Finding proper real estate options can be difficult for many people to get into, especially in these modern times. It’s very true today, more so than before, that the times has changed. For those unfamiliar with what a San Diego MLS service is, it’s important to understand what it is and how it works. This type of listing service is provided by a broker that places real estate listings into a main database for a fee. This is something that helps a person move forward with selling t heir home faster than by simply just putting up a sign. Putting up a “for sale” by owner sign, is a great overall option, but if you’re not listed online in a majority of sites, you’ll miss out big. There are a lot of different reasons why you will want to look into an MLS, consider the following reasons why you’d want to check it out:

Faster Sale – If you want to get your home sold fast, make sure that you look into finding this type of service in your area. It places your home for sale to a variety of others, advertising your home fore free to individuals that want to purchase real estate. If you’re an individual and you want to sell your house without a realtor on your side, make sure to look into this option as you will not have to be a large amount of money in commission to an individual, instead you’ll pay a small percentage for a listing fee and in some cases a brokerage fee.

Advertising – You will be free to advertise without having to spend a lot of money. Being listed in these types of things, especially a San Diego MLS, you will find that people will flock to finding your home and seeing if they want to purchase it. You can even add an “open house” type of event to the listing, so that more and more people can walk through the area and enjoy the greater good that is presented.

Peace of Mind – You’ll get peace of mind when you utilize an MLS, because it will help you focus on other things. Instead of having to work on getting your home sold, others will take the helms, and you’ll just have to wait for it to come to fruition. Never fear, this is a great option to explore for many years.

It’s a wise decision to look into getting listed with a San Diego MLS if you’re selling a home in the area. Never fear the opportunity to move forward with this type of option, as it is certainly a great thing overall. Always look into the greater good that is presented, and make sure you take your time. If you’re in a rush to sell your home, make sure that you drop the listing price. If you’re not in a hurry, don’t budget and just trust the listing service as a way to showcase your home for the clear and present future.

ANOTHER ONE SOLD! 7500 Look at the price,now look at the square footage! Terrific Tierrasanta home with space galore! This 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home is probably one of the best priced homes in the Tierrasanta area of San Diego. Full bedroom with bath on the main level too! Huge master closet. Pool and grass yard to play. Recently painted with some upgrades. Bring your friends and family to enjoy this bright spacious home for years to come!

You will find tons of interactive points of interest that let you interact with the numerous sea animals…dolphins, rays, whales and other fish and animals. For example, one in every of my favorites is the Forbidden Reef area. Here you can touch. feed and pet Bat Rays. For someone who has never been up close to such marvelous creatures, it’s a truly unique experience. Also you may go below the aquarium and watch moray eels in their mysterious underwater caverns.

Stop by the dolphin interaction program, where you may find out all about the dolphins and have a great deal of enjoyment with these loving and clever mammals.

No trip to Sea World in San Diego is complete without seeing Shamu the killer whale! Watch as he and his trainers perform marvelous feats and tricks to astound you, the one you love, and kids. You’ll by no means see such surprise and delight in your family members faces as they see and experience the performance. Who knew that these wild animals could be so smart! Bear in mind although, for those who sit really close, expect to get a bit moist!

In the event you love aquariums, you will not find a higher one than the world of the sea aquarium. The aquarium complex is in depth and immerse…virtually as if you had been scuba diving amongst all the fish, anemones, star fish and different sea creatures.
Park rides and enjoyment:

The Journey to Atlantis water experience is sort of a mixture between a roller coaster and a boat. Watch out for the 60 foot plummet on the falls, but you’ll have a ball braving all the twists and turns.

In the center of Sea World San Diego is the Skytower. The scene of San Diego, Mission Bay and the surrounding areas is actually quite beautiful as you journey nearly 300 feet into the sky. You may get a real sense of the true fantastic beauty of San Diego!

Don’t forget Shipwreck Rapids either. This attraction features a trip through river rapids, underground caverns and by dropping cargo nets around a tropical island as you travel along in your circular inner tube raft that seats eight.
Places to eat!

If you’re hungry for a snack. The sweet Treats at Pineapple Pete’s Island Eats is your place. Featuring smoothies, iced cappuccinos, and numerous ice creams, its one tasty shop in Sea World San Diego.

Catch a fast eat among all of the artifacts at the Shipwreck Reef Cafe or the Coconut Bay Cafe. Or if you happen to like, the Seaport Market has a deli with scrumptious breakfast, lunch and dinner fare.

For some really superb eating, check out the Calypso Bay Smokehouse. Dad will not give you the option to resist the smoked ribs, chicken, barbecue and more.
I have simply touched upon some of the points of interest, rides and eating at Sea World San Diego. There’s much more to see and do, including beluga whales, sharks, and even more shows, so plan on a full day of your trip.

Admissions will set you back around 60 to 70 dollars per person, and extra for parking, not to mention the other costs related to journey, however there are special deals to be found.

2967 38th St, San Diego CA 92105 Bedrooms : 3 Bathrooms : 1.5 Property Type : Detached Stories : 2 Est Sq Ft : 990 Year Built : 1924 Listing Price : 0000 – 0876 Traditional sale, Great opportunity for investors, it can close in 30 days or less, property with a lot of potential, large back yard, with entrance from alley. Needs a lot of TLC. All offers will be review, Records show 4 bed but there are only 3.
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California real estate continues to be priced far above the national average. And potential homebuyers looking at the highly desirable real estate in San Diego County have always been in the thick of the high-priced housing market. Escondido real estate is one of the most affordable housing markets in San Diego County; and it has the lowest median home prices in all of San Diego North. Earned income in the Escondido real estate area tends to be on track with the national average. 2006 median incomes for families who owned Escondido real estate were at ,369- about ,000 lower that San Diego County overall.

What Does Affordable Mean in Escondido Real Estate?

In a county where median home prices reach into the millions, it’s fair to question the definition of affordable. In regards to Escondido real estate, it is possible to find single family homes in the high 0,000s- a rarity in San Diego real estate. The median home prices fall around 0,000. And as anyone in this market will tell you, that’s a deal. Why are prices so much lower in Escondido real estate?

Well, let’s compare the Escondido real estate population to others in San Diego County. About 20% of this population has a college degree. According to the Mayor’s website just over 50% of the Escondido real estate population is considered white collar. And the crime rate is at or slightly above the national average.

What this means is that the Escondido real estate community is significantly less affluent and educated that an area like La Jolla or San Marcos. On the positive side it means that Escondido real estate is a lot more affordable for people buying starter homes, or with growing families. On the negative side it means that schools are lower rated and tend to have more of the issues that come with lower income populations.

Escondido real estate is also in the midst of the illegal immigrant problem. With a 43% Latino population, the recent ban on renting to illegal immigrants has residents and renters in a fight over what’s right for the community and the Escondido real estate economy. While the median income of Escondido is on par with the national average, the cost of living is significantly higher at 151.9 versus the national average or 99.52.

Is Escondido Real Estate Right for You?

While Escondido real estate may not shine as brightly as the luxury homes of La Jolla, it still has a lot to offer. Historic homes in Old Escondido, family friendly neighborhoods, natural parks, lakes, and near perfect weather all explain why Escondido real estate is always moving. When the affordability factor is added in, it makes sense that many homebuyers are looking at Escondido real estate for their first homes.

John Harris is a researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit Escondido Real Estate

If you bought or sold your first home after 2001 then you may be perplexed by the current market. If your home has been on the market over three weeks without an offer and few people are showing up at the Sunday Open House… Relax… Do not panic.. You did not choose the wrong agent… This is just a return to a normal market.

Over the last 5 years we became accustomed to a frantic and fast paced market where property sold in a day with multiple offers and selling prices far over the listed price. The last four months have seen a change from that mad whirl to a slower paced normal market.

In a normal market it may take 30-90 days for a property to sell. The list price will be close to what the house down the street sold for last month and maybe a bit under but not 0,000 over that price. The best offer you receive may be the first offer and it will likely be below the list price. If you are lucky you may get four potential buyers through an open house. Your Nephew who quit his job as an engineer to make millions in real estate is probably getting ready to go back to engineering.

Prospective buyers are taking weeks or months to make a decision about a property. They are no longer willing to pay top dollar for a home in poor condition. They might look at a fixer if it is priced right but will not pay a premium price for a marginal property. A prospective purchaser will buy when they perceive a definite value. They will no longer be willing to overpay on the assumption that the home will double in value in 6 months. This doesn’t mean that prices are dropping drastically because they aren’t. It does mean prices will increase at a slower pace. If a property is perceived as an excellent value then you will see multiple offers. I know of 6 properties in the last two weeks that sold for over list price with multiple offers. They were all listed at the correct market value and in excellent condition.

Many Sellers have a hard time adjusting to a slower market. They don’t want to believe the Great Times are over and now they must settle for Good Times. Many Sellers get into trouble and wind up chasing a down market. They continue to list at a price higher then market value in the hope that someone will still pay their price. In the long run sellers who chase a market almost always lose more then if they had priced their property correctly when it was first listed. None of us is smarter then the market!

If you are thinking of selling soon here are a few tips:

Get your home in market condition.

*Take a good look at your home. If you haven’t painted recently then paint the interior and exterior if necessary. If the carpet is worn replace it. Have the house professionally cleaned including windows. Make those minor repairs you have been putting off.

*Look at your home’s exterior. Landscaping is often the key to selling a home. Buyers make half their decision on a property based on the exterior of the home. Many won’t even get out of the car if the exterior is not appealing.

*Price your property at market value. Sellers always think a buyer will make a lower offer on their home even if it is over priced… but they don’t. Buyers rarely look at property well over their price range in the hope the seller takes a lower offer. Your agent will give you current market COMPS on similar homes in your area. Ask questions and view some of the competition to see what they are like compared to your property.

*Have realistic expectations. Relax.. and your home will sell at the right price.

For more information on marketing visit Kaye Thomas 4 Homes or Manhattan Beach and South Bay Real Estate Information. You can e-mail Kaye at Contact Kaye

Kaye Thomas has been selling real estate in Manhattan Beach Ca since 1979. Kaye grew up in Orange County and moved to Manhattan Beach in 1969 after graduating from UCLA. Kaye works with buyers and sellers and specializes in residential and small residential income property.In addition to selling Kaye spent 16 years managing an office and developed an extensive training program for new agents.

While it’s true that stocks generally provide investors with higher returns than real estate, there are situations where, if proper research is done and if bought at an attractive price, real estate can turn out to be great investments.

Real estate is also a good source of passive income that can contribute to the spending power of retirees and allow them to enjoy their golden years more comfortably. Passive income generated by real estate investments can also allow younger people the freedom of not relying too much or at all on their jobs, and gives them a safety net to strike out on their own. Income from real estate assets can allow you to keep buying when the market is undervalued and everyone but the smart guys are selling.    

Occupancy Rate

Whether you’re buying an apartment or investing in REITs, investors should look for a high occupancy rate. It is supply and demand; a high occupancy rate means that there is less rental space supply and this will increase the odds that rent can be raised successfully. For REITS, you can usually find the overall occupancy rate for a REIT’s properties in their annual report. For real estate like an apartment or a house in a suburb, investors should look at areas where houses are mostly occupied (if anyone knows how to check the occupancy rates for housing areas, please feel free to share, thanks).

Investors can also try and approximate the occupancy rate of their properties needed to make mortgage payments and cover maintenance costs. For example: A property investor might own 5 condo units, and need to rent out at least 2 units to break even on interest and maintenance costs.

Here are the steps I use to roughly determine the occupancy rate needed to breakeven for a REIT (This is assuming that majority of the REIT’s revenue comes from rental and not property management or etc):

Step 1: I find out the revenue that can be achieved at 100% occupancy. I assume 100% occupancy = max revenue and make the necessary adjustments with current revenue and current occupancy rate.

Step 2: I minus depreciation from total expenses.

Step 3: I express the expenses ex-depreciation figure in terms of a percentage of maximum revenue, and that percentage will be the occupancy rate I think is needed to breakeven.

 Liquidity and Cash

Whether you own a few condominiums or have bought stock in a REIT, cash is important to protect you from adverse conditions where occupancy rates are low and rental yield is falling. If you own a few rental properties, you need to make sure you have enough cash to at least make mortgage payments and maintain your properties in case some of your tenants suddenly shift out. For REITs, I look for operating cash flow to be significantly higher than expenses.

REITs with high occupancy rates don’t need to carry much cash, as unlike individual property investors, REITs own many properties and have many tenants; this diversification of income sources reduces their financial risk in the event where some of their tenants decide to move out.  

Mortgage

It’s important to lock in low mortgage rates whenever possible as any increase in the mortgage payments you need to make affects the returns you earn. But when mortgage rates are affordable but not cheap, investors may consider having a mix of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages on their investment properties, as this will allow them to enjoy overall lower rates if mortgage rates fall, and be somewhat protected if mortgage rates rise.

How conservative you are should also determine the type of mortgage you should opt for. Investors looking for stable income should get a fixed-rate mortgage and stably earn the difference between rent and costs every month. I personally will not take out adjustable-rate mortgages on my investment properties if I only have in my portfolio one or two properties, as the risk of lower cash-flows or even negative cash-flows due to an increase in mortgage rates is too much for me.

For a REIT, I look at the average interest rate of its debt, to see whether it’s acceptable or not.  I also look whether the REIT has a significant portion of debt coming due in the short- to medium-term, and if it can build up enough cash from now to then to finance the portion of debt coming due. I also find out how exposed the REIT is to increases in interest rates by looking at how much of their debt have variable rates.

Adding value

One of the ways REITs are able to add value to their properties is by renovating their properties to fit in more units they can rent out or increase the appeal of the malls to attract more shoppers which will be followed by the REIT being able to charge their tenants higher rent.

Individual property investors can also add value to their property investments. They can furnish their properties, build more rooms in their properties, or etc. What matters is that the investment made to enhance the value of the property results in higher rental income where the estimated additional rental that will be earned represents healthy returns on the value enhancing investment.

Valuing Real Estate

To value a property, investors should discount the estimated future rental cash-flows minus estimated future maintenance costs back to the present. If investors are looking for high returns and not just stable income, then the discount rate should be higher (I use 12%) than the discount rate of 6-7% that I recommend for stocks, as unlike stocks, rental income from real estate can’t grow much (increases in rental earned due to inflation don’t count, as you will still get the same purchasing power with your increased rental income; selecting good locations might result in long-term rental income growth that outpace inflation, but it will be more prudent not to take this potential growth into account).

After discounting back to the present the future net cash-flows the property is estimated to generate, we get a figure that’s almost the value we think the property should be worth. I say almost because we still need to add to the figure legal costs, and any other costs associated with acquiring the property. Investors should buy properties that are at a discount to the value the investors think they are worth.

The things I talk about in this article are by no means everything an investor needs to know about real estate investments, whether it’s buying shares in a REIT or buying real estate directly. For example: Investors planning to invest directly in real estate like a condo unit should also pay attention to things like location and etc.

I value REITs the same way I value stocks. Here’s my article on some of the things I look at when evaluating stocks for potential investment: Things I think about before making investment decisions

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