Carlsbad, CA Real Estate News

By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Grateful to Live in Carlsbad This is my 4th entry for the November Gratitude Challenge hosted by Debe Maxwell, CRS. We moved to Carlsbad in April 2005 from Boston, and I am very thankful that we did. It was a tough decision to leave the Boston area after living there for 20+ years in multiple homes and communities. We loved the Boston area, other than the winter cold, snow and ice, and left behind lots of friends and family in New England and the northeast. Photo is from the winter before we moved, in Harvard Square (Cambridge) near where we last lived before relocating.   We spent a lot of time (several house hunting trips over 1 year) looking at properties in different communities around San Diego before settling on Carlsbad. Why? It worked for our budget (a good sized house with land...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Alley Art Wall in Carlsbad Village Carlsbad’s public art scene has a new, and special, addition in our community. The Carlsbad Alley Art Wall, conceived and curated by well-known Carlsbad artist Bryan Snyder, was recently dedicated in the Village.  You’ll find the Carlsbad Alley Art Wall at 550 Grand Avenue, on the Tyler street alley wall adjacent to the former Café Ground Up. The Café has closed and a new restaurant, the Village Kabob Mediterranean Grill, will be taking over the space.  This public art wall consists of 17 murals by different artists, the latest completed in January 2022. There is also a large Recreation Mural Space where aspiring muralists…mainly kids…can practice their painting. It’s ever-changing space, so stop by to see what’s been created, or to watch kids...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Art in the Village 2022  Carlsbad art lovers will be pleased the 24th Annual Art in the Village Fair is back for 2022. The fair was canceled in 2020 and was virtual last year. This annual and popular fine art event showcases local and regional artists, and takes place Sunday June 26th.  The fair runs from 9 am until 5 pm and is free. Art in the Village takes place along State Street and Grand Avenue covering about 4 blocks. [photo is from a prior art fair].  Art in the Village is sponsored by the Carlsbad Village Association, and you’ll find both new and returning artists. Artists are jury-selected so you can expect high quality, and all artwork is handcrafted and unique. Carlsbad is well known for its 1-day art fairs. Whether you are an art lover and collector, or not, strolli...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Single Story Homes for Sale in Carlsbad  April 20, 2022 Market Update Carlsbad home buyers often prefer a 1-story single family house when looking for a new home.  It may even be a requirement, and the reasons vary from person to person. Some buyers are OK with buying a 2-story home, provided there is a master bedroom with full bath on the main floor. But that type of floor plan is harder to find; often the 1st floor bedroom is a smaller guest bedroom and the bath is a half bath. The overall Carlsbad inventory remains limited, homes are selling quickly in many cases, and often sales prices exceed asking price. Here’s the March 2022 Housing Market Report for Carlsbad. At the time this report was written there is only an 18-day supply of single story detached homes, based on rate of sales...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Village Faire May 1, 2022 One of the favorite arts and craft fairs returns to Carlsbad Village on Sunday May 1. Supposedly, the Carlsbad Village Street Faire is the largest outdoor 1-day fair in the US (other than perhaps its counter-part, the November Carlsbad Village Faire). The Carlsbad Village Faire takes place from 8 am until 5 pm, so you have plenty of time to enjoy hundreds of vendors and shop all you want. The Carlsbad Village Faire is in the heart of town, along Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson. The Faire will spill over onto side streets, including State Street over to Carlsbad Village Drive. [note - photo is from a different art fair in the Village]  Signs are already out warning everyone about this special event, since much of the parking will not b...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Flower Bed 4/16/2022  We were heading out to run some errands this morning and I spied this brilliantly-colored flower bed at a house along Carlsbad Village Drive. The bed was huge, about the size of 2 cars parked side by side. On the way home I had to stop and grab a photo. While we have lots of beautiful flowers right now, these really stood out, particular on a rather gray, gloomy morning. “Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” – Luther Burbank
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
There’s a New Beach Chair in CarlsbadDo You Know Where? Carlsbad now has another beach chair added to the growing collection of public art around the city. And our reputation as an arts community continues to grow. The imagery is perfect for our Village by the Sea.  The new chair was installed in the recently-completed gateway to the Calavera Hills Community Park in Carlsbad, at the corner of Carlsbad Village Drive at 2997 Glasgow Drive. This 1-acre entry-way to the park offers a shaded picnic area, several pieces of exercise equipment (also shaded), and plenty of grass and flowers. It’s a very appealing access point to this popular park (also the site for 3 concerts in the annual TGIF Concerts in the Parks series). The colorful and whimsical imagery, “The Island of Christopher P.,” is ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Village Clean-Up April 16 Come celebrate Earth Month 2022 and join in the Carlsbad Village Clean-Up on April 16th. The Carlsbad Village Association (CVA) joins members Pure Project Carlsbad and Handel’s Ice Cream in sponsoring a tobacco waste-focused clean-up focused. Think cigarette butts and e-cigarettes. The clean-up takes place from 9 am to 11 am on Saturday April 16th. Those who wish to help out should meet on the front patio at the Pure Project Carlsbad. Pure Project is a local brewery and taproom at 2825 State Street by the Carlsbad Train Station and adjacent to Handel's Ice Cream.  The clean-up sponsors will provide participants with gloves, burlap bags, buckets and grabbers, while the supplies last. You are welcome to bring your own supplies, too. There are gift certif...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Hanging Out on a Bush in Carlsbad  It's a little cooler in Carlsbad today...about 90...and this squirrel was taking advantage of the cooler temps to hang out on a bush overlooking our canyon to take in the views. And no doubt scoping out potential food sources. As long as it doesn't come digging in our gardens, and keeps away from the bird feeders, I'm OK with it hanging around...probably can't do a thing about it anyhow.  Hopefully it doesn't have any friends around - they can be pretty destructive with their eating and digging. Fortunately we haven't seen one for many months but maybe there is lots of good eating around our house this spring.
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Today's Weather Forecast in Carlsbad Today - HOT!!  It feels like a warm summer day in Carlsbad right now. No, make that hot! According to my iPhone the temperature is 95 degrees, but our thermometer says 102. Either way, it's unusually hot for this time of year. And rare for it to be this warm even during the summer near the beaches, except when the Santa Ana winds blow.  It's only been in the low 60s recently during the day, so it's nice to have the warmer weather for a couple of days before the cooler days return. No doubt the beaches, and the ice cream stores, are mobbed today!! It's not good for the increased fire risk, however.
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad's TGIF Concerts in the Parks Series June 24 - August 19, 2022 The first day of summer is June 21, and the annual TGIF Concerts in the Parks series starts a few days later. There’s no doubt the free TGIF Concerts in the Parks are a highlight of summertime in Carlsbad. Plus it’s exciting to have the live concerts again after being canceled in 2020 and only virtually in 2021. This free outdoor concert series may be the best entertainment option around North San Diego County! You can’t go wrong with a combination of great live music, in one of our beautiful Carlsbad parks, on a Friday summer evening, for free. It doesn’t get much better! 2022 will be the 35th season of Carlsbad’s popular TGIF Concerts in the Parks series, presented by the City of Carlsbad’s Cultural Arts Office. TG...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Home Sales for March 2022 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from last month and 1 year ago. These statistics do not include private sales, mobile homes or multi-family housing (the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate at the time they are reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms, and do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions. Current data, and analysis, about the local market conditions will benefit you so you can make educated purchase and/or sale decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 104 homes sold in Carlsbad in March (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 17% more than in February, anoth...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Planning to Sell Your Home? Where Are You Going to Go? There’s a lot to think about if you are planning to sell your Carlsbad home. This is true whether you are an experienced seller, or selling for the first time. Let’s start off with an important and practical question if you are planning to sell. Where will you go? SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDEROf course this has always been an important question for home sellers to consider, and plan around.Do you plan to buy a replacement home, and if so when?Are you planning to relocate somewhere else?Do you plan to rent?Do you already have another home you can move to?Are you moving in with someone else, e.g., a friend or family member? Because of the housing market conditions this becomes a much more complicated issue, depending on your personal...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Village Makers Market is April 2 The 2nd Makers Market of 2022 takes place Saturday April 2nd, hosted by the Carlsbad Village Association. This is the 6th year of the Carlsbad Village Makers Market events, with multiple fairs during the year. The Carlsbad Village Makers Market takes place on the campus of St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church. St. Michael’s is at 2775 Carlsbad Boulevard south of McGee Park. The Makers Market: A Crafter’s Showcase is open from 9 am until 4 pm. Attendance is free, and 50 or so artisans will showcase their handicrafts. Don’t forget those credit cards and cash for shopping!  The Makers Market Crafter’s Showcase offers a wonderful shopping opportunity, with self-designed and handcrafted items from local and regional artisans. (photo is from a pr...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
First Day of Spring in Carlsbad Well, of course it's the 1st day of spring in lots of places, and no doubt many are pretty pleased. Let's hope the weather cooperates in those wintry places.  Today was a beautiful day and a wonderful time to relax for a bit at the beach in Carlsbad. All you needed was this gorgeous weather and the sound of the waves to slip right into relaxed mode. Didn't take me long at all!  
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The 2022 EGGStravaganza Spring Festival~ Coming Soon to Carlsbad ~ Daylight Saving Time is now a slightly distant memory, Spring arrived today, and Easter is just 4 weeks away! The popular Carlsbad EGGStravaganza Spring Festival is back, and will take place the day before Easter, Saturday April 16th, in Carlsbad’s beautiful Poinsettia Park, from 10 am until 1 pm. Poinsettia Park is at 6600 Hidden Valley Road, south of Palomar Airport Road. Carlsbad EGGStravaganza offers lots of fun, with multiple activities including cookie decorating, face painting, “Soak the Bunny,” crafts, plus a fun zone. Kids can enjoy Carlsbad’s largest Egg Scramble (Activity Cards are required) from 10:30 until 12:30 (or until eggs run out), with 2 competitive fields.  There will be one field for ages 6 and older...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad RanchWednesday 3/16/2022 The iconic Flower Fields in Carlsbad CA opened to the public on Tuesday March 1st and are well into bloom. Here’s a photo I took Feb. 25, several days before opening day – not terribly impressive, although far better than just brown fields a few months earlier, but you could see the potential.  We stopped by this afternoon, March 16, to check out the fields from my favorite vantage point – Armada Drive looking down on the fields and out to the ocean – and they were spectacular, perhaps even full bloom.  I toyed with the idea of doing a series of photos, maybe weekly, as Rainer George Souto  does with his blog series every fall of the leaves (check it out if you haven’t seen it – here’s the 7th blog in the progression of colors). He ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Huge Community Clean Up in Carlsbad VillageSunday March 20th The largest community clean-up we’ve had is this weekend and volunteers are needed! The Community Clean Up is Sunday March 20 at the Village Faire Shopping Center from 9 am until 12 noon. Participants are to meet at the fountain in the central courtyard. In case you don’t know the Village Faire is at 300 Carlsbad Village Drive. It’s just west of the train tracks on the north side. The Carlsbad Village Community Clean Up is a collaboration among Visit Carlsbad (our city tourism board), the Carlsbad Village Association, Engel’s and Volkers Carlsbad, the Carlsbad High School C3 Clean Up Club, and Richness of Giving (ROG). Richness of Giving (ROG) will organize volunteers into groups to focus on different areas of the Village that...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2022 Pirate Plunge in Carlsbad~ Saturday March 26th ~      NOTE: THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT (per the website 3/24/2022)The Pirate Plunge is back, hosted by the Alga Norte Aquatic Center in the La Costa area of Carlsbad. This fun aquatic event takes place on Saturday March 26th from 5 – 8 pm, 2 weeks from tomorrow. Kids will enjoy a range of pirate-themed activities in the pool (e.g., Ship Raiders, Diving for Treasure), race across the floating obstacles in the pool, and there are plenty of photo opportunities. You can walk the diving board plank!! And there’s a pirate ship slide and a treasure hunt on land, too. The Splash Pad will be open for the younger children to enjoy. The Pirate Plunge ends with a popular movie on the big outdoor screen, “Treasure Planet” (rated PG). The movie starts ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
3 Things You Should NOT Do In Carlsbad With a Touch of Sarcasm We often hear about things you should do in Carlsbad…for a variety of reasons. But we don’t hear about what you should not do. So here are the top 3 Don't Do's. Number 1 – DON’T go shopping. Why? Well, let me tell you. There are so many different stores and places to shop in Carlsbad, in the Village and elsewhere, that it will drive you crazy trying to figure out where to go and what to buy. Problem is you head out to buy an item that you need, or perhaps someone actually wants a gift, and before you know it you’ve spent hours in multiple stores, bought all sorts of things you really didn’t plan to buy because of the great sales and the nice sales people, your arms ache from all the bags you are carrying, and you are feeling...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for February 2022 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with some changes from last month and 1 year ago. These statistics do not include private sales, mobile homes or multi-family housing (the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate at the time they are reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms, and do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions. Current data, and analysis, about the local market conditions will benefit you so you can make educated purchase and/or sale decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 89 homes sold in Carlsbad in February (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 22% more than in Ja...
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