ROY Mason

AN ARTICLE I FOUND about one of my favorite neighborhoods here in San Diego!

North Park sign on a bright sunny day. The North Park Theatre is in the background.

North Park is a neighborhood in San Diego, California, USA. It is situated to the northeast of Balboa Park, bounded on the north by El Cajon Boulevard, on the south by Juniper Street and the South Park neighborhood, on the east by Interstate 805 and City Heights, and on the west by Florida Canyon and Hillcrest. (As a side note, the pre-Interstate 805 boundary of North Park was widely considered to be 35th Street, which is now part of City Heights.)

The North Park sign can be seen above 30th Street and University Avenue, and this intersection is often considered to be the heart of the neighborhood.

North Park includes the subneighborhoods of Burlingame, Altadena, and the Morley Field area (site of the proposed Dryden Historic District).

North Park is part of the 53rd congressional district, and San Diego City Council District 3.

North Park is served by a business improvement district called North Park Main Street.

In the 2000s North Park has undergone gentrification and housing prices have rapidly

increased

History Original Boundaries of Hartley's North Park

In the summer of 1893, San Diego merchant Joseph Nash sold 40 acres (160,000 m²) of land northeast of Balboa Park to James Monroe Hartley, who wished to develop a lemon grove. The Hartley family began the arduous process of clearing the land to prepare the earth for the grove, but providing the fledgling trees with proper irrigation was always a problem. Barrels of water had to be hauled from downtown San Diego up a wagon trail that would eventually be called Pershing Drive.

As the growth of San Diego eventually caught up with the original Hartley lemon grove, it eventually became roughly bordered by Ray Street to the west, 32nd Street to the east, University Avenue to the north and Dwight Street to the south. Hartley deemed his area "Hartley's North Park" - and years later, the name evidently stuck as the City of San Diego referred to the new suburb as "North Park."

In 1911, Hartley's eldest son, Jack, and a relative (brother-in-law William Jay Stevens) developed the plot into one of San Diego's first residential and commercial districts. After first establishing "Stevens & Hartley", North Park's first real estate firm, in 1905, Jack and William built North Park's first "high rise" commercial building, the Stevens building, on the northwest corner of 30th Street and University Avenue (today's "Western Dental" building) in 1912. "Thirtieth & University" became North Park's symbolic place name - and within 10 years, this became the heart of the community.

North Park was the site of the crash of PSA Flight 182, California's worst aviation accident to date.

Architecture Thurston House, North Park, San Diego

Although North Park is a neighborhood of mixed architectural styles from many eras, one area of note is the Morley Field area of North Park. Named for its proximity to Balboa Park's Morley Field Sports Complex, this area is lined with turn-of-the-century Craftsman Bungalows and California Bungalows. Because many of the homes were designed by renowned designer and builder David Owen Dryden, the area is the site of a proposed "Dryden Historic District." This historical district includes the homes along 28th and Pershing Streets, both bordered on the south by Upas Street and to the north by Landis Street.

Dryden House, North Park, San Diego

As evidenced above, interest in the history of North Park (especially its architecture) appears to be growing. Helping to foster this interest and awareness is the North Park Historical Society, a local volunteer civic organization. The North Park Historical Society manages a website at NorthParkHistory.org which contains many articles about historic sites, people and events; North Park walking tours; and information about committee projects and meeting information. Some of the site's extensive collection of articles on North Park's history were written by Donald Covington - historian, Dryden Expert and North Park enthusiast.

Arts, culture and cuisine

North Park Nights, formerly Ray at Night, is an arts festival held on the second Saturday evening of each month. The festival was originally hosted by Ray Street, a small street containing a number of art galleries. Some galleries provide wine/appetizers, and live music is often featured. More recently, local restaurants and businesses on 30th Street and University Avenue have joined the festival. In addition, Ray Street regularly features dance/music recitals.

An eclectic array of restaurants, such as The Linkery, as well as independent coffee shops, can be found along the main arteries of 30th Street and University Avenue. The area is also dotted with bars and night clubs that cater to a wide diversity of patrons.

Nearby, the Birch North Park Theatre reopened after major renovations in 2005. It is the home of Lyric Opera San Diego.

North Park has a Farmers Market every Thursday at the parking lot located at University and 32nd Streets. The Spring/Summer hours are 3pm-sunset, Fall/Winter 2pm-Sunset. They feature over 35 independent vendors; locally grown produce/flowers; gourmet/ethnic foods; arts and crafts; books; and, often, live music.

As a tradition every December, North Park holds its annual holiday parade. Formerly known as the North Park Toyland Parade, it is now called the North Park Lions Club Holiday Parade.

Like other urban San Diego communities, North Park has a high rate of pedestrian activity, relative to other regions of San Diego county.

North Park is one of the most diverse communities in San Diego. It has sizeable populations of Latinos, Caucasians, and LGBT individuals. Businesses and residential neighborhoods alike reflect this diversity.

Transportation

North Park is served by Interstate 805, which is accessible from the University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard exits.

University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard are the major east-west thoroughfares in North Park. University Avenue leads west to Hillcrest and east to City Heights and La Mesa. El Cajon Boulevard leads west to Washington Avenue and Mission Hills and continues east to the city of El Cajon. Florida Street connects North Park to Downtown San Diego through Florida Canyon in Balboa Park to the south, and to Adams Avenue and University Heights to the north. 30th Street connects North Park to Adams Avenue and Normal Heights to the north, and to South Park and Golden Hill to the south. Texas Street heads north directly into Mission Valley.

There is substantial bus service connecting to Downtown San Diego as well as to the transportation hub in Old Town. The busiest bus line corridor in the San Diego metro region, known as the University Avenue transit corridor, traverses North Park.

Borrowers who are facing foreclosure may ask the lender to accept a

discounted payoff on their loan. This is called a "short sale" or "short payoff".

It allows the borrower to avoid a foreclosure action, and may offer the

lender an expedited and less costly resolution of the situation.

Historical trends tell us that the number of short sales has increased when

changing markets soften home prices and leave homeowners with a higher

mortgage interest rate or loan balance. For the consumer, negotiating a

short sale with the lender may seem a daunting task, particularly at a stressful

time when foreclosure looms. A short sale allows the borrower to maintain

a better overall credit record than with a foreclosure. It also allows time

for the homeowner to relocate on a more convenient time table instead of

facing eviction and possibly a deficiency judgment down the road. A short

sale may also help the borrower avoid or minimize a tax liability, although it

is important for the borrower to discuss the situation with a tax advisor to

be sure of the long-term effect.

Most lenders have specific criteria to consider a short sale that relate to the

borrower's ability to repay the debt. Some lenders will consider a short sale

only when the property is distressed or requires extensive work or repairs. If

the lender foreclosed on this type of property, it would have to pay for all

the repairs necessary to sell the property. A short sale ma represent a more

cost-effective way to pay off the loan.

For agents, assisting a homeowner with a short sale means not only a

commission but the satisfaction that comes from helping someone out of a

tough spot. The benefit to the borrower is that the agent can help negotiate

with the lender and field offers from potential buyers as well as collect

the documentation that goes with such a sale.

Consumers are urged to consult their attorney, HUD homeowner counseling

Understanding Short Sales

Roy D Mason

ERA METRO HOME LOANS

San Diego

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For some, lowering price is only way out

It's a challenging home sale market for sellers in many areas around the country. Sellers who are having difficulty selling have several options.

The first goal is to find out why your home isn't selling. Ask your listing agent for information about listings similar to yours in your neighborhood that sold within the last three to six weeks.

You need to know the facts about listings that have sold and closed and those that went pending during this period. A pending sale is one where the sellers have accepted an offer, but the sale has not yet closed.

Pending sales are an indicator of the most recent market activity in your price range. If you find that listings like yours have sold during this time period then there is either something wrong with your home or your home isn't priced right for the market.

Your agent should talk to agents whose buyers considered your home but bought another listing instead. Find out why they didn't choose your home. If you get feedback that your home doesn't show well, do what you can to enhance its appeal. You might consider temporarily withdrawing your home from the market during the makeover.

You may discover that your home has an incurable defect, like a location next to a freeway, or a long flight of stairs from the garage to the front door. There's nothing you can do about this except adjust the price.

In many cases, the main reason a home isn't selling is the list price. Most sellers have an emotional attachment to their homes. This can cloud their judgment about its current market value. Another factor influencing sellers' objectivity about the value of their homes is denial.

According to the recent Q4 Homeowner Confidence Survey conducted by Zillow.com, 49 percent of U.S. homeowners didn't think their homes lost value during the past year. In reality, 74 percent of U.S. homes lost value over the past year.

HOUSE HUNTING TIP: Sellers who are serious about selling should adjust the list price of their home as soon as the data indicates that the price is out of line with current market conditions. This is recommended even if the listing has been on the market only for a couple of weeks.

It's risky to wait to make a price adjustment to see if conditions improve. The market is continually changing. But, this means that the market could deteriorate before it gets better. Waiting to bring the price down so that it's in line with the market could mean selling for less.

An insignificant price reduction is unlikely to trigger a sale. To have an impact, the new price should undercut your competitor's prices so that your home is perceived as the best value in the neighborhood. Usually, a price reduction of less than 5 percent won't bring about the desired result. Seller's who make a series of small price reductions can end up chasing a declining market.

Another option for some sellers is to take their home off the market before the holiday season and bring it back on the market next year. But, the holiday season can benefit sellers who keep their homes on the market because the inventory of listings usually drops off at this time of year. If your home is priced right, and is one of few available, you may have a better chance of selling.

THE CLOSING: Also, there is no guarantee that next year will be better. Some economists think that we haven't yet hit bottom in the housing cycle and that the median price could drop another 10 or 20 percent in 2009 before the market turns around.

IN Search of a great place to live? San Diego , CA the CITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS! University heights, Parks, restraunts, shops and more. Realtor Roy MASON of ERA METRO REALTY & HOME LOANS 858-752-3523 .

Introducing University Heights: University Heights is located between Hillcrest and North Park. Similar in ways to both (not as lively as Hilcrest; not as worn as North Park), it is a mix of Craftsman bungalows and apartments. Its small retail area is at the north end of Park Blvd. where it turns into Adams Ave. University Heights' History: The name "University" (both for the neighborhood and nearby University Avenue) comes from a plan in the 1880s to build a university in the area. It came to be the State Normal School, which evloved into what is now San Diego State University. That's why the word "university" is prevalent in this part of town, even though there is no university around! What Makes It So Special?: It has some interesting history. On the far northern edge of the neighborhood, at the scenic rim of Mission Valley, an ostrich farm and public garden spot occupied what is now the corner of Adams Avenue and Park Boulevard. You can still see remnants of the Mission Cliff Gardens by the boundary wall of rounded stones. The gardens were a popular tourist site, and were served by trolley car up Park Blvd. The ostrich farm still lives in the form of the neighborhood signs and markers sporting the ostrich imagery. What Defines University Heights?: University Heights is one of the three mid-city urban neighborhoods that whose main thoroughfare is Adams Ave. It is at the wester end of the strip that begins with University Heights at the western end, with Normal Heights in-between and Kensington at the east end. Of the older urban neighborhoods in San Diego, it is gay-friendly like neighboring Hillcrest, but quieter. Like its fellow 'hoods, it is distinguished by a neon "University Heights" sign that spans Park Boulevard. Things to Do: The smallish business district has your usual assortment of amenities - coffee houses, restaurants and convenience stores. There's also nearby Trolley Park, which serves as the neighborhood playground for families. The Diversionary Theatre puts on local productions at its location on Park Boulevard. And the San Diego Unified School District complex is located at Park and Normal. Best Bets for Eats: El Zarape serves up delicious Mexican take out food and is a popular spot, as is the Parkhouse Eatery. Adams Avenue Grill is also a fine eatery. Twiggs is a popular coffee house. Best Bets for Drinks and Entertainment: With its gay clientele, Bourbon Street is a lively bar. The Lei Lounge attracts both gays and straight hipsters. And the Lancer is your neighborhood dive bar. Twiggs offers music in its adjoining performance venue, and Diversionary Theatre has live productions. Shopping?: There are a few boutiques and antique shops, and a noticeable assortment of automotive repair shops, along with your typical neighborhood services. How to get to Univeristy Heights: From I-8: Go South on Hwy 163, exit Washington Street (east), turn LEFT onto Park Avenue, Park Avenue will take you through the heart of the neighborhood.

The boundary pf University Heights is considered to be Highway 163 to the weest, Mission Valley to the north, Texas Street to the east, and University Avenue to the south.