As we come to the end of 2007 and look forward to 2008, many people are looking to change jobs (besides changing homes!).
My colleague is holding a special workshop next month called "The Right Fit". If you are thinking about making a career change or looking for a new job, do yourself a favor and give yourself an advantage by attending this 3 hour class!
Read more about it below and contact Nancy to make a reservation!
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CHANGING JOBS?
SEEKING A SECOND JOB?
A NEW CAREER ALTOGETHER?
Let me help you increase your chances of success in finding the RIGHT FIT, and SHORTEN your time searching by using techniques proven to have success rates in the 80%+ range, rather than the usual 4-14% that you probably have used in the past
After seventeen years interviewing, hiring, reviewing, training, managing, and coaching thousands of people in a high tech manufacturing environment, I can advise you on how to target the right company, and the right job at my workshop,
“The Right Fit”
January 12
9 am to 12 noon
San Diego North Chamber of Commerce
11650 Iberia Place #220
San Diego, CA 92128
$69 includes workbook (Chamber Members 10% discount)
Contact Nancy Canfield
619-871-9333 or
ncanf@san.rr.com
Reservations in advance, small class size
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Federal Discount Rate Drops 1/2 %
The Federal Reserve today surprised many banks and economists by lowering the Federal Discount Rate a full .500%.
The most immediate impact for most homeowners is drop in their home equity lines of credit. These loans are tied to Prime Rate, which has just dropped to 7.75%. A half percent drop in these rates is very significant.
The full impact on mortgage rates may take a few days to become evident, although we do expect to see a fall in some adjustable rate loans very quickly. Thirty year fixed rate loans are not dependent on Fed actions. If the market views the Fed moves as inflationary, fixed rate loans may actually rise.
Stay tuned, as we are sure there will be lots of rate news over the next few days.
The most immediate impact for most homeowners is drop in their home equity lines of credit. These loans are tied to Prime Rate, which has just dropped to 7.75%. A half percent drop in these rates is very significant.
The full impact on mortgage rates may take a few days to become evident, although we do expect to see a fall in some adjustable rate loans very quickly. Thirty year fixed rate loans are not dependent on Fed actions. If the market views the Fed moves as inflationary, fixed rate loans may actually rise.
Stay tuned, as we are sure there will be lots of rate news over the next few days.
Monday, September 03, 2007
JUST LISTED NEAR SAN ELIJO HILLS
Seller Asking $725,000.
Stunning views of La Costa and Carlsbad await you in this highly desirable 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath two story home near San Elijo Hills. Located in a quiet Cul-De-Sac high above the neighbors to the west, this is one of the few available homes that has no facing homes across the street and privacy in the backyard with incredible unobstructed views to the hills of La Costa and Carlsbad. Enjoy the convenience of one bedroom downstairs with its own private bath and patio. The Family Room includes a gas-fired fireplace and 42" Plasma TV with Bose Lifestyle Theater System. The Stainless Steel and Granite Kitchen features a center island walk-in pantry, and rich wood cabinetry. Whether you are in the kitchen, nook, master bedroom, master bathroom or spa you will enjoy breathtaking views! Upstairs, treat yourself to panoramic views from the large Master Bedroom that includes his and her closets, upgraded tile, beautiful accent tiles along the vanity, and still more views from the Master Bath! The backyard is very private and features a Spa with built-in waterfall. Old Creek Ranch is a great place to live with lots of hiking trails, community parks, tot lots, great access to freeways, shopping, and close to the La Costa Resort and San Elijo Park! Homeowners chose one of the very best lots in Dove Valley at Old Creek Ranch. Now, it can be yours!
Click Photo to View Virtual Tour
Saturday, August 11, 2007
TONIGHT: Twilight Concert on the Green
There's still time!!!!
The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society’s fundraiser concert, “From Broadway to Opera.” is being held tonight at the Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte.
Cost ranges from blanket seating for two people at $45 (commemorative blanket included) to premier gazebo seating for 10 at $3,500.
Other seating options available include chair, orchestra, sweetheart swings and golf carts.
Because box dinner and Café Merlot restaurant dining options are available, attendees can arrive as early as 5 p.m.
The concert will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Order tickets by calling 858-673-4647
or visit the Website: http://www.rbhistoricalsociety.org
The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society’s fundraiser concert, “From Broadway to Opera.” is being held tonight at the Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte.
Cost ranges from blanket seating for two people at $45 (commemorative blanket included) to premier gazebo seating for 10 at $3,500.
Other seating options available include chair, orchestra, sweetheart swings and golf carts.
Because box dinner and Café Merlot restaurant dining options are available, attendees can arrive as early as 5 p.m.
The concert will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Order tickets by calling 858-673-4647
or visit the Website: http://www.rbhistoricalsociety.org
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Spirit of Fourth Parade in Rancho Bernardo!
Many of you already know that I'm involved with the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society and our fund raising efforts to help build a new museum at the Bernardo Winery.
Back on May 26th we held a very successful "Pancake Breakfast and Concert" fundraiser at the winery. Next month on August 11th, we are planning a "Twilight Concert on the Green" fundraiser.
In the meanwhile, we were presented the opportunity to participate in this year's "Spirit of the Fourth" Parade in Rancho Bernardo. The challenge was to create a float in some 3 short weeks of planning.
The RB Historical Society Board asked me to build a model of the museum that would fit on top of a golf cart donated by the winery. It took me 2 weeks to build the model and today with the help of a couple of Historical Society members we mounted it and decorated the golf cart.
Tomorrow, I'll be riding in the float beginning around 3pm in RB. I hope I'll see some of you there!
Back on May 26th we held a very successful "Pancake Breakfast and Concert" fundraiser at the winery. Next month on August 11th, we are planning a "Twilight Concert on the Green" fundraiser.
In the meanwhile, we were presented the opportunity to participate in this year's "Spirit of the Fourth" Parade in Rancho Bernardo. The challenge was to create a float in some 3 short weeks of planning.
The RB Historical Society Board asked me to build a model of the museum that would fit on top of a golf cart donated by the winery. It took me 2 weeks to build the model and today with the help of a couple of Historical Society members we mounted it and decorated the golf cart.
Tomorrow, I'll be riding in the float beginning around 3pm in RB. I hope I'll see some of you there!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Interest Rates Update
Its been a while since I've posted the latest interest rates. Despite some of what you hear, rates are great if you have good credit scores! If your credit scores average below 680, you'll have to jump through a lot more hoops for the lenders.
Monday, April 23, 2007
4S Ranch in West Rancho Bernardo
21 miles north of San Diego just west of the community of Rancho Bernardo is a master planned community call 4S Ranch. Only a few years old and still being built, it already has the feeling of a traditional hometown with its tree-lined streets, parks, miles of walking paths and cozy shops. 4S Ranch is a 2,900 acre community that will accommodate over 4,700 homes from modern townhomes to large estate style homes. It has great access to the 15 freeway and additional roadways are gradually being opened with access to the coast and to the 56 freeway in the south.
It seems that every week something new is going in. In the beginning of 2007 we started to see shops moving into the brand new 4S Commons Town Center. At this point there are some 45 stores, banks and restaurants all opened for business. You'll find Ralphs Fresh Fare supermarket, Jimbo's Natural Foods, Cost Plus World Market, CVS Pharmacy, Ace Hardware and many more well-known stores settling in.
Another plus for 4S Ranch is that its located within the highly acclaimed Poway Unified School district which has had a long tradition of academic excellence. Already, two elementary schools have been built in 4S Ranch along with a new library. There's even a new Boys & Girls Club featuring non-stop activities on the weekends, during the summer, and after school. 4S Ranch was planned from the start to be an ideal place to raise a family.
With miles of walking trails and 1,600 acres of protected open space and so much to do outdoors you may not spend much time indoors. But if you do, you'll be connected. The entire community has been wired with high-speed broadband Intranet to connect neighbors to neighbors.
Besides being pre-wired, homes here are also equipped with residential fire sprinklers and other design features to minimize the risk of fires, always a danger in Southern California. In fact, homes in 4S Ranch are classified by the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District as Shelters-In-Place. Typically during a wildfire, the fire department orders an evacuation of the affected areas... during the resulting rush and chaos of an evacuation, many of the fire-related deaths have occured. The Shelter-In-Place designation in 4S Ranch means that you can safely stay within your fire-resistant home during a wildfire and not have a call to evacuate during a typical wildfire.
It seems that every week something new is going in. In the beginning of 2007 we started to see shops moving into the brand new 4S Commons Town Center. At this point there are some 45 stores, banks and restaurants all opened for business. You'll find Ralphs Fresh Fare supermarket, Jimbo's Natural Foods, Cost Plus World Market, CVS Pharmacy, Ace Hardware and many more well-known stores settling in.
Another plus for 4S Ranch is that its located within the highly acclaimed Poway Unified School district which has had a long tradition of academic excellence. Already, two elementary schools have been built in 4S Ranch along with a new library. There's even a new Boys & Girls Club featuring non-stop activities on the weekends, during the summer, and after school. 4S Ranch was planned from the start to be an ideal place to raise a family.
With miles of walking trails and 1,600 acres of protected open space and so much to do outdoors you may not spend much time indoors. But if you do, you'll be connected. The entire community has been wired with high-speed broadband Intranet to connect neighbors to neighbors.
Besides being pre-wired, homes here are also equipped with residential fire sprinklers and other design features to minimize the risk of fires, always a danger in Southern California. In fact, homes in 4S Ranch are classified by the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District as Shelters-In-Place. Typically during a wildfire, the fire department orders an evacuation of the affected areas... during the resulting rush and chaos of an evacuation, many of the fire-related deaths have occured. The Shelter-In-Place designation in 4S Ranch means that you can safely stay within your fire-resistant home during a wildfire and not have a call to evacuate during a typical wildfire.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Your Mortgage Saves You Taxes
Many first-time homebuyers that I work with come to me with a budget of how much they can afford on a new home. Often overlooked is the fact that mortgage interest is tax deductible and the cash savings can be pretty amazing. For example, a $500,000 loan has a payment of about $3,000 a month. But when you itemize deductions on your taxes, you'll receive over $600 a month back for the first year! So your actual monthly payment is $3,000 - $600 or $2,400! Don't forget to account for other monthly payments that come with home ownership like utilities, insurance, maintenance and property taxes (which is also tax deductible).
Of course, the tax savings varies on the loan's interest rate and your tax bracket. Yahoo has set up a nice little calculator that gives you an idea of how much money your mortgage deduction will get you.
Of course, the tax savings varies on the loan's interest rate and your tax bracket. Yahoo has set up a nice little calculator that gives you an idea of how much money your mortgage deduction will get you.
Friday, March 09, 2007
San Diego Region's New Traffic Service
We already know how bad San Diego traffic can be. Thankfully, there is a new way to assess traffic before you venture out. SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) has a new website that provides real-time traffic information, accident reports, and drive times.
See for yourself by clicking on the map below:
See for yourself by clicking on the map below:
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Spring Forward Much Sooner!
I never liked the idea of setting our clocks back in the fall. Its much nicer I think having the extra sunlight at the end of the day rather than the beginning.
Well, we will get to increase the number of weeks to enjoy later sunsets. In fact, Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act in 2005 that will give us 1 more month of Daylight Savings.
This year, Daylight Savings begins on March 11th and ends on November 4th. YEAH!
Over the next few weeks leading up to 3/11, we'll be hearing warnings of Y2K-like problems with computers and clocks since some equipment may not know about the early time change this year.
I'm not so worried. I'll be an hour ahead.
Well, we will get to increase the number of weeks to enjoy later sunsets. In fact, Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act in 2005 that will give us 1 more month of Daylight Savings.
This year, Daylight Savings begins on March 11th and ends on November 4th. YEAH!
Over the next few weeks leading up to 3/11, we'll be hearing warnings of Y2K-like problems with computers and clocks since some equipment may not know about the early time change this year.
I'm not so worried. I'll be an hour ahead.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Trip to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley
The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society is planning a trip to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley on Februrary 13, 2007. This is a fundraiser for the museum to help build a new permanent museum building. The trip costs $95 including lunch and transportation. Visit www.rbhistoricalsociety.org and click the “Calendar & Events” tab for more info.
The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society is a non-profit organization, dedicated to preserving the local history and increasing public awareness through programs and outreach. As a non-profit we depend on the community to help us accomplish our mission: volunteers, donations and contributions, memberships, and gifts to our collections.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Free Consumer Help
Do you know how to choose a home-improvement contractor? Or a long distance telephone plan? Or what to do if you're stuck with a bad car or a leaky dishwasher?
The new Consumer Action Website can help. It tells how to be a smart consumer, plus where and how to complain if you hit trouble. You can find addresses for companies from AAMCO to Zenith.
Log on to http://www.consumeraction.gov on the web. Or write to Consumer Action Handbook, Federal Consumer Information Center, Dept. 29, Pueblo, Colorado, 81009 for a free written copy.
The new Consumer Action Website can help. It tells how to be a smart consumer, plus where and how to complain if you hit trouble. You can find addresses for companies from AAMCO to Zenith.
Log on to http://www.consumeraction.gov on the web. Or write to Consumer Action Handbook, Federal Consumer Information Center, Dept. 29, Pueblo, Colorado, 81009 for a free written copy.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Real Estate Activity Way Up
For the first time in many months, one of my listings received 2 offers on the same day! This particular home was on the market for about 3 months with no offers during that period.
There seems to be a realization that property values are at a stable point and buyers are beginning to make their move. Two years ago, buyers in many cases had to settle with a home that perhaps did not have all the amenties they were looking for.... AND they had to pay top dollar for it. Today, there are some really nice homes available for sale. Home buyers are in a great position to pick out homes with the best views, the best upgrades, the best locations, at the best prices. Moreover, loan rates are still at historic lows. I'm working with several buyers now who had been waiting for months and feel now is finally the time.
Is it a good time to sell? What I've found in the local San Diego area is that homes that were bought over 2 years ago have generally had a net positive appreciation. The larger concern is that some homeowners have refinanced over the last 2 years up to 100% of the home's equity. Those homeowners are in a bind if they need to sell since they may not be able to cover the loans with what they can sell the house for. We are seeing many of these "shortsale" situations coming on the market.
Overall, it seems that we are entering a "normal" market where buyers and sellers are a lot more realistic.
There seems to be a realization that property values are at a stable point and buyers are beginning to make their move. Two years ago, buyers in many cases had to settle with a home that perhaps did not have all the amenties they were looking for.... AND they had to pay top dollar for it. Today, there are some really nice homes available for sale. Home buyers are in a great position to pick out homes with the best views, the best upgrades, the best locations, at the best prices. Moreover, loan rates are still at historic lows. I'm working with several buyers now who had been waiting for months and feel now is finally the time.
Is it a good time to sell? What I've found in the local San Diego area is that homes that were bought over 2 years ago have generally had a net positive appreciation. The larger concern is that some homeowners have refinanced over the last 2 years up to 100% of the home's equity. Those homeowners are in a bind if they need to sell since they may not be able to cover the loans with what they can sell the house for. We are seeing many of these "shortsale" situations coming on the market.
Overall, it seems that we are entering a "normal" market where buyers and sellers are a lot more realistic.
Monday, January 08, 2007
SOLD! 2 Bedroom detached in RB
This 2 bedroom home in the Rancho Bernardo community of Bernardo Heights sold for $420,000. I represented the sellers who have relocated out of state.
Click Photo to View Virtual Tour
Click Photo to View Virtual Tour
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