Home Warranty – Home Protection Plan

October 26, 2011 By

When a San Diego North County buyer finds a home and writes an offer, I always encourage them to ask for a home warranty from the seller.  If the seller will not pay, I would encourage all of my North County buyers to go ahead and buy it for themselves.  I also practice what I preach by carring a home warranty on my own Lake San Marcos home.     One of  my winning team members is HSA Home Warranty, home protection plan. 

The HSA Home Warranty basic BUYER coverage w/$55 deductible is $330 TOTAL.

 The basic BUYER coverage includes: Heat, Plumbing, Electrical, Roof Leaks, garage door opener including hinges, springs and remote transmitters, Refrigerator including icemaker/crusher and beverage dispenser, thermostats, routing of drain line stoppages including hydro-jetting, toilet tank, bowl & wax ring seals replaced with builder standard, whirlpool bathtub, hot water heater including tankless water heater, primary sump pump and instant hot water dispenser, central vacuum, door bell, smoke alarms, ceiling fans, interior attic and exhaust fans, trash compactor including lock/key assembly and bucket, dishwasher including racks, baskets & rollers, garbage disposal, Oven/Range including interior lining, clocks, rotisseries, racks, handles, knobs and dials, and built in microwave including interior lining, door glass, clock and shelves. All of this is highlighted on page 3 of the Coverage Highlights page of the brochure attached.
You can upgrade to the BUYER 7 Star Plus Upgrade which costs only $455, plus any additional Buyer Options such as Washer/Dryer $50. HSA Home Warranty offers swimming pool coverage including the salt water circuit board and cell for only $125!

The $455 Buyer 7 Star PLUS Policy Upgrade includes all of the basic coverage plus:

Central Air, refrigerant recovery and ductwork, crane charges (roof top ac units), Toilets replaced with like quality; faucets and shower heads, $250 towards code violations (earthquake straps on hwt) – $300 towards modifications on approved central heat, air or hwt, removal and disposal of replaced equipment (ex: hwt, ac unit, etc.), mismatched heating and cooling systems, failures due to improper installations, modifications and/or repairs.
The most comprehensive coverage is certainly the BUYER 7 Star Plus Plan = $455 TOTAL  (plus any additional BUYER options).

 If you have any questions or need more informatin on an HSA Home Warranty, contact Gary Harmon  for experienced solutions to all your real estate needs.

 


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How to Draft a Oceanside Home Purchase Offer

October 25, 2011 By


Crafting Your Oceanside Home Purchase Offer

Make it a Win-Win

Once you have found the Oceanside home for sale of your dreams, writing the offer becomes very important.  You don’t want to pay too much, but you want to be successful in buying that Oceanside real estate.  It is time to set down with your Oceanside Realtor, Gary Harmon, and write the purchase offer.

Most things are negotiable in the offer, but in San Diego County there is a standard to follow on most items.  A good rule of thumb, using an old clicke, is to make any offer a win-win for everyone.  Your Realtor will know how to advise you.

Focus Only on What is Important

The first important thing is the sales price.  Your Oceanside Realtor, Gary Harmon, can provide you with comps of other Oceanside homes to help you pick the right offer price.  In this current Oceanside real estate market, homes are selling at or above listing price.  Many times you won’t get a counter offer, so put your best foot forward.  The deposit, usually at least one percent of the purchase price, is the next important item.  How long  an escrow will you need?   It takes at least 30-45 days to get all the loan details worked out.  Other items to consider are who pays escrow, title, and other closing cost.  Ask your Realtor what is customary in the Oceanside area.

Keep it Simple

Keep the purchase offer on the Oceanside home for sale as simple as possible.  For example, don’t ask for closing cost back unless you need the cash.  Oceanside sellers will only be looking at the net price.  Don’t ask for repairs up front.  You can handle those later in the request for repairs.  Structure you offer to keep things simple and clear for everyone to understand.  If there are any items of personal property you are requesting that don’t normally come with the home, do them separately after you have an acceptance on the home.  Don’t forget the big picture which is to buy your Oceanside home, not to get a good deal on a refrigerator, etc.

For more information on Oceanside Homes for Sale, contact Gary Harmon for experienced real estate solutions.  See homes for sale in Oceanside.

[idx-listings city=”Oceanside” propertytypes=”335″ orderby=”Price” orderdir=”DESC” count=”25″ showlargerphotos=”true”]

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More Safety Tips – San Diego Halloween

October 18, 2011 By

Halloween – October 31st

Halloween Safety Tips

When escorting your little San Diego trick-or-treaters always insure that costumes are safe for extrended wear.  Make sure your child can see and breath easily.  If necessary, trim the length of costumes to avoid tripping.  Shoes should be worn at all times.

Be careful with jack-o-lanterns with candels or pumkins with candels and make sure no one gets too close, especially those with long wigs or costumes.

Carry a flashlight and give your young ones glow sticks or glow bracelets.  Use your flaslight to help everyone avoid trip hazards and to make sure autos see you.  Halloween should be fun and by making kids aware of potential hazards, all of you can have a good time.

If you are a driver on Halloween, plan for a nerve-wracking experience.  Trying to navigate San Diego and avoid all the small children crossing the streets everywhere can be a challenge.  Be alert, a little planning and knowledge on how to handle this unpredictable night can help you avoid a potential disaster.

Here are a few  steps you can take to keep yourself and pedestrians safe:

  • Drive Slowly

  • Be patient and take your time

  • Stay alert

  • Beware of cars transporting trick-or-treaters

  • Don’t stay our late

 Also see  Halloween Safety Tips – San Diego North County.

For things to do see Halloween Activities in San Diego 2011. 

Halloween Trivia

Halloween is one of the oldest holidays celebrated in the world.

It dates back more than 2000 years ago.

The largest pumpkin on record weighed over 1,500 pounds.

Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.

Orange and Black are the traditional colors of Halloween.

Halloween History

On Halloween, Irish peasants would beg the rich for food. For those that refused, they would play a practical joke. Thus “trick or treat.” To avoid being tricked, the rich would hand out fruit, candy, and cookies. This practice morphed into todays Halloween tradition. With such a large number taking part in Halloween festivities every year, it is important to remember some safety tips.

For planned things to do this Halloween, see my blog: “Halloween Activities in San Diego 2011.”

Need to be safe doing a San Diego North County real estate transaction, contact Gary Harmon  for experienced real estate solutions.

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Pilgrim Creek

October 17, 2011 By

Pilgrim Creek Homes – Pilgrim Creek Estates

Pilgrim Creek Estates are 203 gated homes located in the northern part of Oceanside, Ca, next to Camp Pendleton.  Many of the Pilgrim Creek Estates homes have wilderness area views or views of rolling hills. 

Pilgrim Creek homes are mostly manufactured homes on permanent foundations with 2 car garages.These homes were built in the late 1980s and are approximately 1400-1900 square feet and are priced in the low to high $200,000s.

Pilgrim Creek Estates homes are in a quiet community of well-kept homes and attractively landscaped grounds. Pilgrim Creek real estate has a community center with a beautiful and spacious clubhouse and a swimming pool and spa/hot tub.  There are aqua exercise classes scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.    

There is a large clubhouse with and dance floor and performance stage.  The clubhouse also has an exercise room and a nice reading library with a fireplace.

Pilgrim Creek Estates gets its name from nearby Pilgrim Creek, a tributary of the San Luis Rey River. Its location is approximate 6-miles inland from the coast, a distance that is far enough away to escape much of the coastal fog and morning overcast, but close enough to provide an almost perfect year-round climate. Its serene environment, cool ocean breezes and views of rolling hills give it an ambience of being near the coast and yet far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

[idx-listings tract=”Pilgrim Creek” propertytypes=”335″ orderby=”Price” orderdir=”DESC” count=”20″ showlargerphotos=”true”]

To get a personal tour of Pilgrim Creek Estates homes, contact Gary Harmon for experienced real estate solutions.  Gary Harmon, Real Living Lifestyles, your Oceanside Senior Specialist.    See other senior communities in Oceanside such as Ocean Hills Country Club Homes,  Emerald Lake Village, Peacock Hills, Villa Trieste Homes and Oceana Homes.

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Halloween Activities in San Diego 2011

October 17, 2011 By

Halloween Activities and Haunted Places

Mild autumn breezes in San Diego usually echo the region’s welcoming spirit…but as the end of October 2011 approaches, a spooky wind sweeps in and strange things begin to go bump in the night.  From family-friendly fright fests and historically –  haunted tours, to terror filled screem zones or wild trick-or-treat parties.  Halloween Activities in San Diego 2011 is crazy fun for ghouls and boys of all ages.  These great Halloween activities are brought to you by Gary Harmon and Corinthian Title and Escrow.   See what halloween activities are scheduled in San Diego North County, including Carlsbad, Oceanside, Escondido, and other areas of San Diego county.   These activities include SeaWorld’s halloween Spooktacular, Legoland California Brick-or-Treat Nights, Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours, Haunted  Birch Aquarium, Haunted Hotel and Trail of Terror, The Scream Zone, Monster Bash, Nightmare on Normal Street and much more for October 2011.  Also see  Halloween Safety Tips – San Diego North County.

Please check all San Diego Halloween Activities 2011 websites listed to confirm all times, dates and performances as they are subject to change without notice. 

Interested is San Diego North County real estate information, please contact Gary Harmon of Real Living Lifestyles.

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Peacock Hills Homes

October 6, 2011 By

Peacock Hills

When you think of San Diego North County  over 55 homes, you think of communities like Ocean Hills Country Club Homes,  Emerald Lake Village, Villa Trieste Homes and Oceana Homes.      There is another large senior, retirement, 55 plus, community in Oceanside and that is Peacock Hills. 
Like other Oceanside homes for sale, Peacock Hills enjoys year-around sunny days, ocean breezes, low humidity, and an average yearly temperature of 71 degrees and Peacock Hills real estate is only 7 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the west. These attributes, along with its relaxing environment and country-style living with your peers have made Peacock Hills homes a haven for seniors seeking rest from a more hectic urban life style. Pacific beaches are just 15 miles away to the west, while a 20 minute drive takes visitors to the famous Del Mar Race Track. Exciting Sea World, Mission Bay, and Old Town can be reached in just 35 minutes. Other nearby attractions includes quaint Mission San Luis Rey, Palomar Mountain Observatory with its famous Hale telescope, San Diego Wild Animal Park and the renowned San Diego Zoo. A taste of another culture can be enjoyed in Tijuana, colorful Old Mexico, less than 60 minutes away to the south.
 
See Peacock Hills History.

[idx-listings tract=”Peacock Hills” propertytypes=”335″ orderby=”Price” orderdir=”DESC” count=”25″ showlargerphotos=”true”]

Find out more about Peacock Hills real estate including current listings by calling Gary Harmon, Real Living Lifestyles.   See other Oceanside real estate and Oceanside homes for sale including Oceanside ocean view homes.
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