...TRASH!!! Having blogged previously about this this vary issue, I am again compelled to bring awareness to the atrocious litter problem that plagues our streets.  Who freaking likes litter?!  Anyone?  What are we as a community prepared to do about it? It's going to take a village of environmentally conscious citizens that are fed up with the garbage over taking our community. Open your eyes next time you stroll through the village, or drive down virtually any street.  See the hundreds of cigarette butts, overflowing trash cans and debris on the sidewalks, streets and freeway exits?  This isn't going away by itself and there is no solution in place to address this massive eye-sore. There are solutions that will require leadership, organization and action.   As one man with a picker an... 08/24/2010

As we all know, it is a full documentation lending world these days.  Aside from the "known" paperwork required to even get pre-approved, there are some other items that prospective homebuyers should be ready to provide once they are actually in escrow. Credit Card Information for the Appraisal Order:  For Conventional and FHA loans, appraisals are ordered online through appraisal management companies' websites and must be paid at time of ordering.  Real estate agents may also pay for their client's appraisal, but a credit card will still be required.  VA appraisals are ordered directly through the VA and are charged to the buyer at closing. Proof Earnest Money Deposit Cleared Account:  Once the initial deposit clears the buyer's bank account, a copy of the cancelled check as well as an... 08/20/2010

It is that time again... The Taste of Encinitas! PRESENTED BY THE DOWNTOWN ENCINITAS MAINSTREET ASSOCIATION, the Taste of MainStreet has become one of the largest and most successful events of its kind in San Diego County. Participating restaurants will offer delicious samples of a vast variety of food. Guests will be treated to 39 different taste sensations.  And to celebrate our 21st birthday, signature and happy hour cocktails will be available at 8 locations. Taste of Main Restaurant Participation Map Tickets are $25 (cash, check or Visa/Discover/MasterCard) and are available for sale beginning August 5th, 2010. They will be available for sale on line at the DEMA store or at the DEMA office and may be picked up Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm & from 9am to 8:30pm the day of the event.... 08/19/2010

Barracuda Fresh Grill & Wine Bar - Downtown Encinitas On Friday evening, Josh and I double-dated with a good friend... We went to Barracuda Fresh Grill & Wine Bar in Downtown Encinitas. We arrived around 7:30pm and the place was surprisingly quiet for a Friday night- maybe the early birds had already caught the worm? I called Barracuda about 45 minutes before we headed there to see if we needed a reservation (this was Friday night date night after all in Downtown Encinitas). The hostess said that we looked good at the moment, but would put my name down for four just in case. Off to a good review; nice front desk- check. By the way, I can't tell you how important it is to have a good Hostess. Bad greetings will strike the wrong mood for the rest of the night. The interior has a dark, rom... 08/18/2010

Where in Encinitas am I?   Can you guess where this picture was taken? Yes, this is in Encinitas! Any guesses? I'll reveal the answer shortly.... Good luck! 08/18/2010

I love Encinitas! Thats right...I said the world.  I really do think I am fortunate to live in such an amazing area.  I do love traveling and have lived in Australia as well as been to Bali, Costa Rica, Europe, all the Hawaiian islands, etc.  I must say that Encinitas is my favorite.  Maybe I'll change my mind one day, but thus far Encinitas is the best.  I enjoy all of North county San Diego, but Encinitas a bit more than the rest. I was actually talking to a neighbor the other day that just completed a nice custom home in Bali and he said that he loves it there, but is always glad to get back to Encinitas.  I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one, but then I'll be walking down the street one day or watching the sunset over the pacific and someone else that I just met 15 seconds ago wil... 08/18/2010

The Best Real Estate Office in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas. Steele Realty is #1 hands down... There really is only one Office in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas that has it all. This office has very well rounded Agents who pride themselves on making their client happy first. An office built around ethical behavior and regard for all of its fellow Real Estate Associates, Co-Workers, and Clients! Steele Realty has everything from the most well seasoned Agents to the ones just starting their ventures. Steele Realty is not out to just sell a product but a lifestyle. We give back in so many different ways but, some of the most outstanding would be the support for the local schools. Every deal we do we try to donate back to the School. We also created a local Newspaper called the Beach ... 08/14/2010

Since When Should Retirement Be An ENTITLEMENT? I recently read a Boo Hoo Hoo sob story about a 63 year old man who was complaining of having to go back to work after 10 blissful years of diamond level retirement. I got more sick to my stomach by the sentence as I read his rant about how bad a hit he took in the stock marked and how his government, retirement accounts and former employer had let him down after his 30 years of servitude and how he must now have go back to work to support himself and his conspicuously consumtive lifestyle. Barf, Barrf, Barrff and Yuk, Yuk, Yuk. I'm sorry but I get so irritated when I hear folks complain about the "R" word. So sad that so many of us had to change our plans about retiriing to that beautiful 18 hole luxury senior golf community or that encha... 08/14/2010

I wrote a post last Saturday regarding FHA's proposed increase of the annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) coupled with a decrease in the Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP).  These changes were to take effect for FHA case numbers assigned on or after September 7, 2010. However, a recent communication from HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary Vicki Bott stated that they are pushing this out to case numbers assigned on or after October 4, 2010. The new annual mortgage insurance (paid on a monthly basis) is increasing from 0.50-0.55% to 0.85-0.90% depending on down payment and term.  On a $200,000 purchase price with 3.5% down payment, the MIP will increase from $88.46 per month to $144.75 per month.  This is an increase $56 per month. Fortunately, the UFMIP will be decreasing from 2.... 08/13/2010

The Perils & Pitfalls of Mobile & Manufactured Homes. Things You May Not Know As A RE Agent.                                                                                          I have to credit                                                                Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector                                                                      Brentwood, TN                                                                                     for inspiring this post.   After reading Michael's very revealing post regarding the shoddy if not close to criminal manner in which so-called tradesmen go about the business of Mickey-Mousing repairs under homes I couldn't help but relate that to our industry: Manuffactured Housing.   Decomposing steel pier unde... 08/12/2010

Hey all you internet lookie loos looking for ENCINITAS BANK OWNED HOMES... DONT CALL OR EMAIL ME......................................Unless you want me to be your agent....................... I AM NOT A TAXI OR HERE TO HELP YOUR AGENT MAKE THE EASIEST SALE OF THEIR LIFE                             Here is why I DON NOT want to hear from you ( from most of you). YES.. I KEEP IT REAL.. NO BS.. NO HYPE. STRAIGHT UP TALK FROM IN THE TRENCHES OF NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO REAL ESTATE I just got a perfect looking "LEAD" around 9 am this morning ( Aug 10 2010) . BOY WAS I EXCITED. and I replied back within the first two minutes after the initial contact. Yes, I'm all over it. Here is the " LEAD" which was emailed DIRECTLY to my email address, realestatequestion@yahoo.com , NOT a "LEAD" from my we... 08/10/2010

                  Hey all you internet lookie loos looking for ENCINITAS BANK OWNED HOMES... DONT CALL OR EMAIL ME......................................Unless you want me to be your agent....................... I AM NOT A TAXI OR HERE TO HELP YOUR AGENT MAKE THE EASIEST SALE OF THEIR LIFE                             Here is why I DON NOT want to hear from you ( from most of you). YES.. I KEEP IT REAL.. NO BS.. NO HYPE. STRAIGHT UP TALK FROM IN THE TRENCHES OF NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO REAL ESTATE I just got a perfect looking "LEAD" around 9 am this morning ( Aug 10 2010) . BOY WAS I EXCITED. and I replied back within the first two minutes after the initial contact. Yes, I'm all over it. Here is the " LEAD" which was emailed DIRECTLY to my email address, realestatequestion@yahoo.com , NOT a... 08/10/2010

Encinitas real estate is selling quickly and the prices are inching upward!  Average days on market for homes for sale in Encinitas is about one month.  View Encinitas real estate market report for July 2010 We have Encinitas home and loan info in one place! Encinitas real estate Encinitas loan info: enter your information in our quick quote below. No need to leave personal information. We display mortgage rates for California along with estimated closing costs. We don't play the hidden fee game. Our quotes are accurate and include estimated title, escrow and appraisal fees. California mortgage rates updated every 30 minutes. Conventional - jumbo - FHA Fast - efficient - competitive www.encinitashomeandloan.info View Larger Map 08/09/2010

Encinitas Real Estate Market Report - July 2010   As a buyer or seller in the Encinitas real estate market, it is important to have information about the market conditions in order to make a more informed decision about what to do with regard to buying or selling your Encinitas home.  Here is a summary of the Encinitas real estate market for July 2010 based on statistics from the MLS (private sales are not included nor are manufactured and mobile homes). These data are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed due to how data may be entered into the MLS system. READ MORE: Encinitas - An Eclectic Seaside Community  Leucadia- Surfers' Beach Community in Encinitas CA In July 2010, 44 homes sold in the Encinitas real estate market, an increase of 19% over last month which followed a decline in... 08/08/2010

  3 bed 2 bath Homes and townhomes for sale in Leucadia, Encinitas CA.  Right now there are some great homes for sale in Leucadia. The lots are typically bigger than your cookie-cutter tract home lots, the streets are not set up in a grid matter,and the best attribute of Leucadia? The community's slogan "Keep Leucadia funky"! There are about 43 homes for sale in Leucadia right now, so I'm choosing just a couple to highlight. These are not my listings, but I would love to show them to you if you like any of them. Orpheus Ave 3 bed 2 bath $539,900. Bank-Owned; Single level 3 bedroom 2 bath home located on a large lot (.58 acres west of the 5) in Leucadia area; repainted and re-carpeted; some interior upgrades including granite tile counter tops in kitchen and stainless stove/oven, tile fl... 08/04/2010

  CAN YOU USE GIFT MONEY AS A DOWN PAYMENT TO PURCHASE A HOME? Interest rates are low, prices are low, and you are trying to scrounge together enough for a down payment to buy the home you can finally afford (but don't have quite enough for the down payment).   I think there a lot of young couples out there that are in the position to buy, but don't have a substantial down payment saved up. It can be really frustrating looking at homes and yearning for the chance to own a piece of land and a place of your own. I know this, because I am in this position as well. (Yes, I am a Realtor and I am also human!).  What to do when you have family willing to help and lenders are not too lenient on their requirements? I've done a little research on whether or not you can use gift money as a down pa... 08/04/2010

We have Encinitas home and loan info in one place! Encinitas real estate Encinitas loan info: enter your information in our quick quote below. No need to leave personal information. We display mortgage rates for California along with estimated closing costs. We don't play the hidden fee game. Our quotes are accurate and include estimated title, escrow and appraisal fees. Rates updated every 30 minutes. Fast - efficient - competitive www.encinitashomeandloan.info 08/04/2010

We have Encinitas home and loan info in one place! Encinitas real estate Encinitas loan info: enter your information in our quick quote below. No need to leave personal information. We display mortgage rates for California along with estimated closing costs. We don't play the hidden fee game. Our quotes are accurate and include estimated title, escrow and appraisal fees. Rates updated every 30 minutes. Fast - efficient - competitive www.encinitashomeandloan.info 08/02/2010

  Remember that nice bank office you were sitting in the other day?  The big building with empty desks?  Guess who's paying for that?     YOU ARE!   Searching for the right mortgage company can be a daunting task even in a small city like Encinitas.  Banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, brokers or direct lenders.  Who to use?  All will have very similar rates because they get their money from the same sources.  The difference is the cost of running their business.  Quit paying for the show and hire someone who knows.   Mortgages in Encinitas since 1977!   We know you want the lowest rate and lowest fees.  Financing a home over 30 years adds up to a lot of money!  We're sensitive to that.  Three things you must do to save money: 1)  Complete a loan application 2) Provide us the nece... 08/02/2010

The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act) was passed on July 30, 2008.  This law gave states one year to pass legislation requiring the licensure of mortgage loan originators according to national standards and the participation of state agencies on the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). According to the NMLS Resource Center, the SAFE Act is designed to enhance consumer protection and reduce fraud through the setting of minimum standards for the licensing and registration of state-licensed mortgage loan originators. Up to this point, mortgage loan originators (MLO's) in California had to be either licensed by the CA Department of Real Estate (DRE), the CA Department of Corporations (DOC), or work for a bank/credt union.  I have had my D... 07/30/2010