If anyone thinks I'm being slothful since I seem to have slowed WAY down on blogging the past couple of months, think again. During the past couple of years, I have concentrated on setting up the framework for my brokerage both in California and Hawaii. THIS WAS A LONG TERM VIEW OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO 1. I officially moved my California brokerage office to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Since this is a relative "tight" community where referrals are a big part of my business, I spent the last few months on one-on-one networking. This fall, I plan on a marketing campaign that reaches out to a wider audience. Can't wait. 2. I got my broker's license in Hawaii and set up a marketing structure there that I can handle while I am in California. At some point soon, I will be hiring a broker in charge, but ... 07/09/2014

Yesterday, I had a call from a columnist of the Pine Cone , a very popular FREE weekly newspaper read by absolutely everyone here on the Monterey Peninsula. It includes all the scuttlebutt of mostly Carmel-by-the-Sea happenings. It is advertising driven with glitzy ads from high end boutiques to multi-million dollar real estate.  As an organizer and board member of the Carmel Art Festival, an annual juried plein air event held May 15-18, in the commercial district of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I have been handling the public relations to promote the event. Because the Pine Cone comes out each Friday, we have an article in this Friday's paper, May 9 to cover the start of the festival to explain why artists are painting all over the Monterey Peninsula, plus an article in the May 16 issue to cover... 05/08/2014

Every day I walk out my office here in Carmel-by-the-Sea for a stroll around town. Why? Because I love it here, it is a most beautiful little city in the forest. I also do it for the exercise because the city is on a sloping hill all the way from the Pacific Ocean and up into town, where it levels out some.  BUT MOSTLY I WALK AROUND TO CONNECT WITH THE MERCHANTS Monday through Friday, it is great to network with the owners of galleries, restaurants, boutiques and other businesses. These are the days they are least busy and like to stop and chat. AND THAT'S WHEN I SUBTLY REMIND THEM I AM A REAL ESTATE BROKER Yes, they "know" but do they keep it in front of their consciousness when a customer comes in and they start chatting, and the customer tells them they are in the area looking to buy... 04/24/2014

In Carmel-by-the-Sea here on the Monterey Peninsula, rents for a single family home are very high. For a house that is not in very good condition or location but still in or within walking distance of the city, rents for long term leases start at $2,500/month to about $3,500. One in a good location, well, that costs more, much more. Many of our homes are second homes and only available as vacation rentals.  SO YOU CAN CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY TO FIND A 'REASONABLE' RENTAL. Competition for these long term rentals is fierce. The moment one hits Craigslist, the agents get a dozen or more inquiries immediately. And if you try to get it, you better be ready with excellent credit scores.  FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY & CREDIT SCORES, WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO LOOK AT PURCHASING? There are so many differe... 04/23/2014

The 21st Annual Carmel Art Festival is happy to announce the 60 plein air artists juried into the show on May 15 to 18, 2014. Abrahim Amin Rolando Barrero Stacy Barter Brian Blood Carl Bretzke Pati Bruce Larry Cannon Hiu Lai Chong Pan Yen Chou Robin Rogers Cloud Katie Cundiff Aimee Erickson Mark Farina Terri Ford Stuart Fullerton Philippe Gandiol Thaleia Georgiades John Guernsey Coraly Hanson Laurie Hendricks Steve Hill Sally Jordan Steve Kell Laurie Kersey Sheryl Knight Chuck Kovacic Rui Liang Po Pin Lin Gretha Lindwood Sergio Lopez Bushi Luo Rolf Lygren Joe Mancuso Anette McGowan James McGrew Wayne McKenzie Kevin Milligan Donald Neff Michael Obermeyer Lana Rak William Rogers Jason Sacran Robert Sandidge David Savellano Julia Seelos Silvio silvestri Michael Situ Timon Sloane Linda Sut... 03/03/2014

  Whenever I go somewhere and tell people I have just opened up a brokerage here in Carmel-by-the-Sea, they always say something like, "there is a lot of competition there." YES, THERE ARE A LOT OF AGENTS COMPETING FOR THE BUSINESS. But as you know, they all work under BROKERS! And there are only a handful of THEM with agents. I AM AN INDEPENDENT BROKER LOOKING FOR AGENTS TO WORK UNDER MY NON-NATIONAL BRAND. Because I don't have a huge overhead (major office expenses seem to be the norm here) and don't have to pay franchise fees, I can operate much more cost effectively and save my agents money. YES, THERE IS A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR THE BUSINESS OUT THERE. But those who want to be in real estate, have their own circle or "sphere" in which they can do their business. It has nothing to d... 02/03/2014

Since the beginning of the year, I have made an effort to go out into Carmel-by-the-Sea to talk to owners of retail shops here in town. Many are my friends, others I want to get to know.  Think about it, these merchants come into contact with local residents and visitors each and every day, and it is their business to connect with them, just like I am doing. In the process, they will usually ask "are you from here" or "where are you visiting from". Right there, they get a whole lot of information that might, ultimately, be of interest to ME.   Often, especially for art gallery owners in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the answer is "I am moving here" or "I plan to move here" or "I have just bought a home here". Two out of the three answers would be of interest to me because they might be in the mark... 01/16/2014

This week is an unusually warm time here in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's already in the mid-70s and people are walking around in shorts and other summer clothes. It will be a great day to sit or have lunch outside in the beautiful courtyards we are known for. Not forgotten are the dogs in this pet friendly little town at beautiful Carmel Beach. Merchants at any time of the year put out dog dishes and offer treats to visiting canines. Some retail stores go all out to make these containers special. This morning on my way to the post office, I found this special one right next to an inviting bench. The most famous one is the "Fountain of Woof" at the Carmel Shopping Plaza across from Devendorf Park. Although early, the first patrons were already sitting outside the coffee shop on the lower leve... 01/15/2014

Starting a new business in Carmel-by-the-Sea? Signage becomes an issue because it needs to be approved by City Hall.  Even those who have been in business for many years, find ways around the stringent rules and regulations. Some put signage away from the windows and doors, further into their space, but the powers that be are wise to that. You will probably get a notice of non-compliance. (Too many signs, too big, wrong lighting, etc.) All signs affixed to the building, door & window and entrance to courtyard or on the street are regulated. One way to advertise your business which can't be regulated by the City Fathers (and mothers) is what you put on your car. Not only do the cars below show the name of the business, but they are so cute, people will have their photo taken with them. T... 01/14/2014

Quite a few commercial properties have changed hands recently here in Carmel-by-the-Sea including the Eastwood Building and the Hog's Breath restaurant, formerly owned by Clint Eastwood. Located on San Carlos Street between 5th & 6th Avenues, both are going through renovations right now.   Eastwood, a former mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (1986-88), still owns the building immediately to the south which houses my friend Mary Titus' art gallery.  Usually these buildings are sold without much fanfare, but sometimes the new owners want to renovate which is a problem for current tenants who might only have a month-to-month lease. After renovations, leases usually go up in price. Although there are still empty retail spaces in town, these are being snapped up by vineyards who are opening up tast... 01/13/2014

Most cities roll up their sidewalks and go home for the weekend. Not so in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Here store owners take time off in the middle of the week but are open on Sundays. Especially on beautiful days like today, people will flock in from all over to amble down Ocean Avenue (which continues west to the Pacific Ocean), to see and be seen, many of them with their pooches. There are several little cafes along the avenue which do brisk business.  Many visitors come to Carmel to visit art galleries of which there are probably around 50 right now, half of those along Dolores Street between 5th and 7th Avenues (Dolores runs north to south bisecting Ocean Avenue). Check out the galleries on my website www.carmelartgalleries.com  My new brokerage office is in the northern third section of D... 01/12/2014

21st Annual Carmel Art Festival in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California May 15 to 18, 2014 in Devendorf Park and on Mission Street A Plain Air event FREE to the public, held every year the weekend after Mother's Day. The event features 60 artists who have been juried into the event. They will each paint all around the Monterey County area for two days, Thursday and Friday, and submit 2 paintings each into the competition. Area residents and visitors love to come upon an artist at historic places such as the Mission, or beautiful vistas afforded from Pt. Lobos and watch artists recreate the scenes onto their canvases. Saturday and Sunday are the days most festival attendees will be in and around Carmel-by-the-Sea. This is when all 120 paintings are presented in a tented area down Mission Street... 01/11/2014

As was announced before, I have just opened my independent real estate brokerage here in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, in a cute little courtyard called Su Vecino on Dolores between 5th & 6th Avenue. Everyone in town pretty much knows me, but they were unaware that I have a broker's license and that I intend to hire some agents under my license. And what interesting reactions I've been getting. It seems that many of the seasoned business people in town have held or are still holding an inactive real estate license. Others have always wanted to get into real estate, have or are still running their own business, and generally think they would like to get into the real estate business. For those who are serious, I am helping them to sign up for the courses necessary to take the State tes... 01/10/2014

This was a comment by a buyer who has not seen Carmel-by-the-Sea, in fact, someone who has not seen much of California. California is about a 1,000 miles of coastline from north to south, and communities vary considerably from, let's say Del Norte County at the Oregon border where you can buy a beautiful oceanfront home from $799,000. Here in Carmel-by-the-Sea, homes start at right around $750,000, but most are over the $1 million price range. Any with a good ocean view or oceanfront is quite a bit higher.  Yes, you can purchase that house up north, but only if you are attracted to the relative isolation and ruggedness of the north coast. If you are used to stepping out in the evening, go to a certain style of restaurant or bar, want to be near cultural attractions that offer regular mu... 01/09/2014

It used to be that come sunset, there was nothing much to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Yes, there were and still are some charming little restaurants, some with outdoor fireplaces in their courtyards. It was always very subdued, quiet even. The younger crowd tended to go into Monterey to find some nightlife.  Not so these days. Besides the approval by the City of live entertainment in certain venues usually on weekends, more and more daytime wine tasting rooms, wine vendors, and restaurants with extensive wine bars have opened in Carmel-by-the-Sea. In the evenings, especially, this is very apparent on Dolores Street, south of Ocean Avenue.  In fact, this section of Carmel-by-the-Sea's one-square-mile has become THE place to wine and dine. Even today, a Tuesday, it was packed in that part of... 01/07/2014

Del Monte Pumpkin Patch in Carmel, CA 93923 When: October 1-31, 2013Where: SE Corner RIO Road and HWY 1, Carmel, CA 93923Who:  Those wanting a great pumpkin to carve and fun for the kidsWho to contact: James Stracuzzi, (831) 626-1718 Affordable Pumpkins and Fun for the Kids The days are getting shorter and the weather is starting to cool down and that can only mean one thing!  It is time to get your pumpkins for Halloween.  Del Monte Pumpkin Patch in Carmel, CA not only has the normal selection of pumpkins you would expect but they also have gods, dried out corn stalks and hay bales.  They even have Radio Flyer type all terrain kids wagons to haul out your score of pumpkins. More than Just Pumpkins In addition to the plump pumpkins and other Halloween goodies, the Del Monte Pumpkin Patc... 10/30/2013

oops, I mean , this FHA 203k renovated home gets stairs this home was such fun to see get completed.  My 8-year old grandson came into my office when I was working on the blueprints and asked me what the round or curved pieces on the Plans represented. I told him and off he ran into the other room. He came back about a half hour later and had reproduced the first floor plans with his paper and crayons.  I asked him what the curved lines were on his drawing and of course he said it was a "curved staircase". I don't think it really meant anything to him till he saw this photo. Then it all came together for him. He just may become an architect. Who knows? We have recently took over for another consutant in Monterey County and are happy to serve this comunity with our FHA 203k and HomeStyle... 08/31/2013

Old Profile Contents About me: Mike was an FHA Real estate appraiser from 1992-2004 retired, author, home inspector for over 25 years, Mike Young Seminars instructing for CE credits for appraisers and home inspectors since 1992, 203k consultant trainer since 1995, software provider to 203k consultants since 1995 with our latest release coming very shortly. Most popular 203k Training and Software since 1995 for consultants nationally.  Certifications: Real estate professionals learn how to limit your liability on most every sale you make by having your client make those reprairs before they have a chance to sue. The loan closes as fast as any FHA loan then the work begins... you are out of it with your commission upon close. Lenders learn how to speed up the process and get those 203k cl... 08/22/2013

Carmel Real Estate Welcome to our Carmel Real Estate page that is devoted to all kinds of real estate in Carmel, CA including homes, condos and properties for sale in Carmel and Carmel by the Sea, CA.  We have taken the time to break down Carmel homes for sale into various relevant real estate searches based on how many of our clients have searched for homes in the past.  We have various Carmel and Carmel by the Sea neighborhood and home style links on this page to help you quickly find homes that you might be interested in such as Carmel Cottages for sale or homes for sale in the Golden Rectangle among others.  To set up your own Carmel real estate search based on price, use the advanced search page of our website, www.SearchMontereyPeninsulaHomes.com.   Carmel Luxury Real Estate Carme... 07/02/2013

Carmel Ocean View Real Estate Ocean view real estate in Carmel is possible in just about every Carmel neighborhood based on the topology of steep hills sloping away from Carmel Bay and the Pacific Ocean.  It is normal for many homes that are on the market to have anywhere from a great front line ocean view of Point Lobos and Carmel Bay to small ocean view peeks of the Pacific.  Obviously the quality of the ocean view along with the type of Carmel home and the condition it is in can all have a great effect on the price of real estate here.  If you want a piece of Carmel real estate with a great ocean view, be prepared to open your check book wide because it will not come cheap!  Carmel homes with great ocean views will start around $1,000,000 and can go up to $20,000,000! Carmel-by-the-S... 06/27/2013