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Consumerism…Can The Economy Be Saved?

Dictionary.com defines consumerism as “the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy.”

Starting today, the US Treasury will begin depositing rebate checks into taxpayer’s bank accounts. It is estimated that approximately 180 million households will receive some form of rebate from the US Treasury. Referred to as H.R. 5140, The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 calls for rebate checks to be sent to qualified individuals and families, incentives for business investment, and the increase in the conforming and FHA loan limits.

Rebate checks will range from $300 to $1200 per household and could be higher for individuals and families with qualifying dependants. With consumer confidence at a 5 year low these rebate checks could be what the doctor ordered as far as reviving the ailing economy. For many consumers, the tax free rebate checks will offer some relief and help families cope with the rising costs of food and energy.

I’m sure many consumers will use the money to pay down debt or replenish their savings account and that will surely help boost consumer confidence in the near future. The US consumer has shown to be extremely resilient to rising costs and a shrinking labor force and we will continue to lead the rest of the world out of this global slowdown. After asking a few of my friends what they plan on doing with their rebate checks I have composed a small list of my favorite answers…

• Take a small weekend vacation somewhere like Laughlin, Palm Springs, and/or Catalina Island.
• Mostly for my guy friends.. purchase a new BBQ grill for the summer.
• Deposit the money in the kids savings account.
• New golf clubs. (my favorite answer!)
• Get tickets to a Padres vs. Dodgers game and sit behind home plate.

Just as I suspected, the consumer does not need a good or logical reason to go out and spend; we just need a reason. After a little more thought I guess the rebate checks are a good idea that I initially was not in favor of. I hope for all our sake that this is a step in the right direction.

It’s Friday Night Lets Go to Cruisin’ Grand in Escondido!

Cruisin Grande has grown into a Friday Night event that draws visitors from all corners of San Diego and beyond. From the 1st Friday in April running through September, Rodders from all around gather in Escondido to show off their rides, listen to some cool music and do a lot of cruisin!

Come on over to Grande Ave when you feel like its time to relax end enjoy the scenery, chill out and try some of the great food the local restaurants have to offer.

Or just take a leisurely stroll along the sidewalk, admire these classic cars and listen to a little beach boys in the background – its like being transported back in time!

Million Dollar Ocean View in Carlsbad!

EVER BEEN TO PONTO BEACH OR BATIQUITOS LAGOON?

There is this truly outstanding home overlooking this protected lagoon, and it also has the best views of Beautiful Ponto Beach, you can relax in your backyard and watch the surf rolling in or study a selection of incredible birds enjoying themselves on the lagoon.

A trail to the beach is on the other side of your fence and you can be on the beach in seconds!

What a place to live – Paradise here we come!

Check out this Kitchen, it offers all you could ever want, even for the most dedicated chef! Custom cabinets galore, beautiful slab granite island perfect for entertaining. Huge Pantry and Butlers cabinet.

Lavish master suite facing the ocean, great balcony to relax and enjoy your million $$$ view!

San Pacifico is a wonderful community it just has that friendly relaxed beachy atmosphere, where you feel as though you are always on vacation.

Stern Way is held open every week, so come by and see all it has to offer, homes like this very rarely come on the market in this unique location. Contact us for date and time of the next Open House.

First Home Sold in Valley Center’s Rancho Vallecito!

Wow, we just sold the first home in a beautiful new community called Rancho Vallecito.

This is a new community located in the heart of Valley Center. Built on 3-7 acre lots with panoramic views of Mountains and Valleys, we truly believe to be some of the most oustanding views in the area.

Secluded and private yet very convenient access to the freeway. This community will eventually be comprised of 22 homes with Enchanting Exteriors – French Country, Santa Barbara and Tuscan architectural styles.

Beautifully designed floorplans from 3800 – 4200sq ft, soaring ceilings in the great room, expansive granite slab counter space in the beautiful gourmet kitchen with Princeton style maple cabinetry. Generous walk in pantry, Kitchen Nook and Butlers Pantry.

Groves with assorted citrus and avocado trees surround the homes adding extra privacy, enjoy a virtual fruit salad in your own backyard!

And Guess what, no Mellos Roos or H.O.A’S!

The new owners absolutely love their new home, believe me they looked at many homes in the area, nothing could compare to this one – check out this view!

The Sunsets are truly amazing,each home site faces west. Evenings are blissful – this is a different world, where you can escape the stress of everyday life, just come home, relax and renew your energy.

Open House in Brookside,Escondido

Here is your opportunity to come and see this elegant home in the beautiful community of Brookside, Escondido. We will be holding our open house from 1-4pm Sunday April 13th. Please stop by and enjoy some refreshments while you tour this outstanding home.

Valley Center Home Sellers Would You Like Seven Money Saving Tips For Moving?

Are any of you Valley Center Home Owners planning a move? Maybe it’s voluntary; maybe not. Nevertheless, you are planning to move and you need to sell your present home.You want a fair profit. Your goal is to get as much money out of the sale of your home as you can, to recoup some of the time and investment you’ve put into it over the years. But you also realize you don’t have a lot of time. You need a relatively quick sale.

That’s the dilemma.

How do you decide how much to ask for your house in order to secure a fair profit and generate a quick sale at the same time – with the least amount of headache and hassle?

Take heart. It’s possible.

Regardless of the market – be it hot or cold; regardless of the season – be it summer or winter; and regardless of the fact the house down the street has been sitting on the market forever without any takers – you can accomplish the goal of selling your home fast and at a fair price if you follow a few simple principles.

1. Think of the building you are preparing to sell as a house – not your home. You must detach yourself emotionally from the sale of your property and view it as just another commodity for sale on the open market. It is no more and no less a residential property for sale to a buyer who is ready, willing, and able to purchase it.

2. Realize what you think your house is worth has absolutely no merit. Being a commodity on the open market, a house is only worth what other people are willing to pay for that particular style of house, in that particular area, and at this particular time.

3. Determine prices of comparable houses. A lender always hires a professional appraiser to evaluate the value of a house before underwriting a loan. The most important factor an appraiser uses in determining the value of a house is the reliable data gathered from comparing the selling price of similar properties in style, size, location, and relative time frame – usually 30 to 60 days.

4. Hire an appraiser to give you a documented opinion as to your house’s value. Realize, however, the appraisal you receive is only the appraiser’s professional opinion based on reliable market data – but it is only an opinion. Only a buyer willing to put money in your pocket can tell you what your house is actually worth. And be aware that appraisals are often too high – appraisers are more likely to overstate the value of a house rather than understate it.

5. Ask a broker for help. Another way to help determine what your house is fairly worth is to ask a real estate agent. Many agents offer a free “comparative market analysis” in the hope you will list your house with them. Get the broker’s opinions in writing and obtain at least three appraisals from different brokers. This will protect you from a common but tragic practice of telling you what you want to hear. In the trade it is called “buying the listing” and it happens with appalling frequency.

6. Learn the asking prices of similar houses for sale. While actual sales prices of recently sold houses are the best source of information, knowing the asking prices of houses still on the market will give an idea of the top range of market values in your area.

7. Gain an overall view of the local housing market. Is the market hot or cold? Is it a buyer’s market or seller’s market? It is also helpful to know the total inventory of houses currently on the market in relation to the number of houses currently pending sale. For instance if 356 houses are for sale and 42 houses are pending sale, the ratio is 1:8. This means there is one buyer per eight houses for sale. Called a “Total Market Analysis,” this data can be the most powerful information you can gather to best position your house for a fast, profitable sale.

(Bonus) Price your own home. Given all the above data you should now be in a position to determine an asking price for your house which will ensure a fair profit and a fast sale. The trick is to price your home a little below current asking prices and a little higher than actual selling prices. The actual price you choose would best be determined by a total market analysis and would ensure a lot of buyer activity as well as providing you a fair, over market profit. It’s like having your cake and eating it too!

With the right information, you can price your house to sell for the most money, in the shortest amount of time, and with the least amount of hassle. Simply follow the seven basic principles and you are well on your way to a fast, profitable sale.

CALL PAM OR JOANNA TODAY FOR A CUSTOM VALUATION ON YOUR HOME AT NO COST OR OBLIGATION TO YOU.

Pam Parton 760-580-1615           Joanna Woolley 760-580-1630

An Elegant Home In Brookside

Where can you get over 3600 square feet of luxury on a 10,000 square foot lot in a gorgeous gated community for under $700,000? Brookside in Escondido in the place. Situated in North Escondido and adjacent to Reidy Creek Golf Course, we have a beautiful new listing on one of the best streets in the development.

So you need room right? You have found it, and now at an affordable price. This elegant home has it all… Upgrades throughout, from the custom Hunter Douglas honeycomb pleated blinds to the majestic stone fireplace with it’s extended hearth and surround sound system in the spacious family room.

A gourmet kitchen including an oversized center island, durable Corian counters, dual Kitchenaid ovens, microwave, dishwasher, rich maple cabinetry, and even additional storage in the butler’s pantry will serve you when you’re cooking for the family at Thanksgiving.

The expansive master suite includes a sitting area with French doors leading to the deck overlooking the center courtyard. Dual walk-in closets are a must now, along with a deep sumptuous soaking tub, which is separate from the oversized enclosed shower and two separate lighted vanities.

Bedrooms 2& 3 are separated by a Jack and Jill bath, the 5th bedroom can be an office, den, playroom or additional bedroom. Bedroom 4 in on the 1st level with it’s own full bathroom and walk-in closet.

Oh and by the way, there is an attached Casita! The Casita may also be used as an additional bedroom, guest room, private office, game room, or storage, it also includes it’s own heating and air conditioning unit. There is plenty of room for entertaining in style in the backyard with it’s built in BBQ center.

Finally, just blocks to schools and close to freeway access, Brookside remains an incredible value as we’ve detailed previously. If you would like to see this home, please contact us and we’ll be happy to show it to you. MLS# 081005674 priced at $690,000.

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Homes For Sale In Escondido – Take A Look At Brookside

February 18th, 2008 Categories: Brookside Escondido, Escondido, Real Estate News

Searching for a home in Escondido? You don’t have to look to far to find some real bargains with in a truly fabulous area! Come to Brookside to find out. Brookside is a gated community of 262 homes in Northwest Escondido.

Situated adjacent to Reidy Creek Golf Course, Brookside offers many wonderful amenities; large homes on large lots in a secure location just minutes to all. The community is divided into two distinct sections, the first being Pine Valley featuring neighborhoods of all two story homes. Pine Valley has 136 homes that come in three different floorplans, all on large lots.

All the homes in Brookside are large, but the Pine Valley homes start at approximately 2933 square feet and up to over 3600 square feet.

On the other side of Brookside is Oakmont, whose homes are all of the one story variety, so popular now that they seem to be fewer in further between in most new developments. These homes are also well appointed starting at approximately 2550 square feet and up to the largest model at over 3200 square feet. The minimum lot size in the development is 10,000 square feet, and you’ll find many that are much larger.

What’s best about Brookside is the affordability factor. Currently, as of today’s date, there are several homes priced in the low $600,000’s. You can even find a plan 5 in Pine Valley, Brookside’s second largest model that is nicely upgraded with a pool that’s an REO (Bank Owned) that is currently listed for only $708,100. See the picture below right. This is a nice corner
lot and is in very good condition. ————–>

For those that look to buy something comparable in a community such as Rancho Bernardo, just 8 miles to the south, you would have to pay much more. Most builder’s today aren’t providing the buyers with lots like this. We’ve seen homes of comparable size on postage sized lots.

Another nice amenity is the fact the develpment is adjacent to Reidy Creek Golf Course. Reidy Creek is a challenging little executive course that’s public. Brookside has one section of homes that actually are “on” the course. These homes are located on their own street, Double Eagle Glen, and have their own private gate.

Brookside was built between 2002 and 2006 by New Urban West Inc., a company that done lots of communities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Northern California. They currently have built and are offering for sale “The Rancho’s At Vistamonte”, another Escondido development located in the San Pascual Valley in a blue chip school district. This development was built adjacent to Eagles Crest Golf Course, another of Escondido’s fine golf courses.

Whether you are looking for space to grow with the kids, or get out that two story and get back to one story living, Brookside might be the place for you. The homeowners fees are low and there is no Mello-Roos!

We have all the floorplans available by email, and would be happy to provide you with a private showing of any of the properties currently listed for sale. For a complete list, simply e-mail us and we’ll get them right out to you. You can also call us Toll Free at