San Diego Real Estate Cafe by Krista Lombardi
Celebration Time – Come On!
We are one week away from celebrating Cinco de Mayo, and where better to celebrate it than the Birthplace of California, Old Town, San Diego ?
Did you know that California was discovered in Old Town? If you have yet to visit this neighborhood, I highly suggest you do. Originally claimed as “San Miguel”, our city began in Old Town. When you visit, not only are there all the resturants and little shops, but please do not miss the Old Town San Diego State HIstoric Park at the end of San Diego Avenue where you can see all of the homes and shops preserved as they were when San Diego was founded.
Next week on 5/1 and 5/2 is FREE 2 day fiesta celebrating the 27th Annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in Old Town. This neighborhood really comes to life with Mariachi, sizzling Flamenco, trinkets and jewelry to browse over, street vendors, food selections, and a beer garden.
Restaurants that come highly recommended are: Barra Barra, the Alamo, Jack and Giulio’s, and Fiesta de Reyes
Join in the festivities and see you in Old Town on 5/1, 5/2, and possibly even 5/5:)
See dream homes in Old Town here
Snopes Report on Earthquake Safety
Less than a week after the blog post went out about the big earthquake that shook us in San Diego, I received an email called the “Triangle of Life” which has hit the internet and gives differing advice about how to protect yourself during an earthquake. Not wanting to give out false information, I investigated.
Here is the results of advice in “Triangle of Life”:
1. The Triangle of Life is written by a gentleman basing his advice in the case of an earthquake on building codes in Turkey and not in the U.S. The American Red Cross has disputed his article since the construction of buildings and the building standards are not the same here.
2. The basis of the advice in Triangle of Life wasn’t based on an actual earthquake. Earthquakes come in rolling waves. The experiment that was conducted for “Triangle of Life” didn’t produce anything resembling shaking so it doesn’t tell us anything at all about what would happen during an earthquake.
3. There are quite a few articles linking the writer to fraud.
Whether this is true or not, the bottomline is to stick to the original advice. See more here.
The 3 Most Important Things to Do if There Is An Earthquake In San Diego
San Diego recently felt the shake, rattle, and roll of one of the biggest earthquakes to hit 
Southern California ever. After talking to a few friends, I realized that I had no idea what to do during an earthquake, and neither did they. Here are some tips.
1. If you are indoors STAY THERE. If there is a table that you can get under until the shaking stops, that is even better. Look out for falling objects or for for anything that may shatter. If there is no table, get into a corner.
2. If you are outdoors, get as far away from buildings as you can. The same goes for walls of any sort, trees, or poles.
3. If you are in your car, stop. Stay there until the shaking stops, but be sure to be away from poles and trees, and do not stop on overpasses or bridges.
San Diego has resources available for earthquake issues. To see everything, including a regional notification system to be alerted in case of an emergency or disaster click here
Please pass this on to your family and friends.
“Good drink… good meat… good God, let’s eat!”
The Wellington Steak and Martini Lounge used to be Blue Lotus, which never really took off. When you walk in, you’ll realize how small it is there, but this is one of the contributing factors to feeling just like you are lounging in a spa or your private oasis.
I went there with longtime friend and ex-neighbor after a particularly stressful day at work. Javier was a doll and he came by and offered drinks, the Cucumber Goose was his suggestion, it comes receommended with two thumbs up!
Now, The Wellington gets my vote for best dinner and best atmosphere. The venue is dim and cozy, also upscale with sheik walls to look at instead of watching cars and traffic outside. The walls and mirrors really contribute to this feeling of being in a cocoon, like time stopped and the rest of the world – deadlines, appointments, traffic, noise – have melted away and don’t exist. When you visit, notice that time stands still.
Now, the menu is very straightforward, like the name suggests, mainly steaks. An order of the filet mignon with chimichurri sauce, asparagus, and baked yukon potatoes. Most restaurants deliver a plate swimming in oil or grease, the yukon potatoes were perfectly seasoned and had just a drop of olive oil, asparagus cooked to perfection, and after the first bite of steak, I said, “Oh my God!”
What a relaxing place to chow! And what amazing chow!
Thanks Brian and Javier, you are my new favorite restaurant in San Diego.
Mission Hills Community BUZZ Pre-Easter Celebration
Get all the buzz, community events are always going on here!
In fact, if you haven’t heard, there is a Pre-Easter Event taking place on March 27th from 11-3 at Pioneer Park in Mission Hills 1521 Washington Pl
San Diego, CA 92101
What is this event all about you ask?
Organized by the local businesses, here is what we have:
Fun for Kids:
Face painting, Easter Egg Hunt, Hula Hoop contest, San Diego Gymnastics, City Dog, the Easter Bunny!
Adults:
Prizes, free raffles (one entry per adult), gift baskets – golf, massages, summer sausages, Extraordinary Desserts, Gift certificates
Where? Pioneer Park 1521 Washington Pl, San Diego, CA 92101
When? 11-3 pm.
What do I bring? Yourself and your neighbors!
Performances by San Diego Gymnastics at 12:30 pm
What Do You Mean it’s Raining in San Diego?
Rain? In San Diego? Those two words aren’t usually in the same sentence but this year they are. As a native of San Diego I can count the years when we got tons of rain and it looks like I’m going to have to add this one to the list. On avarage San Diego gets about 9 inches of rain a year. Read the rest of this entry »
Go for the Olympics Gold
One of the really neat things about the Olympics is that everyone c
an come together. The whole world is in the same place (this year Vancouver ) at least in spirit. So, what are some thoughts about this special event?
It’s such a unique time, the world can connect and be a community. There is commaraderie and competition all at the same time. Everyone watching wants to see their country win and right now lots of us are together watching whether that is on your couch, at a friend’s house, or at your local sports bar. Read the rest of this entry »
California Helping Small Business Create Jobs
Well I finished my last post, and up pops an article about President Obama’s decision to create a $30 Billion Small Business Lending Fund to assist community banks in extending credit to small businesses so they can create jobs and expand.
Some may love President Obama, some may hate him, everyone’s opinion is respected here, our purpose is to discuss this new Lending Fund.
What Is the Situation?
Well, in California 64% of the jobs created over the last 15 years were generated by small businesses. Lending has been low and many small businesses haven’t been able to get the loans they need to create new jobs.
Read the rest of this entry »
How Would You Rate President Obama’s Handling of the Housing Crisis?
San Diego Homes
Fall of 2008 was a very difficult time for everyone, and the housing market itself has been a big focus.
Some plans have been the Homes Affordable Mortgage Plan to reduce the number of foreclosures and his First Time Homebuyer Credit inconjunction with the Move-Up Credit. The San Diego Real Estate market has improved from 23,000 properties on the market to roughly 5,300 properties currently listed.
What are your thoughts, what would you like to see changed?
If There Are HOA Dues Owed on a Short Sale, Should I Pay Them or Negotiate With the Bank?
Sometimes it is interesting to address real questions asked by my cl
ients, knowing that they are not the only ones confused about all the intricacies and caveats involved in different real estate possibilities that we find on the market nowadays.
This question addresses short sales and how these pieces of real estate are sold. As a refresher, a short sale is when a borrower cannot pay the loan on their property, but the lender decides that selling the property at a loss is better than pressing the borrower.
Oftentimes the borrower (person that owns the house) has not paid taxes or HOA dues in quite awhile. We’ve all seen the economy these days. many borrowers have issues with unemployment, retirement or other similar issues.
So…..you found this house you really like and it is a short sale…..Did they pay their HOA dues? What happens if they didn’t and can you negotiate with the bank?
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