Jay Becker's Blog

That was then, this is Now - Home Prices are on the rise, get in now!

Jay Becker — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:42:16 -0700

Whether you have been in the home hunting process for years or you're new to the home search process you probably know that the market has changed significantly.

For a period of time house values were dropping and inventory was plentiful.

That same inventory sat stagnant on the market as the banks sifted through foreclosed and short sale inventory - keeping prices low as the market prices leveled out to their true market value.

House values have risen over the past few months.

Buyers you must act swiftly before you are priced out of your dream home.

Interest rates are still very reasonable. However, Inventory is limited. Simple supply and demand is driving prices up in sunny San Diego.

The median sales price for homes in La Jolla rose 5.3% in the first 1/4 of the this year with a median price of $900,000..

If you are new to the home buying process or you are a seasoned buyer feel free to search all homes in San Diego.

If you are interested what I can sell your home for receive a free home market analysis visit house values in La Jolla and I will be happy to contact you.

To learn more about our services check out what sellers and buyers have said about own-sd.

Dress up a small yard and create a selling benefit vs drawback

Jay Becker — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 09:10:11 -0800

In Southern California, land is at a premium and many homes minimal yard space are often overlooked by prospective buyers because buyers generally like some out door living area.

With some investment and creativity you can turn a negative into a positive. Here in this example what was a postage stamp plot of grass, that has been transformed into a private oasis with every color under the rainbow. Enhance your property by extending the visual field beyond the natural borders of your property lines.

Where market prices are leading to a direction of creating happier sellers, we will be considering select homes for listing consideration. Please consider our boutique firm when considering listing your home in San Diego.

Best Smoothie in San Diego

Jay Becker — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 15:51:10 -0800

The marketing is robustly gaining pace, and our teams are all back to 7 day weeks, and 12-14 hour days. Lunches are becoming a a forgotten LUXRE from the past, when the market was still asleep. With the flu season in full swing, now is the time to be getting all the nutrients you can. Lucky for us San Diegans, GreenFix makes the most amazing smoothies. They are 100% organic and include ingredients like kale, flax seed, apple juice, dandelion greens and parsley. I am officially hooked! I just picked up an entire gallon at the Little Italy Mercato.

You can find GreenFix Smoothies at farmer's markets all around town or you can visit their warehouse. For more information on locations and hours, check out their website.

This is not a paid promotion, and noone from the company has recently bought a home from us ; )

We just love to share what we love - A happy and healthy 2013 to all.

The Lux-RE-Homes team

Jay, Andrew, Michael, Ally, Heidi, Gaither, Steven, Nicole

Yoshimi battles the Pink Robots + more fun things to do in San Diego

Jay Becker — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 09:36:12 -0800

L a J o l l a P l a y h o u s e:

Enjoy the most current, and exciting and award theatre performances that have originated here in La Jolla that have gone on to be long running successes on Broadway. This La Jolla establishment was founded by Gregory Peck in 1947. Thank you to the incredible support of private donors and grants, the theatre has been transformed into the state of the art theatre located on the UCSD Campus.

The 2013 season awaits as it finishes out its last show of the season of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Viewed members of our firm" It was an exciting, thought provoking and heartfelt show with the most incredible live stage animatronics and soothing and passion inspired alternative music accompaniment".

La Jolla Playhouse - 2910 La Jolla Village Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 - 858-550-1010

Plus lots of other fun things to do:

http://lajollahomes.net/destinations-and-leisure.html

Home buying is - UP - don't just BUY - BUY SMART

Jay Becker — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 09:26:37 -0700

Here in the San Diego California market if you were just to look at the housing market for coastal, downtown and luxury homes you might feel like we were back in the stronger home buying years of the early 2000's. Multiple offers, homes selling quicker from their listing date and more buyers have entered the market. From the buy side perspective, another positive is that prices are remaining stable so there are still good bargains to be had. The market up-surge combined with beneficial pricing has led to some homes to sell over asking prices, it is only a matter of time until these sold comps start to move up prices on a broader level.

San Diego, LA, Orange County, and other luxury coastal areas are experience very strong rebounding and home sale are way up. Part of the increase is driven by pent up demand from the past 5 years of folks sitting on the sidelines. Evidence of housing stabilizing, and much of the concern of significant downside risk on home prices that has subsided in most buyer's minds. Certainly the election outcome may make some small ripples on the pond, however, rates at 3-4%, and good pricing values on the some of the most desirable communities in the country.

If you are a buyer that has been sitting out the market. there is no time like the present to get back in and evaluate if the time is right for you to make a purchase. Often times those that wait miss out on good properties, and by the time everything in the economy is back to full swing, prices and rates have risen so sharply that buyers become priced out of the market. Especially if your purchase is to be a buy and hold for medium to long term, Southern California property has always been in strong demand and populations continue to rise, as supply continues to shrink.

DO NOT MISS THE PRESENT BUYING WINDOW. And of course, noone can provide you better tools for expert evaluation for property considerations, insightful due diligence research, and masterful negotiation than your carefully chosen, long-time experienced REALTOR. Check reviews and references before you select your representation. Most advertising- Best Hairdo - Flashiest car as Realtor criteria selection was so '2005'.

www.OWN-SD.com

www.sandiegorealtydirectory.com

IPAD drawing for first 250 Likes on my new Facebook Page!

Jay Becker — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:49:25 -0800

Yes, you heard me right. 1 click gets you in the drawing! I joined Facebook and am giving away a free ipad after I get 250 LIKES. It's as simple as that! I love giving back.

Go to www.facebook.com/ownsd

Fellow realtors, I specialize in luxury san diego real estate and offer generous referral fees. Call me to refer a client.

Jay Becker 858.222.43217

Bird Rock - The best kept secret in La Jolla

Jay Becker — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:31:50 -0800

One of my favorite "hidden" communities in San Diego is by far Bird Rock. It is nestled in Southwest La Jolla on the Pacific Ocean and is comprised mainly of single family neighborhoods with a few condo complexes here and there. The community has about 4 blocks of store fronts ranging from barbers, surf shops, restaurants, to pet supplies. I highly recommend taking a weekend stroll through the town. The locals are a nice blend of surfers to long time residents. The abundant parking mixed with a lack of parking meters (yes parking is free and plenty) reflects the true laid back nature of what many people envision when they think of San Diego.

The beauty of this small community and its atmosphere comes with a price. Typically a 1 bedroom condo starts in the high 300k range and homes will fetch well into the millions. To add to the draw, Bird Rock also boasts one of the highest rated elementary schools in the San Diego school district. This past summer, even MTV got in the mix when they shot the 26th season of Real World in a 6000sqft, 3.5 Million Dollar Home on Chelsea St.

All in all, I love showing homes in this area to prospective buyers. The area sells itself. La Jolla and Pacific Beach are only a stroll away, so it really is a place where you can have the best of both worlds.

Below is a photo from Calumet Park, where you'll never fail to see a beautiful sunset. Every day at the golden hour, a handful of locals wander down to Calumet, many with their dogs, to enjoy this breathtaking view.

Jay S. Becker, PRINCIPAL / SR. REALTOR

Lux-RE Homes - a Full Service Real Estate Brokerage

direct: 858-335-4235

office: 858-222-4321 ext. 7

toll free: 888-589-7346 - (888-LUXREHOMES)
fax: 855-589-7346 - (855-LUXREHOMES)
email: Jay@OWN-SD.com

www .OWN-SD.com

20 Years of Superior Representation for Luxury Properties.

Making YOUR home a SMART / GREEN home - Part 1

Jay Becker — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:24:03 -0800

This article is a way in which a client and planet conscious Realtor, gives back to his clients, the community and mankind.

Don't avoid purchasing an older home just because it does not have all the bells of whistles of a new 'green' home.

There are some easy ways to reduce utility costs without sacrificing luxury.

Part 1 – LIGHTING AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Recessed lighting has been considered a luxury upgrade in residential housing since the 1960’s. Recessed lighting can fixtures provide a nice general and accent lighting and replace the need for lamps and multiple hanging fixtures. It is estimated that the greenhouse gas from regular light bulbs alone is equal to that of the emissions of 800,000 cars per year. And that if all US households just used only 1 high efficiency light bulbs, that savings would save enough energy to cover the entire energy consumption of 3 million US Homes (energy consumption facts from Energy Star)

HIGH COST LIGHTING: The one negative about recessed can lighting is that each fixture generally requires a 60-75 watt bulb, so when you add up what might be 6-12 cans or more in a living room, you can easily reach 1000 per watts per room before you know it.

EARLY SOLUTION: The development of the CLF or ECObulb provide consumers and alternative screw in bulb, however they light emitted is a harsh fluorescent industrial style lighting. So your living room, and all of your furniture and artwork, when from looking soothing to losing its richness and creation of a harsh viewing environment. There is a delay from when you turn on the switch until the light bulbs are fully bright. Also your lighting was now no longer dimmable so all lights were either ON or OFF. They reduced the wattage to that of about half of traditional bulbs, however to many, the cost savings did not outweigh the creature comfort aspect.

THE BEST SOLUTION: Enter the world of NEWER AND IMPROVED LED. Where initial LED lights were not dimmable, and would only work on LED specific fixtures, and were only available in a bright industrial white light. NOW LED lights are dimmable, available in a wide range of color spectrums, and have screw in bases to adapt to any lamps.

COST AND PRODUCT LIFE: (below are estimates based upon more common bulbs an styles)

Traditional Recessed Light bulbs range from approx 45-95 watts, last anywhere from 400- 2000 hours or so and cost about $4-$12 each

CLF Bulbs run cool, use 13-35 watts, last twice as long as regular bulbs approx $9-$17 each

LED Flood lamps, use 2-4 watts, last 16-30 years, and cost $40-60 each

ENJOY THE SAVINGS – YOUR TRUSTED AND RESPECTED REALTOR

Jay Becker – http://own-sd.com/introduction.html

http://www.sandiego-coastal-homes.com/

http://www.sandiegolistingsearch.com

http://www.facebook.com/#!/ownsd

Dont be frustrated buying Foreclosures Properties i.e. SHORT SALES / REO / Bank Owned Homes - just know how to work it

Jay Becker — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:00:59 -0800

Here are a few guidelines I use with my clients to preserve your sanity and keep your clients happy.

1) Short sale listings where there is "No Lender Knowledge", would be the equivalent of a 17 year old planning an elaborate road trip with the parents car, before asking for parental permission. Meaning it's not going to be a quick no, and you might want to consider 'alternatives' rather than be disappointed. The process may be long and painful.

2) Short sale listings where the "Short Sale Package is submitted", at least all parties are in the know, yet based upon the backlog of reviewing short sale requests, it could still be quite a time consuming venture with a good deal of uncertainty along the way. Personally, I feel that the time frames have greatly improved, however, buyer's can lose their spark if they get bogged down with long periods of non-communication from the bank.

3) Short sale listing referred to "Approved Short Sale" - may only mean the bank had approved the short sale 'concept' regarding the property, and is not prepared to share an acceptable price as the new legislation states that they are required to do so. Best to inquire with the listing agent and confirm, they are ready to go, and ready to respond to offers, and they you are in a better position for a quick response.

4) Short sale listing "Bank Approved Short sale at $1.295,000", now we are talking. Treat this like any other REO Bank Owned property, and submit away. Yes, their approval may only apply to the prior submitted offer, but at least you have a sense of where they were before which is an indication of where they will most likely be.

5) REO / Bank Owned Properties - Kid in a candy store. Bank's have no emotional attachment to 'file numbers'. Get a sense of their portfolio, management pressures to move the assets and critical time lines, and you can master your own destiny and carefully evaluation the bank's motivation.

Great purchases continue to happen in San Diego, and in many cases moving the asset is more important than them getting the last 5% on price.

Forge on and go get 'em. SAN DIEGO IS ON SALE 20-40% off at the bank!

Coastal San Diego California - Finding Value

Jay Becker — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:30:02 -0700

Always ranking among the top coastal areas in the entire US by many travel and financial magazines is San Diego, CA. The idyllic weather, most incredible scenic coastline, and hospitable residents make it a fantastic place to call home.

The recent national market correction has opened up windows of buying opportunities for many that have been on the sidelines for many years, but not all properties on the market are 'great deals'. Some sellers are still looking to obtain sale prices at or close to the highs, and have not been educated to the accurate market values. There are also many sellers that are aware of the accurate market but are trapped in their purchase. Some buyer's acquired their homes in the peak years, or that have continued to tap out their equity, and are now selling, do not have the flexibility to deliver the attractive priced properties that buyer are seeking today.

Large price reductions do not always indicate that the property is truly a good value, even though it might appear to be a bargain.

Whether you are an agent or buyer or seller, the only true comps are RECENT SOLD's - Period. Because of the insane practice of dramatically under pricing short-sale listings, and also listings for properties where the owners seem to be stuck in values when we were at the highs, comps on ACTIVES have become completely irrelevant.

Appraisers are also reluctant to extend much in the way of value on upgrades, as they had in the past, so if you are looking at a very highly upgraded property chances are your appraisal might come in low, thus giving you a bargain opportunity on that property.

View our Coastal San Diego Site: www.SanDiego-Coastal-Homes.com

Visit our La Jolla Site: www.LaJollaHomes.NET

Vistor our San Diego Site: www.OWN-SD.com

Also 2 of our key sites for searching for real estate in San Diego, CA

www.SanDiegoListingSearch.com

www.SanDiegoRealtyDirectory.com

Short Sales are NOT your best purchase deals

Jay Becker — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:42:55 -0700

$1,000,000 dollar ocean front home, short sale, now only $489,000 - wow. 17 offers in the first 3 days....

Sound too good to be try? IT IS.

The bank is owed $ 925,000 and they are not going to take anything less than $ 865,000.

If you are a seasoned buyer's agent, or educated client, you will realize that this falls into the 'too good to be true category' HOWEVER....there are deals on the horizon.

Once the property reverts back to the bank, and 80% of these will. After the borrower is no longer on the hook for being responsible for a loan to pay back the bank a percentage of the deficiency balance, and now that all of the consumer protection law concerns are worries of the past, the real deal making begins.

BANK OWNED - GREEN LIGHTS TO GO....although the banks might play hard ball early on in the process, the bottom line is they are not in the real estate business, and it is only a matter of time until one of the bank execs makes the call to clean out the balance sheet, and move the properties.

If you are a highly skilled buyer's agent, you can secure a great price for your client, if you are consumer, going after the property directly with the bank, and you do not have the skill-set of successfully securing bank owned properties in the past, the best advice I can give you is 'secure a buyer's agent immediately, you pay not commission on listed properties, and you are almost guaranteed to secure the property at a better price, and have the due diligence process meticulously managed.

We recently secured a 1.7 mil property for a high level executive for 1.1 mil. We saved 600k on the purchase, saved him probably $50k of his time, $5k in travel, and he did not have to learn a new trade along the way. Although this circumstance may not be typical result, this is the kind of value a seasoned buyer's agent can bring to the table.

A trusted professional in their specific is your best resource.

Visit us at www.OWN-SD.com

Also 2 of our key sites for searching for real estate in San Diego, CA

www.SanDiegoListingSearch.com

www.SanDiegoRealtyDirectory.com

Is your agent looking out for YOUR best interest or Their Own?

Jay Becker — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:26:10 -0700

Defining times in the real estate market have flushed out many of the deal-by-deal agents, and those that have been true client service providers are being called on now more than ever. This is the time of where the Realtors who are dedicated to serving their client will shine. Many agents are 'white-knuckling' through the sales slow down, and have rolled up thier sleeves to take on more challenging paths such as assisting in short sales, and end-to-end consultation covering all aspects of real estate. We are back to the fundamentals and clients need us now more than every. Make to investment to be your clients best educator of how to work through these challenging times, and provide the advise that will best serve them into the next decade. Serving your clients best interests now, will sew the seeds for a mutually beneficial and successful relationship into the next decade. Your clients will appreciate it, and albeit not as financially rewarding than perhaps past years, intellectually, morally, and spiritually rewarding.

Visit us at www.OWN-SD.com

Also 2 of our key sites for searching for real estate in San Diego, CA