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Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360

Carlsbad Home Owners - Get Organized to Prepare Your Home to Sell

Carlsbad home for saleCarlsbad home sellers: Here you can start your journey toward getting more organized in your plans to sell your home and move.

Preparing your house to sell is the first critical phase of this process, and being organized so your home will look its best for potential buyers is essential. We can all use help in getting rid of clutter, no matter how neat we think we are.

Guest author, Kathi Burns, Encinitas business owner and Founder of addSpace to Your Life! takes us through a 3- part series in this first step in your relocation.

If you missed the introductory article in this series, you can read it here.

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PREPARING YOUR HOUSE TO SELL

Get organized for your relocation
Your home is your castle. Unfortunately, with the abundance of closets and cabinets, you probably have no idea how many treasures you actually have tucked away into the nooks and crannies.

The best way to prepare to sell your home is to begin by methodically taking inventory of your possessions and purging all unwanted possessions and clutter. Adding space to your home makes it more desirable to prospective buyers and also solidifies your intention to move.

Before I moved to Southern California from Florida, I began getting rid of excess possessions. I did not know how or when we were going to be able to move, given the dramatic difference in real estate values and cost of living, I knew that we had to begin somewhere.

Read the rest of this article on my relocation blog

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Start YOUR CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH HERE (and other area communities in San Diego including Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, San Marcos and Oceanside homes)

Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods

All content copyright © 2007 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Carlsbad Sellers - Some Get it, and Some Do Not

For Sale signIt’s a tough market out there for Carlsbad sellers:

  • lots of inventory (i.e., competition)
  • a greater presence of short sales and foreclosures that impact property values
  • buyers taking their time and looking at everything in sight in their price range
  • folks waiting for prices to drop further
  • media headlines screaming about the horrors of the housing market and making dire predictions
  • lower prices in many areas than a year ago, or even months ago
  • some are now carrying two mortgage because they bought a new home, thinking theirs would sell rapidly and for top dollar

The list goes on and on.

But the reality in many areas is that despite the changes that have occurred and the competition, homes ARE selling, just not at breakneck speed.

Some sellers get it, but some do not.

And those that don’t perhaps think the buyers won’t figure it out. Hah. Most buyers these days have a good grasp of when someone is trying to pull the wool over their eyes, and they are NOT buying it. Plus they have too much to choose from.

For Sale SignsCase in point. I have been previewing homes for some out-of-area buyers who have cash to buy. I’ve tried to get into one home that I am confident they would like TWICE – the first time was not a convenient time (but they only ask for 1 hour notice and I called well in advance); just a day ago, same response – today is not a convenient time. Now, these folks have had their home on the market for 180 days where average market time is about 68 days (and this is the 2nd agent), a big price reduction, and they’ve received two offers, one that was at the bottom of the price range but they still said no. Their agent is frustrated and ready to say good-by when the listing expires. They want to move up to a new subdivision that is more expensive. Doesn’t sound like that is going to happen very quickly. Maybe never. Why bother?

There are a number of Carlsbad home sale situations where folks SAY they want to sell, but their actions say no, they don’t. Multiple contracts going on for months and months, comparable homes selling around them. Hmmm. (read Carlsbad Sellers – Don’t Be Saboteurs). Our inventory is larger due to these unmotivated sellers – no clue how many, but it’s more than 1 (right now almost 10% of the Carlsbad homes for sale have been listed for more than 6 months where the average DOM is 2 months - is this that group?).

  • In contrast, I have a fairly new Carlsbad listing that has not moved yet and things have shifted since the property was listed and the clients, when presented with the new market data and other intelligence, quickly agreed to a price reduction…a GOOD one. They get it!
  • I just took a new listing where the seller has already indicated a desire to sell quickly because of finding a home they want to buy, and they “don’t want to be greedy, just get what is reasonable so I can sell quickly and move on.” This seller gets it too.

For Sale by Owner signTo a certain extent we can help our clients “get it” by understanding our local market, the conditions that impact it, and conveying this information effectively so that the home gets priced appropriately, and presented to the market in as positive a manner as possible by proper preparation.

We must be responsible and tell them the truth, not what they might like, or hope, to hear. If we don't we are doing THEM a disservice as well as ourselves. And we are not acting professional and ethically.

Unfortunately some sellers "get it" but their agents do not (read Is Your Home Being Sabotaged by Your Agent?).

Understanding the seller’s motivation is key – for us and them. Not only should we understand the real reasons for selling, but they must too. We cannot change that motivation, nor create it if it is not already there.

The right motivation will truly allow sellers to “get it.” If they don’t “get it,” they probably should get out.

And we should not help them get in.

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Start YOUR CARLSBAD AND ENCINITAS HOMES SEARCH HERE (and other area communities in San Diego including Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, San Marcos and Oceanside homes)

Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods

All content copyright © 2007 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Encinitas Homes - Cottages at the Beach at The Sands in Leucadia

Encinitas homes at The Sands in LeucadiaIf you are dreaming of a cottage at the beach, The Sands on the Coast Highway in Leucadia (Encinitas) may have just what you are looking for, especially if your budget is limited.

Leucadia home (cottages) at The Sands (hmm, is it named for being near the beach or after the famous Sands Hotel which used to be on The Strip in Las Vegas?) are fairly small, as are the lots, but consider this community is within a 5 minute WALK to some of the area’s nicest beaches (Grandview - see photo below; Beacon’s) where you can enjoy terrific surfing, walks, and great sunsets. A number of restaurants are within walking distance (my favorite is Le Papagayo) as is some shopping, small business services, a number of surf shops, and the well known Leucadia Donut Shop.

Street view in The Sands in LeucadiaCurrently there are 5 Leucadia homes for sale in this small community, ranging in price from $69,000 to $189,900 for 1 - 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom. Negotiations are underway that MAY allow ownership of the land.

Now before you gasp at the prices:

  • please be aware that these properties are unique in that you own the home but not the land, which is leased
  • they are mobile (manufactured) housing with wood skirting and other add-ons, built primarily in the 2002 – 2004 period
  • These are land lease properties, thus you own the unit but not the land, which is leased from the mobile home park for around $995/month (this includes water, trash and sewer)
  • Financing for mobile homes can be difficult to get and expensive since the homes are not attached to a foundation and could, theoretically, be readily moved. Lenders may charge more for loans, or even not loan on this type of property, so cash is the best way to go. There are a couple of banks in the area that were lending in 2008 but things may have become more restricted in the current mortgage market.

These facts contribute to the amazing prices for being so close to the beach. But as a second home (or even using it for a rental, which is permitted – a current lease is $1100 on one unit), who cares?

A cottage at The Sands in Leucadia A cottage at The Sands in Leucadia A cottage at The Sands in Leucadia

An application is before the Department of Real Estate in California (DRE) to hopefully obtain approval for the lots to be sold (estimates of pricing are $170,000). Current owners will have the opportunity to buy their land if they wish to continue renting.

Grandview Beach in Leucadia            Stairs to Grandview Beach in Leucadia

If you would like more information about these Encinitas homes in funky Leucadia just a few minutes from one of the best beaches in the area, please feel free to call or text me at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

 

NOTE - UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 2009

There are 6 homes for sale in this complex now, ranging from $54,900 (for a 1 bedroom 1 bath) to $142,000 for a 3 bedroom 2 bath home. PRicing has not been established for the lost and the final approval process, to the best of my knowledge, has not

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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.

Search for Homes Community Information First Time Home Buyers Relocation Services and more How to get in touch with me

All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

been completed.

Carlsbad Things to Do: Visit Torrey Pines State Reserve

Torrey Pines State ReserveCarlsbad, and much of California for that matter, is blessed with a gorgeous coastline – the edge of our continent amidst a sea of urban life. (see a past article on the California Central Coast and Nepenthe, along the Big Sur coast for more amazing scenery).

But just a few miles south is an isolated, wilderness area that is breathtaking for the vistas of hills and rocks meeting the sea, and home to our country’s rarest pine tree, the Torrey Pine.

Torrey Pines State Reserve is home to incredible and dramatic scenery, and this rare tree which only grows at the reserve and on Santa Rosa island off Santa Barbara’s coast.

The state reserve is a wonderful place to capture a glimpse of what the Southern California region was like prior to the encroachment of humankind and development, although this area has suffered from erosion and other natural hazards over the year.


Online Videos by Veoh.com

Entering the park at the north end (at the south end of Torrey Pines State Beach), you may either park at the base of the hills and enjoy a vigorous walk up, or drive to the summit and visitors center/museum. There are a number of hiking trails, which are fairly easy and offer panoramic views of the ocean and hills, and the opportunity to enjoy trees, wild flowers, chaparral and cactus. Parking is $8; the reserve opens at 8 am and closes at sunset. You can easily access the park from Route 101/Coast highway or from the 5 freeway (exit at Carmel Valley Road and head to the beach).

This amazing coastal wilderness is well worth the trip, whether you enjoy hiking or not. Be sure to take water and your camera, and wear comfortable hiking shoes (unless you decide to not get out of your car, which would be a shame but the views are still amazing).

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Start YOUR CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH HERE (and other area communities in San Diego including Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, San Marcos and Oceanside homes)

Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods

All content copyright © 2007 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Carlsbad Home Owners: Get Organized for your Relocation

New Year's ResolutionThe NEW YEAR is here, and it’s time to get organized.

Sound like another new year’s resolution? Well, perhaps.

But if you are planning to sell your Carlsbad home and move into a new one, your success, and happiness, depends on being organized. Most of us probably aren’t as organized as we would like. And as my friend Linda Scanlan asked so poignantly in her recent, and popular, article, is your life organized? I had to say no. Perhaps you do too.

Selling your home, moving, and getting settled in a new one can be a Herculean task, enough to challenge the most organized obsessive. And, admittedly, no matter how organized you might think you are, things will just not go the way they should, or clutter and confusion will take over. Life is just that way sometimes. I know, I’ve been there.

So, making the assumption that you might be in need of some assistance, if you are planning a move, here are some tips to help you on your way. And if you are sticking around the homestead but really need to apply a bit of organization to your home and life, this may benefit you as well.

While I have my own ideas on the subject, I thought I would ask Encinitas business owner and Founder of addSpace to Your Life!, Kathi Burns, to help us out. Kathi's expertise, and business, is all about organization. You can tell the minute you talk to her or visit her website.

Read the full article on my relocation blog...