Here it is the 3rd of June and the state of the housing market is split. On one hand, you have foreclosures coming on the market at record numbers and we are seeing lots of short sales too. But we also see good interest rates on mortgages, and in California, conventional loan sizes have increased to where alot more homes qualify. We also see buyers coming back to open houses, and number of home sales improving. 2007 saw a big hit in the price of homes, with the mortgage market taking huge hits. But where are we today?  Are we still decling? Have we seen the bottom? Or are we ready to recover? First, real estate is LOCAL. So what is the national average incorporates everywhere. You have to focus on what is the trends and what is happening in your local market. That is where there are ver... 06/03/2008

WHAT KIND OF INSURANCE IS BEST FOR ME?If you’ve read any of our other reports, you’ll know that even though insurance has been part of our culture for over 100 years, to most people – It’s still a just a mystery.  And because they don’t understand it, a lot of people think they’re being “ripped off” by the Insurance Industry; aka “The Club”I want to end that for you. I'm an industry "insider":  A licensed member of “The Club”I’ve been inside the insurance business for over 30 years and I know it like the back of my hand: From policy to claims and back again.I've sold insurance.   I've studied it.   I've discovered what makes "good insurance" -- and what makes "bad insurance".  I know that not all insurance is "created equal".  Life insurance is certainly no exception. Placing all your c... 06/02/2008

For more than 15 years, PuroClean has helped families and businesses overcome the devastating setbacks caused by water damage, fire damage, smoke damage and flood damage. Our business here in San Diego is giving people back their homes, getting them back in business, and putting the disaster behind them as quickly as possible. Whether you have a mold removal problem, a hose that ruptured, a smoke/ fire damaged home, PuroClean Fire & Water Damage Services in San Diego can help. Browse our web site for services and tips of what to do if you have had a loss in your home or business. An incorrect water damage mitigation can lead to a costly mold remediation job. Get the job done right the first time, call PuroClean ! We are backed by our Corporate Headquarters, Puro Systems , Inc .,with ove... 06/02/2008

Hi All, Well here are more stats for you. This time the focus is on Mira Mesa area of San Diego. For Single Family Detached homes in Mira Mesa in April 2008, there were 68 homes listed with an AVERAGE List Price of $407,539 and a Median List Price of $380,000.  Sold homes numbered 47, with an Average SOLD Price of $409,534 and MEDIAN SOLD PRICE of $410,000. The average days on market was 80 and a 2 month inventory. March, 2008 Single Family Detached homes are as follows: 68 Homes Listed Average List Price $421,212 Median List Price $400,000 28 Homes SOLD Average SOLD PRICE $413,309 MEDIAN SOLD PRICE $410,000 Days on Market 96 3 month inventory Again, we see in Mira Mesa, like we saw for Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos and Poway, that prices declined from March to April, BUT.... The nu... 06/02/2008

Hello Everyone, If you are interested in LOCAL stats for the Rancho Penasquitos area, then here they are: April 2008 the Number of Listings on the MLS for 92129 (Rancho Penasquitos) for Single Family Detached homes was 50, with the AVERAGE LIST PRICE of $639,181 and the MEDIAN LIST PRICE of $620,000. In the same category the number of HOMES SOLD was 20 with the AVERAGE SOLD PRICE $591,270 and the MEDIAN SOLD PRICE $560,000 with the average days on market at 62 and a 2 month inventory supply! For the month of March 2008 in Rancho Penasquitos, the Single family detached home listed was 50 and the AVERAGE LIST PRICE was $643,797 and the MEDIAN LIST PRICE was $599,000.  The number of homes SOLD for March was 10.  The AVERAGE SOLD PRICE $605,260 and the MEDIAN SOLD PRICE was $535,000. The av... 05/31/2008

Here are some housing/real estate stats for Scripps Ranch area of San Diego for the month of April, 2008 For Single Family Detached homes, 36 new homes were Listed this month, 22 homes sold, the average sale price was $730,909, the median sale price was $710,000 and the average days on market was 42 days. The List price to Sales price ratio for April 2008 was 95.4%. This compares with March 2008 stats for Scripps Ranch of: 52 new homes being listed, 19 homes sold, the average sale price was $749,736 and the median sale price was $747,000 and the average days on market was 68 days. The List price to Sale price ratio for March 2008 was 96.3%.  Now to me, while the average and median price have declined from March to April, the Number of homes SOLD has increased. The Buyers are coming back... 05/25/2008

Recent stats coming out for the month of March to April are showing a rebound in the housing market for San Diego. April sales were up about 33% over March sales and the median price has risen to $400,000 up from $395,000 in March. In addition Active Listings on the San Diego MLS show active listings have fallen below 20,000. The lowest level of inventory since last May(2007). Pending sales are (Properties under contract) at the highest level since Sept. 2005, writes John T. Altman, President, The Real Estate Coaching Company. More good news, is that local area agents in the Scripps Ranch office of Coldwell Banker, report more activity and traffic at open houses being held. Buyers are getting back into the market. While prices are still in general below the 2005 levels for homes, the do... 05/22/2008

Just thought I would tell you my impressions of foreclosed properties. The Banks are very varied in their pricing, depending on who they use to price the properties. But I have noticed, that more foreclosed properties are coming on the market priced to sell quickly. I tell my clients, if they are looking for a good deal on a foreclosure, they have to act real fast, because the property if priced right, and is in good shape, seems to be under contract within a day or 2 of coming on the market. The ones that are on the market more than say 10 days, either need some work or just aren't priced to move. So, If you are interested in good deals on foreclosures, just getting a list of foreclosed properties doesn't help. What you need is timely, up to the minute reports of when a NEW foreclosure... 05/21/2008

Before I begin, I would like to give credit to Sean O'Toole of Foreclosureradar for bringing up this discussion and raising this question: Why don't we use a different, more logical, valuation approach for residential properties? Sean argues that the traditional method of using comparable sales to value residential property is flawed as it does not accuratley reflect the true value of property. By using this approach, the market is more prone to gross fluctuations as it can be influenced by out-of-whack buying and selling. As I have stated in previous blogs, when uninformed buyers buy a property at an inflated value , then all similar properties in the neighborhood become unjustifiably inflated. The cycle feeds on itself. Then, when that same uninformed buyer now sells the property at t... 05/20/2008

Answer these important questions BEFORE getting any quotes Doesn't the landlord's insurance cover my stuff?  (hint... NO) How much coverage should I have? What Limits are right for me?  $30,000, $55,000 What deductibles should I have?  $100, $250, $500? What about insurance for my jewelry? Is my stuff in storage covered? What's MEDICAL PAYMENTS? Why woud I need Liability Coverage as a Renter? Getting the most for your insurance dollar starts with getting the best quote you can.  There's few things in life more (seemingly) complicated than shopping for coverage like Renters Insurance. Let me offer you a comprehensive view of all of these questions.  Take a look at my blog post at THE SAN DIEGO INSURANCE BLOG : The Miracle of Renters Insurance There you'll find all the answers to these qu... 05/20/2008

Foreclosures in Mission Beach CA In Mission Beach San Diego there are many foreclosures for sale in 2008. Bank owned properties or REO's in Mission Beach are filling the San Diego MLS with reduced priced homes. Home and condo buyers wanting to buy a home or condo in the Mission Beach area can take their pick. There are many Mission Beach homes and condos already foreclosed on by the bank or mortgage holder and many more foreclosures are on the way. We have helped many San Diego home buyers buy a foreclosure and most have saved thousands and even tens of thousands buying a foreclosed home or condo. Buying foreclosures in Mission Beach, San Diego California is real easy. You will need to have a knowledgeable real estate agent to show you where and what to look for and to help you negotiat... 05/19/2008

Foreclosures in Bay Park CA In Bay Park San Diego there are many foreclosures for sale in 2008 and 2009. Bank owned properties or REO's in Bay Park are filling the San Diego MLS with reduced priced homes. Home and condo buyers wanting to buy a home or condo in the Bay Park area can take their pick. There are many Bay Park homes and condos already foreclosed on by the bank or mortgage holder and many more foreclosures are on the way. We have helped many Bay Park home buyers buy a foreclosure and most have saved thousands and even tens of thousands buying a foreclosed home or condo. Buying foreclosures in Bay Park, San Diego California is real easy. You will need to have a knowledgeable real estate agent to show you where and what to look for and to help you negotiate the best price and t... 05/19/2008

Foreclosures in Downtown San Diego CA In Downtown San Diego California there are hundreds of foreclosures for sale. Bank owned properties or REO's in Downtown San Diego are filling the San Diego MLS with reduced priced Downtown condos. Downtown San Diego home and condo buyers wanting to buy a home or condo in Downtown San Diego can take their pick. There are many homes and condos already foreclosed on by the bank or mortgage holder and many more foreclosures in Downtown San Diego are on the way. We have helped many San Diegans buy a Downtown foreclosure and most have saved thousands and even tens of thousands buying a foreclosed home or condo. Buying foreclosures in Downtown San Diego is really easy too. As long as you have someone knowledgeable to show you where and what to look for an... 05/19/2008

Foreclosures in San Diego CA In San Diego California there are thousands of foreclosures for sale. Bank owned properties or REO's in San Diego are filling the San Diego MLS with reduced priced homes. San Diego home and condo buyers wanting to buy a home or condo in San Diego can take their pick. There are many homes and condos already foreclosed on by the bank or mortgage holder and many more foreclosures in San Diego are on the way. We have helped many San Diegans buy a foreclosure and most have saved thousands and even tens of thousands buying a foreclosed home or condo. Buying foreclosures in San Diego is really easy too. As long as you have someone knowledgeable to show you where and what to look for and to help you negotiate the best price and terms you can find your next home at b... 05/19/2008

Last years results are in, prices on average downtown dropped 7.5% in 2007 from 2006. Specifically I am referring to sold price per square foot, $547 vs. $592. The condos priced under a million dollars were responsible for this decrease as the condos above a million dollars held steady at $1,048/sf. Only three buildings saw an increase in their sales prices: CityFront Terrace (as a result of reaching a settlement on their litigation), Harbor Club condos (people still demand premium bay views) and the Watermark condos (as a result of their recent common area remodel). To see the price appreciation by building and the annual turnover within the building click on the above links. What we are seeing in our market is quality buildings in prime locations selling well, while entry level condos... 05/18/2008

A condo shopping couple stops by my office says they are looking for a deal on a condo. To use as a second home and maybe retire in full time one day. O' great I say, tell me more about the home you would like. They say good neighborhood, 1,200 sq.ft. lots of amenities and a view, preferably of the water. I think to myself, there it is again the universal request for a water view, unobstructed I'm sure. Houston, we got a problem. I completely understand the buyers request as being reasonable based on some education from the national media. But here in downtown San Diego, our prime locations are all but built out and the demand has not diminished for these high quality condos. From the airport to the convention center there are only two lots left to build condos on near the water. Findin... 05/17/2008

Throughout my eight years of living in the Historic Gaslamp District I have seen many improvements to the area, even today, more improvements are in process. We can all remember the famous Spaghetti Factory, replaced with downtowns best Italian restaurant, Dussini's. The strengthening demographics are causing low end establishments to be replaced with higher end ones drawing tourist and suburbanites looking to enhance their lifestyle. A few more examples include: out with the old donut shop in with frozen yogurt, out with the pawn shop in with clothing boutique and out with two parking lots, in with two Marriott.s. They are not building any more condos in the Gaslamp. If you want to ride the revitalization wave consider a resale condo in Gaslamp CitySquare condos, Trellis condos, Pacifi... 05/17/2008

I called Pat Kitano a couple of weeks ago and left a message on his cell phone.  Moments later, I received an email back stating he was in a meeting, but that I should go and check out Voice Cloud asap. I went, I saw --and was conquered. (Can someone translate that to Latin?) In fact, it has become my favorite new cell phone technology. Now when a voicemail come in, it is automatically converted to text and sent to my email. From my Blackberry, I can respond via text or simply return the call. Setup is easy.  Just go to VoiceCloud and follow the simple instructions. I never bother to check voicemail again--and can see what's coming in when I'm with clients or in a meeting. Oh yes: You will need to re-record your greeting via VoiceCloud.   The cost? FREE!  NOTE: Try "Cloud Today" as pass... 05/17/2008

A stock market maxium is to buy when everyone else is selling. So, if you are among these people who would love to won their own home? You may wish to consider a San Diego bank owned foreclosured homes as an alternative to newly-constructed houses. You will be able to save much and enjoy instant equity at the same time. *To view the full post, please visit the San Diego California real estate blog 05/14/2008

The Aria condos completed in early 2008 is a good example of the quality of high rise condos gettting better and better. This developer is the first to use Ceaser stone counter tops (instead of the old standard - granite). Looking for a wow view of the city and some water, Aria condos are hot with full service amenities. Talk about views, all high rises have views, but this one is built up on Cortez Hill, so you have great elevated views looking over the city out to the bay. Aria is located in the quietest neighborhood of downtown San Diego - Cortez Hill neighborhood. Only a few minutes walk to the Gaslamp or Little Italy it offers a great balance of feeling like the surburbs while at home (OK not as boring, because the city lights view will make you not want to go to sleep) yet is clos... 05/13/2008