The Carlsbad real estate market offers buyers a number of options. One of the popular communities is Aviara, in the south west corner of Carlsbad. There are a number of gated and ungated neighborhoods to explore there.

Aviara (link is to community profile) is a residential resort community in Carlsbad, just a couple of miles inland from the ocean. Anchored by the Four Seasons Aviara, this affluent community offers a number of different gated and ungated neighborhoods of attached and detached homes, the Aviara Oaks Elementary School and Aviara Oaks Middle School, access to the Batiquitos Lagoon and wildlife preserve, and some wonderful views of the lagoon, ocean and rolling countryside and distant mountains. Prices vary widely, from the $500s (for attached units) to well over $2 million for custom estates at Aviara Point.

If you are looking at Carlsbad real estate in the Aviara area, here are several complexes that may interest you.

AZURE COVE

Azure Cove is one of the 16 neighborhoods in the AVIARA Master Association. Located just off Batiquitos Drive, this ungated community consists of 72 one and two-story homes, some of which offer views of the lagoon.

Azure Cove homes range in size from 2,485 SF up to 3,492 SF, offer from 3 to 5 bedrooms, and are arranged along the main road, Gabbiano Lane, and 5 small cul-de-sacs, creating a peaceful residential area just minutes from the Four Seasons Aviara, the Batiquitos Lagoon Preserve, and the shopping and restaurants of Carlsbad. Currently there are 2 homes on the market at of May 14, 2007; a single story with 3 BRs, 2.5 BAs and 2,85 SF priced between $889K and $910K, and a two-story with 4 BRs, 3 BAs and 2,658 SF priced at $835,000. [home at right is priced at $835,000]

ISLA MAR

Isla Mar, another of Aviara's 16 neighborhoods, is an upscale community of homes along Batiquitos Drive and the lagoon, with 101 one and two-story home. Because of the hills, some homes have views of the lagoon and/or the Pacific Ocean, as well as panoramic vistas. The majority of the community is between Batiquitos Drive and the lagoon and is gated; a smaller portion of the homes are sited on two streets on the other side of Batiquitos Drive in an ungated area.

The detached Isla Mar homes range in size from 2,642 SF up to 4,275 SF, and offer 3 to 5 bedrooms and 2.5 to 5.5 baths. As of May 14, 2007 there were 2 homes on the market, both with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, and 3,649 SF of living space, priced at $1,150,000 and range priced from $1,500,000 to $1,700,000. Isla Mar homes have the expected amenities of higher-end homes, including multiple fireplaces, granite, marble, stainless appliances, beautiful tile and hardwood floors, and more. In the last 6 months 3 homes have sold, ranging in price from $950,000 to $1,156,000.

TRAMONTO

Tramonto is an ungated community of 131 detached homes within Aviara off Batiquitos Drive and very close to Poinsettia Parkway and the Four Seasons. Because of the rolling hills many homes have views of the surrounding countryside, residential area and distant hills.

Tramonto homes are all two-story and range in size from 1,700 to 2,320 SF with either 3 or 4 bedrooms and 2.5 to 3 baths depending on floor plan and square footage. As of May 14, 2007 there were 8 Tramonto homes for sale ranging in price from $559,000 to $750,000 (1,947 to 2,323 F).

[home at left priced from $640,000 to $700,000]

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All of these homes in Aviara have HOA fees (beginning around $60/month) as well as Mello Roos fees. These are not negotiable so plan your budget accordingly.

Aviara itself is purely a residential resort community, except for the Four Seasons with the Aviara Golf Club, but you are close to the beach, shopping and restaurants of Carlsbad to the west, and to El Camino Real in Carlsbad and Encinitas.

UPDATE - JUNE 20, 2008

Here's an update on the Carlsbad real estate market in Tramanto - 5 units are on the market currently, ranging in price from $539K - $749K (2 and 3 bedrooms, all with 3 baths; square footage is 1740 - 2323 SF). THus these prices are similar to what we were seeing 1 year ago.

In terms of sales, Tramanto has had 4 sales in the last 6 months, with an average sales price of $558,125 (average price per SF is $285.66).

There is 1 Carlsbad home at Azure Cove on the market, at $975K for a 5/4 with almost 3500 SF.

In Isla Mar there are two Carlsbad homes for sale, priced at $1,299M and $1,295M, with 3456 and 3507 SF respectively.