I do a great deal of blogging, here and in 3 others blogs. I really enjoy it, or I would not spend as much time as I do writing about buying, selling, communities, things to do, relocation, and much more.

I recently wrote a humorous article about why I don't like blogging (tongue-in-cheek humor and sarcasm, of course). You might enjoy reading it and get a laugh out of it as well.

I'd love to hear what you think!

Buyers often want to purchase a home with a view. This is especially true in areas where you have great views, such as of the mountains, the valleys or the ocean.

I recently wrote an article about buying a home with a view in Carlsbad, but the information in this article, I think, is generally applicable to anywhere.

So if you have an interest in buying a view home, you might want to head over to the article to learn more about some issues to be aware of in your search. Most notably, you can expect to pay more for a comparable home with a desirable view. But there's more.

And please let me know if I can assist you in any way.

Jeff

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Start your CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH here (and other San Diego communities)

Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here

Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods

Provocative title for an article isn't it? I got your attention, though.

Have you ever considered that buying and selling a home is very much like dating? We've all done it, successfully and not so successfully. But there are many parallels between dating and home buying. This is not my original thought, but, rather, the thesis of a fascinating book I am reading. The book is really for anyone who has an interest in real estate, and especially those engaged in the search and/or who are currently owners of a home.

We are in a time when there seems to be more interest in home buying - what we buy, how we buy, where we buy, why we buy - than at any other time. Everyone is talking about real estate and the market. But why is it of such great interest?

SEX AND REAL ESTATE, WHY WE LOVE HOUSES, by Marjorie Garber, is worth a read.

It will give you a different perspective on the process of buying and selling, and in particular the emotional side of that process. Perhaps it will give you some insight into your own feelings about owning a home, or engaging in the hunt for a new one.

I'd be curious to hear what you have to say once you've read it.

Some of you may be relocating here to San Diego and in need of a job.

That being the case, here are the largest employers with headquarters in the San Diego area that might be of interest to you (in order based on fiscal  2006 revenues):

• Sempra Energy
• SAIC
• Qualcomm Inc.
• Jack in the Box Inc.
• Invitrogen Corporation
• Leap Wireless
• AMN Healthcare Services
• Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co.
• Calloway Golf Co.
• Cubic Corporation

For those of you looking for a new Carlsbad home, or elsewhere, finding the right neighborhood is probably high on your list. I had a meeting with some new buyers the other day and they commented that neighborhood was THE MOST important criteria for them.

I've mentioned using Localism in the past as a good way to research communities of interest. There are community profiles, market reports and more on many towns and neighborhoods throughout the US.

Another site I would suggest you check out is Outside In. There is a wealth of information about different communities that may help you in your research. For example, here is what is found there when you search Carlsbad.

Good luck, and if I can provide more information or answer any questions, please let me know.

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Start your CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH here (and other San Diego communities)

Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here

One of the questions I generally ask clients who are relocating to Carlsbad is...What is your lifestyle?

So why is this important? And it is something you should consider?

As a buyer you likely have lots of issues you are considering in your home search, especially since you are moving to a new part of the country with possible differing styles of homes, prices, amenities, weather, things to do, and much more. But don't discount your current lifestyle or fail to give it important consideration in your new home search.

Do you entertain? How do you like to entertain? What things to you like to do at home and nearby? What community activities do you enjoy now? You get the idea.

Think carefully about your lifestyle and how you would like it to be in your new home. Perhaps you want it to change in some way, say if you are retiring. But if you don't think about this as you tour homes, you might find yourself buying a property in an area that does not fit with the style of living you desire. Here in Carlsbad, for example, beaches play a big part of the lifestyle, and you can choose to be a short walk to the beach (well, based on affordability) or a 20 minute drive. Golf might be a necessity too, so make sure this is factored into your home search criteria.

I suggest you ask yourself with each home you visit...is this a place that I can see myself living the way I want to live? And listen to what the house and neighborhood tells you.

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Start your CARLSBAD AREA HOMES SEARCH here

Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here

Often in a relocation folks decide that they want to buy a home in their new location, while at the same time selling their former home. Timing can get tricky but many choose to do this. With diligent efforts on the Internet doing your research, working with a competent REALTOR in your new city, and having 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.

I have found that in many cases taking time to look at housing, decide on the desired community, find the right home, and move can be tough. For those of you who are choosing to move here to Carlsbad, or elsewhere in Southern California, for personal reasons rather than due to work, the lack of time pressures may be such that renting a place while you look for a home to buy may be tghe best solution.  I am working with several relocation clients that are, in fact, doing just this.

Finding the right home is important, and they have the luxury of time, so the feeling is that they can more effectively look, without a time crunch, and then will be ready to buy when the right thing comes along. Their old home will be sold so they do not have to worry about coordinating two sales, which can be a big plus. Yes, in some cases they will need to move their furniture twice, but in others (because of using a furnished rental) it will be easier to transition.

Having relocated 4 major times, I think this can make a alot of sense, if you are not under time pressures to buy a new home or get your kids in school. 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 different.

If I can help any way in your home search or answer any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

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Start your CARLSBAD AREA HOME SEARCH here

Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here

I have talked a lot about the home buying process, and in particular about due diligence.

The reason is that "buyers beware" is really something to keep in mind when making your most important and most expensive purchase. Just as with buying a car, a computer, or other products, you want to make sure that you are buying what is being represented, and not something else. The problem is that a home is a much more complicated acquisition, and consumers vary so much in terms of what they want and are willing to accept.

Doing your due diligence - checking on all the issues that matter to you, verifying information and reviewing disclosures - is critical and something you MUST NOT take lightly. Certainly this can also involve having your BUYER AGENT check on things for you with the listing agent/seller. But don't skimp on this. You might find that what you thought you are getting is not that at all. And after you have completed the transaction it is too late.

Here's an example. I am working with a buyer that has, as a "must have," the need for A/C. We saw one unit that fit all the criteria, but according to the MLS did not have A/C. Too bad. But on our second visit to the home we looked closely at the thermostat and saw a setting for cool, and tried out the switch. Terrific. But I also have a call in to verify with the agent/seller that the unit DOES, in fact, have A/C. Otherwise it might kill the deal.

There are lots of things that might be important to you, as well as issues disclosed by the seller that may impact your decision to buy or not.

DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE! Don't make a bad purchase because you were lazy, made assumptions, didn't take the time, or forgot to check. It'll bite you in the end.

And don't assume that what the MLS says is necessarily accurate - you need to verify the information.

Do you know how to avoid the home appraisal woes?

Well, it's pretty simple in principle. Unfortunately, in this market we are seeing more homes that do not appraise. As I'm sure you know, as a seller your home must be priced appropriately in order to sell in this competitive market. I have seen many Carlsbad homes priced too high, and they are just sitting there. So that's one major downfall of overpricing.

The other, however, is the appraisal. If you are lucky enough to get a buyer that will pay what you want, or nearly so, you can still run into a problem if the home does not appraise based on area comparable sales. Overpricing will cause this.

The other possibility is when the values are declining in your area. The price you set several months ago may now be relatively high as compared to the homes that are selling.

If the home does not appraise you have a couple of choices.

• First, renegotiate the price. You may have to accept less, unless the buyer can come up with a larger down payment and offset the amount being financed
• Second, if you are financially able you might be able to provide seller financing. But keep in mind the buyer night also just decide to walk away since they cannot qualify for the loan.
• The buyer can try to get another appraisal done but there is a slim chance this will make a difference. And with mortgage companies tightening their standards, underwriters are looking much more closely at risky situations...and not approving them.

So keep this in mind. Your goal is to sell your home so you can relocate. Make sure that pricing does not prevent you from attaining that goal.