Coronavirus: Staying Home and Staying Sane

Staying Home and Staying Sane

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), many of us are spending a lot more time at home. We’re all being called upon to stay home, avoid public spaces and practice social distancing to help slow the spread of this infectious disease. While it can be understandably challenging, there are ways you can modify your home and your lifestyle to make the best of this difficult situation.

Here are a few tips for creating comfortable and functional spaces within your home for work, school, and fitness. I also share some favorite ways to stay connected as a community because we’re all in this together. No one should face these trying times alone.

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April Gardening Tips 2020

April Gardening Tips 2020 bougainvillea

April is a wonderful time to be in your garden, and that’s true now more than ever. The garden can be a calming, peaceful place during this stressful time. Hopefully you can use some of your “stay at home” time to start seeds, plant, trim and relax.

Here are some April gardening tips to keep both you and your yard healthy and happy.

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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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