San Diego Home Info by Gretchen Pagnotta

Archive for the 'Buyer Info' Category

San Marcos End Of January 2010 Home Sale Activity

Lake San Marcos

Currently there are 117 detached homes for sale in San Marcos, Ca. a neighborhood in North San Diego County 92078.

Prices range in price from $190,000 – $210,000 for 1,980 sq. ft. to $998,000 – $1,100,000 for 3,915 sq. ft.  The average price for a 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom is $356,289.

There are currently 101 homes in escrow.  The average price for a 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom is $323,175, the average sq. ft. is 1,644 and the average market time is 61 days. Read the rest of this entry »

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Best MLS Photos for Poway Homes this Week

Best Curb Appeal:

“This home was just listed in the Palisades neighborhood of Poway and features 5 bedrooms, 3,602 square feet and sits on 1.49 acres.  It is selling for under $1,300,000. Queen palms, circular driveway..wow, this is why we pay the big bucks to live in Southern California!”

Best Pool Home:

This custom Poway home features 4 bedrooms, 4,495 square feet and sits on a 2.12 acre lot.  I would be praying for hot…hot…hot summers so I could enjoy this pool!

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4S Ranch Home Sales Activity Ending January 2010

Currently there are 18 homes for sale in 4S Ranch , a community in North SanDiego County and part of Rancho Bernardo 92127. Prices range in price from $485,000 for 1,873 sq. ft. to $899,000 for 3,574 sq. ft.  The average price for a 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom is $713,472.  There are currently 14 homes in escrow.  The average price for a 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom is $886,620, the average sq. ft. is 2,961 and the average market time is 58 days. 

(Please click on the picture above to see Sales Activity)

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Rancho Bernardo End Of January 2010 Home Sales Activity

Rancho Bernardo Dog Park

Currently there are 148 DETACHED homes for sale in Rancho Bernardo ranging in price from $450,000 for 1,776 sq. ft. to $1,600,000 for 5,156 sq. ft.  The average price for a 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom is $649,700.  There are currently 58 homes in escrow.  The average price for a 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom is $485,750, the average sq. ft. is 1,884 and the average market time is 43 days.

    (Please click on the picture to the left to view sales activity)

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Best MLS Photos for Scripps Ranch:

Best Scripps Ranch Curb Appeal:

This home was recently listed at Sanctuary at Stonebridge in Scripps Ranch.  This home features 5 bedrooms (plus one optional), 5 1/2 bathrooms, 4,775 square feet and is listed right at $1,345,000.  “I would love to pull up to this home after a long day at the office”. Read the rest of this entry »

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Monteluz at 4S Ranch Had a Successful Grand Opening!

Formal Dining Room in Monteluz Home in 4S Ranch

Monteluz, A California West Community had their grand  opening last weekend and according to their sales staff was a great success.  I love these homes!! The location is fabulous being near 56 for commuters and I-15 and of course being part of the 92127, 4S Ranch Community!  I have blogged on 4S Ranch previously as it is a favorite of mine and the residents who live there already!  The schools are part of award winning Poway Unified School District  and are newly built, the children can walk to their grade schools in many locations.  The shopping, restaurants, dry cleaners, hair salons,  and library are all centrally located. The parks are also an added attraction to residents along with the miles of walking trails.  The Boys and Girls Club offers an array of classes and activities for the children. Read the rest of this entry »

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Literary Lunch in SANTALUZ A SUCCESS!!

Cute Stuffed Puppy on Each Place Setting

The Art of Racing In The Rain by Garth Stein

One of the great things about living in Santaluz is the opportunity to socialize, meet new neighbors and enjoy wonderful events.  Elizabeth Davis, a resident of Verrazzano has organized a series of Literary Luncheons. The most recent was this past week and featured Garth Stein who wrote The Art of Racing In The Rain.  If you have not had a chance to enjoy this book race out today and purchase it or order it for your Kindle!

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN
Garth Stein
Harper Paperbacks
Fiction

“In Garth Stein’s touching story, the appealing narrator is a dog named Enzo, who (of course) cannot communicate as he’d like to, by talking with his family. Instead, he pours his considerable heart and spirit into this book, sharing his experiences and reflections with readers. Although Enzo is frustrated with his limitations as a canine, he comforts himself with the fact that, according to a documentary he watched about Mongolia (Enzo is a dedicated television viewer), he will be reincarnated as a human. And he knows a lot about being a human after watching his master Denny Swift, who is a hero to him.”

The above was taken from www.Bookreporter.com to finish the review go to their website.

For those of you that own a dog this book will bring you tears of joy and some tears of sadness..a wonderful story!  The author had a difficult time getting it published because his agent believed no one would read a story that was written by the voice of a dog.  Boy that agent made a huge mistake! A movie is now in the works and the book has been on the best seller lists for weeks. Read the rest of this entry »

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Santaluz Best MLS Pictures of the Week!!!

I find it fascinating to review photos of homes that are posted on the MLS.  There is a very popular agent in Las Vegas who blogs about the worst pictures; www.veryvintagevegas.com. I decided to take the high road and do  regular reviews of the best pictures.  I must say it is not the easiest to do.  It is far easier to find the worst and I might add the “worst of the worst.”  I will be tempted from time to time to throw one of these in..just can’t help myself and you readers need some entertainment.  So what do agents” not get” about taking pictures?  According to the last study by  NAR, it was reported that  87% of all home buyers used the Internet as an information source. It is now 2110 (yikes) and we all know this percentage has gone up.  Buyers review all the basic facts on the listings; bedrooms, baths, view, square footage, price..all the boring stuff but come on it is the pictures that set their heart a flutter and make them hit that “I want more information” email button or actually pick up the phone and say “I want to see that view for myself!”

My suggestions to the sellers out there that are contemplating listing their homes….

Ask to see pictures and virtual tours that your agent has posted on prior listings that have sold.  Take a good look!

Insist the agent use a professional photographer and do pictures as well as a virtual tour if possible.  If the home is vacant sometimes a virtual tour is just not appropriate. Read the rest of this entry »

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Breaking News: North County Realtor No Longer Needs 4-Door Sedan!

I just had the experience of purchasing a new car.  This is usually a very painful process for me ..who likes to spend money on a depreciating asset?  We all are forced to do this however and this time around I must say it was quite pleasant.  The” journey”started with my husband and I searching the various makes and models for cars.  It is as challenging as buying a new home.  You have to think about your lifestyle and the best use of a car.  I started with considering another SUV.  The tax advantages for an independent contractor (that is what Realtors are called since we are paid commissions) are sizable.  You get a $25,000 tax credit if you purchase an automobile with a curb weight over 6,000 pounds.  Let me tell you that is one heavy car so your selections are trucks and the big SUV’s.  I worked the numbers and these “trucks” are expensive even with the credit. So  that idea went out the window quickly as I considered the difficulty I have in finding parking spaces for my SUV, the damage it does on my credit card at the gas pump and the feeling I have  (needing to” hold on” over rough roads and bumps) when driving what I refer to as “the truck.” I relate this to the buyer who wants the large yard and pool until they get a copy of the water bill, landscaper and pool guy…even a good deal on the home sounds expensive!

 On to the cars that sales people refer to as” real estate agent friendly”..mid size 4 door sedans…all I can say is “been there done that and it is b-o-r-i-n-g!! Also the idea of clients actually riding with you is so 1990.Someone needs to clue these salespeople in.  However my salesperson; Elizabeth was informed and in the know so she was all about what I really wanted.    Clients today want to follow you so they can run off when you are done.  No one comes back to the office to recap the days events. This would mean they would have make a decision and perhaps write an offer…scary!  Their engine is idling when you show the last home.  Suddenly the kids soccor game is over or they have a church potluck to race to.  We are fine with this..actually we prefer this especially when children are involved.  Really an old cereal crusted, sticky juice spilled car seat strapped to my leather seats and with a screaming kid roped to it…no..I mean really no this just doesn’t work for me. So it’s the “follow me” which eliminates the need for the 4 door sedan. Elizabeth somehow already knew this so she walked me right by those boring cars. Read the rest of this entry »

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10 “Must-Do’s” When Buying A Home in San Diego!

Gretchen Pagnotta with Windermere

Many people are looking to purchase a home in 2010 and I thought it appropriate to review some basic points for buyers to keep in mind.  I am currently working with several buyers and my husband and I call the search a “process.”  Let’s get started with the process!

Step 1: Find a Realtor that you have good chemistry with!  How do you find a good agent?  Start by doing a web search in the area you are looking.  Unfortunately many websites today offer nothing more than MLS searches…find one that has a blog or content about the area, the agent, and hopefully some testimonials from previous clients. Start with an email to an agent and include your phone number..see how quickly they respond…this will give you a good indication of how attentive they will be to you. If you receive a reply that you like and or a return phone call (preferred) set up a meeting with the agent in their office. So far today I have had requests for 2 floorplans from prospective clients  on my website looking at homes. Keep in mind it is a 2 way street….  agents need to earn your trust and business and you need to make a commitment to work with one agent that you are comfortable with!

Questions you can ask an agent: How many homes did you sell in the past 12 months ????…ask to see a computer list.  How do you define your style of negotiating? How many years have you been selling real estate? What are your certifications and designations (education and training). Will you be helping me personally or someone on your team? Do you have an assistant to handle your transaction paperwork? Can you give me 3 references of clients who have closed in the past 6 months? After your interview decide if the chemistry is positive.  I tell people it is like selecting a  Obstetrician.  You will have a close relationship with this person and it helps to have mutual respect, confidence and sense of easiness to make the home buying process a pleasant experience…just like having a baby!  Read the rest of this entry »

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