"Granny Flats", "Accessory Dweling units" (ADU's), "ELDER COTTAGES"   Synonyms for an     "ADU"   Be you a Grandparent, college student or "Baby Boomer" caught in the middle of the "Sandwich Generation" this is lexicon you will learn to become familiar with.      "The Californian" Factory Built Backyard Home by    "Silvercrest Homes"   Just to clear up some general misunderstandings about the budding and pervasive industry and growing market for, Granny Flats, Casitas, etc      PARK MODEL (Above): Don't become confused about what is and what isn't an "ADU". A PARK MODEL by definition is a RECREATION VEHICLE (RV) under 400 square feet. It is not to be construed, and most, if not at all times, not zoned  or ever permitted to be used as an "ADU" by most building jurisdictions.   I will do... 02/25/2014

New Homes for Sale at Laurel Pointe in Vista California The new homes at Laurel Pointe are now ready for sale in Vista. The 1st phase of this new development in Vista has been released and models are available for viewing. If you are interested in a new home, let me know and we can take a tour of Laurel Pointe, or other properties for sale in Vista. Laurel Pointe offers 5 floor plans including a single story home (rare in new developments these days) with prices starting in the $600,000s, a great opportunity given the costs of comparable homes closer to the coast (e.g., Carlsbad). A total of 159 homes will be built. The new homes selling at Laurel Pointe offer: 2582 to 3574 +/- SF of living space 3 – 5 bedrooms (with different options per floor plan) including downstairs 2.5 bathrooms O... 02/21/2014

How To Prevent Drainage Issues From Damaging Your Home Part 5   In Parts 1-4 we discussed how "Drainage Issues Can kill A Real Estate Transaction".    If you've been following this series hopefully you have a much better understanding about how these various scenarios can kill your deal.   Thus it should be much easier for Real Estate Professionals, Lenders, Home Inspectors and most importantly Homeowners, Buyers and Sellers to understand the importance of how to mitigate and prevent these situations from ever occurring.   The graphic above illustrates what is called the: "Flow path" of water intrusion from the various "Flood Plains" aka "Standing Water" or "Ponding"  that collects "Runoff" from around the "Perimeter" of the home or from "Water Intrusion" from the "rain gutters" or from... 01/31/2014

THE ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD   PART 4   Drainage Issues Can kill A Real Estate Transaction     In the previous 3 Parts of this series we discussed how drainage issues can kill a real estate transaction and how the related damages, costs, time, inconvenience and frustration can burden a homeowner, buyer, seller, Real Estate Professional, Lender and Home Inspector.   These issues if not disclosed and addressed from the onset of a real estate transaction can and often do end up in a very costly and time consuming lawsuit that in the end can cost everyone except the attorneys and their team of expert witnesses a lot of time money and energy.   In this, Part 4, we will address the costly issues resutling from the lack of something as easy as a little PRO ACTIVE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE on one of the ... 01/30/2014

Drainage Issues Can kill A Real Estate Transaction PART 1   This post is dedicated to and all stakeholders involved with a real estate transaction. Be you a homeowner, home buyer, real estate professional, contractor, home inspector, lender, title or escrow company you need to know this.             Above left: A futile attempt at installing an effective French Drain system. No matter how many times we've all heard it....Water doesn't flow uphill! This catch basin will have to have a major 3 inch flood on this property in order  for it to function. Middle: Drains don't function well whence damaged or clogged. Right:  Always place catch basins below ground level and at the lowest spots on the property allowing water to gravity flow towards the storm drain system.   For several decades no... 01/26/2014

Things You Need To Know About "FACTORY BUILT HOUSING"   Part I The Difference Between a "HUD MANUFACTURED HOME"and a "MODULAR HOME".   With the ever increasing demand for new and resale homes emerging and  a growing shortage of inventory in today's market a new trend in FACTORY BUILT HOUSING is beginning to emerge throughout most areas in the Real Estate Market.   As a Factory Built Housing Dealer & Contractor, General Contractor, Real Estate Broker, Developer, Investor & Property Manager we want to pass some information along that we feel anyone with an interest in "FBH" should know. By the end of this series we are confidant that anyone currently engaged in the sale, purchase, lending, borrowing, construction, new development, remodel or home inspection involving a Factory Built Home ... 01/03/2014

GOOO.....CHARGERS! A Perfect Day In San Diego For We Baby Boomers!     Life just doesn't get any better than this. One of our vendors from Sacramento knows that my lovely wife, Janis, and I are avid Charger Fans so he sent us two tix for some great seats at Qualcomm Stadium  to   watch the CHARGERS beat the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 27 to 24 in overtime.     Knowing we both abhor traffic and that we live in the beautiful and peaceful semi-rural North County (approximately 35 miles and a 30 to 45 minute drive depending on Sunday South bound traffic) we left our home at 10:15 and arrived at the Hazard Center parking structure (FREE PARKING) at about 10:50am. We parked and walked about 5 minutes to the Redline Trolley at Hazard Center ($6 ROUND TRIP FOR SENIORS) for a 10 minute ride to the "Q".  ... 12/30/2013

Crime free Neighborhood?   I've been seeing an inordinate amount of these types of questions popping up in recent weeks. As I've said on the other posts and questions I've commented on there's absolutely no way of guaranteeing that any neighborhood will be a CRIME FREE NEIGHBOROOD.  We're living in a very different time and place today. Unlike anytime since possibly the Great Depression we are living in very volatile and challenging socio-economic times everywhere in America.  With dynamics like poverty, homelessness, unemployment, illegal immigration and often just shear desperation it's clearly obvious why crime is on the rise everywhere. What were once considered very safe and secure upscale neighborhoods are now very viable high value targets for those who wish to prey on them. I've... 12/18/2013

Homes for sale in Shadowridge (Vista, CA) are available now!  Don’t miss your chance to own a home in beautiful Vista, California.  Vista, California is located in Northwest San Diego County and is located 7 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  Vista, California is home to 340 days of sunshine per year and has less of the morning overcast and gloom than the coastal cities to the west.  Contact us to today to find out how to make Vista, CA your place to call home!  If you are looking for a Shadowridge homes for sale (Vista, CA) , look no further!  Below are some of the wonderful things that Vista has to offer! Vista is home to 30 schools in the Vista Unified School District, including 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 6 high schools (including magnet schools).  Vista Unified School D... 10/14/2013

Have you been wondering "What's my Shadowridge home worth?"  Good news is that home values have increased in 2013 and are holding strong!  Call me today at 9five1.226.5447 for a specific valuation of YOUR home.  Zillow and online automated valuation systems are NOT as reliable as what I can offer (not to mention their lack of customer service!)!  There is no cost to you to find out exactly what YOUR home is worth. What's my home worth in Shadowridge ?.  Now is a great time to sell your home.  Our impressive marketing plan will get your home sold for the most money in the least amount of time.  Contact us today! Troy Huerta Realtor, BRE 010282047six0.420.5498 10/13/2013

Are you a first-time home buyer, or just want to get back into the real estate market?  Great starter homes in Vista, CA are available now!  Don’t miss your chance to own a home in beautiful Vista, California.  Vista, California is located in Northwest San Diego County and is located 7 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  Vista, California is home to 340 days of sunshine per year and has less of the morning overcast and gloom than the coastal cities to the west.  Contact us to today to find out how to make Vista, CA your place to call home!  If you are looking for a Vista, CA starter home, look no further!  Below are some of the wonderful things that Vista has to offer!  Whether you are a first-time home buyer, or want to add to your real estate portfolio, Vista has some fantastic opportuniti... 10/07/2013

Single family Homes in Vista, CA are available now!  Don’t miss your chance to own a home in beautiful Vista, California.  Vista, California is located in Northwest San Diego County and is located 7 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  Vista, California is home to 340 days of sunshine per year and has less of the morning overcast and gloom than the coastal cities to the west.  Contact us to today to find out how to make Vista, CA your place to call home!  If you are looking for a Vista, CA single family home, look no further!  Below are some of the wonderful things that Vista has to offer! Vista is home to 30 schools in the Vista Unified School District, including 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 6 high schools (including magnet schools).  Vista Unified School District is also the ... 10/07/2013

Luxury homes in Vista, CA 650,000-900,000 - Vista luxury homes Don’t miss your chance to own a luxury home in Vista, California.  Vista, California is located in Northwest San Diego County and is located 7 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  Vista, California is home to 340 days of sunshine per year and has less of the morning overcast and gloom than the coastal cities to the west.  Contact us to today to find out how to make Vista, CA your place to call home! Vista luxury homes are available now, and this is the time to buy! Vista is home to 30 schools in the Vista Unified School District, including 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 6 high schools (including magnet schools).  Vista Unified School District is also the largest employer in the city of Vista.  The Vista Parks and Comm... 10/07/2013

Shadowridge in Vista, California is a master planned comunity, well-designed to bring together the pleasure and convenience of urban living within the beautiful countryside setting. Developed beginning in 1981, Shadowridge has been regarded as one of California's finest, golf-oriented, master-planned housing developments. It’s a perfect place for someone who loves outdoor activities and warm community. There are residences of every style and price range: from small studio condos to larger custom homes. This organized community consists of 2,100 single family homes, 400 condos, and 1,500 apartments making up the 27 sub-associations and communities within Shadowridge. Each of these entities has its unique architecture and atmosphere. In addition to wonderful, modern-day architecture and h... 09/27/2013

Shadowridge Homes For Sale - Golf Community Homes for Sale   Located in beautiful Vista, sits Shadowridge. This community is only 10 miles from the beach and borders on Carlsbad. Shadowridge offers great schools and activities for kids after school. There's an active mature resident lifestyle as well. Shadowridge offers a private golf course and country club. There are several stores and restaurants near by. We have several Shadowridge Homes for Sale.       Shadowridge is freeway close to the 78 and 5. Your 12 minutes from the beach or 12 minutes to the 15 freeway also. This golf course community offers something Carlsbad can not. Sunny days! Shadowridge is just far enough inland to avoid coastal fog. Benefit the temperatures are more comfortable than San Marcos it's neighbor to the eas... 09/05/2013

Real Estate Market Analysis for Vista CA Resale Homes Data July 2013: Interest rates jumped May to June and has had an affect on buyer activity. Also loan officers are feeling the pinch as refinances have stopped. Another key indicator we are seeing this month is how the number of new listings is way up compared to a year ago. Sellers have realized the real estate market analysis for Vista CA says the time to sell is now! But with a lot of new listings and less buyers, the brakes have been put on the market so homes now take days to sell instead of hours, and the number of multiple offers are in the single digits. This feels like the bottom has dropped out, but it is actually a good thing. Now inventory and price appreciation will have a chance to stabilize. Buyers can take a little mor... 08/25/2013

Is an FHA Loan Always the Best Choice? As a North County home buyer, you likely well know that there are a variety of home loan and mortgage products available to you, each with its own list of pros, cons and appeal. A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) backed loan is one such option for first time home buyers. However, according to MoneyWatch, if you're thinking about possibly taking out an FHA home loan, there are a few things to consider. First, a little background for you - FHA loans help home buyers purchase their first homes by making it easier for them to qualify. They require smaller down payments and feature low interest rates lower than most other viable loan options, which made them ideal for buyers who might not have the highest of credit scores or huge balances to put dow... 08/21/2013

We’re Off to See the Wizard – The Moonlight Amphitheater in Vista California   We’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz.   Who doesn’t smile and think of Dorothy and friends skipping down the yellow brick road when you read these words.   And who can’t hum the tune, even if you aren’t sure of the exact words to the song? I bet you're doing it now!! Admit it.   We’re off to see the Wizard of Oz performed at the outdoor Moonlight Amphitheater in Vista in Brengle Terrace Park, the second of 4 productions this season.   The 2000-seat Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista is a wonderful open-air venue, with a terrific orchestra, very reasonable pricing for the caliber of their broadway productions (we saw South Pacific last month), and a small restaurant, the Artisan Café, if you de... 08/04/2013

Vista CA - The VA Zero Down Loan Limits for 2013 were released near the end of 2012.  However, I felt that it was important to remind potential homebuyers, and their agents, about the changes.  Vista in San Diego County saw a slight decrease from $518,750 to $500,000.  The new limits apply to all loans closed January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.  Does this mean that the maximum VA loan is only $500,000?  Absolutely not.  This just means that someone purchasing a home and utilizing their VA Home Loan Benefits in Vista, San Diego County will be required to have some down payment if purchasing a home with a sales price greater than $500,000.  An easy way to calculate the required down payment for purchase prices above the Zero Down VA Loan Limit is to subtract the new Zero Down VA Lo... 07/14/2013

Shodowridge Sellers, Are you ready to move on? Has the Market improved enough to avoid a short sale? We have buyers wanting to own in Shadowridge. Inventory and interest rates are LOW! Are you considering the sell of your Shadowridge home? What's My Shadowridge home worth? Contact us today for your free market evaluation. We can help you sell your Shadowridge home for the the highest price in the least amount of time and hassle.  06/24/2013