Del Mar Home Decorating and Remodeling Show 2012 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Starts Today

That’s right, today is the start of the annual Del Mar Home Decorating and Remodeling Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar.

The Del Mar Home Decorating and Remodeling Show 2012 runs through Sunday the 29^th and is open 10 – 6 today, 10 - 7 tomorrow, and from 10 until 5 on Sunday.

And it’s FREE!! Except you do have to pay for parking ($9) as is true of most events at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

The theme of the Del Mar Home Decorating and Remodeling Show this year is “green” so you can expect to find a host of businesses offering environmental products.

The largest home show in San Diego, this event will showcase over 450 vendors.

If you are thinking or remodeling, or sprucing up your home, then this home show is for you! As they say in their advertising...fall in love with your home again!

Del Mar Home Decorating and Remodeling Show

Del Mar Fairgrounds

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard (at the Interstate 5 and Via de la Valle exit)

Del Mar, CA

And if you are thinking of buying a new Del Mar home to fix up, start your search below:

SEARCH FOR DEL MAR HOMES FOR SALE

SEARCH FOR DEL MAR BEACH COLONY HOMES FOR SALE

A Winter Walk Through the Meditation Gardens in Encinitas CA

I had a few minutes the other day while out previewing homes for several sets of relocating buyers and running errands and found myself in south Encinitas at the Self Realization Fellowship.

The Meditation Gardens are a wonderful place to take a few minutes to relax and step away from the world while strolling through these beautiful gardens that sit atop the ocean bluff. The peaks of the ocean area spectacular, as is the beauty within, and even in the dead of a Southern California winter, the Meditation Gardens offer incredible beauty and tranquility, as they are clearly intended to do.

There is even a guard who walks around to remind those who are a bit too talkative or loud and disturbing those who are there to enjoy the peace and quite, or meditate.

It's hard to believe, while there, that you are only steps away from bustling downtown Encinitas. Enjoy!!

The area adjacent to the Meditation Gardens is also a wonderful residential neighborhood with an eclectic mix of single family homes and condos, just steps away from downtown Encinitas shopping and dining, and the world famous Swami's surfing beach. Another Encinitas landmark, the Boathouses, are just down the street.

There is not a lot for sale in this immediate area typically But you can live on the bluff with fabulous ocean views just steps from Swamis and the Meditation Gardens  for about $3.6 million in a gorgeous single story 4-bedroom home. Or live on the water (bluff top) about 3 blocks to the south for $7.9+ million. Or if your budget is a bit less, you can own an oceanfront 1-bedroom condo for $689,000.

Looking for Encinitas homes for sale on the water or near downtown Encinitas? Use the links below to find that perfect home.

SEARCH FOR ENCINITAS HOMES FOR SALE

SEARCH FOR WATERFRONT HOMES FOR SALE IN ENCINITAS

SEARCH FOR TOWNHOMES FOR SALE IN ENCINITAS

Encinitas Condos for Sale at West Hampton Cove in Encinitas CA

Encinitas condo buyers – want to be close to the beach (some might even consider it walking distance?), near downtown Encinitas shopping and dining, and even get an ocean view?

Well, you can, and for under $350,000 at West Hampton Cove in Encinitas.

It’s a little hard to believe there are Encinitas condos for sale at West Hampton Cove for under $350,000 (and even under $300K) anyhow, but having this sort of proximity is pretty special.

Of course at these prices there is a trade-off, as you might expect if you have been paying attention to pricing in Encinitas.

What Happened in the Encinitas Real Estate Market in December 2011

West Hampton Cove is located just east of the 5 freeway, on a high bluff which affords some residents with distant ocean views.

But the nearby freeway means cars and trucks, which means noise.

There are 4 West Hampton Cove condos for sale in Encinitas for $325K or less, 3 of which are short sales; 1 unit (in need of some fixing) is at the edge of the bluff with ocean (and freeway) views. Yep, it’s a trade off. But it might be worth it depending on your perspective and budget. HOA fees are approximately $275/month currently.

6 West Hampton Cove condos have sold in Encinitas in the last 6 months at an average price of approximately $275,000 (99% of list price).

SEARCH FOR WEST HAMPTON COVE CONDOS FOR SALE

SEARCH FOR ENCINITAS HOMES FOR SALE

SEARCH FOR WATERFRONT HOMES FOR SALE IN ENCINITAS

SEARCH FOR TOWNHOMES FOR SALE IN ENCINITAS

4^th Annual Brasil Jazz Festa to be held February 26, 2012 in Encinitas CA

The 4^th Annual Brasil Jazz Festa 2012 will take place at the Encinitas public Library in Encinitas on Saturday February 26, 2012. Having been to all the prior concerts, I can tell you it’s great fun and the music is terrific.

Read More – Brasil Jazz Festa 2009 in Encinitas CA (check out the videos)

You can also learn more about the 4^th Annual Brazil Jazz Festa on their Facebook page.

The Brasil Jazz Festa 2012 will begin at 1:30 and last until approximately 4:15 pm.

The Festa will feature a number of San Diego notable jazz musicians/artists, including Allison Adams Tucker, the Danny Green Group, and the David Scheid Group featuring Mark Lamson.

Tickets are only $20 (and worth it) and can be reserved on-line. This is a small and intimate venue so you can really enjoy these musicians up close. And the views of the ocean in the distance aren’t too shabby.

Don’t miss the 4^th Annual Brasil Jazz Festa on February 26, 2012.

Encinitas Public Library

540 Cornish Drive

(a couple blocks east of downtown and Coast Road/Route 101)

Encinitas, CA

We all know video is playing a more significant role in marketing than ever before, and not just in real estate. Lots of agents have embraced video, some far better than others.

One might argue that any video is better than no video...it seems that those who post crappy MLS photos subscribe to that philosophy. While that may have been true when video was first catching on, I suspect that is far from true these days.

And even if there is a modicum of truth to this view, why be second rate or average?

Susan Harding shares some easy-to-implement and outstanding tips on improving your video and getting the most out of the time and effort you put in.

READ and DO! It's a winner.

Animate Your Relocating Buyers’ Interest with Animoto

I specialize in relocation, as a niche market, in part because I enjoy it, but also because I’ve made 4 major moves (over 1000 miles) with kids, cars, cats, dogs, and 2 jobs, so I know how to do it well.

I’ve also worked on relocation from a corporate perspective – setting up relocation programs, relocating employees in and out, and have used a couple of corporate relocation programs through my wife’s former companies when we moved to and from Minnesota. I get it.

But the point of my thinking here is generating interest and enthusiasm with your buyers who are relocating to your area. And using Animoto to create that enthusiasm and interest.

I’ve shared a recent slide show about Cardiff-by-the-Sea that I created in Animoto below. There are several great uses of this “video”.

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

Share it via email or send the link to a buyer who is relocating to give them an overall visual perspective on the area. This will say far more than you can ever say in words in just 20 – 30 photos, and if they know little or nothing of the area, this will tell the story they want to hear. And it demonstrates your knowledge of the area.

If you don’t already have photos in your database for the community or neighborhood, spend 30 minutes one day taking a bunch of photos. I now have about 10,000 photos of various communities, neighborhoods, complexes and so much more that I can use for creating slide shows, and of course using in Localism posts.

But don’t just think of this Animoto slide show as unique to that buyer. Once you have the slide show (it acts sorta like a video but isn’t) you can use it for others who are relocating without making any changes. But if you want to add or delete some pics, or add more text, it’s simple to do in just a few minutes.

Post your slide shows on community pages on your Wordpress website. And be sure to put them on YouTube, with keyword descriptions and an appropriate website you want viewers to visit.

Use your community Animoto shows for your listings, and be sure to show a prospective seller the show that you will use to help market their home!

Use your slideshows in your posts about the larger community, and in any Localism posts that relate to the community that you create (a restaurant, things to do, market reports).

I expect you can think of some other uses, as can I. Animoto gives you the option to include a clickable URL link (button) at the end  (for the Pro version) – I suggest you do so.

Have fun and be creative!

In case you are a reader who is interested in checking out the homes in this charming seaside community of Cardiff, you can do so using the link below.

 SEARCH FOR HOMES FOR SALE IN CARDIFF BY THE SEA CALIFORNIA

Enjoy the Panorama from the Panorama Condos in Lake San Marcos, San Marcos CA

Lake San Marcos is a resort residential community with private human-made lake and 2 golf courses on the east side of San Marcos bordering Carlsbad. Lake San Marcos offers a range of living options including condos, single family detached homes and 55+ housing for seniors.

READ MORE:

 San Marcos - A Thriving Inland Residential Community

 San Elijo Hills – Award-Winning Master Planned Community in San Marcos

Lake San Marcos – Resort and Residential Community in San Marcos, CA

A Video Tour Through the Lake San Marcos Community in San Marcos California 92078

Panorama Condos in Lake San Marcos, built in 1989-1990, offer a rather unique style of living in this community, being situated on the hills overlooking Lake San Marcos (the lake), and with spectacular panoramic views of San Marcos and the mountains to the east from many of the homes (approximately 160).

Panorama Condos are 2 and 3-bedroom with 2 baths ranging from 1022 SF to about 1339 SF (public record).

Panorama Condos offers a resident’s clubhouse, pool, spa and kitchen, but residents also can take advantage of the Lake San Marcos facilities including tennis and golf.

HOA fees are in the $300s, and units offer detached garage parking. Abundant shopping, dining and services are close by.

5 Panorama Condos sold in Lake San Marcos in 2011 at an average price of $271,800 at 94% of asking price, taking an average of 134 days to sell.

 Search for San Marcos Homes for Sale

Search for Lake San Marcos Homes for Sale

The Affordable Art Fair in Los Angeles, January 18 - 22, 2012

The Affordable Art Fair (I’ve never heard of an unaffordable one although some of the auctions you hear about certainly fit the bill) will be held in Los Angeles CA beginning TODAY, Wednesday January 18^th through Sunday the 22^nd.

I mention the Affordable Art Fair Los Angeles for all Southern California art lovers, and because I plan to be there Saturday. 

In our past lives as art gallery owners back in the Boston area we had a good artist friend, Peter Arvidson, whose works we have collected but who also sold very well in our gallery. He shows quite successfully at the Rice Polak Gallery in Provincetown on Cape Cod MA (one of my favorite galleries there), and the gallery, and owner Marla Rice who we know, will be there.

Time for a visit and to shop.

The Affordable Art Fair Los Angeles will feature a wide range of contemporary art work, likely to suit many tastes, and with prices from $100 to $10,000 (and most under $1000), most art lover budgets will be happy.

Tickets for the Affordable Art Fair Los Angeles can be purchased on-line for $20 for 1-day general admission (with other prices for special ticketed events).

Affordable Art Fair Los Angeles

Event Deck at L.A. live

1005 West Chick Hearn Court (parking)

Los Angeles, CA

Things to Do in Carlsbad - Carlsbad Marathon is this Sunday January 22, 2012

in Carlsbad CA

The Tri-City Medical Carlsbad Marathon will take place this weekend, on Sunday January 22, 2012 in Carlsbad.

The Carlsbad Marathons are always popular, with world class runners and plenty of viewers along the course, a significant portion of which is along the beautiful Carlsbad coastline on the historic Route 101/Coast Road (a.k.a. Carlsbad Boulevard).

And of course how many places can you run a marathon in January and not freeze your you-know-what?!

Take a drive with me along historic Route 101 (VIDEO)

In addition to the full marathon, there will be a Half Marathon, as well as a Kids Marathon Mile held at the world-famous Legoland in Carlsbad.

If you live in the area or are visiting, be aware there are some significant road closures for the event, beginning very early Sunday morning (to name a few - east bound lanes of Palomar Airport Road from El Camino to the Coast Road; Carlsbad Boulevard [the Coast Road] from La Costa Avenue all the way to the Buena Vista Lagoon).

Here’s the Spectators’ Guide so you can pick YOUR viewing spot!

Carlsbad Marathon is a qualifying marathon for the Boston Marathon.

The Health and Lifestyle Expo is Friday January 20 from 2 until 6 pm at the Plaza Camino Real Shopping Center off El Camino Real in Carlsbad (just south of the 78 freeway), both the Start and Finish lines are nearby. The Expo continues on Saturday from 10 until 5 and then on Sunday, race day, from 7 am until 12 noon.

What Happened in the Escondido Real Estate Market in December 2011?

Escondido is an inland community, about 15 miles from the coast adjacent to San Marcos. Like its neighbors, San Marcos, Vista and Oceanside, Escondido has seen fairly significant shifts in the real estate market with a large number of short sales and foreclosures.

READ MORE: A Tour of Escondido – A Diverse Inland San Diego Community

As a buyer or seller in the Escondido real estate market, understanding recent trends and current market conditions is essential so you can make informed decisions; media reports focus on general market conditions and therefore will not provide an accurate picture of the local Escondido real estate market.

The following data are taken from the San Diego MLS (private sales are not included in these statistics, nor are multifamily properties or mobile/manufactured homes). The data are believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed.

In December 2011 there were 154 homes sold in the Escondido real estate market, up 9% from November. Sales were up as were average prices for detached homes, and buyers negotiated a bit more on sales price, on average, than they did in November, about 3 – 4%.

Here’s the breakdown of overall activity.

There were 203 Escondido homes (33% of all active properties) on the market with a Contingent status, i.e., short sale or REO homes that have offers being considered by lenders. These are included in the statistics below.

At the end of December 2011 there were 618 Escondido homes for sale, about 13% fewer homes than in November, the 5^th month of decline and a fairly significant one. This represents an inventory of 3.7 months for attached homes (down from 4.9 months in November) and 4.2 months for detached homes (down from 4.8 months in November), based on the current rate of sales over the last 6 months.  Thus the market remains tight for buyers and in some areas seems to favor sellers.

READ MORE:   How Important is Inventory when Buying or Selling? Very!!

In December 127 homes came on the market, 7% fewer newly listed homes than in November, the 3^rd month of decline; the number of homes going pending (100) also decreased 15% from November pendings (118).

I am happy to provide more information about current real estate activity in the Escondido real estate market and answer any questions that you may have about current market conditions.

SEARCH FOR ESCONDIDO HOMES FOR SALE

READ MORE:

Escondido Homes for Sale – What Happened in the Escondido Real Estate Market in December 2011?

Escondido Homes for Sale | Escondido Real Estate Market Report for October 2011

Escondido Homes for Sale | Escondido Real Estate Market Report for September 2011

Escondido Homes for Sale | Escondido Real Estate Market Report for August 2011

Escondido Homes for Sale | Escondido Real Estate Market Report for July 2011

Escondido Homes for Sale | Escondido Real Estate Market Report for June 2011