Here's a deal, unlike any I've experienced in my 15 years of service, that brought tears to my eyes and warmed my soul. The following story is true, and it happened on Veteran's Day!
On October 12th of this year, my old Coast Guard buddy, and long time friend, said good-bye to this world after a long battle with a rare intestinal cancer. Before he passed, he asked me to do two things for him: One, to stand up and speak for him at his memorial. The other was to handle the sale of his home for the family.
On the day of Larry's memorial, I honored his memory by speaking to the 100 or so, family and friends gathered at the Carlsbad Church Larry attended. I spoke about our 30-year friendship, how we went our separate ways, and how we came back together 15 years later. I also spoke about his home, where he proudly hosted family and friends for frequent weekend BBQ's, and the story of how it almost didn't come to be.
When he was ready to buy a home, he asked for my help. Being a life long surfer, he wanted, no needed, to be closer to the Coast. Specifically, Oceanside, CA. It didn't take long before we found, what was to be, his final resting place on Seafarer Drive. We weren't three steps into the property before he turned to me and said, "let's make an offer!" So we did and got it accepted.
Two weeks before we were scheduled to close, the sellers said they wanted to cancel the deal, that they had changed their minds. Their own Realtor couldn't talk them out of it, and Larry began to loose faith that the home he had fallen in love with, wouldn't be his.
There was no way I would allow this without a battle. I told Larry not to give up hope, and with the listing agent's approval, I went directly to the sellers, and effectively "convinced them" that this was no longer their home. We closed escrow on time, and Larry was home.
A couple of weeks after Larry passed away, his family approached me to consult them regarding the sale, at which point I designed an action plan to prepare the home. We were just finishing some of the final touches in preparation, when the sign went up. I remember seeing the tears in Larry's mother eyes when she first saw it.
It was Tuesday, the day before Veteran's Day and I had just finished editing the photos for the listing, when I got a call from an agent. She said that her clients had seen the sign, that their parents lived down the street, and they had been looking for quite some time. I told her it would be in the MLS that night, when she asked if they could see it right away. "The lock-box is on the front door, go right ahead", I replied.
Later that evening, she called and told me that they would have an offer to me the very next morning, Veteran's Day. The offer came in above full price with a touching, heart-felt letter from the buyers. It read, that he had heard that the seller was a verteran and that he too was a veteran. He and his wife fell in love with the home, even before they walked in. They had been looking for just such a home near their parents for quite some time and were always out-bid. He went on to say, that it would be a dream come true to have their offer accepted on Veterans Day. There were even more factors that made this offer special. You see, my friend Larry and I were in the Coast Guard together, the buyer is a veteran, the buyer's agent is the widow of a veteran, and they are using a VA loan for an offer that was submitted on Veteran's Day!
The offer was tearfully accepted that same day, and we are scheduled to close on or before December 11th.
I feel a strong sense of faith that Larry and a De vine Power were working together to affect this extraordinary outcome.
RIP Larry Howard (10/27/58 - 10/12/09)
The average sales prices in October '09 was $800,000, including Leucadia and Olivenhain, which is down from an average of $864,000 in October '08.
The highest priced home to sell in October of ‘08 was $3,850,000 for a palatial 8,900 Sq.Ft. home, on a 3.14 acre lot in Wildflower Estates.
In October of '09, the highest priced home to sell was $3,299,000 for a 7,000 Sq.Ft. home, located on 2.8 acres also located in Wildflower Estates.
The number of sales decreased slightly from (33) homes sold in October '08 to (30) in October of '09.
Of the (33) homes sold in October of '08, (28) were financed conventionally (20% min. down), (3) were purchased in Cash and (2) used FHA financing (3.5% min.down).
Of the (30) homes sold in October of '09, (18) were financed conventionally, (6) were purchased with Cash and (6) FHA.
REO (Bank Owned) sales were down from (8) in October of '08 to (3) in October of '09, which is extremely low compared to other cities in North San Diego County.
Shortsales (selling for less than what is owed) increased from zero sales in October of '08 to a modest (3) in September of '09. These too are extremely low compared to other cities in North County San Diego.
There are (148) active properties for Sale in Encinitas with (55) currently in Escrow, representing a fair balance.
If you would like to view all properties in Encinitas for sale, please visit http://sdnethomes.com
Encinitas can be divided into five areas:
Moonlight Beach, Encinitas
This report was prepared by Robert Sizer, 15 year Residential Real Estate Professional, specializing in North San Diego Coastal Properties, utilizing data from Sandicor MLS. The information is not guaranteed, but darn close for sure!
"Providing Superior Service For Extraordinary People Since 1994"
Contact me today with your real estate questions or needs 760-519-8436 or robert@robertsizer.com
September '09 average sales price ($917,970) for a home in Encinitas, including Leucadia and Olivenhain dipped 7.3% from September of '08, while the median sales price dipped nearly 20%.
How do you calculate Sales Price VS Average Sales Price?
Quick answer: Median price is half are below, half are above
Average price: All sold prices are added together into a sum;
the sum is then divided by the number of houses that sold.
*More homes sold below the average value in '09 vs '08, affecting the median price more than the average price
The number of sales increased from (28) homes sold in September '08 to (34) in September of '09.
Of the (28) homes sold in September of '08, (17) were financed conventionally (20% min. down), (9) were purchased with Cash and (2) used FHA financing (3.5% min.down).
Of the (34) homes sold in September of '09, (25) were financed conventionally, (8) were purchased with Cash and (1) FHA.
REO (Bank Owned) sales doubled from (3) in September of '08 to (6) in September of '09, which is very low compared to other cities in North San Diego County.
Shortsales (selling for less than what is owed) increased from a single short sale in September of '08 to a whopping (3) in September of '09. These too are very low compared to other cities in North County San Diego.
Currently, there are (152) active properties for Sale in Encinitas with (55) currently in Escrow.
If you would like to view all properties in Encinitas for sale, please visit http://sd.nethomes.com
Encinitas can be divided into five areas:
This report was prepared by Robert Sizer, 15 year Residential Real Estate Professional, specializing in North San Diego Coastal Properties, utilizing data from Sandicor MLS. The information is not guaranteed, but darn close for sure!
"Providing Superior Service For Extraordinary People Since 1994"
Contact me today with your real estate questions or needs 760-519-8436 or robert@robertsizer.com
If you're looking to purchase a castle-esque style property fit for a king and/or queen in San Diego County, bring your checkbook.
Of the 34 properties listed as selling (per the MLS) in excess of $5M this past year, the majority were purchased in cash, including the highest at $17,350,613 for a palacial oceanfront compound in La Jolla, which closed escrow in May of this year.
http://www.sandiego-coastal-homes.com/ recently aquired two incredibly unique property listings.
One is a brand new, contemporary oceanfront masterpiece MLS #: 090047175. Listed at $8.2M, it is an absolute must see if you or your clients desire the finest world class architecture on-the-beach in MB.
The other www.Remleyplacelajolla.com sits on top of the world in the highly coveted community of Country Club in La Jolla, nestled in a quiet serene setting, this private enclave welcomes you. Breathe in the panoramic crisp blue ocean and sky views, amongst fertile mature vegetation. Authentic 1930's Mediterranean old world charm spread amongst three separate detached structures for family, friends or staff, with privacy for all. One might consider combining two or all three structures for one grand palace. MLS #: 090035937 Asking $10.9M.
Both will be help open this weekend. Please email Robert@LuxREHomes.com for address and times.
Greetings Bob,
I certainly understand your feelings about your offer being accepted. On one hand the emotional side says, "Hey, my offer got accepted over 7 others!" On the other hand, you're thinking, "Can I afford the payment?"
This is very typical of first time home buyers; you are not alone. I've had the pleasure of successfully representing many first time home buyers over the years. Typically, their success is a direct result of taking action based upon sound and timely advise.
When we bought our first home, I wasn't in the industry. As a matter of fact, we had much less money to put down than you, which required that we pay PMI (private mortgage insurance) on top of the normal PITI. The thing we enjoyed most about home ownership, aside from the financial benefits, was pride of ownership. We had a place to call our own. Sure, it was a little tough at first, but soon it became easier and easier.
When we sold our home, we made a profit and bought up. And so it went...We sold our last property at the peak of the market and have rented by the beach since. My wife and are only now looking to buy again, because now is the time!
With that said...I believe the most important factor, aside from the financial, is quality of life. Do you like the neighborhood? Is is close to where you want to be? Do your neighbors share pride of ownership? Is the neighborhood condition getting better or worse? Do you have enough storage area? Will you outgrown this home quickly? Who will want to buy this home when you sell? What is the upside to your investment? Is there a downside?
If the positives outweight the negatives and this home meets your needs and budget, I say you've made the right decision.
Congratulations again on getting your offer accepted. Rest assured that I will be there to guide you every step of the way.
Your partner in success,
Robert Sizer, Managing Consultant www.sandiegonethomes.com
Through extensive consultation, education & guidance, we help San Diego Home Buyers and Sellers make Dollars & Sense of Today's Real Estate Market, while Providing "Superior Service for our Extraordin
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