San Diego Real Estate Cafe by Krista Lombardi
Archive for May, 2010
Happy Memorial Day!
Many will go to the beach, have a barbeque, or go shopping for the Memorial Day sales.
What is Memorial Day, anyways? It started after the Civil War when the General saw the Southern women laying flowers on the graves of the Confederate and Union dead. After World War I and World War II it became a tradition for the fallen of all the wars.
Thanks to those who have served our Country on Memorial Day.
If you are going to the beach, to a barbeque, or already have plans, have a great day. If not, here are some things to do in San Diego on Memorial Day.
San Diego Real Estate and Apple Pie
It is easy to peruse the internet and get a few different views on the San 
Diego real estate market. To tell the truth, you can generally break it down to positive views and negative views. It is confusing, flip-floppy, and leaves you feeling like everyone between the newspaper, Case-Schilling, NAR, CAR, and Realty Trac are spinning the numbers to preach to their own choir.
To combat that, we set up the How’s The Market page, it’s still a new page, but I’m curious to see how the stats change as time goes on. Will the first time buyer credit affect the market, will unemployment keep the numbers down? No crystal ball, but we will be able to track the stats.
All this said, I read an article today with a negative view and had to share it with you to hear your thoughts.
Ready?
Special Addition Foreclosure Prevention Library
The California Association of Realtors has provided new information made available by legal counsels and current market conditions for the following subjects:
1. Proposition 8 – Property Tax Relief
2. Tips for a Short Sale Seller
3. Tips for a Short Sale Buyer
4. Foreclosure or Short Sale
5. Foreclosure Prevention Resources
6. Short Sale Process
7. Foreclosure Timeline
8. Homeowner Liability After Foreclosure
9. Avoiding Foreclosure Scams
10. Alternatives to Foreclosure
The information is designed for those who may be at risk of foreclsoure in the San Diego real estate market or who are already going through the process, and possibly helping to prevent foreclosures.
This information is free. If you are interested in one of these titles, please send an email with the title in the subject line to sandiegorealestatecafe@gmail.com
10 Things To Do in San Diego on Memorial Day
Most of you will probably be at a barbeque with friends and family on 
Memorial Day, but for those of you that are looking for something new to do or are coming in from out of town, I’m blown away by the choices we have!
Here’s a list of 10 various events, I’ve found about 30 total, so if you’d like the complete list of things to do in San Diego, send an email to sandiegorealestatecafe@gmail.com
1. Day of Remembrance Bagpipe music, reading, wreath tribute, and canon salute all in Fort Rosecrans, a beautiful place to be.
2. Go Padres! Go to Petco Park to see the San Diego Padres play the New York Mets on Memorial Day. See more here
3. Rooftop Yoga Gorgeous ocean views on the rooftop terrace of the Porto Vista hotel in Little Italy. Open to the public and hotel guests, mingle afterwards with hotel cocktails and appetizers.
California Housing Affordability Index is Up!
What does this mean?
It means that the percentage of households that could afford to purchase a home this yearwas higher than in the “glory days” of 2004 and 2005. Even though the economy was better in 2004 and 2005, more people had more jobs, unemployment was lower. Nowadays, thanks to the market correction and lower prices, more people can own a home.
More stats on this: the median income to buy a $250,000.00 condo/house ws $41,500.00 thanks to the great interest rates. For most first time homebuyers, the average monthly payment was $1,380.00 including taxes and insurance. As I’m writing this out, I realize that most rental charge more than that per month, that is a steal.
Areas that ranked more expensive for real estate than the San Diego real estate market were: San Luis Obispo, Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara County.
Final thought of the day, one of the basic necessities is a roof over your head, make sure you have one!
CHECK OUT ALL ROOFS IN THE SAN DIEGO REAL ESTATE MARKET HERE!
San Diego’s Real Estate Market Fairs Better Than the National Average
Everyday I get up and read up on the latest real estate news and I have to say that nationally things are not good. What I’m most interested in though is what’s happening here in our local paradise called San Diego. Locally, which to me is most important, there have been several articles documenting San Diego’s signs of real estate recovery and improvement. Market data also shows that San Diego’s housing woes are getting better and that’s very important for overall economic recovery. Real estate is an industry that is tied to almost everything and when people talk about the trickle down effect they should be sure to include real estate. Read the rest of this entry »
What Does Brad Pitt Have to Do With Real Estate?
A lot! I’m not kidding. Let me explain.
When you first set out to buy your first home, or second home for that matter, you have certain expectations, I mean, you’ve heard a lot of news about how cheap everything is. California has been hit hard, you can walk down the street and buy a house in a day.
Exaggerated, I know. But you’ve got to hear some of the stories out there. It’s real estate, the news is always scaring us and everyone has an opinion.
So back to Brad.
The Brad Pitt effect begins with a homebuyer’s expectations. It’s like dating. Don’t we all expect a perfect 10? We’re going to marry Brad Pitt or George Clooney and he’s going to be the richest man in the world, have a BMW or Mercedes, a big house and a great personality, right? (Guys, work with me here. Maybe Jennifer Aniston? )
3 Essential Tips When Negotiating Price on San Diego Real Estate
One of the key factors when deciding which agent to work with is 
negotiations! It just is. With all the factors that go ino the process, you just want to make sure that you don’t leave anything on the table while not turning relations between all the parties into sour grapes.
What are the most important elements to negotiating on San Diego real estate?
1. Keep emotions at bay
You cannot get emotionally involved. An offer, even a lowball one is not an insult, it is a representation of the buyer’s sense of urgency in relation with the market and his/her own needs for moving forward with a purchase.
When you get a lowball offer, take a deep breath, sleep on it, and then respond to the offer.
Win a Free Massage at 817 West Pennsylvania, 92103 Open House
Picture perfect home awaits you!
No more agonizing over a short sale or fix up work. Come Sunday 5/22/2010 to see the dazzling upgrades including elegant classic kitchen tastefully installed with state of the art appliances, sparkling granite slab, and fine travertine flooring. Balcony and covered patio offer soothing spots to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and read a book blocks from all the excitement in the neighborhood. This fine piece of Mission Hills real estate is fashioned for any lifestyle.
Hosted by San Diego real estate agent extraordinaire Tony Savage, for more details on this home and all others on the San Diego real estate market: (619) 726-2399 or tsavagemrg@gmail.com
The Ups and Downs of Real Estate
I’m a local San Diego real estate agent and part of my business plan and job duties is to assist as many people as possible with their varying housing situations. The primary two of these situations is selling and buying of property. The thing is that in these current volatile times, some of these situations are newer in nature and present more challenges than in the past. The advent of new types of financing has changed the topography of the real estate landscape. The times have changed and as a modern day Realtor I feel that I would be doing a disservice to the public in general if I didn’t try to help as many people as I’m capable of.
As I walked my “Farm”, which is the geographical area a Realtor is more familiar with and is ususally the neighborhood he or she resides in, I made a tough decision. I decided that as I knocked doors I would make the extra effort to approach those people who I thought might be in a slightly more difficult situation, requiring more immediate attention. Talking to people in these more difficult situations can be unnerving because the subjects the conversation touches on are of significant size and importance. A home, in andof itself, is a person’s largest asset and carries with it emotional attachment that other possessions don’t, thus making people more reluctant to open their door to a Realtor and talk about their situation.
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