Real Estate Investments

If you just finished your taxes as I did, you probably realize that you could have been better organized, especially if you own North County investment properties.  A well organized record keeping system is a valuable and indispensable asset.  Individual records should be arranged by category and labeled so that you can find everything quickly.  The following are the principal categories you will need and the type of records that should be stored in each.  You can use these as suggested headings to build your “Getting Organized” filing system. 

  • Banking – Cancelled checks and monthly account statements
  • Contributions – Receipts, cancelled checks, correspondence, a log of contributions, and papers relating to gifts of property.
  • Employment & Business Expenses – Paycheck stubs, W-2 forms, and documents relating to fringe benefits
  • Individual Retirement – Documents needed to determine your tax when withdrawals are made at retirement
  • Insurance – All policies
  • Investments – All purchase and sales slips showing dates and basis of purchase
  • North County Real Estate Investments – Closing Statements, rents received, any rental expenses. You will need to set up sub categories by address if you own several San Diego North County investment properties.
  • Medical, Dental, and Hospital – Medical histories, examination and lab reports, prescriptions, hospital records, bills

Remember for tax purposes keep everything at least 3 years and up to six if possible.

If you purchased San Diego North County investment properties through me, I can help you get your closing information.

To get more info about San Diego North County real estate, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Realtor.

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North County Market Statistics March 2012

The April 2012 HomeDex™ Report provides March 2012 San Diego housing statistics. Information in this report is used by permission from the North San Diego County Association of Realtors® (NSDCAR). Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor, has been a member of NSDCAR for over 22 years.

• The median price for all San Diego North County home sales – attached and detached – increased to $365,500 in March 2012 compared to $357,500 in February 2012.
• San Diego North County detached homes remained unchanged at $415,000 in March 2012. Year-over median price in San Diego North County dropped 7.81 percent compared to $450,165 in March 2011.
• The San Diego countywide median single family detached price increased 2.75 percent in March 2012 to $336,000 compared to $327,000 in February 2012.
• The number of North San Diego County single family detached listings (active and contingent) declined 2.4 percent in March 2012 compared to February 2012.
• The number of sold San Diego County SFD units increased 22.26 percent in March 2012 compared to February 2012 (after a 20.37 percent jump last month), and increased 3.35 percent year-over compared to March 2011. Year-over sold units have increased in nine of the last 10 months.
• Median days-on-market for single-family detached San Diego North County homes sold decreased to 57 days in March 2012 compared to 66 days in February 2012.

Content by  and North San Diego County Association of Realtors.

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California Foreclosure Rates

The chart below shows California foreclosure rates by county.  As you will see San Diego County and especially San Diego North County has done well when comparing it to the rest of the state.  Only 1 in 27  households have been foreclosed on in San Diego County compared to 1 in 10 in many counties.  If you are looking for a distressed home to buy, you might want to consider a San Diego foreclosure homes, short sales, REO’s or bank owned homes. 

If you are interested in finding  San Diego foreclosure homes or other distressed properties, contact Gary Harmon, your top North County Realtor.   See up to the minute San Diego North County homes market statistics here.

Ever wonder which lenders made the most bad loans, see San Diego Short Sale Lenders.

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Home Sales for February 2012

This blog and my main website ,www.HomeInfoSanDiego.com, focus on the communities of  Carlsbad homes, Encinitas homes, Escondido homes, San Marcos and Vista homes.  Below is the median price of San Diego homes from 2012 and 2011 with the last column showing increases or decreases (marked by “-“). 

 

You can also see  current Carlsbad statistics, Encinitas statistics, Escondido statistics, San Marcos statistics, and Vista statistics.

To purchase any great San Diego North County home, contact Gary Harmon.

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San Diego North County Market Statistics February 2012

The March 2012 HomeDex™ Report provides February 2012 San Diego housing statistics. Information in this report is used by permission from the North San Diego County Association of Realtors® (NSDCAR). Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor, has been a member of NSDCAR for over 22 years.

• The median price for all San Diego North County home sales – attached and detached – increased to $357,500 in February 2012 compared to $344,500 in January 2012.
• North County detached homes increased 3.75 percent to $415,000 in February 2012 compared to $400,000 in January 2012. Year-over median price of San Diego North County homes was stable with a small 0.6 percent fall compared to the $417,500 in February 2011.
• The San Diego countywide median SFD price increased 3.12 percent in February 2012 to $359,900 compared to $349,000 in January 2012.
• The number of San Diego North Country homes – detached listings (active and contingent) have remained steady through early 2012, decreasing just 0.92 percent from January 2012 to February 2012.
• The number of sold North San Diego County homes – detached units increased 20.37 percent in February 2012 compared to January 2012 (after a 32.21 percent fall last month), and jumped 27.13 percent year-over compared to February 2011. Each of the last four months experienced double-digit year-over increases in home sales.
• Median days-on-market for North County single-family detached homes sold decreased to 66 days in February 2012 compared to 68 days in January 2012.

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San Diego North County Conditions & Market Statistics – February 2012

For the first week of February, here is the San Diego North County market conditions and statistics for Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista, Encinitas, and Escondido.  On this blog, you can also click on the blue tab at the top of the home page that says “Market Statistics” to always get up to date market information on the communities I serve.

  • The median list price of Carlsbad Homes for Sale this week in February is $629,500. The 369 Carlsbad properties have been on the market for an average of 147 days.  The Carlsbad housing market has shown some evidence of slowing recently. Both prices and Carlsbad home inventory levels are relatively unchanged in recent weeks.
  • The median list price Of Oceanside homes for sale this week in February is $325,000. The 470 Oceanside homes have been on the market for an average of 133 days.  Oceanside homes inventory has been lightening lately, though days-on-market is increasing, these are mildly positive indications for the Oceanside housing market.
  • The median list price of Escondido homes for sale this week is $299,000.  Inventory of Escondido homes and days-on-market are climbing. The trends imply a weakening Escondido real estate market.
  • The median list price of Vista CA homes for sale this week in February is $329,450. The 256 properties have been on the market for an average of 134 days.  Vista homes inventory days-on-market is trending higher.
  • The median list price of Encinitas homes for sale this week in February is $850,000. The 151 properties have been on the market for an average of 140 days. Encinitas homes inventory has been lightening lately and days-on-market is increasing.

To get more information on San Diego North County market statistics, or to see great North County homes, contact Gary Harmon, your Five Star Award Winner.

Five Star Award Winner – Gary Harmon

Congratulations Gary Harmon! You are a 2012 Five Star Real Estate Agent

Five Star Professional conducted research to determine the North County real estate agents in the San Diego area who rated highest in overall satisfaction. Clients, peers and industry experts participated in research that resulted in Gary Harmon’s selection as a Five Star Real Estate Agent.

How was Gary Harmon selected?

Our research team contacted consumers in the San Diego area and asked if they had experience working with a real estate agent. Consumers who agreed to participate in the survey provided the name of the real estate agent and rated that individual according to key criteria such as integrity, negotiation and closing preparation.

Surveys were sent to San Diego area residents who recently purchased a home over $150,000 (more than 40,000 households) within a 12-month period (April 2010 to April 2011) and 1,000 subscribers of San Diego Magazine. An additional 250 surveys were sent to mortgage and title companies.

The survey data was collected and scored, resulting in the list of 2012 San Diego Five Star Real Estate Agents.

These results place Gary Harmon in the top 7% of all Realtors in San Diego County.

As a Five Star award winner, Gary Harmon will be listed in the special advertising section of San Diego Magazine and on the Five Star Professional website.

You can get the same personal service that made Gary Harmon a Five Star Award Winner.  Contact Gary Harmon, for your best move ever.

San Diego Real Estate Market Statistics December 2011

The December 2011 HomeDex™ Report provides November 2011 San Diego housing statistics. Information in this report is used by permission from the North San Diego County Association of Realtors® (NSDCAR). Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor, has been a member of NSDCAR for over 21 years.

• The median price for all North County home sales – attached and detached – decreased to $350,000 in November 2011 compared to $354,500 in October 2011.
• Detached homes in North County declined 2.21 percent to $400,000 in November 2011 from $409,058 in October 2011; Monthly median prices have declined during the past 7 months of 2011.
• The countywide median SFD price declined 2.03 percent from $357,250 in October 2011 to $350,000 in November 2011.  Year-over countywide median SFD price decreased 10.26 percent from November 2010.
• The number of North San Diego SFD listings (active and contingent) declined 6.9 percent from October 2011 compared to November 2011.
• The number of sold North San Diego County SFD units jumped 9.28 percent in November 2011 compared to October 2011, and increased 13.92 percent year-over compared to November 2010.
• Median days-on-market for single-family detached homes sold in North County rose to 65 days in November 2011 compared to 63 days in October 2011.
• The HomeDex affordability percentage for all homes in North San Diego County – attached and detached – increased to 44 percent in November 2011 compared to 41 percent in October 2011.
If you like San Diego North County home statistics, you can always be up to date with Gary’s Altos Research Reports by major North County communities. Follow these links: Carlsbad homes, Oceanside homes, Encinitas homes, Vista homes, San Marcos homes, and Escondido homes.

To schedule a personal tour of homes in San Diego North County, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor. If you would like to search for properties on your own, just click on the community of interest listed under “Current Listing” in the column immediately to the right.

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San Diego Christmas Lights 2011

If you would like to see great San Diego North County homes, contact Gary Harmon, Real Living Lifestyles.    Meanwhile, enjoy these great Christmas lights, info courtesy of Fidelity National Title Company and Gary Harmon.  Info below photo.

Click here to have the angel above light the Christmas Tree!

See Carlsbad Christmas!

San Diego County Homes Residential Locations

ALLIED GARDENS, 92120
7048 Hillsboro St. Off Waring and Princess View. Dec. 10-24, dusk-10 pm.
CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH, 92128
Fairway Village, east and west side of Stoney Gate Pl. 85+ homes decorated. Dec. 1-Jan. 1, 5:30-10:30 pm. Neighborhood Block Party on Dec. 17 with food, entertainment, Santa, musicians, carolers and more from 6-10 p.m.
CHULA VISTA, 91910, 91911, 91914, 91915
Whitney St./Mankato. Circle between First and Second Ave. off H St. & 1st Ave. “Christmas Circle.” 55+ homes decorated. Dec. 10-26, 5-10 pm.
CLAIREMONT, 92117
Lana Dr. & Jamar. Off Mt. Abernathy Ave. Circular street. 40+ homes deco-rated. Dec. 10-27. 4670 Norwalk Ave. Off Clairemont Mesa Blvd./ Moraga Ave. Dec. 11-Jan. 1, 7-10 pm, weekends7-11 pm.
EAST SAN DIEGO, 92113
1523 48th St. Off Federal Blvd. & 48 St. Dec. 4-24, 5-10 pm. 4641 Craigie St. Off Highway 94 and 47th. Dec. 10-24, dusk-10 pm.
EL CAJON, 92021
Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights). Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. “Celebrating the Reason” theme. Dec. 9-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm. 11456 Pegeen Pl. “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme, complete with Jack, Sally, Zero, the Mayor & Oogie Boogie. Dec. 5-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm. 1838 El Pico Dr. Off Hacienda Dr. 48th year of decorating the 20-ft. star over 100 ft. in air, overlooking El Cajon valley from Nov. 27-Dec. 31. Also see a 55-ft. train. Dec. 10-31, dusk-10 pm.
LOMITA, 92114 (near Lemon Grove)
689 Meadowbrook Dr. Off Jamacha Rd. South of Lemon Grove. Dec. 8-Jan. 1, dusk-10 pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus may be out from Dec. 17-23.
POWAY, 92064
12631 Stoutwood St. Off Twin Peaks Rd. & Deerwood St. Nicknamed “The Griswolds.” Dec. 1-Jan. 1, 5:30-10 pm week-days, 11 pm weekends. Hickory Ct./Hickory St., 12659 Butterwood Ct. and Rockrose Ct. All off Twin Peaks Rd. &
Silverset St. named “Candy Cane Courts.” Entire cul-de-sacs are lit up. Dec. 10-24, 6-9 pm.
RANCHO PEÑASQUITOS, 92129
Oviedo St. Off Black Mountain Rd. “Christmas Card Lane.” Also enter off Twin Trails Dr. & Carmel Mountain Rd. Ellingham St., Renato St., Oviedo St., Twin Trails Dr., Barrymore St., Rotherham Ave., Talca Ave., Talca Ct., Allenbrook Way, Daven-port Ave., Amber Sky Ln. Dec. 11-31, dusk-10 pm.
SAN CARLOS, 92119
6296 Lake Arrowhead Dr. Between Dallas & Lake Murray. Lights, Santa Claus, animated window scenes. Dec. 5-27, dusk-10 pm. Block of 7900 and 8000 Hillandale Dr. Off Mission Gorge & Deerfield. Dec. 1-31, 5-9 pm.
SAN MARCOS, 92069
1639 Knob Hill. Off Nordahl Rd. Between Tam O’ Shanter Dr. & Augusta Dr. 23rd year of decorating. 90,000+ lights plus Carnival, North Pole and Santa’s Wild Animal Park themes. Nov. 24-Dec. 30, 5-9 pm. See Santa from 6:30-8 pm from Dec. 10-23. www.ChristmasOnKnobHill.com
SANTEE, 92071
Sunburst Santee. Tomel Court, off Magnolia. Many homes, Starlight Circle. Dec. 17-26, 7-10 pm. 9835 Pebble Beach Dr. Displays on house and yard set up to music. Dec. 1-31, dusk-10 pm.
SERRA MESA/MISSION VILLAGE, 92123
2621 Raymell Dr. Yard decorated like Christmas Town from “A Nightmare Before Christmas”. Dec.10-30, dusk-10 pm. 2133 Seagull Ln. Horse & carriage, doe, tree & gifts. Dec. 10-24, dusk-10 pm.
TIERRASANTA, 92124
5306 Belardo Dr. Off Via Valarta & Via Playa DelCortes. 95,000 lights, including many homemade decorations, all sequenced and animated to music. Tune radio to 89.7 FM to hear the lights dance. Nov. 26-Dec. 26, 5:30-10 pm.www.belardolights.com 11626
Papagallo Ct. Off Colina Dorado or Calle De Vida. “Thomas the Tank Train Engine”
theme. Dec. 3-30, 6-10 pm. 10927 Baroque Lane. A “North Pole” themed Christmas featuring a 20-ft lighted Santa and a Christmas Village. Dec. 9-28, 6-9:30 pm.
VISTA, 92081
1 505 Roma Dr., corner of Lupine Hills and Roma Dr. Inflatable’s and over two
2 dozen homemade plywood cutouts of Disney and other holiday characters. Nov. 26- Dec. 31, Sun-Th 6-10pm, Fri-Sat 6 pm-midnight.

Commercial Holiday Light Displays

Del Mar Fairgrounds Holiday of Lights
Jimmy Durante Blvd./Via De La Valle. Off Highway 5. Animated holiday lights. Nov. 24-Jan. 1, Sun.-Thurs, 5:30-10 pm; Fri.-Sat., 5:30-10:30 pm. Closed Nov. 28, Dec. 5 & 12. $14/vehicle (up to 5 people), $19/van or car (6 or more), $49/bus. 858-755-1161. www.sdfair.com., www.holidayoflights.com. Gaslamp for the Holidays Downtown San Diego. www.gaslamp.org.
Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave. Tree in the lobby is beautifully decorated plus 100,000 lights illuminate the resort from Nov. 30-Jan. 1. Lighting of the tree outside Nov. 30, 4-7 pm. 619-522-8490. www.hoteldel.com.
LEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days
Real snow! Snowball targets, build a snowman with LEGO accessories, see holiday LEGO displays. Nov. 19-Jan. 2. Nightly tree lighting at 5 pm, Dec. 1-24. Nightly fireworks, Dec. 26-31. 760-918-5346. www.legoland.com.
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Over 100 vessels. Begins on Quivira Basin. Dec. 10, starts at 7 pm, fireworks at 9 pm. 858-488-0501. www.missionbayparadeoflights.org.
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
Boats decorated in holiday lights circle Oceanside Harbor. Sponsored by the Oceanside Yacht Club. Dec. 10, 7 pm. 760-722-5751.
San Diego Bay Boat Parade of Lights 2011
40th Anniversary, “Back to the Future” theme. Dec. 11 & Dec. 18. Fireworks, 5:30 pm then parade til 9 pm. Starts off Shelter
Island, goes through the harbor and ends at the Ferry Landing, Coronado. www.sdparadeoflights.org.
San Diego Botanic Garden “Garden of Lights”
230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas. 100,000+ lights illuminating the plants and trees. Dec. 8-23 and Dec. 26-30, 5-9 pm. Nutcracker ex-hibit, marshmallow roasting, live music, kid crafts. Adults, $12, children 3-12, $4. 760-436- 3036. www.SDBGarden.org.
San Diego Zoo’s Jungle Bells
Balboa Park. Dec. 11-23, Dec. 25-Jan. 2. Lighted animal figures, bell ringers, nightly tree-lighting ceremony, “Night Before
Christmas” interactive show. 619-231-1515. www.sandiegozoo.org.
SeaWorld Christmas Tree of Lights
The Skytower lights will sparkle after dark. Nightly at 6 pm. Weekends Nov. 19-Dec. 11, daily Dec. 17-Jan. 1. www.seaworld.com.
Victorian Mansion/The Forward House
108 Ivy St., corner of First and Ivy, downtown San Diego. Nov. 24-Jan. 1, 5-10 pm. See Santa on the roof on Dec. 16 from 5:30-8:30 pm. 619-533-7900.

November 2011 San Diego North County Home Statistics

The November 2011 HomeDex™ Report provides October 2011 San Diego housing statistics. Information in this report is used by permission from the North San Diego County Association of Realtors® (NSDCAR). Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor, has been a member of NSDCAR for over 21 years.

• The median price for all North County home sales – attached and detached – decreased to $354,500 in October 2011 from $375,000 in September 2011.
• Detached homes in North County declined 5.96 percent to $409,058 in October 2011 from $435,000 in September 2011; Monthly median prices have fallen during 6 months of 2011, and this month’s median price was the lowest reported in over two years.
• The countywide median SFD price declined 0.76 percent to $357,250 in October 2011 from $360,000 in September 2011.  Year-over countywide median SFD price decreased 7.75 percent from October 2010.
• The number of North San Diego SFD listings (active and contingent) declined 4.77 percent in October 2011 compared to September 2011.
• The number of sold North San Diego County SFD units decreased 16 percent in October 2011 from September 2011, but remained constant compared to October 2010.
• Median days-on-market for single-family detached homes sold in North County rose to 63 days in October 2011 compared to 57 days in September 2011.
• The HomeDex affordability percentage for all homes in North San Diego County – attached and detached – increased from 38 percent in September 2011 to 41 percent in October 2011.The median price for all North County home sales – attached and detached – remained constant from last month at $380,000 in May 2011.

If you like San Diego North County home statistics, you can always be up to date with Gary’s Altos Research Reports by major North County communities. Follow these links: Carlsbad homes, Oceanside homes, Encinitas homes, Vista homes, San Marcos homes, and Escondido homes.

To schedule a personal tour of homes in San Diego North County, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor. If you would like to search for properties on your own, just click on the community of interest listed under “Current Listing” in the column immediately to the right.

[idx-listings city=”San Diego” propertytypes=”335″ orderby=”DateAdded” orderdir=”DESC” count=”25″ showlargerphotos=”true”]