There is much to know, and much to love, about the homes in Oceanside.  Below are a couple of resources that we hope you’ll use to begin exploring Oceanside, and perhaps finding the right home for you.  You don’t have to be a surfer to experience the beauty of Oceanside, its people and community.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Oceanside Area Information

Go ahead and explore some, just some, of the cool spots and activities that are available in and around Oceanside.  Just click on the links below to get a feel for why our way of life might send you looking at homes in Oceanside soon.

Neighborhoods in Oceanside, CA

Homes in Oceanside for Sale

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 500+. See more city of Oceanside real estate.
(all data current as of 2/22/2012)

1. $749,000 : 600 NORTH THE STRAND 40, Oceanside
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,086 sq ft

   Year built: 1988

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 1
2. $440,000 : 240 S Ditmar St, Oceanside
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,300 sq ft

   Lot size: 4,700 sq ft

   Year built: 1931

   Days on market: 1
3. $260,000 : 1710 Avenida Vista Labera, Oceanside
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,432 sq ft

   Year built: 1988

   Days on market: 1
4. $349,900 : 158 Ely St, Oceanside
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,682 sq ft

   Year built: 1988

   Days on market: 1
5. $175,000 : 310 Isthmus Wy 20, Oceanside
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 944 sq ft

   Year built: 1995

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 1

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Is your home sending the correct messaage?

If not, it may be time to consider hiring a gardener or getting help from family and friends to make some needed changes as soon as possible. The right gardener can transform the most jungle-like backyard into a beautifully manicured area of peace and tranquility, in as little as a day! With all the other tasks associated with selling your home, landscaping is a great project to outsource.

Before hiring a gardener or landscape architect, ask friends or neighbors for referrals. Once you have a few recommendations, ask questions and raise any concerns you may have with the gardeners/landscapers you decide to interview. Some key points to discuss are how often you would like service and what you need included at each visit. Services range from simple mowing to complete care, with reseeding, watering and fertilizing options. Don’t be afraid to ask your new gardener for help with ideas and improvements that could increase your property value and alert your gardener as to the property status, since there may be times when extra special service is needed (such as before an open house). You might even request that any extra cut blooms be left for you to use inside your home.

Keep in mind that a specialty garden is not the same as basic maintenance. If you have special circumstances, you may want to consider sharing written along with any verbal instructions with your chosen landscaper. Of course maintenance and seasonal costs, liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage are all topics you will want to discuss before entering into any agreement.

Once you have begun your service, inspect the initial work and take time to notice the changes occurring in your landscaping. As you offer feedback to your gardener and become a part of the process, you will see your home evolve into a well-kept, beautifully groomed masterpiece. Your home will create the best impression possible and deliver the message you want to share with potential home buyers.

•  Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Freddie Mac Avoiding Home Foreclosure Resources
• HARP (Refinance for homeowners)

If you find yourself in a no-win situation regarding your mortgage, it can be helpful to speak with your lender and ask about modifications that can be made in the short term.  You can ask about the short sale process,  too, and see if that may be a viable option for you.  A short sale is when your lender agrees to accept a lower price than is owed on your property as payment in full.  There is a lot of paperwork that accompanies this type of sale and it is helpful to use a real estate agent that has short sale experience with this type of transaction.  In fact, some real estate agents and home buyers specialize in just this type of sale and can be a great help to you!

If you want to stay in your home, rather than sell, programs such as the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) , or the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA)  offered by Freddie Mac may all be options.  Fannie Mae and your individual lender may have other programs that can assist you as well.  Please click here to view a variety of tools on how to avoid foreclosure.  Remember that you have options, if you are willing, able, and have the time necessary to explore them.  Don’t give up!

Most importantly, TALK TO SOMEONE.  If you’re confused, or even if you know exactly what you want to do, you’re going to need a guide to make sure you end up on the winning side.  Contact me below.  I’m here to talk.

Home For Sale – Make it Easier

As a home seller, you may feel challenged in trying to anticipate what you can do to make your home more inviting and attractive to a prospective buyer.  However, the following easy steps can welcome your buyer instantly and help them to feel as though they are “coming home” when they enter your property, so read on.

First, look out your windows.  Are they clean and inviting?  Do you have a pleasant view or can you camouflage it with some temporary plants just outside the window?  Whenever you leave or anticipate a home showing, remember to leave the window coverings open so natural lighting can show off your property.  The more light the better, so evaluate whether additional room lighting should be left on,  as well.  If the weather is nice and the outside noise quiet, consider leaving a window open to create a slight breeze.

Is your home comfortable looking?  Is the temperature moderate and the ambiance set without being overdone?  Soft music, flowing water from a fountain, or fresh flowers can leave a lasting impression about the “feel” of a home.

Using Your Senses To Promote Your Home For Sale

Your goal is to intrigue the senses throughout your home.  Whether it’s a soft blanket or an antique desk; if you have an unusual and beautiful showpiece, show it off.  Creating a lasting impression through touch or evoking a memory, since these are often reasons later given for why a particular home was chosen.  The sense of smell is very powerful, too, so keep in mind that baking cookies REALLY can help in the sale of your home.  If you do have the smell of baked good lingering in your home, please make sure the cookies are available for potential buyers so disappointment does not cloud their view of your property.

Lastly, leave the house.  That’s right – let the potential buyer have a chance to feel that the house is theirs – if even for 15 minutes.  Your home buyer needs to feel as if they are in their new home.  For this reason, many professional home stagers recommend eliminating personal effects and photos when a home is being shown.  Remember, your main job as a home seller is to prepare your home so potential home buyers feel a sense of ownership and an urgency to make it theirs before they leave.

Home For Sale – Get Prepared Before You Sell

If you want buyers to fall in love with your home, and make them want to buy, then you should start by talking to us.  Below you can ask a question, and we’ll get you an answer….an answer that will help you sell your home for the best price.

Buying a Home in the San Diego Housing Market

The last five weeks have brought mortgage rates to historic lows according to Freddie Mac, with many averaging below 4%. That means more buying and bargaining power for you, the home buyer. In fact, according to last Thursday’s Primary Mortgage Market survey by Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 15 year mortgage was 3.16% with fees and points averaging .8 and the average rate for a 30 year mortgage was 3.89% with fees and points of .7.

Keeping those stats in mind, it’s always wise to do your homework and ask your lender (here’s contact information on Curtis Fox, a great lender) for a list of current rates and determine if those are lowest for that day or week and if the rate is fixed or adjustable, as that answer will affect your payment significantly. Keep in mind that the APR (annual percentage rate) considers all fees, including points and other charges such as origination, underwriting, or closing costs fees, so it may be advantageous to use in comparisons. In a constantly evolving real estate market, it’s always wise to educate yourself and shop around, listen up, and be ready to make the best deal you can on your home purchase and your lending costs.

Save Money When Buying One of These Homes in San Diego

Showing properties 1 - 10 of 500+. See more city of San Diego real estate.
(all data current as of 2/22/2012)

1. $1,450,000 : 10792 Heather Ridge Dr, San Diego
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,855 sq ft

   Year built: 2008

   Days on market: 1
2. $1,649,000 : 1325 Pacific Hwy 3005, San Diego
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,886 sq ft

   Year built: 2009

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 1
3. $995,000 : 700 W E St 2703, San Diego
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,370 sq ft

   Year built: 2007

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 1
4. $858,000 : 4645 Harvey Rd, San Diego
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,378 sq ft

   Year built: 1930

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 1
5. $825,000 : 4358 Monaco St, San Diego
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,560 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,310 sq ft

   Year built: 1956

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 1
6. $929,900 : 8327 Auburn Ridge Wy, San Diego
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,985 sq ft

   Year built: 2003

   Days on market: 1
7. $975,000 : 3030 Alcott St, San Diego
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,608 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

   Year built: 1937

   Days on market: 1
8. $699,999 : 650 Columbia St 307, San Diego
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,550 sq ft

   Year built: 1991

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 1
9. $549,000 : 3879 Creststone Pl, San Diego
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,479 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,115 sq ft

   Year built: 1991

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 1
10. $559,000 : 18771 CAMINITO PASADERO 57, San Diego
    
    3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 1,800 sq ft

    Year built: 2000

    Days on market: 1

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

 Welcome to Brookside Escondido

If you want you can skip to the bottom and look at some of the most recent sales of homes at Brookside Escondido.  Or, stay around for a bit and learn some more about this luxury home community in beautiful Escondido, CA.

Brookside Escondido is a community of 262 homes. Built in two stages, the Pine Valley and Oakmont divisions offer lots of alternatives. Located north of San Diego in the upscale rural area of Escondido (Hidden Valley), this enclave of homes might just be your ticket to a real living lifestyle you’ll want to call your own….and here’s why.

•  Newer upscale luxury homes in a gated community.
• Live on or near one of the nicest executive golf courses anywhere.
• Quiet, local community with easy access to Interstate 15.
• Excellent price points (that is….great values for great amenities).

Introducing Elegant Homes International’s Don Reedy

We know that when you want to sell your luxury home, or if you’re searching for just the perfect estate or land for your own, having the right marketing plan, and working with someone who understands not only real estate, but every aspect of luxury living in the San Diego area is a must.  Fortunately, the Elegant Homes Division of Real Living Lifestyles in San Diego has attracted some of the best and brightest luxury home specialists in the country, and we’d like to introduce you to one of North County San Diego’s most articulate and innovative elegant homes specialists, Don Reedy.

“I have been fortunate to live in the San Diego area for many years, experiencing the best of beach life along the coast from Coronado to Oceanside.  Some of the most elegant areas and homes anywhere in the world drew me to North San Diego County, and now I specialize in luxury homes in areas from the coast of Carlsbad and Oceanside, inland to Vista, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Escondido and Valley Center, and of course the varied offerings and estates in Encinitas, La Costa and San Marcos. “

Elegant Homes International Network of Professionals

We work as a finely knit team of professionals, knowing that luxury comes from understanding and experiencing a wide variety of trades, interests and passions.  Our Luxury Homes Vice President, Brian Gooding, participates with and oversees most of the luxury home sales and purchases in Southern California.  In the picture above, long-time Realtor Kim Carlson, also an Elegant Homes International professional, highlights one of her most recent estates in the Bonsall area.  Kim, Brian, Don and others work side by side, keeping abreast of the latest trends, the oldest trends, and how to best communicate with and provide you with the highest quality real estate representation in the luxury home market.

Want to learn more about how we’ll out market the competition…getting you the best outcome from the sale of your luxury home or estate?  Here’s an outline of what we do….but once you’ve read it, give me a call so I can fill in the blanks, answer your more specific questions, or just hobnob about various opportunities to position your home in this very interesting real estate market.

And if you’re thinking of living anywhere in North County San Diego, how about stopping by my office in Carlsbad to chat about what kind of home and area would best suit your exclusive needs?

Christmas at the speed of life…
Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie’s Christmas stories

What to Get Someone for Christmas If You Love Them

My friend Greg Swann has a special gift for you this year.  A series of stories that pull together some of the oddest and most memorable stories about Christmas you’re ever likely to read.

These are the stories, all of which have been published here in various versions over the years:

The Season’s Greetings
A Dumpster Diver’s Christmas
A Canticle for Kathleen Sullivan
A Future More Vivid
A Father for Christmas
Merry Christmas, Princess Peach
A Costco Family Christmas
How to Slay Dragons
Courtney at the Speed of Life

Give Yourself a Gift – And Amazon Has It for Immediate Delivery!

By

Brian Brady “GOOGLE calls me “America’s #… (San Diego) – See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Christmas at the speed of life… (Kindle Edition)

I’m pretty lucky because I’ve know Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie for five years now. He’s an underground hero, a champion of reason, and a shining example of Man pursuing greatness. You normally couldn’t find Willie in a “straight” place, like Amazon.com. Willie graces the interwebs, sharing parables, fables, and real-life fiction…all written with two purposes: to educate and to entertain. Today, right here, right now, you have a chance to meet Willie, in all of his best tales, in this one anthology.

I know Willie but I’ve never met him. I’ve never met him but I SEE him every day, week, and month. Willie the Jesuit sits next to me at Church, and badgers me at brunch about my sins. Willie the Humanist invites me speak to little kids like adults: teaching them, coaching them, and helping them to understand how special they truly are. Willie the Philosopher chides me for selling myself short, encourages me when I’m down, and reminds me that Splendor starts in the space between my ears.

William F.X. O’Connell (Willie’s straight name) will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think…oh how he makes you think… when you read his stories. Willie will take you dumpster diving, have you confront slothful hedonists, dance with Princesses in the backyard, wrestle with former Presidents, bring redemption to repentant killers, and never leave you satisfied. When you finish one of Willie’s stories, you’ll be yearning for more.

This may be the best dollar you spend this Christmas. Buy it for everyone you love.

Merry Christmas Willie! (I can’t bring myself to address you formally)

During the process of purchasing a home the home buyer will have a physical inspection of the home and property, and then make a Request for Repairs to the home seller.  In this article I wrote about the benefits of doing a good home inspection I pointed out that this inspection can benefit both the buyer and seller, and that understanding how to use the Request for Repairs work to your advantage is simply a matter of understanding the way the home inspection is intended to work.

California Purchase Agreement – Request for Repairs (Buyer requesting repairs from Seller)

• Above is the current standard form used by Realtors representing a home buyer.  Let’s first review how the form is filled out, and why, and then discuss how both the home buyer and home seller can benefit by understanding how this form is generally used to help negotiate one of the most important parts of a home purchase.

 The Request for Repairs

• The top of the Request for Repairs is used to describe the purchase contract and property address, as well as who the buyer and seller are.
• Section 1 is the BUYER’S REQUEST section.  In this section the buyer will provide a list of the repairs he/she wants the seller to make.  The buyer may also (Section 1(A)2, ask for money in lieu of the repairs.
• In Section 1(B) the Buyer provides the Seller with the inspection report and any other documents they feel would be helpful in having the seller understand what repairs are needed, and why..
• In Section 2 the Seller (after having reviewed the Request for Repairs by the Buyer) responds with either an acceptance of the Buyer’s requests, a partial acceptance, a modification of the cash they are willing to pay, or a rejection of the Buyer’s request.
• In Section 3 (if the Seller has countered the Buyer’s request), the buyer has a last opportunity to agree or disagree with the seller.

Time frames for the Request for Repairs

Once the purchase agreement is signed by both the home seller and the home buyer, the “clock” begins to run on various time frames.  During the course of a typical real estate purchase agreement the buyer will typically have a certain number of days to get loan approvals, examine HOA documents and disclosures, and of course to do inspections of the property.  In California the time frame under which the buyer generally operates is 17 days.  That is, from the time the purchase agreement is signed until the seller wants the buyer to move forward (remove contingencies), is generally 17 days.  (Note:  If the seller is a bank – REO sale – then the time frame often is reduced to 10 days to remove the inspection contingencies.)

What Requests for Repairs Are Reasonable?  {For the Buyer}

That’s right.  They key word here is REASONABLE.  Let’s start with some basics, any of which you are free to disagree with by the way.  Remember, these are my ideas, based on my experience with sellers and buyers, and not necessarily yours if you’re sitting in the home buyer’s seat.

Homes have problems.  All of them.  Even brand new homes have issues.  While they may not have cracked slabs or rotting decks, most will have flaws in some part of the home.  If you’re buying a resale home, which most of us do, then the problems are going to be a lot more extensive.  But the question is, what’s a problem?  Or more specifically, what problems are reasonable for you to ask the seller to repair?

In my experience the buyer gains in this transaction by walking in the shoes of the seller, perhaps more than in any other area of the purchase.  Do you have some rooms painted 10 years ago?  Are your wood floors scratched in some places by your dogs?  Are your bathrooms outdated?  Well…..perhaps they are, and you’re still quite happy to live with those small issues in your daily life.  These, my friends, are not usually items that you’re going to ask the seller to repair.  You saw the home, and when you made your offer you factored in the fact that the floor might have to be replaced, or the sinks changed out.  You probably want to repaint, and you’re most certainly going to want to redecorate.  So just because the inspector noted that there were scratches or tears, or perhaps some molding pulled away, you’re not going to win any points by trying to point them out to the seller.

Instead, focus on real issues…issues that your home inspection uncovered that will make living in your new home either unsafe or unhealthy.  That’s where your power lies, and where you can maximize the request for repairs to your benefit.  Here are some examples:

• You uncover a leak, or apparent damage from a leak, and the seller did not disclose that to you.  No one likes the word mold, and although in my experience mold is found in very few inspections, unrepaired water damage can be a danger should mold develop, and this is an area where the seller will almost always cooperate.
• You find that electrical wiring has been run in a manner that’s not to code.  Again, this is a safety issue, and the seller should cooperate to repair.
• You see that the decking is damaged from either water or perhaps termites.  I’ll give you a primer on termites in another article, but usually damage that may result in falls or other safety issues will need to be repaired by the seller.  (Banks often want you to buy “as-is”, so if they refuse to make these repairs make sure you consult with your Realtor and other repair specialists to discover the true cost of making those repairs.
• The home has no Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) plugs.  These protect you and your family from shock and other electrical damage including the potential for fire, and should always be addressed and repaired or paid for by the seller.

So what about all the other repairs you see that need done?  My suggestion is that you be “reasonable.”  If you really want something done, ask.  But if you understand that the issue is normal “wear and tear” then temper your request so that you get the seller on your side.  If there are a lot of issues that you uncovered during your inspection, perhaps asking the seller to compromise by paying you at close of escrow, and you’ll do the repairs yourself.

What Requests for Repairs Are Reasonable?  {For the Seller}

“It’s the economy, stupid.”  Yep, like all things that are obvious, agreeing to pay for repairs for the buyer is mostly about two things; money and pride.

Your Realtor should have discussed the Request for Repairs with your at the time you listed your home.  No matter how nice your home is the chances are that some maintenance is overdo.  Think of this as simply one of the factors in pricing your home for sale.  If you do a good inventory of the state of your home before you begin marketing it, then when the buyer requests repairs you’ll be prepared for most of his or her objections.

Next, and just as important as factoring in the cost, is your pride.  This isn’t just a house you’re selling, is it?  No, it’s your home, the place you lived in, painted, decorated, maintained, improved and loved.  An inspection and request for repairs can seem like a slap in the face if you’re emotional about the above.  Don’t be.  Again, try to remember how you felt when you purchased your home.  Walk in the buyer’s shoes.  Be reasonable.

]]> http://sandiegoequityfacts.com/requesting-repairs-from-the-seller/feed/ 0 http://sandiegoequityfacts.com/prudential-real-estate-sells-to-real-living-brookfield-asset-management/ http://sandiegoequityfacts.com/prudential-real-estate-sells-to-real-living-brookfield-asset-management/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:45:23 +0000 Don Reedy http://donreedy.virtualresults.net/?p=5082 Read More »]]>

Brookfield Residential Property Services Announces Acquisition of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services

Today, Brookfield Residential Property Services (“Brookfield”), a Brookfield Asset Management Inc. affiliate, announced that it has purchased Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services (“PRERS”), a recognized leader in employee relocation and real estate franchising, from Prudential Financial, Inc. Prudential Relocation Services operates as Pricoa Relocation in Asia and Europe.

“We’re excited to become part of a company that is focused on and deeply immersed in the real estate sector and is in the business for the long-term.”

The addition of PRERS to Brookfield’s existing residential real estate franchising and employee relocation services businesses establishes Brookfield as the world’s second largest employee relocation services provider and the third largest residential real estate franchising business.

Under a licensing agreement, Prudential Real Estate brokerage affiliates will be able to continue to use the Prudential brand based on the terms of their franchise agreements.

“This transaction creates a global employee relocation services and real estate franchising leader,” explained Graham Badun, CEO, Brookfield Residential Property Services. “We have now increased the breadth and depth of our service offering, keeping pace with the evolving needs of our clients around the world.”

Real Living Lifestyles, Brookfield Asset Management’s San Diego, Orange and Riverside County’s franchise, is pleased to be a pivotal part of this momentous announcement.   Don Reedy, Realtor and real estate specialist for North County San Diego, and a member of the Real Living Lifestyles network of experienced professionals, says that today’s announcement emphasizes the importance of leading and looking forward in today’s real estate market.  “Real Living Lifestyles wants to lead, not follow, and our home buyers and home sellers know that the desire and ability to be the best in today’s changing and challenging market means success for them.”

A North American & Global Leader

Through its various brands, Brookfield’s residential real estate franchisees are now present in all 50 U.S. states, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and Portugal, with a network of approximately 80,000 real estate agents, 2,800 real estate brokerage locations and more than $150 billion in annual residential real estate transactions.

U.S.-based Brookfield Global Relocation Services moves nearly 85,000 families in and out of over 125 countries around the world each year. With the acquisition, more than one-third of Fortune 100 companies are its clients. In addition, Brookfield is now the largest provider of relocation services to governments, with long term relationships with the U.S. and Canadian governments.

The acquisition greatly strengthens Brookfield’s existing U.S. business and results in the expansion of its operations in nine countries, with a rapidly growing presence in China, Brazil and India.

“Today, Prudential’s real estate and relocation services businesses join a global company with a track record of over 100 years of success,” said Earl Lee, President of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services. “We’re excited to become part of a company that is focused on and deeply immersed in the real estate sector and is in the business for the long-term.”

Earl Lee will continue to lead the U.S. real estate business, and Rick Schwartz, President, Brookfield Global Relocation Services, will assume responsibility for the combined global relocation services business.

Brookfield’s parent company, Brookfield Asset Management, is a global asset manager with approximately $150 billion in assets under management. Brookfield is co-listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbol BAM and on NYSE Euronext under the symbol BAMA.

About Brookfield Residential Property Services

Brookfield Residential Property Services is a leading global provider of real estate and relocation services, analytics and knowledge. The company’s portfolio consists of leading brands, including Brookfield Global Relocation Services, the second largest provider of global relocation services, Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Brookfield Real Estate Services, Royal LePage, Real Living, Via Capitale and Centract. Through its real estate brands, it has nearly 80,000 real estate professionals in more than 2,800 locations, who transact over $150 billion annually. Its global footprint spans North America, the United Kingdom, France, China, Singapore, India, Brazil and Australia, and includes more than 2,500 employees worldwide. It is a division of Brookfield Asset Management, a global asset manager with approximately $150 billion of assets under management.