Michael Barrow Realtor® San Diego CA Real Estate

I know, it's hard to believe, but I AM BACK WITH ANOTHER SAN DIEGO FORECLOSURE FRIDAY!!! It's been since July since my last post, so we've got a bit of catching up to do.

In this first San Diego Foreclosure Friday post back I'll be updating you on previous properties that were available and have since closed. Once again, you'll be able to see what the property previously sold for, what it was currently listed for, and what it has now sold for. So without further adieu...

SOLD $570,000 (9/9/2009)

LISTED AT $599,000

PREVIOUSLY SOLD $918,000 (10/1/2007)

Baseball anyone? This 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1118 square foot condo is currently available in the Legend, downtown San Diego's only luxury high-rise located directly within Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres! This unit is on the 16th floor and enjoys amazing southwest views into Petco Park and the bay. Comes with granite counters and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, travertine tile in both bathrooms, and two parking spaces.

SOLD $1,500,000 (10/28/2009)

LISTED AT $1,650,000

PREVIOUSLY SOLD $2,530,000 (11/03/2005)

SOLD $750,000 (8/3/2009)

LISTED AT $699,800

PREVIOUSLY SOLD $1,2000,000 (2/6/2007)

Great location in north Mission Hills! This foreclosure property is listed for about half of what it sold for just over 2 years ago! This 1920s Spanish, with wood floors, and period details throughout, comes with 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, and almost 1600 square feet.

SOLD Cash $769,000 (6/19/2009)

LISTED AT $759,900

PREVIOUSLY SOLD $1,090,000 (7/5/2006)

Live the luxurious La Jolla beach life in this condo just one block to the water in Bird Rock! This unit in the Seahaus development was built in 2005 and comes with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1827 square feet. This is a ground floor unit that overlooks the pool and has peak ocean views from the kitchen, dining room, and living room, and all of these rooms come with gorgeous wide-plank hardwood floors.

SOLD $419,000 (8/06/2009)

LISTED AT $392,900

PREVIOUSLY SOLD $620,000 (10/31/2003)

We head back downtown to the ballpark/ East Village neighborhood to finish of this edition of San Diego Foreclosure Friday. If you love baseball, this condo is for you as it is sits right in front of Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres. This huge 1674 square foot loft space at the Parklofts comes with exposed concrete ceiling and walls, hardwood floors, granite countertops, and Pella windows with between-the-glass blinds. This unit has two bathrooms and could be converted to a two bedroom if you wanted more of a traditional floor plan.

SOLD $450,000 (7/22/2009)

LISTED $394,250

PREVIOUSLY SOLD $575,000 (10/12/2006)

Adorable California Craftsman in the South Park neighborhood of San Diego. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1469 square feet with a helper unit over the garage. This home has been updated with porcelain counters, travertine tile, and marble bathrooms, but keeps it's craftsman charm with refinished hardwood floors and wood framed doors and windows.

If you would like more info on any of these listings, other foreclosure properties throughout the San Diego area, or general information about buying foreclosure properties, please check out my website page on buying San Diego foreclosures. You can easily contact me from the form on the bottom of that page, or via email at Michael@NeelyBarrow.com.

You can also check out my website for more info on our San Diego real estate services and to search all the homes for sale in San Diego.

Be sure to check back in again next Friday for another San Diego Foreclosure Friday!

I have been a bad blogger and haven't posted for quite a while (I think since July!). But, I'm back with some great news for not only first time buyers, but for move up buyers as well. Both the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives have voted to extend the first-time home buyer tax credit, and have expanded the credit to include existing homeowners as well. Now the final step will be for President Obama to sign the legislation, which he is expected to do shortly. (**Update - 11/6/09 - President Obama signed the bill today.**)


With this move, the federal tax credit will be extended through April 30, 2010, with a 60-day extension if a binding contract to purchase a home is in place prior to the deadline. First-time home buyers will continue to be eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000, while existing homeowners will be eligible for a reduced credit of up to $6,500. To qualify for the $6,500 credit, existing homeowners must have lived in their current residences for at least five years. The bill also increases the qualifying income limits from $75,000 for single tax filers and $150,000 for joint filers to $125,000 and $225,000, respectively. The purchase price of the home is capped at $800,000 in both instances. With the extension and expansion of this credit, taxpayers can claim the credit on purchases completed in 2010 on their 2009 income tax returns.

The National Association of Realtors estimates that nationwide, more than 1.4 million first-time home buyers were given the opportunity to become homeowners as a result of the original first-time home buyer tax credit. With the extension and expansion of the credit these numbers are expected to dramatically increase.

For more info on how the credit works, check out my previous post on the Economic Stimulus and the First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

As a San Diego Realtor I get asked about all kinds of things not only relating to real estate, but also all things San Diego. And lately, I've had quite a few clients and friends ask about the new mandatory San Diego water use restrictions that just went into effect. So since so many people want to know what the details are, I thought what better place to spread the word than here on my blog?

As many of you may know, San Diego, like much of southern California, is an arid desert climate, and therefore we go through long periods with very little rain. On average we only get about 10 inches of rain a year, and for the past several years we have been well below normal. This extended drought has reached a critical level causing the city of San Diego to declare a state of emergency and as of June 1st, 2009 to issue mandatory water use restrictions.

As the city states, "Wasting water has always been bad behavior. As of June 1, 2009, it's against the law." Below is the flyer from the water department with all of the rules and restrictions. If you double click it, it will enlarge. For further information you can go to www.sandiego.gov/water or call (619) 515-3500.

Some more quick tips to save water:

• Plant native plants that require less water.
• Turn off the water when you're brushing your teeth and lathering up in the shower. (On a side note, I heard a celebrity (who shall remain nameless because I love her and she meant well) once say that she saved water by brushing her teeth in the shower. Think of all the water that's running down the drain while you're brushing your teeth in the shower - or shaving in the shower while the water is running. DUH!)
• Make sure to wash dishes and clothes with full loads.
• And this may be TMI, but in regards to toilets remember the saying: "If it's yellow let it mellow..." I'll spare you the second part =) You can email me if you're dying to know...

Welcome to another San Diego Foreclosure Friday! Once again we will be exploring some of the best of the best foreclosure properties throughout San Diego county for the week.

This week we have an update on a previous listing that I featured back in April on San Diego Foreclosure Friday - a 4-unit property that just sold in foreclosure in Bankers Hill. Then we take a look at some foreclosures in 92103. These two properties are both in the Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego. The first is a large townhouse that just sold in foreclosure. And the next is a expansive, almost 4600 square foot, luxury Mediterranean property, with water views in foreclosure in North Mission Hills!

PREVIOUSLY SOLD $1,100,000 (12/30/2004)

Just outside of downtown San Diego sits this income generating gem in Bankers Hill. You're just a few blocks from Balboa Park, downtown, and minutes to the airport in this vintage 1920s 4-unit property. Property consists of one 2 bedroom unit, two 1 bedroom units, and one studio!

SOLD $759,000 (5/28/2009)

PREVIOUSLY SOLD $960,000 (5/19/2004)

Built in 2003, this foreclosure in Mission Hills sold for just over $200,000 less than it's previous sale in 2004. This row home has plenty of room with 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, and over 2,500 square feet. Some of the great features include hardwood floors, granite counters and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, a fireplace, and large walk-in custom built closets in the bedrooms. Best of all, it's walking distance to all of the great shops and restaurants in both Mission Hills and Hillcrest, making it the perfect mix of comfort and convenience.

CURRENTLY LISTED $1,650,000

PREVIOUSLY SOLD $2,530,000 (11/03/2005)

If you would like more info on any of these listings, other foreclosure properties throughout the San Diego area, or general information about buying foreclosure properties, please check out my website page on buying San Diego foreclosures. You can easily contact me from the form on the bottom of that page, or via email at Michael@NeelyBarrow.com .

You can also check out my website to search all the homes for sale in San Diego.

Be sure to check back again next week for another San Diego Foreclosure Friday!