STARTING OUT: After 15 years in corporate Human Resources positions, my wife and I opened a successful art gallery in Cambridge, MA. Shortly thereafter I obtained my real estate license and began working for RE/MAX Destiny in Cambridge (home of Harvard University and MIT).  After 3 years my wife and I made a huge decision to relocate to Carlsbad California (photo at right is of Cambridge's Harvard Square in winter), and bought our 9th home in the La Costa area of Carlsbad so we could be near the beaches. (photo at left - here I am when cleaned up and more formal).

I began working for RE/MAX Associates in Encinitas in June 2005 (about 4 miles from my Carlsbad home where I actually have my office). In addition to my business skills and experience, I have been a primary home buyer and seller 9 times, and have bought and sold a business condo and 2 vacation properties, all in 4 different states. So I understand consumer issues as a buyer and seller, and have had some harrowing experiences, which benefits YOU.

RELOCATION :
I have relocated a number of times AND I understand it well (want to learn more about relocation and how to do it well? Visit Carlsbad Relocation A to Z). And I love writing about living here in San Diego, my most recent move, in my blog Fans of Coastal San Diego. I have moved very young children, pets, and cars. I also understand the business side of relocation from my years of Human Resources experience.

>Training, education and technology are incredibly important in the real estate business, and are expected by today's buyers and sellers.

I obtained my e-Pro designation to expand my technology expertise.

I became an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) early in my career since I believe strongly in consumer advocacy. 

 I am 1 of the 4% of all REALTORS with the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, which required advanced coursework in technology, referrals, and buyer and seller strategies, and had rigorous production requirements.

I also have the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) certification.

I am very excited about the skills, techniques and strategies I offer my clients to better serve their needs in our increasingly challenging and competitive market. I am active in the CRS organization to support their educational programs in Southern California, and serve on the Board of Directors for the Southern California Chapter of the CRS as the Treasurer for 2008.

Referrals are an essential part of my business; buyer and seller referrals are the best compliment I can receive, and I treat each and every one with the utmost care. I also have an large, active referral database I use whenever I can for outbound referrals, so I can help you if who are moving from this area as well as people you know elsewhere in the country.

To learn more about the benefits I offer you with my advanced training and education as a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), click on this link.

Lastly, I am a big beach lover.

So you will read a lot from me about the areas near the Southern California beaches of North County San Diego, especially in Carlsbad where I live, and neighboring Encinitas.

I don't get to enjoy the beach as much as I would like, but try to take some time to appreciate the beautiful coastline we have whenever possible. If you have questions about the beaches, please feel free to ask...I'll tell you what I know.

As a Carlsbad REALTOR, I focus on residential home sales, including single family homes (resales, new construction), condos, multiunit properties, and 55+ communities. I have owned waterfront property so I am familiar with the issues you have to deal with when living directly on the water (e.g., conservation, weather, erosion).

I work with both buyers and sellers, and have substantial experience with first time home buyers. I have significant personal relocation experience, and as a REALTOR have helped a number of buyers relocate (from a few hundred miles to across the country). I understand the difficulties of relocation (and have experience it multiple times myself), and offer a variety of unique real estate services tailored specifically for relocation clients.

For sellers, I provide a variety of marketing services (some of which you don't expect) and a VIP Seller Home Value Audit.

I focus on the coastal beach communities in San Diego's North County as well as inland. I concentrate on homes for sale in Carlsbad (just a few include La Costa, Aviara, Rancho Carrillo, Calavera Hills, The Bay Collection, Bressi Ranch, Brookfield, La Costa Greens, La Costa Ridge), where I live. 

I also assist buyers and sellers in Oceanside, San Marcos (including Santa Fe Hills, Lake San Marcos and San Elijo Hills), Encinitas (including Leucadia and Encinitas Ranch), Cardiff-by-the-Sea (the Composer and Walking Districts), Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla. And if you are in the military and relocating to or from Camp Pendleton (bordering Oceanside) I can help you as well.

Consumers need lots of information, whether buying or selling a personal home or investing in real estate. A big part of my job as a real estate professional is to make sure they get what they need so intelligent informed decisions can be made.

My real estate role truly is consultative - I help clients better understand and define their needs, work with them to find options that are available, offer alternative solutions to their problems, educate them on  buying, selling and relocation, and enable them to reach their real estate goals, whatever they might be.

Here is a sampling of the information available to you through my blogs and personal website to make your decision and transaction as worry-free as possible:

Buyer Reports (Becoming a Good Buyer, Questions for your Lender, What a REALTOR Does, Forms Checklist)

Seller Reports (Forms Checklist, Benefits of Property Pricing, What a REALTOR Does, Making a Good Impression)

Carlsbad Community Profile (housing, restaurants, shopping, photos and virtual tours)

Carlsbad Town Website and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

Carlsbad Communities (just some of the Master Planned Communities, subdivisions and complexes) - Aviara (overview), La Costa (overview), La Costa Greens, La Costa Ridge, Rancho Carrillo, La Costa Valley, Calavera Hills, La Costa Oaks, The Bay Collection, Avocet (Aviara), Aviara Neighborhoods - Azure, Isla Mar and Tramonto, Bressi Ranch, Bella Lago (Aviara), Aviara Point, Trieste (La Costa), Balearas (La Costa Greens),Brindisi (Aviara), Alga Hills (La Costa), Viridian (La Costa Greens), The Fairways (La Costa)

Carlsbad Year End (December) 2007 Market Report (want reports for prior months, and for other communities? Just let me know)

Carlsbad Schools, School Reports 

Things to Do in Carlsbad (golf, beaches, tourist attractions)

First Time Buyer Central (great for first time home buyers, but plenty of helpful information for ALL buyers)

Carlsbad Relocation and Relocation Services

Carlsbad Area Photos and Virtual Tours

BUYERS: if you are interested in homes for sale in other nearby communities (Oceanside, San Marcos, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch), or have a home to sell, let me know as I can help you in these areas, too! I know some of these areas almost as well as I know Carlsbad.

Want a list of homes in your price range and town(s) that meet YOUR criteria? Give me a shout - it's a snap for me to share that information with you by email, and set you up with an automated email system that will send you what you need when you need it.

SELLERS:  Here's a snapshot of some of the services I will provide to you when we list your Carlsbad home for sale (or anywhere along the coast in North San Diego County).

SUCCESS STORIES - Here's what a few past clients have said. If you want to speak to any people I have helped in the past just let me know.

Jeff Dowler came recommended to me by a friend [a former client of Jeff's]. After watching many of my other friends and family suffer through terrible experiences of agents out only for themselves, I was glad to finally find an agent whom someone would actually recommend. Jeff proved himself worthy of the accolades of my friend and those I bestow upon him now. When other agents would have pushed me into buying for that juicy commission check, Jeff actually recommended we keep looking because certain things did not feel right about the seller. As the buying process progressed, Jeff helped me through it step by step, picking up where lawyers and other parties slacked, keeping things on track. For all the problems, my purchase was probably one of the most stress free experiences of my life. I can not say enough about how fabulous Jeff is. Jeff manifests a friendly, helpful, and truly caring professionalism. I feel like not only did I have an advocate, but a friend. Andrea (Buyer AND Seller)

I have met a lot of Brokers throughout my career, but none quite like you. Your sincerity, patience and professionalism were so rare...Jim (Vice President/Sales Associate - Major Brokerage Firm)

You have been absolutely amazing, especially this past month. From late meetings to constant cell calls, you've always been there for us. We really appreciate how wonderful you've been...Crystal and Steve (First Time Buyers)

Thanks so much for all your help through this challenging process. We appreciate how available and responsive you have been throughout. Danny and Veera (First Time Buyers)

Recently we listed and sold our home in Cardiff-By-The-Sea, California.  We chose to list our home with RE/MAX Associates; specifically Jeff Dowler and Dale Ostertag.  We had some unusual situations and were pressed for time to sell our home. Living in another state, it was so very important for us to list our home with someone we could trust and who would be willing to assist us in some rather unusual circumstances.  We had interviewed several realtors and chose Jeff and Dale because they seemed willing to go the extra mile to help us. 

Based on information that we received from other people that had sold or bought a home, and based on our own experience in buying and selling a home, we believe that Jeff and Dave went above and beyond what a realtor is required to do, and what a realtor normally does.  They reassured us, kept in close contact with us, did what we asked them to do, and were there when we really needed them.  Additionally, they were way ahead of us in anticipating our next needs.

It can be a difficult, agonizing process to select a realtor.  We were so glad that we chose Jeff Dowler and Dale Ostertag to list our home! We recommend to everyone that they select RE/MAX Associates. Thank you, Jeff and Dale for a job well done! Randall and Debra (out-of-state sellers)

...Jeff, as you know, this is the first time that I [Pat] have had to handle most of the things associated with buying and selling a home.  It was with your patience and gentle guiding hand and calm demeanor that I was able to do this.  You quickly calmed me down when I was experiencing a melt down over the phone or through an email.  Although we had great realtors that we were working with selling our home in Arizona, you once again came through with suggestions and guidance.  I would not have made it through the process without having you for our realtor... Pat and Tom Taubler  (out-of state buyers)

Outstanding, dedicated service to YOUR needs!