Mike Ciampa's Blog

The Grande Townhome #105 For Sale in the Columbia District

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:17:19 -0700

The Grande Townhome #105 has endless appointments and is one of the largest townhomes in the complex. With almost 2,000 square feet of living space and two outdoor patio spaces this home really feels like a home.

The three levels give you plenty of space and allow for privacy when needed. You will enter into the first level which is street level. You can choose to enter through the entrance on Pacific Highway or you can use the entrance from the complex courtyard area. One of the first features you will notice is the Brazilian cherry hardwood floors that give the home an inviting feel. You will also find the gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and an open space towards the living room and one of the patios.

The second level consists of the master bedroom suite that includes a private bathroom as well as the guest bedroom and bath. The third level has the second outdoor patio where you could enjoy the sunset and a place to relax. The main room upstairs could work as a third bedroom but it is not classified as one due to the lack of a closet. Most home owners would use this space as a second living room, office or a movie/media room. Other features include: Custom wall paper, triple pane windows, custom window coverings, fireplace, AC dual control and separate controllers for bedrooms and living room, custom lighting, floor to ceiling windows, custom paint, security system with door and motion sensors, two extra wide secure underground parking spaces and a large storage cage.

The Grande is located in the middle of the Columbia District of Downtown San Diego right across from the Santa Fe Train Station. The Little Italy farmers market, bakeries, restaurants and the waterfront is only a short stroll away. Should you want to experience the Gaslamp neighborhood with additional options for dining, entertainment and shopping why not catch the trolley for a few minutes ride or take the 10 min walk through the neighborhoods to experience Downtown San Diego living.

Why Little Italy Condos Are Such A Great Investment

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:13:19 -0700

San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood is quickly becoming one of the most desirable neighborhoods for Downtown San Diego Real Estate. Known for its rich history, Little Italy is one of San Diego’s top tourist destinations. Take one trip up India Street and you will see the authentic architecture and hint of culture that gives Little Italy its charm. The Little Italy Mercato, held every Saturday from 8am to 2pm on the corner of India and Date, is a fantastic Farmers Market with vendors specializing in: vegetables, fish, bread, sauces, pasta, and more. Even if you’re not in the mood to pick up any supplies, the Mercato is a must visit for any residents of Downtown San Diego.

Since the 1990’s, Little Italy has seen a steady increase in new residential housing options. Most of the newer options have a bold, contemporary look which has a lot of appeal to Little Italy’s largest growing demographic… young professionals. Many people, working at the edge of Downtown in the Financial and Core Districts, have taken refuge in Little Italy Condos for the opportunity to find great housing deals with great Downtown San Diego location. World renowned architect Jonathan Segal even undertook a new project in Little Italy. The Q Lofts, on West Fir and India St, were completed in 2011 and have been a fantastic addition to the modern look of the Little Italy skyline.

The available inventory of Little Italy Condos for sale has seen a steady rise since this time last year and is a strong indicator that the housing market has begun to rebound from record lows in 2012. Little Italy condos for sale made up 18 of Downtown San Diego’s 76 condo sales in February 2013, tying the Marina district as the second most active neighborhood for purchases. With current condo options including: Palermo, La Vita, Acqua Vista, Aperture, and Breeza, Little Italy Real Estate appears to be poised for a successful 2013. If you have any questions about Real Estate in Little Italy, or want to schedule a showing with us, please contact us directly, we look forward to showing you around.

Palermo Condo #219 For Rent in Little Italy

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:11:42 -0700

Photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

This Little Italy Condo in the Palermo complex is one of the largest one bedroom homes you will find in Downtown San Diego. You will enter this Palermo Condo directly into the living room and kitchen area. The first thing you will notice is the good amount of space allowing for a dining room area or office as well as the living room. The condo feels light and bright as it is east facing and gets morning and mid-day sun. The bathroom is good size and has a combined shower/bathtub. There is a stackable washer and dryer located to the left of the bedroom in the small hallway leading to the bathroom. The bedroom is good size where you could have room for an office it and has a regular size closet. The kitchen has white appliances, granite counter tops and lots of cabinets.

$1,699/month, Security Deposit equal to one month's rent, Available Now! Pet ok with Pet Deposit of $500! Click the link below to access the Picture Slide Show.

Palermo is located on the corner of W Beech and Front Street in Little Italy. You will find India Street (the heart of Little Italy) a short walk away as well as Gaslamp, Horton Plaza, The Santa Fe Train , the waterfront and freeway access. Palermo amenities: Two Courtyards: the Piazza Giardino, with a water feature and extensive tropical landscaping, Pool, Spa , Sun deck, Lush landscaping and Three levels of gated secure underground parking.

For more information contact sofia@92101urbanliving.com or call 619-992-5144.

Renaissance Condo #308 For Sale in Downtown San Diego

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:10:14 -0700

Renaissance Condo #308 is a three bedroom and three bathroom two story home with a patio on courtyard level. You will enter this home into a small hallway foyer that opens up towards the open kitchen and living room area. One of the best features of this home is the living room ceiling height giving the room a loft style feeling with lots of light. Other great features include the granite and stainless steel appliances, split bedrooms on the second floor, both city and courtyard views, easy access and a corner unit. You will be able to stand on the second floor and look down to the living room area. This is a great choise for the Downtown San Diego Real Estate investor who is looking to be a part of a luxury community inn the middle of the Marina neighborhood with higher HOA fees.

Renaissance Condos in the Marina of Downtown San Diego contains of two high-rise towers as well as a few inner courtyard town homes. It’s pretty rare that these town homes become available to investors but recently there have been two units on the market. One of them #312 is in pending status on the MLA (multiple listing service) and the other one #308 just got listed.

New Gaslamp Loft for Sale at the Samuel Fox Building

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:08:31 -0700

Samuel Fox Building - Gaslamp

Today, we were able to preview a fantastic new loft for sale at the Samuel Fox Lofts in Downtown San Diego. Located on the corner of 6^th and Broadway in the Gaslamp neighborhood, this Gaslamp Loft for sale is perfect for a professional or young couple looking to experience urban life in Downtown.

This home is located in the Historic Samuel Fox building. Built in 1929, this building has kept its pre-war touches and feel, all while modernizing to include all the conveniences that we enjoy today. As you enter the loft, the bathroom to the left has been amazingly remodeled to feature: dual pedestal sinks, separate shower and Jacuzzi tub, and a full sized walk-in closet. Built in shelving lines the right wall and a ladder above the bathrooms add extra storage. The main area of the loft is long and rectangular, allowing for easy room distinctions and the possibility to built out if desired. 15 Foot ceilings with exposed pipes and lighting give the unit its urban character. 10 fully opening windows allow natural light to pour in. The home has a second walk-in closet at the end of the loft. The kitchen has been updated with stainless steel appliances and granite counters. The loft comes with one parking garage space included, and also the ability to purchase another as the developer still has a couple left over in reserve.

One of the best features at the Samuel Fox Loft building is the community rooftop patio on the 6^th floor. The spacious patio offers panoramic city views of Downtown San Diego and is a great place to bring guests or just relax. A built in BBQ and large patio table are available for use for the residents.

The market for Gaslamp lofts for sale is a small one, as there have only been three sold to date in 2013. This is a unique opportunity to own some fantastic real estate in one of the most desirable locations in San Diego. Please contact us with any questions regarding the building or property itself. We would be more than happy to set up an appointment to view.

Park Loft #105 is The Newest East Village Loft For Sale

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:07:02 -0700

We previewed this East Village Loft for sale at Park Loft on the corner of 9th Avenue and Island Avenue last Thursday and were pleasantly surprised with what we saw. The unit itself is a ground level unit, meaning that it has its own direct street access. This may be right up some buyer’s alley, especially a pet owner, but could potentially turn off others.

This home is a spacious, loft style home with fantastic, contemporary touches. The modern kitchen features a great tile/glass backslash that rises from the tops of the quartz counters to the top of the cabinets. Stainless steel appliances and custom lighting features accentuate the modern feel. The owner has done a great job with the open layout, and because of the large space, a new owner would have the option of building out up to two bedrooms if desired. The key loft features have been kept intact, such as the concrete ceilings and exposed air ducts and pipes.

Park Loft is one the most centrally located of the East Village Lofts and is just a short distance from Petco Park, great restaurants, and exciting nightlife. The complex features secure/fobbed entries, and gated underground parking. Park Loft HOA’s are a little bit on the steep side for the amenities that are included, a large fitness center being the only amenity to really speak of.

Overall, the East Village has been one of the hottest neighborhoods in Downtown San Diego Real Estate. 22 of the 76 total Downtown San Diego condo sales in February 2013 came from the East Village alone. In a recent report provided to us by our partners at First American Title, we learned equity in East Village Lofts rose around 13% between 2011 and 2012 and are pacing that mark again between 2012 and 2013.

We would like to thank the Listing Broker Ryan Call for the opportunity to tour Park Loft 105 during the broker’s open house last Thursday. This great East Village Loft for sale at Park Loft represents a great investment opportunity and we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us to take a tour.

Downtown San Diego Condos Sold in February 2013

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:05:29 -0700

This month, East Village Condos lead the way for sold condos in the Downtown San Diego Real Estate market: a total of 22 homes sold during the month of February. Compared to January’s numbers, there was an increase of only four homes. These results show us once again that new home buyers and investors have a strong interest in the East Village neighborhood.

The Mark Condos sold were the most in the East Village...totaling 5. Out of these five sales 92101 Urban Living was fortunate enough to have represented three home buyers. Nexus, Alta and Smart Corner had a total of three Condos sold, and Union Square had one. Park Terrace, The Legend (92101 Urban Living represented this one), Park Blvd East, Icon, M2i and Metrome had one sale each.

There was a total of 76 Downtown San Diego Condos and Downtown San Diego Lofts sold between the seven neighborhoods in Downtown. Compared January’s numbers, the sale of Downtown San Diego condos has increased to a total of 20.

Little Italy Condos and Marina Condos both share second place with a total of 18 condos and Lofts sold between the two neighborhoods. Acqua Vista lead the way with a total of three homes sold in Little Italy. Breeza, Doma, La Vita, Porto Sienna and Village Walk all had two sales, while Waterfront, Titan, Portico and 350 W Ash had one each. For Marina, CityFront Terrace had five condo sales, Renaissance three and Atria had two. Meridian, 7 on Kettner, Crown Bay, Harbor Club, Horizons, Pacific Terrace, Park Place, Watermark and Pinnacle had one each.

The Columbia District had a total of 10 condos sold. The Treo condos represented three sales. Electra and The Grande North had two sales, while Bayside, Marina Park (92101 Urban Living represented this one) and The Grande South had one each.

Cortez Hill Condos had a total of 6 condos sales. Two sold condos at Aria, while Palermo, Solara Lofts, Symphony Towers and El Cortez had one each. Last, the Gaslamp had one condo for sale in Trellis.

Why East Village Condos Are Such a Great Investment

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:03:59 -0700

The East Village Neighborhood is one of the newest and most unique additions to the Downtown San Diego Real Estate Market. It is the largest and most diverse of the 7 core Downtown San Diego neighborhoods. East Village Lofts and East Village Condos are some of the most desired and valuable residential living options in Downtown. Prior to 2007, you would have either seen construction cranes in the sky, or run down warehouses and a transitional neighborhood. Historically, the East Village was not a desirable neighborhood to live. However...the construction boom of the early 2000’s put an end to that. Currently, the East Village in Downtown San Diego is home to over 10,000 residents and 700 businesses.

One of the main draws to living in the East Village is it’s access to public infrastructure. In real estate terms public infrastructure is what gives a neighborhood it’s value in terms of: Location, Location, Location. Home to Petco Park, The San Diego Library, the Pedestrian Bridge, and several businesses and the walking business corridors (Broadway, Market Street, 10 Ave, G Street, and J Street), there is always somewhere to go within a 6 or 7 block walking radius. A walk down J Street will put you in the Gaslamp in only 4 or 5 blocks. A walk across the Pedestrian Bridge allows access to promenades and open park space along the San Diego Bay.

One of the best resources to find information about local business and calendar events is from the East Village Association Website. The East Village Association is the nonprofit resource that manages the East Village BID (Business Improvement District). Thru branding, marketing, and business/resident participation, the East Village Association’s mission statement is: “To support and promote East Village Business by establishing our community as San Diego’s Livable urban Village”.

Options for East Village Condos, and East Village Lofts, are as diverse as the residents who occupy them. The neighborhood is comprised of a mix of Mid-rises, luxury high-rises, and modern urban Loft Complexes. Many of Downtown San Diego’s most popular complexes are represented in the neighborhood, including: M2i, Alta, The Mark, Park Terrace, ICON, Fahrenheit, Metrome, and The Legend.

Luxury Downtown San Diego Penthouse For Sale - Bayside #3302

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:02:20 -0700

Bayside is one of the luxury Downtown San Diego Condo high-rises you will see as you approach the Columbia District and is also one of the newest towers as it was delivered in 2009. This Downtown San Diego Penthouse in Bayside has a contemporary spacious feel with over 3,200 square feet, an open floor plan as well as two spacious balconies.

The first feature you will notice as you enter into the formal hall foyer at #3302 is the hardwood floors that run throughout the unit (except master suite) giving it a nice flow. The kitchen is spacious and open with a big kitchen island that contains a wine chiller. You will also find stainless steel appliances and Ceasar stone counter tops. The living room is Southwest facing with access out to one of the two balconies. This balcony is pure West facing with excellent views over the San Diego Bay, Coronado and the sunset. The living room has a separate area that can be used as a dining room as well as electric sun shades. Stepping to the left of the living room/kitchen another formal living room area can be found that can be used as a sitting area or as a second living room.

The hallway leading towards the guest bedroom and the master suite has storage and a laundry room with plenty of space. You will also find a guest bathroom to the left of the entrance. The south facing guest bedroom has its own private bathroom and is larger than most guest bedrooms if you compare to other Downtown San Diego Penthouses. The master suite is impressive with a private East facing balcony perfect for sunrise. You will also find a his and her walk in closet, a den that can be used as an office or nursery as well as a private bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, dual sinks and a walk in shower. One of the nice and rare appointments with the bedroom is the East facing window giving the bathroom lots of natural light.

This Downtown San Diego Penthouse is one of the rare homes you will find that offers a 360 degree view and takes up the whole South side of the building and is one out of two units in the complex that is still a developer sale.

350 W Ash Condo #808 For Rent

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:00:39 -0700

This contemporary 350 W Ash Condo located in Little Italy has a southwest orientation allowing for sunrise and sunset views as well as water and panoramic city views.

Both bedrooms have been built out and the master suite is facing west with a good size walk in closet. The guest bedroom is located on the other side of the living room facing south and has a Jack and Jill bathroom as well as access out to the good size balcony. The kitchen has a Caesar stone island perfect for entertaining and opens up to the living room that faces both south and west as it is a corner unit. The living room/kitchen has room for a dining room area or it can be used as a den/office. Features Include: Wood Floors, Open Floor Plan, Caesar Stone Kitchen Island, Stainless Steel Appliances, Master Suite, Jack & Jill Guest Bath, South Facing Balcony, Sun Shades and 2 Secure Side by Side Gated Parking Spaces.

$3,099/month with a security deposit equal to one months rent. Small Pet ok with $500 pet deposit. Two parking spaces included in the rent. Available April 1st, 2013.

350 W Ash is a high-rise tower located on the corner of Ash and State Street in the Little Italy neighborhood of Downtown San Diego. 350 West Ash is a concrete construction and was completed by B&H Property Systems in 2005. The building features street-level work-live lofts and all units are above the 8th floor allowing for beautiful Downtown San Diego city and San Diego Bay views. 350 West Ash is a condo-conversion from an office building, and therefore, due to the concrete construction you will not hear your neighbors. You will find security gated parking, full gated complex and a community room. 350 W Ash has great location with high walkability to all that Downtown San Diego has to offer.

Downtown San Diego Condos Sold in January 2013

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:59:01 -0700

A total of 56 Downtown San Diego Condos and Lofts were sold in January 2013 accoding to our recent study. Out of the seven neighborhoods the East Village Condos lead the way with a total of 17 units sold. Diamond Terrace, Icon and Smart Corner had a total of three sales each and M2i and The Legend had two. Metrome, Park Terrace, The Mark and Union Square had one sale each.

The Marina Condos were not too far behind with a total of 12 sold. Horizons and Park Place had three sales each and City Walk had two. Harbor Club, Pinnacle, CityFront Terrace and Renaissance had one each.

The Little Italy condos sold totaled 10. Porto D'Italia had two sales and there was one sale in 350 W Ash, Acqua Vista, Breeza, Doma, La Vita, Moto, Village Walk and Waterfront.

Cortez Hill condos sold totaled 10 as well. Aria, The Mills and Discovery had two sales each and Cortez Blu and Palermo had one each. The Columbia District had a total of 5 Downtown San Diego Condos sold. Bayside and The Grande had a total of five sales and Electra had one.

Finally, there were 2 Gaslamp Condos sold: One Trellis Condo, and the other Gaslamp City Square.

Visit CCDC To Find Out About Downtown San Diego Real Estate

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:57:22 -0700

Many of our Downtown San Diego Real Estate clients often ask us about upcoming building developments, both commercial and residential. While being actively involved in the Downtown San Diego Real Estate scene exposes us to a lot of inside information, we always encourage our clients to check out the Centre City Development Corporation website (www.ccdc.com) for the most up to date information about Downtown San Diego. The CCDC, otherwise known as the “city planning center”, has a great interactive map that breaks down the city by its seven core neighborhoods and shows upcoming residential/commercial/public use projects that have either already begun, or are permitted to begin in the upcoming future.

Just last week, we were able to use the CCDC website to inform clients about a new, six-story apartment complex named Urbana, currently getting underway in the East Village neighborhood on 10th Avenue between Island and J Streets. The public use portion of the site offers up to date about projects affecting all of Downtown San Diego’s residents, including; The North Embarcadero Visionary Project, the San Diego Convention Center Expansion, and the new environmental park on Island and 15th Avenue. You can subscribe to the sites RSS Feed to stay up to date on news and events that are scheduled to happen across Downtown San Diego. The CCDC's website is also the resource that you would want to go to first to report the need for a park cleanup or graffiti in your neighborhood. One of the main reasons that we in the Real Estate Business use the CCDC website is to download the annual Downtown San Diego Living Guide, which provides an in depth update on the happenings around the city, as well as a breakdown of the active and upcoming residential building projects around town. If you are out and about and want to check up on some new construction that is happening in your neighborhood or would want to know about a possible future construction project in a parking lot near you, make sure to visit the Centre City Development Corporation website.

The Columbia District in Downtown San Diego

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:56:02 -0700

The Columbia District in Downtown San Diego is known as the “Face of San Diego” as this is the neighborhood that is mostly seen on postcards with all the luxury high-rises and Downtown San Diego Luxury Penthouses and Condos lining up along Pacific Highway.

This neighborhood encompasses the border to Little Italy, A Street and Broadway. You will mostly find commercial developments but also residential buildings along the waterfront. Some of the city’s landmarks are; the Cruise Ship Terminals, the Embarcadero Promenade, the Historic Santa Fe Train Station and the Museum of Modern Art. Some of the Downtown San Diego Condo complexes in this neighborhood is Bayside, Electra, Sapphire and The Grande at Santa Fe towers. The development project that is currently in process is the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase 1 and next up will most likely be the Lane Field Development. The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase 1 will include restaurants, local boutique shopping as well as a 100 feet wide pedestrian promenade and will become a landmark with lots of green space for both residents and visitors. The future for the Columbia District will consist of new luxury hotels, waterfront expansion, huge residential skyline towers as well as new hotels.

Investors are interested in the Columbia neighborhood due to the possibility of luxury high-rise living as you will find the tallest and the most luxury residential towers here. As infrastructure matures the future vision of the neighborhood is also a factor that many are drawn to the Columbia District.

Cortez Hill in Downtown San Diego

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:54:32 -0700

Cortez Hill is one of San Diego's seven neighborhoods.

As I took my dog for his nightly walk in the Cortez Hill neighborhood the other night, I was talking to my girlfriend about the areas of Downtown San Diego that we the like the best. We covered everything from Little Italy, Marina, Gaslamp, and the East Village. very neighborhood had their pros and cons, but the one that we talked about the most was Cortez Hill.

Situated between 5th and 10th Avenues to the west and east and A and Date St to the south and north, Cortez Hill is located close enough to enjoy the Gaslamp but not close enough to be in the middle of the madness. Seven high-rise buildings within the small neighborhood make it one of the most densely populated areas of Downtown San Diego. Because of that, Living in Cortez Hill allows you to purchase a coveted 'residential parking pass' for $14 per year which is good for unlimited street parking anywhere above Ash St east of 6th. Cortez Hill also has a great park called 'Tweet Street' along Date St between 7th and 9th. A fantastic little oasis in the city with a playground for the kids and multiple fake painted fire hydrants for the puppies. Placards are placed along the park that give details about the birds and plants that populate the park for a little education with your fun. Cortez Hill gets its name from the El Cortez Hotel that has been a San Diego Landmark since 1927. Cortez Hill Real Estate is quickly becoming some of the most sought after real estate in Downtown San Diego. With condo options at Aria, Discovery, Cortez Blu and Aloft and apartment rentals at AVA and Vantage Pointe, there are no shortage of residential options in Cortez Hill. If you haven't made your way over to Cortez Hill do yourself a favor and check it out. Bring your dog to Tweet St Park, you'll be glad you did.

The Port of San Diego in Downtown San Diego

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:52:36 -0700

The Port of San Diego has one main responsibility, to manage the San Diego Bay and surrounding waterfront land. It was created by the State Legislature on December 18th, 1962.

The Port of San Diego provide community benefit and economic vitality by giving a balanced approach to tourism, water and land recreation, public safety, maritime industry as well as environmental stewardship. There are currently 11 ports in California and The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest. There are five member cities; San Diego, Coronado, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and National City. The Port of San Diego has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into public improvements in these cities.

The Port of San Diego oversees two cruise ship terminals, two maritime cargo terminals, the Harbor Police Department, 18 public parks as well as hundreds of tenants and sub tenants around the San Diego Bay. There are seven members that govern the Board of Port Commissioners; one commissioner each is appointed by the city councils of Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and Chula Vista. The San Diego council get to appoint three commissioners.

The Port of San Diego has a very informative website where they post recent news and happenings taking place around the Downtown San Diego area as well as an interactive map with more information about redevelopments and real estate projects. As a Downtown San Diego Real Estate investor, resident and visitor it is of importance to know about upcoming construction projects, city happenings and fesitvals. For more information visit the Port of San Diego at www.portofsandiego.org.

The Marina in Downtown San Diego

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:50:53 -0700

One of the neighborhoods of Downtown San Diego is the luxury Marina District. This neighborhood is taking up the most southern part of Downtown and is known for Seaport Village, the Downtown San Diego Convention Center and the Hyatt Hotel just to name a few. Today, Downtown San Diego Luxury Real Estate can be found here but this was not always the case as this neighborhood used to be vacant lots and warehouses.

Redevelopment of Downtown San Diego started to happen in the early year of 1980 and this is when the beginning of the Marina District developed into one of the most desirable, luxury and most beautiful neighborhoods in Downtown San Diego. You will find tree lined streets with a mix of town homes, high-rises, mid-rises, apartments, lofts and retail and they all come in a variety in price, style and size.

As a resident of the Marina District many parks are to be enjoyed for those looking for green open park space at Pantoja, the Children’s Museum and Ruocco Parks. You will also find recreation areas such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade that leads you through the neighborhood. The Asian/Pacific Thematic History District and the San Diego Chinese Mission Historical Museum gives the neighborhood its part of cultural history. The Marina District is a walker’s paradise as it lies next to the waterfront of the San Diego Bay and for those looking for easy access to public transportation, two trolley stops can be found in the Marina District.

The Marina District is a dynamic center for business and entertainment with having the San Diego Convention Center, the waterfront boardwalk, Embarcadero Marina Park with waterfront hotels and Seaport Village. There are currently expansion project in place for both the Convention Center and Seaport Village.

Real Estate investors are all attracted to location, location, location and the Marina District has all that. Within walking distance to everything Downtown San Diego has to offer as well as being close to the San Diego Bay, Horton Plaza, the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park. As the most exclusive neighborhoods of Downtown San Diego in terms of price per square feet, price can range from $600 to $1,000 and will be luxury living. If you want the best of the best and are willing to pay a premium the Marina District is the best choice of all the neighborhoods of Downtown San Diego.

Downtown San Diego Penthouse For Sale at Aperture

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:49:10 -0700

Kitchen at Aperture 1007

This spacious Downtown San Diego Penthouse in Aperture combines contemporary finishes with a modern loft layout. The layout features an open floor plan and over 1,650 square feet of space across two stories.

Upgraded hardwood flooring throughout and classic Downtown San Diego Loft touches, such as exposed concrete ceilings and an iron staircase, give the unit urban character. The balcony off of the main living room has fantastic views of the San Diego Bay and the Little Italy neighborhood.

Home #1007 has a modern kitchen, including stainless steel appliances and dark granite counter tops. Floor to ceiling windows line the master suite and bring in natural light and views of the water and the city lights. Off of the master bedroom is the master bathroom, featuring dual sinks and an expansive walk-in closet. This Downtown San Diego Penthouse, and the Aperture building in general, would be a great fit for a younger couple or professional looking for a loft styled home with modern touches throughout. The Aperture complex doesn't have much in the way of amenities, which also contributes to the HOA’s being relatively low compared to other Downtown San Diego Penthouses.

The Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:47:31 -0700

The most well-known neighborhood in San Diego is located in the middle of Downtown San Diego and is referred to as the “Gaslamp Quarter”. The neighborhood is a 16.5 block district that is home to more than 100 nightclubs and restaurants, shops, office and retail space, lofts, condos, art galleries and movie theaters. The Gaslamp is a historical neighborhood with 94 historical or architectural buildings. The neighborhood is today recognized on the National Register of Historical places.

The Gaslamp Quarter is named after all the gas lamps you will find along the streets in the neighborhood. Back in the old days around the 1870’s the Gaslamp Quarter used to be filled with gamblers and prostitutes but in 1912 police changed all this by arresting more than 138 prostitutes and you would think this made the neighborhood cleaner and safer but it only changed for home to pornographic theaters, massage parlors and bookshops during the 1950’s to 1970’s. As Horton Plaza opened up in 1985, Downtown San Diego got focused on preserving all the historical buildings in the Gaslamp and started orderly change, preservation and redevelopment.

There are currently two projects under construction and one of them is the Gaslamp Square Park Project that will contain open public park space at the corners of K Street and 5th Avenue. The project has been approved but no completion date has been established yet. We also have the Horton Plaza Project that is in full construction. This project includes an open public park space that will be fully completed at the end of March 2014 if no delay occurs.

You will find three Downtown San Diego Condo complexes in the neighborhood; Trellis, Gaslamp City Square and Crown Bay. Many Downtown San Diego real estate investors are drawn to this area of Downtown as this is location, location, location and the most energy and life filled neighborhoods out of the seven that completes Downtown San Diego. The Gaslamp Quarter is most known for Horton Plaza with convenient shopping, the yearly “Mardi Gras” celebration, “ShamROCK” and “Taste of Gaslamp” as well as 5th Avenue with all the most popular nightclubs and fine dining.

Marina Park Condo For Rent in Downtown San Diego

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:44:33 -0700

Personalize your own free picture slideshow

As you enter this Marina Park Condo you will notice the open floor plan with the living room, kitchen, and dining room area all together. The floor plan of this Marina Condo features a split master bedroom style. Each bedroom is located on either side of the living room providing a "well balanced" unit flow. A good sized private balcony can be accessed from the living room or the secondary master suite. The kitchen has been upgraded with new stainless steel appliances and vinyl flooring. A "mini" makeover has been performed on the unit resulting in: new paint throughout the unit, new fixtures, and new carpet. There is a "stackable" washer and dryer located right outside the bathroom to the 1st master bathroom. Featuring plenty of storage. One of the master bedrooms has a good sized walk in closet while the second has two double closets. Both master bedrooms have private bathrooms.

$2,399/month with a security deposit equal to one month’s rent. Available Now! Small pet ok with a pet deposit of $500! 2 underground parking spaces are included in the rent.

Marina Park is located in the Marina District of Downtown San Diego and was built in 1985 and is one of Downtown's oldest complexes. One of the best amenities offered here is guest parking which is hard to find in any other Downtown San Diego complexes. Other amenities to be found are two pools, 24hr onsite guard, fitness center, hot tub and lush landscaping. Right outside the door from Marina Park is Pantoja Park which is the biggest public park in Downtown San Diego. You also have easy access to Horton Plaza, the Santa Fe Train Station, Seaport Village, Petco Park and the Gaslamp Quarter with fine dining, entertainment and shopping.

Contact Sofia at 619-992-5144 or e-mail sofia@92101urbanliving.com for more info.

The Mark Condo #2004 For Rent in Downtown San Diego

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:43:08 -0700

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This Luxury Downtown San Diego Condo at The Mark has been upgraded with hardwood floors throughout except tile flooring in the bathroom and carpet in the bedroom. This corner unit has lots of light and panoramic views over the Northeast part of Downtown San Diego, the mountains to the east as well as peek views over the San Diego Bay and Petco Park. You will enter this Downtown San Diego Condo into a formal hallway where you will find storage and the stackable washer and dryer. The open floor plan is inviting with granite kitchen and stainless steel appliances, floor to ceiling windows, cement walls, a walk in closet and a good size east facing private balcony.

$2,550/month with a minimum of a 12 month lease term. The security deposit is equal to one month’s rent. One underground secure parking spot and a storage unit are included in the rent. A second parking space can be rented for an additional $150/month. Small pet ok! Available Now!

The Mark is one of the most luxurious high-rise towers in the East Village/Ballpark District. With only one block away from Petco Park, Jefferson Law School and the new Downtown San Diego Library that is currently under construction, the Mark is of high walkability. The Gaslamp District, the waterfront, Horton Plaza and the San Diego Convention Center is only a short stroll away. The building was completed in 2007 and was developed by Douglas Wilson. You will find amenities such as a lap style pool with cabanas and community area, a spa, BBQ’s, front desk concierge, a conference room, secure underground parking and a fully equipped fitness center.

For more information or to set up a time for viewing; e-mail sofia@92101urbanliving.com or call/text Sofia at 619-992-5144.

Only 2 Hours To Sell Downtown San Diego 2013 Comic-Con Tickets

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:41:29 -0700

Downtown San Diego is first and foremost a convention town and one of the biggest yearly events is Comic-Con. This year’s event is happening in July and people all around the world has been waiting for the tickets to go on sale.

This year’s Comic-Con online tickets went on sale Saturday Feb 16th and many fans had been excited about getting a piece of the pie to be able to get into their favorite TV and film panels. The experience of this sale became a frustrated one to many as the tickets sold out in less than 2 hours.

The sale started at 9am and after only a few minutes fans were informed that the online sales room has reached its capacity and that most likely the badges would be unavailable. The limited amount of badges and the main reason for the extravaganza sale is due to the limited space at the San Diego Convention Center that can only hold so many people. We are excited about the San Diego Convention Center Expansion that is under process so that we can expect the Comic-Con convention to stay and continue its presence here in the Marina District of Downtown San Diego.

Downtown San Diego Gets "Kiss" Statue

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:39:57 -0700

At the end of World War II, a sailor grabbed a nurse and kissed her just as the US celebrated Japan’s surrender. The sailor’s action has been the inspiration to the “Kiss” statue that has been dedicated to the Columbia District in Downtown San Diego. The statue brings back a lot of memories for many.

The welcoming ceremony of the statue was held last Saturday in Downtown San Diego along the waterfront right next to the USS Midway Museum. This was a moment many would not want to miss out on as there was several renewals of vows by couples who married during World War II as well as a presentation of cherry trees donated by the Japanese Friendship Garden Society of San Diego. The "Kiss" statue is made out of Bronze and stand 25 feet tall and is hard to miss should you be out for a stroll or boat ride in Downtown San Diego.

This statue replaced a former almost identical statue that was on loan. The loan statue is owned by the Santa Monica based non-profit Sculpture Foundation and has been sent to New Jersey for a facelift. This new “Kiss” statue in Downtown San Diego is here to stay and has been paid for by private donations.

Is it still a "Great time to buy" Downtown San Diego Real Estate?

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:38:21 -0700

For the last three or four years, it has unquestionably been a "buyer’s market” in Downtown San Diego Real Estate. Housing values have dropped 30-50% since 2007 and banks are lending at all-time low interest rates. New programs like FHA have made it easier than ever for first time home buyers to enter the Downtown San Diego Real Estate market, even with less than ideal credit and barely any down payment. Many homeowners that purchased before the "bubble" burst found themselves upside down in their mortgages and had to attempt a short-sale or even let the bank foreclose on the home completely. While those newly vacant homes were tougher for the lenders to finance for regular home buyers, Real Estate Investors saw the opportunity to get valuable inventory at fire sale prices and dove into the market head first. Conversely, the drop in home values encouraged potential sellers to hold on to their properties and began a slow suffocation of the inventory levels of available homes for sale.

Fast forward to February 2013, and what we're left with is less than two months’ worth of inventory in Downtown San Diego alone, and less in other areas in San Diego County (a healthy market requires around six months). When homes do come on the market, they are quickly moved upon and now more than ever, you need to enlist the help of a seasoned Real Estate Professional to help you with the process. It's not uncommon to see a house hit the market and receive multiple offers within the first week. These bidding wars are slowly causing the "low prices" that we’ve grown accustomed to over the last 5 years, to raise. In 2012 alone, equity in 92101 rose 13%, and is expected to raise at least that again in 2013. As each home closes, it sets a new comp and effectively "raises the bar" for the next deal. With no new inventory scheduled for Downtown San Diego until at least 2015, we don't see any reason why this upward trend won't continue. Bottom line, while the low interest rates and still (for now) low prices signal good buying conditions, it is no longer a "buyer’s market." If you are still on the fence about purchasing your first home in Downtown San Diego, I'd recommend making the move soon.

Some steps to get started:
•Talk to a local real estate professional for advice specific to the neighborhood that you want to move into.
•Contact a loan representative for a pre-qualification to find out your purchasing power.
•Research you neighborhood's most recent comps.

Downtown San Diego - No More Free Parking at Horton Plaza

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:36:37 -0700

In a move sure to affect many of our Downtown San Diego residents and visitors, Horton Plaza has recently announced that they will no longer validate the 3 hours of free parking in their parking garage as they used to. As a Downtown San Diego Condo home owner and a resident of the East Village/Ballpark neighborhood, this will certainly encroach on an already tense parking situation in and around the Gaslamp Quarter and the other neighborhoods in Downtown San Diego.

It now requires a $10 purchase from any of the mall stores to get those 3 hours of free parking, otherwise, you’re looking at $8/hr. The evening flat rate of $20 after 9pm did not change. With expensive valets and only 12 minutes for $0.25 parking meters, many Downtown San Diego residents and visitors will now lose their parking oasis in the heart of Downtown San Diego.

18 New Downtown San Diego Condos Listed in Last 2 Days

Mike Ciampa (92101 Urban Living) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:34:46 -0700

If you have been tracking the Downtown San Diego Real Estate Market over the last several months…you have seen the number of listings continue to fall and fall. At the beginning of this week, the MLS reported a little over 120 Downtown San Diego Condos and Lofts for sale in the 92101 zip code. This number is less than the amount of inventory when I started to specialize in Downtown 10 years ago. 10 years ago… half of the Downtown San Diego complexes and neighborhoods did not even exist yet. The East Village for example would not be completed until late 2007. Everyone shared the same concern… were there going to be any new listings to add to a potential buyer’s choice when considering a home purchase in Downtown San Diego?

As of today… we have received a short term answer to the lack of inventory. Over the last 2 days… 18 new Downtown San Diego condos and lofts were listed for sale. It must be at least over a year since we have seen a number like this. The price ranges of these 18 are pretty diverse: $150k to $2.6mm. Most notable of the listings were units in M2i, The Mark, Electra, Grande South, and La Vita. Hopefully the addition of these 18 units will be an indication of what is to come in the next several months as we approach the “buying season”. Buyers need to have choice in their opportunities, and a lack of inventory will always challenge that choice. Low inventory will continue to drive prices and values of the Downtown market upward. This is of course good news for sellers and current owners. However… I believe in some ways it is also still good for buyers as well. Interest rates are still low enough to access the market, while prices and values continue to show improvement. No buyer wants to purchase when those values are on their way down.

Please see the following links to the 18 new Downtown San Diego Listings, and all current inventory available in the 92101 Zip code.

18 New Downtown San Diego Condos

All Downtown San Diego Condos for Sale