There is Carmel-by-the-Sea and then there is Carmel Point just across the city line to the south. Walking along Scenic Road at the ocean you wouldn't even know that you had gone from city to county except for the fact that houses now have an actual number. Yes, as I have written before, there are no numbers on houses in Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Post Office does not deliver mail. Quaint, right?Anyway, Carmel Point is exceptionally desirable for one because of its exceptional view of the Pacific Ocean and, for some, Carmel Beach that stretches all the way to Pebble Beach. One friend of mine used to live at Carmel Point and people kept knocking on his door asking if he wanted to sell his home. He finally decided to put a big price tag on it over market value and said "yes". The door knock... 06/26/2017

 If Vegas Bob isn't working this weekend he might take a drive down to Carmel and stop at the Mission Ranch which is owned by Clint Eastwood.As some may know Vegas Bob has visited the Mission Ranch several times over the years hoping to either meet Mr Eastwood at his restaurant and or maybe even catch him playing some jazz music on the piano.Here is a video of the Mission Ranch that I took back in 2012 and a photograph below.And if I do visit the Mission Ranch this weekend and run into Clint, I will be sure to try and get a photo of the two of us together ;o)  06/01/2016

I have rejoined Keller Williams in Carmel and am looking forward to continued success in 2016.  03/12/2016

 Alaska Bob aka Robert Swetz has taking photographs and videos of the Mission Ranch for several years now.Every time I get the chance to visit the Mission Ranch, I am always amazed how beautiful it is there. Clint Eastwood has owned the Mission Ranch for many years now, and he has been known to wonder around the grounds like a guest and or play some Jazz tunes on the piano in the restaurant ;o)  There are many old homes and other buildings that have been converted to motel rooms, with bathrooms, etc.Every room is unique in it's own way and the charm around the Mission Ranch is a great country feel, the rooms start at $150 up to $300+ and worth every cent.The Mission Ranch Restaurant has some excellent cooks and the food is great, and on some nights Mr Eastwood will be known to appear :o... 09/13/2015

  TELES FOUNDATIONTELES PROPERTIES CARMEL  This week, the Teles blog will introduce and interview the members of the Teles Foundation Advisory Board. These agents contribute to Teles Properties both through their passion for real estate as well as their dedication to give back to the community.Our first interview is with Leslie DeLuca of Teles Carmel. Leslie ranks in the top 1% of realtors according to the National Association of Realtors. Leslie is an Ambassador for Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and a Member of The Monterey County Business Council, Professional Women’s Network of The Monterey Peninsula, Women’s Council of Realtors.What motivated you to be apart of Teles Foundation? ​I believe that giving back is the key to happiness. I enjoy being a part of organizations that ... 08/24/2015

03/20/2015

The Carmel Jewish Film Festival is now entering its fifth year. Our mission is to celebrate the artistry of film and to educate viewers with film offerings conceived and created through a uniquely Jewish lens.   Our intention is to entertain, to provoke discussion, and to provide experiences that engage both mind and heart. We hope that our festival will help bridge cultural and religious differences and contribute to solidarity and peace within our greater community.   For 2015 we are pleased to offer award-winning films from the U.S., Israel, Germany, France, Canada, and Macedonia. Come join us, March 7-22, 2015, and experience the magic of truly great cinema.   01/28/2015

The Carmel Unified School District has some unique features: Carmel Unified School District When searching for a home, it is not just the perfect house one is searching for.  Clients are also interested in lifestyle, schools, activities and the culture of each of our unique communities.  Here you will have a one on one interview with the leaders of Carmel Unified School District   SEARCH FOR HOMES IN CARMEL 11/04/2014

If anyone thinks I'm being slothful since I seem to have slowed WAY down on blogging the past couple of months, think again. During the past couple of years, I have concentrated on setting up the framework for my brokerage both in California and Hawaii. THIS WAS A LONG TERM VIEW OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO 1. I officially moved my California brokerage office to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Since this is a relative "tight" community where referrals are a big part of my business, I spent the last few months on one-on-one networking. This fall, I plan on a marketing campaign that reaches out to a wider audience. Can't wait. 2. I got my broker's license in Hawaii and set up a marketing structure there that I can handle while I am in California. At some point soon, I will be hiring a broker in charge, but ... 07/09/2014

Yesterday, I had a call from a columnist of the Pine Cone , a very popular FREE weekly newspaper read by absolutely everyone here on the Monterey Peninsula. It includes all the scuttlebutt of mostly Carmel-by-the-Sea happenings. It is advertising driven with glitzy ads from high end boutiques to multi-million dollar real estate.  As an organizer and board member of the Carmel Art Festival, an annual juried plein air event held May 15-18, in the commercial district of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I have been handling the public relations to promote the event. Because the Pine Cone comes out each Friday, we have an article in this Friday's paper, May 9 to cover the start of the festival to explain why artists are painting all over the Monterey Peninsula, plus an article in the May 16 issue to cover... 05/08/2014

Every day I walk out my office here in Carmel-by-the-Sea for a stroll around town. Why? Because I love it here, it is a most beautiful little city in the forest. I also do it for the exercise because the city is on a sloping hill all the way from the Pacific Ocean and up into town, where it levels out some.  BUT MOSTLY I WALK AROUND TO CONNECT WITH THE MERCHANTS Monday through Friday, it is great to network with the owners of galleries, restaurants, boutiques and other businesses. These are the days they are least busy and like to stop and chat. AND THAT'S WHEN I SUBTLY REMIND THEM I AM A REAL ESTATE BROKER Yes, they "know" but do they keep it in front of their consciousness when a customer comes in and they start chatting, and the customer tells them they are in the area looking to buy... 04/24/2014

In Carmel-by-the-Sea here on the Monterey Peninsula, rents for a single family home are very high. For a house that is not in very good condition or location but still in or within walking distance of the city, rents for long term leases start at $2,500/month to about $3,500. One in a good location, well, that costs more, much more. Many of our homes are second homes and only available as vacation rentals.  SO YOU CAN CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY TO FIND A 'REASONABLE' RENTAL. Competition for these long term rentals is fierce. The moment one hits Craigslist, the agents get a dozen or more inquiries immediately. And if you try to get it, you better be ready with excellent credit scores.  FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY & CREDIT SCORES, WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO LOOK AT PURCHASING? There are so many differe... 04/23/2014

The 21st Annual Carmel Art Festival is happy to announce the 60 plein air artists juried into the show on May 15 to 18, 2014. Abrahim Amin Rolando Barrero Stacy Barter Brian Blood Carl Bretzke Pati Bruce Larry Cannon Hiu Lai Chong Pan Yen Chou Robin Rogers Cloud Katie Cundiff Aimee Erickson Mark Farina Terri Ford Stuart Fullerton Philippe Gandiol Thaleia Georgiades John Guernsey Coraly Hanson Laurie Hendricks Steve Hill Sally Jordan Steve Kell Laurie Kersey Sheryl Knight Chuck Kovacic Rui Liang Po Pin Lin Gretha Lindwood Sergio Lopez Bushi Luo Rolf Lygren Joe Mancuso Anette McGowan James McGrew Wayne McKenzie Kevin Milligan Donald Neff Michael Obermeyer Lana Rak William Rogers Jason Sacran Robert Sandidge David Savellano Julia Seelos Silvio silvestri Michael Situ Timon Sloane Linda Sut... 03/03/2014

  Whenever I go somewhere and tell people I have just opened up a brokerage here in Carmel-by-the-Sea, they always say something like, "there is a lot of competition there." YES, THERE ARE A LOT OF AGENTS COMPETING FOR THE BUSINESS. But as you know, they all work under BROKERS! And there are only a handful of THEM with agents. I AM AN INDEPENDENT BROKER LOOKING FOR AGENTS TO WORK UNDER MY NON-NATIONAL BRAND. Because I don't have a huge overhead (major office expenses seem to be the norm here) and don't have to pay franchise fees, I can operate much more cost effectively and save my agents money. YES, THERE IS A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR THE BUSINESS OUT THERE. But those who want to be in real estate, have their own circle or "sphere" in which they can do their business. It has nothing to d... 02/03/2014

Since the beginning of the year, I have made an effort to go out into Carmel-by-the-Sea to talk to owners of retail shops here in town. Many are my friends, others I want to get to know.  Think about it, these merchants come into contact with local residents and visitors each and every day, and it is their business to connect with them, just like I am doing. In the process, they will usually ask "are you from here" or "where are you visiting from". Right there, they get a whole lot of information that might, ultimately, be of interest to ME.   Often, especially for art gallery owners in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the answer is "I am moving here" or "I plan to move here" or "I have just bought a home here". Two out of the three answers would be of interest to me because they might be in the mark... 01/16/2014

This week is an unusually warm time here in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's already in the mid-70s and people are walking around in shorts and other summer clothes. It will be a great day to sit or have lunch outside in the beautiful courtyards we are known for. Not forgotten are the dogs in this pet friendly little town at beautiful Carmel Beach. Merchants at any time of the year put out dog dishes and offer treats to visiting canines. Some retail stores go all out to make these containers special. This morning on my way to the post office, I found this special one right next to an inviting bench. The most famous one is the "Fountain of Woof" at the Carmel Shopping Plaza across from Devendorf Park. Although early, the first patrons were already sitting outside the coffee shop on the lower leve... 01/15/2014

Starting a new business in Carmel-by-the-Sea? Signage becomes an issue because it needs to be approved by City Hall.  Even those who have been in business for many years, find ways around the stringent rules and regulations. Some put signage away from the windows and doors, further into their space, but the powers that be are wise to that. You will probably get a notice of non-compliance. (Too many signs, too big, wrong lighting, etc.) All signs affixed to the building, door & window and entrance to courtyard or on the street are regulated. One way to advertise your business which can't be regulated by the City Fathers (and mothers) is what you put on your car. Not only do the cars below show the name of the business, but they are so cute, people will have their photo taken with them. T... 01/14/2014

Quite a few commercial properties have changed hands recently here in Carmel-by-the-Sea including the Eastwood Building and the Hog's Breath restaurant, formerly owned by Clint Eastwood. Located on San Carlos Street between 5th & 6th Avenues, both are going through renovations right now.   Eastwood, a former mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (1986-88), still owns the building immediately to the south which houses my friend Mary Titus' art gallery.  Usually these buildings are sold without much fanfare, but sometimes the new owners want to renovate which is a problem for current tenants who might only have a month-to-month lease. After renovations, leases usually go up in price. Although there are still empty retail spaces in town, these are being snapped up by vineyards who are opening up tast... 01/13/2014

Most cities roll up their sidewalks and go home for the weekend. Not so in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Here store owners take time off in the middle of the week but are open on Sundays. Especially on beautiful days like today, people will flock in from all over to amble down Ocean Avenue (which continues west to the Pacific Ocean), to see and be seen, many of them with their pooches. There are several little cafes along the avenue which do brisk business.  Many visitors come to Carmel to visit art galleries of which there are probably around 50 right now, half of those along Dolores Street between 5th and 7th Avenues (Dolores runs north to south bisecting Ocean Avenue). Check out the galleries on my website www.carmelartgalleries.com  My new brokerage office is in the northern third section of D... 01/12/2014

21st Annual Carmel Art Festival in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California May 15 to 18, 2014 in Devendorf Park and on Mission Street A Plain Air event FREE to the public, held every year the weekend after Mother's Day. The event features 60 artists who have been juried into the event. They will each paint all around the Monterey County area for two days, Thursday and Friday, and submit 2 paintings each into the competition. Area residents and visitors love to come upon an artist at historic places such as the Mission, or beautiful vistas afforded from Pt. Lobos and watch artists recreate the scenes onto their canvases. Saturday and Sunday are the days most festival attendees will be in and around Carmel-by-the-Sea. This is when all 120 paintings are presented in a tented area down Mission Street... 01/11/2014