If I can provide more information about 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.

Carlsbad home buyers

If you are considering homes in the Aviara area of Carlsbad, one neighborhood you might want to visit (only if you are looking in the $900K and up range, however), is Serenata.

You can read more about this Aviara neighbood here.

And you might want to look at the most recent Carlsbad Market Report for the latest on what is happening with prices and inventory.

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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 (including other areas)

Are you a first time home buyer. Check out First Time Buyer Central.

Despite what the media seems to implies, there ARE buyers out there looking to buy a new home.

Yes, they are taking a look at lots of properties before making a decision. And as we head into the holidays we can expect that sales may slow as folks focus on other things, like shopping and getting ready for the season's festivities.

BUT, there are plenty of people out there who NEED to buy. They are relocating, or really need more space, or there are other issues that are driving them to purchase.

So, sellers, is YOUR HOME a moving target? Are these buyers who need to buy considering YOUR HOME as a place to move to? Or are they being driven away to another property that is a better deal?

I hate to harp on this, but as the inventory continues to be fairly high, buyers remain fussy about what they will purchase, even if they need to. I have seen it happen many times, and Ihave buyers right now who are voicing their concerns about properties they see.

• They don't feel the home is well priced compared to others in the area
• The home does not show well and they can't see beyond the clutter, or the minor improvements they would need to make
• They are finding lots of minor reasons NOT to buy, rather than looking at the reasons TO BUY

The reality is that buyers are much more in control now, whether you like it or not. And with continued concerns about the economy and the mortgage industry, many are still feeling prices may drop. And they are certainly NOT interested in those properties that they do not feel are worth the asking price.

Take a good, hard, objective look at your home and the pricing. And why not visit your competition, too...just to see how you compare. And listen to what your agent has to say about the market, so YOUR home becomes a moving target.

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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

While I am addressing this specifically to sellers of Carlsbad homes, because I live here, it really is applicable anywhere. So, sellers, listen up.

The title, "Carlsbad Sellers, Cell Your Home," is NOT a typo. There is new technology out there, well, new to real estate, that you should be aware or (as should your listing agent - I am adding it to MY arsenal of services for sellers). That is, using cellular technology to transmit listing information (including photos and other information you will find on the MLS) to potential buyers who see your sign and call the telephone number that is provided along with an ID #.

It's a virtual brochure box, so to speak. (Note that phones MUST be capable of photo messaging, which is a majority of brands). Of course you can combine this with the standrard brochure box so you can appeal to buyers who love texting as well as those who want to hold something in their hand to read and review.

Call for Pics is one company providing this service but there are others.

Is YOUR Carlsbad real estate agent up on the technology to help "cell" YOUR home?

BUYERS - if you love text messaging you will love this when you are searching for a home.

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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

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

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