marti kilby broker: Protect Your Property Rights! - 09/08/22 09:41 AM
The San Diego County Recorder’s Office is now offering a new, free service that will help anyone owning property in the county protect the title to their properties. When you sign up for the Recording Notification Service you will be notified by email whenever a document is recorded that is attached to your name and Assessor Parcel Number (APN). So, for instance, if a contractor working on your kitchen remodel files a Mechanic’s Lien, or the IRS files a lien for back taxes, you would be notified. This can be particularly useful in discovering and fighting fraudulent claims against your property.
The … (1 comments)

marti kilby broker: San Diego County Wineries…Bet You Didn’t Know… - 04/12/22 01:24 PM
Fun Facts about San Diego County Wineries
History
     California wines, now world renowned, got their start over 200 years ago right here in San Diego when the Franciscan priests cultivated grapes at the first California mission, San Diego de Alcala.      Vineyards flourished in the area until devastated by flooding in 1916, followed by WWII and prohibition which collectively wiped out the industry.      Wineries didn’t begin a comeback in San Diego County until the early 1990s. From that point forward, there was a steady growth in the number of acres planted with grapes and wine production.   … (2 comments)

marti kilby broker: Is Now a Crazy Time to Buy a Home in San Diego? - 02/22/22 11:30 AM
Congratulations San Diego! You just became the least affordable city in California. Based on income and single-family home prices, San Diego has surpassed Los Angeles and even San Francisco in being unaffordable, according to a study by OJO Labs. So is it possible to buy a home here in America’s Finest City, or does it even make sense?
Let’s do the math.  The average income in the county is a bit over $68,000 and the median home price is $764,000. A 10% down payment would be $76,400…how does one save more than a year’s gross income with rent and the cost of … (0 comments)

marti kilby broker: Top-Dollar Offer? How to Avoid a Tug-of-War with Your Buyer - 02/10/22 11:36 AM
In this crazy market where overbidding is a primary buyer strategy, accepting the highest offer might not always be smooth sailing despite an enticing sales price.
One of the most common problems is an appraisal that comes in for less than the contract sales price. Let’s say you accept an offer for $800,000 and the buyer is qualified for an 80% loan. That means he is qualified for a loan of $640,000 with $160,000 down. However, if the property only appraises for $750,000 his loan amount will be reduced to $600,000 and he is $40,000 short on his down payment to reach … (4 comments)

marti kilby broker: San Diego Real Estate in 2022: Still Crazy? - 12/30/21 03:05 PM
Short answer: Yes. But let’s take a quick look at the stats we’re riding on into the New Year.
San Diego County Home Sales Comparing November 2020 to November 2021 
Median sales price for a single-family home was $750,000 in 2020 compared to $860,000 this year, up 14.7% YOY.
Median sales price for an attached home in 2020 was $475,500 compared to $595,000 this year, a whopping increase of 25.1% YOY. Demand for condos increased sharply as buyers who normally would buy a single-family home were priced out of that market.
The number of closed sales was also down significantly. Single family home sales were … (2 comments)

marti kilby broker: Is the San Diego Real Estate Market Headed Back to “Normal”? - 09/17/21 01:40 PM
LOL! What the heck is “normal”? Here’s an update as of August 30 to give you an idea about how the market is trending. 
To put it simply, the San Diego County market is still hot with prices increasing and supply dwindling. In August, the median price for a detached home rose to (gulp) $850,000. That is 15% higher than the median price one year ago. Not surprisingly, the inventory of homes for sale in August was 39.1% lower than 2020. The number of days on market was also lower with it taking an average of just 20 days to get under … (3 comments)

marti kilby broker: San Diego Real Estate Spring 2021 - 03/23/21 02:55 PM
As we head into what is traditionally the start of the home buying season we are faced with a highly competitive market, shaped primarily by lack of inventory. Active listings throughout California fell an average of 52% in February as compared to one year ago. The market was also driven by lower interest rates. In February of this year a 30-year fixed mortgage was 2.81% compared to February 2020’s rate of 3.47%.
The lower rates mean that people can afford to pay more, which they have to if they want to purchase a home in San Diego. In January of this … (2 comments)

marti kilby broker: First Community of 3-D Printed Homes to Open in Rancho Mirage - 03/16/21 03:07 PM
I don’t know about you, but I can barely wrap my head around the idea of making some plastic trinket with 3-D printing, much less turning out a whole home! But it’s happening. The country’s first 15 home Community of 3-D printed homes will be built in Rancho Mirage, CA and are scheduled for completion by next spring.
The project is a collaboration between Beverly Hills green homes developer Palari and Oakland based housing technology company Mighty Buildings. According to the LA Times, each of the 15 homes will be 1450 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths on 10,000 square … (23 comments)

marti kilby broker: Forbearance: A One-Way Ticket to Foreclosure? - 04/20/20 01:34 PM
As the days crawl by and we battle our way through COVID-19, those of us who are physically untouched can be thankful for our health. But at the same time we are all standing on a dangerous economic beach watching the sand recede between our toes.
 
The jobless rate is estimated to be the highest since the Great Depression, around 13% and rising rapidly. This impacts us all. Whether you are a salaried employee, hourly, independent contractor or small business owner, the chances are you are feeling the financial impact of temporary business closures and shelter-in-place orders.
 
For many homeowners, this becomes a … (2 comments)

marti kilby broker: San Diego Real Estate: Not all Gloom and Doom - 04/09/20 03:41 PM
If I had to characterize the current San Diego real estate market I would describe it as “Paralyzed”.  No one knows when this pandemic will end nor can they predict the long-term economic consequences with any certainty.  There is just too much happening around us that we can’t control. All of which makes the huge financial decision of buying or selling a home downright terrifying.
 
However, there are a few things to keep in mind that might shed some positive light on our market conditions.
1.  This will not last forever. Some outbreaks of this virus may persist, but we have already seen that … (3 comments)

marti kilby broker: Why Now is a Good Time to Sell your San Diego Home - 11/04/19 02:30 PM
Historically, as we move into the holiday season the real estate market tends to slow down. With all the excitement and busyness of the holidays the added stress of buying or selling a home is just too much for some people. But there are a few factors that just might make a difference in 2019.
 
First, just a quick snapshot of what’s happening in San Diego.   Basically our real estate market is stable. If we look at this last September and compare it to 2018 we see that prices have softened slightly, with the median price for a detached home in … (0 comments)

marti kilby broker: Recession and San Diego Real Estate: What You Need to Know - 09/03/19 05:32 PM
 
For those of us in the real estate biz, the mere mention of the word “recession” conjures up nightmarish reminders of overgrown lawns and boarded-up windows, foreclosures and short sales. Unfortunately, many economists believe that a recession is on the way between now and 2021, with most targeting 2020. It seems like we’ve barely recovered…would a new recessionary period be as devastating?
 
On the positive side…
 
-          Interest rates are likely to remain low and lower rates equal greater affordability, keeping more people in the market.
-          Today’s real estate market is better protected from speculation and risky mortgages. Plus, owners have greater equity … (8 comments)

marti kilby broker: 7 Top Landscaping Mistakes - 08/20/19 02:54 PM
No matter the size, some yards are just plain beautiful and seem to invite you in. Whether they create an atmosphere that calms the soul with a bubbling fountain or acts as the stage for parties with friends and family, your outdoor space can be an important part of your home.   And the good news is that it doesn’t have to cost a small fortune to make some positive improvements. 
I love to garden and have had the chance to landscape several homes we’ve owned, and in the process have worked with some real pros. But before you go rushing off … (16 comments)

marti kilby broker: Why now is the Best Time to Sell Your Home - 02/24/19 03:10 PM
Change is in the air here in San Diego, as we see the super hot seller’s market gradually cool. According to Realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale, “It’s definitely still a seller’s market in most of the country. But it’s not the same seller’s market you saw over the last couple of years. You might have to think about how your home compares to the competition that buyers are going to see when they’re shopping. And you might have to price a bit more competitively or think about other enticements to attract buyers.”
 
The seller’s market and escalating prices over the last few … (2 comments)

marti kilby broker: Upgrades Galore! Move-In Ready! - 02/13/19 04:45 PM
Upgrades Galore! Move-In Ready!
$547,500 - $567,500
 
4 Bedrooms / 2.5 Bathrooms
1715 sq ft
  
If your taste runs to granite and honed Carrera marble counters, top of the line sinks and faucets, stainless steel appliances, designer light fixtures and fans, gorgeous tile floors, new AC and furnace and like-new carpet, this home is for you! Entertain under the pergola in the charming back yard that is the largest in the neighborhood. Sale includes all appliances, patio furniture and grill. HOA fee includes weekly maintenance of common areas, front yard, front yard water, and street maintenance. Get ready to fall in love with this beautifully … (1 comments)

marti kilby broker: San Diego Real Estate: What to Expect this Spring - 01/31/19 03:06 PM
It’s that time of the year when San Diegans wake up from the holidays, look around and decide it’s time to get serious about those plans to move. Last year in the period from February through May, our real estate market was a virtual feeding frenzy with prices jumping by as much as 8% year-over-year in some areas, and homes selling within hours of hitting the market.
 
While I don’t predict the same level of activity this spring, we will see improvement from the doldrums of November and December when interest rates rose to 5.00% and home sales all but ground to … (3 comments)

marti kilby broker: Top 10 Ways to NOT Sell Your Home - 01/22/19 04:43 PM
Want to make sure your home languishes on the market? Just follow these 10 easy steps and I guarantee you won’t be packing to move any time soon! 
10. Make it really difficult to show.   Don’t allow your agent to install a lock box and limit the time your home can be shown to a really narrow window, like Thursday mornings between 10:00 – 11:30. If your home can’t be shown, trust me, the agent will find another home to show to their buyer clients. 
9. Show off your DIY. If you are one of those people who shouldn’t be allowed in … (2 comments)

marti kilby broker: Looking Forward: What 2018 Meant for San Diego Real Estate - 01/02/19 03:51 PM
2018 was an odd year in Real Estate in San Diego. January through May were booming and then everything slowed to a snail’s pace for the remainder of the year. Overall, inventory declined while prices continued to climb slightly. 
Let’s take a look at a snapshot of some popular areas across the county and see what really happened to the real estate market in 2018 and what that might mean for 2019.  All of the statistics are for single family homes comparing average prices 2018 to 2017, except for downtown where I compared condominium sales. 
North Park
North Park had been enjoying a … (0 comments)

marti kilby broker: Big Sales Drop in San Diego - 10/17/18 10:59 AM
What’s Happening to the San Diego Real Estate Market?
If you’ve been listening to all the chatter, you’ve probably heard talk of a shift in the San Diego real estate market.   Well, it isn’t just speculation from your crazy uncle, September saw a major change unlike anything we’ve seen in the past couple of years.
 
According to SDAR President Steve Fraioli, “Single-family home sales dropped 25 percent in September, compared to August, and were nearly 22 percent lower than the same month last year. Condominiums and townhomes similarly saw a 25 percent decrease last month, and are down about 23 percent from … (4 comments)

marti kilby broker: Lakeside Living in an Affordable Condo! - 10/15/18 12:01 PM
$225,000 
Imagine having beautiful Lindo Lake right across the street! Perfect for an evening stroll or a picnic lunch. This charming 2 bedroom/1 bath condo boasts a private patio, new range and microwave, ceiling fans, new bathtub, tile and fixtures and a location near schools, freeways, shopping and restaurants that can’t be beat! The small well-maintained complex has a pool, low HOA and is VA approved. Why rent when you can own?? Perfect for a first-time buyer or investor.
Across from Lindo Lake Tile and Laminate Floors Ceiling Fans New Range and Microwave Garage and Parking Space New Tub, Tile and Fixtures … (0 comments)

 
Marti Steele Kilby, CRS, Broker/Owner, San Diego, CA (Steele Group Realty)

Marti Steele Kilby, CRS

Broker/Owner, San Diego, CA

La Mesa, CA

More about me…

Steele Group Realty

Address: 7317 El Cajon Blvd, Suite 222, La Mesa, CA, 91942

Office: (619) 303-8232

Mobile: (619) 846-9249



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