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Carlsbad, CA Real Estate News

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 November 2024 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to change, with shifts from October and 1 year ago. Private sales, mobile homes and multi-family housing are not included (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate as reported but are not guaranteed). Media market reports typically are very generalized. As a result they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (read more - How Local IS Local?). Up-to-date information, and analysis, about local market conditions will benefit you when you want to make important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 64 homes sold in Carlsbad in November (92008, 92009, 92010 a...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Yes, there are lots...not lots of homes but LOTS to build on in Carlsbad.It seems that most buyers in my area tend to prefer to buy a home that is a resale, or one that is brand new in a subdivision (either in process or to be built), rather than buying land and building a home. But for those who wish to create their own masterpiece on a great lot in Carlsbad, there are lots for sale.Currently as of the beginning of October 2007, we have 30 lots for sale in Carlsbad. These building lots range from about 5500 SF (about .13 acres) up to about 5 acres (the average size is .87 acres). Prices range from $400,000 up to $3.5 million (about $35 per SF or $1.540 million per acre).        The hilly .57 acre lot shown in the photos is in the hills above the La Costa Resort and Spa in the La Costa ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I often get asked about Carlsbad home prices. Many buyers realize the costs of living in Southern California, but don't always have a good understanding of the actual market values.It is true that the Carlsbad area IS expensive, although it is less so than many coastal communities. You can buy a good sized house with 4 bedrooms and a 1/2 acre of land in some areas of the country for what you pay for a 1 bedroom condo here. And the media certainly contributes to the perception that California real estate is expensive.However, there are some good deals to be had in Carlsbad real estate, at least relatively speaking, for first time buyers as well as folks who are relocating to Carlsbad from other less expensive areas. You may have to settle for less than what you would ideally like to have...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Buyers who are interested in waterfront living should certainly be asking this question. The emphasis here is not so much on the actual cost of the home itself (here in the Carlsbad and Encinitas area you can expect to pay $2 million - $8 million for the privilege of owning a 2000 - 3000 SF home on the water, and even more in Solana Beach, Del Mar and La Jolla) but more in terms of the costs of ownership.Those who have owned oceanfront property are well aware of the added costs, apart from the purchase price. But for those for whom this would be a new experience, there are some additional costs and issues to be aware of:Homeowner's insurance - premiums will be higher, perhaps significantly so, due to being on the water with its inherent risks. And some insurance companies will not even ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Many people live in Carlsbad (or elsewhere in the San Diego area) because of the weather. Certainly we have a terrific reputation as a city with wonderful weather most of the year, which is a major reason why so many folks move here. It's hard to argue with weather that is 60 to 80 degrees year-round with lots of sun. Southern California is known for its outdoor lifestyle, and there are certainly lots of ways to enjoy it - surfing, sailing, the beaches, hiking, and so much more. And, as a buyer you have an opportunity to purchase a Carlsbad home that will allow you to enjoy the true California lifestyle at home. Outdoor kitchens have become incredibly popular and can range from a simply barbecue or can be as elaborate as you wish, up to a full replica of an indoor kitchen with a large ...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
This is a great day for being gifted with cool online tools! Zip Skinny is just the latest. How about seeing how your zip code compares to neighboring ones in such areas as: Click to continue reading about homes in Carlsbad, Encinitas and other zip code demographics.    
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
One of the things that really struck me when I moved to Southern California was the amount of water I saw. A bit of a surprise given we are really in a desert climate and now are having the driest season EVER!Water features, and pools, spa, hot tubs, spools and koi ponds are very popular in Carlsbad homes. It seems there aren't many homes that don't have at least a fountain or some other type of water feature either inside or out (I don't have a count on the number that have spa and pools). Or a pool, spa, pond or hot tub. (these ducks landed in our yard and, literally, 10 minutes after we finished filling our new spool, decided to enjoy it before WE did!).Water features serve a variety of purposes. They are pleasant to look at and listen to, and provide a calming effect. And some are u...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Some buyers who are considering Carlsbad homes prefer, or even require, that their new home be in a gated community.Gated communities, for some, provide a sense of security, or at least that perception. And there are often economic reasons for wanting to be in these particular neighborhoods. Others regard such communities as being snobbish or classist.Some gated communities ARE truly secure, at least from car traffic, and are surrounded completely by walls. Others may only have a gate at the entrances but could allow access on foot elsewhere, thus security is perhaps only perception.None of the complexes in Carlsbad provide staffed gatehouses at the entrance as you will find in some of the gated communities in Rancho Santa Fe.For those who prefer to live in a gated community in Carlsbad...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
One of the features of a more expensive home in Carlsbad and surrounding communities is a casita.A casita is generally defined as a small house or guest house. In this area of Southern California they generally are attached to the main home and consist of a large bedroom, often with a sitting area, and a bathroom. Sometimes, however, they are detached. Casitas are used for guests, as an additional bedroom for older kids, or often as an office, studio or game room. They typically have a separate entrance but in some cases may also have an entrance directly into the main home (casita shown lower left, on left side of photo).Casitas seem to have become particularly popular with the larger new construction homesin subdivisions like La Costa Greens, La Costa Ridge or Emerald Pointe (several ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Lots of buyers looking at Carlsbad homes are interested in a property with a view of some sort, and there are lots of choices, depending on what you want in terms of view.You can acquire a home with a view of the golf course (or even be directly ON the golf course in some cases), especially in the La Costa or Aviara areas.or of the ocean (or be on the ocean in a few cases)or one of Carlsbad's lagoonsthere are homes with great views of the back-country hills and mountainsor perhaps you prefer panoramic vistas and enjoy the evening lights.In general, views will cost you more money. It's a simple matter of supply and demand coupled with desirability. Homes with views tend to be desired, and are more limited in supply, and therefore they cost more money. Ocean front properties, as you would...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
I went to this year's Art Splash in Carlsbad today, just one of the many things to do here. - I'm sorry I missed previous years of this terrific outdoor art-focused event for folks of all ages (but I have only been here for a couple of years). This is the 5th year for this event and it just keeps getting better. Carlsbad has a number of festivals and outdoors activities (2 major arts fairs, a business expo, the 10-concert series TGIF Jazz in the Parks in the summer, to name a few), more so than any other town I have lived in, and it is great fun to experience the diversity of activities that are available throughout the year. Unless you buy something they are all FREE and very well attended. We did not make it to the Taste of Carlsbad, which was held in conjunction with Saturday's porti...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
Preparing the Carlsbad or Encinitas home for sale involves not only staging, debulking and depersonalizing, it also involves reaching under sinks and deep into garage shelves to clear the way for new owners. And almost without fail, hazardous waste will materialize. What to do with those old cans of paint, bug sprays, automotive products, cleaning solutions, lawn, garden and pool chemicals, rodent poisons and boxes of mothballs? And what about old electronics, monitors, car batteries, mercury thermostats and thermometers and fluorescent bulbs? Please don’t even think of adding any of these items to your regular trash. This is hazardous waste that requires special handling and disposal. The area wastewater treatment plant is unable to process toxic substances, so never put any hazardous...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
In south east coastal Carlsbad (zip code 92011), Harbor Pointe is generally considered the entry point for detached Carlsbad homes. While only a handful of these homes are under $500K, it is a community near the coast where first time buyers, and those who are downsizing, can find a property within a short distance of the beaches under the median price for Carlsbad homes. Harbor Pointe is a gated community on the hills leading down to the ocean. Rolling hills, tree-lined streets, pleasant 2-story detached homes and a private pool area provide a comfortable residential community near the beautiful coast. A number of the homes have ocean views because of the placement on the hill. One does have to be careful, however, if noise is an issue, as the community is adjacent to the I-5 freeway ...
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By Mike and Dawn Lewis, The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA
(The Lewis Team at Keller Williams)
The old VA loan. It was my very first loan and I thought it was a great loan. No closing costs for me to pay and a good interest rate for the time. Since part way through the recent real estate boom I have not seen a client use a VA loan. It's been over 5 years since I've seen any of my buyers or a buyer buying one of my listings use a VA loan. Why do you suppose this is? Does the loan not go up high enough for a vet or active duty military to buy an expensive San Diego home? Are other loans just that much better? Now that so many of the interest only loans are gone is the VA loan a good choice? Are these loans still popular in other areas of the country? Any lenders that could answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it. Mike Lewis Real Estate Agent for Dawn Sells San Diego If...
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By Mike and Dawn Lewis, The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA
(The Lewis Team at Keller Williams)
I keep hearing that most agents don't like to do open houses. I agree they're not fun but it is part of the job and free marketing in the community where I list homes in. If I list a house and my sign goes up in front of that house the neighbors are now watching how I'm selling that home. Things like is the flyer box full and how hard is that agent working to sell that house are noted by everyone on the street. If the neighbors don't see me crossing the t's and dotting the i's they very well might not call me for an interview when they go to sell. I think this slower market will find some agents back at their old jobs and other agents getting their business. It's time to step it up a notch or two. I still get buyer leads that buy from me when standing open houses. I guess I could just l...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Many Carlsbad home buyers have an interest in a specific area, or even a particular neighborhood. Some of this is driven by reputation or cost, but other times it is more an issue of location (inland, north, near the beaches) or style of home.For many Carlsbad home buyers the neighborhood is one of the most important factors in determining which home to buy.So doing your research and learning as much as you can about different areas, the housing that is available, the market conditions and costs,  the schools, and the amenities is essential.For folks who are relocating this is more of a challenge, and much of your research can be done on-line. The following table is a summary of many of the communities in Carlsbad, with some specific neighborhoods that may be of interest depending on yo...
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By Mike and Dawn Lewis, The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA
(The Lewis Team at Keller Williams)
I started using MYFAX about 2 years ago and it has really saved me lots of money on paper and toner, especially that toner. Yeah I want to do my part on saving the earth but my reasons for using this EFAX or MYFAX are truly selfish. It's fast and convenient. My fax number goes to a giant server somewhere, I think Canada with MYFAX and then it emails me my fax within minutes. No more paper jams out of toner or if you have an inkjet OH MY you're wasting some serious money on that ink. I can be on the road and I can email the offer to my client and then email to the buyer's agent or listing agent. It's out of this world. I know it's not the latest technology out there but highly recommend it. Mike Lewis Real Estate Agent for Dawn Sells San Diego If you're interested in San Diego Home Buyin...
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By Mike and Dawn Lewis, The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA
(The Lewis Team at Keller Williams)
I must confess, I LIKE STARBUCKS. I know many of you just cringed while others said, "Good for you". The consistency in the coffee is what I like about the product. I just order coffee no lattes, espressos, frappaccinos or tazo teas. I'm actually writing this from a Starbucks coffee house in San Diego so I just had to glance up at the menu for the correct spellings. The coffee is always the same, good, hot and tasty. I must say I like the Starbucks product and their coffee house environment and the service is always good. The stores are in the best locations of where I need to be as a real estate agent. If I'm meeting a client somewhere it's usually at a Starbucks. We grab a cup-o-Joe or I like to call it MUD and start looking at homes for sale. Also most Starbucks have plenty of seatin...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Buying a Carlsbad home, or a house elsewhere in North County, means using the standard California Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions (a.k.a. RPA). It's an imposing document, especially for first time buyers. The standard document is 8 pages of single-spaced contract language, so for someone who has not done this before it CAN be intimidating. There are critical decisions that YOU have to make along the way. But here are some hints to get you through the offer process. However, the intent is NOT to review everything, since you need to do some of the Q and A stuff with your trusted Buyer Agent (you DO have one, don't you? Someone to represent YOUR fiduciary interests?). There are some KEY DECISIONS you will need to make (but NOT an exhaustive list), so knowing ab...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
We keep hearing that Carlsbad real estate and homes will sell if they are priced well and are in excellent condition–and that Carlsbad prices are still increasing year-over-year. We also keep hearing that the real estate market is in the tank and that recovery is years away. So what are we to believe? One of the best ways to check market conditions is to calculate the absorption rate, or roughly how many week’s or month’s inventory is on hand. As the following calculations show, Carlsbad has 30.39 weeks worth of single family home inventory, which if current levels of sales continue, will take around seven months to absorb. Attached homes fare somewhat worse. There is a 38.8-week supply of inventory, which equates to an absorption period of just over 9 months if market conditions remain...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
As those of you living in Carlsbad already know, there are a number of newspapers in the area, both major and local. While many people get their news on TV, the radio and perhaps more and more on the Internet, the local newspapers provide an important source of information of current events, town news, classifieds (including real estate) and much more.San Diego Union-Tribune - the major daily and Sunday paper, also on-line at Sign-on San Diego. Both a=re good sources of Carlsbad homes listings and those of other areas.The North County Times -daily paper covering North County San Diego (Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Fallbrook, Escondido and other nearby communities) and Southwest Riverside County. Also available on-line. Good local real estate source with ads for Carlsbad homes and nea...
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