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Carlsbad, CA Real Estate News

By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Flower Fields Up Close I attended a CRS Networking Event with 25 other Southern California Realtors this past Thursday for a couple of hours at the Carlsbad Flower Fields.  It was fun to see my CRS friends as well as to meet other agents I didn’t know. There was time to talk with each other before taking a tour. After the group photo we split up into small groups to leisurely walk through the gardens, and of course take lots of photos.  While I have often driven by the Flower Fields on Armada Drive on the hill above to the east which offers great panoramic views of the flowers and the ocean, I haven’t seen the flowers and the venue itself up close for years.   It was a sunny day with a cool ocean breeze, although the marine layer moved in before the event was over so it was pre...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2024 Carlsbad Village Street Faire is May 5 One of our more popular arts and craft fairs returns to Carlsbad Village on Sunday May 5, 2024. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is reportedly the largest outdoor 1-day fair in the US, other than its counter-part, the Carlsbad Village Faire in November. This is the 50th year for this fair! The Carlsbad Village Street Faire takes place from 8 am until 5 pm, so there is ample time to enjoy over 900 vendors and shop all you want. The Carlsbad Village Faire takes place in the heart of the Village, along Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson. The Faire spills over onto side streets, too. (photo is from another art fair in the Village in the same area).  Given the number of vendor booths much of the public parking will not be available ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Our Monarch Caterpillar Nursery The nursery is doing well and so are the 10 Monarch Caterpillars, doing what caterpillars do. The Monarch Butterfly visited our back patio several weeks ago and spent quite a bit of time landing on the milkweed plants repeatedly. We didn't see any eggs left behind but that may simply have been our vision as Monarch eggs are supposedly quite small. A couple weeks ago my wife saw a couple of very small caterpillars on one of the milkweed plants and now there are 10 (there were a couple others but they didn't make it for long). They have grown pretty substantially which we hope will help at least some of them survive and move into the next phase (chrysalis), and not become a tasty meal for one of the many birds in our yard. I suspect the mortality rate for c...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Heart of the Village Blood Drive~ Carlsbad Village February 10, 2024 ~ Once again here’s an opportunity for Carlsbad residents to help our community, specifically the San Diego Blood Bank, with their need for blood donations. The 7th Annual Heart of the Village Blood Drive will be held in Carlsbad Village on Saturday, February 10th from 9 am until 2 pm. Once again thanks are due Barrio Glassworks at 3060 Roosevelt Street for hosting the blood drive. Blood donations will be taken at the San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile in their parking lot.  Well over 200 pints have been donated through the previous Heart of the Village Blood Drive events! As in the past the Carlsbad Village Association is the sponsor. All donations are by Appointment Only, preferably in advance, but last minute appointm...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for December 2023 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from November and 1 year ago. Private sales, mobile homes and multi-family housing are not included (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms. As a result they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (read more - How Local IS Local?). Current information, and analysis, about local market conditions benefits you when you want to make important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 46 homes sold in Carlsbad in December (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 21% fewe...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2nd to Last Sunset for 2023 in CarlsbadWe had a busy week - but then who didn't - and decided to head over to the beach yesterday to watch the sun set. There were lots of people out on the bluff above the ocean, cameras poised for photos and waiting for just the right moment. There were quite a few clouds which always make the sunsets and sky more interesting, even when the sun itself is hidden. You never know what you are going to see but it's always a wonderful time of relaxation at the end of the day.  It appears we made the right decision to go see the LAST sunset of 2023 in Carlsbad yesterday. There is so much cloud cover here this afternoon it appears we wouldn't be able to see the sun setting over the ocean at all, so we lucked out. UPDATE: Well, the skies cleared up a bit a few ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Free Christmas Tree Recycling in Carlsbad  Christmas is now behind us. And some people may already be thinking about taking down the holiday tree. As they do annually, the City of Carlsbad is offering free, curbside pickup of Christmas trees for Carlsbad residents now through January 14th. Christmas tree curbside pickup is on the regular trash pick-up day unless it falls on the Christmas and New Year’s observed holidays. Trash pick-up may be delayed during the after week after these holidays. Christmas trees should be placed next to the green compost bin at curbside. Be sure to remove all decorations, lights, tinsel and tree stands before recycling. If possible cut the tree and place it in the Green Waste recycling bin for pick-up.  If your tree is taller than 6 feet it must be cut in h...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The 2024 Carlsbad Marathon~ Sunday January 14th ~ The popular Carlsbad Marathon is Sunday January 14th.  Remember that’s also the Martin Luther King holiday weekend – the official holiday is Monday the 15th! If you plan to participate hopefully you have been busy with training! The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon is a popular world-class event. It’s also a qualifying race for the famed Boston Marathon. There are usually plenty of runners from other areas of the US planning on this event! The Marathon is limited to 1200 runners. The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon also offers a Double Down Challenge. There are 2 races, first the 5K (3.1 miles) followed by the half marathon, a total of 16.2 miles. Up to 4500 runners can participate in the Half Marathon, and 1000 in the...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Throwback Thursday - The Last Hand-cut Christmas Tree For years living in New England we had a tradition of getting a cut Christmas, hand-sawed down by yours truly. It was a fun activity which the kids enjoyed, despite dealing with the winter weather in early December that included cold weather and sometimes snow. There were plenty of tree farms in the Boston area to choose from, especially when we lived out in the suburbs in Bolton, Littleton and Stowe. The tradition continued when we spent a couple of years in the Twin Cities in Minnesota with even colder weather. The second winter we were there it was 25 degrees below zero when we went to saw down the tree. It's a bit of challenge to saw down a tree in that kind of cold, bundled up in a parka with heavy boots and gloves on. Tradition...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Holiday Cookie Making - Round 2Yesterday we made granola using a new recipe with maple syrup instead of brown sugar. It turned out well and worthy of breakfast and sharing with a couple of the neighbors. Round 2 of our cookie making was today (Round 1 was made at Thanksgiving, our annual family tradition), the classic snowball cookies using my wife's Mom's recipe.  We decided to add a couple variations. In addition to the classic, rolled in powdered sugar once cooked, we rolled some of the dough in finely chopped pecans before baking. The other variation were thumbprint cookies with apricot jam. They turned out well and have been more than adequately taste tested by the chefs. And several of the neighbors were lucky recipients.  Are there special cookies that you make for the holidays?
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Ho Ho Highland in Carlsbad Lots of neighbors living along Highland Drive in Olde Carlsbad (just east of Carlsbad Village) celebrate the holiday season with large inflatable Santas at the front of their properties. Many of the homes on the hill offer distant views of the ocean. I took a drive down Highland south of Carlsbad Village Drive while out running errands to see them…a first for me. I can’t believe I didn’t know these existed!  I counted 30 of the large inflatable Santas in the 6 block drive I took. They are all pretty similar and I’d estimate about 20 feet tall, perhaps taller. I also saw a number of small ones as well…thus the appropriate nickname for this neighborhood being Ho Ho Highland. I don’t know how long this has been a tradition but it sounds like more and more homeown...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Merry Melodies Holiday Music Series ~ Carlsbad Village 2023 ~ The Carlsbad Village Association continues to support the Village businesses, and encourages residents and visitors to enjoy the holiday season with the Merry Melodies Series. The free music takes place at the corner of Grand Avenue and State Street. This free series of holiday music kicked off Friday December 8 from 5 – 7 pm with songs by the Carlsbad High School Vocal Music Program. Free hot chocolate and candy canes were provided by First Team Real Estate. The Merry Melodies series continues this Friday the 15th with music by Laura and Leilani. These talented vocalists will share jazzy holiday music accompanied by Leilani on the piano and flute. Again the music will be offered from 5 pm. to 7 pm.  It’s a great time of year...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Stuff the Bus in Carlsbad 2023 Saturday December 9th is going to be a very special day. This is your chance to help Stuff the Bus in Carlsbad Village. This special holiday event is sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Unified School District’s Youth Enrichment Services (YES!). There are many families in need of help this holiday season, and you can make a child’s holiday a bit more special! Here’s how.  Bring a new unwrapped toy, or more than one if you want (for ages 6 to 12), to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad Clubhouse at 3115 Roosevelt between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm to help Stuff the Bus. Why a wonderful way you can share joy with a needy child this holiday season! Call the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad (Village Clubhouse) with questions or for mor...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for November 2023 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from October and 1 year ago. Private sales, mobile homes and multi-family housing are not included (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms. As a result they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (read more - How Local IS Local?). Current information, and analysis, about local market conditions benefits you when you want to make important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 58 homes sold in Carlsbad in November (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 27% fewer...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Grateful to Live in Carlsbad This is my 4th entry for the November Gratitude Challenge hosted by Debe Maxwell, CRS. We moved to Carlsbad in April 2005 from Boston, and I am very thankful that we did. It was a tough decision to leave the Boston area after living there for 20+ years in multiple homes and communities. We loved the Boston area, other than the winter cold, snow and ice, and left behind lots of friends and family in New England and the northeast. Photo is from the winter before we moved, in Harvard Square (Cambridge) near where we last lived before relocating.   We spent a lot of time (several house hunting trips over 1 year) looking at properties in different communities around San Diego before settling on Carlsbad. Why? It worked for our budget (a good sized house with land...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Holiday Tree Lighting in Carlsbad Village~ December 3, 2023 ~UPDATED 11/29/2023The 38th annual Holiday Tree Lighting is Sunday, December 3rd in Carlsbad Village.  As is the tradition, the Holiday Tree Lighting takes place at the front entrance to the Carlsbad Village Faire shopping center at 300 Carlsbad Village Drive.  It’s just west of the railroad tracks. The photo is from last year.  This festive annual event runs from 2:15 – 4:45 pm! The Tree Lighting is sure to get you into the holiday spirit if you aren’t already! Why not join this annual celebration, along with lots of Carlsbad residents, in the heart of Carlsbad Village. The Tree Lighting and festivities are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Carlsbad. Santa will arrive in the antique firetruck for photos, and along with Mrs. Clau...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2023 Holiday Showcase Makers Market ~ December 2 in Carlsbad Village ~ The 2023 Holiday Showcase Makers Market takes place on Saturday December 2nd from 9 am until 4 pm. This is the 7th annual event. The Holiday Makers Market has been a popular event in Carlsbad Village for a number of years. Because of popularity the Makers Market has expanded, and now includes multiple events during the year, along with the special one at holiday time. The Holiday Showcase Makers Market is FREE to attend. Certainly you’ll want to bring credit cards or cash for your holiday shopping. And don’t forget you can #ShopSmall at Small Business Saturday in the Village on November 25th Thanksgiving weekend. The Makers Market is held outdoors at St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church. The Church is located at...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Celebrate Small Business Saturday~ Carlsbad Village ~ November 25, 2023 ~ The holiday shopping season seems to arrive earlier every year. Halloween is a distant memory, and Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away. Which also means the 14th annual Small Business Saturday in Carlsbad Village is coming soon. Small Business Saturday was initiated by American Express back in 2010 The first Saturday after Thanksgiving is the traditional day to support small businesses throughout the US. And you’ll find abundant opportunities at our Carlsbad Village retailers to #shopsmall. Many residents, and visitors, support small businesses in Carlsbad already but this is special opportunity to do so! And with the holiday shopping season upon is, that’s good news. The Carlsbad Village Association website no...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Art Wall for November 2023 The 5th Carlsbad Art Wall mural of 2023 was just completed. And it’s so appropriate for our beach town. I thought the sunlight shining through the palm tree cast some interesting light on the mural, adding to the already brilliant colors. The wall was painted by Jeff Kukasik, a self-taught artist and surfer from San Clemente, CA. This is the 38th mural since the founding of the Carlsbad Art Wall. And we’ve seen impressive diversity, creativity, and beauty over the past 8+ years. The Carlsbad Art Wall was founded in 2015 by Carlsbad artist, Bryan Snyder in cooperation with the owner of Senor Grubby’s Mexican Restaurant in Carlsbad Village  The Carlsbad Art Wall affords residents and visitors the chance to enjoy temporary public art by local, regional, ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for October 2023 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from September and 1 year ago. Private sales, mobile homes and multi-family housing are not included (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports about the housing market speak in general terms. As a result they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (read more - How Local IS Local?). Up-to-date information, and analysis, about local market conditions benefits you when you need to make important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad Homes for Sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 79 homes sold in Carlsbad in October (92008, 92009,...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Reasons to Love Living in Carlsbad CA~ Attractions ~ There are plenty of reasons to love living in, or visiting, Carlsbad CA. That includes our beaches, the arts, dining, shopping, recreational opportunities, housing, sports, parks and greenspace, and our weather. In this article the focus is on several attractions for residents and visitors to enjoy in Carlsbad. CARLSBAD FLOWER FIELDSThe Flower Fields have been a popular attraction for Carlsbadians and visitors for decades. The Flower Fields are 55 acres of Ranunculus flowers in multiple brilliant colors planted on the hill below Armada Drive and overlooking the ocean. The flowers bloom for about 6 to 8 weeks depending on the weather. The Flower Fields generally open at the beginning of March and typically close on Mother’s Day in mid-...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Village Street Faire November 5, 2023 The Carlsbad Village Street Faire, a popular event for decades, returns to Carlsbad Village this coming Sunday, November 5th. The Faire is hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is reportedly the largest outdoor 1-day fair in the US. There is also a Carlsbad Village Street Faire held every May. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire runs from 8 am until 4 pm. That should be ample opportunity to enjoy the hundreds of vendors and shop to your heart’s content. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire takes place in the center of town, along Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson. The Faire also spills over onto side streets, including State Street. (photo is from a prior art fair in Carlsbad.)  Be prepared...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Museum of Making Music Petting Zoo The Museum of Making Music is a popular attraction offering a wonderful museum collection, with special events and concerts during the year. On November 4, 2023 the Museum of Making Music (MOMM) will host a Petting Zoo. (photo taken at MOMM)   No, it’s not the kind of petting zoo you’re thinking about, where kids get to mingle with, and pet, all sorts of cute animals. This is an Instrument Petting Zoo, with a chance for kids to "pet" all sorts of instruments in varying shapes and sizes, and which make a range of sounds. What a fun way for kids to experience a bunch of different instruments and make music! And of course the adults can get in on the instrument petting, too! The Instrument Petting Zoo will run from 11:00 am until 1:30. This is a Pay-What-...
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