This week is an unusually warm time here in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's already in the mid-70s and people are walking around in shorts and other summer clothes. It will be a great day to sit or have lunch outside in the beautiful courtyards we are known for. Not forgotten are the dogs in this pet friendly little town at beautiful Carmel Beach. Merchants at any time of the year put out dog dishes and offer treats to visiting canines. Some retail stores go all out to make these containers special. This morning on my way to the post office, I found this special one right next to an inviting bench. The most famous one is the "Fountain of Woof" at the Carmel Shopping Plaza across from Devendorf Park. Although early, the first patrons were already sitting outside the coffee shop on the lower leve... 01/15/2014

Starting a new business in Carmel-by-the-Sea? Signage becomes an issue because it needs to be approved by City Hall.  Even those who have been in business for many years, find ways around the stringent rules and regulations. Some put signage away from the windows and doors, further into their space, but the powers that be are wise to that. You will probably get a notice of non-compliance. (Too many signs, too big, wrong lighting, etc.) All signs affixed to the building, door & window and entrance to courtyard or on the street are regulated. One way to advertise your business which can't be regulated by the City Fathers (and mothers) is what you put on your car. Not only do the cars below show the name of the business, but they are so cute, people will have their photo taken with them. T... 01/14/2014

Quite a few commercial properties have changed hands recently here in Carmel-by-the-Sea including the Eastwood Building and the Hog's Breath restaurant, formerly owned by Clint Eastwood. Located on San Carlos Street between 5th & 6th Avenues, both are going through renovations right now.   Eastwood, a former mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (1986-88), still owns the building immediately to the south which houses my friend Mary Titus' art gallery.  Usually these buildings are sold without much fanfare, but sometimes the new owners want to renovate which is a problem for current tenants who might only have a month-to-month lease. After renovations, leases usually go up in price. Although there are still empty retail spaces in town, these are being snapped up by vineyards who are opening up tast... 01/13/2014

Most cities roll up their sidewalks and go home for the weekend. Not so in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Here store owners take time off in the middle of the week but are open on Sundays. Especially on beautiful days like today, people will flock in from all over to amble down Ocean Avenue (which continues west to the Pacific Ocean), to see and be seen, many of them with their pooches. There are several little cafes along the avenue which do brisk business.  Many visitors come to Carmel to visit art galleries of which there are probably around 50 right now, half of those along Dolores Street between 5th and 7th Avenues (Dolores runs north to south bisecting Ocean Avenue). Check out the galleries on my website www.carmelartgalleries.com  My new brokerage office is in the northern third section of D... 01/12/2014

21st Annual Carmel Art Festival in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California May 15 to 18, 2014 in Devendorf Park and on Mission Street A Plain Air event FREE to the public, held every year the weekend after Mother's Day. The event features 60 artists who have been juried into the event. They will each paint all around the Monterey County area for two days, Thursday and Friday, and submit 2 paintings each into the competition. Area residents and visitors love to come upon an artist at historic places such as the Mission, or beautiful vistas afforded from Pt. Lobos and watch artists recreate the scenes onto their canvases. Saturday and Sunday are the days most festival attendees will be in and around Carmel-by-the-Sea. This is when all 120 paintings are presented in a tented area down Mission Street... 01/11/2014

As was announced before, I have just opened my independent real estate brokerage here in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, in a cute little courtyard called Su Vecino on Dolores between 5th & 6th Avenue. Everyone in town pretty much knows me, but they were unaware that I have a broker's license and that I intend to hire some agents under my license. And what interesting reactions I've been getting. It seems that many of the seasoned business people in town have held or are still holding an inactive real estate license. Others have always wanted to get into real estate, have or are still running their own business, and generally think they would like to get into the real estate business. For those who are serious, I am helping them to sign up for the courses necessary to take the State tes... 01/10/2014

This was a comment by a buyer who has not seen Carmel-by-the-Sea, in fact, someone who has not seen much of California. California is about a 1,000 miles of coastline from north to south, and communities vary considerably from, let's say Del Norte County at the Oregon border where you can buy a beautiful oceanfront home from $799,000. Here in Carmel-by-the-Sea, homes start at right around $750,000, but most are over the $1 million price range. Any with a good ocean view or oceanfront is quite a bit higher.  Yes, you can purchase that house up north, but only if you are attracted to the relative isolation and ruggedness of the north coast. If you are used to stepping out in the evening, go to a certain style of restaurant or bar, want to be near cultural attractions that offer regular mu... 01/09/2014

It used to be that come sunset, there was nothing much to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Yes, there were and still are some charming little restaurants, some with outdoor fireplaces in their courtyards. It was always very subdued, quiet even. The younger crowd tended to go into Monterey to find some nightlife.  Not so these days. Besides the approval by the City of live entertainment in certain venues usually on weekends, more and more daytime wine tasting rooms, wine vendors, and restaurants with extensive wine bars have opened in Carmel-by-the-Sea. In the evenings, especially, this is very apparent on Dolores Street, south of Ocean Avenue.  In fact, this section of Carmel-by-the-Sea's one-square-mile has become THE place to wine and dine. Even today, a Tuesday, it was packed in that part of... 01/07/2014

Del Monte Pumpkin Patch in Carmel, CA 93923 When: October 1-31, 2013Where: SE Corner RIO Road and HWY 1, Carmel, CA 93923Who:  Those wanting a great pumpkin to carve and fun for the kidsWho to contact: James Stracuzzi, (831) 626-1718 Affordable Pumpkins and Fun for the Kids The days are getting shorter and the weather is starting to cool down and that can only mean one thing!  It is time to get your pumpkins for Halloween.  Del Monte Pumpkin Patch in Carmel, CA not only has the normal selection of pumpkins you would expect but they also have gods, dried out corn stalks and hay bales.  They even have Radio Flyer type all terrain kids wagons to haul out your score of pumpkins. More than Just Pumpkins In addition to the plump pumpkins and other Halloween goodies, the Del Monte Pumpkin Patc... 10/30/2013

oops, I mean , this FHA 203k renovated home gets stairs this home was such fun to see get completed.  My 8-year old grandson came into my office when I was working on the blueprints and asked me what the round or curved pieces on the Plans represented. I told him and off he ran into the other room. He came back about a half hour later and had reproduced the first floor plans with his paper and crayons.  I asked him what the curved lines were on his drawing and of course he said it was a "curved staircase". I don't think it really meant anything to him till he saw this photo. Then it all came together for him. He just may become an architect. Who knows? We have recently took over for another consutant in Monterey County and are happy to serve this comunity with our FHA 203k and HomeStyle... 08/31/2013

Old Profile Contents About me: Mike was an FHA Real estate appraiser from 1992-2004 retired, author, home inspector for over 25 years, Mike Young Seminars instructing for CE credits for appraisers and home inspectors since 1992, 203k consultant trainer since 1995, software provider to 203k consultants since 1995 with our latest release coming very shortly. Most popular 203k Training and Software since 1995 for consultants nationally.  Certifications: Real estate professionals learn how to limit your liability on most every sale you make by having your client make those reprairs before they have a chance to sue. The loan closes as fast as any FHA loan then the work begins... you are out of it with your commission upon close. Lenders learn how to speed up the process and get those 203k cl... 08/22/2013

Carmel Real Estate Welcome to our Carmel Real Estate page that is devoted to all kinds of real estate in Carmel, CA including homes, condos and properties for sale in Carmel and Carmel by the Sea, CA.  We have taken the time to break down Carmel homes for sale into various relevant real estate searches based on how many of our clients have searched for homes in the past.  We have various Carmel and Carmel by the Sea neighborhood and home style links on this page to help you quickly find homes that you might be interested in such as Carmel Cottages for sale or homes for sale in the Golden Rectangle among others.  To set up your own Carmel real estate search based on price, use the advanced search page of our website, www.SearchMontereyPeninsulaHomes.com.   Carmel Luxury Real Estate Carme... 07/02/2013

Carmel Ocean View Real Estate Ocean view real estate in Carmel is possible in just about every Carmel neighborhood based on the topology of steep hills sloping away from Carmel Bay and the Pacific Ocean.  It is normal for many homes that are on the market to have anywhere from a great front line ocean view of Point Lobos and Carmel Bay to small ocean view peeks of the Pacific.  Obviously the quality of the ocean view along with the type of Carmel home and the condition it is in can all have a great effect on the price of real estate here.  If you want a piece of Carmel real estate with a great ocean view, be prepared to open your check book wide because it will not come cheap!  Carmel homes with great ocean views will start around $1,000,000 and can go up to $20,000,000! Carmel-by-the-S... 06/27/2013

Carmel Beach, Carmel, CA   Carmel, CA Real Estate 2012 vs. 2011 Carmel, CA showed how diverse of a real estate market it was in 2012 with a wide gap between the highest and lowest priced home sold in 2012.  The highest priced home sale was recorded at $8,750,000 for a classic restored MJ Murphy home on 3 lots of record just above Carmel beach with unobstructed ocean views.  The lowest priced home sold in 2012 in Carmel was an REO less than a mile away and sold for a mere $399,900!  Both were sold by Coldwell Banker agents.  Statistically speaking, the Carmel, CA real estate market remained relatively unchanged in 2012 when compared with 2011, with a few exceptions. The number of Carmel, CA homes sold has been steadily increasing since bottoming out in 2008 at only 134 homes sold and 201... 01/07/2013

 Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz has had the privilege of visiting The Mission Ranch now owned by Clint Eastwood aka "Dirty Harry" three different times now.  Every time I visit The Mission Ranch located in Carmel Monterey Bay Peninsula I am blown away by it's beauty. There are several different buildings with unique different settings and rooms to stay in. On my last visit I was trying to book one of the rooms for around 120 dollars, but it was booked solid for the next couple weeks.  Here some wonderful photos that I took on my 3rd visit to The Mission Ranch owned by Clint Eastwood, and feel free to take a look at some other links at the bottom of the post ... Vegas Bob meets Clint Eastwood Mission Ranch Carmel California ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnkAXxUhmMY Jun 13, 2012 – activerain.com... 08/23/2012

LOCALS NIGHT CARMEL   E l e c t i o n   N i g h tTuesday, April 10with aLocals’ Night Downtown Come Celebrate Carmel...Tuesday the Tenth...Election Night 2012!  Stroll the delightful streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea with your friends and neighbors and then dine at one of our many superb restaurants that will be offering Election Night Specials to local residents. The polls close at 8:00pm, so if you’re a Carmel-by-the-Sea voter, please don't forget to vote.You are invited to join the candidates and their supporters at Sunset Center's main lobby for an election night party. All of the candidates will be at City Hall while the ballots are counted and as soon as the results are announced, they will join the rest of us at Sunset Center. Doors open at 8:30pm and the program starts at 9:30pm. Whe... 04/10/2012

Carmel by the Sea Beach House Just Sold by Monterey Peninsula Home Team Carmel-by-the-Sea Homes for SaleCarmel Real Estate Market Report $2,700,000 Single Family Home Main Features 5 Bedrooms4 BathroomsInterior: 3,088 sqftLot: 9,000 sqft Location 2807 14th AveCarmel, CA 92923USA Mark, Lynda, Jeff  Monterey Peninsula Home Team(831) 917-8190mark.bruno@mphtre.comhttp://www.SearchMontereyPeninsulaHomes.com   Listed by: Monterey Peninsula Home Team - Coldwell Banker Our recent listings Stunning American Craftsman 12 Acre EstateCottage plus 3 Townhouses for sale in Pacific Grove774 Archer St in Monterey, CAEscape the Coastal FogLot for sale in Sand City, CA     Nearby properties for sale 03/06/2012

Clint Eastwood has certainly made an incredible impact on this world but perhaps one of his greatest achievements is not on the top of many lists. After living it last night it is on the top of mine and I thought it was well worth the tip of my hat.   Actor, producer, director, composer and even politician there is no way his contributions will ever be overlooked; The Outlaw Josey Wales was my father’s favorite but the list of films he made after his breakthrough role on Rawhide is stunning; A Fistful of Dollars, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Dead Pool, Play Misty for Me, The Bridges of Madison County and even the funny stuff like Every Which Way but Loose. And that is just of few of them.   His passion for film is evident but there is a small strip of C... 08/05/2011

Why You Need An Interior Designer in Monterey County   We have all watched the fabulous re-do's on television.  We have all bought furniture, carpeting, bedding, drapes, only to get it put all together and decide we did not like it.  Or  maybe you are tired of your surroundings, but don't know where to start.  Interior design professionals like Pam Meyer help you to avoid costly mistakes. Let me introduce you to Pam Meyer, ASID.  If you want the highest quality for the best price, Pam can turn your home into a work of art without breaking the budget.  Her studio is located in beautiful Carmel by the Sea in Monterey County.    When you want to sell your house, you hire a realtor.... if you need your plumbing repaired, you call a plumber... when you need to freshen up the look of your hom... 06/15/2011

People ask all the time "how is business?" Lately I have told them how busy I am; with multiple homes in escrow as well as plenty of listings. Am I busy closing deals or am I busy spinning my wheels? This week I have pondered this questions time and time again. Unless you have cash it might feel like you are spinning your wheels. One of my escrows that should have closed last month is moving at such a snails pace and I want to scream. What I realized is that I have not explained to my current clients (buyers but especially sellers) how the lending climate is effecting every deal. Buyers with even the best credit scores, great jobs and money in the bank are being scrutinized with a fine tooth comb. Some examples of this are: If unusual deposits have been made into an accounts there must ... 03/07/2010