marti kilby san diego realtor: Bigger than Ever! San Diego Beer Week is here!
- 11/09/15 07:58 AM
If you are a craft beer fan, then there is no place you’d rather be this week than in San Diego as the San Diego Brewer’s Guild serves up one heck of an event! Actually, it’s literally hundreds of events running countywide, November 6 – 15th. I admit to being a wine vs. beer drinker, but even I know that over the last 10 years, San Diego has become one of North America’s hotspots for craft brewing, and this week the spotlight is on our local breweries and the tasteful array of their brews.
Check out all of the events and choose … (6 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: February is Macy’s Museum Month in San Diego!
- 01/21/15 12:29 AM
What’s new in San Diego museums? Next month is your chance to find out with admission prices cut by 50% during the entire month of February. Just go to any local Macy’s store and pick-up a free Macy’s Museum Month Pass and you’ll enjoy half-off admission to any of the 45 participating museums throughout San Diego County.
The program started in 1989 to showcase the cultural opportunities available in San Diego County, and has grown to be the signature event of the San Diego Museum Council. One pass provides 50% off of admission for a party of … (0 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: Housing Market Gains – Not a Rosy Picture for Everyone
- 02/28/14 07:30 AM
Housing Market Gains – Not a Rosy Picture for Everyone
While much of the country has seen significant increases in home values over the past year, a recent report underlines the inequality of real estate wealth. According to a study conducted by the Demand Institute, a large percentage of the nation’s housing wealth is located in a rather small number of locations. The study examined 2,200 of the nation’s largest cities and towns and discovered that the wealthiest 10% of communities accounted for over 52% of the country’s total housing wealth while the poorest 40% held just … (2 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: Happy Chinese New Year San Diego!
- 01/31/14 08:50 AM
Happy Chinese New Year San Diego!
Today, January 31, 2014 marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year 4712. Chinese months are based on the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. Celebrations for the New Year will continue for 15 days. In China, this is a time when many folks take off work and get together with family and friends to feast enjoy fireworks and traditional song and dance.
According to legend, Buddha asked all the animals to come to him on the New Year. Twelve showed up and he named a … (7 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: My Favorite Turkey Brine
- 11/23/13 11:52 PM
My Favorite Turkey Brine
If you are looking to make an incredibly tender and moist turkey this year, I would recommend brining. Soaking the turkey for 24 hours in this salt, herb and wine solution does the trick. I’ve been experimenting with the recipe for about 4 years, and this is what I did last year, which was a real winner!
One 16 – 20 lb turkey, clean, defrosted, neck and extras removed
7 quarts (28 cups) water
1 ½ c kosher salt
6 - 8 bay leaves
2 T whole coriander seeds
2 T whole … (8 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: The Value of Your Home: Up or Down over the Next Few Years?
- 08/13/13 01:58 AM
The Value of Your Home: Up or Down over the Next Few Years?
It’s not your imagination: The housing market recovery is on a roll, upwards! A recent survey of over 100 real estate and economic experts predicts that by the end of 2013, home values will have increased nationwide by an average of 6.7% over a year ago. This is significantly more than the 5.4% bump anticipated in an earlier study.
The Home Price Expectations Survey was conducted by Pulsenomics, LLC on behalf of Zillow. Based on market expectations, the panel predicts that home prices will continue to … (8 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: 4th of July Fireworks in San Diego
- 06/28/13 02:04 AM
4th of July Fireworks in San Diego
It just wouldn’t seem like the 4th of July without fireworks! Here is a list of fireworks displays throughout the County.
San Diego
Big Bay Boom
Location: San Diego Bay
Time: 9:00 p.m.
San Diego’s largest show is visible from anywhere along the bay. Fireworks are set-off from barges near Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero and Seaport Village. Music on 105.7 radio.
Seaworld
Location: Seaworld
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Park will stay open until 11:00 p.m.
Coronado
Coronado Celebration
Location: Glorietta Bay
Time: 9:00 p.m.
… (1 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: Beautiful Executive Home in Encinitas
- 04/14/13 12:48 AM
Beautiful Executive Home in Encinitas
Don’t miss this opportunity to live in beautiful Encinitas, one of the most desirable communities in San DiegoCounty. This stunning home is located just 1 mile from the beach and backs up to the San Diego Botanical Gardens. From the moment you walk in the door to the marble floored entry, you realize that no expense has been spared. The 3800 sq ft home features 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, and an attached studio apartment with its own entrance. The kitchen would delight the most discriminating chef with a huge granite island and top … (1 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: Thanks for Your Service. Mind if I Discriminate Against You?
- 11/11/12 10:07 PM
Thanks for Your Service. Mind if I Discriminate Against You?
On this Veteran’s holiday, I think that most of us take a moment to give thanks to all the men and women who serve or have served in our nation’s armed forces. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude and I’m happy that for at least one day a year we take the time to acknowledge their sacrifices. Or so I thought…..
Last week I received two offers on one of my short sale listings. Unlike my other short sales, this particular transaction has been plagued … (103 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: Sandy, Please Don’t Kill My San Diego Short Sale!
- 11/02/12 02:58 AM
Sandy, Please Don’t Kill My San Diego Short Sale!
I have a tricky short sale listing that I’ve been working on since April….1st and 2nd mortgage, and the 2nd lien was actually sold to a less-than-cooperative collection company. Long story short, it has been nothing short of a nightmare to get approvals and a buyer willing to hang in there through the months of negotiation.
But I persevered, and we were finally scheduled to close on Monday, 10/29. Oh happy day! I couldn’t wait to put this file to bed! The buyer had signed loan docs the … (4 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: A Small Professional Courtesy Scores a Big-Time Win
- 10/26/12 12:18 PM
A Small Professional Courtesy Scores a Big-Time Win
I’ve always believed that “nice gets nice”, and have never bought into the shark mentality of doing business. I always do my best to be clever and be the best prepared with information, but I know I couldn’t sleep at night if I ever had feed-back to indicate that I had been less than professional in my dealings with anyone in a transaction.
Case in point: Two weeks ago one of my buyer clients wanted to put in an offer on a home that had been on the market … (8 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: San Diego's Best-Kept Secret
- 09/06/12 01:00 AM
San Diego’s Best-Kept Secret
Right about now, most San Diegan’s are breathing a collective sigh of relief. Labor Day has come and gone, and with it most of the tourists. Now don’t get me wrong. We are proud of our ranking as one of the top vacation destinations in the world, and our economy depends on all of those tourism dollars. But for San Diegans, September means that it’s our turn to enjoy the beaches, parks and everything outdoors, without fighting the summer crowds.
You see, what most people don’t know is that despite the fact that … (2 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: Beyond Disclosures: A Move-In Checklist
- 06/22/12 01:26 PM
Beyond Disclosures: A Move-In Checklist
Buying a new home and moving is an exciting and usually exhausting experience. If you’re buying a foreclosed property it can be especially challenging, as the bank has no knowledge of the property and you are really on your own to not only do all of your own investigation, but to figure out how everything works. On the other hand, if you’re lucky enough to buy from an owner who occupies the property, you have the chance to gather a lot of information that goes way beyond the mandatory disclosures.
One of my … (2 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: What Color Should I Paint My Home?
- 06/08/12 12:27 AM
What Color Should I Paint My Home?
I remember as a young girl, riding home from school with a new friend and her mom for an afternoon at their home. As we turned the corner onto their street, I saw one home that stood out from the rest (not in a good way), and couldn’t help commenting, “Wow! Look at that bright pink house!” And of course that was their home, I felt awful, and the friendship went nowhere. Color is a very personal decision, and in another neighborhood, that pink house might have worked great…just not … (8 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: What Are The Ways To Hold Title?
- 06/07/12 02:25 AM
What Are The Ways To Hold Title?
There are many different ways to hold title to real property, and they vary from state to state. It is always advisable that you consult an attorney and/or an accountant as the manner in which you hold title impacts what happens to the property in case one of the owners dies. This article is not intended as legal advice, but merely serves as a guide to help you understand the options here in California.
Real property in California can be owned by one person, Sole Ownership or more than one, … (2 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: What Does It Cost To Maintain A Home?
- 06/05/12 11:20 PM
What Does It Cost To Maintain A Home?
You’ve saved for a down payment and you’re ready to start looking for a home to buy, but have you also calculated the costs of maintaining your new home? Here are a few expenses to keep in mind when setting your annual budget.
Trash collection. If your city does not provide collection service you’ll need to hire a waste management company. Average cost is $20 - $40 a month.
Gardener. If you have a black thumb, or just don’t have the time or desire to do your own … (3 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: How Are You Going to Get Paid?
- 06/03/12 12:03 AM
How Are You Going to Get Paid?
I recently set-out to show some homes to a young military couple buying their first home. They are very responsible, have great credit and are pre-approved. And I was very impressed when I learned that for the last 18 months they had lived on his military salary alone and put all of her pay checks into the bank in order to save for a home. With over $30K in the bank and a solid pre-approval, we were ready to start looking for the perfect first home.
We had about 8 homes … (5 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: I Love the House! How Much Should I Offer?
- 05/31/12 01:29 AM
I Love the House! How Much Should I Offer?
You’ve found THE house and you’re ready to take the big step and write an offer. But what is the right price? Should you start low or come in at full price? Should you offer more than asking price to seal the deal?
Determining the best offer price is based on a variety of factors, the first being the price of comparable properties. Your Realtor will research sales and current listings, usually going back no more than 6 months. She will try to find homes … (4 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: Unfair Taxation? You Be the Judge
- 04/03/12 12:55 AM
This Property Tax is for the Birds!
How would you like to pay property taxes on land you technically own, but are forbidden to use? This is a new one for me!
My clients are purchasing a home on 4.2 acres here in San DiegoCounty. They have six horses that they have rescued, so having adequate space is essential. There is no home behind the property - just open space where people can ride their horses. The entire property appeared to be fenced, so that was a big, cost-saving plus. The home is a foreclosure, so … (49 comments)
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marti kilby san diego realtor: Discrimination Against VA Buyers?
- 03/25/12 02:51 AM
Discrimination Against VA Buyers?
I live and work in San Diego County, which is a big military town for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work with many active military and veteran buyers using a VA loan to purchase a home. But lately, I’m struggling to help my VA buyers complete a purchase as they are facing what I see as a marketplace that discriminates against them.
Most of my VA buyers are young, first-time buyers who have steady income, but not necessarily much money saved for a down payment. … (13 comments)
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