Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
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California has 12 percent of the nation’s population and 10 percent of the nation’s housing stock. Historically, California has led the nation in the cycles of real estate, both up and down, and California’s statewide trends are generally a harbinger of what can be expected nationwide. In 2005, it was the first to show signs of fissures in the housing market. In 2008, it was the first to take off with investor all-cash sales. It was also the first to experience the chronic lac... Full story
As 2018 comes to an end, I tend to think back on events that occurred over the year, to make sure I take stock of all the good that occurred. In a world where we tend to focus on the bad, for me, it is critical to fix my eyes on those things that are good. With that in mind, I want to share a few stories of some wonderful people who entered the world of Murphy and Murphy, for just a season. We began the year with sweet, sweet Mary. She needed to sell her home, so she could dow... Full story
My column about Measure EE received an outpouring of comments, mostly from residents who appreciated my perspective but a few from residents who took issue with my comments. I am writing this article with that in mind. I believe than an effective Realtor must stay informed on current and pertinent topics that pertain to housing and real estate in general. Topics come to me from various sources. A primary source of information comes to me from the California Association of... Full story
I’ve written before about the importance of a thriving downtown. The health and sense of community are a direct reflection of the health of a town’s main shopping area. When residents support local merchants, they in turn support Fallbrook. Below is a list of reasons to shop locally, during the holidays and everyday, taken from the American Independent Business Alliance. By shopping locally, residents build community. The casual encounters enjoyed at neighborhood-scale bus...
I want to circle back around to the Nov. 6 election results for two propositions that the California Association of Realtors (CAR) was highly invested in. For the better part of this year, CAR embarked on a historic and comprehensive effort to pass Prop 5, the Property Tax Fairness Initiative, which would remove the “moving penalty” for seniors 55 and older, the disabled and victims of natural disasters, allowing them to carry their current Prop 13 protected property tax ass... Full story
A few months ago, I arrived at my North Main Avenue office at 7:30 a.m. Across the street were tree trimming crews and their equipment, with three green and yellow trucks and tree branch grinder machines. Concerned, I ran across the street to find out what they were planning to do. They informed me that they were hired by San Diego County to cut four Australian willow trees down. I quickly leaned up against one of the trees and started calling everyone I knew that could help...
I have resisted writing about Bonsall School Bond EE for fear of retribution from its very vocal opponents. Unfortunately, Proposition EE was defeated Nov. 6 by 58.55%. This is a sad day for the future of our children. Quality schools with state-of-the-art structures and educational tools are a cornerstone to any vibrant community. Quality schools improve property values and enhance the value of the community. Quality schools truly are a win/win for everyone, but especially fo... Full story
Recapping from last week, California has a deficit of 3 million homes. In order to meet California’s population growth, 180,000 homes need to be built per year. The shortage of homes is affecting the middle class and is appropriately named the “missing middle.” Legislative guidelines have created mounds of permitting requirements and fees and has exasperated the processing time of building a housing project to 15 years. But there is an equally paralyzing movement stand... Full story
By now you have received your voter booklet for November’s election. As I read through it, I was reminded of the inaccurate portrayal of the financial impact Prop 5 will have on our cities and communities. Back to basics; the Legislative Analyst Office states that Prop 5 will cost initially $1,000,000 and up to $1,000,000,000 in the future. This figure is based on a static analysis, which means, only the negative impact when a home is purchased utilizing a carried over p... Full story
California’s housing market has faltered for the fourth straight month in September. Home sales in San Diego County declined by 10.4 percent in August in a year over year comparison. In Fallbrook, only 38 detached homes closed escrow this September compared to 55 in September 2017. These numbers projected over an annualized number would put total sales in the state at under 400,000 units. So, what is going on? Active listings, in comparison, have risen for five consecutive m...
On Nov. 6, we have the privilege and obligation to vote. It is your opportunity to speak your mind. There are two initiatives that I have previously written about, on the statewide ballot, that could dramatically affect housing opportunities, private property rights and the availability of affordable housing. Prop 10, the so-called “Affordable Housing Act,” would make the housing crisis worse by repealing the long-standing Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, eventually allowing... Full story
A few weeks back I wrote an article that garnered considerable response from my readers. I reported on the dry and dead foliage that exists on many of Fallbrook’s parcels and the existence of trash along our streets and in our downtown. All of this has a negative effect on real estate values. Buyers are looking not only for a home but for a community they want to call home. Unbeknownst to me, a group of Fallbrook’s over-achieving volunteers had begun discussions two years ago...
When was the last time you ventured into town? I bet it’s been awhile. It’s time for you to come check it out. One of the greatest values in real estate, after the value of the home, is the quality of the town that the home is in. Fallbrook has long been known as a charming place to live, because of its incredible weather, the slower pace of life, and our friendly residents. We are also well-known for the over 160 nonprofits that are involved in many activities that make it... Full story
A few months ago, someone backed into my car in a parking lot. The driver was very pleasant and accepted responsibility. We exchanged information, and that’s when the fun began. Does anyone remember when if you had an accident, you spoke to your insurance rep, that you have known for years and years to help you through the process? Now, you call an “800 claims number” and tell your story to someone who has never met you and who is simply going through their checklist and r...
Last week I attended a workshop on housing affordability. It was an open forum for residents from all communities in North San Diego County to hear from the County of San Diego’s Planning and Development Services. Previously I shared information about the housing shortage in San Diego County, and throughout the state, and how the state legislature has approved many bills meant to guide communities and provide tools to alleviate the hurdles so more homes can be built to fill t... Full story
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a charity event benefiting the Fallbrook Child Development Center. It was located at the home of Ira Gourvitz and Rebecca Wood, the owners of Fallbrook Winery. Patrons were treated to an assortment of small plates prepared by Frazier Farms and wine provided by Fallbrook Winery. While driving home, I was reminded of the important value of Fallbrook’s people. Many of the people attending the event regularly find a way to support F... Full story
We moved to Bonsall in 1992. We had been living in Long Beach, four blocks from the beach. We decided that we wanted to get away from the fast pace of the city and moved to the country for our boys. We wanted them to grow up in the country where they could run and play without concern or fear for their safety. We moved to Bonsall because, at the time, we could not afford Fallbrook. Our 1952 country farm house was on 1.5 acres and had a tack room, barn and arena. It was the...
Sometimes things are not as they appear. Take for example Proposition 10, The Affordable Housing Act, which will be on the Nov. 6, ballot. Proposition 10 gives local governments the right to adopt rent control ordinances-regulations that govern how much landlords can charge tenants for renting apartments and houses. Proposition 10 can also enact controls that may prevent landlords from receiving a reasonable return on their rental properties. The motivation behind the proponen... Full story
I’ve been a Realtor since 1997. During that time, much has changed. It seems that every year the process of purchasing or selling a home gets more complicated. Sellers are required to disclose everything they know about their home. Inspections on homes are more arduous and requests for repairs frequently reach far beyond just items that are mechanical or safety related. These stressors begin immediately after an offer has been accepted, so the sellers and buyers never s... Full story
The definition of revitalization is, “the action of imbuing something with new life and vitality.” It’s a noun that calls for action. I love that. Action involves movement, change and purpose. Most times, action is better than inaction. Think about revitalizing your health – it generally requires exercise, eating healthy, eliminating sugar and getting enough sleep. Think about revitalizing your relationships. It generally requires spending more quality time together, activel... Full story
This week I want you to take a journey with me. This is the journey of an escrow that includes ghosts, vampires and an iconic court jester. The scene is a neat old home, built in 1950. Back in the day, the home was modified and expanded with no permits to be found. Owned by a man who later sold it to his grandson, modifications continued to be made. The original home was 1,100-plus square feet but grew to nearly 2,000 square feet, sited on a half-acre with room for fruit... Full story
June 6, 2018, marked the 40th anniversary of the passage of Proposition 13 (Prop 13), a 1978 ballot measure that reduced property tax rates on homes, businesses and farms and capped how much property tax rates could grow in the future. The core motivation of Prop 13 was to protect Californians from being taxed out of their homes by the state. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, property values and property tax rates in California began skyrocketing. Property taxes were based on a... Full story
There once was a home, named Lucille. She was friends with Alexa and Roomba and thought that life was grand. One night, when Lucille’s owners arrived home, they unlocked the front door without a key. They turned the alarm off and checked Lucille’s cameras for the days events. They spoke, and the lights and music came on. Dinner was started in the oven. Wine was perfectly chilled in the refrigerator. They were ready for a quiet relaxed evening, when suddenly, Alexa spoke to... Full story
It’s heating up. Days are long. School’s out. Vacations take front and center stage. So, what happens in real estate? Historically in Fallbrook, our market slows down during July, August and part of September. I’ll bet you’re surprised by that fact. Many of us grew up in geographic areas where the prime time to move was the summer. It might have been too cold or rainy before June, or the children were in school. Summer, for much of the country is the time to buy and sell real... Full story
Last Monday I attended a forum entitled "Exploring Consensus-Driven Solutions to San Diego's Housing Crisis." The panelists were Kevin Falconer, mayor of San Diego; Borre Winckel, president and CEO of the Building Industry Association of San Diego County; Debbie Ruane Sr. executive vice president and chief strategy officer of the San Diego Housing Commission and Colin Parent, executive director and general counsel of Circulate San Diego and La Mesa city council member. The... Full story
