Laxson Associates l Carmel Valley San Diego

The recent roller coaster ride of the stock market has left many of us confused and anxious. The financial news this morning said that the Dow has lost 33% this year, the Nasdaq is down 35% and the S&P is down 36%. That sounds awful when we consider what our retirement and savings funds are worth today, especially if they are relatively "new" investments.

In 1987, my husband worked for Merrill Lynch International as a Financial Consultant in downtown San Diego and I was with Merrill Lynch Realty in La Jolla. I had just won a listing contest for Merrill Lynch and they sent the winners to Europe for the prize. My husband and I were in St. Tropez and having breakfast when another American nearby showed us the French newspaper with the title something like..."Le Stock Market Plunge". We realized then that life as we knew it would change for us given our professions, and it did.

It has been over 20 years since that happened and since that October, the Dow has been up a whopping 409% since 1987, the Nasdag up 486% and the S & P up 318%, according to Fox Financial News today.

I guess what I am trying to say is that the stock market is a roller coaster ride and sometimes going up takes longer than coming down which can often times be a breathtaking fast ride. Next time you are considering investing, you might want to consider the less volatile real estate market with today's short sales, foreclosures and low interest rates being offered for good credit... at least you and your family can have some measure of personal control over "real property", be able to improve on it to add value, or simply live in your investment and enjoy the ride from your front porch.

If you are interested in searching for homes in the San Diego community of Carmel Valley or Del Mar, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Carmel Valley real estate website, or learning more about the current housing market, give us a call anytime at (858) 245-9905.

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Stock Market & Real Estate". Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

PROMONTORY HOMES by Pardee are 155 homes built from 1997 to 2000. These estate-size homes feature gourmet style kitchens, family rooms, three car garages & most are situated on larger-sized lots. The homes have four to five bedrooms and three to four one-half bathrooms. They range in size from 2,751 to 4,015 square feet of living space. Many of these lovely homes are situated on cul de sacs and are conveniently located near Ashley Falls Elementary School, Torrey Pines High School, the Del Mar Heights Shopping Center and easy freeway access.

There four floor plans are as follows:

Plan 1 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, 3 car garages, two stories & approximately 2,751 square feet

Plan 2 - 4 bdrms/4 baths, 3 car garages, two stories & approximately 3,124 to 3,157 square feet

Plan 3 - 5 bdrms/4 baths, 3 car garages, two stories & approximately 3,124 to 3,728 square feet

Plan 4 - 5 bdrms/4.5 baths, 3 car garages, two stories & approximately 3,413 to 4,015 square feet

There is a low HOA fee that covers the common area maintenance and there is Mello-Roos. Click here for more information about Mello-Roos. Promontory street names include Winstanley Way, Flaxton Terrace, Chelterham Terrace, Wellworth Point, Thurston Place, Wendover Terrace, Baywind Point, Wyngate Point, Bayliss Court

If you are interested in searching for homes in the San Diego community of Carmel Valley or Del Mar, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Carmel Valley real estate website, or learning more about the current housing market, give us a call anytime at (858) 245-9905.

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Promontory - A Pardee Development in Carmel Valley". Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

The annual Taste & Art Stroll in Del Mar is Saturday, October 4th and destined to be a fun time for all! The Art Stroll is free and open to the public and if you want to taste the very best that our restaurants have to offer.. then the taste tickets cost $40.00 each. The tasting portion is my favorite because here is where you can nibble on delicious culinary creations by some of the finest local chefs in our restaurants, along with tasting the California wines and beers from our local breweries. This year there will be 70 local and regional artists participating and being judged. Come stroll by the art and judge for yourself! Great talent!

The Taste & Stroll Program Map - Click Here. More information and to purchase tickets online - Click Here.

If you are interested in searching for homes in Del Mar, researching the current value of your home, viewing our real estate website, or learning more about the current housing market, give us a call anytime at (858) 245-9905.

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Taste & Art Stroll in Del Mar - October 4th Event". Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

PRIVATE COLLECTION is a beautiful development with estate-sized homes that were built in 1998 by Davidson. A small development of 39 homes, they feature four to six bedrooms and three & one-half to 5 bathrooms and range in size from 3,826 to 4,346 square feet of living space. These large homes feature spacious and flexible floor plans on larger sized lots - below are the specs for the floor plans:

PRIVATE COLLECTION FLOOR PLANS

PLAN 1 - 4 bdrms/3.5 baths, approx. 3,826 sq. ft., 3 car garage, two story

PLAN 2 - 5 bdrms/5 baths, approx. 4,240 - 4,337 sq. ft., 3 car garage, two story

PLAN 3 - 6 bdrms/4.5 baths, approx. 4,311 - 4,346 sq. ft., 3 car garage, two story

PLAN 4 - 6 bdrms/4.5 baths, approx. 4,180 - 4,311 sq. ft., 3 car garage, two story

The Private Collection homes are on Pearlman Way & Harwick Lane.

If you are interested in searching for homes in the San Diego community of Carmel Valley, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Carmel Valley real estate website, or learning more about the current housing market, give us a call anytime at (858) 245-9905.

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Private Collection - A Davidson Development in Carmel Valley". Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Listing information is from Sandicor and subject to change without notice.

Click here for more information about Mello-Roos.

PORTICO is a new homes development by Pardee and located in the new Carmel Valley community of Pacific Highlands Ranch. Featuring early California architecture including stylish details such as wood, iron work and stone, Portico has been a welcome addition to the Carmel Valley community. Along with front porches, there are garages with rear alley entry and greenbelts that weave throughout parts of the community. Front yards are installed and maintained by the Homeowner Association with create a uniform community and a carefree lifestyle for the residents. There are four plans offered from 2,161 to 2,408 square feet and three to four bedrooms. Pardee includes its residents in a LIVINGSMART neighborhood and Portico provides options for roof integrated solar electric power, a tankless water heater, carpet from recycled materials and more.

Pacific Highlands Ranch is a master-planned community located only minutes from the coast. Nestled in among 1,300 acres of preserved natural habitat, residents can take advantage of the multi-use trail system, and the new state-of-the-art Pacific Highlands Ranch Recreation Center.

There are HOA dues which cover common area maintenance and Mello-Roos. The names of some of the streets in Portico include African Holly Trail, Blue Lace Trail, Pacific Highlands Ranch Parkway, Roselle Meadows Trail, and Scarlet Sage Trail.

CURRENT LISTINGS AVAILABLE IN PORTICO

1. $679,999 - $719,999 - 3 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,408 sq. ft.
2. $740,700 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,376 sq. ft.
3. $746,025 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,413 sq. ft.

RECENT SALES IN PORTICO

1. Sold 4/30/08 for $680,000 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,165 sq. ft.
2. Sold 1/28/08 for $710,000 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,408 sq. ft.
3. Sold 8/19/08 for $722,125 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,413 sq. ft.
4. Sold 1/29/08 for $715,000 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,413 sq. ft.
5. Sold 5/19/08 for $702,000 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,165 sq. ft.
6. Sold 6/23/08 for $715,000 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,408 sq. ft.
7. Sold 5/22/08 for $730,000 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,413 sq. ft.
8. Sold 2/29/08 for $690,000 - 4 bdrms/3 baths, approx. 2,408 sq. ft.

If you are interested in searching for homes in the San Diego community of Carmel Valley, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Carmel Valley real estate website, or learning more about the current housing market, give us a call anytime at (858) 245-9905.

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Portico - A Carmel Valley Development by Pardee Homes". Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Listing information is from Sandicor and subject to change without notice.

Click here for more information about Mello-Roos.