Photos from Roberta Murphy - Carlsbad Real Estate North County San Diego Realtor
The legendary No Fear Estate in La Costa (off Alga) has spectacular golf frontage on the La Costa Golf Course.Located in: Carlsbad, CA
Now, the staircases in 1970’s and 1980’s homes are being replaced.Being torn down are enclosed staircases, along with those stem walls with We had the opportunity to interview San Diego’s original staircase replacement expert, Gregg Kuzara, who happened to spend a few days in our home performing his wood and metal magic. He explains that because of the advancement in tools, technology and trade that what might have cost $30,000 (or much, much more) just 15 years ago can now be had for perhaps $10,000. Where once wrought iron staircase pickets had to be handcrafted, they can now be largely manufactured offshore. Cordless tools, computer drafting and other construction advances have made staircase replacement far more efficient–and far more affordable, than we had imagined. Count on teardown and reconstruction taking at least a week–and probably longer. The results, though, might add an entirely different dimension to your home. As we show homes throughout North San Diego County, it is easy to see the difference newer wrought iron, railings and woods can make to older barriers. And finally, this article has nothing to do with what we are paying for our staircase replacement. Consider this a heartfelt and unpaid endorsement. Would we recommend Gregg Kuzara and his San Diego staircase replacement services? We would–in a heartbeat! Click to search all listed homes for sale in San Diego 
Carlsbad, CA–Over the past decade, there has been a flurry of home remodeling in San Diego County–particularly in coastal areas, where building activity first blossomed. During the last ten years, tile and formica surfaces in kitchens and baths have been replaced with natural stone products, while stainless steel appliances dominate kitchens. Popcorn has been scraped from ceilings and energy efficient dual-paned windows are replacing their single-paned predecessors.
wrought iron toppers and 2×6 handrails (see photo at right). Some are being replaced because of safety issues that could result in a child’s head could get stuck between the stair rails–or a disastrous fall .
Carlsbad, CA–This past year has been tough for both San Diego real estate sellers–and buyers–and both sides of the fence have had to wonder if they are being tricked or treated by market conditions.
On one hand, home sellers hear that we are in the toughest market for San Diego home sales in years. Prices have dropped off the cliff and these home sellers have heard of neighbors who finally took their home off the market after trying to sell for a year or more.
On the other hand, we have buyers who have made multiple offers on multiple properties (usually San Diego’s fabled short sales and foreclosures), and have given up hopes of ever being able to buy a home in San Diego County. Their exhausted real estate agents are also about to throw in the collective towel.
So what is really selling in San Diego–and who are the succesful home buyers?
Click to search all listed homes for sale in San Diego
This is a program that makes a world of sense for real estate foreclosures.
Freddie Mac, even after foreclosing on a home, now offers the former homeowner the chance to either lease the home–or buy it back as long as the occupant is employed and not engaged in a bankruptcy.
This keeps the home occupied by someone vested in the property, helps preserve neighborhood values and will likely eliminate natonal foreclosure problems much more quickly. And it’s also pretty cool that some homeowners get to stay in their homes without the disruptions that go with moving.
Freddie Mac gets it.
Freddie Mac hires representatives to contact owners of foreclosed homes to see if they would like to remain–and possibly refinance into something more affordable.
And this is done before the foreclosure deed is recorded. There is now a window of opportunity for homeowners to remain in their homes without the embarrassment of tacky foreclosure signs in the yard–=and the pain of moving. We’ve known about their leaseback offer:
Finally, in those cases where foreclosure proves unavoidable, Freddie Mac still works to keep families in their homes. We have suspended evictions triggered by foreclosures, offering qualified former owner-occupants and tenants leases so they can rent the properties on a month-to-month basis after foreclosure.
We now hear from good sources that Freddie Mac is also offering some homeowners the opportunity to refinance their homes after the foreclosure– before the foreclosure deed is recorded.
Kudos to Freddie Mac!
The world of short sales and REO's is not without its predators in Realtor's clothing.
Some of you, for example, may have had a short sale listing or sale blown out of the water because of an inflated BPO (Broker's Price Opinion) designed to negatively sway a lender's/negotiator's decision regarding offer(s) on the table. Often, these inflated BPO's are generated to gain an unethical financial or business advantage--generally to obtain a listing agreement from lenders and loan servicers.
When this practice occurs, it harms not only potential buyers, but also owners whose homes end up going to foreclosure, the buyers' and sellers' agents, and the lenders who entrust BPO's and property valuations to agents with ulterior motives.
It is an unethical practice that can have disastrous results for many.
But those who inflate BPO valuations in California could end up losing their real estate licenses.
Effective January 1, 2009, agents who inflate BPO's might have to forfeit or suspend their real estate licenses, courtesy of the California Department of Real Estate, "if the licensee generates an inaccurate opinion of value for a short sale of residential real property to manipulate the lender to reject the short sale or to acquire a financial or business advantage, such as obtaining a listing agreement," per SB 1737.
It's about time....
Until recently, we all heard about the demise of the Mom and Pop real estate agencies, and how all the independents would be swallowed by Coldwell Banker, Prudential and all the other red, white and blue real estate boxes.
We were told that ultimately, there would only be a few big firms left standing in the world of real estate brokerage.
It was all solid research, or so we were told.
But:
Murphy's Law of Research
Enough research will tend to support whatever theory.
My theory, based on anecdotal evidence, tends to support another view; namely, that the prairie fire that has swept the real estate market the last couple of years has spawned a proliferation of small and independent real estate companies. I am amazed at the number of new and unknown companies in our San Diego real estate market--and find that in certain communities, they are outlisting and outselling their behemoth brethren
What gives? I wondered just a couple of weeks ago.
Now I understand.
It was just last week that I heard Sotheby's International Realty was closing operations in San Diego--and that Prudential would be offered the chance to pick up the pieces.
Humph. Never did consider myself to be a piece--or a piece of anything.
Our little group decided to join that growing group of agents and brokers who operate without franchise ropes--and the rugs that tend to get pulled out from under when least expected.
Yesterday, we made it official with our MLS and Board of Realtors. The hardest decision, though, was what to call ourselves.
In the end, we unanimously decided to let the tail wag the dog--and named the company after our website that has been around for years:
Taglines to follow.
And what is that saying about grass growing greener after a prairie fire?
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San Diego County Realtors Mike and Roberta Murphy represent buyers and sellers of real estate in Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Costa, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, Del Mar, Oceanside, San Marcos and Vista.
San Diego Previews award-winning real estate group offers unsurpassed service to buyers and sellers of real estate in San Diego. Mike and Roberta Murphy (GRI, ABR and e-PRO) have years of extensive real estate experience and work with an energetic group that understands relocation and life transitions. They are intimately familiar with not only with San Diego County, but also localized market conditions that can impact the purchase and sale of real estate. Group professionals also include Eve Sieminski (GRI), Scott Murphy (GRI), Cynthia Webb, Christine Wade, Ilene Bordsky and Daruish Abedian.
Our other blog? Luxury Home Digest
To search the entire MLS for not only San Diego, including the surrounding areas of Carlsbad, La Costa, Encinitas, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Oceanside, Camp Pendleton, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and La Jolla but Orange County and the Desert area as well, please browse through our website and make yourself at home. There, you can also receive an instant online valuation of your property-or sign up for free emailed MLS alerts and view timely market condition reports. Visit often and make yourself at home. We'll leave the light on!
WE PROMISE AND GUARANTEE
To put client interests before our own. No conflict of interest. No hidden fees or profits. Unlike many, we don’t do loans, escrows or have a hand in title services. We always want the freedom to recommend the best services and most competitive rates for our clients—and we do. This can result in savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars for both buyers and sellers.
To earn our fees, and make nothing if we cannot perform. We charge no up-front fees,
no advance fees, no transaction fees. We pay all marketing and promotion costs, transaction coordination fees and still search for ways to save our clients both time and money.
To skillfully negotiate on our client’s behalf. For the buyer, we work hard to package financing, pricing and timing to create a successful transition into their new home. For the seller, we present the property to both a wide and targeted audience with the goal of bringing as many buyers as possible to the negotiation table. In either case, we strive to maintain our reputation for “Masterpiece Transactions.”
To expertly manage your transaction from beginning to end. This will include the coordination of appraisers, inspectors, insurance underwriters, escrow demands, disclosures, legal requirements and the unexpected arrival of a mother-in-law who just arrived in town to inspect the home on her own.
To talk to you! Like you, we tire of voice mail and touch-tone mazes. If you are represented by a professional in the Murphy Group, you will almost always be able to speak with a responsive person. If your agent is unavailable, another of our agents will respond. It could be as simple and frustrating as a seller being locked out of the house to a buyer who has hit a loan-qualifying hurdle.
We listen to you! Give us a call and tell us where you would like to be in the next three months, in the next year, or even the next decade. We promise to listen and to help guide you toward your housing and investment goals.
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Roberta,We want to thank you for all your help and support with both the purchase and sale of our home and the development of our business. You've helped us step into a new world--full of opportunities. We are so grateful for that. Thank you!
Marie and Kesi
There are many Realtors that can buy or sell real estate, but very few that are as dedicated and knowledgeable as the Murphy Group. They not only have the insight and experience to evaluate the value of the property, but suggest specific ways to increase the value and appeal to prospective buyers. Their marketing techniques not only exposed our La Costa property to as many potential buyers as possible, but also attracted qualified buyers. We interviewed many Realtors and never felt the same overwhelming confidence as we did with them. Many Realtors promise the moon and stars, but very few can actually deliver--They Did and more!
--Alan, Aimee and Andrew Smith
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"I signed a listing agreement with Roberta and Mike Murphy. Within 24 hours, they had my home sold at more than full price. I would highly recommend their services!"-Marsha Fahlen
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Hi Roberta,
I wanted to let you know how much we've enjoyed our new home and to thank you for your insight of our needs and the house you picked for us.
It's wonderful to be able to sit out on the patio and eat our meals outdoors with beautiful hummingbirds and a great view of hills and Rancho Santa Fe. We think we got a really good deal too, thanks to you!
I also want to thank you for your help in our closing of this deal - without your help, it would have been very difficult and I would not have been able to do it.
Let this note serve as a referral as well. I recommend anyone to you who wants a personal, helpful, insightful and accommodating real estate agent. I plan to make sure I call you when I'm in the market to sell.
Best regards,
Pam Arivett
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