Anthony Iasi

It was a FUN 4th of July!

2008-07-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, a group of us Rancho Bernardo residents have been working hard to raise funds for the construction of a new history museum on the grounds of the Bernardo Winery.

We are very close to meeting the $300,000 level needed to start contruction. We have several events planned, one of which is the Twilight Concert on the Green coming up on August 16th... please come!

This 4th I decorated a golf cart we borrowed from the Winery and drove it through the parade on Bernardo Center Drive in Rancho Bernardo. It was wonderful seeing many of you out there waving and giving us the thumbs up :)

Click here to view a couple of pictures.

Are You Ready for the New Cellphone Law?

2008-06-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

Under a new California law, all drivers will be prohibited from using handheld wireless devices, including cell phones, while driving beginning July 1. Driver's 18 and older may use a headset or other hands-free device, but drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using any form of wireless telephone communication device while driving, even with a hands-free device. Drivers who violate the new laws face fines of up to $190.

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions put together by the California Highway Patrol:

Q: When do the new wireless telephone laws take effect?
A: The new laws take effect July 1, 2008

Q: What is the difference between the two laws?
A: The first law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. (Vehicle Code (VC) §23123). Motorists 18 and over may use a hands-free device. The second law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless telephone or a hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle (VC §23124).

Q: What if I need to use my telephone during an emergency, and I do not have a hands- free device?
A: The law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.

Q: What are the fines if I’m convicted?
A: The base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. According to the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule, with the addition of penalty assessments, a first offense is $76 and a second offense is $190.

Q: Will I receive a point on my drivers license if I’m convicted for a violation of the wireless telephone law?
A: NO. The violation is a reportable offense: however, DMV will not assign a violation point.

Q: Will the conviction appear on my driving record?
A: Yes, but the violation point will not be added.

Q: Will there be a grace period when motorists will only get a warning?A: NO. The law becomes in effect on July 1, 2008. Whether a citation is issued is always at the discretion of the officer based upon his or her determination of the most appropriate remedy for the situation.Q: Are passengers affected by this law?
A: No. This law only applies to the person driving a motor vehicle.

Q: Do these laws apply to out-of-state drivers whose home states do not have such laws?
A: Yes

Q: Can I be pulled over by a law enforcement officer for using my handheld wireless telephone?A: YES. A law enforcement officer can pull you over just for this infraction.

Q: What if my phone has a push-to-talk feature, can I use that?
A: No. The law does provide an exception for those operating a commercial motor truck or truck tractor (excluding pickups), implements of husbandry, farm vehicle or tow truck, to use a two-way radio operated by a “push-to-talk” feature. However, a push-to-talk feature attached to a hands-free ear piece or other hands-free device is acceptable.

Q: What other exceptions are there?
A: Operators of an authorized emergency vehicle during the course of employment are exempt as are those motorists operating a vehicle on private property
DRIVERS 18 AND OVER Drivers 18 and over will be allowed to use a hands-free device to talk on their wireless telephone while driving. The following FAQs apply to those motorists 18 and over.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?
A: The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.

Q: Will it be legal to use a Blue Tooth or other earpiece?
A: Yes, however you cannot have BOTH ears covered.

Q: Does the new hands-free law allow you to use the speaker phone function of your wireless telephone while driving?
A: Yes.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law allow drivers 18 and over to text page while driving?
A: The law does not specifically prohibit that, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer’s opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Text paging while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discouraged.

DRIVERS UNDER 18
Q: Am I allowed to use my wireless telephone hands free?
A: NO. Drivers under the age of 18 may not use a wireless telephone, pager, laptop or any other electronic communication or mobile services device to speak or text while driving in any manner, even hands free. EXCEPTION: Permitted in emergency situations to call police, fire or medical authorities. (VC §23124).

Q: Why is the law stricter for provisional drivers?
A: Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to be involved in crashes because they lack driving experience and tend to take greater risks. Teen drivers are vulnerable to driving distractions such as talking with passengers, eating or drinking, and talking or texting on wireless phones, which increase the chance of getting involved in serious vehicle crashes.

Q: Can my parents give me permission to allow me to use my wireless telephone while driving?A: NO. The only exception is an emergency situation that requires you to call a law enforcement agency, a health care provider, the fire department or other emergency agency entity.

Q: Does the law apply to me if I’m an emancipated minor?
A: Yes. The restriction applies to all licensed drivers who are under the age of 18.

Q: If I have my parent(s) or someone age 25 years or older in the car with me, may I use my wireless telephone while driving?
A: NO. You may only use your wireless telephone in an emergency situation.

Q: Will the restriction appear on my provisional license?
A: No

Q: May I use the hands-free feature while driving if my car has the feature built in?
A: NO. The law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using any type of wireless device while driving, except in an emergency situation.

Q: Can a law enforcement officer stop me for using my hands-free device while driving?
A: No. For drivers under the age of 18, this is considered a SECONDARY violation meaning that a law enforcement officer may cite you for using a hands-free wireless phone if you were pulled over for another violation. However, the prohibition against using a handheld wireless telephone while driving is a PRIMARY violation for which a law enforcement officer can pull you over.

(Source: California Highway Patrol)

What? Multiple Offers?

2008-06-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

I'm seeing more and more a situation that I thought was to be extinct for some time. Back in 2004 and 2005 many of my buyers were faced with bidding against multiple offers on homes. By the time the bidding war was over, the home sold for well over asking price. I had many cases where my buyers would lose the bid on a home and start all over again on another home. This would go on for up to a dozen times.

Fast forward to today. A completely different market where homes have dropped in value up to 22%, foreclosures dot the landscape, and banks own more real estate than they know what to do with. Yet, I have clients who are trying to buy a home as soon as it gets listed and they are being beat out by other bidders. On one house, the seller told me that they had some 20 offers. Whats going on here?

Don't get me wrong, most homes are taking a long time to sell and buyers are in control when it comes to negotiating a great price. Where I am seeing the 2004 style bidding wars is on Bank Owned homes. These are properties that the bank foreclosed on and evicted the former homeowners. Many times these homes go to the banks in horrible condition-- damaged walls, broken fixtures, filthy carpeting, etc. Some banks fix the homes up to make them sell faster and they do.

There are some really nice bank-owned homes available at a great price. These attract many buyers and the inevitable bidding wars. Its very frustrating to buyers who don't expect to compete with other buyers when every newspaper talks about a buyers market. Still, these bank-owned homes do sell for bargain prices compared to most other homes. And the buyers do feel that they are lucky in getting what they believe is a better price than what the average buyer is spending on a house!

Rancho Bernardo Museum Ground Breaking Ceremony

2008-02-11T08:58:00.000-08:00

The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society has come a long way. After years of planning and fundraising, ground has been broken on a new museum building to be built on the grounds of the Bernardo Winery! As many of you may already know from my prior postings, I have been a board member of the RBHS for the last 2 years and have had the priviledge to be involved with this wonderful project.

This Saturday, February 9th, Ken Kramer, host of About San Diego and reporter for NBC 7/39 welcomed over 160 visitors to this historic event. County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and Councilmember Brian Maienschein were also present to reaffirm their support.

It takes lots of dedicated work from volunteers, contributors, and supporters to go from a dream to what will become a beautiful new building. I must acknowledge the sponsors for this particular event who provided the food, shovels, decorations, and money... Merrill Lynch, Cafe Merlot, Bernardo Winery, Dixieline Lumber, Bernardo Gardeners. Thanks to you all!

Please visit our RBHS website and help us continue our fundraising as we begin the year-long construction phase!

Thanks!!

Start Making Plans for Next Year!

2007-12-30T17:36:00.000-08:00

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!

====================================

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

Federal Discount Rate Drops 1/2 %

2007-09-18T22:37:00.000-07:00

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.

JUST LISTED NEAR SAN ELIJO HILLS

2007-09-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

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

TONIGHT: Twilight Concert on the Green

2007-08-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

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

Spirit of Fourth Parade in Rancho Bernardo!

2007-07-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

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!

Interest Rates Update

2007-05-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

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.

4S Ranch in West Rancho Bernardo

2007-04-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Your Mortgage Saves You Taxes

2007-03-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

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.

San Diego Region's New Traffic Service

2007-03-09T21:39:00.000-08:00

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:

Interest Rates

2007-03-08T20:41:00.000-08:00

Interest rates continue to be stable. Take a look at today's numbers:

Spring Forward Much Sooner!

2007-02-20T22:34:00.000-08:00

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.

Trip to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley

2007-02-05T19:59:00.000-08:00

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.

Free Consumer Help

2007-01-27T22:45:00.000-08:00

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.

Interest Rates Overview

2007-01-26T18:07:00.000-08:00

Here are the typical interest rates here in San Diego:

Real Estate Activity Way Up

2007-01-24T20:22:00.000-08:00

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.

SOLD! 2 Bedroom detached in RB

2007-01-08T23:03:00.000-08:00

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

Today's Interest Rates

2006-12-08T17:52:00.000-08:00

Have you heard that interest rates on a new home loan are as low as they have been in a long time? Take a look at some typical rates:

Something cool that Xerox is doing

2006-11-30T20:24:00.000-08:00

If you go to this web site, http://www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!

This is a great site.

Please send a card. You can even select from several pre-written messages if you don't know what to write.

It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against t he war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them...

Thanks to Priscilla B. who contributed this article!

Another Listing, An Affordable Condo!

2006-11-21T21:29:00.000-08:00

Spacious 1,578 sqft, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths Rancho Bernardo townhome in the award winning Westwood community. Walk to Westwood Club, elementary school, bus stop for middle and high schools, and tons of local shopping. Cul de sac location among many trees and in a very private setting!

Asking price is between $385,000 and 435,876

Click Photo to View Virtual Tour

You can also find out more about this home by entering the search code PRU7Q2C7 in any Yahoo! search window.

New Listing in Westwood Rancho Bernardo

2006-11-20T18:01:00.000-08:00

Comfortable 1,401 sf, 3 bedroom, 2 bath single floor home on a quiet, cul-de-sac in the established neighborhood of Westwood! Open the front door and you'll discover that this home is open and bright with room for your largest furniture! The cozy backyard includes a large fig tree and many flowering plants to the delight of any gardener. Need to play some tennis or relax at the pool after dropping the kids off to school? The Westwood Club is close by and not far is the award winning Westwood Elementary School. Oh, and watch out for the friendly bears in the backyard ;)

Asking price is between $500,000 and $549,876

Click Photo to View Virtual Tour

You can also find out more about this home by entering the search code PRU3N9D7 in any Yahoo! search window.

Just Listed in Poway: 4 Bed/2 Bath/1501sf

2006-10-30T22:56:00.000-08:00

This single-story model is rarely available and sought after for its great location, roomy kitchen with stainless steel appliances, open floorplan, fireplace, attached 2-car garage, tile roof, ceiling fans, alarm system, and sliding doors to the backyard. The home has recently been remodeled with a new kitchen, all new windows, upgraded bathrooms, carpeting, and modern paint colors. No need to do a thing... just move right in! Enjoy a private BBQ next to the freestanding covered patio or relax on the lush oversized backyard lawn. Tall trees behind the house provides for the perfect level of shade on those sunny San Diego days. The freestanding canopy over the patio stays and is a wonderful place to relax the day away. The property line extends beyond the rear fence and some neighbors have built a deck over the rear slope to further take advantage of the priceless views. Owner states that a wonderful breeze frequently flows up the canyon behind the home to provide natural and refreshing cooling. The sunsets to the West are breathtaking and this home is conveniently located with I-15 and Pomerado Road just minutes away. Avoid the rush hour traffic heading up the 15 and enjoy a central location near major areas of employment. No Homeowner fees and no Mello Roos!!!

Seller entertaining offers between $535,000 and $585,876.

Click Photo to View Virtual Tour

You can also find out more about this home by entering the search code PRU8X3H6 in any Yahoo! search window.

Rancho Bernardo Rotary Fundraiser

2006-10-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

The First Annual R.B. Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament will be held Monday, October 30th on the beautiful Fountains Course at the Welk Resort off HWY 15 north of Escondido. Registration starts at 11:30am, golf at 1:00pm. Golfers of any level are encouraged to attend. The $100 registration fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, box lunch, dinner, and many golf-related prizes. There will also be $10,000 hole-in-one and $5,000 putting contests. They're also raising funds to sponsor a day of golf at this event for Marines from the San Diego area with a $100 donation per Marine.

For more information contact John O’Neill at 858-487-8800 or register online at http://rbrotarygolftourney.golfregistrations.com

New Local Museum Planned

2006-10-25T22:53:00.000-07:00

The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society is planning a new museum building on the grounds of the Bernardo Winery located in Rancho Bernardo. Use of the land was donated by the Winery and a $600,000 capital drive is underway for building construction.

A virtual tour featuring the existing temporary museum and plans for the new building can be seen here.

A Pancake Breakfast fundraiser will be held on Veteran’s Day, November 11th at the Winery from 7am to 11am. There will be food, live entertainment, and prize drawings. $5/person. Contact Susan Floyd at 858-248-2030 or 858-487-4599 for tickets info or visit www.RBHistoricalSociety.org to learn how you can help!

Getting Ready For Fall

2006-10-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

Temperatures are dipping and nights are growing cooler - the perfect time for a home heating system checkup. Savings, efficiency, comfort and maintenance are all important this season. Without yearly cleaning and inspection, a heating system can wear itself out fast. Here are some maintenance tips to keep your system running at peak efficiency and make the seasonal transition more comfortable and costeffective:

• Have ducts cleaned and sealed by a professional every three to five years.
• Clean or replace furnace filters about every two months.
• Use ceiling fans. They are a useful tool to keep the house warm. Heat rises and the ceiling fans push the heat back down.
• Turn down the thermostat. Homeowners can save 8 percent to 10 percent on their annual heating costs by turning the thermostat from 72 F down to 65 F at night.
• Trim or remove grass, weeds and leaves from around the outdoor heating and cooling unit. When airflow, air return and distribution vents are blocked, it puts a strain on the system and lowers efficiency.
• Use caulking or expanding spray foam to seal spaces around pipes and wires that lead from the attic or crawl space into the home.
• Place weather stripping around door frames and at the top and bottom of window sashes. Insulate attic doors and pull-downs.
• Upgrade older heating systems to optimize energy consumption. A Hybrid Heat system allows homeowners to heat their home by joining a heat pump with a gas furnace. This allows homeowners to choose between gas or electricity for their heating fuel, whichever would be more efficient for local weather and energy cost conditions.

8 Financing Tips

2006-10-18T23:37:00.000-07:00

Thinking about getting a home? Think about the mortgage first!

1. Don't Stretch Your Loan Qualification Limits to Buy a Home Beyond Your Budget.
Living poor just to own a bigger or better home, makes for larger mortgage payments and risks difficulties in the future.

2. Get a Written Confirmation of Your Locked-In Interest Rate and Interest Rate Terms.

3. Understand All the Conditions of Your Loan.
You or a professional that you trust should thoroughly scrutinize each document.

4. Understand the Unique Terms of Your Loan.
There are many types of interest-only loans out there. Make sure you understand the details of your particular type of loan.

5. Pick the Right Kind of Loan.
Rates are higher on 30 year loans than on comparable 15 year loans. That's because there is a greater risk that rates will go up the longer the lender commits to a fixed rate.

6. If You are Buying Rather Than Refinancing, Consider Getting a Pre-approved Mortgage or Contingent Loan Approval Letter.
The former is a binding commitment for a loan up to a certain amount. It can strengthen your negotiating position with the seller, but it puts pressure on you to close a deal before the loan commitment expires.

7. Save Everything.
Keep copies of everything you send the lender and everything the lender sends you.

8. Take Advantage of the Deduction.
The mortgage interest deduction is one of the few remaining tax deductible interest payments, and it's also the cheapest form of long term financing.

Home Sellers Providing Incentives

2006-10-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

The increasing inventory of available homes for sale has forced many sellers to reduce the asking price of their homes.

An alternative approach to reducing price is to pay down the interest rate a potential buyer would pay. This is called a buydown and it is typically cheaper to do than to reduce the price of the house.

A buydown is a type of financing where the buyer or seller pays extra points to reduce the interest rate on a loan. Buydowns make it easier to qualify for a loan because they lower a loan's interest rate. They can also allow you to buy more house for your money.

Sellers benefit from assisting with a buydown by increaseing the buyers ability to qualify for a loan, therefore, allowing the home to be sold quicker.

The Importance of an Appraisal

2006-10-10T23:37:00.000-07:00

An appraiser is a professional person who can tell you what your home is worth. The appraiser will come to your house and list the number and size of the rooms and any extras, such as a fireplace, porch, pool, or garage. The appraiser will compare your home and property to other homes that have sold recently with similar features. The appraiser then estimates that your home might sell for approximately the same amount of money as similar homes. This is called an "appraisal." In short, an appraisal is the estimated amount of money your home may sell for.

Home Inspections Are Not Appraisals!

A property appraisal is a document that provides an estimate of a property's market value. Lenders require appraisals on properties prior to loan approval to ensure that the mortgage loan amount is not more than the value of the property. Appraisals are for lenders; home inspections are for buyers.

What's My Property Worth?

It is common to ask the appraiser this question as soon as the appraiser has inspected the property. The truth is at that time the appraiser doesn't yet know. The inspection is the first step of many that the appraiser must complete before a value is determined.

The appraiser measures the house from the outside to determine square footage. The appraiser takes notes concerning the features of your house such as room layout, number of bedrooms, baths, etc. The appraiser also makes a determination of the general condition, appeal and functional layout of your house. All of these items are taken into consideration in the appraisal report.

Inspect Before You Buy

2006-10-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

Buying a home is one of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime, so you should be sure that the home you want to buy is in good condition. A home inspection is an evaluation of a home's condition by a trained expert. During a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth and impartial look at the property you plan to buy. The inspector will review the readily accessible exposed portions of the structure of the home, including the roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, basement and foundation, as well as the heating/air conditioning systems, interior plumbing, and electrical systems for potential problems. Home inspections are not intended to point out every small problem or any latent defect in a home. Most minor or cosmetic flaws, for example, should be apparent to the buyer without the aid of a professional.

During the Home Inspection

While not necessary, it is recommended that the buyer be present for the inspection. This allows the buyer to observe the inspector, ask questions directly, and obtain a better understanding of the condition of the home, how its systems work, and how to maintain it. The written report may be easier to understand if the buyer was present during the inspection. It is important that safe access and sufficient lighting is provided so that the inspector can inspect the property.

At the conclusion of the home inspection, the buyer should be well informed of the condition of the home. It should be known if there are visible, apparent problems, if repairs need to be made, or whether or not there are any risks of concealed damage, and whether further investigation is recommended and/or required. After the inspection is complete, you will receive a written report of the findings, usually within five to seven days.

Spending Hundreds May Save You Thousands

When you make a written offer on a home, you should insist that the contract state that the offer is contingent on a home inspection conducted by a qualified inspector. You will have to pay for the inspection yourself, but it could keep you from buying a house that will cost you far more in repairs down the road. If you are satisfied with the results of the inspection, then your offer can proceed.

It should be clearly understood that a home inspection is not to be confused with an appraisal, a building code inspection, a guarantee of any kind, and/or an insurance policy on the condition of the property.

Selecting a Home Inspector

As the homebuyer, it is your responsibility to carefully select a qualified inspector and pay for the inspection. The following sources may help you find a home inspector:

State regulatory authorities.

Professional organizations.

The Internet or phone book.
Your real estate agent.

Other Inspections and Tests to Consider

It is strongly recommended that potential buyers consider having the following inspections and/or tests performed prior to signing the final purchase agreement:
lead paint, pests, wood destroying insects, and air quality, including radon gas. While some home inspectors are qualified to offer these services, these inspections and tests are not part of the basic home inspection and should be contracted through qualified licensed professionals in those fields.

Should You Have Your Ducts Cleaned?

2006-10-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These services typically but not always range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination.

Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning. Typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.

When buying a home, make sure you evaluate whether you need to have the ducts cleaned. In reality, most of my buyers don't have it done unless we have a case where the system is old and obviously dirty.

Interest Rates

2006-10-03T22:54:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest rates....

Avoid the Disaster of a Home Water Leak

2006-09-26T23:24:00.000-07:00

One of my clients recently went on a business trip for a couple of days. Naturally, he did all the normal things you would do when leaving a home unattended for a period of time. He made sure that all the doors were locked, that the TV, computer, and other electrical items were turned off, and that the mail would be picked up.

He told me that whenever he'd have to leave his home unattended that he would normally turn off the water main. For some reason he did not turn the water main off this time around. Would you?

Several days later he got back home from his trip and saw a puddle of water by the front door. At first he thought the sprinkler system must be leaking but you can imagine the thoughts running through his head as he slowly opened the front door....

As soon as he walked into the house his worst nightmare came to life. His entire lower floor was covered by an inch of standing water. The carpeting, the padding, the baseboards, the wallboards, the kitchen cabinets, his furniture, and anything else he happened to have on the floor all ruined to the tune of some $30,000 in damages. Apparently, a water pipe came loose at the joint and flooded his house for days while he was away.

Was there something he could have done to prevent this from happening? Yes, and there are things you can do too.

You shouldn't have to turn off your water main everytime you leave your home unattended. Opening and closing a water main may actually wear it out over time. Yet, its cheaper to replace it than coming home to a flooded home.

One thing you may want to do immediately is to check the water pressure coming into your home. So many times I'll encounter a home with very high water pressure. High water pressure could stress the water pipes throughout your home and cause them to burst over time. Your appliances like the dishwasher, clothes washer, water heater, and water softener are all affected by this and any one of them could cause trouble. High water pressure can be caused by a bad water regulator-- that funny cone shaped device next to your main water shutoff. You can easily check the water pressure with an inexpensive pressure meter that you can buy at any hardware store. Normally the water pressure should not exceed 80psi but check with your local codes. If you discover that the water pressure is off, you may be able to adjust the water regulator--- it has a small pressure adjustment screw or knob. But many times it turns out that the regulator needs to be replaced. That will cost you about 30 bucks for parts and maybe another $100 dollars for labor.

For the ultimate peace of mind, you may want to do what I did in my own home. I installed an automatic water shutoff system. Whenever water is detected on the floor throughout my home, a radio signal is sent to a receiver in my garage. The receiver will shut off the main water supply as soon as trouble is detected. The way this works is very simple. A sensor and transmitter is placed in strategic locations throughout the home. Places like the bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, and anywhere really. The sensor constantly scans for water. So if the sink overflows and water reaches the sensor, a wireless signal is sent to the receiver. The receiver tells an electric valve to shut off the main water to the house. The system is easily reset for example when you accidently spill a bucket of water on the bathroom floor. But it works 7/24 and I don't have to worry about coming home to a flood.

Various manufacturers make these water sensor systems and some only sound an alarm when water is detected but don't turn the water main off. You can search the internet for the various manufacturers of water and flood sensors. If you're curious about what I have, its called the WaterCop. It cost me under $700 bucks complete and I was able to install the whole thing myself. You'll have to cut into the water main so if you don't know how to solder copper pipe you'll need to hire a plumber for that part of the installation. The individual water sensors located throughout the home are very easy to install.

Bursting water pipes and the resulting water damage doesn't happen very often. When it does, it can be very very expensive. If thats not the worst of it, your insurance company will probably raise your insurance rates and red flag the property. If you intend to sell the home, you'll have to disclose the flood and any resulting mold damage. This may cause potential buyers to avoid your home altogether.

Today's Interest Rates

2006-09-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

Coming down ever so slightly!

Opt Out of Unsolicited Financial Offers

2006-09-19T19:21:00.000-07:00

Have you recently applied for a loan? Have you noticed a big increase of unsolicited sales calls from other lenders soon after applying for your loan? It wouldn't make sense that your lender would take your loan application and immediately sell your contact information to a competing lender--- and indeed thats not happening here.

The culprits are the three big credit reporting agencies. They are actually taking your lender's FICO score inquiry and turning it into a sales lead. Amazingly, they sell your personal financial information to financial institutions who wind up contacting you. All this happens when your local mortgage company/lender checks your credit to provide you a rate quote.

How do you protect yourself? You can tell the credit reporting agencies that you want to opt-out and not have your name sold. Learn more by going to the website https://www.optoutprescreen.com.

Know Your Credit Scores!

2006-09-18T22:57:00.000-07:00

Do you know your credit scores? Most people don't realize how important credit scores have become in today's homebuying process. Your credit scores literally control how much home you can afford if you need any type of financing to make the purchase. If you take two identical people with identical jobs and incomes who both buy the very same homes on the same street for the same price, but one person has a credit score of 720 while the other has a credit score of 620, guess what happens to the payments... they would be very different. The person with the higher credit score would likely have a smaller mortgage payment than the person with the lower credit score. In fact, the payment could be hundreds of dollars less!

In general people would bad credit scores end up paying a lot more for their loans including the interest charges and closing costs. This means they get a lot less house for their money and in many cases they may not even qualify to buy a home.

How does one get a credit score and keep it high? There are companies out there that look at your payment records on credit cards, car loans, and home loans among other things. You may have heard of companies such as Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. These are the big three but there are others. The point is, your past credit history is open for these companies to see. They'll use various techniques to come up with a number known as a credit score. Sometimes you may hear it referred to as a FICO score. FICO is an acronym for the Fair Isaac Company who developed the most popular statistical method for coming up with a credit score.

In any case, The first thing you should do is find out what your credit score is. Go on the web and search for companies that give you access to your own credit scores. Companies such as myfico.com and privacyguard.com are only two of the many that are out there. They usually charge a small fee but its worth it.

To keep your credit score high, you must always pay your credit cards and loans on time. A good lender can help you figure out ways to help you increase your credit score. As a realtor, I've had my homebuyer clients do specific things over the course of a few months to see their credit scores rise by the time they had a new house all picked out. For example, if you have credit cards that are maxed out, this will cause your credit score to fall. Either pay it down or transfer part of the balance to another underutilized credit card so that they both are below 50% of being maxed out. So lets say you got one credit card with a $5000 limit and you're at a $4000 balance. You also have another credit card with a $6000 limit but it has nothing charged to it. If you transfer half of the $4000 on your first credit card to your unused credit card, you'll end up have $2000 across 2 credit cards. Since they are now both below 50% of being maxed out to their limits, you should see an improvement in your credit scores. The 50% rule is not etched in stone, but its a good percentage to strive for since we've seen it have a big affect in the FICO scores.

There are many other fairly simple things you can do. My advice is to do whatever you can to pump up your score as it has a direct affect on your loan costs. If you can get your score into the 700's say at least 720, then congratulations! You'll have an easy time getting a great loan with the best interest rate.

2 Bedroom Detached for $450,000 in Rancho Bernardo!

2006-09-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

Imagine coming home to an affordable 2 bedroom home in the prestigious Rancho Bernardo community of Bernardo Heights! This lovely home is situated on a gentle slope with no homes directly in front or rear. This single-story model is rarely available and sought after for its soaring vaulted ceilings, roomy eat-in kitchen, open floorplan, fireplace, attached 2-car garage, tile roof, and double sliding doors to the backyard. Enjoy a private BBQ on the covered wood deck or relax on the lush lawn. Or, escape to the Bernardo Heights Recreation and Community Center with swimming pools, tennis courts, exercise and meeting rooms. Not far is the acclaimed Poway Unified School District schools including Rancho Bernardo High School and Bernardo Heights Middle School. Located near a hi-tech area with major local companies such as Sony, HP, Northrup Grumman, Unisys, BAE, plus major shopping! Asking price is $450,000. To hear more information, call my 24 HR recorded info line at 1-800-530-1481 extension 9764. I'm the listing agent for this home, so don't hesitate to call, 858-213-6058, or e-mail me directly to go see it!.

Click Photo to View Virtual Tour

You can also find out more about this home by entering the search code PRU5N5W6 in any Yahoo! search window.

The Automated Regional Justice Information System (ARJIS)

2006-09-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

Do you want to know who are the 10 most wanted criminals in San Diego County? How about whether an offender is living in the neighborhood? Perhaps you are interested in San Diego County's crime statistics?

With ARJIS, you can get answers to many of your criminal justice related questions!

The Automated Regional Justice Information System (ARJIS) is a complex criminal justice enterprise network utilized by 50 local, state and federal agencies in the San Diego region.

Click here to see it for yourself!

Interest Rates Overview

2006-09-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

2006-09-06T22:25:00.000-07:00

The $427 million i15 "middle segment" expansion project is well underway and targeted for completion in late 2008. Find out more by clicking on the map below:

Mortgage Banker vs. Mortgage Broker

2006-09-05T22:35:00.000-07:00

During the course of buying a home, I'm frequently asked by home buyers about lenders. One question that comes up is the difference between a mortgage banker and broker:

A Mortgage Banker:
Is a direct lender that originates and funds its own loans which are then sold on the secondary market. The advantages are:
1) Greater control over the loan process
2) Increased flexibility
3) Quicker response times
4) Faster and more efficient closings

A Mortgage Banker:
Represents many lenders and acts as an intermediary between the borrower and lender. The advantages are:
1) Access to a wider variety of loan programs
2) Increased loan options
3) Greater qualifying ability
4) Ability to taylor a loan to meet your needs

DO NOT CALL Registration

2006-09-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Five days from today, all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. YOU CAN ALSO BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.... To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:

888-382-1222

It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. If you would rather register online, go to the website:

www.donotcall.gov

I registered some of my phone numbers using their toll-free number and the rest using the website. Both work fine and I recommend using the toll-free number since the process is faster.

More Energy Saving Tips: Lighting

2006-08-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

Use fluorescent bulbs!

Best bang for the buck: change out the garage, attic, storage, and closet light bulbs first. Believe it or not, they use the most energy! Why? Because they are typically large wattages, and easily to forget to turn off-so they burn through a lot of electricity when this happens.

Next, the living areas in this order: bathroom, kitchen , living/dining/family rooms. Bedrooms last. This is the typical ranking of usage in a typical household.

Turn your computer off! Modern computers are designed to be turned off/on thousands of times-this includes hard drives. If you want faster booting, then use 'hibernation'; offers similar power savings as OFF, with a shorter boot time. Anything you have been told about 'hard drive wearing out' due to off/on cycles is rubbish.

TV sets: If you are gone for more than a day or so, turn it OFF, and unplug it. Most modern sets will remember all the settings, and will still consume small amounts of power when OFF. Pulling the plug shuts it completely off. Same thing for receivers, recorders, cell phone charges, VCRs, etc.

Spas: If you are willing to spend a few bucks, get a gas heater for the spa. You wonÂt have to run it very often, and it will heat up 10+ degrees in less than 15 minutes. The electric heaters require a long time to heat, so they are on frequently. In the long run, you'll save money. Pool heaters are nearly always gas-you couldn't heat it fast enough with electric to overcome the heat loss!

All of the above items can be surveyed, and recommended by the SDG&E Energy teams. For more info:

SDG&E

You will also find many free programs that can do some/all of the above work and NO cost if you qualify. At the very least, they will survey your home, and make recommendations specific to your situation. It takes about 1 hour, and is FREE.

Thanks to Scott B. for this article!

Gas Prices Going in the Right Direction!

2006-08-29T22:49:00.000-07:00

Since last Tuesday, gas prices have dropped about 8 cents. And, it seems that the best prices can be found towards the end of the week as they continue to drop.

Visit UCAN's website for an up-to-date listing of local gas prices.

Interest Rates Overview

2006-08-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

Heating and Cooling Savings Tips

2006-08-24T23:06:00.000-07:00

Here are more energy saving tips. This time for heating/cooling systems...

1) Use whole house fans, which pull cool night air into house through open windows. This save a lot on your AC bill. Attic vent fans, and cooling of the attic is essentially a waste of time. The attic does have to be properly vented with soffit, gable and/or ridge vents, but these are all passive i.e. no cost to run. Adding a fan to 'cool' the attic will not generate any savings--- PG&E has proven this. The only way this can work is by directly insulating the roof, which requires special, expensive insulation-not the pink fiberglass. Payback on this would be decade or more, if any.

2) Attic insulation: R30 or better! This translates to >12 inches of pink fiberglass or blown in.

3) HVAC plumbing/ductwork: Duct tape-that grey, fabric, sticky stuff is worthless, and is no longer code. What to use: Aluminum tape-it is like thick aluminum foil, with seriously sticky glue on back. If your house is > 7-10 years, then you could remove ALL the duct tape, and replace with the aluminum tape. This will stop leaks permanently!

4) HVAC vents into rooms: Use gaskets similar to the electrical outlet ones. And MOST important: Do NOT close any ducts! This significantly compromises the proper flow of heated/cooled air, makes you HVAC less efficient, and will make things worse if you have hot/cold spots or rooms. If you do have a room that is always too hot/cool, then have a HVAC contractor check the valves located in the ductwork. They can make adjustments there, where the system has been designed for adjustment.

5) In summer, close the blinds, especially on the sunward side! In the winter, open the blinds, especially on the sunward side! Radiant heating and cooling through windows can account for >10% or your costs! Those with double pane, reflectively coated windows will have a far lesser effect from this, but every little bit helps.

6) Water heater blankets: most model less than 5 years old don't need them; in fact, using one may void the warranty! Check you water heater labels carefully before adding.

7) Insulating hot water pipes: If you can get to those in attics, crawlspaces, and garages, that will help. Please note: on gas heaters, that short section of pipe (usually about 18-24 inches long) next to the vent pipe should NOT be insulated! This is a code violation is some locales, as the insulation required to make any difference will be too close to vent creating a potential fire hazard. In other words, don't bother with this section unless you have an electric water heater. This short section has such a small contribution to heat loss it almost isn’t worth doing unless you can do most of the piping.

Stopping Air Leaks to Save Energy

2006-08-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

I've been posting several tips on saving energy lately since many of us Southern California residents have seen very high utility bills. The recent hot weather means more A/C use which translates into high bills. One of our readers sent me some additional tips that I'll post over the next several days. (Thanks, SB!).

In order of most to least:

1) Install double pane windows/doors

2) Install new weather-stripping around doors/windows. This includes interior doors to furnaces and A/C units. If you have a furnace/ac in a closet by itself, then the door needs to be weather-stripped. This is because the furnace/ac draws air into it, and it will draw air that has already been heated or cooled, and will send this up the vent and out of the house. This work requires an assessment by an Energy Partner or HVAC contractor to make sure the appliance is operating correctly, and has sufficient combustion air. (Combustion air is drawn via vent(s) from attic, crawlspaces, outdoors).

3) Door jambs! If worn, replace. Especially the sill plate.

4) Look under your sinks! The place where water and drains enter/exit the walls is a significant source of drafts. For small holes, seal with caulking. Larger holes should be properly repaired with wire mesh or plates and caulked.

5) Electrical outlets: switches, outlets, cover plates for lamps and so forth. You can get little gaskets from home supply store that fit under the cover plates for all of these-very inexpensive.

Get $125 off the purchase price of a new High Efficiency washer!

2006-08-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

The Residential High-Efficiency Clothes Washer (HEW) Voucher Program provides a point-of-purchase discount of $125 off the cost of a new qualifying HEW. These machines use 60% less water and 55% less energy per load than standard top-loading machines. The Program is sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority, and its participating member agencies. Call the Voucher Processing Center at (800) 986-4538 or visit the Web at http://www.sdcwa.org for more information.

Replace Not Just The Battery, But The Smoke Detector Itself!

2006-08-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

Have you replaced your smoke detector(s) in the last 10 years? A working smoke detector can reduce your risk of dying in a house fire by nearly 50 percent. Most of us know to replace the battery annually. But did you know that, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years? Smoke detectors are very inexpensive and the current building code calls for one in each bedroom.

Interest Rates Overview

2006-08-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Great rates this week!

Finding Out About Schools BEFORE Buying Your Home

2006-08-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

If you're shopping for a home and you have or will soon have school-age kids, you should become familiar with the local school districts. You may want to know, for example, how far the school is to your new home, how do the schools score, class sizes, special programs, etc. Keep in mind that district boundaries frequently change and homes on the same street could be assigned different schools.

You can do most of the research yourself online. District maps are frequently published, but to be safe you should call the school directly and ask if the home you are planning to buy is served by that particular school.

Here are two local school district sites that let you enter a home address to get the schools serving that home:

Poway Unified School District

San Diego City Schools

New Search Code for Yahoo Real Estate

2006-08-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! and Prudential are working together and have introduced special search codes enabling visitors to bypass many levels of webpages and instead jump directly to the desired home.

For Prudential Realtors who choose to use this feature, they would simply assign a code to a particular listing. When someone is interested in that house, they would simply enter the published code into any Yahoo! search window (you don't have to be in the real estate section of Yahoo!).

For example, here's a 2 bedroom I have for sale in Rancho Bernardo. Go ahead and enter the search code PRU5N5W6 in any Yahoo! search window and learn more about it!

Click Photo to View Virtual Tour

Ductwork Efficiency

2006-08-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

Improving the efficiency of ductwork is the single most important energy measure for most affordable homes. Poor ductwork can waste hundreds of dollars each year and cause serious health and safety problems. It is best to locate ducts inside the living area-not in attics or crawl spaces. Do not use building cavities, such as closet returns, as part of the duct system. Make sure all joints in the ductwork are sealed permanently with mastic; duct tape and insulation do not provide an effective seal. After ducts are sealed, ensure that they have adequate insulation. The Model Energy Code sets minimum requirements, but higher levels are often cost effective.

REDUCED AIR LEAKAGE
Excess air leakage in homes can increase heating and cooling bills by 30 percent. Although windows, doors, and outside walls contribute to air leakage, the biggest holes are usually hidden from view and connect the house to the attic, crawl space, or basement. Reducing air leakage typically costs less than $200 for the average home.

WATER CONSERVATION
A family of four can spend more for hot water than heating or cooling. Simple conservation measures, such as low-flow showerheads, tank insulation jackets, and convection traps in hot and cold water lines, pay back quickly.

Did You Know? Internet Home Buyers

2006-08-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

Based on findings of the California Association of Realtors' 2006 Internet Versus Traditional Buyer Survey:

70 percent of buyers use the Internet as an integral part of the home-buying process. This number has nearly doubled since 2001.

More than nine out of 10 Internet buyers said that the Internet helped them better understand the process of buying a home.

Internet buyers are accustomed to receiving more frequent communication and faster response times from their REALTORS®

Internet buyers spend an average of 5.8 weeks considering buying a home before contacting a REALTOR®, while traditional buyers spend 2 weeks.

Internet buyers spend 2.2 weeks looking for the home they ultimately purchase, compared with 7.1 weeks for traditional buyers.

This Week's Interest Rates

2006-08-11T20:31:00.000-07:00

Here are this week's home loan rates

Zillow Goes Mobile

2006-08-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

Zillow has been often criticized and at the same time hailed for providing a service on their website where homeowners may get an instant estimate of value for any home. Simply by providing an address and zip code, the website returns a dollar amount along with an aerial map of the property in question.

The criticism comes from the fact that zillow uses a statistical method based on public sales numbers on recently sold homes. This can often result in wildly inaccurate estimates of value. Published sales statistics work better when a home is surrounded by similar homes. It does not work well with custom or unique homes. Zillow won't know whether a home has been renovated or upgraded so you won't get that in the price prediction.

Zillow makes it clear that this is not an appraisal. Only a certified appraiser can do the footwork and dig beneath the published sales data. Realtors also have more local information including knowledge about amenities, upgrades, buying trends, etc.

Still, Zillow provides a cool service. And now you can drive up to any home and get a text message showing you Zillow's estimate of value. Use Zillow's Mobile service. Here's how:

1) Create a text message using your cell phone addressed to: z@labs.zillow.com
2) In the subject line, enter the home's street address and zip code. For example, 123 Broadway, 92101
3) Send the message. A few minutes later you'll get a reply message from Zillow!

Circus is in Town!

2006-08-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

From today until the 13th, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus excites the crowds with three rings of non-stop action! The show goes on at the San Diego Sports Arena. For tickets, call 619-220-TIXS. Performance times: 619-224-4171

Federal funds rate stays put at 5.25%

2006-08-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

The Federal Reserve on Tuesday ended two years of 17 consecutive increases in the federal funds rate, letting it stay put at 5.25 percent.

The Federal Open Market Committee may not be done raising interest rates to keep inflation in check, saying "some inflation risks remain." But unemployment in July rose from 4.6 percent to 4.8 percent and economic growth slowed to 2.5 percent this spring, off by nearly half from the pace of the first three months of the year.

"Economic growth has moderated from its quite strong pace earlier this year, partly reflecting a gradual cooling of the housing market and the lagged effects of increases in interest rates and energy prices," the committee said in a statement. Inflation risks remain, and "The extent and timing of any additional firming that may be needed to address these risks will depend on the evolution of the outlook for both inflation and economic growth, as implied by incoming information."

The decision to take a break from interest-rate hikes was widely expected, and long term mortgage rates had already fallen to four-month lows in anticipation of the move. The 30-year fixed-rate average sank to 6.07 percent overnight, and the 15-year rate dipped to 5.78 percent, according to figures compiled by Bankrate. Source: Inman News, August 8, 2006

Increasing Your Home's Value

2006-08-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

Your home is probably your single largest investment. While the value of your home is largely determined by such things as location, size, condition and amenities, there are still steps you can take to maximize its worth.

First, you need to evaluate your plans carefully if you're improving your home to put it on the market. Cutting corners could hurt rather than help your prospects, but you don't want to go overboard either. Your home's value should be no more than 20% above the average. That means a $10,000 kitchen improvement project might be a better idea than a $10,000 hot tub, especially if no other homes in your area have hot tubs.

In other words, it's best to keep changes simple.

Here's a list of remodeled projects that buyers are likely to find valuable:

Add a bedroom: Three- and four-bedroom homes are most desirable.

Install a master bathroom: When a bedroom has a bathroom, it means extra value.

Install a new shower: A new shower says a modern home.

Change your fixtures: Get a faucet that adds a decorative element to the bathroom.

Re-grout the tile: If the tiles are in good shape a new grouting does wonders.

Install new kitchen cabinets: Even just a paint job and some new handles will give your cabinets a fresh look.

Improve functionality: If you've got the space, an island is the way to go. New appliances make a difference too.

Expose the floors: Remove old carpet and show off the original floor. If you don't have hardwood floors, consider new carpeting.

Install new doors: Doors set off a room and make a great difference.

Paint the interior: A new paint job speaks volumes. Good colors to use are white, off-white, and a light yellow.

Add new light fixtures: Replace any that are damaged or out-of-style.

Add a fireplace: Even if you don't plan on using it much, it adds great value.

Take advantage of unused or underused space: If you can convert a basement or attic into a useful room, do it.

Landscape: A few strategically located plants and a neat-looking yard will impress.

Add a deck: It's a great use of exterior space because it increases your total entertainment area.

Dress up your porch and entrance: A freshly painted door with a new door handle can bake a great first impression.

Replace the windows: New windows not only give your home a new look, they can also lower your energy bill.

Remember, when it comes to your home, it's important to keep pace with your neighbors. Don't let your home become the most expensive on the block - but don't fall behind either. This is a case where it's best to be right in the middle!

Interest Rates Have Dropped This Week!

2006-08-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

These are some of the best interest rates we've seen for months!

Cooling a House and Saving Money

2006-08-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

Over the past several weeks, the A/C has been running and running. My power bill is twice as much as it would normally be.

I've been looking around for ways to keep my home cool and to save money. There are several options available; bulking up on the insulation to keep the hot air out, upgrading the A/C units to modern energy efficient models, use more ceiling fans, or perhaps just leave the house and head out to the mall!

While surfing around the Lowes website, I came across what seems to be a relatively cheap way to keep a home cool. Its an attic fan that runs off of solar power so it doesn't use electricity. The fan moves the hot attic air out and keeps your home cooler. The price on their website is $277 and the item number is 41125. This may be worth trying as a weekend DIY project!

Using Colors in Your Home

2006-08-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

The use of specific colors in decorating can really define the mood and purpose of a room. Below are some colors and how they influence a room.

Red - Increases circulation & muscular activity.
Orange - Signifies optimism & enthusiasm.
Yellow - Represents creativity & joy.
Green - Symbolizes balance & nature.
Blue - Represents inspiration & truth.
Violet - Suggests humility & spirituality.
White - Signifies purity & innocence.
Black - Suggests strength & restores energy.

When I feng shui a home to make it ready for sale, I'm careful to look at the home's colors and will make changes to help it sell faster.

So think before you choose your color scheme. It could change the entire mood of the finished room.

Security and Wireless Networks At Home

2006-08-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

As a Realtor, I visit many homes every week. Frequently I'll have my HP tablet PC with me so that I can take notes or have contracts available for clients that I meet. It never ceases to amaze me that I can walk into a home, turn on my computer and 1 out of 3 times have immediate access to the internet. This is not supposed to happen. Your wireless network should be secure... only you should be able to access it, not me, not your neighbor, not some dude driving down the street scoping out free internet connections.

It's really weird when several neighbors all unknowningly have unsecured wireless overlapping each other. The people in one house may be using their neighbor's wireless internet thinking that they were in fact using their own. I was in a house once where the homeowner was telling me that he was in the process of moving his wireless box to another room so it was temporarily disconnected. He said that he was surprised his internet was still working fine and assumed that the wireless box did not have to be plugged in to work. Of course it doesn't have to be plugged in if you are stealing your neighbor's wireless connection!

You've heard about those new wireless video cams. Some people install them all over the house so from many miles away they can keep an eye on the baby's room, the pets, the garden, the entry doors. If someone can get access to your wireless network, it becomes all the easier for them to access your cameras and see whats going on in your own home. This could go on for months and you may never know it.

The solution is to secure your wireless system as soon as you install it in your home. The wireless box has 1 or 2 little antennas on it and its called a wireless access point or sometimes a wireless router. Making it secure is not difficult, but you need to follow the step-by-step instructions that came with the unit. Most people only do step one which is to plug the unit in. If you keep reading, you'll see a section that describes how to set up a secure password. Look for the initials WEP or Data Encryption and that should be checked on. You'll have to store a password for each wireless computer in your home. Its not hard to do and you'll have less reasons to worry about strangers having access to your home network.

2 Bedroom Detached Under $500,000!

2006-07-31T09:27:00.000-07:00

Imagine coming home to an affordable 2 bedroom home in the prestigious Rancho Bernardo community of Bernardo Heights! This lovely home is situated on a gentle slope with no homes directly in front or rear. This single-story model is rarely available and sought after for its soaring vaulted ceilings, roomy eat-in kitchen, open floorplan, fireplace, attached 2-car garage, tile roof, and double sliding doors to the backyard. Enjoy a private BBQ on the covered wood deck or relax on the lush lawn. Or, escape to the Bernardo Heights Recreation and Community Center with swimming pools, tennis courts, exercise and meeting rooms. Not far is the acclaimed Poway Unified School District schools including Rancho Bernardo High School and Bernardo Heights Middle School. Located near a hi-tech area with major local companies such as Sony, HP, Northrup Grumman, Unisys, BAE, plus major shopping! Asking price is between $465,000 and 515,876. To hear more information, call my 24 HR recorded info line at 1-800-530-1481 extension 9764. I'm the listing agent for this home, so don't hesitate to call, 858-213-6058, or e-mail me directly to go see it!.

Click Photo to View Virtual Tour

You can also find out more about this home by entering the search code PRU5N5W6 in any Yahoo! search window.

Interest Rates Stable

2006-07-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

Not much changed since last week!

Feng Shui and Your Home

2006-07-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

I practice feng shui to help my home sellers sell their homes faster and for a better price. How is this possible and what is feng shui?

First of all, feng shui is an ancient Chinese discipline that provides a framework for telling us how to arrange our homes to maximize our life energy called "chi". It is believed that by maximizing chi, good things happen.

Does it work? Like most people I really didn't put much into the claims made about feng shui. Sure, it made sense that if the house looks and smells nice, you're bound to get it sold faster. But beyond that, I was skeptical. Fast forward to today, I feng shui all my listings and I've had some incredible luck using it. For example, another realtor had a million dollar home on the market for over a year. After I feng shui'ed her listing, an offer came in within 3 days. Amazing. Many of my own listings have sold faster than the average. Of course, I've had some homes that did not sell fast despite all the feng shui that I could muster. What I do see is an extra edge that does help. When you're trying to sell a home, it makes sense to take every advantage.

Lots of Space for a 2 Bedroom Home

2006-07-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a home for sale in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego. If you are looking for a 1/4 acre lot with privacy in an upscale community at a great price take a look at this!

Click Photo to View Virtual Tour

12336 Fernando Drive MLS# 66055901
This sprawling ranch style home has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and about 2100 sqft. It includes a large enclosed lanai perfect for parties or as a third bedroom. All this on a quiet, low turnover street in the shadow of historic Battle Mountain! This is a wonderful house located in an ideal community within beautiful Rancho Bernardo. Very affordably price for this calibre home. Asking price is between $600,000 and 649,876. To hear more information, call my 24 HR recorded info line at 1-800-530-1481 extension 9754.

California ISO Declares Stage Two Emergency

2006-07-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

Temperatures in San Diego continue to be high as well as the demand for power. The California ISO issued the following press release:

"The California Independent System Operator Corporation (California ISO) issued a Stage Two Emergency at 1:00 p.m. today, July 24, 2006 with operating reserves forecast to dip below five percent over today’s peak. Large commercial customers that have contracted with the utilities to curtail power during high demand days have been asked to do so. If an operating reserve of less than one-and-a-half percent is unavoidable, a Stage Three will be initiated. Involuntary curtailments of service to customers including “rotating blackouts” are possible during this stage of emergency declaration."

Conserve-O-Meter

Sunsets & Serenity in Santaluz

2006-07-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

Santaluz is a new San Diego community adjacent to prestigious Rancho Santa Fe and just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego. This is an expansive 3,800 acre village with panoramic views, 44 miles of hiking and biking trails, rolling hillsides, and the home of the Santaluz Club 18-hole Rees Jones championship golf course.

There are several homes available for sale here ranging from $1,500,000 on up to $4,000,000.

I must tell you about one of my personal favorites, a brand new Tuscan masterpiece with breathtaking views of the golf course and a vista to the distant Pacific ocean. This is a 6,844sf, 6 bedroom, 7 bath home with an enchanting inner courtyard, outdoor fireplace, pool with waterfall, plus quality stone, granite, antique wood floors, and expensive fixtures throughout. Asking price is $3,699,000 to $3,985,000 and the beautiful furnishings are negotiable. Give me a call at 858-213-6058 for more information or if you would like to tour this or similar homes in Santaluz!

This Week's Interest Rates

2006-07-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

Dropped nicely since last week!

Luxury Homes Selling Fast At 4S Ranch

2006-07-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

4S Ranch is located in the North County area of San Diego just west of Rancho Bernardo. Its a beautiful new community emerging as one of the region's finer places to live and raise a family.

Today, I visited an enclave of 66 homes in a development called Ivy Gate. Unlike most of the new homes being built in 4S Ranch, these homes are on estate size lots ranging from 1/3 to 3/4 acres. The homes are exquisitely detailed with incredible features such as high end kitchens, french doors, courtyards with outdoor fireplaces, and architectural styles ranging from Tuscan, Spanish and French. These homes are available with four to six bedrooms and three and one-half to six baths, and some include large guest suites with separate living and bedroom areas. The various plans also feature versatile areas such as a private office, tech center, teen and media rooms.

Only about 10 homes are left. With pricing ranging from $1,465,760 to $2,349,950 for the fully furnished model that will be released for sale. Specific prices are:
Plan 1, 3820 sf $1,465,670
Plan 2, 4205 sf $1,675,815
Plan 3, 5177 sf $1,769,975
Plan 4, 5359 sf $1,821,740

If you are considering a brand new high-end luxury home, you should look into these. Contact me immediately and I'll be able to provide more detailed info, virtual tours, and specific home availability. Out of town and moving to San Diego? No trouble since we can do eveything electronically.

This photo is the front entrance to Plan 4 taken with my Treo 700p today:

Great Price & Location on a San Diego Townhome

2006-07-19T21:02:00.000-07:00

17075 West Bernardo Dr., San Diego CA MLS# 066050136

Here's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 955 sqft home in Rancho Bernardo's Waterbridge where you'll find lush gardens, a playground, clubhouse, pool, and rec room. Children can walk to the Westwood Elementary School or have the bus to nearby middle and high schools pick them up right outside their gate. You'll be just a couple of blocks to the I15 freeway entrance, and a couple more to shopping at the Mercado, Starbucks, the banks, restaurants, and stores. There are many award winning restaurants and soon, there will be a Chinese Buffet, all within a mile of your new home! This highly upgraded townhome offers the extra security that comes with a second story entrance. Your assigned carport is directly behing the home, and your assigned parking space near the end of the walkway. Asking price is $310,000 to $350,876.

See the virtual tour by clicking here.

Yahoo Getting Zillow.com's Home Price Estimator

2006-07-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

Announced Today!

Yahoo's real estate section will have a new feature: home price estimates based on Zillow. You'll be able to type in an address in Yahoo and see Zillow's home value estimate along with a Yahoo map of the area.

Yahoo also has a marketing partnership with my broker, Prudential.

Another Hot Day in San Diego

2006-07-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

The average July day time temperature for San Diego is supposed to be 76 degrees. For the past several weeks, the temperature in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego has been in the 90's!

The high temperatures have strained the power grid. As a result, Gov. Schwarzenegger today ordered state agencies, departments, boards and commissions to implement energy conservation plans and reduce the state's use of electricity at peak hours by 25 percent for the rest of the week. Residents have been asked to turn off all unnecessary lights, postpone using appliances until after 7pm, and turning the A/C thermostat up to 78 degrees F.

California's energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign, "Flex Your Power" has much more information on what you can do to help. Click here.

Treo 700p as a modem with a Tablet PC!

2006-07-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

I just got my new Treo 700p smartphone last week from Sprint. So far it has been working perfectly and its exactly what I need for my real estate business. I have both a desktop server and an HP Tablet PC and I sync my new Treo with both of them. For my desktop, I use the Treo's USB/power cable for a direct-connect. For my Tablet PC, I use wireless bluetooth. The syncing process with my outlook on both PC's is quick and painless. Needless to say, the bluetooth syncing is almost magical! I was expecting glitches but the thing actually works!

The best part is using my Treo as a modem. I signed up for Sprint's EVDO data plan which enables the Treo to use their hi-speed network. I can access any of my pop/smtp e-mail accounts (three so far) and download all my e-mail directly to the Treo at comfortable speeds. The modem feature is awesome and it is the perfect accessory to the Tablet PC. I can go anywhere, leave the Treo in my pocket, log into my Tablet PC and be on the internet in seconds-- all over the bluetooth connection and NO cables. I'm finding that the speeds are excellent but they seem to vary probably because of network strength and bluetooth.

I used DSLReports.com to give me an idea of the performance using bluetooth on the Tablet PC and I am somewhat relunctant to publish the numbers here. There are so many variables and I'm not performing a controlled test. Perhaps there is a better way to test connection speed and I welcome suggestions. But for now, I can say that I've ran dslreports 5 times tonight and each time I got widely different values ranging from 78kbps to 224kbps on download speeds and 57kbps to 64kbps on upload. I was a little surprised at the 224kbps since that seems too good to be true especially since my connection is over bluetooth. My signal strength was 2 bars. So, more tests are needed. In any case, my internet connection "feels" fast enough and I was able to browse the internet and do anything I normally would do if I were connected to my cable modem at home. By the way, as a comparison, I usually get around 4700kbps/360kbps on the cable modem.

I'll post more info about the Treo 700p later. If anyone is interested in getting one, I'll have to relate my 2 hour ordeal at the Sprint store trying to get the discounted price (about $400) and the family plan with modem. For some reason, the store people were not able to bundle the modem plan along with the family plan (2 phones sharing minutes- other phone was a standard samsung flipphone). A Sprint rep that we called on the phone from the store was also convinced that a combo was impossible. I left the store with the family plan and no modem plan. I waited a day, called Sprint and one of their Treo specialists was able to add the modem (but it was a struggle).

So far, I am very happy with the Treo. Now, where is my bluetooth headset...

This Week's Interest Rates

2006-07-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

Not much change in the rates compared to last week.

Thanks to Rebecca Philpott for providing this information!

Major Blood Shortage in the Region!

2006-07-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

There have been calls out to donate blood from both the local chapter of the Red Cross and the San Diego Blood Bank. Its hard to believe, but type O blood supply is down to only a couple of hours. Type O blood is considered a universal blood type because it can be transfused into anyone regardless of their blood type. Other blood types are also low.

So if you are reading this and are willing to help, visit the websites for the San Diego Blood Bank or the American Red Cross. Oh, yours truly did it and it only takes a couple of minutes to save a life!

How Your Lawn Helps the Environment

2006-07-11T23:25:00.000-07:00

Healthy grass provides feeding ground for birds, who find it a rich source of insects, worms, and other food. Thick grass prevents soil erosion, filters contaminants from rainwater and absorbs many types of airborne pollutants, like dust and soot. Grass is also highly efficient at converting carbon dioxide to oxygen, a process that helps clean the air.

Caring for your lawn properly can both enhance its appearance and contribute to its environmental benefits. This means creating conditions for grass to thrive and resist damage from weeds, disease, and insect pests. If you choose to use pesticides or fertilizers, it means using them with extreme care so as to get the most benefit and reduce any risks.

Caring for your lawn in an environmentally sensible way can have a bigger impact than you might think. Your lawn may only be a small piece of land, but all the lawns across the country cover a lot of ground. That means you and your lawn-care activities, along with everyone else's, can make a difference to the environment. And that's why taking care of the environment begins in our own backyards.

How To Dispose of Unwanted Electronic Items

2006-07-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

Not in the regular trash! Effective Feb 9, 2006, the city of San Diego will not allow what they call "Universal Waste" in the regular trash. This includes just about everything electronic, batteries, and fluorescent lights. Get the details at http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services. What to do? Visit earth911.org for disposal options.

Xeriscapes: Water-Saving Landscaping

2006-07-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

All across America, communities have been faced with increased demands on existing water supplies. Consequently, there is a greater focus on water conservation, not just in times of drought, but in anticipation of future population growth. Water can no longer be considered a limitless resource. A philosophy of conservation of water through creative landscaping has created the new term, xeriscape.

The term xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeros meaning dry, combined with landscaping, thus xeriscaping. The term was coined by the Front Range Xeriscape Task Force of the Denver Water Department in 1981. The goal of a xeriscape is to create a visually attractive landscape that uses plants selected for their water efficiency.

Properly maintained, a xeriscape can easily use less than one-half the water of a traditional landscape. Once established, a xeriscape should require less maintenance than turf landscape.

The eight fundamentals of water-wise landscaping illustrate the concepts and principles of Xeriscape landscaping and other water-efficient approaches.

Group plants according to their water needs.

Use native and low-water-use plants.

Limit turf areas to those needed for practical uses.

Use efficient irrigation systems.

Schedule irrigation wisely.

Make sure soil is healthy.

Remember to mulch.

Provide regular maintenance.

Proper landscaping techniques not only create beautiful landscapes, but also benefit the environment and save water. In addition, attractive, water-efficient, low-maintenance landscapes can increase home values.

Selling it or Smelling It?

2006-07-08T23:51:00.000-07:00

Pet odors can be a problem when you're in the process of selling your home. If your house has an odor problem, you should remove any offending furniture or carpets or hire a professional to clean them. Be sure to check the cat box frequently and keep the litter fresh.

Since some people have allergies or fears of certain animals, it's a good idea to put dogs or cats outside or confine your pets to one area when your house is being shown. It's hard for buyers to fully appreciate your home through itchy, watery eyes or in between sneezes! Even if the house is exactly what they want, your chances of selling it are less if the scent of Spot lingers in their memory.

30 Year Interest Rates Rise Over Last Week

2006-07-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Here's this week's summary of interest rates on your new home loan:

Thanks to Rebecca Philpott for providing this information!

On Vacation? You Could Live Here!

2006-07-04T11:35:00.000-07:00

Home prices have finally become somewhat stable in San Diego. As I mentioned in a previous post, the median price of an existing home went up only 3.5% from April to May of this year.

There are many homes on the market and buyers can have their pick of the best. Here's a new listing in Rancho Bernardo, an upscale community north of San Diego:

Click Photo to View Virtual Tour

12336 Fernando Drive MLS# 66055901
This sprawling ranch style home has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and about 2100 sqft. It includes a large enclosed lanai perfect for parties or as a third bedroom. All this on a quiet, low turnover street in the shadow of historic Battle Mountain! This is a wonderful house located in an ideal community within beautiful Rancho Bernardo. Very affordably price for this calibre home. Asking price is between $600,000 and 649,876. To hear more information, call my 24 HR recorded info line at 1-800-530-1481 extension 9754.

Watch Out for Rip Currents at the Beaches

2006-06-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

There will be just over a million visitors to our San Diego beaches over the fourth of July holiday weekend.

Mayor Jerry Sanders issued a statement reminding beachgoers that rip currents take lives every year.

What exactly is a rip current?
Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from the shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

Swimmers should follow these rules to avoid rip currents:
• Swim only in areas where lifeguards are present.
• Ask the lifeguards if you are unsure where it is safe to swim.

If caught in a rip current:
• Don’t fight the current.
• MOST IMPORTANT: Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then swim to shore.
• If you can’t escape, float or tread water.
• If you need help, call or wave for assistance.

San Diego's median home price goes up 2.3%

2006-06-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

The California Association of Realtors reports that compared to a year ago, the median price of an existing home in San Diego increased 2.3 percent in May and sales decreased 19.7 percent. Compared to the month before, the median price rose 3.5 percent, while sales increased 4.9 percent.

The median price of a home continued to increase in May, but at a more sustainable 8 percent rate. This is the first time since November 2001 that the median price did not increase by double digits, reflecting the return to a more balanced market.

The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during May 2006 was $564,430, an 8 percent increase over the $522,530 median for May 2005. The May 2006 median price increased a half percent compared with April's $561,750 median price.

Statewide, the 10 cities and communities with the highest median home prices in California during May 2006 were: Laguna Beach, $1,692,500; Saratoga, $1,500,000; Burlingame, $1,371,000; Newport Beach, $1,336,000; Manhattan Beach, $1,241,500; Los Gatos, $1,180,000; Santa Monica, $1,162,500; Rancho Palos Verdes, $1,144,000; Lafayette, $1,142,500; Calabasas, $1,130,000; Santa Barbara, $1,130,000.

Statewide, the 10 cities and communities with the greatest median home price increases in May 2006 compared with the same period a year ago were: Santa Monica, 60.3 percent; Ridgecrest, 56.3 percent; Adelanto, 42.5 percent; Loma Linda, 36.7 percent; Barstow, 36 percent; Laguna Beach, 33.8 percent; Delano, 33.3 percent; Tustin, 32.8 percent; Campbell, 32 percent; California City, 30.6 percent.

Save Gas, Don't Commute!

2006-06-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

One of San Diego's most dynamically growing hi-tech regions is located in an area called Sorrento Mesa. It is home to San Diego's burgeoning telecommunications and wireless technology industries. You'll find major companies here like Qualcomm, Conexant, and Motorola. Bio technology research firms and support companies have also located in this area. Residential neighborhoods close-by provide homes for employees who want to live close to their jobs.

Imagine not driving to work each day but instead taking a short walk through a tree lined winding path. When its time for a lunch break, walk that same path down to the "The Brewery Gardens" and enjoy lunch at the Karl Strauss Brewing Company (aka "room K").

Stop daydreaming! A townhome just came up for sale that makes this dream come true!

Located at 10158 Wateridge Circle (MLS# 066048136) is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 1,390sf home selling for $535,000 to $585,876. Call me at 858-213-6058 if you want to go take a look! Here's a virtual tour

You can work, live, and play in a great location all without the long commutes!

Solar Cells for Generating Free Electricity

2006-06-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Southern California is known for its great weather and sunny days. That sunshine can be converted directly into electricity to power your home and reduce or eliminate completely your electricity bill! The established technology used to do this is called Photovoltaics, also known as solar cells.

More good news: The California Energy Commission is offering cash rebates on eligible grid-connected renewable energy electric-generating systems through its Emerging Renewables Program. Through this program, the Energy Commission provides funding to offset the cost of purchasing and installing new renewable energy systems using emerging renewable technologies.

For Photovoltaics, the State will provide a rebate of $2.80 per watt. A typical installation would cost anywhere from $8 to $10 dollars a watt so the rebate is roughly 30%.

You can estimate what an installation would cost you by adding up the kWh (kiloWatts hours) usage amounts from your electricity bill for an entire year. Then, divide that by 1,350 kWh and you'll end up with a number that represents your system requirements in kiloWatts. For example, say your annual usage is 6,500 kWh. Divide by 1,350 kWh to get 4.82 kW. Lets assume you find a contractor willing to install the system for $8 per watt. Your total installation cost before rebates would be 4.82kw times 8 or $38,560. California will rebate you 4.82kW times $2.80 or $13,580. Net cost is $24,980.

Keep in mind that you can divide that cost in two if you install only enough solar cells to supply half your electricity. In either case, you'll still be connected to the utility company and they will supply you power to make up for any shortfall. Should you produce more electricity than you can consume, that surplus is sold back to the utility and your meter will run backwards!

When looking at the economics, consider that solar cells are an exceptional amenity should you decide to sell your home someday. Look at a solar cell installation much as you would an upgraded kitchen or in-ground pool; your home becomes more valuable and desirable.

Moving to San Diego? Latest Podcast

2006-06-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest episode of my podcast "San Diego Homes and Lifestyles" where you'll learn what percentage of locals can actually afford to buy a home and what can be done to become a homeowner.

I'll also talk about downtown San Diego and Interest-Only Financing (see my previous posts on these two stories).

Where can you find my podcast? You should be able to find it on any podcast directory including iTunes podcasts. I've notice that Podcast Pickle just posted this episode on their site.

Thanks for listening!

San Diego Interest Rates Today

2006-06-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a brief summary of what to expect when it comes to locking in an interest rate on your new home loan:

Thanks to Rebecca Philpott for providing this information!

Home Automation, You Can DIY

2006-06-22T00:21:00.000-07:00

Would you like to be able to automate your home's lighting? There are many reasons why you may want to do this: convenience, safety and security, energy savings, aestetics, and value-added desirability if you decide to sell your home someday.

Home automation allows you to turn your home lights on and off based on the time of day or whether someone is actually in the room. With a normal lightswitch, the light, say for example the front porch light is either off or on. With home automation, you can have the light turn on automatically at sunset at 80% brightness and then dim it down by 10% increments every hour until its completely off by morning. Not only do you save electricity by not having the light burn at full intensity throughout the night, but the light bulb actually lasts much much longer.

When I automated my house, I was amazed how long the light bulbs last--- in some cases 2 or 3 times longer! Do you remember reading about the power outages in Southern California in 2000 and 2001... maybe you were here. The power company was asking people to reduce their power comsumption and to conserve energy. I was able to save an immediate 20% just by going through my home and automating every light that I could. From the small nightlights to the outside yard lights. I even automated my little wet bar refrigerator that keeps my drinks cold. I figured that I don't need that thing running at all 75% of the time so now it runs only a couple of hours when I'm actually at home and likely to grab a cold one.

The cool thing about this system is that every light or electrical device that is controlled by it can be managed from a computer. In other words, you can sit at your computer and program the on/off times of any light, turn them on, or turn them off. You can do this remotely from your place of work or while you're travelling anywhere in the world where you have access to an internet connection.

For any type of light, you would buy a small module for each set of lights to be controlled. So for example, to control a floor lamp, you would plug the lamp into a lamp module which in turn is plugged into an ordinary power socket. There are no wires to run and no complicated installation is involved. If you have ceiling lights that are controlled by a wall switch, you'll need to replace the wall switch with an automated version. Its fairly easy to do if you have some basic experience with house wiring.

Originally, I had installed devices known as X-10 which is a very old technology out of the seventies. It worked OK much of the time but not all of the time. I'm just beginning to convert my system to a newly born technology called Insteon from an Irvine California company called Smarthome. Its very cool technology that creates a "dual network" over your home's existing wiring and through wireless RF signals. The software I use is called Homeseer and so far it's all working great. I'll post updates in a future post.

Beating San Diego's High Home Prices: Don't Live Here

2006-06-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

WHAT? Now you're probably thinking that I must have some sort of mean spirited slant to my character to make such an indignant statement such as this. Not true, but it did catch your attention didn't it? In fact, not moving here is one of the alternatives that some of my clients have employed to beat the high San Diego home prices. They bought homes 40 miles up the I-15 in Riverside County. In fact, many people from San Diego have been snatching up homes in places like Temecula and Murrieta for 30% to 40% less than what a comparable home would sell for in San Diego. Many of those people commute to San Diego for work. But with gas prices going well above $3 a gallon, the cost advantages have been eroding. Plus, the freeways at rush hour can be terrible.

Still, if you don't mind the drive, it could be a great way to save on housing costs. As an example, you can buy a 5 bedroom, 3300sf newer home in Murrieta for around $500,000. In San Diego, a similar home may go for $750,000. That $250,000 difference equates to a mortgage savings of about $1500 a month! Are you one of those who made the move to take advantage of the savings? Drop me a comment and let us know how it worked out!

This 5 bedroom 3 bath 3,200sf Murrieta home sold for $512,000. Its only about a year old and has a large 10,000sf yard:

Want to know more about Murrieta? About 15 years ago, the population was about 16,000 and there wasn't a single traffic light. It was an old rural community of horse ranches and farms. Today the population is over 80,000 with sparkling new tracts of homes and modern shopping amenities designed to attract families from San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County.

Murrieta is at the edge of southern California's wine country where you can tour some two dozen wineries in the nearby Temecula Valley. Look up in the skies and you'll see hot air balloons which have become a symbol for the region. The mild climate is hard to beat with warm days and cool nights. Because the area is so new, its more difficult to make a living there with very few major employers other than the numerous retail businesses. But if you are self-employed, retired, or if you don't mind the commute to the major job markets in Los Angeles, San Diego, or Orange County, then this can be a great place to live in some of the last affordable housing left in Southern California.

Avoiding Taxes on Property: The 1031 Exchange!

2006-06-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

In a nutshell, a 1031 Exchange is a section of the IRS code that allows you to exchange one rental property for one or more of equal or greater value, without paying any taxes. There are rules and regulations you have to follow, but they are clearly set out, and a third party intermediary, called an "accommodator," will handle the transaction for you.

The IRS says that if you touch the money, you pay the tax. But if you use a qualified intermediary to transfer the money from the sold property to the purchased one(s), you qualify for a tax-free exchange. This person should be a member of the Federation of Exchange Accommodators, and bonded.

You may want to exchange your rental property for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you no longer want to manage it. Or, you want to own a property that can be more readily refinanced. Then, you could exchange one property that is not so easy to take cash out of, for one that is. This is true for houses, vacant land for apartments, or an office building, to name a few. And, you have 180 days after the sale of one property, to close on the replacement. You can even buy a new property before selling the old one, that’s called a "reverse" Exchange. In that case, the intermediary holds title for you until you sell the old property. Make sure you tell your Realtor that you'll want to perform a 1031 Exchange whether you are buyer or selling so that the proper wheels can be put to motion!

Naturally, as with any tax related matter, you should consult your tax accountant or tax attorney.

Bumming Off the Internet

2006-06-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

As a Realtor, I visit many homes every week. Frequently I'll have my HP tablet PC with me so that I can take notes or have contracts available for clients that I meet. It never ceases to amaze me that I can walk into a home, turn on my computer and 1 out of 3 times have immediate access to the internet. This is not supposed to happen. Your wireless network should be secure... only you should be able to access it, not me, not your neighbor, not some dude driving down the street scoping out free internet connections.

Its really weird when several neighbors all unknowningly have unsecured wireless overlapping each other. The people in one house may be using their neighbor's wireless internet thinking that they were in fact using their own. I was in a house once where the homeowner was telling me that he was in the process of moving his wireless box to another room so it was temporarily disconnected. He said that he was a little surprised that his internet was still working fine and assumed that the wireless box did not have to be plugged in to work. Of course it doesn't have to be plugged in if you are stealing your neighbor's wireless connection!

Stealing may be a strong word in this case, but I'm sure the other neighbor may have noticed his internet has been running a little slower lately. The more users you have on a connection, the slower it becomes. But thats not the worst problem.

You've heard about those new wireless video cams. Some people install them all over the house so from many miles away they can keep an eye on the baby's room, the pets, the garden, the entry doors. If someone can get access to your wireless network, it becomes all the easier for them to access your cameras and see whats going on in your own home. This could go on for months and you may never know it.

The solution is to secure your wireless system as soon as you install it in your home. The wireless box has 2 little antennas on it and its called a wireless access point or sometimes a wireless router. Making it secure is not difficult, but you need to follow the step-by-step instructions that came with the unit. Most people only do step one which is to plug the unit in. If you keep reading, you'll see a section that describes how to set up a secure password. Look for the initials WEP or Data Encryption and that should be checked on. You'll have to store a password for each wireless computer in your home. Its not hard to do and you'll have less reasons to worry about strangers having access to your home network.

Drink Up To Something Different: Boba Tea

2006-06-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about the latest sensation in the world of beverages? Its a new asian tea drink that started in Taiwan some 20 years ago and made it to California in the 90's. Its called Bubble tea or boba tea. If you haven't had one yet, you need to try one. You'll either like it or not, but I guaranty that your first experience will have you surprised, bewildered, and maybe shocked beyond words. This is not your grandma's dainty cup of camomile tea.

To describe it is a little difficult, but here it goes; Boba tea is any number of cool and refreshing combinations of flavors of teas, milk and sugar. The tea is likely to be in pastel colors of yellow, pink, or green and its not overwhelmingly sweet. Mixed in with the drink is small dark, pea-sized balls made from Tapioca. These Tapioca balls are usually several layers deep sitting at the bottom of the clear plastic cup in which the tea is served. You're given a special super wide straw to suck up these bobas as as you enjoy the tea. At first it may seem weird to suddenly have plump balls of tapioca in your mouth as you're sipping up the cool tea, but both the tea and the chewy tapioca make for a surprisingly good match.

I had my first boba tea 6 years ago at a Vietnamese restaurant in Mira Mesa San Diego. Since then, it seems that you can find Boba tea all over San Diego and one place I've been going to is called Tea Station located on Mira Mesa blvd. You can find Boba tea now in most larger cities in the US. Give Boba tea a try and see if you like it. This may be the start of the next big counterpunch to Starbucks.

Thinking About A Place in Downtown San Diego?

2006-06-17T23:58:00.000-07:00

Whether you are considering in making an investment on a second home or ready to buy your first home, you may want to take a look at downtown San Diego. There is a buzz downtown with nearly 30,000 residents and the population is anticipated to grow to nearly 90,000 by 2030. More than $3 billion has been poured into downtown over the last few years in new residential, commercial and public infrastructure. Downtown has become a vibrant, cosmopolitan place with new restaurants, public art projects, parks, retail shops, and activities. If you haven’t been there lately, you’re in for a jolt. Downtown offers a surprisingly wide price range to accommodate every budget. You’ll find everything from studio lofts starting at just under $300,000 to luxurious 4,000 sqft condos in the $5,000,000 range. Some homes have breathtaking views and others are walking distance to places like Petco Park, the Gaslamp, Horton Plaza, Little Italy, Balboa Park, and Seaport Village. Imagine owning a second home downtown to take those mini vacations while capitalizing on a great investment! There are many prime opportunities now available and one of them could have your name on it.

The Paperless Office. It Is Here.

2006-06-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

Many of my clients know that I’ve been involved for many years in the software industry. As a Realtor, I’m constantly applying technology to help my clients stay ahead in the home buying and selling process. One improvement that my clients seem to enjoy is the use of electronic documents. Rather than carrying a thick pile of contracts for my clients to sign, I use a small tablet PC and an electronic pen. Documents can be signed, executed, and e-mailed wirelessly or printed on the spot. You can get paperwork delivered to your home, office, or anywhere around the world! In effect, you can buy or sell a home from anywhere!