All About this Carlsbad California REALTOR, Jeff Dowler

You can also follow my real estate business on Twitter for information about

the Carlsbad area real estate market (follow me on Twitter - @JDowler and @CarlsbadHomes)

Meet the California Relocation Dude

THE JOURNEY: After 15 years in corporate Human Resources positions, my wife and I opened a successful art gallery in Cambridge, MA. Shortly thereafter I obtained my real estate license and began working for RE/MAX Destiny in Cambridge (home of Harvard University and MIT).

After 3 years my wife and I made a huge decision to relocate to Carlsbad California in the Spring of 2005 (photo at right is of Cambridge's Harvard Square in winter), and bought our 9th home in the La Costa area of Carlsbad so we could be near the beaches.

I began working for RE/MAX Associates in Encinitas in June 2005 (about 4 miles from my Carlsbad home where I actually have my office) which later changed to RE/MAX Moonlight Beach, created after RE/MAX Associates was sold in 2008.

I am now with SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE in Carlsbad as of January 2011.

In addition to my corporate business skills and experience, I have now been a primary home buyer and seller 10 times, and have bought and sold a business condo and 2 vacation properties (one waterfront), in 4 different states. So I understand consumer issues from the buying and selling viewpoint, and have had some harrowing experiences, all of which benefits YOU.

I KNOW RELOCATION :
I have relocated a number of times AND I understand it well (if you want to learn more about relocation and how to do it well, visit Carlsbad Relocation A to Z). And I love writing about living here in San Diego, my most recent move - there is lots of information in my blog Fans of Coastal San Diego but now I concentrate on the blog you are visiting now. I have moved very young children, pets, and cars. I also understand the business side of relocation, including Corproate Relocation Programs, from my years as a Human Resources professional.

Training, education and technology are incredibly important in the real estate business, and are expected, if not demanded, by today's buyers and sellers. And in my opinion using technology is essential to working effectively in today's real estate market.

I obtained my e-Pro designation soon after I received my license in order to expand my technology expertise.

I became an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) early in my career since I believe strongly in consumer advocacy. Having a Buyer Agent is much like having your own attorney - someone who is looking out for YOUR fiduciary interests as a buyer, just as a seller has a listing (seller's) agent. REMEMBER - the listing agent wants to get the seller the best possible price, terms and conditions. MY JOB as your Buyer Agent is to do that FOR YOU!

I am 1 of less than 4% of all REALTORS with the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, which required advanced coursework in technology, referrals, and buyer and seller strategies, and had rigorous production requirements. The value for you as a buyer or seller are the many advanced strategies I know how to use for marketing your home or helping you find the right property, and the experience I have had in a wide range of buying and selling scenarios. The use of technology is key in this market when working with buyers and sellers, and for daily business operations and communications. But lots of what I do is still face to face.

I also completed my SFR Certification (Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource) which focuses on helping homeowners who are in hardship situations and owe more on their homes than the value in today's market. Short sales are a major challenge, and knowing what to do to protect client's interests is key. If YOU have or may be getting to, a hardship situation with your home, please don't wait - get some guidance right away so you know what your options are. And be sure to talk with your lender before your situation gets worse!

I have the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) certification since I also focus on the senior population (i.e., communities that are age restricted to 55+).

I am very excited about the skills, techniques and strategies I offer my clients to better serve their needs in our increasingly challenging and competitive market. I am active in the National Council Residential Specialists organization to support their educational programs in Southern California and to continue my own education in the real estate business, and served on the Board of Directors for the Southern California Chapter of the CRS as the Treasurer for 2008; I served as Secretary on the Board for 2009, President-Elect for 2010, and am the President for 2011, as well as continuing my involvement on the Technology Committee (including the Chapter website and blog). I also serve on the National Communications Advisory Panel for the Council of Residential Specialists for 2011.

Referrals are an important part of my business; buyer and seller referrals are the best compliment I can receive, and I treat each and every one with the utmost care. So don't keep me a secret if you have gotten to know me!

I also have an large, active referral National database I use whenever I can for outbound referrals, so I can help you if you are moving from this area, but can also help friends and family all over the country who need help finding a qualified real estate agent to assist them in buying and/or selling. I know a ton of great agents and I can help you or your friends find just the right person to help them buy or sell.

To learn more about the benefits I offer you with my advanced training and education as a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), click on this link.

Lastly, I am a big beach lover, both EAST and WEST.

So you will learn a lot from me about the areas near the Southern California beaches of North San Diego County, especially in Carlsbad where I live, and neighboring Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, PacificBeach/Mission Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, and Vista.

I don't get to enjoy the beach as much as I would like, but try to take some time to appreciate the beautiful coastline we have whenever possible. If you have questions about the beaches and the communities nearby, please feel free to ask...I'll tell you what I know, OR find out what I don't.

Visit my GOOGLE PROFILE

Carlsbad Homes Services for Buyers and Sellers

WHAT I DO:

As a Carlsbad REALTOR, I focus on residential home sales, including single family homes (resales, new construction), condos, multiunit properties and 55+ (age-restricted) communities. I have owned waterfront real estate so I am familiar with the issues homeowners have to deal with when living directly on the water - weather, erosion, increased maintenance, and more.

I work with both buyers and sellers, and have substantial experience with first time home buyers. I have significant personal relocation experience, and as a REALTOR have helped a number of buyers relocate (from a few hundred miles to across the country). I understand the difficulties of relocation (and have experience it multiple times myself), and offer a variety of unique real estate services tailored specifically for relocation clients no matter where you are moving to or from.

For sellers, I provide a variety of marketing services (some of which you might not expect) and a VIP Seller Home Value Audit.

WHERE I WORK:

I focus primarily on the coastal beach communities in San Diego's North County as well as inland. I concentrate on homes for sale in Carlsbad (just a few of the neighborhoods include La Costa, Aviara, Rancho Carrillo, Calavera Hills, The Bay Collection, Bressi Ranch, Brookfield, La Costa Greens, La Costa Ridge), where I live.

I also assist buyers and sellers in Oceanside, San Marcos (including Santa Fe Hills, Lake San Marcos and San Elijo Hills), Encinitas (including Leucadia and Encinitas Ranch), Cardiff-by-the-Sea (the Composer and Walking Districts), Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla and Pacific Beach.

And if you are in the military and relocating to or from Camp Pendleton (bordering Oceanside) I can help you as well.

Carlsbad Homes Information for Buyers and Sellers

Consumers need lots of information, whether buying or selling a personal home or investing in real estate. A big part of my job as a real estate professional is to make sure you get what you need so intelligent and informed decisions can be made.

My real estate role truly is consultative - I help clients better understand and define their needs, work with them to find options that are available, offer alternative solutions to their problems, educate them on buying, selling and relocation, and enable them to reach their real estate goals, whatever they might be.

Here is a sampling of the information available to you through my blogs and personal website to make your decision and transaction as worry-free as possible:

Buyer Reports (Becoming a Good Buyer, Questions for your Lender, What a REALTOR Does, Forms Checklist)

Seller Reports (Forms Checklist, Benefits of Property Pricing, What a REALTOR Does, Making a Good Impression)

Carlsbad Community Profile (housing, restaurants, shopping, photos and virtual tours)

Carlsbad Town Website and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

Carlsbad Communities (these are just a few of the Master Planned Communities, subdivisions and complexes I know) - Aviara (overview), La Costa (overview), La Costa Greens, La Costa Ridge, Rancho Carrillo, La Costa Valley, Calavera Hills, La Costa Oaks, The Bay Collection, Avocet (Aviara), Aviara Neighborhoods - Azure, Isla Mar and Tramonto, Bressi Ranch, Bella Lago (Aviara), Aviara Point, Trieste (La Costa), Balearas (La Costa Greens),Brindisi (Aviara), Alga Hills (La Costa), Viridian (La Costa Greens), The Fairways (La Costa)

Carlsbad May 2011 Market Report (want reports for prior months, and for other communities such as Encinitas and Cardiff? Just let me know)

Carlsbad Schools, School Reports

Things to Do in Carlsbad (golf, beaches, tourist attractions)

First Time Buyer Central (great for first time home buyers, but plenty of helpful information for ALL buyers, experienced or not)

Carlsbad Relocation and Relocation Services

Carlsbad Area Photos and Virtual Tours

My Carlsbad Area Photobloggery

Take a VIDEO TOUR and find out what life in CARLSBAD is all about!

BUYERS:if you are interested in homes for sale in other nearby communities (Oceanside, San Marcos, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley, Pacific Beach, Vista, Poway, Scripps Ranch), or have a home to sell, let me know as I can help you in these areas, too! I know some areas almost as well as I know Carlsbad.

Could you benefit from a list of homes in your price range and town(s) that meet YOUR criteria? Or a list of REOs and Short Sales? Give me a shout - it's a snap for me to share that information with you by email, and set you up with an automated email system that will send you what you need when you need it. Updates will be emailed when they hit the MLS so you are always up to date.

You can search for Carlsbad real estate and area homes for sale on my main website.

Become a Fan on Facebook - JeffDowler is my main (personal )profile

or visit CarlsbadRealEstate

You can also follow me on Twitter - @JDowler and @CarlsbadHomes

SELLERS: Here's a snapshot of some of the services I will provide to you when we list your Carlsbad home for sale (or anywhere along the coast in North San Diego County).

Most sellers want to know what their home is worth in today's market. You can find out the value of your home here.

And find out what real estate had sold in your area here.

Are you a First Time Seller? I have a special handbook just for you!. Call me and I will share the link from Google Docs or mail it to you.

Need a vendor to help with projects around the home before you sell? Let me know.

SUCCESS STORIES- Here's what a few past clients have said. If you want to speak to any people I have helped in the past just let me know.

Jeff, being a teacher realtor, made me a prepared buyer! He kept me informed during all aspects of the entire purchase process. He was available practically 24/7. Jeff guided me through many months of peaks and valleys with positive feedback. His friendly professionalism will be shouted by me from the highest hills around San Marcos. With deepest appreciation and admiration (Jackie - buyer)

A note from Sam and me to thank you for everything you did to make the purchase of our new home in San Marcos a breeze. We felt so blessed to have found you as our Realtor, as we knew no one in the area; it was complete serendipity. Not only are you the most pleasant person to work with I’ve ever known, you’re absolutely the BEST realtor. You did things for us that were way beyond the normal realm of a realtor’s duties and we’re so grateful for your kindness and all the hard work you put into our little project. You treated us as if we were the largest sale you were ever going to make, and I know it was tiny it the scope of San Diego sales. I hope we always stay in touch! (Lillian and Sam - out of area buyers)

Jeff Dowler came recommended to me by a friend [a former client of Jeff's]. After watching many of my other friends and family suffer through terrible experiences of agents out only for themselves, I was glad to finally find an agent whom someone would actually recommend. Jeff proved himself worthy of the accolades of my friend and those I bestow upon him now. When other agents would have pushed me into buying for that juicy commission check, Jeff actually recommended we keep looking because certain things did not feel right about the seller. As the buying process progressed, Jeff helped me through it step by step, picking up where lawyers and other parties slacked, keeping things on track. For all the problems, my purchase was probably one of the most stress free experiences of my life. I can not say enough about how fabulous Jeff is. Jeff manifests a friendly, helpful, and truly caring professionalism. I feel like not only did I have an advocate, but a friend. Andrea (Buyer AND Seller)

I have met a lot of Brokers throughout my career, but none quite like you. Your sincerity, patience and professionalism were so rare...Jim (Vice President/Sales Associate - Major Brokerage Firm)

You have been absolutely amazing, especially this past month. From late meetings to constant cell calls, you've always been there for us. We really appreciate how wonderful you've been...Crystal and Steve (First Time Buyers)

Thanks so much for all your help through this challenging process. We appreciate how available and responsive you have been throughout. Danny and Veera (First Time Buyers)

Recently we listed and sold our home in Cardiff-By-The-Sea, California. We chose to list our home with RE/MAX Associates; specifically Jeff Dowler and Dale Ostertag. We had some unusual situations and were pressed for time to sell our home. Living in another state, it was so very important for us to list our home with someone we could trust and who would be willing to assist us in some rather unusual circumstances. We had interviewed several realtors and chose Jeff and Dale because they seemed willing to go the extra mile to help us.

Based on information that we received from other people that had sold or bought a home, and based on our own experience in buying and selling a home, we believe that Jeff and Dave went above and beyond what a realtor is required to do, and what a realtor normally does. They reassured us, kept in close contact with us, did what we asked them to do, and were there when we really needed them. Additionally, they were way ahead of us in anticipating our next needs.

It can be a difficult, agonizing process to select a realtor. We were so glad that we chose Jeff Dowler and Dale Ostertag to list our home! We recommend to everyone that they select RE/MAX Associates. Thank you, Jeff and Dale for a job well done! Randall and Debra (out-of-state sellers)

...Jeff, as you know, this is the first time that I [Pat] have had to handle most of the things associated with buying and selling a home. It was with your patience and gentle guiding hand and calm demeanor that I was able to do this. You quickly calmed me down when I was experiencing a melt down over the phone or through an email. Although we had great realtors that we were working with selling our home in Arizona, you once again came through with suggestions and guidance. I would not have made it through the process without having you for our realtor... Pat and Tom Taubler (out-of state buyers)

Outstanding, dedicated service to YOUR needs!