Carlsbad, CA

The Carlsbad real estate market continues to show some positive trends, and the statistics for June show a number of changes as compared to May 2009. These data do not include any private sales nor manufactured/mobile housing; the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed.

Media reports speak in general terms, rather than local, so their information may not represent the reality of our local Carlsbad real estate market. Having data, and knowledge, about the local market conditions benefits you as the buyer or seller.

In June 2009 there were 103 homes sold in Carlsbad's 4 zipcodes, as compared to 114 for May (a decline, for the first time in several months, of 10%). Here's the breakdown of overall activity.

The number of sales was down from May, following the trend we have seen in some other communities during the same period, however the average sales prices increased over May 2009 prices. We also saw a decline in the Days on Market from an average of 61 to 52 days.

There were 106 properties in Carlsbad at the end of June with the CONTINGENT status (i.e., homes with offers being reviewed for approval by short sale and REO lenders), an increase of 33% over May. 60% were detached and 40% attached (these are included in the total inventory below since they are considered to be ACTIVE properties until offer acceptance). This could be due to the fact that the status was new in May and was not being used by agents when it should have been. It may also be that there are simply more short sale and REO homes getting offers.

At the end of June 2009 there were 578 Carlsbad homes for sale (390 detached, and 188 attached homes), almost the same number as in May. This represents an inventory of 6.8 months for attached homes (just a slight increase from May) and 6.8 months for detached homes (up from 5.7 months in May) based on the current rate of sales over the last 6 months. These absorption rates continue to be encouraging when compared to many other parts of the country, some of which have over 2 years of inventory.

In June 155 homes came on the market (an increase of 15% over May 2009). And during the same time 139 homes went pending, a decrease of 5% from May.

Thus Carlsbad's inventory has not changed in the last two months, but with more homes coming on the market in June and fewer pendings, you can expect the absorption rate to increase next month.

This overview of the Carlsbad real estate market is based on information provided by the MLS for homes that went under contract in the last couple of months and closed in June. More details can be provided if needed with regard to current activity as well as within the specific zip codes of Carlsbad.

READ MORE:

Carlsbad Real Estate - Carlsbad Market Report for May 2009

Carlsbad Real Estate - Carlsbad Market Report for April 2009

Carlsbad Real Estate - Carlsbad Market Report for March 2009

Carlsbad Real Estate - Carlsbad Market Report for February 2009

Carlsbad Real Estate - Carlsbad Market Report for January 2009

Carlsbad Real Estate - Carlsbad Market Report for December 2008

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or 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.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Buyers in the Carlsbad real estate market who are seeking new construction, and who would like to take advantage of $8000 first time home buyer tax credit, have a number of options.

The newest opportunity, now available for purchase, is at Rockledge, in the La Costa Oaks subdivision in La Costa.

The La Costa area of Carlsbad, anchored by the famed La Costa Resort and Spa, has offered a number of new home subdivisions in recent years, including La Costa Ridge, La Costa Greens, and La Costa Oaks.

READ MORE:

Carlsbad Village by the Sea

La Costa - A Great Residential Community in South Carlsbad

Rockledgeis on the east side of Rancho Santa Fe Road (as you head toward San Elijo Hills) which puts it within a couple of miles from the Henry's Fresh Food Market, the CVS, a couple of restaurants and several other stores. You are about 15 - 20 minutes to the Carlsbad and Encinitas beaches, as well as golf at La Costa and the Four Seasons, and all the dining and shopping along El Camino Real.

Some reasons to like Rockledge homes:

A top selling point is that children will attend the top-ranked Encinitas Schools - Encinitas Union and San Dieguito Union High School districts (you can check School Digger or Great Schools for more information).

You can buy a brand new home with about 1900 SF to almost 2500 SF for less than $290/SF - practically unheard of in our area even with the price shifts we have seen

Only 43 homes will be built in this village, keeping the community small as compared to some subdivisions like Bressi Ranch.

Residents will have access to a private club, The Oaks Club, with competition-sized swimming pool, wading pool, picnic and BBQ areas, plus an exercise facility, gathering room and gourmet catering kitchen. A second Club will be built with an expected completion date of late 2009.

An incentive of $10K is available if you use on of their preferred lenders, which can be used for flooring, upgrades or closing costs.

You can qualify for the $10,000 new home buyers credit in California (DEADLINE July 2 - JUST ANNOUNCED), and, if you are a first time buyer, the first time home buyers credit of up to $8000

There are 5 Carlsbad homes in Phase One available, priced between $602,490 and $706,990. Homes, all of which are two-story with 2-car garages, range in size from 1913 SF up to 2463 SF, with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths up to 4 bedrooms and 3 baths in 3 floor plans. A number of these homes have canyon and ocean (distant) views due to their elevation on the hill looking west. Styles include Tuscan, Santa Barbara and Spanish.

Landscaping is included for the front yard (which is not typical for the new homes built in the area) but not the rear so factor in that additional cost. Average lot sizes are around 5000 SF.

Property taxes and Mello Roos total about 1.3% which is similar to other new subdivisions in Carlsbad; HOA fees will range from about $242/month to $246/month.

Expected completion time for this phase is late September to early October 2009.

If I can provide more information or arrange a personal tour, please let me know.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: TODAY, July 2, is the last day to fax applications in for the $10,000 tax credit in California - this was just announced on the CA Franchises Tax Board site after this post was written. But you can still get a great home at a great price.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or 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.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Breakfast, and especially brunch, is a popular activity it seems, especially on the weekends

The Broken Yolk Café adjacent to the Starbucks in South Carlsbad is a popular gathering place for foodies on the weekend. There is both indoor and outdoor dining, and an extensive breakfast and lunch menu with just about everything you could want (carbs, protein, vegetarian).

Starbucks remains a popular gathering spot, but let's face it, their breakfast and brunch offerings are pretty limited, so if a good sized meal is on your plate for the day, The Broken Yolk way be just the ticket.

Don't be surprised if you have to wait. The place is popular, and despite being a decent size you may find yourself waiting for 10-15 minutes, especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The food is decent - not great, IMO (you can read some reviews on Yelp) - but it will fill you up at a price I think many will feel is a respectable value. Our service the day we were there was friendly, prompt and efficient - hopefully that is true in general but I have no information on that.

If you know the Albertson's Shopping Center at the corned of El Camino Real and La Costa Avenue in Carlsbad, you know The Broken Yolk Cafe is not a quaint, charming eatery on a quiet tree-lined street. But then that's not why you're there, right? Check out the street view on Google Maps.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or 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.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Carlsbad buyers who want new construction, and who also would like to take advantage of the $10,000 new home tax credit in California, has some terrific options. The newest opportunity, now selling, is at CopperWood.

The La Costa area of Carlsbad, anchored by the famed La Costa Resort and Spa, has offered a number of new home opportunities in recent years, including La Costa Ridge, La Costa Greens, and La Costa Oaks.

READ MORE:

Carlsbad Village by the Sea

La Costa - A Great Residential Community in South Carlsbad

CopperWood is located on the west side of Rancho Santa Fe Road adjacent to the existing La Oaks development, just a short distance from the Henry's Fresh Food Market, the CVS, a couple of restaurants and several other stores. You are about 15 - 20 minutes to the Carlsbad and Encinitas beaches.

Some things to know:

A top selling point is that children will attend the top-ranked Encinitas Schools - Encinitas Union and San Dieguito Union High School districts (you can check School Digger or Great Schools for more information).

You can buy a brand new home over 3000 SF for less than $250/SF - practically unheard of in our area even with the price shifts we have seen

Only 53 homes will be built, keeping the community small

Residents will have access to a private club, The Oaks Club, with competition-sized swimming pool, wading pool, picnic and BBQ areas, plus an exercise facility, gathering room and gourmet catering kitchen

An incentive of $10K is available if you use a preferred lender - this can be used for flooring, upgrades or closing costs.

You can qualify for the $10,000 new home buyers credit in California, and, if you are a first time buyer, the first time home buyers credit of up to $8000

There are two Carlsbad homes in Phase One still available, priced at $815,190 and $796,000 with 8 homes (1 has been reserved) in Phase Two just released. Homes, all two-story but some with downstairs master bedrooms, range in size from 3,189 SF up to 3688 SF, with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths up to 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Styles include Tuscan, Santa Barbara and Spanish. Prices in the latest release are from $754,490 to $810,990, landscaping not included. Some homes offer dramatic La Costa Canyon and distant ocean views.

If I can provide more information or arrange a personal tour, please let me know.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

It was just announced TODAY that JULY 2 is the last day to fax applications for the $10,000 new home buyer tax credit in California since they have reached the limit.

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Subscribe in a reader

If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or 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.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Summer is in full swing and the big holiday is upon us, with lots of entertainment and fireworks in the Carlsbad area.

Trying to plan your weekend? Need suggestions of things to do? Or just curious about the happenings in town? Fireworks are the big entertainment, of course, and you can see them in lots of areas.

Here's a partial list:

La Costa Resort and Spa (South Carlsbad) - while they are for hotel guests you can see them from the La Costa area around the golf course and up in the hills

Four Seasons Aviara Resort - for hotel guests, but you can watch along the Batiquitos Lagoon and from other areas, even La Costa

Oceanside - from the barge in the harbor

San Marcos - fireworks and entertainment in Bradley Park

Legoland - in Carlsbad, about 8:30, choreographed to music

Escondido - fireworks, live concert, food and much more at Grape Day Park and the California Center for the Arts

Vista - fireworks and entertainment at Brengle Terrace Park

Camp Pendelton - beach bash all day with fireworks

Del Mar - at the San Diego County Fair, about 9:30

Seaworld - in the Mission Bay area

La Jolla Cove - fireworks viewable from the Cove Area, La Jolla Shores beach and nearby areas

The Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas has a Children's Parade through their fabulous gardens at 10 am.

And of course you can sit in front of the TV and watch terrific fireworks displays from around the country - NY and Boston are some of my favorites, and with the time difference we can enjoy them at 6 PM, then see another round live in our area.

Here's the San Diego 4^th of July fireworks 2009 guide with more information about things to do and fireworks to see.

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Subscribe in a reader

If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or 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.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits