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Shopping for a New Home in Winter

If you’ve been thinking about buying a new home, winter is the time to start getting serious. Here are a few reasons to brave the cooler weather and go on a house hunt:

The winter season has fewer units on the market, and sellers tend to need to move from their property. You can use that to your advantage to get a favorable deal.

Winter has fewer buyers in the market. Looking for a home in the winter can be inconvenient, and people are less likely to move. Families also tend to be on a September to June cycle because they are unwilling to move their children to a new town in the middle of the school year. Fewer buyers means less competition.

Lenders usually have fewer loans to process and less paperwork to deal with. With lenders less hassled, you might be able to  expect a smoother process to get approved for a mortgage.

Finally, as all savvy shoppers know after the holiday season comes the season of bargain opportunities. This includes houses as well!!

So go out and brave the weather, rain or sun and find that home you’ve been looking for. NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY.

For a complete list of all the latest short sales, foreclosures and standard sales call: PAM or JOANNA .

PAM PARTON: 760-580-1615                       JOANNA WOOLLEY: 760-580-1630

Why Real Estate is still America’s Best Investment

Why Real Estate is still AMERICA’S BEST INVESTMENT

The latest headlines tell us the economy fluctuates from recovery to ruin on a weekly basis. In reality, real estate is cyclical, and the market is on its way to recovery in most areas. Although you may feel nervous about home ownership, property is still your best long – term investment.

In more than two thirds of the country, housing affordability has dipped to pre-housing bubble levels, creating opportunities for those looking for a bargain. Home prices are expected to rise in 2013 due to fewer distressed sales and the impending housing shortage.

Mortgage rates have decreased over the last fifty years to record lows. Due to the economic downturn,borrowers with stellar credit and a solid employment history are best able to secure financing right now. However, as conditions improve, the market will expand for borrowers who may not fit the mold of traditonal lending standards, such as the self employed.

A major advantage of homeownership is building equity. The average seller who purchased a home in 2002 gained 24% in equity, while those who purchased their homes 11 to 15 years ago had a median gain of 40%.

So in spite of all the negative news the press is brain washing us with IT IS STILL A GREAT TIME TO BUY A HOME!

For more information on great HOME  DEALS available in North County San Diego give us a call as  we would love to share this information with you.

PAM PARTON:  760-580-1630                             JOANNA WOOLLEY: 760-580-1615

Content courtesy of

Brian Buffini, Wall Street Jouranl and National Association of Realtors.

San Diego County 4th of July Fireworks 2010

There is no better place to be than San Diego County for your 4th of July celebrations and fireworks displays.

 You may love the excitement of a large crowd or prefer a more quiet and intimate hilltop retreat to view any of  the many piro-technic events offered throughout the county.

Where ever you decide to go, please be safe and have a Happy Independence day!

9:00 p.m. BIG BAY BOOM 2010

The Big Bay Boom July 4th Fireworks Show over San Diego Bay will be a 17 minute visual sensation.  Fireworks will be fired off of four barges placed strategiacally around the bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry Landing as well as the Imperial Beach Pier.  Be sure to find your spot because over 850,000 people are expected to line up along the Big Bay to catch a glimpse.

The live simulcast will be on 105.7 The Walrus FM radio.  If you want to just put your feet up on the table and watch from your leather sofa, grab the remote, turn up the volume, and tune into San Diego FOX  5 HD and Cox 4 HD.

Catch the Trolley: Closest stop is at the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego or Seaport Village.

Free Shuttles: Shuttles will begin departing from designated areas at 5:30 p.m. and will be taking people back to their cars right after the fireworks show.

Point Loma: Corner of Carleton Street and Rosecrans Street in Point Loma, adjacent to West Marine. Only street parking is available at this location .  The shuttle will drop passengers off in front of the gazebo on Shelter Island.  The pick up location after the show will also be at the gazebo.

Port of San Diego: Port of San Diego building (3165 Pacific Highway) will have Sundance Buses at the Port of San Diego Administration building, 3165 Pacific Highway and at the Ports employee lot directly across the street on the southwest corner of Pacific Highway and Sassafras Street.  Parking is free at this location.  Passengers will be dropped off at Harbor Island Park.

9:00 p.m. San Diego County Fair 4th of July

Closing out the San Diego County Fair with a big bang is part of the tradition.  Fried food and fireworks are a great combination!
Viewing Note: Solana Circle Drive, between Via De La Valle and Nardo Avenue will be close to all vehicular traffic for a safe and orderly viewing of the fireworks display at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  All of Solana Circle Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic at 8:00 p.m. on July 4, 2010, and will re-open at approximately 10:00p.m.  Please call Deputy Fier Chief Dismas Abelman at 858-720-2402 for more information.

9:30 p.m. SeaWorld

SeaWorld lights up the sky every night during summer but the big bad July 4th displays the big daddy of the year.  This is a special patriotic fireworks presentation.

8:30 p.m. Legoland

You can watch fireworks at Legoland on July 4th and every Saturday in July at 8:30 p.m. But on July 4th, the day will be highlighted with all things Red, White and Boom!

9:00 p.m. La Jolla Cove Fireworks

This is a 25 year tradition in La Jolla.   There has been some environmental issues threatening this event but organizers are determined to make it happen.

7:30 p.m.  Summer Pops on the Embarcadero

Summer Pops 2010 will ring in the national celebration of independence with a lot of pomp and circumstance, courtesy of pops conductor and popular entertainer, Marvin Hamlisch.  Marvin and the Pops will celebrate the 4th withba patriotic performance packed with Broadway hits, marches and as always appreciated in San Diego, a salute to our military.  After the musical performances, fireworks will be displayed over the bay each night of the holiday weekend.

9:00 p.m. Coronado

Lets face it, no place in San Diego is more patriotic than Coronado.  Coronado paints the town red, white and blue for July 4th.  The 62nd Annual independence Day Parade will be on Saturday, July 3.  On July 4th the 35th Annual Independence Day 15K Run/Walk at Tidelands Park will be at 7;00 a.m.  The fireworks over Glorietta and San Diego Bay will be on July 4th at 9:00 p.m.

9:00 p.m. Escondido

Its an all day affair of patriotic pastimes and family fun at Escondido Grape Day Park.

9:00 p.m. Mira Mesa

The community of Mira Mesa kicks off the day with the 36th Annual 4th of July Parade at 1:00 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9:00 p.m.

9:00 Poway

Big old fashioned 4th of July event all day at Old PowayPark 14134 Midland Road followed by fireworks at Poway High School.

9:00 p.m. Spirit of the Fourth in Rancho Bernardo

Rancho Bernardo kicks off July 4th at the athletic fields at Bernardo Heights Middle School.

9:00 p.m.  Ramona

July 4th Ramona Community Fireworks and Family Picnic (pending funding).  Please call 760-789-1311 to check on this events status.  The evening event will take place at Olive Peirce Middle School on Sunday, July 4th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  The fireworks show will be synchronized to patriotic music broadcast over radio station KYXY 96.5 FM.

9:00 p.m. San Marcos

The patriotic celebration starts at 6:00 p.m. with music and fun for all in Bradley Park.

9:00 Santee

Santee Salutes from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Town Center Community Park West Ball fields, followed by fierworks at 9:00 p.m.

HAVE FUN, BE SAFE, RESPECT YOUR NEIGHBORS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL 4TH OF JULY!!

contribution of content by San Diego News Network.

San Marcos, CA Homes Sold August 2009

Current Market Trends San Marcos, CA

San Marcos Market Trends August 2009

It has been 3 months since we last looked at the San Marcos area’s market activity.   Our last look was in our article San Marcos Homes Sold May 2009.

At that time we thought  perhaps we had seen the bottom of the market and were beginning to head upward.

In todays report, it looks like we may have been right.   The average sold price of homes in San Marcos in August was $424,490.  In May the average sold price was $405,574. 

That’s a pretty significant increase in just 3 months.   Another significant difference is the number of active listings.  Currently there are 110, in May there were 145.

San Marcos is a very desirable area.  We have several buyers that are looking for a nice family home to settle into here.  The problem is there are just not enough homes to sell.

The majority of buyers are qualifying in the range of $350,000 to $400,000. 

It seems that the popular areas are Santa Fe Hills and Discovery Hills.  Though there  are several really nice communities in San Marcos, these two areas seem to be priced between the high $300,000’s to the low $400,000’s.  Just right for the average buyer.

Many of the first time home buyers are finding their dream homes here.

If you have a home in the San Marcos area, and you have been considering selling, you may be very pleasantly surprised at how quickly your home will sell in this current market, and the price that you may recieve.

Give us a call for if you are curious about the value of your own home or any home in the San Diego County area.

We’re here to help and we answer our phones!

Pam and Joanna
760-580-1615 and 760-580-1630

San Diego County 4th July 2009 Firework Displays

San Diego lets Celebrate

It’s that time of year again - SIZZLING HOT summer weather and time for San Diego County to celebrate 4th July. Where ever you live in San Diego County there will be firework events to enjoy. Did you know that San Diego has been selected as one of the top ten places in the Nation to celebrate 4th July?

 There have been some cancellations due to the tight budget restraints but for the most part Fireworks are as usual.  We have put together a list of the displays scheduled throughout the County of San Diego. So just for one day let your cares slip away, get out of the house, drop the chores, relax kick back with your family and friends and enjoy 4th July.  Read the rest of this entry »

San Marcos Homes Sold May 2009

Current Market Trends For San Marcos, CA
May 2009

 Look how many homes sold in San Marcos in May, 56 to be exact!  Wow, that’s great, and another 176 pending listings waiting to close escrow.

Things are definately turning in the market everywhere.

If you are still looking for the bottom, you may have just missed it!

There are very few REO listings in this area to choose from at this time.  They have all been gobbled up and there hasn’t been many released recently either.

Buyers are finding nothing but short sales in this area right now.  This can be very frustrating now that loans are easier to come by with the FHA financing and the $8000 tax credit being offered to first time home buyers but nothing to buy.

I wonder if there are any homeowners out there that actually have equity in their homes that have been thinking about selling but have been afraid to do so because of all the REO properties selling so low.

A home that doesn’t have any bank involvement would be very attractive right now. 

Could this mean a shift to the market?  Could we be looking at a Sellers market in the near future?

If you would like more information about values in your area, give us a call, We are here to help, and we answer our phones!

Pam and Joanna

760-580-1615 and 760-580-1630