San Diego Home Info by Gretchen Pagnotta

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Buying a Home in Rancho Bernardo,Ca.

April 22nd, 2012 by Gretchen Pagnotta
Categories: 4S Ranch, Buyer Info, Del Sur, First Time Buyers, Market Trends, Neighborhoods, Rancho Bernardo, Schools
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8 Great Reasons to Purchase a Home in Rancho Bernardo, Ca.

Rancho Bernardo is the northern most residential community within the City of San Diego. It is located off Interstate 15 just south of Lake Hodges in Escondido and the San Pasqual Valley. This master planned community encompasses @ 6,511 acres.

1 .Rancho Bernardo Has a Perfect Climate

Near perfect year round climate and sunshine. Check out what the weather is today! This allows people to enjoy the outdoors year round. Many of the neighborhoods have community centers with pools, tennis facilities, BBQ areas+more!

2. Rancho Bernardo Has Several Golf Courses

Rancho Bernardo Golf

If golf is you game you will have plenty of choices with public as well as private courses in Rancho Bernardo. Go to my website to learn more! Combined with #1 perfect climate get put your clubs and get ready to improve your game!

3. Rancho Bernardo Offers a Variety of Well Planned Neighborhoods

New Construction in Rancho Bernardo

There is a variety of housing available in Rancho Beranrdo. There are patio homes that appeal to busy working professionals or empty nesters, attached condos starting in the $200′s for a 2 bedroom, senior neighborhoods that require a resident to be 55 years of age, family neighborhoods centered around community centers, large estate properties some with gorgeous golf course and or montuan views, newer neighborhoods with walk to schools and fabulous walk scores for shopping and restaurants and more. There really is such a variety of properties that appeal to every budget and home buying “wish list.”

To search for the newest listings in 92127 click here!

4. Rancho Bernardo Offers Residents Great Poway Unified Schools

Great Poway Unified Schools

Poway Unified School District consistantly ranks well with performance and is a sought after district for people moving to San Diego.

5. Rancho Bernardo is Located Just North of San Diego

Rancho Bernardo is conveniently located @ 30 minutes north of downtown and the airport . Access to the coast is very conveniently now with Camino del Sur extending to 56. Residents can enjoy the beaches of Del Mar and La Jolla.

6. Rancho Bernardo has Excellent Medical Facilities

Pomerado Hospital is located is conveniently located for easy access to Rancho Bernardo residents. UCSD, Scripps and other leading medical facilities are all within a 20 minute trip. Many dentists, doctors, chiropractots, physical therapists have offices in or very close to RB.

7. Rancho Bernardo Has Plenty of Shopping

If you want a community that offers a variety of shopping you have some to the right place. What ever you are looking for is there! Tp name a few of my favorite places to shop you will find; Costco, Marshalls, Trader Joes, Sprouts, Jimbos, World Market, Chicos, Pier One, Target, Michalel’s and coming soon Nordstrom Rack!

8. Rancho Bernardo Has Plenty of Restaurants

You will not starve if you decide to make Rancho Bernardo your next home. There are the familar restaurants such as Maria Callenders, Ca Pizza Kitchen, Claim Jumper as well as some fine dining such as El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn and Bernardo’s. My favorites include Capri Blu, French Market Grill, Cafe Merlot and the Barrel Room.

Is there something else you are looking for that I have not mentioned? If so let me know, GBPagnotta@gmail.com

Looking for a Great Elementary School – Look no further than Del Sur Elementary

April 13th, 2012 by Gretchen Pagnotta
Categories: Del Sur, Neighborhoods, Rancho Bernardo, Schools
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They say some of the best and honest reviews of a business come from those who intereact with it every day. The same line of thinking can apply to a school review. The students at Del Sur Elementary room 137 shared their thoughts about their school in a post on
Del Sur Living

A top marketing team would have a challenge writing better descriptions of the Del Sur Elementary School. The students’ pride in their school, teachers and principal came through in their descriptions.

Excerpt from the article include the following:

Olivia B. “The Del Sur school is in a safe community. We have ways to keep ourselves healthy. We have a running club where
we run around a track, and each lap is a quarter mile. We have an art teacher and a music teacher who come on Wednesdays. We have fundraisers to raise money for our school. We have parent volunteers who help our classes. We have a wonderful principal, who does principal’s reading challenges, and that is with AR quiz points. We have learning websites, such as Lexia and Compass Learning.
We are a great school.”

Del Sur Elementary School

Bede M. “Del Sur is a school is full of community and respect. We have wonderful art teachers, music teachers and many volunteers. We also have Compass Learning, Edmodo, Lexia and many more terrific learning websites. Our school loves reading. We have principal reading challenges and are in the midst of one right now. We have a great principal who encourages us to respect the world and learn. We also have computers galore. We have a computer lab, and little laptops in kindergarten classes and out in the hallways. I think Del Sur Elementary is a great school.”

Alex H. “People should know that Del Sur has over 500 students. They can also learn that we have principal’s reading challenge and running club. We care about everything and everyone in the world!!!!!!! We have a library in the classroom. We have another BIG library, too. We also have field day in June. We also have laptops. Our school is an indoor school. Indoor schools are usually in Indiana.”

Josh D. “ I am in the best class. I like my school, I like my teacher, I like reading. We have a nice school. Del Sur has a library with a super nice librarian. She loves books. The libary has lots of chapter books, like Harry Potter and The Hobbit.

Del Sur is a vibrant and growing community. So many people are selecting this community because of the reputation of the Poway Unifed Schools that the children attend. In addition people love the parks, pools, trails, climate and close proximity to San Diego and easy commutes.

For more information on Del Sur Click here!

San Diego February 2012 Home Market Trends

March 29th, 2012 by Gretchen Pagnotta
Categories: 4S Ranch, Buyer Info, Coast, Davidson, Del Sur, Escondido, First Time Buyers, Market Trends, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Santaluz
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San Diego Board of Realtors Has Statistics for February 2012

The general comments and discussion among agent in the past 2 months has been “we are busy and inventory is limited.” Naturally if you have had your home for sale for some time and you hear someone say “inventory is limited” you wonder why you don’t have multiple offers. In general the basic rules always apply; If a home is in a popular neighborhoods, presents well and is priced with the market based on closed sales you should be seeing offers. Personally what I am experiencing is relocation buyers coming for good jobs with major employers in San Diego and people who are making offers and deciding to purchase rather than lease. The statistics will play themselves over the next few months. I do not see any radical jumps in pricing but I see many more pending sales in all prices ranges which is a positive sign for recovery.

Click Image To Enlarge For Details

The Housing Market Reports

I found an interesting article on DSNews about how reports are made about market trends. As agents we find many times the sites such as Trulia do not have accurate information. In addition some local papers provide inaccurate statistics. We recently sat down with a title rep who reviewed all the coastal sales and told us how several coastal zip codes are misrepresented in reporting. that is why it is always best to look at a particular neighborhood and prepare closed sales and trends for that particular specific area.

If you need information on any areas of San Diego, let us know! GBPagnotta@gmail.com

To review other market trends you can go here.

6 Reasons To Buy a Home In Del Sur

March 29th, 2012 by Gretchen Pagnotta
Categories: Buyer Info, Del Sur, First Time Buyers, Rancho Bernardo
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Del Sur Was Named Community of The Year

Del Sur is one of my favorite new master planned communities in San Diego in the 92127 zip code. I am not alone thinking this is one of the top communities as it was named by Builder and Developer Magazine The Nation’s Community of The Year for 2011. You may review this as reference. I recently sold a Shea homes product in Del Sur called Mandolin. After looking at over 20 resale homes it was easy for my clients to see the value, beauty and benefits of selecting a new home in this growing vibrant community. Let me outline why I think this is such a fabulous place to call home!

Del Sur is Conveninetly Located

Situated between 2 of the largest freeway; I-15 and 5 with access on 56 a commute north, south, east or west can be easily accomplished. It is west of Rancho Bernardo, north of downtown San Diego, @ 30 minutes from the airport and downtown and any major employers; Qualcomm, UCSD, Hp,Sony, Illumina and other biotech firms . You can be walking on the beaches in Del Mar in 15 minutes . The ocean is 9 miles as “the crow flies” which is why residents enjoy wonderful ocean breezes and a fabulous year round climate. Shopping, restaurants and medical facilities are all excellent and within a close drive to this wonderful community.

Del Sur is A Master Planned Community

Del Sur is part of Black Mountain Ranch as a master planned community. President and CEO of Black Mountain Ranch Development, Bill Ostrem has outlined the vision for this growing community with a completion date estimated at 2018. The schools, shopping, retail, commercial and housing has all been planned to growth is consistent with the infrastructure to support the residents.

Del Sur Children Attend Poway Schools

Del Sur Elementary School

Poway Schools are known for their excellence. All schools within the Del Sur community have received excellent reviews and are at the top of ratings for excellence. For more information you can refer to http://www.powayusd.com/ Currently the children attend Del Sur Elementary, Oak Valley Middle and Del Norte High Schools. A new junior high is planned for 2014.

Del Sur Offers a Variety Of Housing Styles

Del Sur is far from the boring cookie cutter type neighborhood. This community has style and architectural interest with the various styles, streets-capes, color palettes and size of homes. Currently there are new homes offered from the mid $400′s for an attached multi level style home 1400-2300 sqft , midsize homes in the 3000 sqft range in the $600′s, executive homes 3450-4000+sqft from $800,000 to luxury estate homes $1.4.

Del Sur Provides Open Space and Community Facilities

Del Sur Community Pool

There are currently 6 parks open and 5 neighborhood solar heated swimming pools. Each neighborhood has a park within walking distance. This provides an easy way for people to connect with one another making friends and fostering a true sense of community. In addition there are 18 miles of hiking trails connecting to the 1000 acres of open space. With the addition of more neighborhoods future parks are planned.

Del Sur Residents: Tell me What You Enjoy About Del Sur!

If you live in Del Sur tell me what you love about this community so I can share the information with people thinking of calling Del Sur home!

If you would like more information on this community and a list of homes in your price range let us know; Gbpagnotta@gmail.com

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The Pagnotta Team Home Sale Incentives

February 20th, 2012 by Gretchen Pagnotta
Categories: 4S Ranch, Buyer Info, Coast, Del Sur, Escondido, Foreclosures/Short Sales, Oaks North, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Santaluz, Scripps Ranch
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Thinking of Selling Your San Diego Home?

If you are considering selling your San Diego home this spring we have some incentives for you. To get the most money and the fastest market time your property needs to be clean, the yard maintained and your home staged for sales success! We have a great team that can help you. Once they are done we will do the rest with our Global Marketing Internet Marketing Program and all our professional gallery photography!

Pacific Carpet and Tile Cleaning

The LOGO these business owners use is “Best Cleaning on Earth.” I have used them for my personal residence and also have referred them to clients. They get outstanding results. My carpet looks like new after they are done. They are professional in every sense of the word. I found them on the Yelp site and after reading positive reviews gave them a call. Glad I did!

Keep It Green Pacific Carpet and Tile Cleaning uses a product that is soap free, odor free, all natural, colorless, non-allergenic, non-toxic and no VOCs according to their advertising.

They are offering free family room cleaning with 3 room minimum. If you have other cleaning needs they will offer you a discount if you call them for The Pagnotta Team Incentive 760-908-6795 or go to their website; www.PacificSteamClean.com

Modern Image Landscape

It is so important to have good curb appeal. This starts with having your yard looking its best. You may need to add some color with some fresh flowers at the entry to greet buyers and your lawns in their best condition. I have personally used Modern Image Landscape on several occasions to landscape my entire yard including building a pool. The quality of workmanship is fabulous. Chris O’Quinn is wonderful to work with; professional, polite and he communicates openly and frequently. He is offering 1 free month of landscape maintenance with a six month contract. To read more go to http://www.modernimagelandscape.com/ or call 619-247-3628. Jus mention The Pagnotta Team to get the white glove treatment!

Stage To Success

Many times people think of staging as decorating. Many times it is “un-decorating.” That said it takes a decorator/designer to see what needs to be done. Staging allows buyers to see space and imagine their lifestyle to be complimented by your home. Once your home is listed we will provide you with a complimentary staging service! If in the meantime you need help please call Catherine Smith at 858-442-1889 and let her work her magic!

We are Top San Diego agents and would be happy to provide you with a current opinion of value on your home or condo. We work in the coastal and inland communities of Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Santaluz, Del Sur, 4S Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Vista, San Marcos, Carlsbad and Scripps Ranch.

San Diego Home Owners May Reduce Property Tax

February 18th, 2012 by Gretchen Pagnotta
Categories: 4S Ranch, Belsera, Buyer Info, Davidson, Del Sur, Escondido, First Time Buyers, Foreclosures/Short Sales, Market Trends, Oaks North, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Santaluz, Seller Info
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Propositon 8 Helps Home Owners Who Purchased During Peak Market Periods

Many people are unaware of a new State Law which is called Proposition 8. Under this new law, property owners that own homes that have fallen below their assessed value can request a temporary reduction in their tax bill. When the market value as of January 1, 2012 falls below the assessed value established by the the Assessor’s Office, home owners can file for an Application for Review of Assessment prior to April 30, 2012. They must complete this form and also provide data such as comparable sales, a recent appraisal and/or current market activity. The closed sales need to be of similar properties and ideally occur between 10/1/11-3/31/12. Many neighborhoods have had a significant impact on values due to short sales and bank owned properties selling at very low prices.

The Pagnotta Team May Be Able To Help You

If you have interest in doing this we are happy to help you! Just contact us with your address and we can send you closed sales that are most like your home! You may receive solicitations for people who will charge you for this. A homeowner can easily complete the form and if you live in our service areas we will help you with closed sales. For further information please go to: www.sdarcc.com.

To determine your assessed value refer to your current tax bill focusing on the upper right hand corner.

It is important to note you still may disagree with the response you receive from the assessor. At that time you can pursue your requests by filing an application with the Clerk of Assessment Appeals between July 2 and November 30.

Further information can be obtained here.

If you need our help with a list of closed sales please contact us at GBPagnotta@gmail.com

This is not intended to be tax advice. Please consult your CPA or tax professional to obtain tax advice.

Find School Boundaries in San Diego

February 16th, 2012 by Gretchen Pagnotta
Categories: 4S Ranch, Buyer Info, Coast, Del Sur, First Time Buyers, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Santaluz, Schools
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Selecting Specific School Districts When Purchasing a Home

One of the most important criteria buyers give us when deciding what community or neighborhood they want is to research school districts. Once they have determined some of the top districts and then the top schools in the district they want to know what specific streets and neighborhoods are within the school boundaries. We always ask our clients to confirm the areas by calling the specific school district regional office. Most of the school websites have maps you can use also. This can become confusing and frustrating.

I was recently introduced to a new site; www.education.com. I did give this site a test drive with my address. The school selections were correct. I would still tell people to speak with a school representative as boundaries are subject to change. I know for a fact the high school in my area is suppose to be changed next year. Now I do not know if they will make the kids who are now attending their current school change or if they have any choices. All of these issues are cause for concern. When I had school age children we were committed to the Poway Unified School District. Within the district I wanted the kids to stay in their schools so they would not have to change clubs, activities or have to make new friends. Unfortunately as neighborhoods such as Del Sur, 4S Ranch and Santaluz grow they add more children to the district and there has to be an evaluation of the class sizes and whether the schools can accommodate the growth. Read the rest of this entry »

Comparing Golf Clubs in San Diego

February 5th, 2012 by Gretchen Pagnotta
Categories: 4S Ranch, Buyer Info, Coast, Del Sur, Escondido, First Time Buyers, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Santaluz
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Santaluz Club Offers Outstanding Facilities For Members

We are always talking about how much we enjoy the Santaluz Club. So many times clients ask us to compare the area clubs. The membership director at Santaluz provided us with the following comparison chart. As always we encourage people to take a tour of the club they are considering joining. In addition it is really best to schedule a day of golf and the use of other club facilities. Santaluz does a great job teaming up guests with members so they can get a first hand report card of the facilities. Besides being a beautiful club, Santaluz is just so friendly and welcoming. If you have questions lets us know or if you want a formal tour we can help!

If you are interested in all the Golf Communities in San Diego go to my website :http://www.gretchenpagnotta.com/convertedpages/golfcourses.html

Santaluz Seller Gives Testimonial

July 10th, 2011 by Gretchen Pagnotta
Categories: 4S Ranch, Del Sur, Oaks North, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Santa Fe, Santaluz, Seller Info
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Testimonial from Santaluz Seller

Hi Gretchen, Thanks for selling our home. We appreciate all your efforts and enjoyed working with you and Alan. We are sending a testimonial on our experience with working with you and Alan. I’d like to thank Gretchen and Alan for their real estate professionalism and expertise in marketing and selling our home, especially in this difficult market.We were anxious to move to our ranch and had our home listed previously for three years. When we listed our home with Gretchen and Alan, they sold it within six months. They truly know and understand our community and how to market it. We highly recommend Gretchen and Alan for anyone wanting to buy or sell their property. Thanks again for all your efforts. It was a pleasure working with you both.Don and Katie Bloom

If you have a home to sell in Santaluz or another San Diego North County Community we would like to share our proven Marketing Plan with you!!