FABULOUS FALLBROOK ADOBE RETREAT

3000 sq ft of paradise just sold for $700,000

This one is a rare gem - tranquil and private with panoramic views from every room.

Stunning courtyard entrance

custom touches throughout

Detached Artists studio

Beautiful Avocado grove

WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR ?

There seems to be a virus going about at the moment called STRESS. I am meeting way too many people that are on the edge right now. It's hardly surprising given the current financial situation of the country. 

Worry and stressful thinking can affect our well being. So we must do something to reduce our stress, especially in times like now.

If you don't take the time to enjoy a few minutes of relaxation -  begin today. There's no time like the present moment. Sometimes I think people take better care of their cars than they do their bodies. They keep them clean, well fueled, lubricated, and in good working condition.

Think about it. What do you do when your car gives you a warning that something is wrong? But what about your body - what  If you let all this stress get to you over time ? The effects will be devastating on your health, your family and your life!

I began practising yoga about seven years ago, it is one of the best things I ever did. So I just want to share a little of this with you, perhaps it will help give you some peace of mind.

Absolutely anyone can do yoga,the fat,the thin,the beautiful,the ugly,the old, the young,the sick,the healthy,the rich,the poor. You do not have to be fit or flexible - I have taught yoga to people in wheel chairs and people who are confined to their beds.

How does yoga heal your body? - Almost immediately your body responds positively to deep breathing and stretching. You begin to relax.

The postures help you to become strong and flexible.Your internal organs are toned. Regular practise also helps to regulate your metabolism and the functioning of your glands and organs as well as strenghtening the nervous system and mind. It will move you towards positive thinking which creates an attitude of respect and self acceptance towards your body so that you can take better care of it. You acheive overall balance in your life which over time time will help you to  become mentally stronger and able to deal with the stressful situations in your life.

So find a teacher who you enjoy and stick with it - try some gentle relaxing yoga - it will make a difference to your life...........

Some neighborhoods speak loud and clear at first glance; the quality of life is apparent in the street,parks,buildings,homes and yards.

You get a feel for it (either for or against) just by looking.

A real estate agent can,of course, fill you in on community details not so obvious at first glance:

• Where schools, supermarkets, libraries, hospitals, places of worship, fire and police stations are located.
• What zoning regulations apply.
• What community services are available.
• What shifts in transportation facilities are occurring.
• How home values have been affected by foreclosures.
• What tax rates prevail.

For a more intimate impression,you should walk around a neighborhood that looks attractive to you. Visit the schools your children will attend to confirm district boundaries and comparisons with other other schools.

Talk with local people (ask about commuting schedules and costs), in shops (chat about where the best stores are), in parks (get folks talking about recreational programs), in front yards (ask what they like and dislike about the neighborhood).

You might take photos as you tour different locales. They'll help you later when you want to keep different streets and homes seperate in your mind. Also take notes to later compare, especially addresses and prices.

Inspecting a neighborhood is  as necessary as inspecting the home you may buy. An old real estate maxim says. "The best time to think about selling your home is when you're buying it." That's because location will be a prime factor influencing future buyers when it comes time to sell your home.

Ca Title Co. contributed to this article

This could have been yours

Bank Owned Rim Rock Estate Home

Just Sold for a mere $662,600

3980 sq ft

Spectacular Views

Low Maintenance Landscape

It does'nt get much better than this..........

Sometimes Your Best Financial Tools Are The Ones You Use For Remodeling

Recently my time has been spent scouring through various home improvement projects and trying to decide how to best spend the limited available funds to improve the quality and value of our home.

If you have ever ventured into this endeavor, you undoubtedly know how the "I want-itis" can have you spending far more than you ever imagined you would.

I started doing a little research to find out which projects would actually create the most value to my home, and this is what I learned;

REMODELING          AVG. JOB       AVG. RESALE       COST   
JOB                              COSTS           VALUE            RECOUPED

Minor Kitchen               $15,328      $17,209        112.3%
Bathroom                      $11,025      $12,340        111.9%
Attic Bedroom               $41,244       $43,357        105.1%
Replace Windows       $10,007       $10,282        102.7%          
Major Kitchen               $45,242       $45,343        100.2%
Deck Addition               $11,873       $11,814        99.5%
Roofing                         $11,557       $10,769         93.2%
Bathroom Addition       $24,560       $22,481        91.5%
Siding Replacement     $8,229         $7,510          91.3%
Family Rm Addition      $58,081       $52,820        90.9%
Master Bedroom           $77,640       $69,425        89.4%
Home Office                  $13,738       $11,395         82.9%

As you can see, not all projects render the same return on your investment.  Some projects may be necessary such as a roof replacement.  Even though this project won't necessarily add value to the home, it will help you sell your house faster, and your home won't be positioned as a "fixer" which inevitably welcomes low ball offers.

On the other hand choosing to do a minor kitchen remodel rather than a major one, can actually yield a higher return on your overall investment.

So before you go knocking down walls or digging up your backyard, make sure you decide which remodeling project will best fit your lifestyle needs, along with your financial goals.   

What a Steal!!

6896 Poco Lago in Presigious Rancho Santa Fe

One lucky buyer just bought this Ultimate Indulgence for a mere $12,300,000.  WOW!  What a bargain shopper.  It was originally listed for $15,995,000, just think what he/she can buy with the savings on this 12,145 SQ. FT., 7 Bedroom, 10 Bath home, ( perhaps a small island?).

It just goes to show you, anyone can find a great deal, they're out there everywhere!

The featured Restaurant Rave of the Week is the most delightful little Wine Bar in Escondido called VINZ. 

This type of eatery / wine bar is long overdue in this once sleepy little town. 

 It's a simple wine and food place with a sophisticated but unpretentious atmosphere focused on quality rather than quantity.

This is the type of place you might find in downtown San Diego in the Gaslamp District, or Hillcrest, without those uptown prices. 

The vibe inside is cozy, casual and comfortable.  Outside is fresh and sunny as you watch the passersby and enjoy your wine and food with friends or family.

There are about 40 wines by the glass to choose from, all moderately priced between $5-$10

The appetizer menu has a selection of about 25 delectable bites to tempt your palate.  Priced between $3-$12 with portions plentiful enough to share.

My favorite lunch choice has been the  Specialty Salads. 

I love the Tossed Tuscan Salad with Seasoned Grilled Chicken.  It is a burst of flavor in every bite with it's Fresh Mixed Grens, Artichoke & Palm Hearts, Dry Cranberries, Garbanzo Beans, Almonds, Pepperoncinis, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Baby Squash, and Crumbled Goat Cheese in White Balsamic Citrus Vinaigrette.

All I can say is YUMMMMM! 

Do something nice for yourself, stop by VINZ on Grand Ave. in Escondido for lunch or a glass of wine and  cheese with some friends, I guarantee you won't be disappointed and you will want to come back soon and frequently.

Thanks, Vinnie Griffin for bringing this touch of class to Escondido!

You can take a look at the menu, location and hours  at http://www.vinzwinebar.com/.

HAPPY EATING!

This topic has been on my mind a lot recently - we are told as bloggers we should write about what we're thinking. So here I go !

For the most part we as realtors are caring and loyal, we are here just like everyone else trying to get by and make a living. Most of us do not have those RED HORNS and GREENTAILS  like so many think we do.

We are faced with daily challenges like everyone else.

I lost my home in the Valley Center Paradise fire, having just moved to the area 6 weeks previously. My family and I and our 2 dogs ran from our home at 2am on Sunday morning Oct 26th 2003, with nothing more than our nightclothes.

Two years later we finally recieved partial payment on our home insurance (it was'nt much believe me after attorneys fees over 2 years) But it was enough to put a down payment on a home.

 Sept 2008, our home is now in foreclosure - I thought long and hard about admitting that realtors make mistakes also. There are so many realtors out there who are loosing their homes - it does happen to us - after all we're only human.

 We were not frivolous - we just bought a home for our family and like thousands of others were misled. We should have understood the consequences of the loan. 

But should these loans ever have been allowed ?

  I am tired of the stress just like you who might be going through challenges.

I am tired of asking people who I think should know - what is the right thing to do short sale or foreclosure? - no one has an answer.

 Because this home has emotional ties with the loss of our home in the Paradise fire that night is on my mind constantly.

I am so grateful my family and I have survived this and will continue to do so - it has been a learning experience, but because of this we are stronger, more compassionate and caring to others.

 I do know that I am becoming an expert on foreclosures and short sales having gone through this myself.

So if you are looking for some advice let me know, at the very least I can share with you what I have learnt from my first hand experience.

Ring-Tailed Tooter of the Week !

This one was only on the market for 4 days! Bank owned - SOLD for Just $377,000  North County San Diego

1806 sq ft....tile floors....berber carpet....designer paint....inground solar heated pool and spa...huge fully landscaped lot....quick dash to beach....

Who believes this is not a great time to buy ?

This is great news- Real Estate sales jumped by 22 percent in North County, San Diego during the month of July, compared with one year ago, the first real jump since the market began to decline in 2006.

It seems the activity is mostly in the bank owned homes which are priced aggressively, and are attracting dozens of offers.  It really couldn't be a better time for you first time home buyers to enter the Real Estate market, I hope all of you out there who are considering it will jump off the fence and take advantage of these great deals before the bottom has come and gone. Don't be one of those who says "we should have bought in 2008" The median price in July according to the HomeDex report dropped 7% to $457,500, this is of course affected by the low priced foreclosures on the market which keep pushing the overall prices down.

Inventory rates also fell as sales rose, according to July's sales it would take 7 months to sell the existing inventory in North County, if no new homes were added. In June the figure was 8 months. Analysts consider 6 months of inventory to be a healthy market.

We are remaining optimistic, that perhaps we are close to the bottom after all.