Real Estate and All That Jazz

Last week nice weather finally graced our city. We had an unusually cool and rainy winter, and when the sun came out and the "old" San Diego climate appeared, I decided to spend a few afternoons enjoying some much needed free time.

Balboa Park in San Diego, CA is one of my favorite places to go. Not only can you meander around the beautiful rose gardens and pathways, but there are museums, lawn bowling and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Parking is never a problem mid-week, and not really too bad on week-ends either. I decided to take advantage of one museum's FREE  entrance on Tuesday for all San Diego residents. It happened to be the Mingei International Museum where there were several Exhibits: Mexican Cultural, Chinese Hat Box (see photo) and Ceremonial Art Across Cultures.

Tuesdays are a great time to go: no crowds and lots of space to stop at the Exhibits. I then decided to go to the Museum of Photographic Arts where there was an  Exhibit called "State of Mind-A California Invitational" running from Feb 6-June 6th 2010 which showcases 22 California photographers.  Well worth it if you can appreciate different photographic perspectives. Unfortunately, it was not FREE Tuesday for this museum so I had to pay a very reasonable $6.00 entrance fee. There is a really nice gift shop with an extensive collection of books on Photography, and the cafeteria had decent coffee.

On my 2nd afternoon, I went to PB, Pacific Beach (which is a local San Diego Beach, not just the name of the ocean) to watch the surfers, bikers, people walking dogs, impromptu street music and to walk the boardwalk. Surf was up, dude, and the waves must have been 10 feet high! There was an almost chilly breeze which was so pleasant as I sat and ate my lunch in the sun.

On my 3rd afternoon, I went off to Circle T Ranch on Willow Rd. in Lakeside,CA and spent a lazy morning riding my horse, grooming him and listening to Country music. Circle T is located across from many riding trails, so if you don't have a horse, you can go on a trail ride with Laura on one of their barn horses (Missy or Jasmine), who will take even beginners through the wilds of Lakeside.

San Diego has so many "vacation" activities within easy reach. One can spend a morning in a rural high desert, the afternoon at the beach and then off to Balboa Park/downtown for some urban adventures. Maybe that's why I don't feel the need to take as many vacations living in this part of the country...I can do just about everything I enjoy within a 30 minute drive.......
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Otay Ranch Farmers Market

The Otay Ranch certified Farmers Market boasts an incredible community of family farms that make this market a local Tuesday tradition for all. Enoy a market that's easy to get to plenty of parking and the freshest produce of the season.
Time: 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Location: Main St. in Otay Ranch Town Center

Otay Ranch Farmer's Market


Nature Walk-Mission Trails
Each Wed., Sat. and Sun. in February

Learn about the history, geology, plants, animals and ecology of Mission Trails Regional Park by taking a 1.5 hour walk with a trail guide. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Walk is cancelled if raining.
Time: 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Location: Mission Trails Regional Park, meet at the Visitor Center
One Father Junipero Serra Trail    

Mission Trails Park

Focus on Orchids Photo Workshop
Feb 6th

Orchids are among nature's loveliest creations but are often very challenging to photograph. Bob Bretell has been shooting orchids for 20 years and will demystify the frustration many camers enthusiasts have capturing these exotic flowers on digital. All levels welcome. Fee required.
Time 8:30 a.m-2:00 p.m.
Location: San Diego Botanic Garden, Eche Building, Encinitas

Puppy Love 5K Run/Walk
February 6th

Join Helen Woodward Animal Center fo their first annual Puppy Love Run. Celebrate your love of animals by runing/walking near the Pacific Ocean. After you complete the course come participate in the Furry Valentine Canine Costume Contest, Doga yoga, doggie boot camp, agility and many more fun activities. Proceeds for this event will benefit the Center and orphaned pets all over the country.

Time: 7:00 a.m.
Location: Solana Beach 101, corner of Via de la Valle and the 101

Puppy Love Run

Stay tuned for weekly events in Metro San Diego, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Otay Ranch.

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Although I live on the West Coast, New England is where I grew up. I would like to share some photos I have taken.

    Pumpkins

Old Barn in New Hampshire, Mt. Washington Valley

Mushrooms

  View over the Mt. Washington Valley

Autumn Leaves

My Favorite Food

Driving from Portland Maine to Mt. Washington Valley takes about 2 hours. The road is one lane, with views around every corner. Having family that lives there makes it a great vacation get-away to hike and fish. Although Southern CA is equally as beautiful and lends itself to outdoor activity, I still marvel at the "smell" of Fall in New England!

I have some advice for anyone interested in renting a home with less then stellar credit in a very tight rental market in San Diego. Don't get discouraged and automatically think the agent/owner will reject you if there are alot of prospects. Smile, be sincere, be yourself AND:

1. Be punctual.

2. Be honest. Explain to the agent (or owner) that you have had a past bankruptcy, credit issue etc. and bring proof of it. One of my best tenants brought a "discharged" bankruptcy form with her when she came to see the home I had for rent. She explained she did some dumb things when she was younger. I rented the home to her and she was never late with the rent and it was immaculate when she left. She turned out to be one of my best tenants in the San Diego rental market.

3. Bring a copy of your credit report, phone #'s of your employer, copy of your driver's license etc. ANYTHING that will make filling out the application easier. Blank spaces left on applications, and even illegible applications have been tossed by me, when I have 10 other prospects. It shows lack of respect or fear of disclosure.

4. Be polite and non-confrontational! Leave your bad attitude at home.No owner wants to deal with a disgruntled tenant from day #1. What will the tenancy be like in 3 months?

5. Wear clean clothing. Casual is fine but neatness is important. The owner will assume if you show up in tattered clothing, that is the way the apt. will look when you live there.

6. Watch your language. Profanity is not acceptable and most owners will be turned off.

7. Don't be afraid to follow up if you have not heard from the owner.Expressing your enthusiasm about a house in the San Diego rental market always helps:("we have always wanted a pool and this is one of the loveliest I have seen" or "I love the kitchen, we enjoy cooking"). I like to choose tenants who LOVE the property. Passion is contagious.

8. Don't badmouth your present landlord. The San Diego rental market is a tight community and word gets around.

9. Don't leave your checkbook at home. The one with the check for the application fee or first month's rent is always seen as a more serious tenant.

Remember, you are going on an "interview" and first impressions are lasting. Put your best foot forward and I bet you  that home you want in the San Diego rental market will be yours.

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  (4th in a 4 part series)

Investing for Dummies: Investing in San Diego Income property

Paying Capital Gains Tax on the sale of your San Diego income property could defeat the purpose of your investment strategy. If you have to give back the profit to Uncle Sam, consider this:

 You can defer the entire gain by purchasing a property (or entity used for business) of equal or greater value ~within a specific time frame and adhering to specific rules~. That's right! The I.R.S. says go ahead, sell your income property and if you do this within the guidelines we have stipulated "you don't have to pay us a dime". Well, you may be thinking "What if I don't want to be a Landlord anymore, I have other areas of my life that keep me busy? I'm sick of all the headaches. If I sell my income property, then what?"  

 Here are some "1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange"  ideas :

1. Purchase a condo for your child to live in while they go to college.

2. Buy a future retirement home in an area of your choice (U.S. only) and rent it out until you are ready to retire.

3. Buy into a TIC investment.

4. Downsize your life to a multi unit dwelling,live in one apt. and you will be able to defer a percentage of the gain.

5. Buy a Farm

6. Buy a vacation condo/house you use less than 2 weeks/year. (this does not include a time share).

7. Purchase raw land.

8. Purchase a Corporate Jet used for your business.

There are many more legal ways to reinvest the gain from your income property using a 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange.

For more information contact me.

Disclaimer: Always consult with your CPA before undertaking a 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange or other tax startegies.

If you think ice-cream is the most wonderful of all foods known to mankind, then read on. I am constantly trying to find an alternative to this creamy, cool and refreshing "hot day" treat sans the fat and calories in San Diego. Most frozen confections don't come close................drum roll.................ta daaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh....until I found frozen yogurt at The Yogurt Barn in Lakeside, just outside of San Diego metro in East County.

Located at 9840 Channel Rd, close to the 67 and Lakeside Center, this family owned and operated business is a little gem.

Decorated in "country" style, the interior has about half a dozen tables. The walls are decorated with photos from the local Lakeside 4-H Club and you can eat your yogurt while staring at the winners of the “best pig” contest or first prize winner in “barrel racing” at the Lakeside Rodeo and even a photo of Miss Lakeside.

    4H Board at The Yogurt Barn

                                                 Colorful Decor in the Yogurt Barn

                                                                                                       Comfy Seating

The 10 frozen yogurt flavors change daily and my favorites are Kahlua and Cream and Butter Brickle. (see below)

What I love about this yogurt is the creamy, smooth texture. Many frozen yogurts can be “icey” or “grainy” but this one tops them all in texture and flavor. There are also lots of great toppings.

Many healthy- choice toppings

The portions are huge so watch out! Come on down to Yogurt Barn in Lakeside, San Diego County, CA.

Hours Sunday-Thursday 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday             11:00 am-10:00 p.m.

  Time to make the yogurt________

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Marcella June's Coffee Lounge

An 'Urban Oasis' in San Diego

Located at 5410 El Cajon Blvd (corner of 54^th St.) in the College Area, Marcella June's Coffee Lounge is an interesting and unique coffee spot.

           Tastefully Decorated coffee lounge for quiet conversations.

The decor is in a soothing palette with nice furnishings and a lot of space. This cafe venue lends itself to a business meeting or just quiet conversations with friends.

 Owner David Zaloudek making my Red Espresso Tea

In addition to all the usual coffee drinks, owner David told me that they are the only coffee lounge in the area to offer “Red Espresso Tea”. Yes, you heard it right.....Espresso 'tea'. Grown in South Africa, this unusual tea is prepared like an espresso drink, complete with milky foam. I couldn't resist. Since I like my coffee with a bit of sweetness, I let David suggest a “hint of vanilla flavoring”. All I can say is WOW..this was really good! It tasted like tea, but had the zippiness and intensity of espresso, with a distinct tea flavor. You gotta try one. 

Come on down, bring your laptop and spend some time at Marcella June's. www.marcellajune.com

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North Park Produce

3551 El Cajon Blvd

San Diego, CA

North Park:

 Do you get bored with traditional groceries in the large supermarkets? Do you crave an alternative to a bland boring salad or burger for dinner? Then come on down to North Park Produce in metro San Diego CA.

The aisles of this little gem are stocked to the brim with international foods. To name just a few items: Bulgarian juices, Indian chutneys, Mideast flatbreads, Lebanese hummus, Greek feta, Israeli juices, Armenian eggplant paste, Ukrainian juice, Moroccan sardines, Persian cucumbers and Chinese noodles. There are bulk spices and grains, salamis, olives and pickled veggies. A huge meat dept. offering well priced cuts of meat and some are hard to find in most markets.

 A cheese dept. that has about a dozen different Feta cheeses from all over the world. They will let you sample a tasty bite of any cheese you may want. And pickled peppers...

There is an aisle of international teas, and one of pastries from an L.A. bakery specializing in Middle Eastern cakes and cookies. A huge fresh produce dept. that has the best prices on locally grown items. 5 different brands of yogurt and at least a dozen different juices at last count, and 10 brands of olives are seriously inexpensive. And salamis....

The produce clerks are always eager to help. Last time I was there Romaine was 2 heads for $1.00.

As you exit the store the "Tamale" lady has a cart where you can purchase home-made tamales for a quick snack.

Parking is tricky sometimes, but not impossible.

Come to North Park Produce in metro San Diego, CA to do your food shopping and experiment with food from a different culture. You'll be glad you did.

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An afternoon in Normal Heights

Do you love used bookstores? Interesting coffee shops? Then take a drive over to this hip and interesting part of metro San Diego. Many folks just pass by it on their way to Hillcrest, but it has developed into a fun destination with lots to do. The following is a great way to spend a quiet afternoon in Normal Heights.

Burgett Books and Collectible in Normal Heights  3287 Adams Ave. San Diego, CA 92116

I can't say enough about this bookstore. They have books, magazines, memorabilia and old photos. There are comfy chairs and stools to sit on and you can stay for hours and read. There is a special "paperback" room where most titles are a dollar or two. Outside they have a mobile book shelf where once the owner gave me a free book! They also buy your old books, but they are rather discerning about what they will pay for. They will take most books for free.

Lestat's 3343 Adams Ave. San Diego, CA 92116

Now if all that reading and searching for books has left you depleted, head over to Lestat's, a block away on Adams. You will find wonderful coffee drinks and snacks in this Bohemian coffee shop. Comfy chairs, unusual couches and tables adorn the tiny space, but there is also outside seating. Check out the artwork and jewelry by local artisans. Lestat's is also a well known neighborhood venue for local talents and there is entertainment nightly.

 Normal Heights is a "mixed bag" neighborhood of single family homes, apts. and condos. It is sandwiched between "leafy" Kensington and "hip" University Heights. It is multi-cultural and diverse as well as conveniently located near the 805 and the 15. Adams Ave. is the backbone of Normal Heights, and it is lined with ethnic restaurants and antique stores. Currently, a condo can be bought for as low as $60K-$75K, and single family homes start at $250K. Normal Heights has properties called "2 on 1's which are 2 houses on one lot.....a great way to get into the single family market and have a rental income to supplement your expenses.

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 Deborah A. Stone, your Metro San Diego Specialist