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Carlsbad, CA Real Estate News

By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I previously wrote about the Monarch Butterfly nursery on our back patio on April 12. At that time we were able to see 11 caterpillars of various sizes.In the last few days the caterpillars started leaving the milkweed plants and crawling onto the table, the patio window, and the edge of one of the flowerpots. Within a day or so we could only find 3 of the 11 caterpillars. Hopefully the others found safe places to hang for the next stage, the chrysalis (pupa). We have looked around but haven't been able to find them so they are either well hidden or perhaps became some bird's dinner.One caterpillar is on the edge of a flowerpot and is not looking very healthy, but there are 2 that have now formed the chrysalis - one on window frame (above) and the other on the edge of the another flower...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
A question Carlsbad buyers often have is "How far is it to _____?" It seems this is typically focused on things like the beach (especially in my area in coastal Carlsbad), public transportation, the city (San Diego), golf options and so on. I suspect you have the same experience, with different buyers focusing on different venues depending on their particular needs (seniors perhaps need to be near medical facilities; buyers with kids want to be near certain schools). (photo courtesy of Andertho at Flickr)I'm curious - how do you handle these questions?My personal approach is to suggest that people verify the distances by walking or by car themselves, since driving and walking time can vary by person. Plus some people view a 15 walk as a breeze while others would say "only by car." I pre...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Here is a summary of the housing statistics from the MLS for Carlsbad for the month of August (this information does not include private sales or homes sold through builders that are not in the MLS).Homes for sale - 532 detached, 288 attached (up 4% from July)174 detached and 99 attached homes came on the market in August578 detached and 257 attached homes have sold in the last 6 monthsAbsorption (inventory) is 5.5 months for detached (same as July) and 6.7 months for attached homes (slight increase from July)Average marketing time was 60 days for attached and 67 days for detachedMedian sales price for detached - $767,375, about the same as in JulyMedian sales price for attached - $450,500, about the same as in JulyOn average, homes are selling at 95% (detached) and 96% (attached) of li...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Is there mold in your Carlsbad home? Did the home inspection for the property you are trying to buy reveal possible mold? It's likely the answer is YES in many Carlsbad homes. It's important to know that mold is very common both indoors and out, and molds provide a useful service by destroying dead or decaying plant matter. However they can also cause problems indoors - destruction of wall, ceiling, roof or floor surfaces, and may pose a health hazard for many people. In recent years the presence of mold has become a much larger issue in real estate transactions and many concerns have been raised in the media about mold. While it is true that mold can be found just about anywhere there is moisture, which it needs to survive, it is not true that mold presents a significant problem in mos...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
I believe we have an important new issue to negotiate on behalf of our clients: CANCELLATION FEES A few weeks ago we had a buyer cancel a purchase transaction within the timeframes agreed upon by the buyer and seller. Notices of cancellation were sent out shortly after the physical inspection on the $400,000 downtown San Diego condo. It should have been a simple matter yo cancel the escrow, but that was not to be the case. The Prudential listing agent had insisted that Prudential California-owned Pickford Escrow handle the transaction. Everything proceeded smoothly until the point of our buyer's cancellation, when Pickford assessed a $1115 cancellation fee against him, and refused to back down from that claim despite our requests to do so. Never in our real estate praqctice had we encou...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
As a homeowner I expect you like to not pay more than your fair share of property taxes. Goodness knows they are high enough as it is, and if you are in a newer Carlsbad subdivision you may also be paying Mello Roos taxes (which can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year) on top of your property taxes and your HOA fees. Yikes.I recently wrote about property taxes here in Carlsbad, and San Diego County in general. If you are concerned about not overpaying, or you don't know the basics about your property taxes (as either a new homeowner, seasoned resident, or a first time buyer) I strongly urge you to take a look. It could cost you some bucks not to.Read more on your property taxes here >>>>>Here's something else you should know about your home's property taxes.Do you qualify ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad offers a great number of things to do, both indoors and out. For folks who enjoy outdoor art-related events, ART SPLASH is one activity you will not want to miss. This is the 5th year for this non-profit event that benefits and promotes the arts in our Carlsbad community (Art Splash logo courtesy of their website - click logo to go to their site)Perhaps best known for is Professional Chalk Art exhibit, Art Splash is a 2-day festival of fun, food, sights to see and things to do, for young and old. The festival will be held this year on September 22 and 23 (Saturday 10 - 6; Sunday 10 - 5) on Armada Drive off Palomar Airport Road (just behind the famed Flower Fields). There is FREE public parking on South Armada Drive overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean.There will be fine art ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad is unique among other coastal San Diego communities in that it has 3 lagoons within its boundaries, providing unique recreational opportunities, as well as environmental and preservation challenges. (photos are all of the Batiquitos Lagoon - the top left photo of the Batiquitos Lagoon IS a bit hazy, but that is true of summer days when looking out to the ocean, with the marine layer and all, espcially from a distance. I have yet to see it crystal clear) Lagoons are fairly shallow bodies of salt or brackish waster separated, typically, from the larger sea by a sand bank, reef or similar structure. There are often adjacent wetlands. At the north, on the border of Oceanside, is the 350-acre Buena Vista Lagoon (Spanish for "good view"). This lagoon, owned by the California Departm...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
As a non-surfing surfing enthusiast, I recently wrote about surfing in the Southern California area, focusing on Carlsbad, Encinitas and Cardiff. I mentioned the California Surf Museum in Oceanside but had not yet paid a visit. So I could not comment very much.Well, today I stopped in on my way home from showing Oceanside homes- and I'm glad I did. While I do not yet surf, I absolutely am enthralled with the history of the sport here in Southern California and the lifestyles that have evolved. Surfing has had a tremendous impact on communities, sports, attitudes and much, and to live in this area on has to appreciate the influence that surfing has had, and still has, from Oceanside to San Diego.You owe it to yourself to stop by the California Surf Museum, on the 101 in the center of Oce...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
On the main drag in Carlsbad, the Coastal highway, on the north end as you are heading toward Oceanside, lies a shop that MUST be your destination if you are planning your wedding.Seaside Bloom, at 2744 Carlsbad Blvd., Suite 110, is quickly becoming THE place to go in Carlsbad, and the north coastal area in general, for weddings. Suzanne Wunsch, owner, master designer, and creator of extraordinary beauty, will make YOUR wedding day an event that will be remembered for years to come.While this Carlsbad store is less than a year old, Suzanne brings years of experience designing and creating masterful bouquets, and table-top centerpieces that take your breath away. And now the complete package can be yours - from extravagant colorful linens that coordinate with the wedding colors (napkins,...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I recently wrote an article about making your home easy to sell. The focus was on the things you, as the seller, should do, or not do, to more easily sell you home. I suspect some of my suggestions were common sense things you were aware of already, but I find that often sellers in Carlsbad unintentionally do things that make selling their homes more difficult, and which, in effect, sabotage their home sales. Awareness of these roadblocks is the key to your success.Here we talk more about exposure of your home to the buyer market. In a competitive housing market such as ours, with many homes in your area that are like yours in price and condition, maximizing exposure to the targeted pool of buyers is needed so you have the best opportunity to sell your home.A large part of exposure is t...
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By Jeff Cole, Homes For Sale 360-316-1177
(Realogics Sotheby's International Realty)
Charming 2 story home in desirable gated community of Poinsettia Cove, 1 block to the beach w/recreation areas, walking trails & RV parking. Enjoy Corian type counters, maple cabinets & large island in the light,spacious kitchen. Crown moldings, closet organizers, outdoor soft hot tub are just a few of the many upgrades. For more information visit our website at www.coastalhomeinfo.com
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Are you interested in knowing how to make your Carlsbad home easy to sell? It's not that difficult, even in today's market. You just to need to have the right ingredients.The most obvious, which you already know, but perhaps are ignoring, is PRICE. If you price it right, it will sell. It might not be the price YOU want, but the market doesn't listen to sellers, or agents for that matter. And if the price is not right, well, you might as well stop reading this right now, since the rest I have to share with you won't make a lick of difference. You know, from everything you have read and heard, that the condition of your home is important - no clutter and de-personalized, take care of the repairs, get rid of odors, create curb appeal, and so on. You can't change the location, so if that i...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Is nearby shopping an important criterion for you in your Carlsbad home search?Many buyers have particular requests regarding where their new home is to be located, and that often has to do with available grocery shopping. Many of us shop pretty regularly for food, and with the amount of fresh produce that is available in California year-round, this is easy to do.While there are lots of grocery stores in Carlsbad (big chains like Albertsons and Vons), many folks find that these are not the best places to shop for fresh produce because of the high costs. While less expensive than back East (except perhaps for the summers when produce on the east coast is at its best and least expensive) the big chains just cannot compete with other stores for freshness, quality, and price. I also recomme...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Access to beaches in California is pretty good, as compared to what I have seen in other parts of the country. There is a fair amount of parking (much of it free) so residents and visitors can readily enjoy the outdoor beach life that California is so famous for.For obvious reasons, beach accessibility can be a real task for those who are physically challenged or who have disabilities. Sand does not make a good walking surface, and regular wheelchairs don't do well. Many of our beaches here in North County San Diego, including some in Carlsbad, are at the base of the bluffs, so access often is by stairs (although the Encinitas beaches are more challenging in terms of stair access, especially at Swami's, Grandview, Stone Steps and Beacon's) which are challenging themselves.[above photo i...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I remember a line from one of the Absolutely Fabulous series shows when Edina, in court following DUI charges, bemoans "Why oh why must we pay taxes? ...Why don't you just tax the stupid people?" Taxes are probably on everyone's list of things they don't like, or don't want to pay. The point of this post, however is NOT to debate this issue, or to convince you of the value of your property taxes. (photo courtesy of Flilckr and AMICHAELMURRAY)   However, there are some things you should know if you are purchasing a Carlsbad home, or elsewhere in this area (California). Whether you are new to Carlsbad or not, it's important to understand how we are taxed in California, when it occurs, and the overall process. You don't want to end up not paying them and having a lien slapped on your home....
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Carlsbad Real Estate: Homes in La Costa, Aviara, Calavera Hills, Rancho Carrillo Real Estate, Carlsbad Condos, La Costa Condos, townhomes, Carlsbad Golf Course Homes for sale, Carlsbad Realtors, Carlsbad photos, videos and real estate agents.  Are you looking for Real Estate in Carlsbad Ca? If you are looking for a single family Home, Condo, Townhome,  lot or land in and around Carlsbad, I would love to help. The most popular areas of Carlsbad are La Costa, which includes homes around La Costa Resort and Spa, such as: La Costa Greens, La Costa Oaks,  Rancho Carrillo, and the many other desireable neighborhoods in North County San Diego. Just Contact a REALTOR now to discuss your real estate needs and to get a full list of homes for sale in the areas you may be interested in. It is prett...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
SELLERS in CARLSBAD - For those of you who have not sold your home yet and are vacating it to relocate....beware of your homeowner's insurance.This is a cautionary note to you to check on the status of your policy before you move out, or once you are no longer living in the home while it is for sale:•·        It is possible that your insurance premiums will increase since the home is not owner occupied•·        And you certainly cannot let the insurance expire (you are likely required by your mortgage company, unless the home is owned outright, to keep it properly insured), especially once you have written contract on the property.•·        It is also possible that the coverage levels will change since the home is non-owner occupied•·        Premiums can be much more costly for companie...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Buyers looking for Carlsbad homes who are interested in the La Costa area might well be interested in Alga Hills, a subdivision developed in 1989 that is just east of the famed Omni La Costa Resort and Spa on the hills overlooking the golf course, and south of Alga Road.   With easy access to the South Carlsbad State Beach, and plenty of shopping and other amenities along El Camino Real in South Carlsbad and Encinitas, residents in Alga Hills can enjoy an enviable lifestyle with temperate coastal weather year round.   The Park Hyatt Aviara Resort (with a terrific spa and golf course; formerly the Four Seasons) is 10 minutes away, and access to the 5 freeway is about 3 miles off La Costa Avenue. Travel time to Carlsbad Village is perhaps 15 minutes, with plenty of shopping, boutiques, r...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Having sold real estate in the city in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now in Southern California in the Carlsbad area, NOISE has taken on a lot more meaning than it used to. [photos courtesy of Flickr. Highway photo is NOT of the freeway in Carlsbad] I have been asked many times by buyers about noise. Or they have commented on it, or have inquired if a particular area is "noisy." Unfortunately I don't know what that means. Let me rephrase that - I don't know what that means for you, Mr./Mrs./Ms. Buyer. I do know what it means to me, what I am willing to tolerate, and what noises I find more objectionable. While I focus here on Carlsbad real estate and neighboring areas, the issues are much the same in area areas around the country, and my suggestions for due diligence are applicable ever...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
This is for you, Mr. and Mrs. Seller. I hope this does not describe you. But it might.I see a lot of Carlsbad sellers who are sabotaging their home sales in this market. I think of them as saboteurs, since they are doing things, either intentionally or not, that are making it hard, if not impossible, to sell their homes in a reasonable time frame and for top dollar. Or they are not doing the things they ought to do that would facilitate a sale.And they make other comparable homes look like a better value.So what might these sources of sabotage be? And if you are totally honest with yourself, are you, unfortunately, engaged in this behavior?PRICING - probably the biggest offender. No matter how nice the home looks, no matter how much marketing is done, if the price is too high the market...
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