Walk to the Beach! Uh, No Frickin’ Way

 

Living along the coast in Carlsbad, I often get requests from buyers seeking primary or vacation homes to enjoy a slice of the Southern California life where they can “walk to the beach.”

 

I get that, as I would enjoy that, too, and have in past homes.

 

It’s a loaded request, since first and foremost it brings with it the issue of price.

 

How MUCH are you willing or able to pay for the privilege of walking to the beach?

 

Many buyers, in the general region but more so from other areas, think that with the shift in the market these last 6 years that Southern California bargains are to be found within walking distance to the beach, or looking right at it.

 

Sure, oceanfront and nearby homes have dropped in value, too, but waterfront property and homes near the beaches still command top dollar for the privilege of ocean views and a short walk, or perhaps your own private stairs to the beach (that REALLY is a premium in price, as much as a few hundred thousand dollars). It is nearly impossible to get approval to build stairs these days if they don’t exist and true oceanfront property on the open market is not plentiful and it remains pricey.

 

Related to that question IS the issue of stairs in your walk to the beach, and the streets themselves. If you don’t care, the options are greater, but if you want to be able to walk out your door onto the beach or not have stairs to navigate (due to the bluffs), the choices are fewer.

 

• You can’t do that in Solana Beach, for example, and the Del Mar Beach Colony, which is at beach level, starts at the mid 7 figures for that honor
• Carlsbad also has a limited number of true ocean front homes, primarily near Carlsbad Village and at Terramar where the beach can be at or very near your doorstep
• In Encinitas you need to be close to Moonlight Beach (Lofts at Moonlight Beach are a good example) or you have a lot of stairs…but great views
• Cardiff has no homes that are direct ocean frontage but many with great views on the hills and close to the beaches and downtown.

 

The other issue that really gripes me are agents who advertise a home as being walk to beach, when that walk is, shall we say, fairly substantial. First of all, those looking for a “walk to beach” aren’t generally willing to walk a mile or more, in my experience, and usually they want considerably less, even if they can’t afford it. Maybe a couple of blocks at best.

 

I saw a home today, in fact, when previewing homes for several clients, that is 1.7 miles from the beach (I measured it in my car for god’s sake). The agent, attempting to lure buyers, decided that marketing the home as walk to beach might be a selling point.

 

I think it’s misrepresentation.

 

Walk to the beach? No frickin’ way.

 

Sure it’s possible. But I could also walk from my home to San Diego, about 35 miles, if I wanted.

 

Walk to beach DOES mean different things to different people. Far be it for me to second guess HOW close that means buyers. I steer away from that issue but suggest people test it out themselves so they can be comfortable.

 

“Walk to the beach” also raises potential fair housing issues. I’m not getting into that discussion here, and I’ve seen debate about whether talking about “walking distance” violates fair housing or not. It COULD be discriminatory so best avoided in advertising. Wonder what Fair Housing has to say about "walkscore?"

 

Suffice it to say, “walk to beach” is far more complex than one might think at first glance. It bears further discussion to be sure what buyers really want and will tolerate when seeking a home that is "walk to the beach."

 

SEARCH FOR WATERFRONT HOMES FOR SALE IN ENCINITAS

 

SEARCH FOR WATERFRONT HOMES FOR SALE IN CARLSBAD

 

SEARCH FOR DEL MAR BEACH COLONY HOMES FOR SALE

 

 

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ALL ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA RELOCATION DUDE

 

If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, the housing market in general (or locally), or otherwise assist you, friends or family in a home search or sale, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JeffDowlerSolutions@gmail.com

Serving Carlsbad (including Aviara, La Costa & Carlsbad Village),  Encinitas (including Leucadia & Olivenhain), Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos (including San Elijo Hills), Oceanside, Carmel Valley, Escondido, and San Diego

Carlsbad Breaking News ~ Oceanside Breaking News ~ Encinitas Breaking News

All content ©Copyright by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved.

Maui embracing electric cars - charging station locations on Maui

Hawaii is in the perfect position to benefit from solar power, and here on Maui we are ready to start charging those electric cars that everyone wants to own.  With some of the highest gas prices in the nation, we are motivated to find solutions to our driving needs.

- Better Place has recently installed 7 charging stations on Maui, and 130 across the state of Hawaii.  Since pricing has not been set, they are offering free power-ups through the end of the year.  This should encourage more car owners to make the switch to more environmentaly friendly choices.  Charging locations on Maui include: The Four Seasons Resort in Wailea; Alamo Rent-A-Car in Kahului; Sheraton Maui Resort in Kaanapali; and Kahana Gateway Retail center.

- 5A Rent-A-Space in Honokawai recently announced they are testing their Level 2 car charging station. It should be ready for the public later this month.  They installed almost 2000 panels (600 KW each) which power the retail store and the charging facility, with leftover power to feed back into the Maui Electric Company grid.

3600 L. Honoapiilani Rd.
Lahaina, HI 96761
Call (808) 669-5200
lahaina@5aspace.com

Don't you think this is really good news?  Maui is the best island in the world, and going green with our energy consumption will help it to stay that way.  If you want to know more about the benefits of living on this island Maui, please contact me with your questions.

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL 

Georgina M. Hunter Maui Realtor(S) e-Pro   

Search the Maui MLS listings here 

Aloha from Maui... 

  

 

Buyers especially want to take pictures of a home to remember the property. Buyers can later sit down in the privacy of their own space and review each of the properties when making their final decision.  This is the home with the diagonal tile with the nice backyard or this is the home with the black wall and fireplace.

 

Pictures are especially critical if the buyer has a short period of time to find a home or if the buyer moving to an unfamiliar city.  Sometimes buyers just want to remember how the furniture was positioned. Sometimes the listing does not contained the pictures that the buyers need to remember the property.

 

Many times the buyers forget the home that was purchased, only to remember that the home did feel right. It’s perfectly logical that someone would want to take pictures of a home that they are going to buy. Reputable agents have prequalified the buyers, buyers that are not going into the property just to case the joint. If you have a priceless antique, remove it from the premises before listing your property.

 

I don't know why a listing agent would tell the buyer's agent that the seller does not want any pictures taken of a home, do you? 

 

If the seller really wants to sell a home, why would the seller want to object with a buyer taking pictures?

 

Does anyone really display their original Van Gough when selling their property?

 

 

 

 

 

Subscribe to my Blog   

 

Leolinda Bowers TM
Associate Broker
Ken Meade Realty
Cell (602) 403-6865
Business (623) 937-5701
http://LEOLINDA.com

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in any Phoenix Arizona retirement community, consider hiring me as your Realtor®. I am the 2011, 2010 and 2009 Top Producing Agent in Ken Meade Realty. In 2011, I successful closed 71 transactions. As a year-round Sun City Grand resident and full-time Associate Broker Realtor®, I am familiar with Phoeniz AZ retirement communities Sun City Grand, Sun City West, Corte Bella, Arizona Traditions, Sun Village, Pebble Creek and Trilogy at Vistancia.

 

 

NAR At Home With Diversity Class October 13, 2011 Was Well-Attended - Course Sponsored by Minnesota CRS Chapter and MNAR

 

On Thursday, October 13, we had eighteen forward-thinking Realtors in attendance at the Minnesota Association of Realtors building in Edina, for the NAR "At Home With Diversity" class.  Not only was the course well-attended, but class participation was among the best I've ever encountered for this course.

We were delighted to see attendees from as far away as Hutchinson, Minnesota in class last Thursday.  And it was an honor to see my friend Nobu Hata in attendance as well. 

The one-day course rewarded attendees with 7.5 continuing education credits in Minnesota, plus elective credit towards the CRS designation.  Lunch was served and course/instructor feedback from the class was gratifying!

Minnesota CRS Chapter President Linda Johnson was in attendance, along with Dan Boman, Tom Slupske and Gary Williams of the Minnesota Chapter leadership team.  My special thanks to these fellow Minnesota Chapter leaders for adding so much to the presentation of this course in the Twin Cities area!

 

Contact Broker Eric Kodner with Wayzata Lakes Realty about Minneapolis & Saint Paul area properties, including Lake Minnetonka and the Minneapolis City Lakes (Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet). We also sell on Lake Superior, including Bayfield and Madeline Island properties.  With over twelve years experience marketing and selling waterfront properties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, we know Lake Minnetonka and Madeline Island real estate.

Wayzata Lakes Realty LLC (Minnesota) and Madeline Island Realty LLC (Wisconsin)

Real Estate Brokerage licensed in Minnesota & Wisconsin

Phone or Text Message 612.670.2539

MadelineIsland@Gmail.com

 

 

 

 

Can You Say Ethics Violation?

Learnings about Agency – Article 1 of the Code of Ethics 

I serve on the Professional Standards Committee at my local real estate board, North San Diego County Association of REALTORS, and have for several years. I’ve found it to be a tremendous learning experience, as panel after panel we discover the myriad ways that agents can misbehave, knowingly or not. It may be something done to another agent, or perhaps they mistreat a member of the public.

 

 

Certain violations appear to be more common, and in some cases easier to identify, Agency (Article 1) being one of them. I sat on a panel on Friday and while I can’t share any specifics, some aspects of this COE Article are quite clear.

 

In case you don’t recall the specifics, here is Article 1:

 

“When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an agent, REALTORS® pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve REALTORS® of their obligation to treat all parties honestly. When serving a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant or other party in a non-agency capacity, REALTORS® remain obligated to treat all parties honestly. (Amended 1/01)”

 

Many agents seem to be pretty good at protecting and promoting the interests of their clients, and we certainly talk about that side of our role often. But some fall down in this regard, putting their own interests ahead of their clients’, or seemingly to forget they should be promoting their clients’ interests (short sale and REO transactions seem to be a problem area). We see it all the time.

 

Or REALTORS forget whose interests they are bound to protect, and engage in activities that violate this important aspect of agency. Sharing information that shouldn’t be shared, for example. Or not doing something they should to protect and promote the buyer’s or seller’s interests.

 

But protecting and promoting the interests of our clients, while primary, does NOT remove the responsibility of REALTORS to treat others honestly in a real estate transaction. And that was the crux of the problem the other day.

 

No doubt the respondent agent felt they were doing what they should to protect and promote the interests of their client. And no one disputed that aspect of the agency article. Problem is, the respondent wasn’t treating the other agent and client honestly and fairly in terms of what was happening with the transaction and a competing party. Ooops.

 

Was it intentional? Probably, but who knows. One can’t decide based on intent, and what could have been…the violation of the COE comes from what the evidence says happened.

 

No doubt there are many instances of ethics violations that never get reported because agents don’t want to hassle with the time, and the process. I see it as an important part of the educational process when used appropriately. There are some who can benefit from the process and the required education, and warning letters, that result.

 

 

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ALL ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA RELOCATION DUDE

 

If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, the housing market in general (or locally), or otherwise assist you, friends or family in a home search or sale, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JeffDowlerSolutions@gmail.com

Serving Carlsbad (including Aviara, La Costa & Carlsbad Village),  Encinitas (including Leucadia & Olivenhain), Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos (including San Elijo Hills), Oceanside, Carmel Valley, Escondido, and San Diego

Carlsbad Breaking News ~ Oceanside Breaking News ~ Encinitas Breaking News

All content ©Copyright by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved.

 

NAR At Home With Diversity Course is Now Approved for 7.5 Continuing Education Credits in Minnesota

 

I was excited to learn today that the Minnesota Department of Commerce has approved the NAR "At Home With Diversity" course for 7.5 CE credits in Minnesota.

I was also proud to be part of the team which undertook the effort to secure continuing education credit, along with Minnesota Association of Realtors Senior Vice President Linda Modlinski, Val Brones and Peg Anderson of MNAR, and Minnesota CRS Chapter President Linda Johnson.

The "At Home With Diversity" course is a great one-day blueprint for incorporating diversity into your real estate practice.  And it's a course which ought to be qualified for Continuing Education credit in all fifty states.

I'll be teaching the AHWD course at the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors building, on October 13, 2011.  The course is co-sponsored by the Minnesota CRS Chapter and the Minnesota Association of Realtors.  This will be my third time presenting the "At Home With Diversity" course in the past eighteen months.  Last November, I presented the course at the offices of the Wisconsin Realtors Association (WRA) in Madison.

Read more about the October 13 "At Home With Diversity" course offering here.

 

 

 

Contact Broker Eric Kodner about waterfront and specialty properties on Lake Minnetonka, Lake Superior and throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Wayzata Lakes Realty LLC (Minnesota) and Madeline Island Realty LLC (Wisconsin)

Real Estate Brokerage in Minnesota & Wisconsin

Phone or Text Message 612.670.2539

MadelineIsland@Gmail.com

Scan or click on the QR Code below to visit our Website:

 

 

A qualified buyer in winter is generally a very serious buyer.  If you live in Michigan, and are considering placing your home on the market, do not buy into the old saw that you should wait until spring to place your home on the market.  Too many sellers hold off for this, thinking that there are fewer buyers, and they might have more ‘luck' when the weather gets warmer. 

I have found the opposite philosophy to be true.  The reason you should consider placing your home on the market during the heavy winter months of December, January, February and March is because every other seller is applying the strategy of pulling out until spring.  This means less competition. 

You might say, well aren't there fewer buyers in the winter?  Sure there are, but there are still buyers.  It is important to note that a buyer that will request a showing during a heavy snow period in the winter is generally a very serious buyer. 

Remember this: A qualified buyer in winter is generally a serious buyer.  Last winter, I was working with some buyers that needed to buy a home in January 2010.  They were serious.  Their home had burned down, and they had an insurance settlement coming within weeks, and I had already gotten them pre-approved for a new loan. 

They were living in a hotel until we found them a new home.  They wanted to buy, and get to closing as soon as possible, so they could get moved in and become reestablished.  We were shopping in the $250,000 to $300,000 range and we practically saw every single home available in the area they wanted to live in before they agreed on one. 

However, the trouble I was having as a Realtor was that there were so few homes on the market in that price range in January, because so many sellers had pulled theirs until spring.  When we found the perfect home, and closed in February, I could not help but think later in April and May when I was seeing all the new listings hit the market on how many sellers missed this opportunity?  I mean, the couple bought a beautiful home, but they did compromise on some things they said they wanted when they found the one home with so many features they never thought about, and fell in love. 

The home they bought was actually one I showed them because I was running out of homes to show them.  The husband wanted a pole barn, and this house did not have one.  I showed it to them after we had looked at three or four others that day, and this was kind of a ‘throw in' for our itinerary because it was on the way home. I did not think there would be any interest because there was no pole barn.  To my surprise, they fell in love with the home, and decided to write an offer.

I cannot help but wonder if they would have made the same selection in the springtime, with 4X the available homes for sale to look at?  One can never know, but it is for certain that they were serious buyers in the dead of winter, and when they found the home they liked, they bought it. 

So any seller out there as we approach December that may be considering pulling their home from the market until spring would be wise to reconsider.  I recommend that you place your home on the market in the winter, and take advantage of the lack of competition. 

A qualified buyer in winter is generally a serious buyer, and if your home fits the profile of what that buyer is looking for, wouldn't you want the list to be as short as possible?  I would.  For help on selling your home in Southwest Michigan in the winter, give me a call at: 269-441-8182 or visit my website at: www.michaeldelaware.com.

 Looking for Southwest Michigan Real Estate? Just Call Michael!

He is your key to the best homes in the region!

2010 'REALTOR OF THE YEAR'

For the Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors

Copyright © Photos and Content by Michael Delaware REALTOR® All Rights Reserved

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

 - Mark Twain

 

     

   

THE GLUT OF OVERPRICED LISTINGS IN MANY MARKETS IS A NIGHTMARE FOR BUYERS, SELLERS, AGENTS and LOAN OFFICERS.  That said, there's nothing new in the practice. 

Inspired by a thoughtful post by Shirley Soforic, KMC BLOG.....HURTING HOMEOWNERS FEELINGS, after watching agents not only accepting, but chasing overpriced listings for decades, there can be no reason to excuse the practice of listing homes for higher than market value other than THE AGENT WANTS THE LISTING. 

WHY?  If all the agent was doing was avoiding "hurting the owner's feelings", THEY WOULDN'T BE TAKING THE OVERPRICED LISTING.  Filtering through ACTIVE listings to show homes is quite time consuming.  This practice produces a bloated inventory and totally distorts the accuracy of absorption rates. 

EXAMPLES:

• Silver Spring, Maryland has 395 ACTIVE listings that have been on the market for more than 200 days.
• Woodbridge, Virginia has 359 ACTIVE listings that have been on the market for more than 200 days. 

Agents give high price opinions or avoid giving the owner the facts in order to GET THE LISTING.

HOW?  The owner sucks the agent in by declaring that they "will only take" a minimum amount.  Then the agent sucks the seller in by accepting the listing and giving the owner false hope. 

Don't forget, agents take listing for more reasons than just to sell the house.   Listed below are examples observed over the years. 

* Agents are looking for buyer leads.  (open house, phone calls)

 * Agents get a sign in the yard.  (name recognition)

 * Agents get their listing on the production board.

 * Brokers don't discourage the practice because they get MARKET SHARE. 

 * Agents always believe that they'll be able to get the price down. 

 * Agents don't know how to determine market value. 

"THE SELLER INSISTED".  Many home sellers are fine with listing their house at a high price since they mistakenly believe that they "need negotiating room".  Or, they just want what they want.  If a seller doesn't need to sell, they can be demanding on price.  That doesn't mean the agent has to "enable" the overpriced listing.  If agents continue to accept these listings, it deminishes our image when homes sit on the market for 200 days or more. 

Whatever the reason, I suspect that, considering the cost of taking, preparing, advertising, maintaining a listing, hurting the owner's feelings is way down the list.  Agents often make a significant commitment to use their resources to circulate and market properties.  I recall reading a post by Missy Caulk some time ago wherein she said that, taking a listings costs her team about $2,500.  That's a lot of money.  Granted, many "volume" agents don't commit resources in that amount.  Still, there are costs, even if it's just the agent's time.  After all, time is money.

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.

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QR Codes isn't something new.

However, QR Code Riders are.

 

When the brochure box came out, my Dad was skeptical.  "Why would you want to put all that information out there when you really want the prospect to call?"  He was also skeptical of the fax machine, internet and e-mail, but he came around to those technological advances pretty quick.

 

In the real estate industry, you have to be on the cutting edge of technology.  Do they even print the MLS Book anymore or is it all on-line?  Hmmm, not sure - you guys can answer that one for me.  Anyway, QR Codes is cutting edge and we are right there with it!

 

Elizabeth Cooper-Golden was the one who tipped me to QR Codes and I can't thank her enough.  Above is an example of her "QR Code Riders".  Contact Elizabeth to see the response she's gotten from her QR Code Riders!

 

I had the privilege of speaking at RainCamp Prescott last week also.  Ben Kinney asked me if there is something new and exciting in the world of real estate signage.  I brought up QR Code Riders and while explaining, there were 2 women on the front row who I thought were going to jump out of their skin.  Suzanne Feinberg and Tina Malko of www.PowerVision4RealEstate.com.  They knew exactly what I was talking about.  Once I got home from RainCamp, I contacted Suzanne, helped her with updating her logo and got her underway with her QR Code Rider.  Together, we've developed a synergistic relationship in order to bring awareness of this technology to the real estate industry in hopes of providing quicker access of information to prospects.

 

So, I doubt that the brochure box will ever phase out, however, as one "in the market", I'd rather pull information up on my iPhone with all the information I want on a house rather than keeping track of a piece of paper.

But, if you want a brochure box anyway, you can click here too : )

 

Yours truly,

 

Monte

monte@jackpratt.com

800-299-5551

 

So with the talk about QR Codes, early adapters are all abuzz, and traditionalists, I mean later adapters, are a little more tentative.

How can you use this thing to bring value to your clients?  Is it just a toy, another gimmick with very little application?  Does it sound like "tiramisu"  from Sleepless in Seattle to you?

And I feel like we are describing, describing, promising, and theorizing and I thought a little hands-on video might be illustrative.

Roll 'em:

 

 

 

 

We live in a fairly active relocation area.  Often one spouse will come to town, and the other is at home.  And often the spouse in town has slack time to cruise around. Being able to text or email to their SO can have real value, particularly if it can be done on the spot.

I'm liking this stuff.

.

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Mike Jaquish, REALTOR®   

919-880-2769  www.MikeJaquish.com 

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Broker Associate, KELLER WILLIAMS® Realty, Cary, NC