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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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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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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Contractors, Home Improvement, Homeowners, Remodeling

How to Hire a Contractor

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If you need to hire a contractor for a project in or around your home, you want to make sure you hire the right one. Here are some tips to help you do that.

GET RECOMMENDATIONS

Get recommendations from family or friends. I can recommend contractors and am always grateful for any recommendations you have for me. You can also check with building inspectors and supply houses to see who they recommend.

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Home Sellers, Homeownership, Housing Market

Why Homeowners Aren’t Selling

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Why homeowners aren't sellingEvery month I tell you inventory is still low. This is not only the case for San Diego County and North County, but also for most of California. What’s keeping people from selling their homes? The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) recently surveyed Californians and found some interesting answers why homeowners aren’t selling.

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Events, Fun

North County and San Diego County Events – October 2015

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OctoberNorth County and San Diego County bring us scary Halloween events, the Miramar air show, sporting events and lots of fun festivals this month.

Miramar Air ShowMCAS Miramar Air Show
October 2 – 4
Location: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Welcome to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, home of the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, and the largest military air show in the nation.

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