An informational source for people who are relocating, with a particular focus on moving to the Carlsbad area of North County San Diego (and nearby coastal communities), with advice, guidance and true stories to help you on your way and make it a great journey, from a REALTOR� with plenty of personal (4 major moves, most recently from Boston to Carlsbad, California) and professional relocation experience. Are you running into problems selling your home? Need to find a new one quickly? Never moved before and haven't a clue? You'll find some great tips on how to solve your relocation issues here. Or ask me a question any time and I'll share some solutions or tell you where to get more information.
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The question or whether to buy now or in the future often comes up with relocation.
And there are many issues to consider - finding the right home, selling the old one (if necessary), financial (job, income, debts, credit) and so one.
Some buyers want to buy now, but must wait because they can't find what they want, prices are not what they would like, or financially they just cannot swing it.
And sometime people are waiting becuase they think, or hope, prices will decline. While that may be the case, as it has over these last few years, the rising interest rates could work against any savings you might get from lower prices. You simply won't know when the bottom is until it has passed.
Relocation will have an impact no matter who you are, although it does affect people differently, both emotionally and physically. It is a major change in your life and a major adjustment, for you, your spouse or partner, and for any children. You may not always be aware of how it is affecting you, but the important thing is to realize that these feelings are very normal.
It's normal to experience a range of feelings after the decision has been made (or perhaps made for you) - sorrow and maybe depression, fear, anxiety, and excitement, to name a few. While any move will cause a range of emotions and lots of tension and stress , a major move is likely to cause more.
It's certainly common to feel overwhelmed with all that has to be accomplished - selling a home, finding a new one, house hunting, dealing with financial matters, saying good-by, packing, talking with movers, keeping the house in order to show to buyers, paperwork to review and sign, on top of the normal everyday stuff like kids, chores at home and full time jobs.
Fatigue will likely set in, and some people may have problems sleeping. Other common physical issues are loss of appetite, or the opposite...stress eating, increased smoking and/or drinking, headaches, stomach aches, a feeling of burning in the chest, and more.
But you will likely feel some excitement about your move. Keeping a positive attitude about what is happening and the future will help keep it all in perspective.
Trying to maintain as much normality as possible in your schedule and daily life, keeping a positive attitude, and being organized around all that has to be done will go a long way toward minimizing the tensions of your relocation.
But recognizing that this is all normal and will pass with time is important too!
A common question buyers ask is "what is the best way to learn about neighborhoods?" THis may be particularly important if you are not familiar with the area.
Finding the neighborhood that feels right to YOU is very personal. While you can describe to me, or YOUR agent, what you want, only you can really tell is a particular community "feels right."
People have different ideas of what is important to them in a neighborhood, and most issues are best discovered on your own (e.g., the way an area looks adn feel, proximity to desired amenities, traffic, is it friendly, demographics, safety, etc.).
Sometimes price will determine what neighborhoods will be suitable (this may be true in expensive areas, like Southern California, or if your budget is limited), or access to certain schools or other amenities may dictate where you will want to live.
In this day and age you have the Internet to help you do your research on things like schools, shopping, crime, demographics and ahost of ther issues that may be important to you.
But to really get a feel for the neighborhoods that feel right and meet your requirements you will have to spend time exploring them in person - spend significant time in the area, driving or walking around and getting a feel for the community and the people who live there. You can also stop in at some houses if you wish and chat with some of the neighbors, although some people aren't comfortable doing this. You might visit the area at different times of the day or on weekends if traffic and noise is a concern.
Bear in mind that as an agent there are some things we cannot discuss because of potential discrimination issues, e.g., what school is the best, which areas to buy in due to the presence of different religious institutions, or the demographics of the community, or the crime statistics, and so on. We are prohibited by law from directing folks to or away from areas based on these kinds of factors, so please be understanding if we say we can't provide the precise information YOU would like to have. Those are things that you can investigate if they are important to you.
Area schools are often one of the major criteria buyers are concerned about when searching for a new home. Indeed, some homeowners will only buy where their children can attend a certain school.
And it’s not only those with school-age children, because schools, saleability, and home values are closely linked. So being in a particular school district or near a certain school CAN make a difference.
This is important, especially in some communities (Carlsbad, Oceanside, Cardiff, Encinitas) where there may be mutiple school districts.
Sohow do you find out about the schools in the communities you are thinking about for your new home?
There are some websites that buyers I have worked with recommend. Keep in mind the data may be a bit dated, and it's not just about school rankings. But it will give you a good start so you can following up with the actual schools to learn more, and also talk with parents who have kids attending.
It is not uncommon in a RELOCATION that you find yourself needing to sell your current home first.
But the issue often becomes - "should I rent first and then look for a new home?"
Timing can be tricky but many choose to do this, or have no real choice.
With diligent efforts using the Internet and working with a competent REALTOR in your new city, plus a househunting trip or two, this can generally be accomplished fairly readily. Lots of people don't want to move more than once, so they prefer to go from the old home to a new one right away.
Depending on your reasons for moving and other timing issues (selling a home, getting kids into school, starting a new job), renting a place while you look for a home to buy may be the best solution. And if you cannot sell your current home right away, your budget may not allow the purchase of you new home right away.
Finding the right home is important, and if you are renting you have the luxury of time, so you can look more effectively, without a time crunch, and then will be ready to buy when the right thing comes along. Another advantage is not having to coordinate the sale of your old home with the purchase of a new one, unless you can buy without needing to sell...a luxury many do not have.
The downside, of course, is needing to move a second time, and finding a short term rental, unless you are willing to rent for a year, can be tough.
Having relocated 4 major times, I think renting first can make a alot of sense for some homeowners, especailly if they have no familiarity with their new home. When making a personal choice to move here, being sure that this is what you want and finding the right community are so important. Taking the time you need to do so can make a huge difference to your peace of mind.
Either way, if I can help any way in your home search or answer any questions about relocation or the North San Diego County area, please don't hesitate to ask.
I wrote this artcile, in part in jest, but it really is different in some ways than dirving in some other part of the country. Having moved here from Boston, 5 years ago, it took a while to get used to the freeways. I had done quite a bit of driving here over the years while on business, but dealing with them everyday was eye opening.
And if you are moving here from a small community, you will liekly find the transition tougher than if you are accustomed to traffic in a major metropolitan.
Hopefully the article (link above) will be sueful to you. I'd be curious what you think after you have a freeway experience for the first time here.
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
Some Great News - California Homebuyer Tax Credits
California just signed a new bill, AB183, giving California first time buyers and buyers of NEW construction homes a tax credit of up to $10,000, or 5% of the purchase price, whichever is less. There are restrictions, of course, and you should consult a tax professional to see what this may mean for you and your taxes.
This is great news if you are thinking about buying.
If you time it right (the new tax credit kicks in for home bought on or after May 1, 2010) you could get up to $18,000 if you qualify for the federal first time buyer tax credit or move-up buyer credit, AND buy a new home between May 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
First Time Buyer's Tax Credit Misconception AND Deadline
I wrote and article on my First Time Buyers Central blog about the tax credit and the fact that it is getting close to the deadline (true, also, for the move-up buyers' tax credit).
Also, there are some folks who think you get the whole shebang (i.e., $8000 or $6500). But, as always with these sorts of things there are limitations. I made a mistake when I first wrote the article, and thanks to a careful reader the information has been reposted.
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
If you are relocating here to Southern California (Carlsbad, Encinitas or other nearby San Diego coastal communities) you may be considering if you should rent or if you should buy.
It's a tough question, and there are pros and cons to both sides.And I have done both
Getting the lay of the land before buying in a new community makes sense. And financially you may need some time to get things in order, especially if you are moving here from a less expensive area, or if your home has not yet sold and you do not qualify for a mortgage until that happens.
It can be a great time to buy, however, for some buyers. The prices are about where they were in 2004, give or take. Mortgage rates are terrific and still in the 5% range (but that is expected to shift upwards over the next few months so you will pay more each month for the same house). Given the general downward trend in inventory (some communities in my area have less than 5 months of inventory), there is a lot of competition, especially at the lower price points, and we are seeing some upticks in average prices of homes sold.
Will this continue?
Hard to say. Waiting a year to buy could mean you will pay more for your home, both in terms of price as well as in the interest rate.
We could also see more inventory, especially of short sales and Roes, but that can also mean more competition.
But the choice is personal and does depend on your personal situation. If I can help with more information about the market so you can make an informed choice, please let me know.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A RENTAL:
Most of the area rentals will be found on sites like Craigslist and SignOnSanDiego. Landlords can list their properties for free and do not have to pay a fee to a real estate agent.
I can also send you rental listings from the MLS but there will be fewer options to choose from.
Know that if you have pets, especially dogs, that some rentals have restrictions, either due to the home owner's preference on in the case of the HOA or condo association.
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
Government sites can be a challenge to wade through all the "stuff." A friend of mine in Philadelphia, Jeff Belonger, is an FHA expert -his blog article about FHA loans makes these changes much easier to understand.
Some big changes:
An increase in the mortgage insurance premium amount
A decrease in the amount of concession a buyer can receive from a seller from 6% max to 3% max
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
One indicator that things may be improving in the Carlsbad real estate market (and in surrounding areas) is that they are building NEW homes in Carlsbad again.
Buyers in the Carlsbad real estate market who want new construction once again have a number of options. This is a big change from last year when things sorta dried up. AND these new homes are selling, and quickly...some are sold and they are not even built yet.
Foks who are relocating to this area, or pondering it, and who want to know more, here are someupdates on the new construction in town. Feel free to check with me for more details adn updates, but most of this information is pretty recent.
CopperWood at La Costa Oaks - detached homes, some with canyon and distant ocean views, in the Encinitas Schools
Stay tuned for my articles on two other developments - 53 Melrose in Carlsbad near La Costa Ridge, and The Foothills (Rock Rose) near Calavera Hills to the north.
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
San Diego Real Estate Market Reports for Area Communities YTD 2009
If you are moving to the San Diego area, or are considering making the move, you are likely interested in what is going on with prices.
As you are likely aware, the San Diego real estate market has been in the news quite a bit in the past for the huge pricing upswing, as well as for the changes in our market over the last 4 years.
Here is a SUMMARY REPORT of the San Diego real estate market conditions for some North San Diego County communities that I service for the year-to-date 2009.
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
I work with lots of relocation buyers, and often the lifestyle they are seeking with their move to Southern California is different than what they currently enjoy. I know mine changed when I moved here from the Boston area...at least some aspects of it did.
But sometimes buyers really want to preserve their current lifestyle, to the extent that's possible, when moving to this area.
I created this new LIFESTYLE QUESTIONNAIRE to help folks who are relocating focus a bit more on what their lifestyle is like and those aspects that are important to them. I find that the more I know about what buyers want in a home and neighborhood, including the aspects of their lifestyle that are really important, the better I can be helpful.
The questionnaire does not, of course, include everything, but I think it will help you focus on what is really important. I wold love to have your feedback.
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
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It's certainly common to feel overwhelmed with all that has to be accomplished - selling a home, finding a new one, house hunting, dealing with financial matters, saying good-by, packing, talking with movers, keeping the house in order to show to buyers, paperwork to review and sign, on top of the normal everyday stuff like kids, chores at home and full time jobs. 
People have different ideas of what is important to them in a neighborhood, and most issues are best discovered on your own (e.g., the way an area looks adn feel, proximity to desired amenities, traffic, is it friendly, demographics, safety, etc.).
It is not uncommon in a RELOCATION that you find yourself needing to sell your current home first.
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