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        <title>San Diego Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/</link>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/shameless-self-promotion.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/shameless-self-promotion.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>Shameless Self Promotion</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
I have finalized an agreement to co-author a new book with Tom Hopkins. Tom is the author of fourteen books, including &ldquo;How to Master the Art of Selling&trade;,&rdquo; which has sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide. He has asked me write the section relating to Real Estate Sales and specialized techniques that I have developed over the years. Tom has been a friend, coach, and mentor of mine for many years. The preliminary book title is, "In it to Win It". We both expect this to be on the best seller list in 2012.
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            <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:33:40 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/prices-have-fallen-for-la-jolla-homes-to-levels-not-seen-for-over-a-decade.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/prices-have-fallen-for-la-jolla-homes-to-levels-not-seen-for-over-a-decade.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>Prices have fallen for La Jolla homes to levels not seen for over a decade</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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There's plenty to be excited about if you're thinking about buying in La Jolla. The market there has slipped, just like the markets throughout the country. Where high-end homes are concerned, this is an especially large problem, as many sellers aren't able to make their payments or keep their lovely homes. While it's tragic for the people who got in over their heads with these homes, it's a great boon for buyers who are looking for high-quality homes at great prices. No matter what your needs, there are homes that will be just right for you. Pools, granite countertops, exotic tile floors, manicured yards, and more all await you in La Jolla. All you have to do is come and pick out the one you like the best, since there are plenty to choose from. 


&nbsp;The prices for real estate in the high-end market won't stay low forever. As soon as the real estate market as a whole starts to recover - which could be as early as mid-2011 - the prices for all homes including Ocean Front La Jolla Homes will start to rise again. Interest rates will begin to creep back up, too, so if you're looking to buy now would be the optimal time. Some luxurious La Jolla homes are sitting empty, just begging for someone to come and enjoy them again. As a buyer, you have the option to pick and choose what you're looking for, and negotiate a deal on a home you can really be proud of. That's a great feeling, no matter what price range you're looking in. 


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            <pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:12:14 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/take-care-when-buying-in-the-la-jolla-and-rancho-santa-fe-housing-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/take-care-when-buying-in-the-la-jolla-and-rancho-santa-fe-housing-market.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>Take Care when buying in the La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe Housing Market</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Buying a home is exciting. There are many great homes available in the San Diego area - specifically in Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla. Whether it's brand new, or just new to you, buying a home is a time for big dreams, plans and goals for the future. It's also a time for big mortgage payments and the responsibility that comes with them. Many buyers, when they are pre-approved for a loan, automatically go out and start looking for houses that are as expensive as they can possible buy. That doesn't really mean they can afford these houses, it just means their debt-to-income ratio was acceptable to the bank.Fortunately, the trend of &ldquo;buy as much as you can afford&rdquo; is slowly changing. Ultimately, it's better to buy something that's slightly less than what you're approved for. That way you don't have as many big-payment worries hanging over your head. Consider that carefully, especially if you're buying high-end real estate in the&nbsp;La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe&nbsp;area. 


Choose wisely when you're making a purchase of something as large, expensive and permanent as a home. You won't be able to just re-sell it on a whim, generally. It's a great time to buy right now because prices are low in San Diego and all across the country, but do your buying wisely.
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            <pubDate>Sat, 19 Feb 2011 09:06:26 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/la-jolla-luxury-homes-and-rancho-sants-fe-luxury-home-loan-appraisals-not-coming-in-where-they-need-.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/la-jolla-luxury-homes-and-rancho-sants-fe-luxury-home-loan-appraisals-not-coming-in-where-they-need-.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>La Jolla luxury homes and Rancho Sants Fe luxury home loan appraisals not coming in where they need to be.</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
It's no secret that buying or selling a&nbsp;La Jolla&nbsp;home or Rancho Santa Fe&nbsp;hom&nbsp;has gotten more difficult recently. That's largely because of the struggling economy, which led to the foreclosure crisis and the popping of the housing bubble. There have been a lot of changes that have taken place, too, and one of them deals with the appraisals that are done in La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe area. In areas like La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe, the high-end real estate market is not immune to lowered appraisal values that are keeping people from buying (and selling) homes.In order to have a home financed, it has to appraise for at least the amount the buyer wishes to borrow. In many cases, it must appraise for more, because lenders generally only want to offer 80% of the home's value as a mortgage.&nbsp;Some buyers looking to buy La Jolla&nbsp;luxury homes and Rancho Santa Fe&nbsp;luxury homes&nbsp;are having trouble getting financing because the homes they're trying to purchase are notappraising high enough for them to get their financing. Sellers are also struggling, because they can't sell their&nbsp;La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe homes&nbsp;because they will not appraise for what they're asking - unless the buyer is paying cash and snd finds the value in the property. Cash buyers have become a much larger percentage of sales due to the financing issues we are currently facing. Having lenders that can handle buyers with financing challenges is always the best scenario.Much of the high-end real estate in&nbsp;La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe&nbsp;was bought during the housing bubble, so the prices were inflated. La Jolla luxury homes and Racho Santa Fe luxury homes, and California in general, has been particularly hard-hit by the falling prices and mounting foreclosure problems that are still being seen today. It's still a buyer's market, but even some buyers are having trouble purchasing high-end real estate in La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe. Banks are&nbsp;very cautious now&nbsp;and taking fewer risks. Of course once the market has seen significant signs of recovering many lenders will likley loosen up their guidelines if history is any indication.
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            <pubDate>Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:58:39 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/its-a-buyers-market-for-la-jolla-luxury-homes-and-rancho-santa-fe-luxury-homes-if-the-buyers-credit-.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/its-a-buyers-market-for-la-jolla-luxury-homes-and-rancho-santa-fe-luxury-homes-if-the-buyers-credit-.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>It's a Buyers Market for La Jolla Luxury Homes and Rancho Santa Fe Luxury Homes - If The buyer's Credit is Good</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Buying a home in an upscale community&nbsp;&nbsp;place&nbsp;like Rancho Santa Fe&nbsp;or La Jolla&nbsp;seems like a dream come true, but it's becoming a nightmare for a lot of people. The real estate magazines say it's a buyers market, but many of them fail to mention that it's only a good market for a particular kind of buyer. If you want to buy and don't have good credit plus a healthy down payment, it may not be a &ldquo;buyer's market&rdquo; for you. Instead, you may find that you've been shut out of purchasing your dream home in La Jolla or Rancho Santa Fe, right at a time where the prices have come down enough that you could afford to purchase in one of those beautiful areas.&nbsp;Many upscale buyers&nbsp;do not want to wait to see what prices do since they will be living in these homes for the long haul and price fluctuations are not of major concern.&nbsp;They want to make a purchase now, when they know they can make the payments on the selling price being asked.If they don't have 20% down, they&nbsp;are not&nbsp;going to get the best rates, and that could put the house out of reach. Additionally, if they don't have a credit score above 700 they&nbsp;may not&nbsp;be approved to buy the house. It's unfortunate, but&nbsp;San&nbsp;Diego and upscale home like La Jolla homes &nbsp;and Rancho&nbsp;Santa&nbsp;Fe Homes&nbsp;have been hit hard by foreclosures and other real estate problems, and banks aren't lending on&nbsp;luxury La Jolla&nbsp;Real Estate and luxury Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate as easily as they used to. It's leaving many buyers shut out of the market.
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            <pubDate>Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:44:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/high-unemployment-means-more-la-jolla-and-rancho-santa-fe-foreclosure-problems-and-opportunities-for.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/high-unemployment-means-more-la-jolla-and-rancho-santa-fe-foreclosure-problems-and-opportunities-for.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>High Unemployment Means More La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe Foreclosure Problems - And Opportunities for Buyers</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Newly released figures show that the unemployment rate throughout the country is now at 9.8%. That's higher than it was in the previous month, and it spells problems for the real estate market if you're a seller or if you're just trying to stay in your home.&nbsp;San Diego&nbsp;isn't fairing any better than the rest of the country when it comes to people losing their jobs, and even places like La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe are seeing more and more people who simply have to move because they can no longer afford the home they once easily paid for. It's a difficult time in real estate, but all is not lost. Buyers who have good credit and a down payment are still able to purchase homes, even in high-end real estate markets like La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe. Banks are being more careful, but they haven't stopped lending. Many of them are still working with people who already own homes, too. They're trying to keep them in their homes, or help them sell if they just can't stay. If you're looking to buy, foreclosures are all over the San Diego area, and there are plenty of houses to look at that would be wonderful places to call home.Unemployment can be tough, but there are also jobs to be had in and around the La Jolla. If you're willing to work and you're interested in finding a foreclosed home in La Jolla or Rancho Santa Fe that you can buy and make your own, now would be a good time to explore your opportunities in these areas.
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            <pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:55:06 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/purchasing-a-luxury-home-and-what-to-watch-out-for.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/purchasing-a-luxury-home-and-what-to-watch-out-for.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>Purchasing a luxury home and what to watch out for!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Purchasing&nbsp;a&nbsp;luxury home in&nbsp;La Jolla&nbsp;or Rancho Santa Fe&nbsp;is an exciting thing to do. For some, it may be the culmination of many years of strategic planning. For others, it could be the result of a windfall,&nbsp;wise investments&nbsp;or simple good luck. No matter what has brought you to the&nbsp;La Jolla&nbsp;area and taken you into the high-end housing market keep in mind that you're still buying something from someone who really wants to get it sold. Because of that, the seller may not disclose everything he or she is&nbsp;legally required&nbsp;to do.It's illegal for a seller not to disclose certain things, but that doesn't mean an unscrupulous&nbsp;seller won't skirt the rules&nbsp; to avoid saying something incriminating about the house he or she really wants to get out from under. It's the buyer's responsibility to make sure that everything is in order and that the house checks out. A home inspection is very important as well as engineering and mold reports.&nbsp;If there are other concerns, there's nothing wrong with talking to another inspector, looking through past records and talking to the neighbors or even previous owners if you can find them.When you're buying a new home, the seller would be the builder of the home. He or she is also&nbsp;may not&nbsp;tell you something that will look bad, so make sure the home inspector is one that you trust and will give you information on all of the problems that the house might have.
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            <pubDate>Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:37:49 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/take-caution-when-selling-your-la-jolla-or-rancho-santa-fe-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/take-caution-when-selling-your-la-jolla-or-rancho-santa-fe-home.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>Take caution when selling your La Jolla or Rancho Santa Fe home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Real estate scams are out there, and even careful people who generally make great decisions have had problems. A recent trend for these scammers is to find people who are in danger of foreclosure and trying to sell their homes. These companies promise to help them - for a price. This has happened in La Jolla and throughout San Diego County, and it's still occurring even though the media has cautioned people to avoid it. People are desperate to get help, and with the unemployment figure at 9.8%, that help isn't coming in the form of a job for a lot of people. That's when they turn to companies that promise to help them avoid foreclosure and get their homes sold. By the time they've gotten to that point, they just want to sell their home and get out from under it, before they end up with a foreclosure on their credit report.Even those with high-end homes in places like La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe are struggling right now, because the economy hasn't allowed them the chance to recover. Still, it's best to work with a reputable La Jolla or Rancho Santa Fe real estate agency. Don't fall prey to companies that claim they can help you avoid foreclosure and sell your La Jolla home, especially if they want money up front or an interest in your home in return. If you find a company you really feel might be legitimate, check them out thoroughly online and off. Selling your&nbsp;La Jolla&nbsp;home or Rancho Santa Fe home is important to you, and you shouldn't have to lose it to scammers.
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            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:46:25 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/selling-your-luxury-home-in-a-tough-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/selling-your-luxury-home-in-a-tough-market.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>Selling your Luxury home in a Tough Market</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you live in&nbsp;La&nbsp;Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe or Del Mar&nbsp;and you're trying to sell your home, you're probably finding that it's not the easiest thing to do. That may be even more accurate if you're&nbsp;home is in the higher end of the&nbsp;market, where price points stop a lot of people from buying the kinds of homes they would like to have but simply can't afford or are too nervous about making the move. There are buyers out there for what you're selling, but finding them can take some time. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make your home more 'sellable.' Ask your broker to only bring you potential buyers who are pre-qualified. That way you won't get a lot of lookers who just want to see the house and can't afford to purchase it. Pre-approved buyers will be able to purchase your home if they like it, so you'll feel more encouraged when they come to take a look. Also, price your home as low as you realistically can. Starting too high and working your way down over time can completely turn off potential buyers. In addition, make sure your home is clean and well maintained. Dirty homes or problems that have to be fixed - even if they're minor problems - can send buyers looking elsewhere, since it makes them wonder whether you've taken good care of the home during the time you've owned it. You might hesitate to put the money into repairs, staging or a fresh coat of paint, but you'll get it back and then some when buyers fall in love with your beautiful, clean and well kept home.
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            <pubDate>Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:20:53 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/website-that-walks-the-walk.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sellingsd.com/blog/website-that-walks-the-walk.html</link>
            <author>dennis@sellingsd.com (Dennis DeSouza)</author>
            <title>Website That Walks The Walk</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
One of the most pleasing innovations in today's online realty marketing, is the addition of the application Walk Score. This excellent tool, for those who don't know, simply awards points for the ease of access to key amenities, in relation to a specified address. With astonishing ease and speed, one can check out just how close a prospective property purchase is to public transit, local stores, schools, restaurants, bars and so on. Should you wish to live in a neighborhood that allows for frequent car-free forays, and that provides super convenience for a range of day to day facilities, Walk Score offers invaluable help. So, imagine you see a house that you like the look of on the La Jolla real estate listings on sellingsd.com. Simply click on the 'view details' button below the property. Choose the Walk Score search in the 'next steps' bar beneath the property photos, and a map will immediately appear on your screen. The property location is clearly marked, with an adjacent list of all the closest amenities, and their distance from your chosen house. On the bigger map version, easily displayed by clicking on the link, one can find out further information relating to each individual amenity, be it a cafe, library or bus stop. Of course, there are a few caveats that need to be taken into account when using Walk Score, and users are urged to treat the results more as a guide, rather than relying too heavily on the information supplied. One can't really expect this tool to take into account such local elements as street design, absence of sidewalks, volume of nearby traffic, or the safety of a neighborhood. However, it will, with a considerable degree of accuracy tell you just how far certain things are from any given starting point. But, be warned, the software cannot currently interpret changes in topography, or take into account lakes and rivers that may lie in the way, so a good amount of human interpretation should be included when mapping a walking route!Simply put, Walk Score offers users a great way to rate a neighborhood, quickly and easily. It saves home seekers a good deal of time otherwise spent trawling around areas, and even helps residents learn more about their own community. The desire to spend less time stuck in traffic is no longer a preserve of traditionally 'green' Americans; an ever-increasing number of US citizens are now looking for healthier, more cost-effective lifestyles. And if it encourages more people to seek alternatives to personal vehicle use, and to support local business, then surely everyone will benefit.


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Written by the Dennis DeSouza writing team.
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            <pubDate>Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:53:37 -0500</pubDate>
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