Here's the rental map for part of Encinitas and Rancho Santa Fe. As you can see, there are a LOT of properties for rent in Rancho Santa Fe. I was surprised at how many there were.
Notice how few rentals there are in Encinitas except for the coastal area. THere are actually quite a few in Solana Beach and Del Mar as well, but he number in Rancho Santa Fe was quite high, I thought. We have interactive rental maps at our web site where you can peruse the inventory courtesy of Sandicor MLS.
John Hokkanen, Encinitas Real Estate
We are constantly looking for new ways to slice and dice the MLS data, so today I implemented our new Granny Flat/Casita/Accessory Unit list. There are many reasons why buyers want a place with a room (or building) with its own entrance and kitchen. So, we finally got around to creating this dynamically updated list from the MLS data.
We're always trying to create these new kinds of lists? If you have a list that you create or if you know of a list that you think would be interesting and valuable, post a comment and we may give it a go.
John Hokkanen, Encinitas Real Estate
PS: If you want to see our Granny Flat page for Encinitas and Carlsbad, click here to access our new page. Accessing the list is a separate link on the page.
Here is the full nationwide list of the HUD numbers for conforming loan limits that we've all been waiting for. Realtor.com did a nice job of putting together the list, so here's the link: http://www.realtor.org/GAPublic.nsf/files/chart_hud_loan_limits_08.pdf/$FILE/chart_hud_loan_limits_08.pdf
For San Diego, the new GSE limit is the same as the new FHA limit: $697,500!!
That's really good news for those purchasing within 6-8 miles of the coast where even a condo can cost $500,000. AND, if you have a adjustable rate mortgage that is less than $697,500, you can refinance at a conforming rate (assuming that you meet the other criteria like loan-to-value ratios, credit scores, etc.).
If you are wondering how these numbers were determined, HUD came up with these numbers by multiplying the median price of homes for that metro area X 125%, but limited to $729,500. It isn't clear to me what dataset they were using to determine median price data as the Dataquick numbers yielded a significantly lower median price. But, as agents and homeowners, we're happy the number is as high as it is.
John Hokkanen
We haven't posted info on Aviara for a while, so here's the map that shows what homes are available in which neighborhood. You can check out the interactive map at http://www.AviaraHomes.com (The site used to be called AviaraGems.com, but not since we got our new domain.)
The inventory has built up a bit, and we even have 3 listings there. But we received an offer on one of them today, which is good news. This is one of my favorite maps...it took me a long time to create the map where each neighborhood was color-coded. We've got another map on the site that serves as a legend to all the neighborhood names.
John Hokkanen, http://www.EncinitasCarlsbad.com and http://www.AviaraHomes.com
Here's the newest press release from HUD regarding FHA. It can be seen at: http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr08-026.cfm
Most critically, here are the California FHA loan limit numbers. For San Diego, the FHA limit is $697,500. THIS IS GREAT NEWS, and it bodes well for the numbers that will be released for FNMA loans.
Call us if you have questions. We also know great loan officers who can help.
John Hokkanen, Encinitas Real Estate
| County | Median Price | FHA limit |
| Alameda County | $995,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Alpine County | $438,000.00 | $547,500.00 |
| Amador County | $355,000.00 | $443,750.00 |
| Butte County | $320,000.00 | $400,000.00 |
| Calaveras County | $370,000.00 | $462,500.00 |
| Colusa County | $318,000.00 | $397,500.00 |
| Contra Costa County | $995,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Del Norte County | $249,000.00 | $311,250.00 |
| El Dorado County | $464,000.00 | $580,000.00 |
| Fresno County | $305,000.00 | $381,250.00 |
| Glenn County | $230,000.00 | $287,500.00 |
| Humboldt County | $315,000.00 | $393,750.00 |
| Imperial County | $260,000.00 | $325,000.00 |
| Inyo County | $350,000.00 | $437,500.00 |
| Kern County | $295,000.00 | $368,750.00 |
| Kings County | $260,000.00 | $325,000.00 |
| Lake County | $321,000.00 | $401,250.00 |
| Lassen County | $200,000.00 | $271,050.00 |
| Los Angeles County | $710,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Madera County | $340,000.00 | $425,000.00 |
| Marin County | $995,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Mariposa County | $330,000.00 | $412,500.00 |
| Mendocino County | $410,000.00 | $512,500.00 |
| Merced County | $378,000.00 | $472,500.00 |
| Modoc County | $125,000.00 | $271,050.00 |
| Mono County | $370,000.00 | $462,500.00 |
| Monterey County | $599,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Napa County | $615,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Nevada County | $450,000.00 | $562,500.00 |
| Orange County | $710,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Placer County | $464,000.00 | $580,000.00 |
| Plumas County | $328,000.00 | $410,000.00 |
| Riverside County | $400,000.00 | $500,000.00 |
| Sacramento County | $464,000.00 | $580,000.00 |
| San Benito County | $790,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| San Bernardino County | $400,000.00 | $500,000.00 |
| San Diego County | $558,000.00 | $697,500.00 |
| San Francisco County | $995,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| San Joaquin County | $391,000.00 | $488,750.00 |
| San Luis Obispo County | $550,000.00 | $687,500.00 |
| San Mateo County | $995,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Santa Barbara County | $615,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Santa Clara County | $790,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Santa Cruz County | $719,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Shasta County | $339,000.00 | $423,750.00 |
| Sierra County | $228,000.00 | $285,000.00 |
| Siskiyou County | $235,000.00 | $293,750.00 |
| Solano County | $446,000.00 | $557,500.00 |
| Sonoma County | $530,000.00 | $662,500.00 |
| Stanislaus County | $339,000.00 | $423,750.00 |
| Sutter County | $340,000.00 | $425,000.00 |
| Tehama County | $250,000.00 | $312,500.00 |
| Trinity County | $200,000.00 | $271,050.00 |
| Tulare County | $260,000.00 | $325,000.00 |
| Tuolumne County | $350,000.00 | $437,500.00 |
| Ventura County | $599,000.00 | $729,750.00 |
| Yolo County | $464,000.00 | $580,000.00 |
| Yuba County | $340,000.00 | $425,000.00 |
HUD SECRETARY: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CALIFORNIANS COULD BENEFIT FROM HIGHER GOVERNMENT-INSURED MORTGAGE LIMITS
Congress must finish the job on FHA modernization bill so more families can keep their homes
Temporary loan limits part of Economic Stimulus Package
San Francisco - Tens of thousands of California families could benefit from affordable government-insured mortgages under a plan to be announced shortly that will temporarily increase home loan limits, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson said today. Highlighting the Bush Administration's plans to help Americans keep their homes, Jackson said the President's economic growth package, which became law last month with wide bipartisan support, could allow more than 30,000 California families to be eligible over the next several months for safe, affordable mortgages insured by HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
"The plan raises FHA's loan limits, enabling more families to qualify for a safe, affordable FHA mortgage. This is critical for California, where most families are currently priced out of FHA loans. Because the FHA loan limits didn't reflect the housing market in California and other high-cost states, a vacuum was created that was filled by exotic subprime loans. We estimate that nearly 33,000 Californians will benefit over the next 18 months," Jackson said in speech to the Commonwealth Club of California.
This week, FHA will publish temporary loan limits that will range from $271,050 to $729,750. This increase will help provide economic stability to communities in California and give hundreds of thousands of homeowners and homebuyers throughout the country a safer, more affordable mortgage alternative. Loan limits will be set at 125 percent of the median sales price for the area. Currently, FHA loan limits are capped at $362,790.
However, these higher loan limits are temporary and expire at the end of 2008. President Bush and Jackson continue to call on Congress to pass a permanent bipartisan solution to help more families quality for FHA-insured mortgages, which allow low-income, minority and first-time homeowners access to prime-rate financing so they afford to purchase a home. While FHA has seen an increase in business in California, FHA modernization legislation still remains critically necessary. Legislation, which has been pending in Congress for two years, offers flexible downpayment requirements, permanent loan limits higher than the current amount of $362,790, and fairly-priced insurance premiums.
"FHA modernization could help a quarter of a million families this year alone. It passed the House and Senate in overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion. But a final bill has yet to cross the President's desk. Congress must act now," Jackson stressed.
Jackson also explained how the Bush Administration's aggressive efforts are keeping hundreds of thousands of families in their homes. The Secretary pointed to FHASecure, the refinancing arm of FHA, which has helped more than 100,000 homeowners refinance their mortgage since it was announced last fall. FHASecure includes homeowners who are current on their loan or past due because their teaser rates reset; some borrowers who owe more on their homes than they are worth; and those in the process of foreclosure. Families are saving an average of $400 a month compared to the cost of their previous exotic subprime loans. FHASecure is on pace to help 300,000 families by the end of 2008.
"FHA is back. And we're letting the American people know about it, sending letters out to 850,000 homeowners with resetting rates, including 54,000 Californians, who might qualify for FHA," Jackson added.
The HOPE NOW Alliance, representing 90 percent of the subprime market, has also responded to the Bush Administration's call for action and is helping homeowners in need of mortgage relief. Formed by Jackson and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, HOPE NOW has implemented a plan that makes more than one million people eligible to modify their home loans, refinance into FHASecure, or have their interest rates temporarily frozen. Recently, HOPE NOW introduced Project Lifeline, which makes thousands of at-risk borrowers eligible for a pause in the foreclosure process while servicers try to modify their loans.
"I am pleased by their actions...I see denial replaced with hope...And proof that foreclosure is not inevitable-that it is, in fact, preventable." Jackson said.
To stress the importance of housing counseling, Jackson pointed to studies that show homeowners in need of financial help responding more quickly to community and non-profit groups than to lenders and banks. Emphasizing the importance of financial literacy, Jackson said 96 percent of households that saw a HUD-approved counselor avoided foreclosure. The Bush Administration has increased funding for housing counseling by 150 percent since 2001. President Bush's new budget proposal would increase it by $65 million. Currently, HUD's non-profit partner NeighborWorks is distributing an additional $180 million in grants for foreclosure prevention counseling.
"More than half of all homeowners in foreclosure did not discuss it beforehand with their servicer or lender. We must change this attitude. With the help of our housing counselors, we are," Jackson concluded.
As the back-end person of the SurfTheTurf.com team, I am responsible for the group's marketing and technology. Visit our web sites and see the next era of home shopping - www.SurfTheTurf.com.
Our Team Has Many Skills - My professional work began as a software engineer. By the age of 17, I had begun working in the aerospace industry developing avionics software. However, a desire to expand my horizons eventually led me to get a study Political Theory and then go to the University of Virginia School of Law. While practicing as a litigator for the US Government, I began to explore how technology could help professional service providers (lawyers at that time) and redefine what kinds of services they provided to clients. After we moved to Encinitas and my wife began her real estate business, I left the legal field to use my technology and Internet skills to build her business and then our team of real estate agents. My focus is on marketing and technology, both of which play an important role in how we service both buyer and seller clients.
Home Sellers - Sell High & Sell Quickly - The home sales market rises and falls. In any market, selling a home for the highest possible price within a reasonable timeframe means finding the one buyer who loves the house. In addition, a listing agent must work with buyers' agents with professionalism and integrity to conclude transactions succssfully. Home sellers must know their agent has the personnel, experience and tools to minimize delays and get the job done on time.
Home Buyers - Locate the Ideal Purchase, Negotiate the Price, and Avoid Pitfalls - With so much money on the line, home buyers want and need to avoid any mistakes. They need to find the home that meets their specific needs so they are happy and do not have to move. They need to negotiate the right price to minimize loss if the market falls. They need to make sure that they know what they are buying and are well-represented so they are not surprised once they move in. Home buyers must know that their agent has the knowledge and experience to be their advisor and advocate.
Successful real estate teams proactively find ways to sell homes at higher prices for sellers and to locate and negotiate ideal purchases for buyers. Agents who passively watch the market without strengthening their internal resources fall behind. The key is a comprehensive approach that weaves skills, technologies, and resources to respond to an evolving sales market. As one of the strongest real estate teams in San Diego County, the Surf The Turf Team continually positions itself to meet the needs of today's and tomorrow's home sellers and buyers. Our array of core competencies and breadth of professional services are among the most comprehensive in the United States.
A good example of how we provide exceptional value to our clients are our brochures. Typically, we print 5,000 brochures for every listing that we take. Some people ask, "What in the world do you do with 5,000 brochures?" The answer is simple: Get them into the community! Selling a home is about maximum exposure of the property to as many potential buyers as possible.
Click here to see some other samples.
Our Experts
We have built our team around area expertise, and that is why we do not let just any agent join our ranks. Just as law firms have partners who are experts in corporate, tax, or family law, we have experts who specialize by location and each of us represents both sellers and buyers. Thus, you work with an agent who knows your area of interest. Because we are a team, you get the expertise needed even when selling in one area and buying in another.
Standard Listing
Commission: 5%, shared 50/50 with buyer's agent
Marketing Package
Professional architectural photo shoot
Aerial photographs of front of home and community features (pools, greenspaces, etc.)
5,000 four-page, full-color brochures
1,000 home tour DVD videos
2,500 door hangers (for delivering brochures into
target areas and move-up neighborhoods)
Aggressive web site marketing - We spend
thousands of dollars on advertising
Virtual Tours (360° photo views)
Video streaming of entire guided home tour video
Prominent positioning at SurfTheTurf web sites
Craigslist and other web site postings
Property presented at broker caravan "pitch"
session and held open for agents to preview
Open houses as often as is practicable
Other marketing as determined
Enhanced Listing
Commission: (based on scope of enhancements)
Additional Marketing Options
Additional home tour DVDs
Custom mailing campaign
Custom print advertising campaign
Custom Internet advertising optimized for
specific search terms
Custom-labeled water bottles for events
Other agents charge 5%, 6%, or even 7%. Only our team offers these services, and we do so for a modest 5% commission....
Call us today--We will be happy to meet, answer your questions and evaluate your home’s value.
No Pressure - No Obligation
Example of one of our aerial photos:
Click here to see a sample DVD video
Our clients love our team-based approach because it means that someone is always available to see property, hold an open house, or answer questions. Plus, our clients get to draw upon the collective knowledge of the entire team. For example, when one of Chris’s clients wants to shop in Encinitas or Carlsbad, the client is welcome to speak directly with Margaret and draw upon her deep area knowledge. While most clients prefer to work with just one agent and draw upon another team members’ expertise, clients also have the option of working with different agents for different areas!
Our web sites have tools for buyers that are unrivaled by other sites. See my Carlsbad and Encinitas web site as an example. We understand that buyers want great tools for shopping on-line, and our web sites have the best tools anywhere. For example, our homes-by-school-boundary maps allows parents to compare schools and the homes within their boundaries at the same time! Here are some other tools that buyers like:
- Fixer Upper Lists - Motivated Seller Homes
- No HOA Fee Homes - Golf Course Properties
- 55+ Community Maps - Not-on-Internet Homes
- West-of-I-5 Homes - Value-Pick Listings
and our exclusive Crystal Ball Home Search
Here is a small example of one of our maps. The push-pins are color-coded by price. The number on the push pin tells you how many bedrooms. One need only click on a pushpin to get all the details.
People have asked about our DVDs and video technologies. We have been producing DVD home tours of our listings for years, and our innovation in this area has shown us that DVDs are instrumental in many ways:
More Previews
Since the DVD is placed on every brochure, each person who drives by may preview the home in the comfort of his or her living room.
Easier Access
Accessibility of the home is important, and DVD video makes a difference when a home is less accessible due to pets, sickness or other reasons.
Compelling Stories
Because the story told through the video is entirely under our control, we can present a home in the most compelling way. This can even involve the filming of local features, like parks and community pools, or interviewing of neighbors.
Involving Others
DVD video allows a potential buyer to share the home with others whose opinions matter (e.g., parents, friends, etc.) and allows the buyer to revisit the home again and again. This helps buyers share and maintain their excitement for a home.
John Hokkanen
Broker, SurfTheTurf.com, Inc.
A California Real Estate Brokerage
Returning to live in San Diego County after 15 yrs absence required some readjustment. We located EncinitasCarlsbad.com through the Web and found it an invaluable tool for optimizing our SD home search from the LA Area. We were able to select homes which fit our criteria, to explore the areas we were interested in, and to make best use our visits to San Diego. Margaret & Barbara provided great service in all aspects of the home search, negociations and purchase (not to mention recommendations on local restaurants & other amenities) and John provided excellent service as well as a more-than-competitive loan. I cannot imagine a more effective way for folks outside of the area to locate and purchase a San Diego home.
Gene
A long distance purchase from the other side of the globe? No problem for Margaret Hokkanen. We were originally drawn to Margaret through her comprehensive web site. She responded immediately to our emails, which was a good indicator of the responsive service we would subsequently experience from ten time zones away. We visited Encinitas during our home leave from US Government service posted to Egypt, where Margaret and her partner Barbara spent the day giving us a flavor of the area. Once back in Egypt, Margaret made good use of technology: responses to our emails were fast, lots of digital pictures arrived for houses of interest, and documents were exchanged as email attachments, pdf files and scans, and, when necessary, old fashioned FAX. Margaret quickly got a feel for what we wanted, and within a hour of hitting the MLS we had data sheets on houses of interest. Margaret provided comprehensive answers to our questions, carefully explaining the unique features of the California real estate market and her approach and negotiating strategy. She provided resource information about the 1031 exchange process and linked us with a 1031 facilitator. Margaret knows the neighborhoods well and could easily point out plusses and minuses of a property, including the tone of the neighborhood. She understood the challenges that a ten hour time difference introduced and ensured that the sellers also appreciated this.
Robert
John's note about Robert: Our web sites were able to provide Robert with the kind of information that he wanted and needed from half way around the world.
We shopped around for different agents, and I can say that until we met Margaret and heard about Margaret and heard about the kind of marketing that she does that we were generally quite disappointed [in agents]. So, when we heard what she did and we saw the marketing material, we decided that was a good approach...Everything from the preparation of the house to the preparation of the marketing, the open houses all worked out extremely well. Margaret made herself available at any time, she answers the phone, and we had open houses whenever we felt that it was appropriate. And so I would recommend her and her services and the services of her team members to anyone who wants to sell a house[.]"
Thomas
John's note about Thomas: I met Thomas outside our real estate office where he was looking at our brochures. I took the time to get one of our brochures with a DVD and handed it to him, suggesting that he take a look at it if he was considering the sale of his home. He called Margaret later that day.
The result of using [the SurfTheTurf team] was an infinite amount more of exposure on the market due to the DVD house tour that they made for us....The pictures on the brochure were superb. It was not just the one little picture to show what the house
looked like. It was a big splashy thing that made it look like one of the very expensive million and a half dollar houses being sold somewhere. Just the feedback and continual contact with them as a team. It was regular and we were never left wondering what was going on....What we realized as we went through [the selling] process was that the support that they gave us and the help they gave us they made things very easy for us....They let us know what to expect along the way and they delivered on all of that. For us, it was very easy. The best part for us is that they sold our house very quickly. Maybe we paid a little bit more over a discount broker but we got the result that we wanted. We're very happy.
Jo & Richard
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