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Testimonials from Our Real Estate Clients
Let’s Add Pro Bono Work to NAR Code of Ethics
November 12th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Real Estate, San Diego Communities, San Diego Real Estate
by Roberta Murphy
Joe Ferrara is a man with many hats and one very big heart. He’s a real estate attorney in New York, a real estate broker, a premier real estate blogger–and someone who just might convince the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to add a pro bono clause to the NAR Code of Ethics.
Joe’s must-read blog article about this pro bono proposal is one that should inspire all real estate professionals to reach out to their communities and try to help people stay in their homes, even if they are not paid for their efforts. Why? some might ask–especially when times are tough for almost everyone?
Why?
Because, so many of us have the knowledge and expertise to help guide others through these treacherous financial waters. Because we are all weathering this storm together. Because someday real estate markets will stabilize. And because….
It sometimes just feels good to do good.
Thanks for this morning’s inspiration, Joe!
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When the Tail Wags the Dog
October 23rd, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Real Estate, Real Estate News, San Diego Real Estate
This is usually a blog about San Diego real estate, San Diego activities– and the rants of our writers.
This time, I am here to announce that we are no longer associated with Sotheby’s International Realty in San Diego. In fact, Sotheby’s International Realty has dropped San Diego entirely–so it is nothing I am taking personally.
Except….
We feel we can offer more stability for ourselves and our clients by navigating our own ship and forming our own real estate company. We have no debt, little baggage, and have enough set aside to carry us through almost any storm.
So we formed our own company. The biggest problem though, was deciding on a name for this new venture.
After many exotic attempts, we ended up settling on the name of our website, San Diego Previews with an explanatory tagline of Previews Luxury Real Estate.
We had always viewed this site as our tail: It wagged and allowed an outlet for our thoughts, discoveries and rants. The tail is usually wagging, sometimes sagging, and sometimes points straight in the air. It was an indicator of what was going on with the body and real estate spirit.
But somewhere along the way, it also became part of our identity, and it just didn’t feel right to come up with an alien name–and feel the obligation to start another site.
So the point of this tale is to explain how we have decided to let the tail wag the dog….
And name our real estate company accordingly: Welcome San Diego Previews and the fine talents of Mike Murphy, Eve Sieminski, Scott Murphy, Wendy Barbour, Daruish Abedian–and we hope, Howard Jennings and Ilene Brodsky:-)
Feel free to give us a call at 877-818-8197!
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San Diego Disaster? Use Twitter
August 18th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Real Estate, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Real Estate News, San Diego
I started using Twitter a few months ago, and at first had trouble understanding how it could be of benefit to me or my family.This online site allows a maximum of 140 characters for users or “Twitterers” to post their ideas, activities and breaking news. Based on relationship, the value of their Twitters–or simple curiosity, just about anyone can “follow” anyone.
At first it mostly seemed like social chatter, with some interesting links to stories and photos. But when an earthquake rumbled through Southern California a few weeks ago, there were immediate Twitter reports. Those following Twitter probably had a better handle on what was happening than the news media. A couple of San Diego Realtors were reporting via Twitter the gentle shaking, while reports from Long Beach and Los Angeles reported something stronger.
We knew within minutes that there was likely no real damage from this quake, this time.
But what if this were the big one? What if a major hurricane hits the Southern coasts? What about tornadoes? Or terrorist attacks?
Experience has shown that in times of regional disasters, cell and telephone networks often break down from everyone calling at once. This leaves anguished families and friends worrying about the safety of their loved ones.
It might be wise to now go set up a Twitter account and encourage your friends and family to do the same. That way, you will be able to instantly check on each other via cell phone texting (dial 40404) or the internet. If you do sign up, be sure and follow me on Twitter at: RobertaMurphy
This YouTube video by David Stephenson explains how Twitter could work if San Diego were to be hit with a major disaster–and it occurs to me that we should also ask our fire, police and safety officials to set up their own Twitter accounts so that we could get official reports and updates.
–Roberta Murphy
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Tips for San Diego Home Buyers
August 12th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Real Estate, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego Foreclosures, San Diego Real Estate
This may be the worst San Diego real estate market (for sellers) in recent history, but it surely creates some of the best buying opportunities of a lifetime as well.
We are seeing smart money aggressively buying in our San Diego real estate market, and hear reports of the same elsewhere. The properties, many of them San Diego foreclosures or short sales, are being bought as fix-and-flippers–or are being held as longer term rentals.
People inquire about these distressed properties almost daily; but more recently, we are being consulted about strategies for buying even luxury homes at bargain prices. These buyers may not have to sell their existing home to buy another, are cash buyers, or are open to exchange possibilities.
Below are some strategies we use to help our San Diego home buyers (and others) get some of the best real estate bargains on the market.
- Study Market Time: Luxury homes in particular may take longer to sell because of pricing, custom features and a more limited pool of buyers and jumbo loans. But that doesn’t mean sellers are any less motivated to move on with their lives. At one time, we thought little of $million-plus homes sitting on the market for 90 days or more. These days, we seek buying opportunities if a home has been on the market over 60 days and are seeing some heavy price discounting if days on market goes over 90 days.
- Check Tax Records and other Sources: Is there more debt on the San DIego area home than what it is worth? Has a Notice of Default been filed that would indicate a looming foreclosure? If so and if this is a home of interest for our buyer, we submit an offer contingent on the successful negotiation of a short sale (where the lender sells the property for less than what is owed). In this case, either we or professional negotiators deal with the lender(s) to reach the best possible price for our buyer.
- Did Owners Pay Cash or Have They Owned Their Home for Longer than 10 Years? These sellers may be in a position to sell at a discount or may be motivated to do so because of life transitions or other investment opportunities. They may also be open to owner-financing for all or part of the home mortgage.
- Are You Open to Remodeling? Homes sold in as-is condition are more likely than others to sell at a substantial discount. Owners, especially when the home has been on the market for some time, are often overwhelmed with the thought of remodeling and updating–and fearful that their decor choices will not suit potential buyers. Especially in the San Diego coastal real estate market, older or outdated homes are sometimes sold at land value.
- Foreclosoure Sales: The f-word (foreclosure) is occurring even in the luxury home market. Highly leveraged homes purchased in the last few years are more frequently ending up on the courthouse steps. Foreclosure purchases, which require cash and carry no disclosures or guarantees, offer both great potential for profit–and dire dangers for the uninformed. Bidding should be non-emotional and it is best to have a professional bidding for you–but only after thorough-as-possible research has been done regarding the home’s condition, its history and resale potential. Cracked slabs, structural defects and boundary line encroachments are unwelcome surprises.
- Home Exchanges: This is a rather novel strategy for those trying to sell their home in San Diego’s current real estate market. Life transitions encourage homeowners to make moves. Empty-nesters may wish to relocate from their large suburban home to something equally nice, but far less demanding in upkeep. Others may have expanding families that crave acreage, pools, tennis courts or equestrian facilities. In the Southern California market, Owner-Broker Bob Dyson and Villa Sotheby’s International Realty have set up a property exchange platform that allows homeowners to directly exchange properties and ownership. It is a tactic that helps to support neighborhood values and removes many of the pressures involved in having a home on the market for an extended period of time.
- If the property you want is listed, have your agent check the other real estate agent’s listing history. If that agent tends to have listings on the market for a long time, you may consider lowering your offer. On the other hand, if the agent prices properties aggressively and has short “days on market,” you may consider coming in near, at–or even over– list price. You will likely find the listing is already priced at or below market to attract multiple offers.
A combination of patience, perseverance and the ability to move quickly will serve all astute buyers of real estate these days, but the greatest potential of all may lie in with those well-located properties where replacement value could far exceed the purchase price.
To search San Diego foreclosures, do so below. To search the San Diego MLS, click on the home search button at the bottom of this article.
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San Diego 4th of July Fireworks for 2008
June 30th, 2008 Categories: At Home in Del Mar, Carlsbad Real Estate, Coronado, La Costa, San Diego Activities
San Diego’s mortgage meltdown and budget constraints have forced Chula Vista to cancel its big annual fireworks display, and Valley Center has fire safety issues, but the 4th of July fireworks displays in the rest of San Diego County will light the skies this Friday night.
San Diego’s real estate market notwithstanding, you shouldn’t have to drive far from your San Diego home to find a good spot to picnic and watch the fireworks:
2007 Fireworks Schedule in San Diego County
SAN DIEGO
Coronado: Glorietta Bay and Silver Strand
July 4, 9 p.m. Day-long festivities with a parade at 10 a.m.
(619) 437-8788.
La Jolla Cove
July 4, 9 p.m.
(858) 454-1444
Mira Mesa Recreation Center
July 4, 9 p.m. Food, rides, games and entertainment in Mira Mesa Community Park during the day.
(858) 538-8122.
Mission Bay Yacht Club
July 4, 9 p.m.
(858) 488-0501.
Ocean Beach Pier
July 4, 9 p.m.
(619) 226-8613.
Mission Bay: Paradise Point Resort
Thursday, July 3 at 9 p.m. with BBQ at 6 pm
(858) 274-4630.
Downtown: Petco Park
Saturday July 12, Fireworks follow the Padres game
(619) 795-5005.
San Diego Big Bay
July 4, 9 p.m.
(858) 751-5755.
Mission Bay: Sea World
July 4, 9:30 p.m.
(800) 25-SHAMU.
EAST COUNTY
Santee: Town Center Community Park Ballfields
July 4, 9 p.m.
(619) 258-4100 x201.
Spring Valley Park
July 4, 9 p.m.
(619) 479-1832.
Campo: Golden Acorn Casino
Saturday, July 5, 9 p.m.
619-938-6000[
NORTH COUNTY
San Marcos: Bradley Park
July 4, 9 p.m. Food and music are part of the celebration happening earlier in the day.
(760) 744-9000.
Vista: Brengle Terrace Park
July 4, 9 p.m. Daylong festivities.
(760) 726-1340, ext. 1574.
Camp Pendleton: Del Mar Beach
July 4, 9 p.m. All day activities including music, food and games.
(760) 725-2313.
Escondido: Grape Day Park
July 4, 9 p.m. Afternoon festivities, including game and food booths, music and entertainment.
(760) 745-1159.
Carlsbad: Legoland
July 4, 8:30 p.m. included with admission
(760) 918-LEGO.
La Costa Resort and Spa
July 4, after dark
760-438-9111
Oceanside Pier
July 4, 9 p.m. Part of the O’Fest All-Day Carnival
(760) 967-2005.
Ramona: Olive Peirce Middle School
July 4, 9 p.m. Grounds open at 5 p.m. for town picnic including food booths and games.
(760) 789-1311.
Rancho Bernardo High School
July 4, 9 p.m. Daylong festivities kick off at 10 a.m. in Webb Park.
(619) 889-8505.
Del Mar Fairgrounds
July 4, 9 p.m. included with admission
(858) 755-1161.
Valley Center High School
Canceled this year. Back in blazing colors in 2009!
(760) 670-7062.
SOUTH BAY
Chula Vista: Bayside Park: Canceled
Wednesday, 9 p.m. Food, music, and entertainment will be featured beginning at noon.
(619) 420-6603.
National City: Kimball Park
Wednesday, 9 p.m. Carnival rides, games and food booths also.
(619) 336-4290.
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