Vi at La Jolla Village Most people have rather pre-conceived notions about life in retirement. They imagine gloomy retirement homes with linoleum floors and old people sitting in wheelchairs with their heads drooping. For this reason, there is a general sense that it is best to remain in your own home as you age, rather…
In 2007, which coincidentally was the centennial of the founding of Hillcrest, the American Planning Association designated Hillcrest as one of the top ten great neighborhoods in America. That is an incredible honor when you consider the size and scope of our nation and ponder how many neighborhoods are contained within it. That got me…
Last issue’s column was dedicated to a discussion of the cyclical nature of real estate values and how those cycles come about and relate to the general economy. We are currently coming off a serious devaluation of real estate and are now in an expansion phase where inventory (supply) has diminished and buyer confidence (demand)…
People are always talking about real estate, when to buy, when to sell, what’s up and what’s down. This is because the marketplace is ever fluctuating and goes up and down along with other economic factors. Supply and demand is a major factor: simply stated, when supply is greater than demand, prices fall and when…
In this era, when everything seems available on the Internet and we appear just a click away from buying anything from a new bathing suit to a new yacht, why should we bother with a real estate agent? Good question and it bears a real discussion. Why can’t sellers and buyers just deal directly and…
We all like to see stylish, architecturally meritorious houses in our neighborhood. The more of a mix of styles, the more interesting our blocks become. Fortunately, these houses abound, and Southern California sports many fine examples of significant historic homes. Quite common and recognizable is the Spanish Colonial Revival style made popular in California from…
Real Estate shoppers and aficionados, travel with me this week on the interest rate train, as we examine historical mortgage interest rates and come to rest at our destination, today’s marketplace. It may seem more like a roller coaster ride than a pleasant sightseeing journey, but it should give you some perspective on a decision…
Is there a house for everyone here in our neck of the woods? The answer is yes. I’ve gone through our database and selected the two extremes, the least and most expensive active properties in our inventory. I thought you’d get a kick out of comparing the two. The starter home, the most affordable in…
Vive la difference! We live in a society where we have choices, and can make decisions based on our lifestyles, needs and capabilities. Single family homes and condominiums are two of the choices we can make when electing to purchase a home and one of them is assuredly the better choice for you. The two…
The recent uptick in the real estate market reminds us that the American dream of home ownership is alive and well. Many people experience a sense of pride and security knowing that their sanctuary actually belongs to them. If you find yourself scanning real estate listings and watching one virtual tour after another, it may…
