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Carlsbad, CA Real Estate News

By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I previously wrote about the Monarch Butterfly nursery on our back patio on April 12. At that time we were able to see 11 caterpillars of various sizes.In the last few days the caterpillars started leaving the milkweed plants and crawling onto the table, the patio window, and the edge of one of the flowerpots. Within a day or so we could only find 3 of the 11 caterpillars. Hopefully the others found safe places to hang for the next stage, the chrysalis (pupa). We have looked around but haven't been able to find them so they are either well hidden or perhaps became some bird's dinner.One caterpillar is on the edge of a flowerpot and is not looking very healthy, but there are 2 that have now formed the chrysalis - one on window frame (above) and the other on the edge of the another flower...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Wordless Wednesday:  Just Hangin' Out  We live adjacent to a small canyon which means a fair amount of wildlife, some of which visits the yard from time to time. I was looking out the rear window over the patio the other morning and spied this ground squirrel hangin' out. He was perched on his haunches, on top of the bushes, taking in the scenery...and perhaps keeping an eye out for predators, like the coyote we have been seeing regularly. Better this squirrel stays where he is instead of raiding our birdfeeders or digging in the gardens!
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Why You Should Drive by a Home Before You Decide to See it for Real! Most buyers use the Internet to search for homes these days, and there are plenty of good reasons for doing so. You get to see lots of photos…hopefully plenty of good ones…plus you can read details about the home, including features, size, bedrooms and baths, garage and parking spaces, fees (if there is an HOA), and the list goes on. Usually there is a map, and you can explore the area online, too. And in these days of the pandemic there are virtual tours, Matterport 3D tours, and plenty of videos so you can really explore the homes that interest you, inside and out, and safely from the comfort of your home or office. All before you decide the home looks like a great fit for your needs and budget and take the plunge an...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home?A Big Surprise for Carlsbad Home Sales in June 2020 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to change, with some significant shifts from last month and 1 year ago. These data do not include private sales or manufactured/mobile/multi-family housing (the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate at the time they are reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms, and do not reflect our local Carlsbad housing market. Current data, and knowledge, about the local market conditions benefit you so you can make well-informed purchase and sale decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale.  READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 189 homes sold in Carlsbad in June (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), more tha...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Homes for Sale without HOA FeesUpdate as of July 2, 2020 Carlsbad home buyers often have strong feelings about buying a Carlsbad home in a Home Ownership Association (HOA) community.  Some prefer living in such a community, while others are adamant about avoiding them. Some are OK either way, with finding the right house being a more important factor. There are a number of things home buyers need to know about HOAs in Carlsbad, including the additional monthly fees; certain issues result in buyers deciding an HOA community is not for them (e.g., rules and regulations, monthly fees).  If you are unsure about having an HOA, it’s important to do your due diligence regarding HOAs and understand the general issues so you can make an informed decision before you start your search.  I...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
New Price - Coastal Life & Urban Living in Carlsbad Village Life by the Carlsbad beaches, a spacious home office/den or exercise space, and urban amenities outside your door make for a great combination in Carlsbad Village. Then add in a large private roof deck with westerly, sunset and ocean views and a new price and it gets even better.  This townhome at 2555 State Street offers a chic urban lifestyle, for a primary or second/vacation home, in the North State area of Carlsbad Village. Nearby you’ll find multiple restaurants, the weekly State Street Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 3 to 7 pm, art galleries, shopping, a performing arts theater, movie theater, public transportation (take the Coaster to San Diego or head north on Amtrak to Los Angeles), holiday events, and miles of beaut...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
 Carlsbad 4-Bedroom Homes for SaleMarket Update June 29, 2020 Carlsbad home buyers often need more space than a 3-bedroom single family detached home offers, possibly due to an expanding household or for multigenerational living.  Sometimes one of more family members needs a home office, or additional living space might be desirable for guests.  The inventory of single family detached homes remains limited in Carlsbad compared to demand, although the supply has increased since the beginning of the year overall; take a look at the most recent market report for Carlsbad at What’s My Carlsbad Home Worth - Carlsbad Home Sales for May 2020 for an update on the Carlsbad housing market including sales and prices.  At of this report we have 2.2 months of inventory of 4-bedroom single family det...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Single Story Homes for Sale in Carlsbad   Market Update as of June 27, 2020 A good number of Carlsbad home buyers prefer a single story detached home versus a 2-story when searching for a new home.  Some Carlsbad home buyers just prefer a single floor layout, but there are buyers that prefer no stairs, or who have a medical need necessitating single story living.  Other buyers are willing to purchase a 2-story provided there is a master bedroom on the main floor – these are limited in supply. The overall Carlsbad inventory has improved since the beginning of the year but remains limited. If a detached single story home is preferred, home buyers do have options, but they are almost all resales - there is 1 new construction home available, along with a home in Robertson Ranch built in 201...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
A Morning Visitor Today in Carlsbad  Our house backs up to a canyon which offers pleasant views as opposed to looking at houses, and abundant wildlife and birds. We don't often see coyotes during the day but hear them at night on a fairly regular basis. This one was about 50 feet beyond our back fence this morning and didn't seem particular troubled that I was nearby.
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Gelato & More Delivered to Your DoorFrom GelatoLove in Carlsbad GelatoLove was original founded as Gaia Gelato, in early 2015, at the Village Faire in Carlsbad Village, at 300 Carlsbad Village Drive just past the railroad tracks.  I discovered them soon after they opened and have been a loyal fan since, given the wide range of flavors available in several sizes – the pints are great for taking home!! It always makes me think of Italy and the gelato I’ve enjoyed there on multiple occasions. My fave is the Chocolate Sorbet - it's intense!! Business has been pretty good and they have expanded their offerings to include other desserts. There have been a number of classes to learn how to make gelato (before Covid-19 of course) at the lab and tasting room they opened at 5661 Palmer Way close ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Last Evening of Spring 2020A Normal Night in Carlsbad It sure appeared to be your typical, almost-summer evening in Carlsbad.  I had to drop off some Covid-19 materials at my townhome listing in Carlsbad Village at 4:30 and decided to take a tour around town. It looked like a normal summer Friday night (well, Summer starts tomorrow). There was almost no parking on the streets or in the parking lots, traffic was heavy, pedestrians were everywhere in the Village and on the "boardwalk" by the beach, the shops were open, hotels were advertising rooms available, all the restaurants looked busy - if relatively full patio dining was any indication - and the beach was fairly crowded. People seemed to be pretty spaced out on the beach but at 5 PM you wouldn't expect a huge crowd any way. It look...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad to Enforce Parking Beginning June 25, 2020 Carlsbad, including Carlsbad Village, has a fair amount of parking, on streets and in multiple parking lots.  Parking, however, may be a bit of a trial on a holiday, when there is a special event (like the Carlsbad Triathlon), or on a busy summer weekend, especially near the beaches. The good thing about our parking is that for the most part it’s free, even at the train station; some exceptions include the parking lots along the beach in the state park areas (South Ponto Beach just north of La Costa Avenue, the lot at the end of Tamarack). And some lots are limited to the shoppers at that location, such as the Village Faire Shopping Center in the Village. In the past I've heard the free parking issue is being looked at in the Village b...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Is it Fixable? Or Changeable? When buying a Carlsbad home most, if not all, buyers will have compromises to make, unless they have very deep pockets or are building their own home. The reason? What they want, and what is affordable, or available, can be very different. And the current market of limited inventory means fewer homes will fit some of the criteria. Read: Carlsbad Housing Market Report for May 2020 The longer the list of wants and needs, the more challenging the search will be since few, if any, properties will meet all criteria. A critical step for buyers in the home search and purchase process is to have a well defined list of needs (watch the short video below) and to understand why those needs are important, so the focus can be on properties that meet the requirements, or...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Art Wall June 2020 - Congrats Class of 2020  Like thousands of other seniors around the country (and others graduating from kindergarten, elementary and middle schools, colleges and universities) the last 3+ months of the school year have certainly been unique. As a way to honor the Class of 2020, Bryan Snyder, founder of the #CarlsbadArtWall on the east-facing wall of Senor Grubby's Mexican Restaurant in Carlsbad Village created this celebratory wall mural, completed on June 9. Snyder was assisted by Krista Oliver King and Kelly Foulk, art teachers from Carlsbad Senior High School, and art teachers from Carlsbad's Sage Creek High School - Sierra Therese, Megan Herrick and Cathryn Burroughs - among other visiting teachers and community volunteers. What a wonderful, collaborativ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Why Did the Chicken...? Bet you thought I was going to ask the proverbial...why did the chicken cross the road?! No doubt you've heard more than one answer to that question! In this case the chicken seemed to have no intentions of crossing the road (good thing, it's a busy one), but was more curious about what we were doing there.  After running some errands in the Village the other day we drove along the beach and took Tamarack Avenue home so we could stop at a small farm stand in a residential area near the beach. We've been by numerous times but have never stopped. The road is rather busy and the only parking is along the road. The farm stand operates on an honor system, although they let you know you are on camera! It's fairly modest, but there was a wide selection of fruits and veg...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for May 2020 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to change, with some shifts from last month and 1 year ago. These data do not include private sales or manufactured/mobile/multi-family housing (the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate at the time they are reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms, and do not reflect the local Carlsbad housing market. Current data, and knowledge, about the local market conditions benefit you so you can make well-informed purchase and sale decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale.  READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 80 homes sold in Carlsbad in May (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 25% fewer than in April. Here’s what ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Wordless Wednesday: How NOT to Stage a Garage  I showed a nicely staged home in Carlsbad a couple of years ago, and not an inexpensive one! The 2-story 3000 SF interior was filled with light and was nicely maintained, and the buyer had a number of positive comments...until we walked into the 3-car garage. Too bad the sellers didn't spend a bit of money for storage so you could actually see this garage. There was not even space to walk in more than a few feet. No doubt Kathy Streib will have some thoughts on this. All we could say was...WOW!
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Cardiff-by-the-Sea Home? Cardiff Home Sales for May 2020 It’s important for buyers and sellers in the Cardiff real estate market to have accurate and current information about local market conditions in order to make informed decisions about Cardiff homes for sale.  Local market conditions will impact buying and selling in terms of inventory, pricing, competition, and time on market, and you should understand how these conditions can affect your buying and selling decisions. The pandemic is causing some market shifts as well! Read More About Cardiff-by-the-Sea:Cardiff by the Sea – Quintessential Beach Community Like to Walk? Live in the Walking District in Cardiff CAWant to Live in a Musical Community? Try the Composer District in Cardiff, CA Here’s a summary of t...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Wordless Wednesday: Words of Hope Hope Elementary School in the Carlsbad School District is close to my house and we often walk by.  School is coming to an end for Carlsbad students on June 11th and signs have started appearing in the front of the school to thank the teachers, etc. I thought the play on words of some of the signage, given the school name, was cool.  And this little poem a la Dr. Seuss was clever - a sign of the times!!  Nice to see some words of Hope these days!
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
7 Issues to Consider for Choosing a Gated Community in Carlsbad Carlsbad home buyers are sometimes interested in buying a home in one of our gated communities. But unless you know a specific community you specifically want to live in, the question is…how do I choose the gated community that’s right for me?  Carlsbad has a number of gated communities and there are some important issues to consider in order to decide which one is right for you. If living in a gated community is important to you, choosing the right neighborhood is similar to deciding which house to buy – it’s another set of parameters to consider and evaluate. As a prudent buyer you should consider your specific housing needs, and budget, among other factors, before you get started as part of you decision making. Here are ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The Jacarandas are in Full Bloom in Carlsbad  The purple Jacarandas, native to South America but planted widely in sub-tropical and tropical areas, may be one of my favorite blooming trees. I call it purple but I suppose it could be indigo. In any case, they are in full bloom, and the Aviara area of South Carlsbad seems to be particularly blessed with them. The Plaza Real Shopping Center has several dozen of them, and while they are rather messy (you don't want to park your car under one if you can help it), the color is quite striking on a sunny day against the blue sky.  I was showing a couple of ocean-view homes in a beautiful gated community in Aviara today, and driving along Batiquitos Drive (and along the Batiquitos Lagoon where there is a wonderful 6-mile walking trail) to and fr...
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