7 Steps to a Seamless Move

7 Steps to a Seamless Move

Whatever your reasons are for relocating to a new area, the process can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, you’ll be changing more than your address. Besides a new house, you may also be searching for new jobs, schools, doctors, restaurants, stores, service providers and more.

You’ll need to pack, make moving arrangements, and possibly sell your old home. With so much to do, you may be wondering: Where do I start?

In this guide, I outline 7 steps to a seamless move. These steps will help you get prepared, get organized, and get settled in your new community. My hope is to alleviate the hassle of relocating—so you can focus on the exciting adventure ahead!

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North County and San Diego Events July 2018

North County and San Diego Events July 2018 Sunday Summer Concerts

Sunday Summer Concerts by the Sea
July 1, 15
3 – 5 PM
Location: Encinitas, Moonlight Beach, 400 B St

This summer, Encinitas Parks and Recreation brings more fun to our beach concert experience. Each concert date features cool, hands-on exhibits, demos, concerts and free stuff! All you need to do is show up, how cool is that? There are two concert dates in July and two in August. July 1 features Fan Halen. July 15 features Betamaxx.

Summer Concerts are held right on the sand at beautiful Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. Come enjoy fun at the beach. Remember that glass, alcohol, smoking and dogs are prohibited on our beaches.


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June 2018 North County and San Diego Real Estate Market Report

June 2018 North County and San Diego Real Estate Market Report

The June 2018 North County and San Diego Real Estate Market Report continues to show a slight turnaround in the years-long trend of tightening inventory. As I noted last month, the number of homes for sale in San Diego and North County has been shrinking since 2015. Last month, year-over inventory in both markets finally increased. This month, we saw it continue to grow in North County and level-off countywide. This will be something to watch as the year progresses.

Statewide, we also saw a rise in inventory, but not across the nation as a whole. Experts are predicting home prices will continue to grow at double the pace of wages.

We have not seen enough of a shift to make any kind of major change in our market, but the lack of inventory is what has kept pressure on housing prices. If inventory continues to rise, this will bring more choices for home buyers and weaken home appreciation. Rising interest rates will also put pressure on home values.

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10 Staging Secrets for a Quick Sale

10 Staging Secrets for a Quick Sale

According to the National Association of Realtors, staging a home prior to listing it can result in a faster and more profitable sale. In fact, the Real Estate Staging Association estimates that professionally staged properties spend 73 percent less time on the market, receive more foot traffic, and typically sell for more money.

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North County and San Diego Events June 2018

North County and San Diego Events June 2018

San Diego County FairSan Diego County Fair
June 1 – July 4
Location: Del Mar, Del Mar Fair Grounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd

How Sweet It Is! Get ready for treats that will tempt all of your senses at the 2018 San Diego County Fair.

What sweet things are at the fair this year? There are so many! See concerts, exhibits, attractions and festivals. Don’t miss the entertainment, animals and contests too.

This year the Fair opens at 4:00 PM on Friday, June 1 and continues through Wednesday, July 4. The Fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in June. The Fair’s season pass, the Best Pass Ever, is on sale now! Attend all 26 days of the Fair for just $28.


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May 2018 North County and San Diego Real Estate Market Report

May 2018 North County and San Diego Real Estate Market Report

The May 2018 North County and San Diego Real Estate Market Report brings us a month of firsts. The median home price countywide hit its highest point ever at $575,000. That’s $15,000 higher than in March and 8.7 percent more compared to the previous year. North County also saw a new high with its median price increasing 7.4 percent over the previous year, hitting $644,500.

April’s other first was a year-over increase in new listings in both North County and San Diego County as a whole. We haven’t seen this happen since August 2016. This increase in new listings combined with fewer sales kept inventory levels from decreasing. They are still quite low at 2.1 months in North County and 1.9 months in San Diego County, but this is the first time inventory has not seen a year-over drop since 2015.

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Interest Rate Impact

Interest Rate Impact on Your Bottom Line

Rising interest rates have a significant impact on your mortgage payment and your ability to qualify for a loan. Whether you are looking for your first home or your fifth, you are probably going to need a mortgage to purchase it. The infographic below shows what your payment would be as interest rates increase.

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North County and San Diego Events May 2018

North County and San Diego Events May 2018

Julian Wildflower ShowJulian Wildflower Show
May 4 – 6
10 AM – 4 PM
Location: Julian, 2129 Main St

The Julian Wildflower Show has been an historical event for over 91 years. Because of Julian’s mountain valley location, bordering a national forest and close to the Anza-Borrego State Park, we have 855 species of plants within 25 miles of town. Many of these plants were used for health and healing by Native Americans. The Wildflower Show is meant to educate club members, local residents, out-of-town visitors and children about the botanical wealth of Julian and its vicinity.

With permission from landowners, club members spend two days gathering wildflowers from five plant zones. The wildflowers are displayed in the Julian Town Hall. The flowers are arranged on tables representing the different geographical areas and plant zones in which they are picked. Display cards provided the name of the plant and described uses of the various plants by Native Americans.


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Optimum Time for Selling

Optimum Time for Selling travel trailerA couple is planning to tour the United States in a travel trailer during their first few years of retirement. They are going to sell their current home now and purchase another home when they finish their travels.

An interesting exercise is to determine the optimum time for selling the home: now or when they’re ready to buy their replacement home.

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April 2018 North County and San Diego Real Estate Market Report

April 2018 North County and San Diego Real Estate Market Report

The April 2018 North County and San Diego Real Estate Market Report continues to show strong price growth, tight inventory and fewer sales compared to 2017. Those price increases along with rising mortgage rates are making it tough for home buyers. The San Diego economy is strong based on a recent study by University of San Diego, but experts don’t see the real estate boom lasting forever.

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