If you want to know YOUR walk score, go to this link and type in your zip code.

Two neighborhoods come to mind.

La Jolla (The Village) has a very high walk score…92!!.. For good reason.  Shops, banks, parks, miles of coastline, restaurants, fitness centers, hotels, happy hours, language centers, The Gap, Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, sidewalk cafes, coffee pubs, flats, hills, water, sand…it has it all.

Downtown San Diego is another “high walk score” lifestyle.  Score of 98!!!  Extremely urban, 34 story condos, parks, restaurants, coffee pubs, restaurants, waterfront sidewalks, Starbucks, Ocean Aire, Blupoint, Cafe Sevilla (Salsa dancing on Sundays), iHop, banks, shopping mall, ballpark (Padres), The Coaster, water transport to Coronado…it has it all.

Even though there are many towns in San Diego with high walk scores, like Carlsbad, and Encinitas, La Jolla and Downtown are just two that offer the potential buyer of property outdoor activities….without using your car….and no car…means….no gas.

If you want more information about walk scores….downtown condos…or luxury property in La Jolla…please call me.  858 395 7727

Three Bedrooms, two baths, 2318 square feet

White Water Ocean & Bay Views

$,1250,000

5555 Ladybird Lane, La Jolla, CA 92037

If you are looking for a VIEW home in La Jolla, Califiornia, this could be the house for you.  I will have an Open House for the Public today and tomorrow from 1-4:30.

5555 Ladybird Lane

Who wouldn’t want to live on a street named Ladybird Lane?

Three bedrooms, two baths (remodeled), with a formal living room, family room dining area, a large kitchen, laundry room, hardwood floors throughout, two fireplaces and lots and lots of storage, including kitchen cabinets, large pantry and an abundance of closets. This home is close to Pacific Beach, & 10 minute drive to freeways.

Map Link

Take a look at this beautiful home.

If you have further questions regarding this lovely La Jolla home, please call Jeannie at (858) 395 7727…or complete the box below.

Views from KitchFormal Living room

Beautiful Guest Bath

Master Bath

Family room

Master Bedroom with Views

Covered outdoor patio

Good question.  Do you want to be near the coast?  Then you choose La Jolla Shores, Windansea, The Village, or Lower Hermosa.  If you like tree-lined streets, you may choose Upper Hermosa or The Muirlands.  There are so many great neighborhoods in La Jolla, it’s hard to find one you like more than another.

Most buyers will look at prices to help them make up their mind.  Let’s take a look.

La Jolla Farms is directly above Black’s Beach and adjacent to the western part of UCSD. Homes range from $1,000,000 on the outskirts, to well over $20,000,000 on the cliffs.  Great place to live if you work for UCSD or one of the biotech companies.  Also, a great way to get to Del Mar…just a drive north on Torrey Pines.

La Jolla Heights is located above La Jolla Shores.  Homes have sold well over $2 million.  Also easy access to the 5 freeway by taking a short cut.

La Jolla Shores is a very residential area with a mix of businesses, shops and restaurants on Avenida de la Playa.  Easily you could pay upwards of $2 million…unless it’s a condo, and then you are looking at $900k+.

Hidden Valley is is located on the northern slopes of La Jolla, below Mt. Soledad.  Homes range from the mid $1,300,000 up…

Country Club is near the La Jolla Country club (hence the name) on the north-west side including lower Soledad.

Village of La Jolla…Not to be confused with La Jolla Village…is also known as downtown  La Jolla and hugs the coast from Prospect to Pearl.  It’s filled with businesses, restaurants, shops and the famous La Jolla Cove.  The walk score is 98, although it should be 100.  You can find homes beginning at $1,300,000, and condos beginning at $650,000.  It’s known for it’s La Jolla Elementary, and private schools, like Bishops, it’s Rec. Center (tennis and basketball) and it’s famous beaches.

Beach-Barber tract is located between Windansea and the Village along the coast.  Homes here are on smaller lots and range from $800,000 to over $2,500,000.  Condos seem to be in the same price range.  This area is populated by young families who love spending their evenings and weekends at the beach.

Lower Hermosa is located South of Windansea along the coast.  Homes in this area are on larger lots and begin above $1,800,00 and will reach over $14,000,000.  Known as the Street of Dreams is Camino de la Costa…homes on the beach side (west) will begin at $7 million.

Upper Hermosa is located north of Birdrock and east. Beautiful tree-lined streets are attracting buyers who look for custom-built homes, some with water views.  Prices can vary from $1,500,000 to easily over $3,500,000.

Birdrock is another neighborhood located just south of Lower Hermosa, approximately 2 miles south of the Village and expands up to Mt. Soledad.  It’s known for it’s many shops and restaurants, surfing points and Birdrock Elementary.  Homes in this area can begin as low as $800,000 and easily sell over $3,000,000.

Muirlands is a very wide area of large lots and large homes with lush landscaping.  Many of these homes have ocean and bay views.  Prices can range from $1,100,000 to $15,000,000.

La Jolla Mesa is on the southern/eastern side and sits above Pacific Beach.  Homes here begin at $900,000 and will reach prices over $2,500,000.

La Jolla Village…Not to be confused with Village of La Jolla is located west of the I-5 and south of UCSD.  It has many condos (Priced as low as $200k) shopping, movie theaters, and businesses.  Homes located in this area sell as low as $350,000.

No matter where you live in La Jolla…you will love it.  It’s the Jewell of San Diego.  If you are curious about any home/condo in La Jolla, please contact me or complete the contact information post below.  There is a La Jolla community for you.

What Is Escrow?

Escrow, known more on the West Coast, is a neutral party for a buyer and seller when a home is sold.  Escrow is used to facilitate the purchase and sale of a home for the buyer and seller.

Escrow makes sure no funds will change hands until all instruments to the transaction are followed completely and  all documents including contracts, agreements, amendments and disclosures are signed by all parties.  Only then, following the completion of instructions from escrow (which mirror the purchase agreement) will escrow balance the closing sheet, also known as HUD1 and disperse funds to title so the escrow can close.

“Good Funds Law” (AB512)

The law requires escrow to comply with the “Good Funds Law” (AB512).  Good Funds Law is very clear.  Here’s what it says.  The funds may be a wire transfer.  Preferably.  Wire Transfers must be from a FDIC insured bank – A wire transfer is the best choice to insure funds or closing escrow are good funds.  These funds are electronically transferred into the escrow trust account from the client’s bank account.

Other forms are a Cashier’s check, which can take up to four business days to clear. Cashier’s checks must be issued from a California Bank. However, once a cashier’s check has been deposited for closing, the amount does not become “Good Funds” until it has been paid by the issuing financial institution.

Personal checks are not considered “Good Funds” and cannot be used for closing purposes.

Finally, despite popular belief, the payment of a Money Order cannot be tracked and does not constitute “Good Funds”.  Escrow does not, under any circumstance, accept Money Orders.

If you have any questions about an escrow and the Good Funds Law, feel free to contact me or leave your questions below in the comment field.

CO detectors must be present in all residences if they have any of following:

1.  Any gas appliances such as a gas stove, gas furnace, gas fireplace, gas water heater

2.  A fireplace (even if it only burns wood, pellets, or any other material).

3.  An attached garage (even if there are no gas appliances in the house).

4.  ANY rental dwelling that meets the criteria listed above.  That means townhouse, home, condo that is rented to another person.

They average in price from $25.00 – $60.00.

In addition to the Carbon Monoxide detectors,  all homeowners, whether a rental or a primary residence, or a residence being sold, or purchased, must have smoke detectors in all bedrooms and hallways.

When selling your residence you will be provided a Sellers Transfer Disclosure Statement.  There is now a line item on the STDS referring to smoke and CO detectors.

It’s the law in California…please check your state for requirements.

Celebrate Valentines Day by buying from your community.  Your neighborhood will feel your love and sense of loyalty when you purchase cards, flowers and eat your meals in your local community.

Take a stroll through your local community and see what the local merchants have to offer.  It brings you a sense of belonging and pride as you wish the merchants Happy Valentines Day.  

Attorney generals and the Federal Government in 49 states have reached a landmark settlement with 5 loan servicers.

• Wells Fargo
• Ally/GMAC
• Bank of America
• JC Morgan/Case
• CITI

The $25 billion will be allocated to each of the 49 states who agreed with the federal settlement and direct payments to assist owners who are current on their payments but are under water.  This is designed by the Obama administration to benefit the responsible homeowner who does not have a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or FHA loan.  It’s designed so these responsible homeowners can take advantage of the low interest rates by refinancing even though they have no equity in their home.

This settlement was brought about after an investigation where Government investigative agencies, like Dept. Of Justice, and HUD,  found foreclosure related documents being signed outside the presence of a notary public and without knowing whether the facts they contained were really correct.  In other words they violated the law.  It holds the violators accountable for unlawful practices and allocates $20 million toward homeowner relief without any amount of money coming from taxpayers.  Homeowners will be able to refinance or reduce their principal without a lot of red tape.  It means that current and future homeowners will now be treated fairly.

If your home is either serviced by one of the five banks or you have your loan with one of the five banks, you may be eligible for assistance.

Who should you call?

Ally/GMAC – 800 766 4622

Bank of America – 877 488 7814

CITI – 866 272 4749

JP Morgan Chase – 866 372 6901

Wells Fargo – 800 268 3212

If you would like to contact the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, click.

I hope you found this information helpful.  If you are under water, or behind in your payments and are looking for assistance, I can help you. Please contact me at 858 395 7727.

I am experienced in short sales and may be able to assist you.

In the State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to make the purchase of real estate, or at least getting a loan easier for borrowers, pledging homeowners a $3,000 savings allowing them to refinance without red tape.  He promises smart regulations to prevent financial fraud.

If you are interested in purchasing real estate, please click on “Home Search” to the left of this blog.  Or call me at 858 395 7727…I am a committed professional and will assist you in purchasing…or selling…your home.

On Thursday, January 5th, 2012, groundbreaking took place at  Harbor Drive and Broadway, formerly Lane Field. Within 18 months San Diegans and visitors will be able to walk, ride and enjoy the wide, bay front esplanade, beautiful landscaped and lighted areas along Broadway, bringing to life the state of the art transformation, making the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan (NEVP), Phase 1, a reality.  This phase is fully funded.  When complete, the Port of San Diego and Centre City Development Corporation will embark on Phase 2 to complete the budget for the remaining NEVP.

The owners of the condos along Pacific Highway, The Grande, Electra, Bayside, & Breeza, have long awaited this transformation.  They purchased their condos knowing eventually the beautification would only improve their lifestyle, from having a walking/running path close by, to enhancing their property values.

Embarcadero in San Diego before Phase 1 of visionary plan

San Diegans will now see the value of improving their city for their own use and offering another treasure for visitors to San Diego.

I love Thanksgiving…seems like I spend weeks preparing for the festivities, the food, the family arrival, but it’s over in about 20 minutes.  The stack of dishes, pots and pans in the sink, the candles burnt down, the pies eaten, the leftovers barely fit in the fridge.  As I stare at the quiet house and the mess I must clean up…I’m still reminded about how thankful I am for so much that I have.

This year I had my sister, her husband and their daughter here from Portland, Oregon.  For 1 week we filled our days and evenings with each others company.  I think it’s the first time we’ve all been together for an extended period.  My heart is thankful for this past week.  Thankful I could spend time with them and share my home.  Thankful for the memory we created.  Thankful for the thoughts and ideas we shared.

Thanksgiving Day is now in the past for 2011, but the thoughts of Thankfulness will last….

Now….with just weeks away from Christmas…I will begin my preparations for the season of Giving…so appropriate it follows the season of Thanks.