The Real View

 Some addresses are more defined by their street, than by a neighborhood.

Think:

Rodeo Drive

Fifth Avenue

Worth Avenue

Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)

Lake Shore Drive

La Costa Avenue, in Carlsbad, CA might be similarly defined:

La Costa Avenue starts across the street from the Pacific Ocean and heads east, where it passes the beautiful and protected Batiquitos Lagoon. About two miles east of the ocean, it intersects El Camino Real. a long thoroughfare that offers miles of shopping, dining, theaters, medical care and a large selection of services.

Heading east, one is immediately struck with breathtaking views of La Costa Resort and its famed golf course. La Costa Avenue then turns very residential, with a mix of golf condos and custom homes--and ultimately ends as an entry into La Costa Oaks, a lovely new subdivision.

Life on La Costa Avenue can be noisy, interesting and relatively free of HOA constraints (though Carlsbad zoning and use laws are strictly enforced). It is a major street and is full of both auto--and bicycle--traffic. On any given weekend, it is not unusual to see hundreds of cyclists whizzing down the bike lanes. 


Nearby schools (La Costa Heights Elementary and La Costa Canyon High School) are within walking distance, at least on the upper east side of La Costa Avenue. Across from the high school is Stagecoach Park, with a large gym and recreation area.

La Costa Avenue is busy, convenient, and offers some relatively good values on larger homes in a premier area with excellent schools, fabulous recreation and incomparable climate.

Web: http://www.SanDiegoPreviews.com

Other blog: http://www.LuxuryHomeDigest.com

San Diego Vacancy Rates the Highest Since ‘95

...headlined the front page of the San Diego Union Tribune's Business section last week. Those are words that likely sent cold shivers down the spines of real estate investors, homeowners, home sellers, and potential home buyers throughout San Diego county. But smart home buyers and savvy real estate investors should know by now to read between the lines-and below the headlines.

If we take the time to read the article, we immediately discover that the author is referring only to apartments complex vacancies in San Diego, not the enire rental market. The reasons for that decline include new construction competititon, failed condo conversions that are being returned to the rental market, and competition from homeowners who are adding their unsold/unsellable properties to the rental pool.

Private homes and condos, of course, are generally preferred over rental apartment units due to neighborhood, school and privacy issues. Hence, the private real estate rental market might likely be faring better than apartment counterparts.

None of that, though, caught my interest as much as the reported statistic:

Apartment vacancy rates in San Diego will stand at 4.5 percent at the end of March.

I'll admit that these vacancy rates were ridiculously low last fall when they dropped to 1.8 percent and the current 4.5 percent represents a steep increase. But a 4.5 vacancy rate ought to spell r-e-l-i-e-f for many rental seekers, because San Diego at last has a normal vacancy rate.

And this market relief just might bring workers back into the county to live. Many had moved out becuase of tight housing supplies. But with long commute times and the rising cost of gasoline, it just might make sense to return to the San Diego paradise.

And finally, San Diego's luxury rental market is as busy as ever. We receive numerous calls each week from people seeking vacation rentals, long term rentals and rental investments.People caught in blizzards, unrelenting cold, gray skies and thawing mud love to escape in the winter months. Those  It is a market that is far from dead, but apparently not worthy of a headline.

http://www.SanDiegoPreviews.com

As mentioned in an earlier blog, I attend yoga sessions each morning in the Chopra Center at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA.

I just received an announcement email from Chropra's group announcing the opening of Chopra Living. Though not mentioned in the website, I have heard much discussion about this luxury home in San Diego' County's rural Olivenhain (which is actually eastern Encinitas), CA. There is much excitement about this latest Chopra residential facility, which has enormous promise as a center for healing and recovery.

More information can be found at Chopra's new site.

 Web: http://www.SanDiegoPreviews.com

Other blog: http://www.LuxuryHomeDigest.com

Six mornings a week, I arise in the quiet, cold hours before dawn, shower and head over to La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA. Behind the gates and tall palms, and off the main plaza, is a serene place that has become dear to my heart: The Chopra Center.

Seven days a week, they hold Yoga and meditation classes that generally start at 7 a.m. I have become a regular at the Chora Center and look forward to starting each day with serenity, exercise, intersting teas,incense and a parade of new acquaintances.

Most of these acquaintances are staying at La Costa Resort and Spa and are anxious to experience what the Chopra Center has to offer. Some come back to attend one of Chopra's week long health programs--and some simply fall in love with Carlsbad with its sandy beaches, abundant year round sunshine and gardens, golf and easy lifestyle.

For local residents of Carlsbad, La Costa offers some excellent membership benefits. Their sports membership ($16,000+) allows usage of the famed La Costa Tennis facilities, the La Costa Athletic Club, the pools, and discounts for the spa and restaurants. Full golf membership ($120,000)  includes all of the aforementioned including full La Costa golf privileges. Both levels of membership include yoga and meditation at the Chopra Center.

Main web:http://www.SanDiegoPreviews.com

Older Web: http://www,LaCostaOnline.com

Other Blog: http://www.LuxuryHomeDigest.com

This morning's San Diego Union Tribune reports that our San Diego County apartment vacancy rate is the highest it has been since 1995. 

Are we surprised?

Not exactly.

The reasons cited for this increased vacancy rate include:

1. Face-lifted condo conversions (that have no chance of selling in this market) are being returned to the rental market. The tenants who had been kicked out earlier moved on and found new homes. These projects are now starting from Ground Zero in finging new tenants.

2. Unsuccessful flippers have no choice but to put their properties on the market as rentals--and this creates direct competition for apartment complexes.

3. New projects have also entered the market, further increasing rental availabilities. In this writer's opinion, many of these projects were built in anticipation of existing apartment properties leaving the market as sold condo conversions, thereby lessening rental competition.

Life and business surprise.

But newspapers, of course, love to report the bad news. 

It turns out that San Diego's vacancy rate is hovering at 4.5 percent. That is not an unreasonable figure under any circumstances. Moreover, throughout San Diego County, average apartment rents register at $1261.00--up $50.00 from a year ago.

The conclusions that might be drawn from these figures are interesting ones:

1) If I were a predatory buyer, I would be looking to negotiate with failed flippers and their lenders.

2) If I were looking to rent, I would present myself as a negotiator.

3) If I were writing blogs about real estate doomsday, I would take the time to read articles carefully and look for meaningful statistics.

The situation is interesting, but far from real estate Armegeddon. 

Web: http://www.SanDiegoPreviews.com

Other Blog: http://www.LuxuryHomeDigest.com 

Want to amaze your clients? Want the freedom to really misplace your phone? Want a cell phone that can fit into tight jean pockets?

The amazing C3 camera flip phone from Pantech (see photo on left with phone on keyboard) measures just 1.69. by 2.72 inches and weighs in at just 2.5 ounces. It’s no fatty, either, measuring just 0.8 inches thick. 

Billed as the world’s smallest camera flip phone, the C3 offers a VGA camera, interchangeable face plates, along with email and instant messaging capabilities. Currently, this little wonder is available only through Cingular Wireless—with some great pricing incentives.

The  Pantech C3 features and reviews are pretty impressive.

It's a cute phone, but is probably impractical for this Blackberry-addicted San Diego Realtor.  

I attended a meeting of top women agents in North San Diego County last week, and here was lots of buzz and much discussion about what is selling—and what is not. Aside from market issues (luxury home market is strong in coastal San Diego County and multiple offers are not uncommon for buffed homes in the $1.5 million and up range), the issue of home presentation and staging was at the very top of the list.

Books could be written about all the things sellers might do to increase the sales price and decrease marketing time for their listed homes—and I know Active Rainers always welcome the advice and hints offered by our resident stagers and designers. Many of their posts could probably be compiled into what could become a best seller (hint to you,

I think one of the reasons home staging has become such a hot topic and necessity in the marketing of homes today is that buyers expect it. At least in San Diego, builders go over the top in decorating their model homes. Home shoppers are accustomed to being WOWED when they walk into a model home—and are disappointed when they don’t have the same visceral experience when going through a resale home. And visiting model homes has become the new family outing for thousands of home buyers in San Diego County.

There is little real estate agents and sellers can do when buyer expectations are so elevated—other than meet their expectations—especially in a buyer’s market. That is one reason we are suggesting that our sellers prepare their home for sale—and bring in the experience, talent and taste of a competent stager if at all possible.

Builders know that sizzle sells. That is why so much attention and money is spent on the models. And savvy sellers throughout the country are beginning to realize that the return on the dollars and time spent to stage their home for sale will yield multiples of the original investment.

Also read:

Luxury Home Gotta-Haves
Real Value in Real Estate Gossip
Value-Range Pricing in Homes
Home Pricing Dangers
Gold in Gossip
What’s Hot What’s Not in Homes
United States a Bargain for Million Dollar Homes?
Luxury Homes Reach Nine Figures
The Venetian Plaster Master

A San Diego Golfer's Dream.... 

Once upon a time, a renowned golf teaching pro decided to create his own practice course. The setting had to be bucolic and a magnet for wildlife. The home was to be a custom one--a sprawling single story full of gentle archways and warm, inviting hues. The climate could be nothing other than perfection: San Diego County.

This Australian golf pro, who is also a noted wildlife artist, just about dropped his clubs and paint brush when he first discovered this property. The grounds, with the gently rolling terrain would be perfect for his 3-hole course and instruction field. The home and its magnificent lot was perfect for life, golf and wildlife art.

The arched courtyard entry to this very private, luxurious Hidden Meadows golf home is  warm and impressive at the same time--and perfectly frames the views and rolling hills beyond.

Inside this 2005-vintage home, you are greeted by rich flooring, warm hues and an ambience that invites casual entertaining--for which North County San Diego is so well known. The kitchen is a gourmet dream and the master bedroom boasts a spa bathroom. The living and dining areas are open and the bedroom arrangement offers both privacy and flexibility of use. 

This special Escondido property package features three spacious bedrooms, 3 luxury baths, and almost 3000 square feet of gracious and well-appointed living space. The price is also a bargain with a value range of $949,000 to $1,050,000. For additional information, call Roberta Murphy at 877-818-8197 or 760-402-9101. 

Website: http://www.SanDiegoPreviews.com

Luxury Blog: http://www.LuxuryHomeDigest.com

Three years ago I graduated from Feng Shui training as a certified practitioner. My own home-and those of understanding friends and real estate clients- became laboratories for element and furnishing rearrangements. Entire bookshelves in my home accumulated the Feng Shui works of Lillian Too, Kartar Diamond, Karen Kingston, Jon Robertson, Suzan Hilton and other wise teachers.

I have never charged for a consultation in our San Diego real estate practice, and never offer advice unless it is requested. Besides, a talented stager such as Craig Schiller will have much more to offer than I. And even if one is skeptical about Feng Shui, most would not disagree with the basic concepts.  And paramount among those concepts is SPACE CLEARING.

The most important thing one can do to enhance the chi or energy in a home is to clear the space and declutter. And....

What are the top nine reasons for space clearing?:

     1. Save time. How much time is lost looking for items lost in clutter? How much time is lost in cleaning and shaking dust from from stuff? How much time is lost to disorganization?

     2. Feel better about yourself. Clear the clutter and you'll automatically feel better about yourself and no longer feel ashamed when unexpected visitors stop by.

     3. Have more energy. Clutter and junk can exhaust you. The stagnant energy that accumulates around disarray can also drain human energy by holding one to the past and blocking new abundance.

     4.  Lose weight. Can clutter affect your weight? Guru Karen Kingston thinks so. She believes that both body fat and clutter are forms of self-protection. Many of her clients miraculously lose weight when they let go of their junk. Interesting!

     5.  Improve your health. Kingston claims that cluttery types may suffer from various forms of congestion including dull complections and eyes as well as constipation.

     6.  Grow your wealth. How can new abundance come into your life, when there is no room for it? Have you ever noticed how quickly an empty closet fills? Clear the junk and make room for new abundance. I have seen this work in my own life.

     7.  Clear your brain and unfog your thinking. Clutter confuses and dirt distracts. There is nothing like a clean room and clear brain to foster good choices and decisions.

     8.  Attract admirers. Like attracts like. I have seen cleared and cleaned homes bring higher purchase offers because the buyers amired not only the home, but respected the seller as well. I have also seen cluttered and messy homes attract the vultures.

     9. Have a more adventurous life! Travel lightly. Clutter-bearers pack heavy suitcases and weigh down trucks when they move. As a result, they probably travel less and move less often. It is a form of entrapment-and often forces people to purchase or remain in larger homes that will accommodate their "stuff:" and clutter.

Website: http://www.SanDiegoPreviews.com
Other Blog: http://www.LuxuryHomeDigest.com

What if there were a wood treatment that not only disgusted termites, but repelled mold and fungus as well? This dream is now a reality-at least for those fortunate custom home builders and remodelers who are able to demand their choice in wood.

Though it makes for colorful  framing, Bluwood has captured the interest of homeowners who wish to avoid the hazards of mold and the hassles of termites.

 Manufactured by WoodSmart Solutions, the BluWood product is the result of natural wood being treated with a proprietary blue chemical solution that offers a lifetime limited and transferable warranty against "contaminated or structural damage caused by mold fungus growth on the cured surface of the film, rot fungi or wood ingesting insects (including subterranean or Famosan termites) or carpenter ants, due to failure of Bluwood's two-part system...."

Though currently used primarily in the luxury and custom home market, this product would seem to be an ideal solution for building in mold-prone areas like New Orleans, Houston, Florida and other high-humidity areas.  Water leaks, though, can cause mold problems just about anywhere-including my own perfect hometown.

Termites, though? They are just about everywhere- including arid San Diego. And as I consider the possibilities of and benefits of "going blue,"  I am considering rebuilding our infected patio cover with BluWood.

And I guess the perfect home of tomorrow will be not only green, but blue as well!

http://www.SanDiegoPreviews.com