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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 Mike and Dawn Lewis, The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA
(The Lewis Team at Keller Williams)
La Costa Home Search San Diego Real EstateSearch for Homes in La Costa CaliforniaSearch all Homes in La Costa 92009Search the San Diego MLSLa Costa is in Carlsbad in North County Coastal San Diego. There are many wonderful homes in La Costa and many Golf Course Homes in La Costa as well. La Costa is known for the world famous La Costa Resort and Spa and is very close to beautiful Carlsbad beaches. La Costa seems to have something for everyone when searching for a home. When you're ready to see some La Costa Real Estate give us a call.If you're interested in buying or selling a home in La Costa please contact Dawn Sells San Diego.Once you find the La Costa Home you like or have any questions that need answering about La Costa Real Estate, contact us by email or call us at 619-656-6700. W...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
So far we have examined some of the emotional and psychological issues associated with a relocation (Relocation is NOT for Dummies Part 1), and a few practical issues you must consider when selling your home (Relocation is NOT for Dummies Part 2). Here in Part 3 the focus is on house hunting from a distance and how to make the most of buying your new home in a distant location. You can’t drive around neighborhoods to look at housing, and you may not know much, if anything, about your new location. In a relocation: How do you go about house hunting effectively?   And how do you find someone you can trust to help you?  Let’s deal first with how to go about finding a reputable, knowledgeable REALTOR in your new location, say Carlsbad, California, to help you with your relocation. Finding ...
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By Dusty Brazil- San Marcos CA Realtor San Marcos Bank Owned Homes Buyers Agent
(San Marcos Real Estate, Short Sales & Bank Owned Homes)
La Costa Carlsbad Real Estate: LA COSTA GREENS, LA COSTA OAKS, LA COSTA VALLEY, AVIARA, ALGA HILLS and more! See all La Costa Area Homes For Sale, MLS Listings and Real Estate For Sale!Hey La Costa Carlsbad Home Shoppers! Looking for a great deal in the La Costa Carlsbad area? Considering buying or selling  in one of the great La Costa Carlsbad Neighborhoods like La Costa Oaks, La Costa Valley, La Costa Greens, Aviara, or a condo or townhome?                                                                     CLICK HERE TO BEGIN YOUR REAL ESTATE SEARCH FOR HOMES AND CONDOS FOR SALE IN CARLSBAD NOW                  Know where you want to live in Carlsbad? Search by Neighborhood and Subdivision belowSee all La Costa Greens Real Estate  and HomesFor Sale in Carlsbad HERE    See all La Cost...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
One of the main criteria many Carlsbad home buyers have when searching for a new home is easy access to amenities. This includes shopping, restaurants, business services, and the stuff we all need and use regularly – gas, pharmacies, home improvements, dry cleaners, wine and liquor, fast food, coffee shops, bakeries, hair salons, car washes/detailing, and so on. El Camino Real is a major thoroughfare running parallel to the coast and the freeway, from Oceanside south to Cardiff. It’s good to know about both for transportation purposes (if you want to avoid the 5) but more so because it is loaded with strip malls and all the shopping you could want. Thus many folks in South Carlsbad (especially Aviara, La Costa, and Rancho Carrillo) and Encinitas (including Olivenhain) are only a few mi...
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By Margaret Hokkanen, → Carlsbad Real Estate
(SurfTheTurf.com, Inc.)
Here is another listing that we had.  Unfortunately, the home owner brought it on in Q4, and, as many of us know, the fourth quarter is not the optimal time to list a home.  That said, I think our marketing looked pretty good.The dining room was a trick photo due to the sunlight coming in from the windows.  Believe it or not, the home owner did NOT like the photo shoot and demanded that I reshoot the pictures.  I advised the client that I could give it a much more stark look if I reshot it at night, but it would not be as warm and buttery and that it would be a mistake.  Here's the reshoot: The net result was that the client agreed (once seeing the pictures), and we went with the original brochure.  Which version do you think is better? Also, here's the La Costa Oaks insert that we did....
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Well, you may not be going to the market to buy a fat pig. BUT you may need to go to the grocery store on occasion for dinner items, vegetables, TP and the usual family stuff. Carlsbad is a great place to go grocery shopping, as there are a number of stores, readily accessible, both large chains and small, to meet your family’s grocery needs.  Here’s what you need to know: The major grocery chains include VONS and ALBERSTONS. There are a number of them in Carlsbad to meet your needs, depending on where you live or are thinking of buying. Prices will vary quite a bit from store to store, and the big chains are not the best places to buy produce.   ALBERTSONS: La Costa – off El Camino Real at the intersection of La Costa Avenue. A second one is located on Carlsbad Village Drive west of t...
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By Margaret Hokkanen, → Carlsbad Real Estate
(SurfTheTurf.com, Inc.)
In an effort to help folks out who are interested in Carlsbad, CA, I created a new Blog Group just for Carlsbad, and I will be posting information and materials that group as well as my own blog.  So, here's one of my active listings right now...a very nice property in Aviara/Sanderling. I liked the photos that I took of the pool a lot.  This particular gated community has two pools (the other isn't shown).Margaret Hokkanen, Carlsbad Real Estate
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
If you are on the hunt for anything electronic or containing a microchip, a household appliances or other consumer products, you will likely find it at Fry’s. I first heard about Fry’s when I moved to Carlsbad as being THE PLACE to go for electronics and related products, but only recently ventured in. It was truly amazing. This mega store, sort of the Home Depot of electronics and one of the chain of 30 stores, in San Marcos just off San Marcos on Bent Avenue, seems to have anything and everything you could possibly want. What was impressive was the number of sales people running around in every aisle. I had visions of not being able to find what I needed, despite the signage (which is pretty good) as so often happens in these big stores. Not a problem. I was asked at least 3 times if...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The community of La Costa, in South Carlsbad, is anchored by the world renowned La Costa Resort and Spa. The area of La Costa was formerly a town in and of itself but was annexed by Carlsbad a number of years ago. Many folks, however, refer to the area as La Costa, and most people in the area know of this upscale residential neighborhood. The area was vacant prior to the building of the golf course and resort back in the early 1960s (the course was built in 1965 and the Rancho La Costa Inn was added soon after, as was the Spa) and the Carlsbad homes that sprung up around the golf course form a unique and charming community unlike any other in Carlsbad. This area is bounded on the west by El Camino Real, on the north by Alga Road, on the south by the resort, and on the east by Almaden. ...
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By Dean Johnson, Attorney and Broker
(Brim Realty, Inc.)
La Costa Greens - BalaerasCarlsbad, also known as The Village by the Sea, lies just 35 miles north of San Diego and offers residents a vast array of activities. Whether it's beach combing, world-class shopping, or fine dining Carlsbad residents will find it just minutes from home. Inspired by a Mediterranean resort village and reflective of historic Santa Barbara, the master plan community of La Costa Greens fulfills the promise of legendary La Costa in Carlsbad. Overlooking the world-famous La Costa golf course, Balearas at La Costa Greens features lavish home sites that afford residents sweeping views of the verdant fairways, rugged foothills and the cobalt Pacific Ocean.Choose from four floor plans ranging in size from 3,723 to 4,913 with up to 5 bedrooms and 3.5 to 5.5 bathrooms. Ba...
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By The Lewis Team San Diego Real Estate Experts, San Diego's #1 Real Estate Team - 619-656-0655
(DawnSellsSanDiego)
Carlsbad HomesWhen you're ready to buy a home in Carlsbad you will have to contact Dawn Lewis. Dawn Lewis is a San Diego Real Estate agent with over 18 years experience right here in San Diego. Carlsbad is a wonderful area of San Diego and has many great things to do. Carlsbad Real Estate starts at the Pacific Ocean and goes inland San Diego for many miles. Carlsbad is very large and takes a Carlsbad Real Estate expert to show you around. Please contact me to find out more about Carlsbad Real Estate and Carlsbad Homes and Condos. Carlsbad in San Diego California is rich in history. The first human inhabitants in Carlsbad were the Luiseño people. They were American Indians who are in the Shoshonean linguistic group. In 1842 Don Juan Maria Marron was granted most of the land that now comp...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad home buyers have much to be thankful for. Let's count the ways...726 homes on the market as of 12/21/07While the prices here are high compared to other parts of the country, they are, relatively speaking, better than many of the other coastal communities (except for Oceanside to the north). The inventory has remained fairly stable (less than 8 months worth), and prices have not shifted much this year (see the November Carlsbad Homes Market Report).Carlsbad has a highly rated school system (do a Google search and you'll find out more) with a number of schools winning awards in California in recent years.Interest rates (as of this writing) are BELOW 6% for conforming mortgages - the best we have seen in about 2 years.  There's lots to like about this town, such as golf, the beach...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
WHAT?! You can live in a Carlsbad waterfront home at an affordable price? How is that possible?   Yes, it's true. There are waterfront homes in Carlsbad that are, relatively speaking, affordable. No, it's not on the ocean. Are you surprised? But it's not on a small creek either (you can find more information on Carlsbad waterfront homes here). Bristol Cove is located off the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon a short distance south of Carlsbad Village. This community is directly on an inlet (a cove) off of the lagoon, AND there is dockage for boats at a number of the homes. This is a residential cove and use is restricted to owners and tenants. Resident children attend the Carlsbad Schools. There are a number of water activities at the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon, the ocean and Carlsbad beaches are nearby,...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The master planned community of La Costa Greens, in the La Costa area of Carlsbad, has been developed over the last couple of years and includes 7 neighborhoods by 5 well-known area builders. The La Costa Greens community has appealed to Carlsbad home buyers and has prospered, and several of the neighborhoods are sold out, with others very nearly so. Just a handful of homes remain, for example, at the gated community of Balearas, the most expensive (in the low to mid $1 millions) of the La Costa Greens villages.Viridian, being built by Davidson, is the most recently built community offering homes for sale. Residents will have access and use of the private club, The Presidio (photo below left), and use of the tennis courts and miles of walking and hiking trails. There is easy access to a...
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By Margaret Hokkanen, → Carlsbad Real Estate
(SurfTheTurf.com, Inc.)
Over the past month, I've had a few people ask about what we do with video, so I decided to post our home tour DVD page. The links below are not DVD-quality video; they are the video that we shoot and burn on the DVDs, but reduced to web-streaming quality (which is significantly reduced). Please note: These tours are only 10-15 minutes long, but our entire DVD is actually about 2 hours because we put a lot of video marketing/training on the disc. One final note (and maybe even a bit of a rant): We have a definite style in what we do for some very important marketing reasons that would require too much discussion for this post.  Please understand that some video folks strongly disagree with it.  I recognize that some agents, and some videographers, may not approve of our use of actual ag...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The Four Seasons Resort Aviara is an extraordinary hotel in Carlsbad, and always a beautiful sight for the eyes no matter what time of year you visit.The Festival of Trees is a highlight of the holiday season, where the hotel lobby and halls are decorated with amazing trees that are theme decorated by various organizations in the local area. Not only are they gorgeous to view, but they are part of a silent auction, with bidding starting at $500, to raise money for a very worthy charity - the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. This charity benefits the families of injured soldiers.Of course after a stroll through the halls to take in these beautiful trees, why not enjoy a fabulous dinner in Vivace, the Four Seasons' signature Italian restaurant? Sitting by their fire and dining on incredible...
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By Margaret Hokkanen, → Carlsbad Real Estate
(SurfTheTurf.com, Inc.)
There are many agents who are using video in their practices.  We have been creating home tour DVDs for about three years, and over that time, we have discovered that there can be a wide array of differences in the quality of DVD media.  Just to give you some idea of our experience, we have probably burned over 30,000 DVDs in our duplicating system.In the beginning, we tried out many different brands primarily based on what was on sale.  These included Memorex, TDK, and so non-marketed brands available through wholesalers to people who are burning large quantities of discs. As with most products, you get what you pay for.  You may save 20-30% by buying a cheaper brand, but you will probably run across product that hasn't been properly manufactured and hiccups during the burning process....
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Achieving maximum exposure in today's market is key to selling your Carlsbad home. Of course if it is not priced well no amount of marketing and advertising will sell it.Assuming the price is right, signage can go a long way toward gaining that exposure, if used correctly and you employ a variety of media to meet the needs and interests of the broadest range of buyers. However, gone are the days when the market was so crazy that ALL you needed was signage. Some agents still think that will do the trick.Here's the sign I just installed on a new Carlsbad listing. Decorating for the holidays is eye catching, and unique, and helps to draw attention. This sign will capture the attention of drive-bys. Yes, it's true most homes don't sell that way, but it does happen. And people who find the l...
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Powered by Natural Gas instead of the current Steam Turbines, a newly proposed power plant to augment the power supply sources for San Diego will require 30% less fuel to generate the same amount of power as currently generated by The Encina Power Plant.The new power plant that is being proposed by NRG Energy West will sit adjacent to the current Encina Power Plant with a larger 20 acres footprint running along Route 5 but will have a smaller height profile. Currently the smoke stacks used by Encina are 12 stories. The new smoke stacks will be 100 feet tall but the first 30 feet will be under the ground giving the overall hight above land at 70 feet.This new plant if approved will not replace the Encina Power plant with proposed purchase also underway by NRG Energy but will run intermit...
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By Margaret Hokkanen, → Carlsbad Real Estate
(SurfTheTurf.com, Inc.)
A back yard can be an important feature for some homes for many reasons: 1) a premium may have been paid for a view lot; 2) a premium may have been paid for the size; or 3) the owner may have invested a lot of money and wants to recoup it from a buyer who equally values the work done.This article seeks to discuss some of the considerations when taking photos of the back yard. Please note that California weather does not allow for the kind of seasonal variation that occurs in other parts of the country, so keep that in mind also. It may be important to take photos months before a home is listed so that the brochure shows the yard in all its spring glory rather than late in the fall when leaves are gone.Here are some general tips:In this writer's opinion, the MOST important aspect to taki...
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