Homeownership, Insurance

Are You Covered?

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Are You Covered?Insurance and homeowners go together like peanut butter and jelly. Lenders require fire insurance at a minimum for homes with a mortgage, but many owners opt for more comprehensive coverage with a homeowner’s policy.

However, comprehensive doesn’t mean that everything is covered. Filing a claim is not the time to learn that you don’t have the right coverage. Are you covered? Here are some topics you should discuss with your insurance agent to get a better understanding of your policy and whether some adjustments might be in order.

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Events, Fun, North County, San Diego County

North County and San Diego County Events – January 2016

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North County and San Diego County Events - JanuaryNorth County and San Diego County Events – January run the gamut from great music and art exhibitions to fun sporting events. Happy New Year!

Charles MoxonLux Art Institute Welcomes Resident Artist Charles Moxon
January 1 – 2
Location: Encinitas, Lux Art Institute, 1550 South El Camino Real

Charles Moxon’s portraits are reminiscent of 17th-century Dutch Old Masters, to which he adds the observational detail and hyper-reality of contemporary photorealism. His use of lighting and fluid paint strokes calls to mind Vermeer, with a similar layering of transparent glaze to create depth. As described by Rankin’s Hunger Magazine, "Charles’ eye for detail, technique and life-like qualities are astonishing."

Recently, Moxon has begun painting actors and models as a way to explore the theme of performance, both on the stage and in our everyday lives. While artist-in-residence at Lux, Moxon plans to continue in this vein by painting a local actor, musician, surfer or other type of performer. His process will include photos and sketches as he works toward a final oil painting.

The Artist Pavilion is open 1:00 to 5:00 pm on January 1 and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on January 2.

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Housing Appreciation, Housing Market, Market Statistics, North County, San Diego County

San Diego County Real Estate Report and Interest Rates December 2015

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San Diego County Real Estate ReportDepending on which experts you choose to listen to, the San Diego County real estate market is either headed for substantial growth or a possible bubble in 2016. Realtor.com® lists San Diego at number three in "The Top 10 Real Estate Markets to Watch in 2016" while panelists in Zillow’s quarterly "Home Price Expectation Survey" are split in their views of whether the San Diego market is at risk of being in bubble conditions.

Real Estate Report

The month-over median sales price increased for both detached and attached homes in San Diego County, while North County saw a less than one percent drop for detached homes and a 7.2 percent increase for attached homes. On a year-over basis, November saw the median price for detached homes increase 6.1 percent in North County and 10.5 percent in San Diego County.

Inventory continues to stay very low, along with the average number of days it takes for a home to sell.

To read the full housing statistics reports and see updated interest rates, click on the links below.

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Home Improvement, Homeownership, Remodeling

Home Improvements That Pay Off

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Home Improvements That Pay Off

These values come from the 2015 Cost vs. Value Report published by Remodeling magazine and show statistics for the Pacific states.

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Events, Fun, North County, San Diego County

North County and San Diego County Events – December 2015

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North County and San Diego County Events - DecemberNorth County and San Diego County Events – December include tree lighting, parades, holiday lights and lots of fun activities. Happy holidays!

LEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days and Winter NightsLEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights
December 1 – January 3
Location: Carlsbad, One LEGOLAND Dr.

Build a snowman with LEGO® accessories and throw real snowballs at colorful targets. Experience the magic of Winter Nights with shows, music, and twinkling lights.

There’s even a food truck with yummy treats served by Santa’s Elves. Stay for the nightly fireworks over Miniland USA, December 26 – 30. Witness the lighting of a 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas Tree and enjoy live entertainment with LEGO Friends Live. A life-sized LEGO Brick Santa and Reindeer make the perfect family photo. Check the website for specific dates.

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Housing Appreciation, Housing Market, Market Statistics, North County, San Diego County

San Diego County Real Estate Report November 2015

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HomeDex San Diego Real Estate ReportThe unemployment rate dropped to five percent and hourly earnings rose 0.4 percent in October. This is good news for the economy, but could be bad news for home buyers. Many economists think October’s strong jobs report will cause the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates when they meet in December. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about purchasing or refinancing, it might be time to make a move.

I’ve added home loan interest rates to my San Diego County Real Estate Report. You can follow them below. Your credit score, down payment, loan amount and many other factors can affect your interest rate. If you’d like more information on what your interest rate would be, contact me or your lender. If you need to choose a lender, read this first.

Real Estate Report

Even though the market tends to slow down this time of year, we saw month-over median price increases in October for both detached and attached North County homes, and an increase in the median price of attached homes countywide.

According to North San Diego County Association of REALTORS® and the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS®, year-over median prices also showed increases for both detached and attached homes in North County and San Diego County overall with detached homes posting annual increases of over seven percent.

To read the full housing statistics reports, click on the links below.

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California, Homeownership, Housing Market, real estate

Real Estate’s Still Hot in California

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It’s been hot, hot, hot in California! And it’s not just the weather. Our real estate markets have been hot too. California had over half of the twenty hottest U.S. markets according to the National Association of Realtors®.

San Diego is right in there, placing seventh on the list. If you look at October’s list, you’ll see we’ve moved up to sixth place.

Real Estate's Still Hot in California
Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Property Taxes, tax

How to Move But Not Increase Property Taxes

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how to move but not increase property taxesAccording to a survey by the California Association of Realtors, one of the top reasons home owners have not considered selling is a concern that property taxes on another home would be too expensive.

For certain groups of people living in San Diego County and some other counties in California, there is a way to move but not increase property taxes.

California voters have passed several propositions, Propositions 60, 90 and 110, that allow eligible property owners to transfer the base year value of an existing principal residence to a replacement dwelling.

What do these propositions do? Who qualifies, and what are the benefits?

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Events, Fun

North County and San Diego County Events – November 2015

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NovemberThere’s quite a variety of fun events in North County and San Diego County in November.

Carlsbad Village FaireCarlsbad Village Faire
November 1
Location: Carlsbad Village

More than 100,000 people will take in the beauty of our seaside city while browsing through unique booths, indulging in delectable eats and enjoying family entertainment when the largest one-day street faire in the nation returns next month.

The Carlsbad Village Faire will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 1, 2015. Now in its 41st year, the free event has grown to be so popular that it not only continually attracts people from all over Southern California, but also from other states. Some visitors even plan their vacations around the bi-annual event.

Just like at past faires, over 900 vendors will sell everything fathomable, including clothes, accessories, plants, household products, art, antiques and home decor. The international food court will once again feature more than 50 booths serving everything from Thai to Hawaiian cuisine. The children’s area will entertain youngsters with games, a super slide, a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, face painting and arts and crafts.

The Rotary Club of Carlsbad’s beer and wine garden will entertain fairgoers with a large screen TV and live bands. The Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad will continue its more than 25-year tradition of hosting a pancake breakfast at the Carlsbad railroad depot. The meal, which includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice, will be served between 7 a.m. and noon.

Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street, and all of the cross streets in between, will be closed for the event. To make parking more convenient, complimentary shuttles will run to and from the faire. Shuttles will pick up and drop off passengers at the Poinsettia Coaster Station and the northwest corner of Sears at Westfield Plaza Camino Real.

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Housing Appreciation, Housing Market, Market Statistics, North County, San Diego County

San Diego County Real Estate Report October 2015

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HomeDex San Diego County Real Estate ReportThis month’s San Diego County real estate report shows September home prices dropping slightly in both San Diego County as a whole and in North San Diego County according to the North San Diego County Association of REALTORS® and the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS®.

Although this recent dip in prices slightly improves affordability in San Diego County, it follows strong price increases over the spring and summer months. Experts expect these increases to continue even with the interest rate hikes anticipated later this year. UCLA Anderson Forecast’s third quarter report predicts employment and income growth in California paired with a shortage of new construction through 2017. This, combined with our ongoing lack of resale inventory, will maintain pressure on housing prices in San Diego County.

To read the full housing statistics reports, click on the links below.

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