Unfortunately it does not run on many mobile devices.  Since using your iPad or Smart phone makes a great deal of sense we offer our Clients a mobile solution using the Realtor.com mobile search application which is free.  It is available for iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows Phone.

The reason that we recommend using Realtor.com rather than Zillow or Trulia is due to it pulling listing information directly from our Sandicor MLS which services San Diego County.  You will be getting accurate listings updated hourly, rather than the outdated information on Zillow and Trulia.  Don’t get me wrong, both have wonderful mobile search platforms, the data just isn’t good.

Check out the video below if you would like to see how the system works.

Mobile link to video.

If you would like to get your free collaborative search please send us an email and we will forward you a custom link.  As always we won’t contact you and respect your privacy – but we are here when you need us – just like the lighthouse!

Also you can just download the application directly and not even send us your email – we just want you to get some accurate advice in your home search.

The post We Recommend Mobile Search Using Realtor.com appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.

A friend mentioned a new restaurant that I needed to try in the Gaslamp called Gang Kitchen.

Finding my self with some time on my hands this Sunday afternoon, I thought I would walk over and try the very enticing Happy Hour menu.  Happy hour is served daily from 5 to 7 p.m. when this article was posted – check the website for updated schedule.

Who doesn’t like draft Kirin Iciban beer for $2.00 and all appetizers for $5.00?  I know that I left really satisfied for a small bill – a true bargain for some top shelf food, great atmosphere, and just off the tourist gawkiness of 5th Avenue.

Gang Kitchen offers an eclectic menu of Asian Fusion.  My plan is to go back soon for a full dinner and I’ll write another review then.  You can check out the Yelp page here for more reviews.

Today Jesse served us Sweet Potato/Wasabi Guacamole spring rolls with Habanero Tomatillo Salsa.  This was a very interesting dish and the spiciness of the Habanero Tomatillo sauce really worked with the crispy fried spring rolls.

Next I tried Edamame Wontons which were steamed.  They were slightly salty for my taste but a nice break from the heavier spring rolls.

My favorite was the Mushroom Potstickers with Ponzu butter sauce.  The potstickers were crisp on one side and the taste of the mushroom came through nicely.

The draft Kirin was the perfect compliment but I must admit the drink menu looked intriguing.

Jon Mangini owner of Gang Kitchen also owns Basic Pizza in East Village which is another all time favorite.  The vibe of the resturant certainly has some Basic to it, but on a much more sophisticated scale.  Jesse told us the fantastic artwork around the restaurant was done by Marc Sandoval - Link to Gallery.  The guy is really talented and you can see some of his examples below.

Besides the bar on the street level there is a raised dining area and an upstairs dining and second bar.  The front of the restaurant opens much like Basic Pizza while the exterior building is very dark and low key.  The first night that I walked by the restaurant I was not sure it was even open to the pubic.

The post Gang Kitchen Opens In Gaslamp appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.

Stopped by for a few minutes this morning to the “Year of the Snake” Chinese New Year event in downtown San Diego.  While many vendors were the typical time share and junk food venue, some were interesting things to see.  More information about the event can be found at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.

The post Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Festival in Gaslamp appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.

Here are a few highlights from the HomeDex report for January 2013 produced by the North San Diego Association of REALTORS® (NSDAR).

The median-priced single-family detached (SFD) home in San Diego County dropped 6.9 percent from $420,000 in December 2012 to $391,000 in January 2013. However, year-over SFD median price increased 12.03 percent compared to January 2012.

The number of SFD homes sold in San Diego County dropped 18.64 percent in January 2013 from December 2012. Year-over sold SFD units increased 3.85 percent compared to January 2012.

The HomeDexTM affordability index increased to 45 percent of San Diego County households able to afford the county’s median-priced SFD home in January 2013 from 41 percent in December 2012.

HomeDex San Diego County Sales January 2013 (PDF Document)

HomeDex January 2013 North County San Diego (PDF Document)

The post January 2013 San Diego Real Estate Prices Released appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has extended its temporary “anti-flipping” waiver an additional 2 years.  It will expire unless extended on December 31, 2014.

This is good news for Investors since they can purchase and renovate foreclosed and abandoned homes and resell the updated properties within 90 days.  Before the waiver FHA has imposed the  90 day standard to rein in rampant quick-flips of homes were investors made minimal or no improvements.

The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Friday it is instituting a one-year moratorium on the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 90-day anti-flipping rule.

 

With certain exceptions, such as HUD-owned and bank-owned properties, FHA currently prohibits insuring a mortgage on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days. However, beginning Feb. 1, buyers may use FHA-insured financing to purchase properties resold through private developers and investors, providing access to a broader array of recently foreclosed properties.

 

Under the temporary waiver, all transactions must be arm’s-length, and most properties will require additional documentation of improvements and justification of the price increase. Additional documentation may include a second appraisal and a property inspection ordered by the lender.

C.A.R. recently submitted a letter to FHA Commissioner David Stevens detailing the challenges facing many home buyers using FHA loans, such as the lack of housing inventory available to FHA buyers, and the need for this rule to be revised to reflect current market conditions. The reexamination of the 90-day anti-flipping rule was passed as an action item during C.A.R.’s board of directors meetings in October.

Source CAR.org

If you are looking to purchase an investor flip home proceed with caution and be sure to understand fully what was done to the home.  Some investors put a quick coat of paint and cheap improvements leaving serious deferred maintenance hidden from view.  It’s a good idea to find out if the Investor has done multiple flips and what their reputation is for quality work.

It’s critical to hire a professional home inspector to determine the present condition of the home.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

The post FHA Extends Anti-Flipping Waiver appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.

Cash has slipped below 50% as the market continues to improve and financing becomes more available.  Some Downtown San Diego buildings are in Litigation which makes financing a challenge while others have settled and opened up the option of financing.

Data source Sandicor MLS and County Records – Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

The post 2012 Downtown San Diego Units Sold Cash vs. Financing appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.

Looking at Downtown San Diego sales for 2012 the lower price range of under $300,000 had the largest percentage at 36% or 382 sales.  Between $300,001 and $500,000 accounted for 35% or 374 sales.  Over $500,001 to $700,000 accounted for only 15% or 158 units.

Fron $700,001 to $1,000,000 resulted in 8% of the market with 86 units, $1,000,001 to $1,500,000 3% or 36 units, and $2,000,001 and above 1% or 7 units.

The Downtown San Diego real estate is improving both in units and sales price with the majority of the market activity under $700,000.  Multiple offers and cash buyers continue to be a reality in lower price ranges.

Date source for Sandicor MLS and San Diego Country Records – Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

The post 2012 Downtown San Diego Units Sold by Price Range appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.

You may hover your mouse over the chart to change from percentages to actual numbers.

Downtown San Diego’s real estate market continues to improve on units sold. Over 55% was resale, while approximately 21% were possible short sales. Bank owned properties (REO) accounted for only 6% of the market, and Developer Sales (New) accounted for 18% of the market.

The post Downtown Units Sold by Type of Sale 92101 appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.

View or Download Full Report Here

Market inventory continues to be a challenge with more buyers than sellers in the lower price ranges.  Here are a few notable statistics from the December 2012 HomeDex report.

The median-priced single-family detached (SFD) home in San Diego County increased 2.44 percent to $420,000 in December 2012 from $410,000 in November 2012. Year-over SFD median price increased 18.33 percent from December 2011.

The number of SFD homes sold in San Diego County increased 4.78 percent from November 2012 to December 2012. Year-over sold SFD units increased 3.85 percent compared to December 2011.

The HomeDexTM affordability index fell from 42 percent of San Diego County households able to afford the county’s median-priced SFD home in November 2012 to 41 percent in December 2012

The post San Diego Real Estate Statistics For December 2012 appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.

As you may have noticed I am busy changing both the look and content of San Diego Lifestyle.  It has been too long since this site has been updated, so I have been cleaning up broken links, adding new content, and changing how we manage documents.

The goal is a simplified site, more accessible data using Google Sites, and a responsive site viewable on desktop, laptop, tablets, and smart phones.

Photo courtesy Flickr

The post Pardon Our Mess appeared first on San Diego Lifestyle.