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Carlsbad, CA Real Estate News

By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Flower Fields Up Close I attended a CRS Networking Event with 25 other Southern California Realtors this past Thursday for a couple of hours at the Carlsbad Flower Fields.  It was fun to see my CRS friends as well as to meet other agents I didn’t know. There was time to talk with each other before taking a tour. After the group photo we split up into small groups to leisurely walk through the gardens, and of course take lots of photos.  While I have often driven by the Flower Fields on Armada Drive on the hill above to the east which offers great panoramic views of the flowers and the ocean, I haven’t seen the flowers and the venue itself up close for years.   It was a sunny day with a cool ocean breeze, although the marine layer moved in before the event was over so it was pre...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2024 Carlsbad Village Street Faire is May 5 One of our more popular arts and craft fairs returns to Carlsbad Village on Sunday May 5, 2024. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is reportedly the largest outdoor 1-day fair in the US, other than its counter-part, the Carlsbad Village Faire in November. This is the 50th year for this fair! The Carlsbad Village Street Faire takes place from 8 am until 5 pm, so there is ample time to enjoy over 900 vendors and shop all you want. The Carlsbad Village Faire takes place in the heart of the Village, along Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson. The Faire spills over onto side streets, too. (photo is from another art fair in the Village in the same area).  Given the number of vendor booths much of the public parking will not be available ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The largest master planned community in the La Costa area of Carlsbad, La Costa Valley is a fine example of residential planning on rolling hills along the Encinitas border. Located about 30 miles north of San Diego, La Costa Valley offers residents a beautiful community with a school, recreational facilities, landscaped trails and open space with excellent access to nearby amenities along El Camino Real in Carlsbad and Encinitas, a 15 minute drive to the beaches, and much more. La Costa Valley was built in 1998 - 2001 and consists of 1073 homes (detached) on about 482 acres. The first of the 4 La Costa Villages (also La Costa Oaks, La Costa Greens, and La Costa Ridge) to be built in Carlsbad after a long wait, this community has provided a model for future developments in the Carlsbad...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I wrote an earlier post about the importance of knowing about building projects in your area, whether you are a buyer or a seller, since they may have an impact on someone's willingness to buy. And knowing what to disclose is also important.Carlsbad is a community known for its smart growth (see my earlier article on this) and managing its construction projects, especially residential - they even have a 20-year plan. This is good for residents as well as the town.There are several projects that are worth knowing about if you are thinking of buying Carlsbad real estate. Some are in process, while others are under review. There are other proposed and approved building projects listed on the Carlsbad website. (photo at right is the building project along Ranch Santa Fe Road in Carlsbad see...
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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)
Looking for that perfect home for sale in Carlsbad CA, La Costa, Aviara, Rancho Carrillo? Contact a Realtor in Carlsbad CA now to get the job done right. See the best Carlsbad Neighborhoods, including virtual tours, neighborhood reports, area info, and things to do in and around Carlsbad California, such as go to LegoLand with the kids. (This is a photo of the Flower Fields and the Carlsbad Smoke Stack on a clear day)  Are you a First time Home Buyer in or around Carlsbad Ca? Check out all these cool tips on first time home buying.  Are you a Seller in Carlsbad Ca, La Costa, Rancho Carrillo, Aviara, or in other neighborhoods in Carlsbad CA? If you need representation to sell a home in Carlsbad, let me show you how I can get you your home top exposure online.  
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
I love the rich smell of coffee beans and their brew–and the hissing sounds of expresso machines at work. And what could be more fun than meeting a friend, finding a free table and spending a half hour or so catching up on the details of life? It's also a great way to relax with clients. Carlsbad is fortunate to have so many wonderful places to stop for a latte, double expresso or chai tea. And though many restaurants and bakeries also serve excellent coffee, this little report is dedicated to those whose business is built on the bean:  Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 2508 El Camino Real, Ste F (across from Carlsbad Mall) 760-720-1381 Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 1935 Calle Barcelona (The Forum) 760-634-3268 La Costa Coffee Roasting 2525 El Camino Real, Ste 145 (Plaza Camino Real ) 760-434-3233 La Co...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The following is a summary of market conditions from the MLS for Carlsbad for the month of July. These data do not include information from any private sales or homes sold through builders that are not in the MLS.Homes for sale - 497 detached, 295 attached (down 1% from June)142 detached and 79 attached homes came on the market in July538 detached and 268 attached homes have sold in the last 6 monthsAbsorption (inventory) is 5.5 months for detached (a small decrease from June) and 6.6 months for attached homes (also a decrease)Average marketing time was 62 days for attached and 60 days for detachedMedian sales price for detached - $767,759, about the same as in JuneMedian sales price for attached - $450,500, up 1% from JuneOn average, homes are selling at 95% (detached) and 96% (attache...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
North County San Diego has a fine reputation as a retirement area, given the beautiful weather and the many amenities. Not surprisingly there are many 55+ (senior) communities in the area, offering a variety of options in terms of housing style, size, and price and the amenities available in the community. As of August 2007 there are 232 homes for sale in the age-restricted communities in Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos, Carlsbad and Encinitas; 215 of these offer single story living, which is generally highly desirable for this age group. There are 43 homes that are currently pending. Homes range from a 1 bedroom 600 SF condo priced at $163,000 to a 2808 SF 3 bedroom, 2-story home at $925,000. Amenities vary as well, with some communities offering little except what is in the larger commu...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Folks in Carlsbad have a couple of excellent choices for where to purchase their wines. Given how many wines there are being produced today here in California, as well as from France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, South Africa, Australia, Chile, Argentina and more, having someone you can trust, especially if you are not highly knowledgeable, is important. [note - photo was taken at J. Lohr Winery in Paso Robles]Which wines are the best, for you preferred type (Zinfandel, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, varietals and blends, reds, champagne)? How much do you need to spend to buy a good bottle? Which vintages are preferred? And so on.Carlsbad Wine Merchants, at 5814 Van Allen Way (small shopping center) off Faraday, is an excellent place to begin your journey, especially if you are new to wine o...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
Aviara was Carlsbad’s first award-winning master-planned community. Located in South Carlsbad, just west of La Costa Resort and Spa, Aviara’s 5000+ residents enjoy a lifestyle that is almost idyllic. With 21 separate neighborhoods, Aviara offers homes ranging from luxury condos at Brindisi to luxurious custom estates at gated Aviara Point. In the midst of this beach-close community is the exquisite Aviara Four Seasons Resort and the adjacent 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed Aviara Golf Course. Laced throughout Aviara are miles of well-maintained trails and walkways, many of them overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon which borders Aviara to the south. Aviara is also fortunate to have its own public elementary (Aviara Oaks) and junior high schools. Those entering high school from Aviara would ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Living on the fairways at a golf course is the ideal for some buyers. And if you want to live in Carlsbad, what could be better than a home fronting the La Costa Resort and Spa golf course? Located at the southeast end of the course in South Carlsbad, The Fairways consists of about 145 homes in a gated complex on rolling hills, affording many residents views of the La Costa hills or the golf course (not all homes are frontage homes). The homes at The Fairways are attractive, 2-story properties, built between1993 - 1996, range in size from about 2000 SF up to around 2900 SF, with 3 to 5 bedrooms. Double-height ceilings in the living/or dining rooms and dramatic curved stairways are a hallmark of many of these Fairways homes. The yards are moderately sized, but there is room for a good s...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I often find myself thinking about life here in the Carlsbad area as compared to my former life in Cambridge (across the Charles River from Boston) where I lived for about 20 years (well, all total in the New England area).  I've been here 27 months so things are much more familiar, but there are still times when I reflect on how different it is.This post is some of my musings on life here compared to back East (here's my East coast photo). I grew up in the East and lived most of my life there, except for about 7 years in the midwest at different time, so that persona is still strong. But this post is also intended to be educational, albeit a bit tongue-in-cheek, mostly for those readers who are not from this area and are thinking about moving here. I'm not going to explain my feeling, ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Buyers often have particular requirements for the home they would like to purchase, for any number of reasons. Having a good sense of what you want certainly will save you time and probably prevent you from buying the wrong thing.Here in my area of Southern California homes for sale are listed in the MLS as being either attached or detached (this is not a distinction between "single family home" (used euphemistically here) and condo, since either one can be attached or detached). Please don't be offended by the use of the term "single family home." This is commonly, but possibly inappropriately, used in the real estate world to distinguish homes that are not attached, or are not multi-unit dwellings, but it has nothing to do with the status of the buyer/resident. It can be a Fair Housin...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I am often asked by prospective buyers about the availability of single story detached homes in Carlsbad and nearby areas.Some buyers require a single story home, because they prefer living that way, or must consider health or age-related issues either now or in the not-to-distant future. These are generally referred to as ranches in other parts of the country where I have lived, but I can't say the term is widely used here, although we do have the classic California custom ranch-style homes in the La Costa area. (photo is of a new construction single story home in La Costa Greens with 3700 SF of living space and priced at $1.392 million, with upgrades included).Other buyers state a preference for such homes but are willing to consider two story living as well, often with a requirement ...
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By Serri Yates Rowell, North San Diego Realtor
(Realty Executives)
Our corner of Carlsbad, Southeast, is going to get even better. The Flocke & Avoyer Commercial Real Estate Company has confirmed that the new Bressi Ranch Shopping Center located just off Palomar Airport Road and El Fuerte, has signed a lease agreement with Trader Joe's. Talks are still ongoing with a full-sized grocery store and possibly a drug store to move into this center, but have not yet been confirmed.Alga Norte Community Park is a 33-acre park located in the Southeast Quadrant, bordered by Palomar Airport Road, El Camino Real, and the La Costa Golf Course. The approved Master Plan includes baseball fields, a dog park, a skate park, 3 tot lots, basketball half courts, open space, a trail system, and an aquatics complex. The aquatics complex will include a competition pool, a 12-l...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
For homebuyers looking at Carlsbad homes for sale and interested in a recently-built gated community (around 2001), you might consider Brindisi. Located in the highly acclaimed and upscale resort residential community of Aviara (this community offers a quiet, and small, residential community just a few minutes from the beaches, the Four Seasons Aviara Resort and other Carlsbad attractions). Brindisi (in zip code 92011, formerly 92009) is located at the intersection of Ambrosia and Poinsettia and offers 90 homes, all attached, in a rectangular layout adjacent to the Aviara Community Park, with playground, ball field, and soccer field. Homes are clustered in groups of approximately 4 or 5, and all homes are two-story with 2 car garages, and many have small private fenced backyards. The c...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I often get asked about earthquakes, now that I live in California. And I certainly have friends and family members tell me they would never live in California because of the earthquakes. I think it's kinda silly, but it's their reality and that's fine. I have noticed one very minor tremor since I have been here, but I suspect there have been others. I have no other frame of reference, although my wife was in San Francisco on business during the big earthquake there in 1989 (she swore we would NEVER live in California - hah, I convinced her after all) so I have her experience in my thoughts.  People I have talked to out here don't seem to give it much thought. Maybe those who have lost their homes are more leery, and understandably so.I understand the concern about earthquakes. But we h...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Tonight I witnessed a bit of La Costa history in the making.The La Costa Resort and Spa, just a short walk from my home in Carlsbad, has been the site of the women's Acura Tennis Classic for many years. It's a great event and always draws world-class players.I had the good fortune to attend the quarterfinals tonight, to watch Venus Williams (recent Wimbleton champion and three-time Acura Tennis Classic Champ) vs. AnnaChakvetadze. Williams, IMHO, was not at her best, and was beaten by Chalvetadze. I am a bit of a Venus Williams fan. So it was disappointing to see her give up so many points, but her opponent was outstanding, and at 20 years old, is a rising star.But that's not really the history I was referring to.The Acura Tennis Classic is leaving La Costa after this year.  I don't know...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Buyers looking for new construction homes in Carlsbad in the La Costa area should consider the new neighborhood of Trieste, part of the La Costa Greens master planned community. La Costa Greens has been a very popular community for buyers seeking new Carlsbad homes, and Trieste will be no exception. A number of the homes have terrific views over the north golf course of La Costa Spa and Resort, however there is an interest list for these homes and they disappear as soon as they are released (but if you have an interest, let me know). The new homes at Trieste, built by Warmington Homes (a well known national builder for 80 years), will number 107 once completed. All are detached and two-story with Craftsman, Tuscan, European Cottage and Spanish Colonial styling. Amenities include hiking...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad has a terrific reputation for the arts programs it offers its residents. There is the Cannon Art Gallery (with multiple exhibitions annually), the Museum of Making Music, art programs for kids at the gallery, and the summer TGIF Jazz in the Parks series, among other things. The TGIF Jazz in the Parks series is 22 years old (that in itself is pretty darn impressive), and has continued to grow in popularity each year. The concerts are free for the public (no, you DON'T have to be a resident) and are held in one of 4 beautiful public parks on 10 Fridays from June to late August from 6 -8 PM. I attended the concert this past Friday at Poinsettia Park (one of my favorite parks) featuring Big Time Operator (big band swing music - turn up your sound and click on one of their songs).  ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I am a non-participant surfer. And I suppose I shouldn't be writing about something that I know almost nothing about. But other people do so why not give it a shot. The inspiration, by the way, is the statue in the photo to the left. More on that later. I know what a surfboard is, that there are long boards and short boards, and that you need waves in order to surf successfully, the bigger the better I think. That's about the extent of my formal knowledge. Surfing has been around for many years (I wonder who the first person was to think about standing up on a piece of wood to "ride the waves?" but history suggests the mid 1700s was the beginning, around the time of Captain Cook), and has been immortalized by ultimate California band, The Beach Boys (see video below). Where I live you ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Have you ever broken your eyeglasses and needed a quick fix? How about some jewelry that you've had for years and which suddenly breaks.If you are in the Carlsbad area, I discovered a terrific repair shop called Hot Shots, right in the heart of Carlsbad Village.I dropped my glasses getting out of the car and put my foot on them, breaking off the side piece. Dumb, but reality. I went to my eyeglass place but they said it required soldering, so they referred me to Hot Shots.I stopped in, left the glasses, went off to take photos of the village and came back to a perfect pair of glasses. 15 minutes max. The neat thing is they will do repairs while you wait for most items - just walk right in. They brag that any two pieces of metal can be repaired, including titanium frames. They offer a 1 ...
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