James Baxter 760-271-9971

Every year my wife takes us apple picking in Julian. Being a San Diego native I grew up going to Julian every year and walking around the Julian store fronts. However we never really did much apple picking growing up. Well times have changes and my wife feels it necessary for our family to experience the American past time of apple picking every year.

We have been to the apple orchards with rows and rows of apple trees, which is great for filling your apple picking bag quickly... however picking apples this way does not wear your little ones out.
Well my wife has found the solution to this, Apples and Art Orchard in Julian. If somebody never told you about Apples and Art orchard.. I am not sure you would ever be able to find it. It is a bit of a hodgepodges of a farm.... but fun none the less.

They have wild apple trees spread over 10 acres. Let just say your little ones and you will be ready for a nap afterwards. Lots of hiking and you have a nice verity of apples. Some you have never heard of.

You get to experience Julian apple picking at its finest. Then afterwards meet farmer John and make some fresh apple juice.

I learned something new this year apple picking. Every other year there is a good year and a bad year for apple season. (or as I was told)
This is a bad year... and it has been magnified because of a dry year and a lack of bee's. Bee's play a major roll in the quantity and quality of apples for the year.

This is a rough year for apples... if you are planning on going apple picking you better go sooner then later. They are rapidly running out of apples.

Julian Pie company is still my favorite place to get an apple pie, We tend to always do lunch at the Julian Cafe and a stop at Dudley's for some of their bread has become a tradition. As always it is a fun trip!

Cheers,

James Baxter

Once again Oktoberfest is upon us! It never ceases to amaze me, how fast time flies.
Encinitas host a small, very family friend Oktoberfest celebration.
This year it will be on September 20th from 10-6 and admission is free.

Encinitas closes down Mountain Vista St (Just off of El Camino Real) and sets up more of a mini street fair, with a collection
of local merchants peddling their wears. Along with plenty for the kiddies to do!

I have to mention that Karl Strauss is present with his Oktoberfest brew and John Haedrich of Tip Top meats
make sure that authentic German food is available for all!

Of course an Oktoberfest festival is not complete with out Dancers and a Bavarian Band.

It is a fun family day for all!

Now beckons the question... what is Oktoberfest, well other then an excuse to go have some fun with good food and
drink?

Oktoberfest traditionally starts on the third weekend in September and ends the first Sunday of October. It began with the Royal Wedding on October 12th, 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. The decision to repeat the celebration in subsequent years gave rise to the tradition of Oktoberfest. Now held all over the world!

And now we celebrate the 176th Oktoberfest!

Of recent, I have been of the mind set and telling my clients, "if you do not need to sell right now.... don't!"

However one of my colleges brought up an interesting point that I now will be sharing with my clients from here on out.

It is a great time to sell! (at least in the San Diego North County area with homes under $500,000)

Here is why:

1.)In a market run a muck with short sales competing against multiple offers and long approval processes.
Imagine being able to put a property on the market that can give an answer to an offer, in, oh say 48 hours?! OR LESS!

unheard of now a days, the seller would be the talk of the town!

2.)Interest rates are at an ALL time low.

3.)Tax advantages for first time home buyers that we have not see before for. Click Here for more info.

It is truly a great time to buy! ... which in turn if one must sell, it is a great time to sell!

There are buyers out there that would love to buy what you are selling!

Buyers are frustrated and bidding short sale property up ... above market values.
Buyer are going around to multiple properties, making multiple offers on them hoping sooner or later one will stick.
Buyers are backing out because it is taking too long to get approval on their offers, or they are sticking it out only to
find out that the bank is just going to foreclose on the property or worse yet, the seller has accepted a higher offer.

I know that this must sound more like an argument for a great time to buy then sell.

But here is the deal, I can only imagine that come 2010 interest rates will be going up, no guarantee however click here to see what has happened in the past.

If interest rates go up that will effect a buyers buying power and will reduce the number of buyers competing for your home.

Bottom line if you can hold off on selling and by holding off I mean more then 5 years do so....
however if you plan on selling before then? Truly now is a great time!

All information is deemed reliable however is not guaranteed. For specifics for your area contact your local Realtor.

I just went to El Nopalito.
I must say I was some what surprised.
It is a little Mexican market in the 7-11 shopping center
just East of the 5 on Santa Fe rd in Encinitas.

My wife and I stopped by to pick up some tortillas for
dinner tonight. When I reached down and picked up a
pack of corn tortillas I noticed the package was warm.
Not because they were sitting in the sun or anything bad
like that, but because they were fresh off the grill.

Needless to say, from here on out this is going to be my
stop for fresh Mexican food. They also have a whole meat counter
with fresh meat, they sell their fresh made salsa and just about anything
else you are going to need for your Mexican fiesta or just dinner that night!

Stop by and check them out!

560 Santa Fe Dr
(between Gardena Rd & Regal Rd)
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 436-9206