US Real Estate a Bargain for International Buyers? - 12/27/06 11:20 AM
Thinking of buying a well-located $1 million luxury flat in London, Paris or Tokyo? Think again:
1. In London, you’ll get 328 square feet.
2. In Paris, you’ll do better with  522 square feet.
3. In Tokyo, you can really spread out with 594 square feet.
These are averages reported by the most recent issue of Forbes magazine. The weakened dollar against the Sterling, Euro and other currencies has contributed much to a real estate situation where, for example, the U.S. dollar purchases 25 percent less in London than it did just five years ago.
But if the tables are turned, premier areas of the United … (24 comments)

60 Minutes Interviewing Redfin - 12/19/06 11:21 PM
Informed sources tell us that CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes is turning its mic and cameras to real estate--and that online real estate service dispenser Redfin will be one of the interviewees--as will Windermere Real Estate. Both companies operate in the Northwestern part of the country, but with very different business models. 
Redfin is an online start-up operating in Seattle and San Francisco (according to their website), while full service Windermere holds market share in Seattle and has been expanding aggressively into California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona., Montana and otherwestern states. The comparison should be interesting.
Apparently the story is still under development and inquiring … (23 comments)

Meme and You-Hoo? - 12/17/06 09:27 PM
Gena Riede tagged me last night in the meme game, which was initiated by Mary McKnight some days ago. 
True Confessions:
1. Most of you don't know about my other blog, Luxury Home Digest and that the Real Estate's Top Tomato, Jim Cronin, helped me develop it. It needs more attention. Especially mine.
2. I snuck through college and graduate school without taking a single math course. And graduated.
3. I was expelled my freshman year for being a student radical. Life changes.
4. I never thought I could work with my husband. We do and enjoy it. Life surprises.
5.  I traded my Mercedes 420 for a … (7 comments)

San Diego Landlords Rejoice - 12/12/06 10:51 AM
Every action creates a reaction, and the San Diego County real estate market is no exception. As home sales have cooled this past year, housing rents have risen 5.8 percent, according to the San Diego County Apartment Association. This hefty annual increase is the average rental income for all types of residential rentals in this area. That brings the average to $1237. per month. One and two-bedroom apartments are predominant in the market and have increased by an even loftier 6.2 percent, to an average of $1229.
We knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Too many former homeowners have moved into … (2 comments)

The Slightly Famous Agent - 12/10/06 10:49 AM
We real estate bloggers aren't exactly seeking rock star fame, but most of us would be happy with slightly famous status. We want be bookmarked in real estate, so people in our target markets come to us with their real estate needs. We need to be able to reach the right audience, with the right message, at the right time. Most of us are honorable,referable and respected real estate professionals. But key to success in our business is being remembered. Without that, we run the risk of operating our businesses on hope and chance. Steven Yoder, author of Slightly Famous, deserves … (25 comments)

Dead Cat Bounce? - 12/07/06 11:03 PM
In this post, I'm going to step out on a limb...and over a canyon. Perhaps it is a "dead cat bounce" as stock market reporters used to say in 2000-2001 about declining and spiking stocks. Maybe it is something else, but something is astir in our real estate market. 
Perhaps San Diego crashed first, and perhaps we really do perch on the bloody edge of the economic envelope. But the numbers and recent buyer calls cannot be ignored. In September, 2006 there were 271 listings in North County's zip 92009. Today that number has dropped to 192. There are 69 listings that … (10 comments)

FAO Schwarz Moving into Real Estate? - 12/07/06 10:21 PM

 
 
We shake our heads in wonder with the news that legendary toy store FAO Schwarz has moved into the custom homebuilding business. With prices starting at $10,000, we scratched our heads and wondered what responses might come from the likes of Toll Brothers, Hovnanian and Centex. What fun might this ultimate toy store have up its sleeve?
 A little more research reveals that FAO has cleverly moved into the "mini-me" end of the homebuilding business and may have trumped Neiman Marcus for the coolest gift of the season. As an exclusive service to their customers, FAO Schwarz will now build an … (30 comments)

Closing Fees Up for Bid? - 12/05/06 11:06 AM
Another headache?  It was bound to happen--just as it did for the real estate brokerage business, as it did for mortgage lending, as it did for numerous other paper-generating businesses.
Auxiliary real estate businesses can now compete for business at https://www.lowerfees.com/  Their targets? Escrow fees, termite reports, and possibly attorney and appraisal fees. The business model is a bidding one and they also hope to generate income from advertising. 
It appears their beta site just went public this  morning. They were  mentioned on CNBC, where  one of the founders (cannot recall name), said  the time had come to expose all fees generated … (5 comments)

 
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Roberta Murphy -- Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes

San Diego, CA

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Office Phone: (877) 818-8197

Cell Phone: (760) 402-9101

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