I was in San Diego County recently and I was in my car looking for an electronics store when suddenly this truck and trailor (gardener?) shot by me on the right and he was leaning his head out the window shouting obscene words and making obscene gestures and I wondered what had made him like that. All he gained was being in front of me at the next signal but boy, was he boiling over. I felt sorry for him, sent him a warm mental hug, and hoped he would feel it. What put such a destructive spin on an otherwise beautiful day? Other than the obvious level of stress caused by a shortage of money or an angry spouse, I believe it begins at home. My guess whatever caused the stress/anger/frustration can be prevented. Can road rage can come from a little thing like not being able to find one's c... 07/01/2008

San Marcos is a growing and thriving community just east of Carlsbad. A broad range of housing that is more affordable than it's westerly neighbor, similar weather, and a large commercial and retail area have contributed to the growing popularity of San Marcos for many local buyers and those who are relocating. Buyers looking at San Marcos real estate will be encouraged by the inventory and diversity of newer and homes, and a variety of different communities. Read: San Marcos - A Thriving Community On the northern edge of San Marcos is the large residential community of Santa Fe Hills. Located within a mile or two of much of the San Marcos shopping (the newly expanded Grand shopping center features Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls and a host of other popular retailers), with Palomar College ne... 06/21/2008

San Elijo Hills is a recently built (still under construction) master planned commnunity in San Marcos, built on the highest point in North County San Diego. Fabulous views, quality builders, a focus on walkability, and a feeling of a self-contained village combine to make this one of the more popular residential neighborhoods in north San Diego. Real estate in San Elijo Hills varies widely, with both attached and detached homes ranging in price from the $300,000s to around $2 million for the most expensive and newest homes being built at the summit at Symphony and Masterpiece. You'll find homes in both gated and ungated communities. You will find both brand new San Elijo Hills homes as well as resales. Read: San Marcos - A Thriving Community San Elijo Hills - Award Winning Master Plann... 06/17/2008

Detached Homes in Zip Code 92078.  New Listings 78 Average List Price $591,398 Listing Sold 37 Average Sales Price $534,040 Homes are selling for 90% of the list price Average days on market are 83. Months of Inventory are 4.   Detached Homes in Zip Code 92069.  New Listings 65 Average List Price is $453,943. Listings Sold 24 Average Sales Price is $407,839 Homes are selling for 89% of the list price. Average days on market are 43. Months of Inventory are 5   Attached Homes in Zip Code 92078.  New Listings 40 Average List Price is $304,679 Listings Sold 20 Average Sales Price is $278,000 Homes are selling for 91% of the listing price. Average days on market are 57. Months of Inventory are 4.   Attached Homes in Zip Code 92069.  New Listings 19 Average List Price is $189,000. Listings So... 05/25/2008

The city unnveiled plans to revamp several blocks of Mission Avenue west of the civic complex at the Richmar Specific Plan Workshop on May 6.  For several years the City Hall area of downtown has been an incongruous island of development surrounded by old and uncoordinated properties. The project envisions the city as a modern mixed-used development similar to the successful Plaza de Paseo to the west.  The new project includes 65 acres of property and is roughly bounded by Richmar Ave to the north, Woodward Street to the east, Pico Ave to the west and Autumn Dr to the south. Three new parks will be built in the project area as well as a senior housing project. Area Traffic flow is also under scrutiny for improvement.     This information was obtain from the recently City Council meeting. 05/23/2008

San Marcos, California is facing a decision, whether to slow growth down or promote a no growth movement. The City of San Marcos, is looking at voting in a slow to no growth movement. This has brought a lot of attention to the many projects that are pending. The City Council is going to hold hearing on this issue. Please pay attention to this issue, when it comes up for the discussion via the City Council. Participate, this is something that will impact you as a residence. Check out the upcoming dates for discussion of this issue. Go to:ci.san-marcos.ca.us/com.    04/13/2008

This is for the month of March 2008, Single Family Detach homes.Zip Code 92069New Listings     67Sold Listings     21Average Sales Price $414, to 391,000.Days on market  61.Inventory three months.Zip Code 92078New Listings     80Sold Listings    15Average sales Price $530,000 to 571,460.Days on Market 65Inventory four months. As you can see the inventory is shrinking. 04/08/2008

Lake San Marcos is a residential resort golf community in San Marcos, California. The community has a long-standing reputation as a retirement community, with ideal weather, reasonable home prices, and a number of amenities. Read: Lake San Marcos Residential and Resort Community in San Marcos, CA Folks are often interested in the community of Lake San Marcos because of the two golf courses. But the other major attraction is the man-made lake, which offers boating and fishing for residents (both rental and homeowner) and guests of the resort hotel. Here are some things to know and some contact information: Fishing is allowed from the public dock on La Plaza Drive, the south end of the picnic grove to the first house on the west side, and from private boats Some homes have boat slips (fo... 04/01/2008

Yes, Cal State San Marcos, is looking to expand it present location, it is investigation the Temecula, Ca area, only two things are needed it must select the location in Temecula and find funding. With all the current educational cut backs that are occurring in the California educational system, it is surprisingly nice to hear that Cal State San Marcos is making an effort to expand its campuses.Stay tuned! 04/01/2008

The creek task force decided months ago that the development plan should require 15 percent of the creek district's housing be affordable, but the finishing touches city staff are putting on the specific plan this month will recommend how developers should spread that housing around, Malone said."It's not a big deal whether we sprinkle some affordable housing throughout a project, or whether we build a separate project made up entirely of affordable units, but we want to set up policies for how to do both of those things," said Malone.The city has a large pool of money earmarked for housing that is sold or rented below market rates that it can use to help developers out, said Malone, but he stressed that the developers will still be required to make significant financial contributions t... 03/21/2008

February Statistical Data for Real Estate in San Marcos. Ca.Zip Code 92078--Detached.New Listings-----76Sold Listings-----23Average Sales Price $508,361Days on Market----7030%  sold.Currently there is 9 months of inventory in 92078 zip code.Zip Code 92069--Detached.New Listings-----77Sold Listings-----18Average Sales Price $394,301Days on Market----9323%  sold.Currently there is 6 months of inventory in 92069 zip code.This information was obtain from Sandicor (MLS)   03/14/2008

Fire Stations Please take note of the location of the nearest fire station in your community of San Marcos, Calif. It is without a doubt a valuable piece of information to have at you disposal.The San Marcos Fire Department provides service from four fire stations geographically located throughout the City.  Station One is located at 180 West Mission Road which is in the center part of the City.  Station One houses one paramedic engine company, one paramedic truck company, one paramedic rescue, and one paramedic ambulance.  Station Two is located at 1250 South Rancho Santa Fe Road and houses one paramedic engine company and one paramedic ambulance.  Station Three is located at 404 Woodland Parkway and houses one paramedic engine company.  Station Fouris located at 1167 Elfin Forest Road... 03/13/2008

San Marcos is a nice little hamlet of a community nestle in the foothills of San Diego County. Many people think it is the Beverly Hills of this area. Some local hot spots in this area are:Lake San Marcos, which is a small haven of friendly people and great homes, and it sports a man made lake that you can take your house boat out on.California State University San Marcos, a great campus and school, it almost rivals Pepperdine College. It is also one of the youngest schools in the California State University system.Palomar College is a great junior college that keeps growing every year. It is infamous for it geodesic dome design class room/gym. Very affordable to attend.A must to visit is Old California Restaurant Row, it tauts many find dining experiences from the culinary awesome to t... 03/09/2008

San Marcos Unified School District's attendance boundaries have been recommended to change for the next year, requiring about 1,200 students to change schools.  In revolt, a handful of parents at a meeting on Wednesday spoke out against portions of the recommended change.Representatives of the district's attendance committee presented their recommendations for these changes Wednesday night.  The board is expected to vote on these changes during a meeting to begin at 6 pm, March 12th, at the North County Regional Education Center, 255 Pico Ave. Suit 250, in San Marcos.The committee for the change was made up of 33 parents, teachers and administrators, representing each elementary school in their district.  These recommendations are similar to those proposed by the initial revisions draft... 03/06/2008

After nearly three decades, and about 100 million in costs, the new 22 mile passenger train between Oceanside and Escondido will finally open to the public.  Officials have blamed slow inspections and equipment signaling malfunctions for their late opening since December.Still lacking the final safety approval, Pete Aadland, spokesman for the North County Transit District, expects the commissions ‘ok' by the end of the week.The first run is scheduled to be at 4.33 am Sunday in Escondido and arrive at Vista at 5 am, then pull into the Oceanside Transit center at 5.26.  (However, don't forget day-light saving time!)To board the sprinter, riders must buy tickets at any of the 15 stations by credit card or cash in an automatic ticket machine.  There will be a crew of volunteers available to... 03/06/2008

The residential community of Santa Fe Hills in San Marcos is a well-established attractive community on rolling hills in north San Marcos. Built in the 1990s and into the early 2000s, Santa Fe Hills is an appealing neighborhood and where many first time buyers settle. San Marcos is located about 35 miles north and east of San Diego and inland from the coast about 10 miles. Located in a valley with large hills (not sure they qualify as mountains) on several sides, the climate is somewhat transitional from coastal, with ocean breezes and some marine layer, to more inland with higher temperatures. You can readily get to the coast using the 78 freeway (running from Escondido, to the east, to Oceanside) or San Marcos Boulevard which becomes Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad. Beaches are 20-3... 03/06/2008

Jeff Seymour is recovering from back surgery, and while he was waiting in the doctors office waiting room an idea struck him, in how to brighten the life's of the troops over sea's. Magazines. Jeff is collecting truck loads of magazines, and is delivering them to Mira Mar Navel station to be shipped over sea's to our troops. He has expanded is quest, he also is collecting sunglasses, and beanies. Jeff's endeavors provide a little bit of home for the troops. Especially now when so many of our troops are in harms way. If you live locally and wish to contact Jeff his numer is 760-525-9582.Lorraine 03/05/2008

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2008Time:  9 AM to 12 PM Info: This easy to moderate difficulty, 3- to 5-mile hike will visit the Agua Hedionda and Buena Ponds and the San Diego County Water Authority easement. We will spend some time helping clean up the pond area. The more difficult portion of the hike will continue up to Owens Peak and loop back to Las Posas Park. Bags and gloves will be provided for the trash pick up.Meeting location: Las Posas Park - corner of Borden and Las Posas Roads. 03/04/2008

San Marcos is off to a great start for the month of January 2008. Here is the local information on the real estate market.Zip Code 92078New Active Listing ---------- 72Sold -------------------------21average Sales Price -------$621,519Average Days on market 10995.93% of list price.29% of the listing sold.Zip Code 92069New Active Listing ------------60Sold --------------------------- 9Average Sale price $473,70095.83% of list price. 15% of the listing sold.Average Days on Market 74 This informatation was obtain from Sandicor (MLS).  03/02/2008

I just posted the maps of the North County NODs and Trustee sales.  The REO map shows the same story.  If you live in San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside, or Escondido, your home's value may be affected by the foreclosure events that you see on the news.   Here's the bank-owned map we generated from information provided to us from a title company:As you can see the REOs in the data are pretty thin along the coastal zone (except a few in Oceanside).  These are almost completely inland.  So, if you're shopping inland, MAKE SURE YOU'RE CAREFUL.  You don't want to lose value your first year if you can avoid it, and there are obvioulsy areas in all of these places where you run the risk of losing substantial value if you're not careful.Call us if we can help.John Hokkanen, Encinitas Real Estate 02/29/2008