Localism: San Diego County, CA

Carlsbad Magazine, Branding, and a Blog

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:20:02 -0500

The Carlsbad Magazine is a terrific bi-monthly magazine chock full of information for visitors and residents.

I find I always learn something, and I share the free publications with as many folks as I can who are thinking about moving here. It's a fabulous resource.

The Carlsbad Magazine is a great source of information about things to do, restaurants, events, shopping, the beaches, activities, and much more. And it's FREE.

I was thrilled to see the summer edition, and flattered. Or perhaps they should be flattered. I know it wasn't intentional but I can't help but think we are thinking along the same lines.

Take a look at the front cover of the July-August 2008 edition of Carlsbad Magazine.

Now take a gander at my blog, created using the ActiveRain Customizer some months ago.

Ha - I beat them to it. Now the similarity between the photos is pretty striking - see the photos below that I took, all on the same day, April, 2008, just minutes apart (a few of the 10-photo series are below). Great minds, I'd say. I think I have something here - great sunset, beach views, life guard shack (a beach staple in our area).

Clearly others are as enamored as I am with the Carlsbad beaches, especially at sunset. Lots of folks hang out then to enjoy dinner on the beach and watch the sun set. A fitting end to the day. But their magazine cover is good for only a couple of months. My blog is, well, here to stay.

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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.

Who Are San Diego Short Sale Experts?

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:46:18 -0500

Who are San Diego Short Sale Experts..? We are a local San Diego Real Estate company specializing in helping individuals that are heading into default on their current loans or are already in foreclosure.

What is a short sale? Simply put, it is the process of selling a home for less than is owed on the existing mortgages and negotiating with the lender to accept the loss. This is done in order to provide financial relief to homeowners who may otherwise face foreclosure or bankruptcy.

By visiting our site, San Diego Short Sale Experts you will be able to learn more of the details involved with a short sale.

Beginning in 2000 the real estate market obviously exploded with average real estate values doubling over a 5 year period . This was due to demographics, historically low mortgage rates, loose mortgage lending guidelines, creative interest-only mortgages and the change in general public’s attitude of real estate primarily a "home" to that of real estate as an "investment".

Now, coming off the highs of the past few years, we have seen changes in the economy, tightening of the credit markets, adjustable rate mortgages adjusting, banks shutting down, and the real estate markets are correcting. All of these changes are driving down home values and making the short sale market predominate. Many home buyers and real estate investors are no longer be able to afford their properties and are required to sell quickly or face foreclosure.

As more and more foreclosures come onto the market, property prices will continue downward due to the pricing pressure of these foreclosures on the normal real estate listings. All of the previous talk of a housing bubble seems to be confirmed by the market we are facing today. As the market continues to change and more and more people are faced with these difficult times, our team continues to assist those families in need of our services. Please check back regularly for updates and visit our site San Diego Short Sale Experts for a detailed explanation of our team, and the foreclosure and short sale process.

Carlsbad Car Country - And The Winner is North County Hyundai

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:05:06 -0500

The area to buy cars in Carlsbad in Carlsbad Car Country, just off the 5 freeway north of Palomar Airport Road and South of Cannon.

READ MORE: Carlsbad Bar Country

Accolades go out to North County Hyundai. I had to turning my lease car recently and after test driving a number of cars, and deciding to buy a pre-owned vehicle rather than leasing, North County Hyundai was the winner.

In a matter of a couple of hours the deal was done and I drove off with my new car. We even negotiated a great deal on getting leather seats installed.

What really prompted me to write this was that my vehicle was in for its first service appointment today. It was a good opportunity to see how they would handle the service call.

The greeting was friendly and efficient. Everything was explained, a coupon was applied, and the car was whisked off for the service work to be done. It was completed in the time I was given (I decided to hang around and do some work rather than taking the loaner), the costs were reasonable and I drove off in my newly washed car. I had the chance to observe how they handled other customers while hanging out in the waiting area and I was pretty impressed.

North County Hyundai gets my vote!! And I love my Sonata.

Looking for GREAT AGENTS to JOIN OUR TEAM!

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:47:12 -0500

Our company philosophy is: "Agents are the talents. Agents are the bosses. We are dedicated to providing superior service, training and care to our TEAM members, so that our Agent Team can in turn provide over-the-top customer service to the clients."

Since we believe our Agents make the company, our Agents makes 100% of their hard-earned commission.

Whether you are an experience Agent, a new Agent, or just thinking of getting your real estate license, we can help you be the best Agents in town.

We want to cultivate long and profitable relationships with our TEAM.

Please contact our Team Leader, Kathy, to JOIN OUR TEAM!

www.AbacusPropertiesInc.com

Abacus Properties, Inc.

(858)674-6648 office

(858)583-4631 mobile

New area code 442 in North San Diego County

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:38:47 -0500

760 is the largest area code in the state of California so it is no surprise that it will soon be split. The new 442 area code will affect most of the cities in North San Diego County. The cities affected include:

Borrego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Julian, Oceanside, Pauma Valley, Pendleton, Ramona, San Marcos, Valley Center, Vista, and Warner Springs.

According to the CPUC, the start of mandatory dialing will not take affect until May 16th, 2009 but permissive dialing will begin on November 8th, 2008.

Because of the perceived economic harm the the affected cities, the CPCU has agreed to take additional public comment at two Public Participation hearings. The times and locations of these Public hearings are as follows:

September 3, 2008, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Victorville City Hall, Council Chambers

14343 Civic Dr., Victorville

September 4, 2008, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Carlsbad City Hall, Council Chambers

1200 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad