/10 07:54 PM
Lake San Marcos is a resort residential community in the southwest corner of San Marcos, close to the Carlsbad line. Lake San Marcos has a long reputation as a retirement community and while the demographics have shifted in recent years, the community still draws a large percentage of folks who are retired.
 
The Lake San Marcos community, while not exclusively 55+, has several areas that are limited to those 55 and older - both condominiums (some are at The Chateau, which is an assisted living community that includes dining and housekeeping as some of the services covered through the monthly … (7 comments)

Carlsbad Real Estate – New Master Planned Community at The Foothills in Carlsbad California 92010 - 01/14/10 11:08 PM
I mentioned not long ago a new community, Rockrose at The Foothills in Carlsbad, being built. 
Well, here's the newest scoop on the latest master planned community in Carlsbad (and perhaps the last, given the land availability, or lack thereof) being built at the junction of Cannon Road and College Boulevard just south of another planned community, Calavera Hills. 
READ MORE: Carlsbad - Village by the Sea
The Foothills at Carlsbad will feature homes by 3 area builders at Rockrose, plus Alcea and Blossom Grove in this 157 acre community with clubhouse, pool, park, trails and more. Models are not yet available … (10 comments)

The Carlsbad Marathon is Sunday January 24th 2010 in Carlsbad California - 01/14/10 07:39 PM
The poplar and well-known (perhaps even world famous) Carlsbad Marathon will be taking place on Sunday January 24th 2010 in Carlsbad California.
 
Runners from around the country and the world will be participating in the ___running of the Carlsbad Marathon course which takes them along our beautiful beaches as well as on some of the more popular areas roads, some of which have great views of the area. There will also be a half marathon (both marathons are sold out).
A number of roads will be closed at various times on the day of the marathon, so expect potential issues … (3 comments)

La Jolla Real Estate - la Jolla Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/14/10 09:40 AM

The La Jolla real estate market is one of the most expensive in San Diego County. A visit to La Jolla on-line, or better yet in real life, will quickly give you a good sense of why this is so. La Jolla, "The Jewel," is an extraordinarily beautiful coastal community with many homes offering fabulous views of the ocean from the hills, and a trendy, very up-scale village offering the finest in shopping and dining. La Jolla has often been compared to the French and Italian Rivieras with wonderful ocean and coastline vistas from the hills, amazing homes, beautiful architecture, … (4 comments)

Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate - Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/14/10 12:12 AM

As a buyer or seller in the Rancho Santa Fe real estate market, having information about the current market conditions will enable you to make an informed decisionregarding what to do with regard to buying a home in Rancho Santa Fe, or selling your Rancho Santa Fe home. 
The Rancho Santa Fe real estate market is very localized, and the most expensive community, on average, in San Diego County, and knowing what is going on in the market with regard to inventory and sales is important for making a buying or selling decision. Finding comparables for determining price for either … (5 comments)

Foodie Alert in San Diego – Restaurant Week is Coming January 17th 2010 to a Restaurant Near You! - 01/13/10 11:47 AM
Yes, it's true. Foodies in San Diego are getting excited. 
Restaurant Week will hit San Diego January 17th(that's THIS Sunday) and lasts until Friday January 22nd. 
San Diego Restaurant Week is a terrific way to dine at your old favorites, or explore some new eateries with special menus and reduced prices. No tickets are needed but because of the popularity of this event, reservations are pretty darn important (probably essential). 
The San Diego Restaurant Week website gives you the opportunity to search for places to eat by cuisine, location, price and name. There are dozens of restaurants (over 180) participating with … (5 comments)

Escondido Real Estate - Escondido Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/12/10 11:07 PM

Escondido is an inland community, about 15 miles from the coast adjacent to San Marcos. Like its neighbors, San Marcos, Vista and Oceanside, Escondido has seen fairly significant shifts in the real estate market with a large number of short sales and foreclosures. 
READ MORE: A Tour of Escondido - A Diverse Inland San Diego Community 
As a buyer or seller in the Escondido real estate market, understanding recent trends and current market conditions is essential in order to make informed decisions; media reports focus on general market conditions and therefore will not provide an accurate picture of the local … (5 comments)

Solana Beach Real Estate - Solana Beach Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/12/10 01:19 AM

Solana Beach is an affluent coastal town south of Encinitas and Cardiff, and among the more expensive coastal communities in coastal San Diego. Despite changes in prices over the last several years the Solana Beach real estate market has seen less dramatic changes than some other nearby towns further inland. 
READ MORE: Solana Beach Real Estate 
As a buyer or seller in the Solana Beach real estate market, understanding recent trends and current market conditions is essential in order to make informed decisions; media reports focus on general market conditions and therefore will not provide an accurate picture of the … (4 comments)

San Marcos Real Estate Market - San Marcos Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/11/10 11:30 PM

The San Marcos real estate market continues to evolve, especially with the large number of distress sales. These data do not include any private sales nor manufactured housing; the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. 
READ MORE: San Marcos - A Thriving Inland Residential Community
Media reports speak in general terms, rather than local, so that information may not represent the reality of our local San Marcos real estate market. Having data from a knowledgeable agent about the local market conditions benefits you as the buyer or seller when making … (2 comments)

Last Chance for Carlsbad New Construction Homes at La Costa Ridge in La Costa, Carlsbad CA 92009 - 01/10/10 11:48 AM
 La Costa Ridge, built on one of the highest points in south Carlsbad, has been a popular new home community since the gates opened. And now the opportunity to snare one of these new homes there is about gone. 

San Vincenzo is sold out
Fiori is sold out
Dolcetto is sold out 
Only Messina (Shea Homes) has anything left, and they only have two. 





READ MORE:
Carlsbad Village by the Sea
La Costa - A Great Neighborhood in Carlsbad
La Costa Ridge - Master Planned Community at La Costa, Carlsbad CA 
Here's the deal. The … (4 comments)

Oceanside Real Estate - Oceanside Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/09/10 11:42 PM

The Oceanside real estate market has undergone many shifts and continues to evolve, especially with the number of distress sales. This report does not include any private sales nor manufactured or mobile housing; the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. 
Media reports speak in general terms, so information may not represent the reality of the local Oceanside real estate market. Having data from a knowledgeable agent about local market conditions benefits you as the buyer or seller for making informed decisions about a purchase or sale. 
READ MORE: Oceanside California … (3 comments)

Carlsbad Power Plant #2 Along the Ocean - A Reality or A Big Mistake? - 01/09/10 06:43 PM
The plans to build a second Carlsbad power plant have been in the works for some time. The proposed site is adjacent to the existing power plant by the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon sandwiched between the 5 freeway and the ocean. 
Beautiful site. Ugly buildings. Here is the current plant.
 

Not surprisingly there is lots of opposition, by residents and by the City of Carlsbad. The California Energy Commission is in the process of holding hearings to listen to testimony about this proposed plant. Residents are STRONGLY encouraged to make their concerns known so that the state does not make … (5 comments)

Escondido Real Estate - 1136 Hubbard Avenue in Escondido California 92027 (OFF MARKET June 2010) - 01/09/10 04:21 PM
Panoramic view homes with land are a rare find, especially near the coast. At least at a price folks consider somewhat affordable, say a million or so. 

Inland, such as in the Escondido real estate market, one can still find properties like this, although they are somewhat rare, for well under a million, with the trade off being a bit further from the beach but having less marine layer and warmed temperatures in the summers. 
 
READ MORE: A Tour of Escondido, A Diverse Inland San Diego Community
 
 
The Escondido real estate market has a rare offering … (0 comments)

Superstitions and Real Estate - Are YOU Spooked? Are They? - 01/08/10 10:41 AM
Every now and then superstitions enter our business, sometimes in ways we don't expect.  They don't necessarily prevent things from moving ahead but it's always interesting to hear about the things that folks are superstitious about. 
A couple of example - I bet you all have some stories to share. 
I had a buyer a number of years ago from the Caribbean - I don't recall where. We toured a good number of homes in the Cambridge area and there was one property on a dead end street she was interested in seeing. 
No way, she said, once she saw the … (10 comments)

Del Mar Real Estate - Del Mar Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/07/10 12:03 AM

Del Mar is a small coastal town in North San Diego County with a reputation as one of the most expensive towns in the county. Indeed, the Del Mar real estate market currently has two of the most expensive homes for sale in San Diego County (at $76M and $50M), and still holds the record for the most expensive property sold (at about $48,000,000). 
READ MORE: Del Mar - Affluent Seaside Town (A Community Profile) 
Having up to date information on the local Del Mar real estate market is important to make informed decisions about buying and selling property. Here … (5 comments)

Cardiff Real Estate - Cardiff Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/06/10 11:33 PM

As a buyer or seller in the Cardiff real estate market, having information about the current market conditions will enable you to make an informed decision regarding what to do with regard to buying a home in Cardiff, or selling your Cardiff home. 
The Cardiff real estate market is small and very localized, and knowing what is going on with regard to inventory and sales is important for making a buying or selling decision. Finding comparables for determining price for either a listing or a purchase can sometimes be tricky because of the limited inventory. 
READ MORE:  Cardiff by the … (1 comments)

Encinitas Real Estate - Encinitas Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/04/10 11:50 PM

As a buyer or seller in the Encinitas real estate market, it is important to have information about the market conditions in order to make a more informed decision about what to do with regard to buying, or selling, your Encinitas home. 
Here is a summary of the Encinitas real estate market for December 2009 based on statistics from the MLS (private sales are not included nor are manufactured and mobile homes). These data are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed due to how data may be entered into the MLS system. 
READ MORE: Encinitas - An Eclectic Seaside Community 
… (12 comments)

Goat or Lawnmower - You Decide - 01/04/10 04:36 PM
I learn something new and interesting every day, it seems. 
Today, courtesy of a buyer client, I learned about renting goats. Whodathunk?
 
It's true, though. Renting goats is becoming very popular, especially for sites that are hard to maintain through traditional means (e.g., steep hillsides, landfills), for fire hazard reduction (goats are voracious plant eaters), developing a weed and brush control program (read about it on Goatworld), among other reasons. 
Goatfinder will help you find rentable goats in your area (California is a popular area, not surprisingly, as are Indiana and Washington). And I have now heard that some folks … (25 comments)

Carlsbad Real Estate - Carlsbad Real Estate Market Report for December 2009 - 01/04/10 10:16 AM

The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, and the statistics for December show a number of changes from the prior month. These data do not include any private sales nor manufactured/mobile housing; the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed.
READ MORE:  Carlsbad Village by the Sea 
Media reports speak in general terms, so their information may not represent the reality of our local Carlsbad real estate market. Having data, and knowledge, about the local market conditions benefits you as the buyer or seller so you can make informed purchase … (1 comments)

It Shouldn't be this Hard to Buy a Cheap Condo These Days - 01/03/10 06:24 PM
It really shouldn't be this hard to buy a cheap condo in this market.
Granted there are lots of short sales and REOs, especially when you are looking under $100K in North San Diego County (yes, you CAN buy a condo in this price range in America's Finest City these days). Can you believe even a 2-bedroom one? 
Well, you can, but it ain't easy.
Here are the most recent examples just today. 
Scenario 1- vacant condo on lockbox per the MLS. Got to the unit. No lockbox but keys lying in the entry. Nope, they did not work. Per … (8 comments)

Sunset on New Year's Day 2010 Over the Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad California - 01/02/10 11:03 PM

I have a passion for sunsets, especially over the ocean. So living on the west coast gives me ample opportunity to enjoy the many gorgeous sunsets during the year. The most spectacular seem to be in the winter, which was also true when we had our home on Cape Cod Bay in Massachusetts. There, we could see the sun set over the bay to the west, but also enjoy the sunrise, if we were up early enough. 
Watching the sun set over the ocean is a popular activity here - there are many vantage points for folks to enjoy the … (19 comments)

Is ActiveRain Helping the Real Estate Industry? You Bet It Is! - 01/02/10 10:58 AM
We all know that ActiveRain is an amazing social networking venue focused on the real estate industry. With 169,296 members as I write this, ActiveRain is an incredible voice in the real estate, and social networking, world, with significant power to influence change. 
Is ActiveRain helping the real estate industry? You bet it is! Here are just a few ways.
AR provides a forum for: 
Real estate agents/brokers, staging professionals, mortgage brokers, inspectors, title professionals and others in the industry to share ideas and learn from each other. Consumers benefit through their own increased education, as well as benefiting from more … (34 comments)

El Camino Real in Encinitas, California – The Shopping Corridor - 01/02/10 09:58 AM
El Camino Real in Encinitas, California - The Shopping Corridor

El Camino Real, the "King's Highway," in a main thoroughfare running from Oceanside south to Cardiff. The road, which roughly parallels the ocean, is a good alternative to commuting on the 5 freeway during rush hour as there is less traffic, although you have to deal with stop lights. 
El Camino Real takes you through residential and agricultural areas as well as several significant shopping areas, the best and most diverse being the El Camino Shopping Corridor in Encinitas (from Encinitas Boulevard north to Leucadia Boulevard). 
Folks living in South … (2 comments)

Last Pics of the Year - Happy New Year 2010: The Dawn of a New Decade - 01/01/10 09:51 AM

I was out touring homes and taking photos and realized that these  will be the LAST photos of the year 2009, and I suppose the decade.
These photos were taken at Grandview Beach in Leucadia (Encinitas), a favorite place to visit which always makes me think about that I really enjoy about being here - great weather, palm trees, the ocean, and wonderful views. I hope YOU enjoy them too, wherever you are!



I want to wish all my ActiveRain friends...those I know and those yet to come...the happiest of New Year's Eves and Best Wishes for … (18 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)

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