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Buyers AND sellers - Pay Attention!

Another concession, if you will, that we are seeing in our Carlsbad market and elssewhere (and I imagine in other buyer-friendly markets around the US) is the mortgage buydown. So what is this?

A mortgage buydown is where the sellers pay an agreed-up dollar amount to the buyer's mortgage lender (as part of the closing fees) as a way of reducing the mortgage interest rates - essentially paying points on the buyer's loan that reduces their rate and thus the monthly payments. This can be done for a temporary period or permanently.

• The advantage,for the buyers, is that the reduction in loan payments by paying points upfront allows the buyers to afford more of a home (or afford the home they want)
• The advantage for the sellers is that they get a higher asking price since the prepayment is less than the reduction in asking price required to result in the same monthly payment.

For example, the sellers might make a payment of $18K on behalf of the buyers, thus reducing the monthly payment by about $229 (depending on loan); they would need to reduce their asking price (or get an offer) of about $45K less in order for the buyers to obtain an equivalent monthly payment. So for a payment of $18K by the sellers, the buyers end up with a home (and loan) that is the equivalent of $45K less , and the sellers come out ahead by $27K. A win-win for all.

Sound interesting? Talk to the appropriate professionals, both on the real estate and mortgage sides.

  Start YOUR CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH HERE (and other San Diego communities too)

The majority of buyers are using the Internet to search for homes, learn about the buying process, obtain neighborhood information, and much more. Unless you have been hiding under a rock you probably know this.

The Internet is an essential part of your arsenal as a seller, too. Any decent agent will have a strong Internet presence, and will use the Internet to market properties (makes sense, since that's where buyers are looking). If you do a Google search for that person you SHOULD find them all over the place - articles they have written, on blogs, homes they are marketing, directories they are part of, and much more. An agent website is a small piece of web marketing. (hey, just for fun, GOOGLE ME!!).

Do a Google search to me and you'll see what I mean.

If you do a search and find nothing, what does that tell you? How are they going to successfully market your home to today's Internet-savvy buyers when you can't find them on the 'Net either. Either they aren't using the Internet or they don't know how, nor recognize the essential role it plays in today's market.

You should also be able to find the address of a home they are listing and it, too, should pop up somewhere. If not, you have to wonder how buyers will find the home, other than driving by the sign.

So search the Internet first before making any decisions. And when talking with a REALTOR, find out what THEY are doing on the Internet.

  Start YOUR CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH HERE (and other San Diego communities too)

If you could live anywhere you wanted in the US, where would that be. Do you have a favorite spot because of weather? Style of life? Family? Type of housing?

Carlsbad, California has been ranked high on the list of one of the best places to retire. Sound right for you?

Perhaps you have no idea, or no particular thoughts and need some help.

CNN and Money Magazine have come out with their new set of lists on Best Places to Live. Check 'em out.

Best Places to Live

Where Homes Are Affordable

Top Earning Towns (e.g., Hillsborough, CA near San Francisco)

Where the Singles Are

Where the Jobs Are

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For many folks the kitchen IS the center of the house, the focus of all activity, the place where everyone tends to congregate, even at parties. Is that true for you? Is this the most important room to you?

If so, as a buyer you should keep this in mind as you are looking at Carlsbad homes, or anywhere for that matter.

Knowing that the kitchen really is important in your lifestyle, you will want to focus on homes for sale that seem to provide a place where that lifestyle can continue. This does not mean that the kitchen has to be perfect, but that is does have the size you need and is easily accessible to other nearby rooms (perhaps open to the family room, which is a popular configuration for today's lifestyle, whereas older homes may have a separate room that is less conducive to entertaining). You can always update, add appliances, paint, etc. but if the room is really small or oddly laid out it might not work for your lifestyle.

As a seller, you should keep these things in mind too. For many buyers the kitchen is the most important room and you need to maximize its appeal in your own home where you can for showings. Avoid ALL clutter, make sure everything shines, upgrade appliances (or consider a credit), flooring, lighting or cabinetry if is it really outdated (keep in mind this may NOT mean you will get all your investment back, but if things are really in bad shape improving them will make the overall kitchen more desirable for buyers). The goal is to make your kitchen as appealing to buyers as possible, with as much light and cooking space as you can manage. Often sellers are busy with their lives and the kitchen can become cluttered and not really ready for showings.

For those buyers and sellers who are relocating and planning to come to Carlsbad, California or another coastal community (and why wouldn't you, we have terrific weather - most of the time), I came across another great resource on-line for gathering information about the area that I wanted to share with you - I think  it is a pretty good source of information that buyers typically want.

The guide will give you a broad brush overview of Carlsbad and other communities in the San Diego area, the good and the bad, the schools, population, crime, and much more.

Check out McCormack's Guides.

I have spent a lot of time on this blog talking about things that buyers and sellers should know about purchasing or selling a home, mistake to avoid, and so on. It seems that there is always something to talk about with regard to the buying or selling of real estate. My opinion is that you can not know too much, although you might know the wrong stuff, in order to be successful in your quest.

As a real estate agent, and based on my personal and professional experience, I believe there are things that really bear repeating when it comes to selling your home. And these are things that I like to impart to my clients so they are fully informed and can make the best decision about the sale of their home.

I have touched on some of these things in the past, so some of this is repetitive. But the key to learning, in many cases, is repetition.  And if you and I were to decide to work together these are some things that I would want you to know so you will be able to achieve your goal - selling your home as quickly as possible and for the best price the market will bear.

Read more on how you can impress me as a seller>>>>>

If you are looking for a new Carlsbad home chances are you are looking on-line? You aren’t? Well you must be one of the very rare buyers who is not. The majority of buyers are looking for their dream home on-line even before they engage a REALTOR to help them in the transaction.

• General mapping will show the location near major roads, freeways, train tracks, airports and more. This may help you decide if that location will be a problem or a convenience.
• With satellite views you can actually see an aerial view of the property and look at the yard, where the neighbor homes are, and more. For example, does the property abut a large parking lot (which would NOT show in your standard map and will not likely be mentioned in the listing itself), open space, a large building or other things which may or may not be an issue for you. Many MLS listings have this function (here in San Diego, SANDICOR, the local MLS, includes a small airplane next to the camera designating photos; a click on the airplane provides an aerial shot). If it is not clear to you, ask the agent you are working with to see what mapping might be available.
• Google Earth is a great mapping application. Even if the particular website you are using does not offer a good mapping capability you can search for the address on Google Earth to get a better birds-eye view (or the other mapping websites for that matter).
• Google Maps has recently released a new mapping capability that allows street views as if you were standing on the street (right now only available in San Francisco, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami and New York). Click on Street View on the main map, then select your location. This is some of the best mapping I have seen for general use, and I expect it will roll out in a more general fashion for other localities over time.

activerain.com/blogsview/270600/Rancho-Santa-Fe-HomesAre you thinking of moving to Carlsbad or another San Diego community? Or is a move there a definite?

Here is a summary of a number of communities and individual subdivisions in North County that may be helpful if you are considering homes for sale in San Diego (highlighted links are to community and neighborhood profiles with virtual tours, pictures, things to do, and much more).

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me at (760) 840-1360 or via email if I can provide more information or answer any questions about the market here.

I hope you find this helpful in your search for a new home.

COMMUNITY PROFILES and NEIGHBORHOODS
CARLSBAD	Aviara, La Costa, Rancho Carrillo, Calavera Hills, Brookfield, La Costa Greens, La Costa Oaks, La Costa Ridge, The Bay Collection, La Costa Meadowridge, Azure Cove/Isla Mar/Tramonto, La Costa Condos, Avocet, Sea Point Tennis Club at La Costa, Bressi Ranch, Carlsbad Waterfront Homes, La Costa Golf Course Homes, La Costa Resort Villas, Aviara Point, Bella Lago, BluWater Crossing, Tamarack Beach Lofts
ENCINITAS	Leucadia, Encinitas Ranch, Nantucket and Costa Laguna in Leucadia, Olivenhain, Surfer's Point Resort, Waterfront Homes, Coral Cove
SAN MARCOS	San Elijo Hills, Lake San Marcos
CARDIFF	Walking District, Composer District
RANCHO SANTA FE	Cielo, The Lakes
SOLANA BEACH DEL MAR	No Neighborhood articles

Are you a "glass half full" or "glass half empty" kind of person? Do you know what your attitude about things is in general?

What does this have to do with your relocation to Carlsbad, or anywhere?

Are you taking the perspective that your relocation will be a great learning experience? A way to research, explore new areas, see new places, have new experiences, and challenge your ability to adapt quickly? Is it an opportunity to learn about yourself, and for family members to do the same? And for everyone to enjoy the excitement of a new beginning?

Or are you seeing it purely from the perspective of an overwhelming list of tasks to accomplish - a home to sell, stuff to pack, finding a new home, learning your way around, and so on.

There is no doubt relocation is a huge challenge - mentally, physically, and emotionally. There are endless things that need to happen in order to accomplish a move from one part of the country to another. Things will not always go the way you want or expect - that's a given - so don't be unrealistic. Murphy's Law will rear its ugly head on more than one occasion. So what?!

Your attitude about your move will become an increasingly important aspect of success in your relocation. And it can play a huge role in helping your children, if you have them, to cope with the huge changes. Instead of regretting what you are giving up, celebrate the new beginning! A new home, new people to meet, new things to do, different weather, new schools, new services, a different lifestyle, and so on. Have fun reading and researching about your new home before you get there. Get excited about all the neat things you and your family will have to experience.

Are you going to angst about all the things that you have to do, and complain about what a nuisance it all is?

Or will you see this as a series of new experiences to enjoy, to learn from, and to conquer? Isn't it just another part of living?

Your choice. Is the glass half full? Or half empty?

This is specifically for those of you relocating to California (and perhaps other close-by states that may have similar issues).

You will find, as I did, that some things are different here, as they are in other states of course. I'm talking specifically about the homes themselves. You might as well be prepared so it will come as less of a surprise, depending on where you are coming from. And you will surely notice these things if you are reviewing MLS listings in your search for a new home here.

If you are coming from the East Coast (or the Mid-West) you are probably accustomed to having a basement, plus some sort of attic, maybe even one with stairs. You are in for a surprise.

NO BASEMENTS - at least here in Southern California, homes are built on SLABS and do not have basements. You may wonder...what will I do about storage? More on that later.

SLABS - yes, your house will be on a slab of concrete, so the surface under your tile, carpet or hardwood will be concrete (it's harder) than the sub-flooring so many homes typically have (plywood, etc.)

LAUNDRY - because of the weather, and other reasons, you will often find that the laundry is in the garage, not in the house, although in most new homes there is a separate laundry room.

GARAGES - 2 and 3 car garages tend to be more common, especially in new homes. THAT'S where you get your extra storage. Again, with the weather being what it is, lots of folks use their garages for storage and keep the cars in the driveway (no worries about snow and ice here!).

ATTICS - nope, don't have many of those either. There will be space in many homes for the heating or cooling units above the ceiling, but you won't have a big walk-up attic for storage as you do elsewhere in the country.

SPAS, WATER FEATURES, POOLS - you're moving here because of the weather, right? So these are much more common, just like in Florida and some other "hot" states. Nice to have but they take some work.

HOA FEES and MELLO ROOS - definitely more common than back East, for example. HOA (Home Owner Association) fees are similar to condo fees.

TILE ROOF - much more common here. May be clay, concrete or other man-made substance