New Years Eve - San Diego

It is hard to believe, but it is time to say goodbye to 2009 and ring in 2010.  Here are some of the New Years Eve happenings in San Diego.

Big Night San Diego:  San Diego's largest New Year’s Eve celebration, hosted at the Hilton Bayfront.

Read more: Big Night San Diego

First Night Escondido:  alcohol-free, family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration.
Read more:  First Night Escondido

Voyeur 2010 New Year’s Eve: high energy nightclub downtown.
Read more: Voyeur San Diego

New Year’s Eve Beach Party, you can't go wrong with New Years Eve and the beach at The Catamaran Resort.  Read more:  New Years Eve Beach Party

New Year’s Eve 2010 at The Wonderhaus: Head to the East Village to ring in the Year.
Read more:  Wonderhaus

New Year’s Eve Yacht Party 2010: Bon voyage! Set sail and ring in the New Year on San Diego Bay
Read more:  New Years Eve San Diego


However you decide to ring in the new year and celebrate New Years Eve, please make it a safe one and don't drink and drive!

San Diego Christmas Events

Once the shopping is done and the relatives are on the way, it is time to start enjoying the season.  Here are some great Christmas events to help you celebrate this special time of the year.

1.  Take in the Lights!  Many neighborhoods around San Diego display beautiful lights for all to enjoy.  Here is a partial list.

Chula Vista:  Christmas Circle, between 1st and 2nd off H Street.
Eastlake:  off Otay Lakes Rd and Eastlake Parkway
Clairemont:  Lana Dr and Jamr, off Mt. Abernathy
East San Diego:  48th st off Federal
El Cajon: Jingle Bell Lane, Solomon Ave/Pageen Pl, off 67 and Bradley
La Mesa:  Bob's Christmas Wonderland, 7171 Cornell Ave
Lemon Grove: 689 Meadowbrook Dr, off Jamacha Rd
Mission Hills: 2150 Sunset Blvd
Ocean Beach:  4729 Newport Beach
Poway:  12631 Stoutwood St, off Twin Peaks and Deerhorn
             Hickory Ct and Street and Butterwood Ct, off Twin Peaks and Silverset
Rancho Penasquitos:  Oviedo Street, off Black Mountain
San Carlos: 7900 and 8000 block of Hillandale, off Mission Gorge and Deerfield
San Marcos: 1639 Knob Hill, off Nordahl
Santee:  9230 Wethersfield
             Starlight Circle, Tomel Court off Magnolia
Tierrasanta:  Belardo Lights, 5306 Belardo Dr
Vista:  746 Bonita Dr off Olive Ave
           Via Vastago, off Olive Dr
            678 Rolling Hills Rd


2.  Hit the Ice!  Go Ice Skating

Horton Plaza  http://www.sdice.com/horton/index.htm
Hotel Del  http://www.hoteldel.com/holidays.aspx
Viejas  http://sandiego.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=sandiego&cdn=citiestowns&tm=1220&gps=252_218_1020_568&f=10&su=p284.9.336.ip_p554.12.336.ip_&tt=3&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//shopviejas.com/html/events/IceSkate.html

3.  The Parade of Lights on Mission Bay http://www.sdparadeoflights.org/

4.  The Holiday Bowl Parade  http://www.holidaybowl.com/events/port-of-san-diego-big-bay-balloon-parade.html

I hope you get a chance to enjoy some of the wonderful events in our county.  Have fun and have a very Merry Christmas.

Lawson Valley - Jamul

No power at the far end of Lawson Valley. If you are heading home be prepared.
Kimberlee Quarles 619-987-5143

Brittany just sent me this picture of a big tree that came down in Jamul.  Be careful out there everyone!!!

El Cajon Real Estate Stats, November 2009

Here is how the realestate market for El Cajon shaped up for November 2009.  These numbers are for single family detached homes in the 3 zip codes of El Cajon.

92020
Currently 60 active listings ranging from $175,000 - $1,169,777
47 homes are pending (in escrow)
20 homes sold in November, ranging from $128,000 - $645,000.  Average time on market is 40 days.


92019
Currently 71 active listings, ranging from $199,777 - $2,999,999
49 homes are pending (in escrow)
20 homes sold in November, ranging from $252,000 - $720,000.  Average time on market is 61 days.


92021
Currently 98 active listings, ranging from $100,000 - $1,795,000
62 homes are pending (currently in escrow)
24 homes sold in November, ranging from $40,000 - $920,000.  Average time on market is 107 days.

Jamul Real Estate Market Stats, November 09

Yes, I know it is hard to believe but November is now gone.  Here is how the Jamul Real Estate market looked for November 2009.

There are currently 31 Active listings in Jamul:  (Ranging from a 2 bedroom/1 bath, 906 square foot home listed for $214,900 to a 6 bedroom/7 bath, 8300 square foot home listed for $1,995,000)

15 Homes are pending (in escrow). 

6 Homes Sold in November:  (from a 3 bedroom/2 bath 1440 square foot home for $300,000 to a 6 bedroom/4 bath, 5916 square foot home for $800,000.  The average time on the market for the homes that sold was 36 days.)

So there you have it.  That is what has been happening in Jamul.  If you need more information about any of the information I have provided, please feel free to give me a call.  Have a good month!

7 Ways to Improve Your Credit and Get a Loan

Maybe you have been considering buying a home but are concerned that your credit scores are less than steller.  When you apply for a loan, you credit scores along with your debt to income ratios are going to be big factors.  Here are some tips that can help you improve your credit scores and help you in advance.

1.  Run your own credit report so you know in advance what the lender is going to find.  This will give you the opportunity to correct any mistakes and possibly remedy any derrogatory items.

2.  Don't charge your credit cards to the maximum.

3.  Pay down the credit cards to improve your debt to income ratio.

4.  Pay your bills on time, all the time.  Show your credit worthiness.

5.  Don't play the shell game by transfering balances from one card to another.  This can lower your scores.

6.  Don't open new credit card accounts before applying for a loan.  Having too much credit available to use can scare the lenders.

7.  Don't charge big ticket items for your new house when you are in escrow.  This can throw off your debt to income ratio.  The lenders may run your credit again right before you close escrow.  Wait until you close to by the new furniture!

Short Sale to Avoid Foreclosure

Well, this morning I got a disappointing call, a friend of mine let me know that they had lost their home to foreclosure. To be honest I was a little shocked. I had no idea that they were having difficulties. I wish they had called me before, when they first found themselves getting into trouble. I could have helped. They could have done a Short Sale. I am not sure why they didn't call. My gut feeling is they were embarrassed, but there is nothing to be embarrassed about and chances are I am going to find out when the property is listed as an REO anyway. There are a lot of good, hardworking people who are falling victim to the economy. I urge you if you start to feel yourself getting in over your head to call me. I will not judge! Do not put your head in the sand and hope it goes away. If you wait too long, I might not be able to stop the foreclosure. Be proactive and call for help as soon as you can, that is what I am here for.
Below is a link that will compare the tax and credit consequences of a short sale vs. a foreclosure. You will also see the wait time to repurchase after a short sale is considerably shorter than with a foreclosure. Please take the time to read the information and see if a short sale is right for you. Of course check with your own tax/legal professionals. If you need more information or you are ready to start the process, please give me a call before it's too late.

http://homebuying.about.com/od/foreclosures/f/072509_Short-Sale-vs-Foreclosure.htm

Fire and Smoke Visable

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, in cooperation with CAL FIRE, will conduct a controlled burn on Middle Peak north of Cuyamaca Peak tomorrow (11/18/09). Because of the high location, the smoke and flames will be visible from many areas. Residents of Ramona, even though they are miles away, will have a clear view of the peak. The burn will begin about 9 a.m. and is scheduled to end by 4 p.m.. There are a lot of dead trees and brush in the area so the smoke may be visable for many days.  But there will be continued patrol of the fire area for a number of days after the burn.

Tips For Buying in Today's Market

If you are a frustrated buyer who is getting outbid and losing out on homes in your price range, I offer these tips to increase your chances of getting the home you desire instead of losing out.

1.  Get prequalified for a mortgage!  Sellers will not consider your offer without one.  You need to know how much you qualify for.

2.  Be one your toes!  You need to stay in close contact with me.  I will set up an automatic search so you recieve an email as soon as a new property comes on the market.  If it is something you are interested in, don't wait to call me.  Let me know immediately so we can get out and take a look before it is gone.

3.  Keep your eyes open!  You may be on your way to the grocery store and you see a new sign in the neighborhood.  Jot down the number on the sign and call me.  This could be a brand new listing that hasn't been entered into the system or a home for sale by owner.  You will not hurt my feelings, just call me and I will get all the information about the property.

4.  Be competitive!  When you do find a home and submit an offer if it is a good deal at list price don't try to lowball.  At the same time, there are times when you do not want to submit your highest initially.  It will depend on the property and the circumstances.  But you must submit a competitive bid.

5.  Be Ready!  It is well worth doing your homework in advance of actually finding the home.  Research the neighborhood, schools, current market trends in advance.  That way when you find the home you think is for you, you will be ready to act.  Indecisiveness has cost many buyers the homes of their dreams.

6.  Terms can be key!  You know that price is a huge factor determining if you will get the home but there are other terms that can sweeten or sour a deal.  Length of escrow, type of loan, contingency timeframes, selling a current home are all things to be considered when selling a home.

7.  Sell First!  If you have a current home to sell before you can buy it is important to sell that home first.  I am not suggesting you be homeless while you search for a new home but your current home should at least be on the market and at best in escrow.  When you list your home with me I put in place contingencies to protect you.  Asking a seller to accept your offer on a new home when you haven't even started the process of selling the current home is not going to get you very far.

8.  Due Diligence!  Do not get yourself so caught up in getting an offer accepted that you get careless.  Don't buy something you are not going to be happy with, and make sure you do your inspections!

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit: The Basics for REALTORS, Homebuyers, and Home owners from the National Association of REALTORS.

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit: The Basics for REALTORS, Homebuyers, and Home owners from the National Association of REALTORS.

El Cajon Home Sales - October 09

Here are the market stats for the 3 zip codes in El Cajon for October 09.  This is for single family detached homes.

92020

Currently 62 Active listings ranging from $135,000 - $2.4 million
57 homes are pending, currently in escrow
25 homes sold in October ranging from $195,000-$560,000


92019

Currently 54 Active listings ranging from $245,000-$2,999,999
46 homes are pending and currently in escrow
27 homes sold in October ranging from $130,000-$635,000


92021

Currently 89 Active listings ranging from $100,000-$1,795,000
69 homes are pending and currently in escrow
34 homes sold in October ranging from $119,900-$1,950,000

Let me know if there is another zip code you would like me to check.  Have a good month.

Jamul Home Sales Report - October 2009

Here are the active, pending and sold listings in Jamul, for the month of October.

There are currently 40 active listings, ranging from $160,826 - $1,995,000

There are currently 13 pending sales in escrow, ranging from $165,000-$777,900

For the month of October 6 homes sold, ranging from $255,000-$719,000
The average market time for homes that sold was 44 days.

A big step forward for extending -- and expanding -- the homebuyer tax credit -- DailyFinance

A big step forward for extending -- and expanding -- the homebuyer tax credit -- DailyFinance

Top Reasons Short Sales Fail

When the listing agent and the seller start the process of a short sale, there is no guarantee that the bank will accept the short sale.  Simply because the property is listed on the MLS does not mean the bank is willing to do a short sale or that the offer will be accepted.  So what are the reasons short sales do not go through?

First you need to know what a short sale is.  A short sale is when the lender (bank) who holds the mortgage agrees to accept less than what is owed.  Complicating matters more is that there may both a 1st and 2nd mortgage, in which both lenders must agree to the short sale.  While they are called short sales because banks are agreeing to accept something "short" of the full amount, they are not short in terms of time.  The process can be very lengthy.


Why Banks Reject Short Sales

Offer Price is Too Low

The price at which a property is listed in no way indicates what the bank will accept.  Many agents list the property very low in order to get multiple offers, quickly.  Once the offer is under review by the bank they will do their own appraisal or BPO to determine the value of the property.  If they feel the offer price is too far off the mark, they will reject the short sale offer.

Even if the offer price is close to the appraised value, if the bank feels it would make more by foreclosing on the property they will reject the offer.

Incomplete Packet

When doing a short sale, the seller will be required to submit a financial packet.  Typical items included are W-2 and tax returns for last 2 years, paystubs for last couple of months, bank statement for last 2-3 months, and a financial worksheet showing income versus expenses.  The banks will not review incomplete packets and they are notorious for losing paperwork.  It must be complete with the account numbers on all items.  If the packet is not complete, the short sale could be rejected.


There is NO Hardship

To be included in the packet mentioned above is the hardship letter.  The banks require a reason for considering a short sale.  They will not just write off the debt because the seller decides they don't want to live there anymore.  There needs to be a hardship and a letter explaining why the seller is requesting a short sale.  If there is no hardship for the seller, the short sale can be rejected.

Seller Has Assets

Even if there is a hardship such as a job loss or other factor, if the seller has other assets the bank may want those sold or money brought in by the seller.  If the seller does not agree the lender can reject the short sale.

Lender Sold the Loan

Short sales can take a long time and often times one department of the bank doesn't know what the other is doing.  There are often times when you are in negoitations with the bank's short sale department and suddenly find out the loan has been sold and they no longer hold the asset or have the authority to approve the short sale.  Since they do not own it anymore, they can not approve a short sale on it.


And finally, sometimes there is no reason why.  All we hear is that "investors did not approve".

Huge Yard Sale (Jamul)

Huge Yard Sale (Jamul)

Reply to: sale-caraj-1433069309@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

Saturday 10/24/09 only, 8 to 2. Years of accumulation! Here a a few of the items:

Kenmore Ultra-wash dishwasher model 665 series purchased new from Sears 1/03 for 469.99; white; rarely used
GE gas range model JGBP40WEC4WW XL44 self-cleaning; set up for propane; purchase new from Sears 1/03 fro 699.99; white
GE over the range microwave oven/vent model JVM1860WF001; purchased new from Sear 1/03 for 399.99
Maytag Dryer set up for propane but easily adaptable to gas; good condition, off-white
Stereo Speakers and equipment
LV lights
Landscape tools, hand tools, power tools
Baby stuff
Children’s party goods new in packages
Household items
Furniture: 2 oak dressers, one antique
Color TVs (Magnavox) working
Picture frames and pictures
VW Thing parts: hard-top, seats, disc brakes, odds and ends
Christmas stuff
ETC.

Location:
3123 Peg Leg Mine Rd. Jamul.

Directions:

Take 94 to Lyons Valley Road, turn right, go approximately 1 mile to Peg Leg Mine Rd., turn right. We are at the end of the road. Come out and see beautiful Jamul!

Location: Jamul
3123 Peg Leg Mine Rd
Jamul, CA

Post date: 10/22 01:13 PM

Sale date: 10/24/09

Source: Craigslist

Twitter Tool For Real Estate Listings

I found this tool that can help real estate agents post their real estate listings to twitter. I thought I would share. Go to http://www.tweetlister.com/  and let me know what you think!

VA Buyers and Tax Bill

Anyone who recently purchased a house using VA may have received or will receive shortly a tax bill. This usually causes some concern especially for first-timers. See, VA requires an impound account for taxes and insurance so to receive a bill makes one think something has gone wrong. Well, you can breathe a sigh of relief. If you look closely at the bill it should say "copy" on it and if you read the insert it will explain that payment from the buyer is not expected. This is simply a copy for your records. Now if there is no indication that the "bill" you received is a copy, your best bet is to call your mortgage company and confirm they have received the bill.

If you receive a supplemental tax bill, this you will have to pay. In escrow taxes are prorated and paid at the seller's tax rate; if you purchased the home at a higher rate you will owe the difference for the months you owned the property.

I hope this helps with some of the confusion, if you are still unsure, please feel free to give me a call.

Ghost Tours at the Whaley House

The Whaley House is one spooky place that is known as "the most haunted house in America". It is open for tours Thursday-Monday 6:30-8:30pm. For more information visit their website (www.whaleyhouse.org) or call (619) 297-7511.

Haunted Trail of Balboa Park

The "Haunted Trail of Balboa Park" is open Wednesdays-Sundays in October. the cost is $14.99, for more infor visit their website (www.hauntedtrail.net) or call (619) 231-0131.

In My Car or Yours

When I work with buyers some want to ride with me in my car while others prefer to take their own car and follow me when we go to look at property. I sometimes try to guess which option a client will select before I ask them what they prefer. Some are easy, if they have small children they will want to ride in their own due to the carseats. If we are looking at homes right after they get off work, they will typically meet me there. But I would like to understand what people think so I am asking the experts: YOU! Which would you prefer and why?
Kimberlee Quarles 619-987-5143

Great Feature For your Blog or Website

Here is a great gadget you can add to your blog or website. It allows readers to easily share the information they find interesting. Check it out. I just added it to my blog so now you can easily share my blog with your friends.

www.addthis.com/features

Banks are Crazy!

I just have to share what many already know...Banks are crazy.

When they are lending on a property they want a recently sold comp to be higher than the subject property. This creates a perpetual declining market which in and of itself is crazy when there are buyers getting into bidding wars for the property.

When the bank is the seller, in the case of this REO, they want a price that is way out of line with the market and will therefore never appraise by the current lending standards.

Figure it out banks...you can't have it both ways!

El Cajon Real Estate Stats-Sept 09

Happy October everyone. Here are the real estate statistics for El Cajon for September 2009. These are the active, pending and sold listings for single family detached homes in the 3 zip codes of El Cajon.

92019 zip

69 Active listings from $169,900-$2,999,999
58 Pending Sales
37 Sold in September from $236,000-$847,000

92020 zip

57 Active listings from $189,000-$2,400,000
60 Pending Sales
25 Sold in September from $165,000-$607,500

92021 zip

72 Active listings from $90,000-$1,795,000
82 Pending Sales
22 Sold is September from $164,000-$995,000

If you have any questions or would like me to provide stats for another area, please feel free to give me a call. Have a great month!

Rancho Jamul Auto

Two weeks or so ago my daughters car began to ask funny. It was making a weird noise and losing power. Well, I know how to check fluids and change a tire but that is about it. Normally Leon handles the car issues but with him gone, we were on our own. I had heard that Dave at Rancho Jamul Auto had done a good job for some of my clients so I decided to give him a try. They are located on 94/Campo Rd in Jamul, just past the post office. Well I have to say I am impressed. Dave was very easy to work with. He ran a diagnostic and told me what he thought was wrong. We discussed options and he was very honest with me. He ordered the part and kept me informed every step of the way. I could not believe how easy it was and get this, it did not cost an arm and a leg! So if you are in Jamul and need a mechanic give Dave a call, (619) 669-2848.

Paramedic saves mother of friend and colleague

When Ryan Lopez went to paramedic school and struck up a friendship with classmate Brian Borland, he hardly envisioned the role his new friend would play in his life.
Lopez's mom, 51, collapsed at her University Heights home the other day. When paramedics and firefighters arrived seven minutes later, she had no pulse. Their emergency measures kept her alive while she remained in cardiac arrest for 45 minutes.
Lopez soon learned that Borland, 26, now his colleague at San Diego Medical Services Enterprise, and his co-worker Anthony Sablan, responded. He credits their work, along with firefighters and emergency room doctors, with saving his mother against great odds.
When he called to thank Borland, who had no idea his patient was Lopez's mother, Borland downplayed his role, saying he was just doing his job.
“He didn't give just 50 percent, he gave 110 percent,” said Lopez, who nominated the respondents for an award. “I am proud to say I work alongside them.”
Meanwhile, Jeannie Lopez, a former principal of Oak Grove Middle School in Jamul, has fully recovered and recently returned home from the hospital.

By Diane Bell
Union-Tribune Columnist
2:00 a.m. October 1, 2009

Jamul Sept 09 Home Sales

Here is the market activity report for Jamul. This is for September 2009.

45 Active Listings, ranging in price from $169,200 - $1,995,000.

12 Pending Homes are currently in escrow

5 Homes sold/closed in September, ranging from $235,000 - $633,500.

What are Fire Resistant Plants

In the previous post I talked about Defensible Space, how large it should be etc. Now I want to talk about what fire resistant plants can be planted in that area. Generally you are looking for...

1. Plants that grow close to the gound.
2. They should have a low resin and/or sap content.
3. They should be drought tolerant
4. They should be easily maintained and not accumulate dead branches, leaves or needles.

Here is a link to the San Diego county website that has a list of plants to consider.

http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/docs/SuggestedPlants.pdf

Seller confused me. Can you set me straight?

I have been in talks with a man who was considering selling his home. He called me today to let me know he had decided to list his home with someone else. When I asked him what the deciding factor was he told me I didn't have enough listings, he selected someone with more listings.

Now here is what confuses me. I thought not having a lot of listings was a good thing! Here I have been working my butt off to get all my listings either in escrow or sold but it ends up working against me. I thought I was doing what I was suppose to do. Sell them! Nope, apprently some think racking up a bunch of listings that languish on the market and never sell is a better approach.

Oh well, I can't win them all. But I still like my approach better. What do you think?

Reverse 911 for your cell

A friend of mine was wondering about reverse 911. Your land line at the house is suppose to be automatically entered but if you want to enroll your cell or even email, here is the link.

http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes/ready/signup.html

This could be very useful if you work outside of Jamul and want to know what is happening at home.

Free College Funding Workshop in El Cajon - Tonight

Sorry for the late notice, but I just heard about this.

Free College Funding Strategies Workshop,” 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., El Cajon Library, 201 E. Douglas, El Cajon. Sponsor: National College Funding Strategies. Reservations: (619) 579-0728.

Fire Preparedness and You, Part 1

With yet another fire in Jamul this weekend it hammers home the fact that we need to be prepared. We were lucky that the fire was quickly contained to 10 acres but as we have seen in the past, we will not always be so lucky. We need to be prepared. I know we have heard this many times; defensible space, fire-resistant plants but what does this actually mean? Here is some useful information from the San Diego County website.

WHAT IS DEFENSIBLE SPACE?
Defensible Space is the area around a structure where combustible vegetation that can spread fire has been cleared, reduced or replaced. This space acts as a barrier between a structure and an advancing fire.

HOW LARGE SHOULD THE DEFENSIBLE SPACE BE?
You need to clear combustible vegetation in a 100-foot radius from any structure. Your local fire agency may require you to clear additional vegetation by a written letter. You are not required to cross your property line in order to clear the 100 feet. The neighboring property owner may be required to clear the additional distance by the fire agency.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN THE DEFENSIBLE SPACE?

•You may plant fire-resistant, irrigated landscaping in the first 50 feet of the 100 feet from your structure. These plants need to be maintained all year around. Note: no irrigated, or non-native landscaping is allowed within an open space easement.
•You need to keep natural vegetation in the remaining 50 feet of the 100 foot space. This would be the area furthest away from your structure. The plants need to be thinned and cut back to no more than 6 inches above the ground.
•You may need to do this several times a year since the plants grow back.
•Do not completely remove all vegetation which would leave the ground bare. Some vegetation is necessary to prevent erosion. When native vegetation is removed for fire control the bare soil is particularly vulnerable to soil erosion.
•Do not remove or disturb the existing plant root system to prevent any future erosion.
•Remove dead and dying vegetation.
•Trim trees that overhang or touch your structures.
•Properly irrigating plants will help prevent plants from igniting. Wildfires rarely occur until after June, because as little as 1 inch of water per month keeps drought adapted plants from readily burning. Permanent irrigation should be confined to landscaping within the first 50 feet of a structure.
•Trees and shrubs can be maintained by deep watering at least once a month for drought tolerant species and once a week for high water requiring plants.

For more information visit http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/fire_resistant.html

Serial Burglar Hitting El Cajon Homes While Residents Sleep - San Diego 6

Serial Burglar Hitting El Cajon Homes While Residents Sleep - San Diego 6

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Banks Frustrate Me

Some bank owned homes fly off the market in less than day. They accept the highest offer that comes in that day and that's it. Many times my client doesn't even get to see the property. Especially if they are military and have duty that day. But today a good one came on the market and we rushed out there and took a look and submitted an offer. WooHoo I was hoping he would be the early bird who gets the worm. Nope, not with this bank. They require the property to be on the market for a week before they consider any offers. Grrrr so now we wait to see what other offers come in. I think there needs to be some consistancy. What do you think?

Alleged intruder who was fatally shot is identified

Alleged intruder who was fatally shot is identified

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Lakeside Home For Sale

For all my horse friends out there, there is a new listing in Lakeside. The home is located on 2.32 acres and horses are allowed. The property has a flat corral area with water and lights. It is located near the Roping and Saddle club which you can join for a low monthly fee and be able to use their facilities. The home is a 3 bedroom 2 bath and is approximately 1400 square feet. The home was built in 1979 and has been updated with granite counters and custom cabinets in the kitchen, Virginia "hand scraped" hickory floors, new dual pane windows and plantation shutters. If you know of anyone who might be interested, feel free to give me a call.

Southern California Special Olympics

Southern California Special Olympics

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Quick Question

I am working on my 2010 business plan and I need your help. Honestly, it will only take a minute and I am not going to try and sell you anything. Please take a minute and answer just 2 questions for me please.



On a scale of 1-10 (1 being heck NO and 10 being absolutely YES)



1.) How likely are you to refer me to a friend/family member who is considering buying or selling?



2.) What do I need to do to make it a 10? (if it is not a 10 already)



See, painless. Please be honest, you will not hurt my feelings but it will really help me prepare for next year.



Thank you very very much,

Weekend Home Improvement Projects

What will you be doing for this long holiday weekend? Maybe this will give you the extra time you need to complete a home improvement project. Here are some ideas of projects that you can complete over the long weekend.

1. Winning Walls: If your house is like mine keeping walls looking great can be a challenge. Between the dust, marks and scuffs they doesn't look fresh. Try taking the dry clothes you use on your floors and "dust" the walls and get those spider webs in the corner. (Halloween is too far away to leave them!) Wipe the outlit covers and light switch plates. Are my hands really that dirty? If you are feeling really motivated, paint a room. Try a new color. Don't be scared. It is only paint and you can paint over it if you don't like it.

2. Remove that wallpaper: Ducks, geese, cactus I am sorry to inform you are no longer in stlye. Get it out of there and paint the walls a nice fresh color. This an easy way to update a space.

3. Drips: This is a biggy. It might not do much to improve the look of your house but it is very important. A drippy faucet can cost you money and waste water. It may be as simple as changing the washer on the tip or maybe you can use it as an excuse to get an updated faucet. Leaks under sinks are even worse. They will destroy the cabinet. It is not glamorous but it should be taken care of. Move the bucket, roll up you sleeves and get to work. (or take the easy way and call the plumber)

4. Kitchen: Want a new kitchen? I do, but unfortunately that is pricey and I can not accomplish in a weekend. If you are looking for a quick update, why not change out the hardware on the cabinets? This can make a big difference. New knobs, hinges and pulls can really update the kitchen.

5. Garage: I do not know why but my garage is always dirty and everything collects there. This may be a good time to install some adjustable wire shelves. Being adjustable will allow changing the configuration as the items I collect changes.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, have fun and be safe. If you tackle a new project this weekend, send me a before and after photo. Let me know how it goes. Have a great weekend!

El Cajon Real Estate Stats - Aug 09

Here are the numbers for El Cajon Real Estate. These numbers are for single family detached homes.

All El Cajon

216 Active Homes For Sale
199 Pending properties (in escrow)
63 Properties sold in August


The breakdown by zip code.

92019

82 Active homes for sale
74 Pending properties (in escrow)
29 Properties sold in August


92020

46 Active homes for sale
61 Pending properties (in escrow)
12 properties sold in August


92021

88 Active homes for sale
64 Pending properties (in escrow)
22 properties sold in August

Jamul/Rancho Cooking Class

My friend Joy Hartwell is offering cooking classes for children between the ages of 6 and 14. Joy is an incredible chef, I have been after her for years to write a cookbook. This may get us one step closer to her sharing her great recipes! The classes, "Cooking Time" give children the opportunity to experience a magical time in the kitchen. There are monthly themes, fabulous food and a cooking "recital" for families at the end of the year. If you are interested in this amazing opportunity for you kids please contact Joy. Email joydhart@gmail.com or give me a call and I will give you her number. Don't wait; space is limited to 10 chefs per class.

Child Drowns in Jamul - San Diego 6

Child Drowns in Jamul - San Diego 6

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Lawson Valley

This morning things are back to normal. The road in is open. The power is back on which means we have water! After a strange night of candles, no TV or computer and wondering if showering would be an option this morning, it feels good to wake up to electricity and water! Have a good day. And for those of you who live out here in Lawson Valley, slow down on the road. The curves can be dangerous! Stay on your own side and give yourself extra time. Your life and the lives of others are in our hands. This time the driver was lucky and is okay but as we have seen numerous times, that is not always the case. SLOW DOWN, BE CAREFUL AND RESPECT THE ROAD!

Jamul Accident/Fire

There has been an accident on Lawson Valley Rd in Jamul. As a result there is a brush fire. The fire department is on site and a helicopter is dropping water. No traffic is getting through. The accident is before Hillary. The Steele Canyon school bus has been stopped on their way in before the accident.

FHA approved complex

Yesterday evening I showed a client a condo in an FHA and VA approved complex. Finally, we have been looking for while now and the condo complexes in good standing are getting harder to find. If you can find them many times the VA buyer gets out bid by cash buyers who do not have to worry about the appraisal or the seller accepts a conventional offer over the VA offer. This was a 2 bedroom, upstairs unit and it was in excellent condition. We submitted an offer so now we wait with our fingers crossed.

Time is running out for tax credit

Time is running out to claim the $8,000 first-time homebuyers tax credit. When it passed earlier this year, part of the economic stimulus package, was a credit for first time home buyers. The credit is good for up to $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price, which ever is less. This credit does not have to be repaid!

However, the buyer needs to close escrow by Dec 1, 2009 in order to qualify. Now there has been talk of an extension but it has not happened yet. I am a firm believer in "better safe than sorry" and I am encouraging people that if they are planning on purchasing a home in the near future, do it now.

Many buyers think they have until November to start looking but the reality is that it can take awhile to close escrow. First they have to find the home they want and submit an offer. Then the offer needs to get accepted, short sales can take months and bank owned foreclosures more than a week. Many buyers quickly realize that well priced properties get snapped up quickly and they are often out bid by cash buyers who do not have to worry about the property appaising. The process can take some time. Once a buyer accomplishes getting an offer accepted then escrow opens. With changes in lending procedures, escrows can easily last 30-45 days, many lasting 60 days or more.

So, if you are considering buying a home, do not wait to start your home search. It can take much longer than you anticipate.

Do you know how much your home is worth?

If you are thinking about whether or not to sell your home, your need to know what your home is worth in today's market to make an informed decision. You should determine its value based on comparing it to similar homes that have recently sold in your area. For a free Competitive Market Analysis of your home, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email. I will need the address, number of bedrooms and baths, square footage, year built, amenities and any upgrades. I will respond with the proper valuation of your home in today's marketplace, so you can make an informed decision.

ALL INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.

10 Mistakes Home Sellers Make

Here are some of common mistakes home sellers can make. If you want to sell your home, try to avoid them! To some, these may seem like common sense but you would be amazed at how many sellers make these mistakes.

1.) Smelly House: Nothing is worse than opening the door to house and being hit by a strong smell. Some of the common ones are pet odors, dirty clothes, body odor, and stale food. But what you may not know is that strong incense, candles and air fresheners can have the same effect and it makes potential buyers wonder what you are covering up. You want the house to smell clean and fresh no over-powering smells of any kind.

2.) Beware of Dog: I mentioned pets earlier but while we are the subject, contain your pets. Not everyone loves animals and they can be a huge distraction. Your sweet dog may scare or intimidate a potential buyer. They may focus more on not being eaten rather than your home. Find an area outside to contain the animals while the home is being shown. Locking in the master bedroom is not a good idea! It causes the room to smell and the buyer to rush while looking at it.

3.) No High Pressure: Speaking of rushing a buyer, don't follow the buyer around and point out all the great features. This is incredibly uncomfortable for the buyer. Allow them to look at the home in peace and at their own pace. This gives them the chance to think about the home and picture themselves in it.

4.) No Grumpy Gus: This one is related to #8 above. When someone shows up to view your home be a gracious host. Don't be grumpy and appear inconvenienced by their presence. When you greet the buyer smile, welcome them in. Let them know that you are available to answer all their questions then make your self scarce. When they are done looking at the house ask them if they have any questions and thank them for coming.

5.) Less is More: Get rid of the clutter and big furniture. When every flat surface of the room is covered with clutter the house comes across as dirty. Clear the clutter. Remove large pieces of furniture. All that big furniture makes the rooms appear smaller. You want the buyer to be able to see the room and imagine their furniture in there.

6.) Personal is Personal: Over the years you may have made personal design and decorating choices that you love. Do not expect that buyers will be willing to pay more for these. You may love your upgrades but others may not. Remember when goldenrod was all the rage? You may love your Berber carpet but buyers will not be willing to pay more for your home because you put it in.

7.) Don't Test Me: Do your research before you put your home on the market. Don't list high and then lower the price later. You only have one chance to make a first impression. Your property will get the most interest when it first goes on the market. If you list high it will turn off potential buyers and you will have an uphill battle later trying to convince them to give your home a second look. Also the longer the property is on the market without selling the more buyers are apt to think there is something wrong with it.

8.) Too much Media: Do not do virtual tours. It is true that buyers start their home search on the internet and gather much of the information there. But there can be too much of a good thing. When buyers run a search they may get 20 or more listings that meet their requirements. They do not want to look at all 20 so they begin to eliminate them. They are looking for reasons to remove a home from their list. The virtual tours can provide this by helping them find one little reason to eliminate it. Give the buyer enough to interest them and nothing that can change their mind.

9.) Don't be Difficult: Right now buyers are pretty spoiled with all the vacant homes on the market. They can see homes at the drop of a hat. You need to make your home easy to show. You need to have a lockbox so the property can be shown if you are not home. Do not require that the buyer give you a large amount of time as notice. Do not require a confirmed appointment unless you are going to answer the phone right away. Make it easy for buyers to see your home.

10.) Terms: Price is important but don't forget the terms. Be open to helping buyers with closing costs, be open and honest with the disclosures about the property and make it easy for the buyer to get their inspections done. Have a plan of where you are going before escrow closes, buyers usually want to move right in and not rent back to you

Real estate expert: S.D. at leading edge of recovery

Real estate expert: S.D. at leading edge of recovery

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Jamul Real Estate Snapshot

I was running a search for a client who is looking for a home in Jamul. Here is what I found...

There are currently 50 Active listings ranging from $214,900 - $2,350,000 in Jamul.
There are 15 properties currently in escrow.
In the last 30 days, 9 properties have sold in Jamul. The lowest sales price was $320,000 and the highest was $693,000.

I am glad to see so many pending sales in Jamul and I also like to see that some of the higher priced properties are starting to move.

All Lenders are Not the Same

I just closed on a very difficult escrow and learned a very valuable lesson that I wanted to share... Not all loan officers are the same! I represented the seller in this transaction and we recieved an offer in the middle of March. It is now the middle of August and we just closed, NO! this was not a short sale. After the original loan officer tried for months to get the loan to go through, the buyer and the seller were left feeling "led-on" and frustrated.

I called Suzy Dukelow from ARPLLS,Inc. From the moment I called her, her knowledge and expertise were readily apparent. She was honest and straight forward. She did not make promises she could not keep. She kept us informed of the progress and any issues that needed to be resolved. And believe me with appraisals and inspection reports that were now more than 90 days old and lending standards changing almost daily, there were plenty of challenges for Suzy to overcome. But she did it! She handled everything with the utmost professionalism. I am truly grateful for her hard work and determination to see this through to the end.

So, the next time you need a loan or are thinking of refinancing make sure you find someone you can trust and who is knowledgeable. Do your research and look for recommendations. Just because a loan officer says they can do it, doesn't mean they can or they will. Remember...Not all loan officers are the same.

Skeptics Say Lenders Ignore Loan Mods

The banks can say what they want but the reality is they are not doing much to help troubled homeowners. The servicers and negotiators will kill short sales or drag them out so long the buyers move on to other properties. They will deny a short sale and site the reason as not wanting to pay for title or escrow. Really? They expect a first time buyer to buy a home in California without escrow? I have yet to hear of anyone who has had the balance of their loan reduced but have heard numerous stories of the banks offering loan modifications that actually cost the homeowner more. The government knows this and what is there solution? They want to offer financial incentives to the banks to modify the loans. Great, let's reward the banks with more money for not doing what they were supposed to do. Mr James may deny this is happening and say that investor relations and customer relationships are what is important. I say actions speak louder than words and the actions of lenders show that what is important to banks is the all mighty dollar and their bottom line.



Daily Real Estate News | July 30, 2009 | Share

Even as government officials are pressuring mortgage companies to expedite their efforts to renegotiate home loans for troubled borrowers, industry insiders are scoffing.

They say the delays mostly can be attributed to the reluctance of mortgage companies and servicers to give up revenue from late payments, including on insurance, appraisals, title searches, and legal services.

''It frustrates me when I see the government looking to the servicer for the solution, because it will never, ever happen,'' said Margery Golant, a Florida lawyer who defends homeowners against foreclosure and who is a former employee of Ocwen Financial. ''I don't think they're motivated to do modifications at all. They keep hitting the loan all the way through for junk fees. It's a license to do whatever they want.''

Even the government recognizes the problem. ''The rules by which servicers are reimbursed for expenses may provide a perverse incentive to foreclose rather than modify,'' concluded a recent paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Bank of America disputes that characterization vociferously. ''To think that somehow or other we would jeopardize investor relationships and customer relationships for the very small incremental income we would receive by delaying seems ludicrous,'' said Robert V. James, the bank's senior vice president for mortgage operations and insurance. ''It's not the right thing to do.''

Source: The New York Times, Peter S. Goodman (07/30/2009)

NAR: Existing-Home Sales Rise Again

Daily Real Estate News | July 23, 2009 | Share

Existing-home sales rose for the third consecutive month with inventory easing and home prices declining less sharply in June, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Existing-home sales — including single-family, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops — increased 3.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.89 million units in June from a downwardly revised pace of 4.72 million in May, but are 0.2 percent lower than the 4.90 million-unit level in June 2008.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, is hopeful about the gain.

“The increase in existing-home sales occurred in all major regions of the country,” he says. “We expect a gradual uptrend in sales to continue due to tax-credit incentives and historically high affordability conditions. Despite the rise in closed transactions, many REALTORS® are reporting lost sales as a result of new appraisal standards that went into effect May 1 of this year.”

Investors Drive Foreclose Prices Up

Daily Real Estate News | July 21, 2009 | Share

Home shoppers in parts of the country with lots of foreclosures are finding it increasingly difficult to buy. Investors are bidding up prices thousands above the original asking price.

Federal legislation slowing the number of foreclosures is adding to the problem by reducing the number of homes on the market. For instance, in Las Vegas, one of the areas where the bidding problem is greatest, home inventories are down 10 percent since March, according to the Las Vegas Association of REALTORS®.

When a bidding war erupts, the problem is particularly difficult for traditional buyers because investors are usually cash purchasers. They can bid up a property without concern whether the appraisal will prevent them from getting a loan.

Experts say the problem is not unlike the situation at the height of the housing bubble. "This market is about as abnormal as the hypermarket that we came out of a few years ago," says Jay Butler, director of the Realty Studies program at Arizona State University.

Source: The Associated Press, Jonathan J. Cooper (07/20/2009)

Housing Experts: Now Is a Perfect Time to Buy

Daily Real Estate News | July 20, 2009 | Share

Housing Experts: Now Is a Perfect Time to Buy

Don’t forget to remind potential buyers of something that is obvious to real estate professionals: Now is the time to buy, but that opportunity may be slipping away.

For people who have a job and money, a dream house is within reach, writes Marc Roth, founder of Home Warranty of America and a columnist for BusinessWeek.

He points out that mortgage rates remain low, prices are still at historic lows, and the government is offering incentives for first-time homebuyers.

He also adds that the inventory of homes to buy is still large, but it is shrinking. According to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, the housing inventory peaked in November 2008 at an 11-month supply. At the end of May 2009, it had fallen to a 9.6-month supply.

Roth says anyone who dallies will miss a good opportunity to buy a first home at a terrific price or go shopping for a move-up property that is a great buy.

Source: BusinessWeek.com, Marc Roth (11/17/2009)

California Home Prices Rise in June

Daily Real Estate News | July 17, 2009 | Share

California’s median home prices rose 7 percent in June compared to May, according to MDA DataQuick, a real estate research firm. The statewide median price increased to $246,000 from $230,000, triggered by an increase in sales of higher-priced homes.

"We're just now seeing the beginnings of more normal mortgage lending patterns," DataQuick President John Walsh says. "There's still a long way to go, but it looks like the worst of the grind is over."

DataQuick also pointed out that foreclosures accounted for 46 percent of sales, the first month since August 2008 that foreclosure sales were less than 50 percent of the total.

Source: The Associated Press, Jacob Adelman (07/16/2009)

First-Time Buyers: Hurry for $8,000 Tax Credit

It’s time to remind first-time home buyers that in order to qualify for the government’s $8,000 gift in the form of a tax credit, the deal must close by Dec. 1.

Buyers should have a purchase contract signed by early October, so they have 45 to 60 days to arrange financing and safely close the deal.

"There's not as much sand in the hourglass as we may think," said Jim Merrion, regional director at RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

Source: Chicago Tribune, Mary Ellen Podmolik (07/11/2009)

Real Estate Improves in California

Daily Real Estate News | June 26, 2009 | Share
Real Estate Improves in California
Median prices for single-family homes in California have risen for the third straight month, reaching $267,570, up 4 percent from April, according to a report from the California Association of REALTORS®.

The inventory of homes continues to drop, falling a 4.2-month supply in May, compared to 8.7 month supply in May 2008.

California’s real estate market always has been seen as a leading indicator for the rest of the country. What is happening in California bodes well for the rest of the nation, observers say.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Stu Woo (06/26/2009)

Poor Appraisals Stall Transactions

Poor Appraisals Stall Transactions

However, the increase in sales is less than expected because poor appraisals are stalling transactions. Pending home sales indicated much stronger activity, but some contracts are falling through from faulty valuations that keep buyers from getting a loan.”

Total housing inventory at the end of May fell 3.5 percent to 3.80 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 9.6-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 10.1-month supply in April.

Yun says the appraisal problem is serious.

“Lenders are using appraisers who may not be familiar with a neighborhood, or who compare traditional homes with distressed and discounted sales,” he says. “In the past month, stories of appraisal problems have been snowballing from across the country with many contracts falling through at the last moment. There is danger of a delayed housing market recovery and a further rise in foreclosures if the appraisal problems are not quickly corrected

Can Buying Cheap Foreclosures Make You Rich?

We are certaining feeling this in San Diego County. First time homebuyers are becoming frustrtated as they are outbid by the cash investors...


Speculators are buying up an uncounted, but certainly significant percentage of homes for sale in cities where the meltdown has hit hardest.

Homes.com reports a 30- to 50-percent year-over-year increase in searches for homes in foreclosure-heavy states, including California, Michigan, and Florida. In these states, helping long-distance investors find and close on properties and close has become a burgeoning real estate specialty.

The investors run the gamut from international speculators seeking a house or two to venture capital firms that buy bundles of homes for 25 cents on the dollar — most in need of renovation and some with substantial tax liens.

Will these investments lead to riches? Possibly, if housing prices go back up and if investors are able to fix up and rent the properties out while they wait to sell, experts say.

Source: Smart Money, Anne Kadet (06/01/2009)

New Tools for House Hunters

If you are thinking of buying a home but not quite ready to call me to help, here are some ideas to get you started. It is really amazing the resources that are out there to get you going. Just remember, when you are ready, I am here to help.


New technology continues to make it easier for shoppers to identify homes to buy. Here are some of the latest and greatest.

There’s an iPhone app for that: Zillow.com released a free iPhone app that allows consumers to check out homes for sale. The GPS-powered app allows shoppers to drive by a home for sale and see price and other details like number of bedrooms and baths.
Search for ROI: Web sites like Investorloft.com rank homes by the profits they produce and identify properties with big differences between listing price and estimated value. The site has listings in 20 states and will be in all 50 by early 2010.
Search for falling prices: Trulia.com will let you look for price reductions. Enter a zip code and reduced listings will come up.
Guided tours on YouTube: Coldwell Banker has partnered with YouTube to launch a homes-for-sale video channel.
Project value for $9.95: Cyberhomes is offering a market report for slightly less than $10 that provides neighborhood price projections and 12- to 24-month price-change forecasts. It also identifies the number of distressed, foreclosed, and REO properties nearby.

Source: CNNMoney.com, Les Christie (06/15/2009)

Father's Day History

Have you ever wondered where Father's Day started? Well, woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dobb came up with the idea. She was listening to a Mother's Day service in 1909 and wanted to let her father know how special he was to her. See, she had been raised by her father, William Jackson Smart, after her mother died. It was her father who had raised her, taken care of her and made all the sacrifices. To her he was the most loving and selfless person in her life and she wanted to honor him. William was born in June so she chose the first Father's Day celebration to take place in Spokane, Washingon on June 19th, 1910.

Later, the National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City in 1926. Father's Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1956. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June.

So there you have it. Father's Day was started by a daughter who wanted to honor her father just like mothers are honored on Mother's Day.

California imposes 90-day foreclosure moratorium

The Associated Press
Posted: 06/13/2009 04:53:54 PM PDT
Updated: 06/13/2009 04:53:55 PM PDT


SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California is imposing a 90-day moratorium on housing foreclosures under a new law that takes effect Monday.
The law is expected to make lenders try harder to keep borrowers in their homes. Loan companies must prove they tried to modify the delinquent loans before they can begin foreclosing.

But supporters acknowledge the California Foreclosure Prevention Act won't stop thousands of foreclosures from eventually happening. There have been more than 365,000 foreclosures in California since early 2007, with many more already scheduled.

The bill passed in February is similar to the Obama administration's Making Home Affordable Program that began in March.

Both encourages lenders to cut interest rates or rewrite loans to affordable levels.

Moving Tips

Moving Tips for the Busiest Moving Month of the Year—June

RISMEDIA, June 9, 2009-When moving, many people are faced with weighing the options-should they hire movers or pack themselves? What are the benefits of doing either? What do most people forget when packing up and moving? How can you save money when moving? From FlatRate Movers, a nationwide leader in moving and storage, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Order boxes and moving supplies early so you can start packing. Moving companies provide boxes that are purpose made and easily marked. If your moving company allows you to return unused boxes, order more than you think you’ll need, by 20%. Likewise, do not scrimp on tape. It is inexpensive and prevents boxes from splitting open. You need fresh felt tip pens for labeling. Use colored ready-stick labels to designate boxes to their respective rooms.

• Start a book about your upcoming move and keep it in one place. Create a “Move Book,” using a large noticeable notebook, to centralize all the important details of your move. It should contain any lists you make, including that of labeled boxes. Supplement this with a computer printout of box contents. E-mail this to yourself as a backup. You can also access it remotely.

• First, pack up what you don’t use. Items, such as books, you do not immediately need can be packed right away. Keep your list up to date. Do not make the boxes too heavy for a person to carry, and place heavier objects at the bottom.

• Document your media connections. Take photos of or make notes on how your media equipment is set up: television, sound equipment, modems and computer equipment. Keep track of your remote controls and wires so you can locate them quickly in your new home.

• Make arrangements for pets. Moving can be particularly stressful for animals. You may want to consider leaving them with a friend or retaining a professional pet boarding service.

• Plan to care for your valuables and vital documents yourself. Most homeowner’s insurance will not cover property in transit. It may be desirable to insure certain items separately. Remember to take photos in case you need documentation to support loss or damage claims. If the items are irreplaceable (family heirlooms) or complicated to replace (passports and birth certificates), carry them with you.

• Choose a good moving company. Good companies guide you through the process and minimize surprises on moving day. They have local knowledge and a proven track record, and they can also advise you on receiving building permissions. Moving companies have no incentive to create extra hours of work for themselves, if they work for a flat fee.

• Keep your moving receipts for income tax deductions. In many cases, moving expenses are deductible from federal income taxes. If you are moving because of a change in employment, you may be able to claim this deduction even if you do not itemize. Consult your tax preparer. Also note that there is an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers in the economic stimulus plan, signed into law by President Obama. To learn more, visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.



Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-06-08/moving-tips-for-the-busiest-moving-month-of-the-year—june/#ixzz0HykZkCMZ&C

Housing Prices Pick Up in California

This is very encouraging new, but the lenders need to stop being overly conservative on their new loans by requiring at least one comparable property to have sold for more than the subject property. Buyers are willing to buy and their is competition for homes but if the property won't appraise all bets are off. I think it is great that lenders have learned from previous mistakes and that there needed to be tighter lending requirements but they have swung to the far other side. Don't they realize they are defeating themselves, forcing the banks themselves to list the bank owned properties for lower than what buyers are willing to pay. It seems to me they are cutting off their nose to spite their face. They need to use some common sense when making lending requirements.

Daily Real Estate News | May 29, 2009

As the biggest residential property market in the United States, California often serves as a bellwether for the nation's economic health. And new research from that state suggests that housing prices nationally could start to rebound relatively soon.

The latest data, including two consecutive monthly gains in the median price of existing homes, has some industry officials hopeful that the state housing market has finally reached a bottom and is poised to recover from a prolonged period of declining residential values.

In April, California's single-family median home price rose 1.4 percent to $256,700. While that is still off by more than 36 percent from April 2008, the 540,360 homes sales on a seasonally adjusted annual basis reflect an increase of almost 50 percent over the same period, according to the state’s REALTORS® group.

Source: Wall Street Journal, Jim Carlton (05/29/09)

Experts Say Real Estate Industry Is Thinning

As news like this hits the airwaves, I want to make sure you know that I am not going anywhere! I love what I do and I am not going to stop now! I have worked to hard to get here!


Daily Real Estate News | May 26, 2009 | Share

Some people are predicting that the current slump in real estate sales will mean a permanent thinning of the ranks among real estate professionals.

"The real estate brokerage industry is not going away, but the combination of efficiency gains via the Internet and the cyclical downturn will both be significant forces to their rapidly shrinking ranks," said Stuart Gabriel, director of UCLA's Ziman Center for Real Estate.

Other observers are not so sure. Yes, the Internet and the economy are having an impact on housing sales and the way some practitioners do business, but it won’t reduce the need for savvy advice, says David Emerson, an associate with Prudential California Realty with 25 years experience.

“Buying a house is a big deal,” he says – and the paperwork alone is enough to make many buyers avoid the do-it-yourself approach.

Source: The Los Angeles Times, Ricardo DeAratanha (05/25/2009)

HUD: Homebuyer Tax Credit Loans Still on Track

Yesterday I posted an update that the tax credit could not be used toward the down payment. It appears that the details are still being worked out but that it will be available. See below..

Daily Real Estate News | May 21, 2009

News reports that the federal government is backing away from its plan to permit eligible borrowers to monetize the first-time homebuyer tax credit are off the mark, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says.

"The technical details are still being finalized and will soon be published in a mortgagee letter and posted on our Web site," Lemar Wooley, a HUD spokesperson, told REALTOR® Magazine Wednesday afternoon.

Under the guidance that's under development, state agencies and other HUD-approved entities would be able to provide short-term bridge loans that households could use to help with their downpayment. The loans would be repaid with the proceeds from the households' federal tax credit.

The loans were announced on the opening day of NAR's 2009 Midyear Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C., last week. In his announcement, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said guidance would be issued shortly.

When the guidance is released, it is expected to cover eligible lenders and set parameters for loan terms and repayment.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine Online

Update for Using Tax Credit for Down Payment

Can the $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit for Down Payments on FHA Loans? The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) account last week that first time home buyers would be able to use the $8,000 “first-time home buyer tax credit” for down payments on FHA loans through the use of bridge loans.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development posted the information on their website in HUD Mortgagee Letter 09-15. For some reason they have completely removed the information from their website. People are speculating that the program is on hold because they have decided to make changes to the program.

While no official explanation has been given, it appears that The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Internal Revenue Service are researching the details of the program, leaving the status unknown for now

Home Prices Have Hit Bottom

As the following explains, many feel that home prices have hit bottom. I agree that if left up to buyers and sellers this would be the bottom. We are seeing multiple offers at or above the listed price which indicates the properties could sell for more except for one very important player. This player is the lenders. The lenders are continuing to devalue property by requiring an appraisal with at least one sometimes 2 comparables must have sold for more. This is creating a perpetual declining market. Also with the banks flooding the market with houses priced under market, looking for a quick cash deal they are further driving down the comps. The lenders are forcing the market lower by listing properties so low and making it tough for buyers to get a loan with the appraisal situation.

The second part of the article discusses the seller’s perspective of home prices. This is very true. Seller's often times feel that their property is exempt from the issues affecting the rest of the market. They feel their property is worth more than the one down the street. Some like overlook the any negatives about the property and see pink carpet and paneling as a reason their house is worth more than the neighbors. I try to explain that the reality is, their house’s value has declined and that even if a buyer comes along and is willing to pay over market value, they will not be able to get the loan. Many times the seller lists the home with the agent that tells them everything they want to hear as opposed to one who was upfront with them from the start. It can be difficult to watch as the property languishes on the market as prices continue to decline. So keep this in mind if you are considering selling your home, if the list price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.



Daily Real Estate News | May 19, 2009 | Share

Practitioners Say Homes Prices Have Hit Bottom

Real estate professionals are optimistic that home prices will hit bottom in the next six months, according to a survey from listing and home-pricing site HomeGain.com.

About half of practitioners surveyed expect home prices to stay the same in the next six months, 29 percent expect them to drop, and 22 percent believe they will increase.

More than 84 percent of practitioners believe their clients’ homes lost value in the last year, while 12 percent say values had stayed the same. Only 3 percent believe homes had gained value.

Meanwhile, sellers were skeptical of their real estate professional’s analysis, with 69 percent believing their homes were worth more than the practitioner recommended. About 35 percent of home sellers thought their home was worth 10 percent to 20 percent more, and 10 percent thought their home was worth at least 21 percent more than their real estate professional suggested.

Source: Inman News (05/18/2009)

Market Shift: More Houses Get Multiple Offers

The article blow is definately applies San Diego. I am writing multiple offers for buyers who keep getting out bid on properties. This can be extremely frustrating for them. Many buyers are confused by this, they hear all the doom and gloom in the news and think they can submit lower than the asking price offers. The reality is that many of the bank owned properties list the home very low, knowing they will attract multiple offer and the property will sell for over the list price. There is definate competition for the starter price range homes. Buyers need to know what other properties in the area are selling for and take that into consideration when they submit their offer.

The good new is, this is definately a sign that the market is improving!


Daily Real Estate News | May 7, 2009 | Share

Julie Holt of Tarpon Springs, Fla.-based Anclote Title Services says 10 percent of the homes for sale are generating more than one bid.

Experts say markets hit hard by foreclosure are seeing more multiple offers, as residential price declines make homes more affordable and banks low-ball asking prices on distressed properties.

"If a house is in a good neighborhood, is maintained and is a good value, it'll get multiple offers," says Holt.

Although many markets are far from fully shaking off the downturn, the pick-up in multiple offers is a reason for optimism.

"When you begin to see people willing to fight for a property, that's a good sign," says Beth Peerce, treasurer of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. "We are beginning to see the beginning of the end of a disaster time."

Source: USA Today, Julie Schmit (5/6/09)

© Copyright 2009 Information Inc.

Mortgage Applications Up, Despite Rate Rise

Daily Real Estate News | May 6, 2009 | Share

Total mortgage loan applications inched up last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly applications survey.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was 979.7, an increase of 2.0 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from 960.6 one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 2.4 percent compared with the previous week and 43.7 percent compared with the same week one year earlier.

The Refinance Index increased 1.2 percent to 5169.3 from 5108.2 the previous week.

The refinance share of mortgage activity decreased to 74.4 percent of total applications from 75.3 percent the previous week.

Interest rates rose slightly last week:

30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 4.79 percent from 4.62 percent.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 4.57 percent from 4.45 percent.
One-year ARMs increased to 6.36 percent from 6.23 percent.

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association

More Signs the Market is Recovering

There are many signs that the housing market is recovering. I know I have seen a definate increase in buyer activity. If you are considering buying a home for the first time or you are looking for a good investment, the time is here. Don't wait to completely miss the bottom, you will end up kicking yourself. Let me know what I can do to help.

HUD Sees Signs of Stabilization

The housing market is looking healthier, but U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan said Wednesday that it is too early to tell if the recovery has taken hold.

"We do have some early signs, I think, that the market is stabilizing. Since January, what we've seen is both prices and sales volumes moving up and down around a relatively stable number," Donovan said

Donovan said he was optimistic that President Obama’s policies are bolstering the market.

"I think in particular when you get below the national level what you see is that in markets like California that were the hardest hit, that is where the signs (of recovery) are the strongest," he said.

[Editor's note: Remarks last week by NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun at a press conference on existing-home sales are consistent with Secretary Donovan's analysis. Video highlights of Yun's press conference are available online.]

Source: Reuters News (04/29/2009)

First-Time Buyers Boosting House Sales

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® says more than 50 percent of March's home sales were tied to first-time buyers, many of whom snapped up foreclosed homes and other distressed properties.

Experts believe getting first-time buyers off the sidelines to take advantage of historically low interest rates and federal tax credits will reduce the glut of homes on the market and spark a recovery. Some point out that first-time buyers are helping to revitalize communities in Florida, California, and other states hit hard by foreclosures.

However, distressed properties often sell for 20 percent less than traditional properties, and the increase in lower-end sales is driving down the national median home price.

Source: USA Today, Stephanie Armour (04/30/09)

© Copyright 2009 Information Inc.

United Soccer Club Tryout Schedule

2009-10 OLDERS TRYOUT INFO

Please download and fill out the the San Diego United Tryout form and bring it to the first session.

DOWNLOAD SAN DIEGO UNITED TRYOUT FORM

All tryouts will be held at either:

Granite Hills High School Stadium Field (GHHS)
1719 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA

or

Cuyamaca College - Lower Field (CC)
900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon, CA 92019

Please arrive 30 minutes early on the player's first day for check-in. Players must have shin guards, cleats and a soccer ball and attend ALL sessions.

GU15
Sun 5/03/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30-11:45am . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)
Tue 5/05/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:00-7:15pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (CC)
Sat 5/09/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30-11:45am . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)

GU16
Sun 5/03/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00-10:15am . . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)
Thu 5/07/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30-8:45pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(CC)
Sat 5/09/09. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:30-5:45pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)

GU17
Sun 5/03/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:30-1:45pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)
Tue 5/05/09: . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00-7:15pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (CC)
Sat 5/09/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30-2:45pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)

GU18
Sun 5/03/09. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00-3:15pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)
Thu 5/07/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30-8:45pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . (CC)
Sat 5/09/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3:00-4:15pm . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

BU15
Sat 5/02/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00-10:15am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)
Thu 5/07/09 . . . . . . . . . . . .6:00-7:15pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(CC)
Sat 5/09/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00-10:15am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(GHHS)

BU16
Sat 5/02/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:30-1:45pm . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)
Thu 5/07/09 . . . . . . . . . . . .6:00-7:15pm . . . . . . . . . . . . .(CC)
Sat 5/09/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:00-1:15pm . . . . . . . . . . . .(GHHS)

BU17
Sat 5/02/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30-11:45am . . . . . . . . . . .(GHHS)
Tue 5/05/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30-8:45pm . . . . . . . . . . . . (CC)
Sat 5/09/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30-11:45am . . . . . . . . . . .(GHHS)

BU18
Sat 5/02/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00-3:15pm . . . . . . . . . . . . (GHHS)
Tue 5/07/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30-8:45pm . . . . . . . . . . . . (CC)
Sat 5/09/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30-2:45pm . . . . . . . . . . . . .(GHHS)

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Players will be trying out as their 2009-2010 season playing ages. Please see below chart:

Birthdate
2009/2010 Age Group

08/01/94 - 07/31/95
U15

08/01/93 - 07/31/94
U16

08/01/92 - 07/31/93
U17

08/01/91 - 07/31/92
U18


For questions, please contact:
Director of Soccer Operations ~ Elio Bello...................(619) 669-8051
Club President ~ Rebecca Dierdorff...........................(619) 339-5803

Low Interest Rates Delay Option ARM Resets

I am not sure I agree with this. Time and time again I hear stories of homeowners trying to refinance their adjustable mortgage before it becomes a problem but the lenders are not helping if the homeowner is current on payments. Why wait until someone falls behind. The lenders know that once the rates adjust lots of people are going to be in trouble, why not reset these loans to a fixed rate and avoid more trouble? Do the banks want more people to default so they can then ask for more bailout money for their yearly bonuses? It is time for the lenders to get ahead of the situation, stop being greedy and trying to milk every penny they can, fix people's interest rates and be done.

Daily Real Estate News | April 22, 2009 | Share

Option adjustable-rate mortgages aren’t imploding as quickly as predicted because interest rates remain at historic lows, but resets are likely to pick up next spring, according to Credit Suisse.

Option ARMs give borrowers the option of making low payments that don't even cover the interest due which is then added to the outstanding loan balance. A total of $500 billion of option ARM loans are outstanding, says the bank.

About 37.5 percent of those originated in 2005 are outstanding; 63 percent originated in 2006 are outstanding, and 82 percent of the 2007 loans remain, according to Barclays Capital.

The Mortgage Bankers Association says the impact of an increasing tide of resets will be diminished because lenders are helping borrowers refinance the option ARMs before they reset.

"I don't think this is going to be the tsunami that was forecasted a few years ago," says Keith Gumbinger, vice-president of HSH.com, a publisher of loan information. "But it's probably bigger than a ripple in a pond."

Source: BusinessWeek.com, Prashant Gopal (04/17/2009)

Good News! Huge Price Reduction

For those of you who have been waiting for a reduction on this property, here you go. I know you are ready to buy it now!! :)


$50 Million Price Drop for Hemsley Estate

The heirs of the late Leona Helmsley have cut the price of her Greenwich, Conn., home by 40 percent to $75 million from $125 million.

Helmsley and her late husband, Harry, paid $11 million for the property in the early 1980s. The renovation of the 20,000-square-foot, Jacobean-style mansion led to her conviction for tax evasion in 1989 after she billed her company for millions of dollars in costs related to redoing the home. She served time in federal prison for the crime.

The $50 million reduction is believed to be the largest price reduction ever on a U.S. house.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Christina S.N. Lewis (04/20/2009)

Fed Vice Chair Predicts Slow Recovery in 2009

Daily Real Estate News | April 21, 2009 | Share

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Donald Kohn says home sales and other consumer spending combined with big earnings at some banks indicate that the U.S. economy is on the road to a gradual recovery this year.

Kohn, speaking Monday night at the University of Delaware, said declines in sales and construction of single-family homes have abated, but tight credit in the commercial real estate market is slowing recovery.

"My best guess is that we are in for a relatively gradual recovery [this year]," he said.

Source: The Associated Press, Jennifer Malloy Zonnas (04/21/2009)

Is FHA Key to Housing Turnaround?

Daily Real Estate News | April 13, 2009 | Share

Federal Housing Administration loans can be a very good deal for home buyers, especially those who don’t have a lot of cash or whose credit rating isn’t stellar, experts say.

FHA loans now account for 20 percent of new mortgages, up from 3 percent in 2006. What's more, the number of authorized FHA lenders has increased 500 percent in two years.

Other benefits of FHA loans include easy loan modifications for borrowers who fall behind, easy refinancing plans if rates decline, and low rates overall, which don’t rise if the borrower has a low credit score. There are no income restrictions on FHA loans, so even borrowers with good incomes may find them attractive.

FHA loans still require a pre-settlement inspection of the home, but the process isn’t nearly as arduous as it once was, says George Hanzimanolis, past president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.

Source: CNNMoney.com (04/01/2009)

Big Gains in Pending Home Sales, Affordability

Daily Real Estate News | April 1, 2009 | Share

Increases in pending home sales suggest a possible upswing in sales activity in coming months, according to the National Association of REALTORS.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in February, rose 2.1 percent to 82.1 from a reading of 80.4 in January, but is 1.4 percent below February 2008, when it was 83.3.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the market is continuing to underperform.

“Pending home sales have a way to go for there to be a meaningful increase, but recent increases in shopping activity are hopeful indicators that we’ll see additional sales gains,” he says. “More buyers are getting into the market to take advantage of stimulus incentives and much improved housing affordability conditions, but it will take a few months before we could see this turn up in measurable sales contract activity.”

Additionally, NAR’s Housing Affordability Index rose to a new high in February.

2009 Jamul Kiwanis Gymkhana Series Dates

2009 Jamul Kiwanis Gymkhana Series Dates:

March 29th
April 26th
May 31st
June 28th
July (off)
August 30th

Gymkhana is a horse event in which riders of all ages compete in games on horseback. The games are timed and the fastest rider wins. The ages of the riders range from 4-40. This is a great community event. Plan to come and watch!

Home Buyer Tax Credit - Who is eligible?

Who is eligible to claim the tax credit?

First-time home buyers purchasing any kind of home—new or resale—are eligible for the tax credit. To qualify for the tax credit, a home purchase must occur on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. For the purposes of the tax credit, the purchase date is the date when closing occurs and the title to the property transfers to the home owner.


What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?

The law defines "first-time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse.

For example, if you have not owned a home in the past three years but your spouse has owned a principal residence, neither you nor your spouse qualifies for the first-time home buyer tax credit. However, unmarried joint purchasers may allocate the credit amount to any buyer who qualifies as a first-time buyer, such as may occur if a parent jointly purchases a home with a son or daughter. Ownership of a vacation home or rental property not used as a principal residence does not disqualify a buyer as a first-time home buyer.

Your House As Seen By...

This is an email that was sent to me. I thought it was great so I had to share!

Your House As Seen By:

Yourself...




Your Buyer...




Your Lender...




Your Appraiser...




Your County's Tax Assessor...

Home Buyer Tax Credit - Part 1

$8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

* The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.

* The tax credit does not have to be repaid.

* The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.

* The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

* Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

Red Flags for Foreclosure Rescue Scams

HOMEOWNERS BEWARE:

If you are at risk of or in foreclosure, you should be on the lookout for foreclosure scams. Here are some of the red flags to
watch out for:

• Asks for money upfront before providing any service
• Instructs you not to contact your lender, lawyer, housing
counselor, family, friends, or others
• Asks for mortgage payments to be made directly to his or her
company or a bank account set up by that person, rather than
your lender.
• Requires payment only in the form of cash, cashier’s check,
or wire transfer
• Promises to stop the foreclosure process, no matter the
circumstances
• Advises you to transfer your property deed or title to his or
her company
• Offers to fill out paperwork for you
• Asks for something to be done immediately and without delay.
This includes pressuring you into signing paperwork that you
have not had the chance to read thoroughly or do not fully
understand
• Encourages you to lease your house and buy it back
over time
• Offers to buy your house for a fixed price that is not set by the
housing market at the time of sale
• Asks for you to give a power of attorney
• Asks for signatures on a grant deed or deed of trust
• Asks for signatures on a document that has lines left blank
• Fails to provide copies of signed documents
• Refuses or fails to put an oral promise in writing

February Sales and Price Quick Facts

For release:
March 25, 2009


Quick Facts:
. Existing, single-family home sales increased 83 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted rate of 620,410 on an annualized basis
. The statewide median price of an existing single-family home decreased 40.8 percent
in February to $247,590
. C.A.R.’s Unsold Inventory Index fell to 6.5 months in February, compared with 15.3 months in February 2008
. The median number of days it took to sell a single-family home declined to 51.5 days in February 2009, compared with 69.3 days in February 2008

C.A.R. reports February home sales increased 83 percent, median home price declined 40.8 percent

Realtors and Sellers Need to be Realistic

Daily Real Estate News | March 24, 2009 | Share

Practitioners Get Tough in Current Market

Chicago-area practitioners say they are increasingly likely to walk away from would-be sellers who insist on setting the price too high.

For instance, Michael Shenfeld, an associate at Koenig & Strey GMAC in Lincoln Park, refused a listing when he couldn’t persuade a potential client to list his condo $25,000 lower than others were selling because it was in poor condition.

"I walked away and said, ‘This is not the best use of my time or your time,'" he says.

Customers can be especially difficult to deal with if they are underwater on expensive properties, says Scott Foster, a practitioner at RE/MAX Exclusive Properties in Chicago. When he suggested a short sale to owners of a $500,000 apartment, “I was shown the door,” he said.

Source: Crain’s Chicago, Kevin Davis (03/23/2009)

I have been there and done that. It never ceases to amaze me how sellers can think one characteristic, that may or may not be a plus, can justify listing their home for more than market value. For example they may love the orange shag carpet, wood paneling, or funky layout and believe their home is worth more than the home down the street that has been updated and has more square feet, but the reality is, it is not. They refuse to see that larger homes are selling for less and somehow think that because they feel their home is worth more every buyer will be willing to pay more as well. I have passed on taking such listings because when the home doesn't get an offer, the seller will blame it on the pictures, the sign, the flyer, my marketing and yes, eventually me. If an offer comes in at the market value many sellers will be insulted and reject the offer. It is a no win situation that ends up being a huge waste of time, money and energy. Just as I qualify buyers before taking them out to see properties, I also qualify the seller before taking the listing. Seller's are hiring me to do a job, if I can not honestly say I can get the job done, I am not going to take the listing and set them up for a disappointment.

Jamul Burglaries and Worse

Please read below regarding recent burglaries and worse occuring in our community. this summury was forwarded to me. Please share with anyone you know who lives in Jamul. Thank you, be safe!

I have inserted below the summary of events that I gave to the Sheriff’s office today (including a copy to Detective Kerr). Please feel free to pass this on to everyone you can think of who might be affected. I know you will tell them that they should NOT approach the guys in the Silverado given the Sheriff’s concern expressed to me yesterday that they may just be innocent folks (apparently there is not enough fresh country air in Valley Center). Anyone who has been involved in the burglaries could be armed with stolen weapons.

If you see them or if you observe ANY suspicious activity you should call sheriff’s dispatch immediately at 858-565-5200 – the quicker the better. Make sure you reference the series of burglaries in Jamul that are being investigated by Detective Kerr. Realize that if you call 911 on a cell phone the call goes to CHP and it can be a while before you finally get to the Sheriff.

For matters that are not time sensitive, you can call the Lemon Grove substation and talk to Detective Kerr or anyone else that will take a report. That number is 619-337-2000. Deputies Ken Edwards and Lorenzo Ortiz are both familiar with many of the details, and have been extremely helpful – unfortunately they are often out in the field.

I have contacted Dianne Jacobs’ office to see if they can help us get the word out and maybe be more proactive about this. I have provided her with the same written information that I gave the Sheriff. Will let you know what I hear. I have also contacted Tammi at the Jamul Shopper so that she can publish a story to alert people.

Hope we can get everyone to be much more vigilant and put an end to this!

Kris Nesthus

INFORMATION REGARDING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AND BURGLARIES IN JAMUL
AS OF MARCH 18, 2009

Prior to March 10

A man was knocking on doors in the neighbor hood asking for work. He gave one of them a flyer that supposedly had his name (James Merson) and contact information. This man spoke with [a resident of Jamul Highlands] for some time and claimed to have worked for a local contractor. When the resident checked with that contractor they were told noone of that name had ever worked there. Both the resident and I called the phone number on the flyer, 619-342-8964, and it is not in service.

The home at 14782 Olive Vista was robbed twice in the week before March 10. Eleven guns, jewelry, tools, etc. were stolen.

There has also been strange activity at the end of Jamul Highlands – men fiddling with the lock on the gate up there, unknown vehicles hanging out, and groups of illegals coming through.

Tuesday, March 10

Our home at 2875 Jamul Highlands was burglarized sometime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. I have been told there were a total of four burglaries that day, but the only address I have for another home is 3028 Jamul Highlands. The woman at that home told me she was only gone from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the house was broken into during that time.

Thursday, March 11

A Hispanic male in camouflage clothing and a lime green hat with several large bags obviously full of items was observed hanging around near 3025 Jamul Highlands. I called it in. The deputy responded quickly but the man was gone. I believe the deputy spoke to the woman there.

In the afternoon an attempted burglary occurred at 3191 Jamul Highlands Road .

Friday, March 12

Late in the afternoon two Hispanic males (probably in their 20's) with shaved heads in a white Silverado truck, lowered and with rims, went aft er a young teenage boy who lives on our street, chasing him on his expensive “50" dirt bike (so close they almost ran him down) from the dead end of Jamul Highlands all the way down the road and then chasing him on foot when he went off onto the dirt road near 3025 Jamul Highlands. A young man at a nearby house intervened and asked the men what they were doing, but apparently they did not respond and instead got back into the truck and took off. The young man followed them up Lyons Valley Road and was able to get their license plate number, which is CA 7W49564, and went home. This same truck was seen on Jamul Highlands shortly after but left when they saw they were being observed by the same young man.

I have been told that the Sheriff’s Department checked the plate and the vehicle belongs to someone in Valley Center . I checked with the neighbors at the end of the road and they do not know anyone or have anyone visit their home of this description. There seems to be no reason why these individuals would be in the area (especially several times) or why they would chase a boy, other than possibly to stea l his dirt bike. Someone at the dead end of Jamul Highlands can watch the comings and goings of our neighborhood from that vantage point.

Monday, March 16

I have been told that as of this date, there was a third attempt to break into a home at 14782 Olive Vista.

I have been told that there were reports of a suspicious vehicle consistent with the Silverado described above in the area.

In the morning on this date there was an attempted burglary on Honey Springs Road . Shortly after, my son observed the white Silverado lowered truck with rims on Highway 94 headed toward Lyons Valley Road . Again, what would guys from Valley Center be doing in Jamul on a weekday morning?

We and our neighbors have become increasingly alarmed by these events – several women who stay home alone during the day are terrified. We want this to stop before someone gets hurt. We appreciate the efforts made so far to catch these individuals, and hope that they will continue.