Let's Welcome Wealthy Foreign Retirees - 06/29/07 09:52 AM
We have had some wealthy foreign clients who have chosen to retire in the coastal climes of San Diego. They love the balmy weather, year-round golf and tennis, and the beauty of Southern California.
These clients are wonderful additions to our communities. They pay hefty property taxes, shop freely, and put little strain on city infrastructures and school systems.  
The only interruption to their perfect retirement is the need to periodically leave the US, so their visas can remain valid.
A Retirement Visa solution has been floating around the government for years, but has gone nowhere. And even though this seems to have … (6 comments)

Let's Pour Some Rain on that Phantom Tax - 06/29/07 01:16 AM
Short sales and foreclosures are becoming commonplace throughout the country, and we are certainly seeing our share in the San Diego market.
The gloomy real estate statistics provide fuel for the bubble bloggers, who depend on these numbers to spin their stories and theories of conspiracies and doom. I doubt many of these mouthpieces are actually in the trenches dealing with the people and families who are having to endure the loss of their homes and dreams. The former owners of these lost homes are not the greedy flippers and short term investors targeted by the bubblers.
They could be your next door … (39 comments)

Changes in 1031 Laws? Yippee! - 06/29/07 12:39 AM
And it's about time!
The Senate Finance Committee is  considering changes in the way 1031 real estate exchanges have typically been accomplished.
Under consideration is elimination of the 45-day identification of the replacement property, Under the proposed plan, 1031 exchangers would have a full 180 days to identify, purchase and close on the replacement property.
I am preparing to write a string of emails to our comgressman and senators about this issue and a couple of others.
I believe we have an obligation to speak out on behalf of our clients.
… (11 comments)

Mortgage Fraud + Shielding a Client--Part I - 06/27/07 06:38 AM
Yesterday, we received a troubled call from a young man who was way over his head in mortgage debt. He is between jobs, living with his parents, and has no savings to support a $1.2 million mortgage--on a home located more than 100 miles away.
It took time to ferret out the facts of this complicated story, and it only got worse with the client's telling.
John's Story:
1. John purchased the property with the aid of a silent partner earlier this year. He was told that his 780 FICO score would allow him to purchase a $1+ million home with no money. In fact, … (51 comments)

The Oldest Domain Names - 06/26/07 11:16 PM
I have casually wondered in the past what the oldest domain names might be. Who were the first visionaries thinking about the importance of such "real estate?" I would have thought that at least one of the first 100 names would have something to do with real estate. Thanks to Jottingsfor the find. I would have expected to see, at the very least, Lenn Harley's Homefinders.com in this list--or perhaps something related to real estate:
… (10 comments)

Gilded and Bronzed by Active Rain - 06/26/07 12:16 AM
It was just ten months ago that I received an email from Maureen McCabe with an invitation to join something called Active Rain.
Several days later, I logged in, signed up and discovered that I had the opportunity to earn points just for writing about myself--and those things related to real estate.
Since that time, I've made friends with fellow real estate bloggers and communicate with some on a regular basis. I have  also learned so much about real estate issues, Web 2.0 and technical tools that can improve the quality of my work.
I have learned that we all have more in common … (17 comments)

THE ULTIMATE EARTH-FRIENDLY HOME - 06/24/07 10:55 PM
Early last spring, in an interesting discussion with Marc LaChance, I was introduced to off-the-grid homebuilding. Marc is an entrepreneur with a plan and the means to build homes where electrical, telephone, gas, water and sewer lines do not run. I saw some early plans for his homes, and was highly impressed with their beauty, functionality and earth-friendliness.
It  seems when one door opens in the mind, it leads to a series of others….
Last night while waiting at home for two sons to return from their day at sea and evening on the sand, I discovered this charming woodland cottage, built into and of the earth. Truly off-the-grid, this … (15 comments)

Downtown Oceanside, CA - 06/23/07 06:20 PM
Oceanside, CA is a great place to spend a weekend, a two-week vacation, or a lifetime. It offers a great coastal location, broad sandy beaches, relatively affordable homes, condos and townhomes, and lots of activities for all ages.
First-time visitors to Oceanside marvel at the downtown building and activity. High rise condominiums, such as the newly-constructed Oceanside Terraces, are reshaping the  skyline, while the historic Oceanside Pier continues to draw fishermen, sightseers or those out for a lengthy stroll.
For those seeking museums and missions, Oceanside has much to offer. The California Surf Museum at 223 North Coast Highway is a surfer's mecca. Not … (10 comments)

The Shores at Coronado: Living High in San Diego - 06/23/07 03:33 PM
Imagine carefree, luxurious living in San Diego with white sandy beaches, heart-stopping views of the ocean,bay and downtown San Diego, with the world famous Hotel del Coronado next door. 
The only place you could possibly be would be one of the Coronado Shores buildings.Adjacent to and south of the magnificent Hotel del Coronado, stand the Coronado Shores, an oceanfront enclave of ten 15-story high rise condominium buildings.
Each building is run by its own association, and has its own common areas, fees and recreation facilities. Built in the 1960's and 1970's, the Shores are highly desired because of the astounding views they offer as well as their exquisite … (2 comments)

Roll Call: Real Estate Connect - 06/23/07 11:31 AM

Will you be at Real Estate Connect? Speak out!
I know a number of Active Rainers are planning to be in San Francisco for the big Real Estate Connect event July 31-August 3. There is supposed to be a Beer Blogger's event on the evening of July 31 and whether one imbibes or not, it would be fun for us to all get together.
I just discovered last night that Sharon Simms from Florida would be there, and began to wonder who else is planning to attend.
 To date, these are the Active Rain folk I know will be there:
Matt Heaton (Presenter)
Jonathan Washburn (Presenter)
Brian … (10 comments)

New Luxury Real Estate Show--by Active Rain Member - 06/22/07 12:10 AM
I just heard from Active Rain's own Eric Carlsen that he and Online WalkThru were going to be hosting the new Vox One luxury weekly video webcast. This new program will focus on the luxury home market, luxury mortgages and lending, new home and real estate technologies, top luxury real estate agents and changes taking place in the luxury home market.
I have always been a fan of their luxury home video presentations, their luxury home blog, and wish Eric and Lathe the very best of luck in their new venture.
How I wish they offered their wonderful luxury video tours … (11 comments)

A Home Unplugged - 06/21/07 10:40 AM

Better yet, imagine a world uplugged!
The beginning of that future has quietly arrived with the first successful resonant transfer of wireless power over a span of seven feet—and carrying enough power to brighten a 60W light bulb.
This humble beginning leads ambitious minds to think of a luxurious home where cell phones, laptop computers, lamps, Roombas and even hair dryers would need no cords to operate.
The Genius behind this exciting development is a wizardy team of scientists from MIT’s Department of Physics, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies.
They call this … (7 comments)

Luxury Rocks - 06/21/07 10:34 AM
For out-of-the-box eye candy, Italian designers have few peers. Leave it to these clever wizards to create the ultimate in luxury rocks for exterior lightscaping.
These remarkable lighted rocks, created by Oluce, look as if they might have been llifted from the lawn of a distant planet.
Not so.  They were created by Italian designers Marta Laudani and Marco Romanelli, along with the talent of Massimo Noceto. Crafted from weather-tested polyethelene, these mesmerizing Oluce stones glow with the aid of a screw-in fluorescent bulb.
Don’t expect to find these luxe rocks in your local Home Depot or Lowes-- or even in a dedicated … (5 comments)

Uh-oh! Are You Paying for Leads? - 06/10/07 04:46 PM
Several years ago, I bought an additional term life insurance policy through QuoteSmith.com. The service was good, the rates were terrific and it was a genuine no-hassle experience.
Last Wednesday evening, I went in to check rates for a family member. This time, QuoteSmith was redirected to Insure.com's site. It looked equally easy to use, so I registered (as required) and a number of policies, options and companies were shown.
I copied the rates, filed the sheet away and went to bed. At 7 am the next morning, calls from insurance agents started disrupting my morning peace. I asked one of the life insurance agents (New … (16 comments)

Newspaper Advertising: A Waste of Resources? - 06/10/07 10:12 AM
Early weekend mornings are quiet around our household. The guys like to sleep in, the parrots are quieter than usual, and I have the luxury of spidering around the web and spinning ideas. 
The San Diego Union Tribune  still sits  in the driveway, and will remain there until Eric, our middle son, goes out to retrieve it so he can read the sports pages.
Until that time, the world is mine.
Newspaper advertising is a serious consideration this morning.
I'm not sure exactly when the phones stopped ringing from real estate print ads, but the calls probably started tapering off when the overwhelming majority of home buyers and sellers … (18 comments)

Bad Dogs, Wet Legs and Red Faces - 06/10/07 01:33 AM
Eric Bouler opened the door with his post about dogs and listings, and I couldn't help but remember one very wet, warm and embarrassing experience.
MLS instructions mentioned the dog, said he was friendly, and warned agents not to let Bowser out.
Clients and I arrived at the home, and I retrieved the key from the lockbox. Upon inserting the key in the door, I heard a muffled doggie vocalization on the other side of the door. Unafraid, I opened the door and we walked into the foyer. Bowser, a mid-sized mixed mutt, ambled into view and gave me a surly stare.
I stood in the living area, … (11 comments)

The $1 Billion Home - 06/09/07 11:45 PM

The World's Most Expensive Mansion?
This may arguably be the most expensive and tallest private residence ever built.
India's wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, 50, is slated to begin construction of a billion dollar glass and steel skyscraper home in Mumbai City, the financial capital of India. The 27-story building will be designed to house his family of six and staff of 600, with six floors dedicated to the storage and parking of  Ambani's 168 automobiles. The top four floors will be set aside for family living.
Ambani is estimated to have a personal wealth hovering at $21 billion, making him the 14th richest man in the world, and the most visible man of wealth in India.
That wealth will also provide … (8 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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