May 7th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Finding the right home also means finding the right neighborhood. You might find the perfect house, but the surrounding area can quickly change the way you feel about it. There are many factors to think about, from school districts to public transportation to the proximity of your neighbors and grocery stores. Different homeowners have different needs when it comes to location, so here are a few things to focus on that will get you headed in the right direction for finding your ideal neighborhood.
April 24th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Author: Margaret Irving
I marvel at the transformation of downtown San Diego over the last few decades. Once a stagnant, blighted urban area where few wanted to live, downtown San Diego has become a vibrant and diverse place where people live, work, shop, dine, and play. As the economy flourished in the early 2000s, the revitalization of downtown accelerated. Where vacant lots and decaying buildings once stood, residential high-rises were built that beautified our skyline and contributed to the live/work community we know today. In fact, the building boom that began in 2001 included a combination of low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings that now account for 80 percent of downtown’s residential units.
Downtown’s residential resurgence began with two pioneering low-rise condominium projects, Park Row (1983) and Marina Park (1984). Adjacent to Pantoja Park, these two communities are lushly landscaped with beautiful gardens and outdoor walkways. Next came two high-rises, the Meridian (1986), encompassing 172 elegant residential units, and Harbor Club (1992) with twin towers 41 stories high, built on downtown’s “front row”. These developments were followed by two mid-rises, Watermark (1992), and City Front Terrace (1994). An elegant beauty, Watermark is constructed of concrete and steel, unique for a mid-rise. A portion of City Front Terrace is built as part of the historic Soap Factory warehouse, 10 stories high, and all brick! All six of these communities are found in the Marina District, and within walking distance of the Horton Plaza shopping mall (1985).
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April 18th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Real estate agent Rosamaria Acuña went into the month of March like a lion, motivated to raise awareness and funds for the Friends of Scott Foundation. By partnering with the team at SparkCycle to host charity cycling events throughout the month, Acuña helped raise over $1200 to support children with cancer and their families.
SparkCycle is a local cycling studio with a stadium-based layout. Each month the fitness center hosts a weekly ‘Karma Ride’ to help a favorite nonprofit, in which 100 percent of the proceeds collected are donated.
“I would like to thank the more than 150 riders who came out to show their support for the foundation during the month of March, and especially Stephanie Cochrane, the owner of SparkCycle,” said Acuña, an agent for the past 27 years. “I would also like to thank the folks at Juice Crafters for providing samples after one of the rides. It’s really great to witness the generosity and compassion of our community first hand.”
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April 17th, 2015 at 12:00 pm
We’re proud to announce the following agents joined our network during the month of March. Welcome to the team!
Cerissa Castrotta
April 16th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
One of the first steps a prospective homeowner must take before buying a home is to come up with the money for a down payment. To buy a home today, the purchaser needs at least 3.5 percent of the purchase price for a down payment. Depending on the price of your ideal home, this could range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand. The more money you’re able to put toward a down payment, the lower your mortgage payment will be. It’s in the homebuyer’s best interest to have a substantial down payment saved when starting the buying process.
Coming up with a down payment can seem like an impossible task to many, but it might be easier than you think. With a little creativity and planning, you could have a down payment saved for your dream home before you know it. Below, we’ve outlined a few creative ways for you to come up with your down payment. Don’t delay, start saving today!
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