March 2020 North County and San Diego Real Estate Markets

March 2020 North County and San Diego Real Estate Markets

February brought continued price growth to North County and San Diego real estate markets. Because of the coronavirus, the California Association of Realtors® is planning on revising this year’s forecast lower, but say the changes will be modest. The uncertainty the virus has brought to financial markets has also led to lower interest rates. Those low rates are spurring on home purchases and refinances.

North County and San Diego Real Estate Markets

Year-over prices were up 8.1 percent countywide and 5.0 percent in North County. Inventory dropped by over 40 percent compared to the previous year, and market times were shorter. We continue to see fewer new listings but more pending and closed sales.

See below for this month’s statistics and daily interest rate updates.

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March Gardening Tips 2020

March Gardening Tips 2020 azalea in bloom Pam Fraser

Spring is coming, and next to fall, early spring is the best time to plant. The cool weather is great for gardening, and the rainy season is almost over. Although December was wet, we didn’t get much rain in January and February. So if you haven’t already, it’s probably time to start watering.

Here are some March gardening tips to keep your yard healthy and happy.

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February 2020 North County and San Diego Real Estate Markets

February 2020 North County and San Diego Real Estate Markets

North County and San Diego real estate markets saw solid price growth along with strong sales and tight inventory in January. Due to the market upturn in the last half of 2019, experts think that as long as interest rates and inventory stay low we’ll see a one to four percent growth in home prices this year. San Diego markets have fared well with prices here rising more than in other West Coast markets that usually show higher gains.

North County and San Diego Real Estate Markets

North County’s year-over median price increased 6.6 percent in January compared to the previous year. Countywide, the median price increased 7.9 percent. Pending and closed sales rose in both markets while new listings dropped by close to 20 percent.

If you’re looking to sell your home, this is a great time to take advantage of the low inventory and strong market. If you are planning on buying, lower interest rates are making it more affordable, but finding the right home will require patience and diligence.

See below for this month’s statistics and daily interest rate updates.

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February Gardening Tips 2020

February Gardening Tips 2020 red rose Pam Fraser

February’s longer days and moderate temperatures make this a great month for gardening. Sadly, I’m spending most of my time trying to catch up with the weeds that came with our December rains. If you need help identifying and removing the variety growing in your yard, take a look the University of California’s web site. It has helpful information for identifying and dealing with common Southern California weeds.

Here are some February gardening tips to keep your yard healthy and happy.

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The Power of Home Equity

The Power of Home Equity

Homeownership offers many advantages over renting, including a stable living environment, predictable monthly payments, and the freedom to make modifications. Neighborhoods with high rates of homeownership have less crime and more civic engagement. Additionally, studies show that homeowners are happier and healthier than renters, and their children do better in school.

But one of the biggest perks of homeownership is the opportunity to build wealth over time. Researchers at the Urban Institute found that homeownership is financially beneficial for most families, and a recent study showed that the median net worth of homeowners can be up to 80 times greater than that of renters in some areas.

So how does purchasing a home help you build wealth? And what steps should you take to maximize the potential of your investment? Find out how to harness the power of home equity for a secure financial future.

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Real Estate Market Forecast 2020

real estate forecast 2020

We’re in the midst of the longest economic expansion in U.S. history, and the real estate forecast says there’s still room to grow. A recent survey by the National Association for Business Economics found that experts believe the U.S. economy will remain positive throughout 2020.

Still, given that recessions are a natural (and necessary) part of a business cycle, we know this period of growth will inevitably end. So you may be wondering, how will an eventual recession impact the real estate market?

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January Gardening Tips 2020

January Gardening Tips 2020 Pam Fraser

I love gardening in January. The days are getting longer, and all the plants look happier after the rains have started.

Here are some January gardening tips to get your yard ready for the new year.

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December Gardening Tips 2019

December Gardening Tips 2019 Pam Fraser artichoke

December is time to enjoy the holidays, but also a great time to garden in San Diego County. Keep planting cool-season annuals and vegetables, grow native wildflowers, and pull those pesky weeds that show up with the rain.

Here are some December gardening tips to help keep your yard healthy and happy.

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Everything You Need to Know About iBuyers

Everything You Need to Know About iBuyers

Technology is changing the way we do almost everything, and real estate transactions are no exception. In fact, a new crop of tech companies wants to revolutionize the way we buy and sell homes. They have brought a new kind of home buyer, called iBuyers, into the market.

iBuyer startups like Opendoor, Offerpad, and Properly are rapidly expanding into new territories. And now established players, like Zillow, are starting to get in on the action. Also known as Direct Buyers, these companies use computer algorithms to provide sellers with a quick cash offer to buy their home.

While the actual market share of iBuyers remains small, their big advertising budgets have helped create a noticeable buzz in the industry. This has left many of my clients curious about them and how they work.

In this article, I explain their business model, weigh the pros and cons of working with an iBuyer, and share strategies you can use to protect yourself if you choose to explore this new option to buy or sell your home.

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November Gardening Tips 2019

November Gardening Tips 2019 Pam Fraser

November is a great time to plant, plus there are lots of garden sales this time of year. And we shouldn’t forget that although the weather is cooling, fire season won’t end until we see some significant rain. For ways to protect your home against brushfires, take a look at September’s gardening tips.

Here are some November gardening tips to help keep your yard bountiful and blooming.

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