August 2016 San Diego County Real Estate Report and Interest Rates

August 2016 San Diego County Real Estate ReportThe market slowed down in July with fewer pending and closed sales compared to June. But because there were also fewer new listings, inventory stayed at a very low 2.4 months’ supply countywide.

Real Estate Report

This low inventory continues to keep pressure on home prices in San Diego and North San Diego County. A lack of resale homes, rising prices and a dearth of middle- and low- income building is causing a housing crisis for both buyers and renters. It is hitting the middle class especially hard.

KPBS™ interviewed Matt Adams, vice president of San Diego’s Building Industry Association. He says new housing is creating an “hourglass” market by building more homes for people at the top and bottom of the economic ladder, but few for people in the middle.

Interest Rates

Market Updates

Click on the links below to read the full housing statistics reports.

Continue reading August 2016 San Diego County Real Estate Report and Interest Rates

A Better Backyard

Want to make better use of your outdoor space without spending a lot of money? Try these three simple tricks. They can make all the difference between using your backyard and just looking at it.

backyard lightingRomantic lighting can really add drama and whimsy to an otherwise dull outdoor space. Try stringing lights over a patio for a look that recalls street cafes and romantic restaurant patios. Continue reading A Better Backyard

North County and San Diego County Events – August 2016

North County and San Diego County Events - August 2016North County and San Diego County Events – August 2016 certainly feel like summer. There are so many outdoor activities — concerts, movies, star gazing, sailing, surfing, horse racing, car shows, even a street fair for dogs! If you’re looking to beat the heat, no worries. There’s plenty to do indoors too!


Continue reading North County and San Diego County Events – August 2016

Should You Buy a New or Existing Home?

Should You Buy a New or Existing Home?Maybe your dream home has the intricate details that you usually find only in older construction — wainscoting and crown molding in the interior, a large yard with an older tree shading the back yard, and a white picket fence.

Or maybe your dream home has all the conveniences of modern living — open floor plan in the living and dining spaces, large windows, connected, “smart” appliances, and minimalist design elements.

Whether you go for a brand new construction or an existing home, both types of properties have their pros and cons when it comes to purchasing. What type of home is right for you will depend on which factors are most important for your lifestyle.

Continue reading Should You Buy a New or Existing Home?

July 2016 San Diego County Real Estate Report and Interest Rates

July 2016 San Diego County Real Estate ReportPrices continue to rise throughout San Diego County and we are approaching the 2005 pre-recession median home price peak of $517,500. In fact, multiple zip codes throughout the county have met or exceeded their pre-recession peaks with many of those zip codes located in the North County Coastal area.

Real Estate Report

This is great news for those who are building equity, hard on those trying to enter the market, and scary for those who got hurt during the recession. But what do those numbers really mean? Housing affordability in San Diego County has dropped significantly since 2012, but even with significant price increases, it hasn’t changed much since 2014. This is because those price increases have not been adjusted for inflation, or changing incomes and interest rates. First American’s Economic Center has taken these factors into account in a recent report titled, First American Real House Price Index (RHPI).

The index set the RHPI at 100 in January 2000 and then compares those values to today’s numbers adjusting for income and interest rates. San Diego’s Real Price Index in April 2016 was 84.1. Recent events, like “Brexit,” have helped push down interest rates, increasing buying power even more. I’ll have our updated RHPI in next month’s San Diego County Real Estate Report.

Interest Rates

Click on the links below to read the full housing statistics reports.

Continue reading July 2016 San Diego County Real Estate Report and Interest Rates

14 Easy Fixes to Make Before Your Home Inspection

14 Easy Fixes to Make Before Your Home InspectionBefore your home goes on the market, you want to make sure it looks its best for potential buyers. Once you have an accepted offer, the next person you need to worry about is the home inspector. The home inspector will be looking at many things your buyer did not. Here are 14 easy fixes to make before your home inspection.

Continue reading 14 Easy Fixes to Make Before Your Home Inspection

North County and San Diego County Events – July 2016

North County and San Diego County Events - July 2016North County and San Diego County Events – July 2016 will keep you busy. There are so many fun things to do in July.


TGIF Concerts in the ParksTGIF Concerts in the Parks
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Carlsbad, various parks
For over 30 years, the City of Carlsbad Cultural Arts Office has presented live music events throughout the city. When summer rolls around in Carlsbad, everyone gears up for TGIF Concerts in the Parks! The 2016 season runs Friday nights from June 24 through Aug. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. (all fields open at 4 p.m.) and features great music, food and a chance to dance the night away with friends and neighbors in a beautiful outdoor setting.

This year’s band lineup offers a music genre for everyone, from country to rock, cover bands to spicy Latin and world grooves. Concerts are free and open to the public and move across the city, from Stagecoach to Alga Norte, Poinsettia and Calavera Hills community parks. A free shuttle service is available at most concert locations, as onsite parking is limited.

The music at TGIF is just the beginning. A variety of food vendors are onsite at the events, or you can bring your own feast from home. Family Open Studios is back with free, hands-on art making activities for all ages. And of course, there will be plenty of chances to enter the Opportunity Drawing from the Carlsbad Friends of the Arts. There are prize packages each night, all to support future arts and cultural events in Carlsbad.


Continue reading North County and San Diego County Events – July 2016

June 2016 San Diego County Real Estate Report and Interest Rates

June 2016 San Diego County Real Estate ReportSan Diego County jumped up to eighth position in realtor.com’s® 20 Hottest Real Estate Markets. That’s our best ranking in May since Realtor.com started comparing markets three years ago.

Real Estate Report

May’s market statistics certainly support that hot ranking. Countywide, the median sales price increased 7.9 percent compared to the previous May and the supply of available inventory fell to a meager 2.1 months.

This is wonderful for San Diego County home sellers, but rising prices are making it difficult for buyers. The California Association of Realtors reports that only 28 percent of households could afford the median priced home in the first quarter of 2016. With home prices continuing to rise, that number will most likely drop even lower.

See below for today’s interest rates.

Click on the links to read the full housing statistics reports.

Continue reading June 2016 San Diego County Real Estate Report and Interest Rates

What the Remodel Reveals

Bathrooms and kitchens are still the rooms consumers are most willing to remodel or upgrade according to the National Association of Home Builders. These have been the top rooms since 2001.

Here's where consumers are most willing to spend and to upgrade. What the remodel reveals.

How to Amp Up The Resale Value of Your Home

How to Amp-Up the Resale Value of Your HomeWhether you’re putting your home on the market this year or in the next five years, it is a smart decision to start building your home’s resale value now. Here are some ways to create a comfortable home while making it easier to put more money into your bank account on closing day.

Continue reading How to Amp Up The Resale Value of Your Home