An informational source for people who are relocating, with a particular focus on moving to the Carlsbad area of North County San Diego, 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.
CA DRE License #01490977
Here's another item to add to
your list of things to consider when searching for a new
home.
Noise seems to be an
important consideration for many buyers, and I am often asked about
it. People want to know if the neighborhood is quiet, if you can
hear the freeway, and so on.
Because this
is such a personal issue, but one that can really impact
your homebuying (especially here in coastal California, like
Carlsbad, where the freeway and the train run
through the middle of most communities), I wrote an article
that you might want to read.
If you are selling your home in Carlsbad (or anywhere) and planning to buy another one as part of your relocation, it is important that you get pre-approved.
Why me, you might ask? I am going to have equity from my home. Why do I need to worry about this?
Just like any other buyer, unless you have all the cash needed to purchase in your new location, you should be pre-approved. This is even more critical now, since there have been so many changes in the lending practices, a tightening of the lending programs with stricter requirements, and changes in the interest rates.
Even if you got pre-approved a month ago, or perhaps even a week or so, I would strongly suggest you double-check to make sure you are still qualified with the planned sale of your home. Plus you need to factor in that you might NOT get as much from your home as you hoped for, or perhaps decide to take a lesser amount in order to get on with your life.
I know of a recent seller who had a home in escrow, but found out she could not purchase what she had planned, so she decided to back out of her sale. Depending on the circumstances of YOUR contract, this course of action can have financial implications for you as well if backing out is viewed as a breach of contract by the buyer.
So do your due diligence and check now. Don’t get caught unawares and have your plans foiled.
Whether or not you have a concern about
mold in your CARLSBAD home, this is important information for all homeowners adn those of you tinking
about buying or selling.
In my last post, I wrote in detail about the
ins and outs of performing a
mold inspection (Part 2). Within that post, I briefly mentioned sampling as a
means to identify conditions that may further warrant evaluation and ultimately the determination of whether or
not to perform mold remediation. (Part 1 - What is Mold)
Upon completion of the visual survey / inspection, a
mold inspector will sit down with his/her client and discuss the findings of the visual inspection. Suspect areas that
have been documented are then recommended for sampling. The purpose of collecting samples is to determine whether a
suspected stain, blemish, discoloration or other water damaged area is identified, by laboratory analysis, as mold
growth.
There are two primary methods of
sampling used by an inspector; surface and air sampling. Samples are recommended based on observations made
during the visual inspection. When the inspector observes visible mold, he/she will recommend surface sampling, interior
air sampling and exterior air sampling for that area. For structures less than 5000 square feet, only one air sample is
required outside regardless of the number of indoor samples recommended. When no visible mold is observed but suspect
conditions are present, the inspector will recommend only air sampling.
Surface
Sampling:
Surface samples are collected using either clear
adhesive tape or wetted swabs. Surface samples collected via adhesive tape are simple to collect and they do not require
any expensive equipment. This type of sample can provide qualitative and quantitative analyses (how much and what type) of
the mold present on the surface. The disadvantage of using adhesive tape is the small surface area used for collection and
the inability to be cultured in a laboratory. Using wetted swabs is similar to collection via adhesive tape. There are
however some distinct differences. In addition to providing qualitative and quantitative results, swabs can sample a much
larger area and can also be analyzed by both direct microscopy and cultured for viable sample analysis. The disadvantage
of using a wetted swab is the potential for damage to the mold structure while sampling making the identification of the
mold more difficult. And both types of sampling do not identify mold present in the ambient air.
Air
Sampling:
Air samples are collected using a vacuum pump drawing in
air at 15-20 liters per minute. Air cassettes, known as cassette slide impactors, are used with the vacuum pump to capture
mold spores in the ambient air. This method of collection is commonly referred as inertial impaction. The advantages of
this method of sampling are expedited qualitative and qualitative analysis (how much and what type) of mold present and no
special handling or packaging for cassettes. The disadvantage of air sampling is that mold collected on the slide within
the cassette cannot be cultured. And air cassettes can also be sensitive to particulate overloading.
As you can see, each method of sampling has it
advantages and disadvantages. While a visual inspection will point out suspect conditions, sampling can be an
extremely beneficial addition to determining the existence of mold, whether visible or hidden.
Chances are that you are relocating for business reasons. Not everyone does, of course, but a large percentage do.
There is also a good chance that someone else in the household (spouse, partner) may need to job hunt in the new location. It may or may not be important for both of you to have jobs in order to proceed with buying a house. If it is, you will have to do your job hunt from a distance, and start early. So how do you do this (I have a Human Resources background, remember?)?
On-line Job Boards - probably the most efficient, and the majority of jobs these days are advertised on one of the job boards as well as on company websites. Monster, Career Builder, and Hot Jobs are just a few (but maybe the best known of these sites out of thousands). You can post your resume and look for jobs.
Newspapers - a bit archaic and cumbersome, perhaps, but depending n the area you are moving to may be a good option. You can often arrange for home delivery of the major paper from your new location. Many big papers also have on-line capability where you can search their classifieds section. Moving here to San Diego? Check out the Union-Tribune or their website - Sign On San Diego
Human Resources Department - check with the HR department of the company where the new job is. Companies that are relocating employees are often able to provide some job hunting assistance to the relocating spouse/partner - it's just good business. The HR staff will likely have connections with other companies and search firms.
Search Firms - depending on the kind of job, you might want to hook up with one or more search firms in the new city. They can help represent your resume for any jobs they might hear about or are working on for a client company. Jobs can range from administrative/clerical to financial/accounting to upper management (Director, VP, GM, CEO). There are many local search firms (some are retained search) as well as multiple national executive search firms like Heidrick and Struggles, and Korn-Ferry.
Things to Know about Fires and Earthquakes in California
For those of you who are planning to buy a home in the Southern California area (including those you live locally already), there are some things to know about FIRES and EARTHQUAKES.
As you probably know, YES, we have them. Certain areas are more prone, especially to forest fires, and buyers should do their due diligence and investigation beforehand.
Lots of people use text messaging these days, many of them for personal reasons, to connect with friends and family members. You can text message pretty much anywhere in the world, and with anyone, provided you can both get phone service (this is great when Internet access and a computer are not available).
I have been texting more on a personal basis but now and using it more and more with clients and prospects for quick questions and answers when email is not as feasible or the recipient may not be able to check email. I always check to make sure that texting is OK.
The same works for me. If you prefer to text me with questions or to simply get in touch, rather than sending me an email or calling, please go ahead. Technology allows us to be more efficient, save time, and connect 24/7. So go ahead - I welcome your messages.
Living in California is rather different than many other parts of the country (well, duh!). I make this point, however, for those of you who are planning to relocate here, say from the Midwest, New England or other similar areas.
As a buyer myself, who moved here to Carlsbad from New England (Boston) a little over two years ago, I found that life here is NOT the same as in New England in a lot of ways. I still feel that at times. While I had traveled here quite a bit before moving, living here is another matter. I really enjoy it, for a variety of reasons, but recently decided to share some of my thoughts. Yep, the weather is REAL different but that was not my focus - everyone knows that about California already.
As a buyer coming from another area, you might find some of my musings helpful. Perhaps not. But I enjoyed writing about them anyway, and people seem to enjoy reading about them.
By the way if you DO have specific questions about things here, don't hesitate to ask. There are likely others who have the same questions and I am happy to share my thoughts at any time.
If you are planning to move here to California, or are currently here, there are some disclosures you need to know about as a buyer (these vary from state to state - we had nothing this detailed in Massachusetts).
Rather than reprint the article here that I recently wrote, follow this link to read more about what sorts of disclosures you can expect during the due diligence period.
Recently I have had a number of people ask me more about my background, in real estate as well as otherwise. I think most prospects, and clients, have some interest in knowing more about who they might work with (or are working with). [photo is of me, of course, at the Westin Mission Hills Resort in Rancho Mirage last week in the 100 degree heat - it was 20 degrees warmed than at my home in Carlsbad]
Perhaps you are wondering about these things as well. If so, you might want to check out my profile by clicking on the MEET ME link on the left side of the page.
You might also be wondering about my personal relocation experience (4 major moves) and now that ties in with the information I am sharing throughout this blog. If so, take a look at one of my first posts to learn more about some of my own relocation experiences. I've had both good and bad, and am happy to share more if that is useful.
You are reading this blog, and I am wondering…why are you here?
Is this your first visit?
Have you been reading for a while?
Are you subscribed through the RSS feed?
Did you just stumble on this blog or find it through a search engine and are curious?
Are you a buyer or a seller, or both?
These are all valid reasons for being here, of course, and I hope the reason you ARE here is because you find the information helpful. That certainly is my intent – to provide useful articles for buyers and sellers engaged in a relocation (although certainly many of the posts will still apply even if you are selling and moving nearby) to make their transaction smoother and more effective.
From my perspective as an agent (and a consumer), I think blogs like this are great for both buyers and sellers.
Blogs provide a wealth of free information that can assist you whether you are buying, selling, doing both, or just thinking about it
They provide some information that you don’t already have, and give you some important issues to consider
And probably raise some other questions.
I also like writing blogs because they give the consumer an opportunity to learn more about the services that someone like myself can provide to help you navigate your real estate transaction. And you get to know more about me – who I am, how I work, how I think, what’s important to me, and so on.
I always welcome questions, and will share the information with readers in general so that they might learn too. So don’t be afraid to ask.
Why are you here? Well, it really doesn’t matter. I’m glad you are, and appreciate that you are taking time to visit and read. I hope you come away with some helpful nuggets. And will come to visit again and again.
BTW, if you would like to subscribe so you get new posts automatically,
just click on the RSS Feed button on the left hand side of the blog.
This has nothing to do with relocation or real estate, but I felt compelled to comment...I'm sure you understand.
First let me say that I hope none of you reading this knows anyone who was involved in this horrible event in Minneapolis. But if you do my thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.
Having lived in Minneapolis and crossing that bridge many times, this really hit me. I found out about it late last night after leading in Orange County airport from my 1 day trip to San Francisco for a conference on blogging - more on that later. My wife is in Michigan and left me a message, wanting me to know. We have friends there (thankfully they are fine) and the company she works for is there as well (everyone there is OK too).
These sorts of tragedies always remind us of how precious life, friends, and family are,and that our lives can be changed in an instant, and without warning. Always remember this - they cannot be replaced.
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Here's another item to add to
your list of things to consider when searching for a new
home.
If you are selling your home in Carlsbad (or anywhere) and planning to buy another one as part of your relocation, it is important that you get pre-approved.
Lots of people use text messaging these days, many of them for personal reasons, to connect with friends and family members. You can text message pretty much anywhere in the world, and with anyone, provided you can both get phone service (this is great when Internet access and a computer are not available).
Recently I have had a number of people ask me more about my background, in real estate as well as otherwise. I think most prospects, and clients, have some interest in knowing more about who they might work with (or are working with). [photo is of me, of course, at the Westin Mission Hills Resort in Rancho Mirage last week in the 100 degree heat - it was 20 degrees warmed than at my home in Carlsbad]