Encinitas (link is to virtual tour with music) has a reputation for a number of things - surfing (Swami's Beach, at the far south end of town bordering Cardiff, is probably the best known surfer's beach on the Southern California Coast - SEE PHOTO BELOW RIGHT) and growing flowers (roses, for example, and especially poinsettias). Encinitas is located about 25 miles north of San Diego along the coast with several miles of terrific beaches.       Like other coastal towns in the San Diego area, the weather is terrific, and residents and vacationers alike can enjoy the beaches and other activities year round. Moonlight Beach is perhaps the most popular all-around beach (surfing, bathing, watching, volleyball, cooking, kite flying, drum circling), at the end of Encinitas Boulevard and border... 06/21/2007

Leucadia, a community in the north end of Encinitas, is a funky, surfer, seaside town in North County San Diego with a laid-back reputation, fabulous beaches, and a diverse collection of housing (single family apartments, condos, vacation rentals, attached homes, mobile home parks).Unlike the swankier part of Encinitas to the south, Leucadia retains much of the feeling of a surfing and beach town it has had for decades, although that is gradually changing to some extent. The community has a large number of nurseries, and Encinitas as a whole has a world-wide reputation as a flower-growing capital. And that, too, is changing, as some of the nurseries have disappeared and new homes have been built.If you are looking for homes for sale in Encinitas you might want to consider Leucadia, if t... 06/21/2007

Encinitas is a North San Diego County coastal town about 25 miles north of San Diego, sandwiched between Carlsbad to the north, Cardiff and then Solana Beach to the south, the ocean (west, of course), and Rancho Santa Fe to the east.   Incorporated in 1986, Encinitas has an international reputation as a flower capital (especially poinsettias), and a cruise around town will show you why this is so.   While many nurseries have disappeared, or are in the process of disappearing in order to make way for housing, you will still find a good number of them scattered about. Rightly so, Encinitas is also the home of the San Diego Botanic Garden, a feast for the eyes if you are a plant lover.   The San Diego Botanic Garden hosts a number of events throughout the year - a chocolate festival, a sp... 05/23/2007

Buyers and Sellers - here is a summary of the MLS statistics for hEncinitas for March and April 2007. The inventory of Encinitas homes for sale is remaining fairly steady, increasing by about 5% from March to April. The rate of sales has increased moderately so that the absorption rate (amount of inventory) is is now less than 6 months for both detached and attached homes. The median price for attached homes has essentially remain flat since the beginning of the year, and price remain lower than they were 1 year ago, which is good news for buyers.In contrast, despite the median price for detached homes remaining less than 1 year ago, prices have been slowly trending up since the beginning of this year. While it is still early in the year, the next few months will give us a much better i... 05/13/2007

 It's not just Encinitas, but Solana Beach and other areas in California blessed with magnificent ocean bluffs. To be able to dangle one's feet over the edge of the earth with nothing but endless ocean beyond is a singular experience. But to lose one's property to crumbling ocean bluffs is not the heartstopping experience we would wish on anyone.Yet bluff collapse has been a reality for an unfortunate few during the history of North San Diego County's ocean bluff living. And it has been a painful and controversial history, especially in more recent years.In short digest format, the problem might be viewed from two perspectives:Environmentalists and the Surfrider Foundation believe that Mother Nature should have her way. After all, sand for the local beaches is provided by erosion from t... 05/04/2007

I love desserts, at least most of them. Especially chocolate. I don't have much self-discipline in that arena, and now, combined with a fondness for gardening, it will be even harder to steer away from chocolate, and other desserts.Residents of Encinitas and surrounding communities like Carlsbad and Cardiff-be-the-Sea now have a place they can indulge in their passion for gardening AND desserts. A unique combo, but it works...and very well.Sunshine Gardens, on the edge of Encinitas Ranch, is well known throughout the area for a great selection of flowers and plants, and good pricing. [by the way the photo is NOT of Sunshine Gardens but of the Flower Fields in Carlsbad - I did not have a photo of the nursery to add but thought folks would enjoy this view as well ]. If you are a passionat... 04/23/2007

Anyone who knows me well knows that I had a fondness for the beach. I'm OK not living right next to it (been there, done that) but I need to be within a relatively short distance. And of course the prices of waterfront living here in Southern California are pretty astronomical, so for now that precludes my living oceanfront...and perhaps forever!One of the great things about the Carlsbad area where I live is the close proximity to miles of beaches. And with the weather here you can pretty much enjoy the beaches all year long. Soth carlsbad state Beach is very popular and a great place for dinner on the beach to watch the sun set.  The beaches in Leucadia, just south of Carlsbad, are some of my favorites, however. Leucadia is a very cool, funky, community that is officially part of Encin... 04/19/2007

I admit it - I love avocados. I enjoyed them while living back East, with an occasional foray to a great Mexican place in Cambridge that made the best guacamole (other than mine, of course). Now that I am here in California, my passion for avocados has increased, in part because they are so plentiful and cheap. I particularly like them grilled. And, since living here in the last 2 years I have also had:Avodaco ice cream (yep, I did...it was quite good)Avocado soup (both chilled and hot)Avocado mousseAnother favorite, however (in keeping with the original purpose of this blog) is a small street in Leucadia (the quaint, funky part of Encinitas with a real surfing feel to it) called, what else, Avocado Street.Avocado Streetis only 2 blocks long, leading from the coastal highway (Route 101)... 04/19/2007

Here are the summary market data for Encinitasfrom the MLS for March 2007. [photo is the entrance to the stairs leading to Swami's Beachin south Encinitas, perhaps the most well known surfing beach in the area - see link BELOW for a review of Encinitas Ranch, a master planned community in Encinitas]A few interesting things to point out. First, the inventory, while up slightly from last month (about 2%), is still substantially lower than it was at the end of November. Second, the rate of sales has gone up a little, and there is now less than a 6-month supply of detached homes for sale in Encinitas, a drop over the last several months. Buyer activity has picked up now that spring is here, and while the average marketing time is less than last month for attached homes (about the same for d... 04/10/2007

Moonlight Beach, located at the end of Encinitas Boulevard and just west of the Coast Highway/Route 101 in Encinitas (link is to a visual tour with music) is a terrific beach that appeals to a broad spectrum of folks, from residents to vacationers of all ages. In the heart of a residential area, but just a short walk to all the shopping and restaurants of Encinitas itself along the coastal highway, this popular beach offers something for everyone, no matter what your favorite activity. The beach is so named due the its popularity as a"moonlight" picnic spot in the early 1900s. Are you into having picnic or dinners at the beach, and doing your own grilling? Moonlight Beach offers barbecue pits where you can have fires for hot meals, or just bring your picnic basket and settle on the beac... 03/27/2007

As mentioned in an earlier blog, I attend yoga sessions each morning in the Chopra Center at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA.I just received an announcement email from Chropra's group announcing the opening of Chopra Living. Though not mentioned in the website, I have heard much discussion about this luxury home in San Diego' County's rural Olivenhain (which is actually eastern Encinitas), CA. There is much excitement about this latest Chopra residential facility, which has enormous promise as a center for healing and recovery.More information can be found at Chopra's new site. Web: http://www.SanDiegoPreviews.comOther blog: http://www.LuxuryHomeDigest.com  03/23/2007

Here are the summary MLS statistics for real estate in Encinitas for February 2007.Since these data are based only on 2 months of information on homes for sale in Encinitas, one must be careful to not draw any firm conclusions about any particular trends. The next few months will provide more data, which should give us a better idea of where the trend is headed in the Encinitas housing market.There are some trends that are worth mentioning, however. The inventory of homes for sale in Encinitas has essentially remained the same, with about the same number of new homes as last month. We have less than a 6 month inventory of detached homes for sale, which is less than it was in November 2006 (the peak inventory of homes for sale in Encinitas occurred in June 2006, 407 total). Median prices... 03/09/2007

 Encinitas RanchAn Upscale Encinitas California Neighborhood  Encinitas Ranch is a planned community in the town of Encinitas about 25 miles north of San Diego along the coast, and just south of Carlsbad.  Encinitas Ranch is a fairly new community in an area known as Ecke Ranch (part of the Ranch, a well-known and large poinsettia nursery, the world's largest poinsettia producer), located between the 5 (to the west) and El Camino Real (on the east), La Costa Avenue 1 mile away to the north, and Encinitas Boulevard about ½ mile to the south. Part of the strong appeal of Encinitas Ranch is a large amount of open use space, hiking trails, and attractive views of the area and the ocean, from its hilltop location, as well as proximity to a wide range of services, dining, and shopping. Encini... 02/12/2007

Here are the summary statistics from teh MLS for Encinitas for January 2007.As you review these, please keep in mind that the data are based on only 1 month of information, and a limited number of sales. Thus it is to be expected that the median price, for example, may have shifted a bit, since December data are based on a full year of sales (most of the homes sold were under $1 million; and as you probably know 50% were below $780K which is the median point). The more important thing to keep in mind are the trends as you look at the statistics from month to month.  This is also true for things such as days on market, as well as when comparing THIS January to last January when, again, the data sample was small.The inventory has only increased by about 5% (I would expect we will see more... 02/12/2007

Sales people talk. Consultants listen. Sales people are looking for what they can get. Consultants set out to determine what they can give. Sales people play king of the hill and constantly monitor the sales board. Consultants play rising tides and strive to create a work place environment where everyone is learning, growing, assisting and winning together. Life is short. The lessons we don't learn in this present experience will be forced upon us in the next - again and again until we "get it". Making money is great but changing lives is better. Exchanging our real estate knowledge for money is healthy; Closing people is not. Setting out to see how many "deals we can do in a year" is not the same as setting out to "see how many people we can help" and is, I believe, totally unconscious... 01/10/2007

Here are the summary statistics from the MLS for the month of December 2006 for Encinitas.The data show a 25% drop in inventory from the end of November. While the median price for both detached and attached homes dropped as compared to 1 year ago, the median rose from the previous month for detached homes (but showed a drop for attached homes). The holiday season likely played a role in the change in inventory, and the next few months should provide some insight as to the direction of the market in Encinitas.AS OF DEC. 31, 2006ATTACHED HOMESDETACHED HOMESActive68169Sold in Last 6 Months62199Sold/Pending In Last 6 months77242Absorption Rate (Solds)197 days153 daysAbsorption Rate (Solds Plus Pendings)159 days126 daysAverage Days on Market7567Median Price Change From 1 Year Ago-7%-4%Media... 01/05/2007

It seems like some buyers these days consider the value of a buyer broker based on how much of his or her commission he or she is or isn't, willing to "share". I believe that this has occured because weaker agents who lack a referral base, solid systems for generating new leads and the consulting skills neccesary to provide 3% of the purchase price in value end up resorting to the "I'll pay you to work with me!" strategy, which is no strategy at all. Unfortunately, buyers may see these ad's and think, "Cool! I'll take it" and in so doing, do a disservice to themselves.I believe that a good buyers broker is worth his or her weight in gold. If an agent is getting a steady stream of referrals from past clients and members of his or her network, it's usually because they have demonstrated a... 12/21/2006

Though contrary to the majority of recent press referencing a slowing local and national real estate market, these last few months of 2006 have proven to be quite a surprise. My team at the Cole Group and I have been so busy selling houses that we have been laughing to each other...what slowdown?. With all that the life throws at you, it is easy to take for granted, this beautiful north San Diego County or the people we enjoy it with. The busyness from work compounded by the busyness that comes with raising a family and or other commitments can rob you of precious time to go on those special and oh so important dates that if neglected can have some pretty frustating consequences. Making time for each other like we did when Tara and I were first  dating has become the focus and challenge... 12/19/2006

It's true that what you think about you bring about, so be careful. If you're always thinking, "I need more business" or "I need this listing to sell", it's very likely that you'll just continue to feed that need. The idea of "needing" means that you don't have something. Not having that "something" will only increase if you keep putting thought and energy into "not having it and needing it". Does that make sense?I always pay attention to my "self-talk" - and believe me, it's interesting! By paying attention to the voices in my head I am able to correct them when they start to go needy on me. I say things not only to myself, but out loud to my clients all the time that sound like this, "The perfect house for you is right around the corner! If it's not on the market yet, it's coming soon... 12/13/2006

Here are the last two months of summary statistics from the MLS for Encinitas, CA. The biggest change is the drop off in inventory from October to November, which is not unusual as we enter the holiday season. Prices have dropped a little but only 1% when comparing November to October. If I can provide more information or there are any questions, please let me know. As always, one should not draw any firm conclusions from monthly data as things change from month to month, but the trends are helpful to watch.AS OF OCT. 31, 2006ATTACHED HOMESDETACHED HOMESActive115243Sold in Last 6 Months86210Sold/PendingIn Last 6 months96261Absorption Rate (Solds)241 days208 daysAbsorption Rate (SoldsPlus Pendings)216 days168 daysAverage Days on Market7464Median Price ChangeFrom 1 Year Ago-6%-6%Median Pr... 12/06/2006