Seek out properties in areas that have remained fairly stable or have only experienced a slight decline. These areas will turn around the quickest when housing prices increase.

Study the pricing trends in the particular area where you are planning a purchase. This will help you determine if the home you are planning on purchasing is a good investment and will retain its market value.

• Look at the number of houses that are for sale in a given area where you are planning to purchase.

• Check the asking price.
• Analyze how many homes sold in this area within the last month, the last 3 months, the past 6 months, and the past 12 months.
• Determine the sold prices for the houses, the discount on the home prices, and whether the closing was a Seller Paid Closing. If so, ask what percentage the seller paid at closing.
• Look at the Days on the Market (DOM) for these homes.

Analyze the Comps (Sold Comparables) This is one of the numbers that you must pay attention to during the home comparison process. In the current market, comps are important but the number of “Days on the Market” (DOM) helps to tell the rest of the story. First: Analyze the length of time the properties are sitting on the market before they sell. Second: Look over the last 3 to 12 months of the sold comparables. Have the homes been discounted? Check to see how many homes are for sale in the same area and check the asking prices.

Review the provisions of The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Many eligible homeowners and first time buyers may find home ownership more affordable. 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 home purchase. Additional provisions include a modernized and expanded FHA loan program, assistance for veterans, and the HOPE for Homeowners Act 2008. If you are considering the purchase of your first home, an interest free refundable tax credit of $7500 includes purchases on or after April 9, 2008, before July 1, 2009.

In high density areas, a new style of row home is cropping up – homes that are contemporary in style, designed with outdoor patios, decks, roof gardens, and built with sustainable materials. This means minimal maintenance and greater affordability. During construction, some row home contractors offer retrofitted design options.

Several inches of space, covered by flashing and hidden from view, usually separate row homes from each other. This style of construction makes it unnecessary to have a homeowners association. Legally, these homes are considered separate entities due to the 2 or 3-inch separation between homes. Outwardly, they look like attached town houses. The properties are divided from each other by an imaginary lot line, making it possible for each owner to have full control over the home and the land.

This centuries old style, row homes, can be found throughout the world, in New York, Paris, London, New York, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia. The style and type of material used in constructing row houses vary. Many homes are primarily red brick in construction, with stone and marble accent. Some communities have homes that are built of solid granite. In architecture and city planning, a row home or terrace house is a style of housing in use since the late 17th century, where a row of identical or mirror-image houses share side walls. The first and last of these homes is often called an end terrace or end unit, and is often larger than the homes in the middle.

In the United States, Thomas Carstairs, a Philadelphia builder and architect designed the first row houses or terrace housing in 1799 for the Philadelphia developer William Sansom. Carstairs Row in Philadelphia was part of the first speculative housing developments in America. Many of Philadelphia’s row houses date back to colonial times. Prior to this time houses had been built individually, not in rows. In Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, and Washington DC, homes built side by side with the dividing walls being common on each are simply called row houses or row homes, and are quite common. In New York City and various urban centers around the country, a particular type of row home made of a brownish-red sandstone is called a brownstone. Despite the narrow lots, many brownstones are relatively large. Some newer row homes in these areas are often referred to as “attached houses”. In much of the Southern United States, they are referred to as row homes. In the Midwest and Great Plains they are referred to as “townhomes.” In the United States the term, “row home”, usually describes a two story, housing unit that shares a wall with one or more neighboring units.

If you are looking for a condo that lives like a home, you must see this town home with an attached garage! Live in a peaceful park like location with trees abound and parks nearby. Park your car in the garage and enjoy the convenience to all. The Southern California lifestyle at its best! Walk or bike to UCSD, shops, restaurants, movie theaters, banks, pharmacy, post office, and beaches.

Bring an Offer Now! Priced at $369,000. Tour the property. To view additional properties log onto Denay Trinidad or Schedule an Appointment Today!

Contact Denay, a La Jolla realtor who specializes in the La Jolla real estate market. Please feel free to call me with any questions: Cell: 619-925-7087, Office: 858.459.3851 ext. 206 or by E-mail: info@denaytrinidad.com

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Buyer to verify all information before close of escrow.

The military was very influential in the establishment and early development of Mira Mesa. During the World War II era, the area served mainly as an airfield and training center. In the 1950′s, building began in Mira Mesa largely to house service, members stationed at NAS Miramar, site of the Navy’s Top Gun School. The 1960′s saw a great residential building boom in the community sparked in large part by its central location and proximity to Downtown San Diego, and residential building continued steadily over the next few decades. Meanwhile, the community’s demographic make-up diversified greatly to include students, singles, families, techies and a large contingent of Filipino and Vietnamese residents. Blending in with all this diversification, many military families still call Mira Mesa home.

Since the late 1990′s, building in Mira Mesa has continued at a rapid rate, but with a special emphasis on the business/commercial and industrial sectors as well as community services and infrastructure. A commuter train linking Mira Mesa and the rest of San Diego County has come into service. The community boasts eight parks, numerous recreation, teen and senior centers, an aquatic complex, an ice arena and a large, world-class movie theatre. It also features a multitude of shopping centers, a wide variety of restaurants (many serving ethnic cuisines) and many ethnic markets. Home building continues, of course, with many residents enjoying city or canyon views. At the same time, developers are paying special attention to the growth of the infrastructure and services needed by Mira Mesa in order for its residents to live prosperously and comfortably. From its military roots, Mira Mesa has truly grown into a “full-service” community.

Even though the community does not have its own coastline, the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay Park are only a quick ride west away. Clairemont Mesa gets its name partially from the dear wife of the community’s developer, Carlos Taveras, and partially from its terrain which is formed by two large canyons cutting through it. San Clemente Canyon runs along the community’s northern border & running from NNE to SSW is Tecolote Canyon. (“Tecolote” means “owl” in a dialect of Spanish spoken in Mexico.) These canyons carve through the land forming high, flat surrounding areas; the mesas. (“Mesas” means “tables” in Spanish.) These, of course, give Clairemont Mesa the rest of its name.

Clairemont Mesa’s residents enjoy many special benefits. Homebuilding is done up on the mesas providing many residents with views of the canyons and, in some cases, because of proximity to the coast, views of Mission Bay & the Pacific Ocean. Of course, with their quick access to surrounding areas, the community’s residents don’t just have to look at these views; they can get there quickly for fun on the beach or in Mission Bay Park. These locales offer surfing, boating, fishing & biking. For those desiring more land-based activities, there are Torrey Pines State Reserve and Tecolote Canyon Natural Park to explore. There’s also great shopping adventures waiting at Clairemont Town Square. With such a variety of living & recreational
choices close at hand, Clairemont Mesas residents have ample opportunity to enjoy the
spice of life!

The western boundary of Encinitas consists of six miles of stunningly beautiful beaches, most of which are a surfer’s dream come true. With a near perfect climate and average year-round temperature of 72 degrees, surfers can ride great waves here throughout the year. Wonderful spots with plenty of room are available all along Encinitas’ coastline, with the finest reputed to be a place called Swami’s at Encinitas’ south end.

It’s no wonder Encinitas is often called “Surfer’s Paradise”. Of course, there’s more to Encinitas than its beautiful coastline. As one moves inland, one enters the domain of “flower power”. Flower growing is the community’s leading industry, with poinsettias being its specialty. Indeed, Encinitas has been called the “Flower Capitol of the World”. The community celebrates its love of floral cultivation each year with an Orchid Fair in October and the annual Poinsettia Festival Street Fair and Parade in November/December. The rest of the year, one can enjoy the serene beauty of the Quail Botanical Gardens which features, among its other flora, the largest bamboo collection in the U. S.

Along with surfing and flower power, Encinitas also celebrates its ethnic groups, civic pride and great music. Among the ethnic festivals are the Greek Festival in September and the annual Oktoberfest. Also, observed each Fall is Encinitas Day which features a 5K run/walk, entertainment, food and fun. The Summer Concert Series, Sunday Summer Concerts by the Sea, and very special Picnic Concert for Kids afford music lovers continual opportunities to treat their ears. In addition to these many enjoyable events, Encinitas features museums to visit, golf courses to challenge and hiking trails to explore. Truly, this beautiful community offers many great opportunities to enjoy the good things in life.

911 Emergency: 911

Animal Emergency Care: 760-111-4412

BASS/TicketMaster: 760-111-2277

Bus Schedule: 760-111-1717

www.sandiego-online.com

www.mortgage101.com