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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.)
Here are the summary market data for Carlsbad from the MLS for March 2007. [photo is of new homes in the La Costa Greens Master Planned Community - see link BELOW for a review of this community]. (links to previous Carlsbad market reports: January 2007, February 2007, December 2006, November 2006, October 2006, September 2006)A few interesting things to point out. First, the inventory, while up slightly from last month (about 3%), is still substantially lower than it was at the end of November. Second, the rate of sales seems to have gone up a little, and there is now only a 6-month supply of detached homes for sale in Carlsbad. Buyer activity has picked up, and while the average marketing time is just a little less than last month, there are homes that are selling in 1 week and less in...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
Sitting just off La Costa Resort and Spa's famous golf course, this 3972 square-foot home offers private serenity and an incomparable San Diego coastal location. Visitors to this custom La Costa golf home will marvel at the vaulted ceilings, enormous living areas--and the gracious pool and lawn beyond. Potential buyers will appreciate the dual master suites. The one downstairs has its own slider door leading to the pool and spa. The luxurious upstairs master bedroom suite is ultra-spacious and offers a built in library separated by a dual-sided fireplace. There is an exit door up here as well that leads to a viewing deck with stairs down to the pool. This master library suite has almost 1200 square feet and offers a wide array of usage possibilities.The other two downstairs bedrooms are...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
 Some addresses are more defined by their street, than by a neighborhood.     Think:Rodeo DriveFifth AvenueWorth AvenuePacific Coast Highway (PCH)Lake Shore DriveLa Costa Avenue, in Carlsbad, CA might be similarly defined:La Costa Avenue starts across the street from the Pacific Ocean and heads east, where it passes the beautiful and protected Batiquitos Lagoon. About two miles east of the ocean, it intersects El Camino Real. a long thoroughfare that offers miles of shopping, dining, theaters, medical care and a large selection of services. Heading east, one is immediately struck with breathtaking views of La Costa Resort and its famed golf course. La Costa Avenue then turns very residential, with a mix of golf condos and custom homes--and ultimately ends as an entry into La Costa Oaks,...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
So, you have decided to become an "unrepresented seller" and broker your own Carlsbad home (or as more commonly called, be a FSBO), or wherever you are. My guess is that you have a number of reasons for choosing to do this on your own, rather than enlisting the services of a licensed real estate professional. My question to you is...what are you afraid of?Let's talk about this from two perspectives: first, your possible reasons for making this decision, and second, concerns you may as an unrepresented seller.YOUR DECISION:Fear of Paying a Commission - well, perhaps fear is the wrong word, but you don't want to pay it and think you can save money by going it alone. Well, the statistics don't back this up (see below)Fear of Not Making Enough Money - if you don't pay a listing commission, ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Impossible to Forget is a haunting, sobering, powerful, and stunning black and white photography show that just opened in Carlsbad at the well-known Cannon Art Gallery, adjacent to the public library. [the photograph here is taken from the artist's personal website and appears in the show]I have been very impressed with the art offerings that this thriving town of 95,000 offers here in Southern California, which I call home, and it is one of the many things that attracts people to buy a home in Carlsbad. In addition to the gallery (which offers multiple programs a year including family craft days [free] to accompany each show), the Friends of the Arts raises money to fund the 9 TGIF Jazz in the Park Seriesduring the summer. These events are free to the public and usually attract 3-4,000...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
LA COSTA RIDGE in La Costa, Carlsbad CA   Gated Planned Community Offering Wonderful Views     The Carlsbad real estate market offers several options to new home buyers.   La Costa Ridge is the newest of the La Costa Villages, 4 master planned communities in the South Carlsbad area known as La Costa (anchored by the internationally-known Omni La Costa Spa and Resort).   This master planned community begand construction around 2007, and as of 2014 is now complete. . La Costa Ridge is built on the highest hill in La Costa, so many homes have dramatic vistas - the ocean, the Batiquitos Lagoon, south to La Jolla, north beyond Camp Pendleton, or of the back county hills. The La Costa Preserve provides about 1000 acres of open space, and there is a system of biking paths and hiking trails tha...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
Six mornings a week, I arise in the quiet, cold hours before dawn, shower and head over to La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA. Behind the gates and tall palms, and off the main plaza, is a serene place that has become dear to my heart: The Chopra Center.Seven days a week, they hold Yoga and meditation classes that generally start at 7 a.m. I have become a regular at the Chora Center and look forward to starting each day with serenity, exercise, intersting teas,incense and a parade of new acquaintances.Most of these acquaintances are staying at La Costa Resort and Spa and are anxious to experience what the Chopra Center has to offer. Some come back to attend one of Chopra's week long health programs--and some simply fall in love with Carlsbad with its sandy beaches, abundant year ro...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
La Costa Greens, located in the area of South Carlsbad known as La Costa (home of the world famous La Costa Spa and Resort), is one of the three communities in the La Costa Villages - La Costa Oaks and La Costa Ridge (the newest) being the other two. Located on the hills of La Costa, with views of the ocean, golf course (the North Course at La Costa) and surrounding hillsides, La Costa Greens is still under construction, although the majority of the homes are built and many are now occupied.    As a Master planned Community, La Costa Greens offers a number of amenities that residents attracted to these types of neighborhoods have come to expect.  There is a tennis center, tot lots, and a wonderful private residents' facility, The Presidio (photo on right), which offers swimming, an expa...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
What if there were a wood treatment that not only disgusted termites, but repelled mold and fungus as well? This dream is now a reality-at least for those fortunate custom home builders and remodelers who are able to demand their choice in wood. Though it makes for colorful  framing, Bluwood has captured the interest of homeowners who wish to avoid the hazards of mold and the hassles of termites.  Manufactured by WoodSmart Solutions, the BluWood product is the result of natural wood being treated with a proprietary blue chemical solution that offers a lifetime limited and transferable warranty against "contaminated or structural damage caused by mold fungus growth on the cured surface of the film, rot fungi or wood ingesting insects (including subterranean or Famosan termites) or carpen...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
This article is primarily oriented toward first time buyers. However, for those of you who are experienced, I suspect some or all of these concerns have crossed your mind at one point or another as you go about your business of finding a new home in Carlsbad or anywhere else, for that matter.So, what ARE you afraid of? What are the concerns that you have? Are these realistic or not? And how can you address them?Fear of buying in the first place - if this is your first home you may be scared of making that big decision, and take on a huge mortgage for the next 30 years. Let's face it, that can be a scary proposition - spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more. But consider the value of owning your own place - adding to your wealth, creating equity, building your credit, having s...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Here are the summary MLS statistics for February 2007 for Carlsbad(all 4 zip codes).An important caveat - these data are based on only 2 months of information (YTD), so with a limited sample the statistics (e.g., median, average time on market, etc.) can shift. It is best to watch the market over longer periods of time to gain a good idea of what is happening.There are some trends that are worth noting here, and the next few months will likely reveal the direction that the market is taking.First, the inventory in Carlsbad has dropped a little from the previous month (and has shown a decline since November 2007), about 4%, and fewer homes came on teh market in February than in January. The median price of homes has remained stable for detached homes since last month, and rose moderately ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Are you relocating here to Carlsbad, or elsewhere, and need to find a great agent to help you? It is well worth the effort to spend time finding someone to help you find a new home in an area you do not know. I have some thoughts on how to find that person AND what to look for, based on some significant personal moving experience, and having helped a few folks relocate around the country. Let's talk about how to find the right REALTOR®.HOW TO FIND AN AGENT1. I think it makes sense to use an agent who is a REALTOR® (a real estate professional who is a member in good standing of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and adheres to a specific Code of Ethics). Not ALL agents are REALTORS®. NAR maintains a database of agents. We're not here to debate whether being a REALTOR® makes a di...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Rancho Carrillo - Master Planned Community in Carlsbad, CA  Rancho Carrillo is a master planned community located in Carlsbad, CA, about 30 miles north of San Diego and about 4 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. Bordered on the south by Alga Road, and on the north by Palomar Airport Road, the Rancho Carrillo master planned community straddles the hills along both sides of Melrose and consists of 18 villages (about 1550 detached homes and town homes, as well as some apartments) with a variety of housing styles, prices, and amenities typical of master planned neighborhoods. Rancho Carrillo is a residential community that includes a swim center, a Kindercare (childcare) Center, the Carrillo Elementary School, lots of open space with a nature preserve, and walking trails, and which surrou...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Here are the summary statistics for January 2007 from the MLS.There are some important things to consider here. First, keep in mind that with this being the first month of the year, the data are based on only 1 month of information - a limited number of sales (31 for attached homes and 43 for detached homes) as compared to December, which is a summary of the data year-to-date. Such a small sample is dramatically affected by the prices of the homes that have sold, both at the high end and the low end. The absorption rate is about the same as in December...about 6 months of inventory based on the current rate of sales.The inventory is essentially the same as December, rising only 1 % overall.The median home prices for detached homes is the same as compared to 1 year ago; for attached home...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
CARLSBAD - VILLAGE BY THE SEA~ Southern California ~ What an apt name for this charming seaside town located about 35 miles north of San Diego in Southern California. But a sleepy coastal village Carlsbad is not - there is lots going on in this growing community of 105,000.                                                                                                                                               HOUSING MARKET The housing market in Carlsbad is pretty robust, although like elsewhere in San Diego's North County, the community has experienced a slowing of appreciation, an increase in inventory from a year ago, and an overall shift from fast-moving seller's market to a more buyer-friendly one at different times as the economy shift. Despite these changes,  Carlsbad home pr...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
                                             Though I live in palmy, balmy coastal San Diego County, my south-facing office windows at the Carlsbad Forum occasionally melt candles and ignite otherwise cool tempers. These floor-to-ceiling shaded and plant-screened windows were just tinted—in a last-ditch effort to avoid black-out draperies and one very grumpy Realtor and writer.That may explain an unusual and abiding interest in window technology. And there must be a Murphy’s Law somewhere about the best solution to a problem arriving two days after implementation of an inferior one.In this case, I just discovered “switchable” mirror windows that make regular-looking windows disappear by turning into mirrors. It appeared to be a dream-come-true for energy conservation, privacy and those ...
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By Roberta Murphy, Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
(San Diego Previews Real Estate)
       Gossip: It is a loaded word that alternately intrigues and informs, delights and dismays. Last week’s blog on real estate gossip, for example, raised the hackles of a few agents—and the interest (and some concurrence) of others. As for me, I’ve enjoyed the diversion and have paid much closer attention to the frequency with which it occurs in my own professional life as a San Diego real estate broker.The results are interesting. In the last few days, I have heard whispers of:1) A pocket listing for a prime rental. It won’t hit the San Diego MLS for several months.2) Several murmers about what sellers of certain properties will really accept (but won’t allow in the MLS).3) What a particular lender will likely accept on a particular prime short sale in Carlsbad, Ca (yikes!).4) Who r...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Aviara - A Resort Residential Communityin Carlsbad CA  Aviara is perhaps the most upscale area of Carlsbad (link is to a short virtual tour of Carlsbad, with music, so turn up the sound), anchored by the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort (formerly the Four Seasons Aviara Resort). Don't miss the AVIARA slideshow at bottom of page. SEARCH FOR HOMES FOR SALE IN THE AVIARA AREA With many beautiful views of the ocean, the Batiquitos Lagoon and the inland hills and panorama, this community attracts many first-home and second-home buyers to the rolling hills dotted with gated condo and detached home subdivisions, many of which rim the Aviara golf course or overlook the hills to the ocean.  Aviara is an affluent and resort-like residential community (in other areas of the country it would likely be desc...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The La Costa area of Carlsbad (see lifestyle tour of La Costa BELOW), in zip code 92009, is one of the better known residential areas along the North San Diego County coast, and a popular Carlsbad neighborhood. La Costa began growing in 1965 when several thousand acres of land were purchased and turned into a golf course (now part of the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa), homes were constructed, and the Rancho La Costa Inn was  built for visitors.  The original resort has had several owners and was later renamed La Costa, thus giving the surrounding residential area its name. Formerly a separate "town" La Costa was later annexed and became part of Carlsbad, but most people refer to it by its original name. Check out the La Costa lifestyle in this slideshow:  In the early days La Costa and t...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
As a Carlsbad home buyer, getting from "home search" to the closing table means you have a number of hoops to jump through. And, as a result, there is always the possibility of a glitch somewhere along the way. Ask any agent, or any buyer or seller - no matter how smoothly a transaction may be going, before you know it something pops up to burst the bubble. Be prepared for this. While it might not happen, chances are it will, so being prepared mentally will help keep you sane when things don't go as planned. Here are some hoops and some things to watch out for: PRE-APPROVAL - get this done right away so you can be in control. Knowledge is power. Don't let anyone tell you not to worry. Bad credit? Not enough income? This can limit you. You might not be able to change your income or your ...
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