The San Diego Housing Market is moving! The direction it's moving depends on the pricepoint and the area you're looking at. Condos and entry-level homes in highly desirable areas seem to have leveled out and are on a slow, cautious rise. Condos and entry-level homes in less desirable areas are still struggling, but investors are finding great deals and buying up properties to rent until the market fully recovers. High end properties ($1,000,000+) are likely to come down in value another 10%-15% before stabilizing. Of course no one has a crystal ball. And it's impossible to know where the bottom is until prices have already come up. So if you're interested in buying, whether it's your primary residence or investment, NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY REAL ESTATE BECAUSE INTEREST RATES ARE AT MIND-BLOWING LOWS!! Call me for information, Bobby Martins 858-204-7259.

The Martins Team has developed advanced systems for selling properties in the San Diego area, but you can't overlook the most important aspect of real estate when talking about selling, and that's location. In the beautiful city of San Diego with it's beaches, culture, proximity to mountains, lakes, deserts, parks, all kinds of recreation and outdoor activities, and a growing urban center, it's the location of San Diego and all it has to offer that draws people here and makes it a desirable place to live. Anyone interested in selling a home or investment property should give us a call and we'll happily review our home marketing strategy with you.

Our goal is always to sell your home for the highest price possible in the least amount of time. One thing we can promise is an honest assessment of your home's value. Many agents will come in and quote an inflated price just to get the listing, then your home sits on the market for weeks & months because they've overpriced your home for the market. They promise the moon and deliver an ant hill. We start with a full evaluation of your home & comparable sales in the area to determine a fair market value that will spark the most interest in your home from buyers. Because at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how much you think your home is worth or how much your agent thinks your home is worth; it's all about how much a buyer is willing to pay. So with more buyers interested, you'll generate more offers, and utlimately get the most money in your pocket. Now that's a winning plan!

Call now to find out how we sell homes in San Diego for the most money in the least amount of time. You'll be so happy you did!

Bobby Martins, Broker-Sales Associate, 858-204-7259

1. Check the selling prices of comparable homes in your area. Web sites such as Zillow and Homegain can give you a general idea of what you should expect to pay. You can also do a quick search of actual MLS listings in your area on a number of Web sites, including the site of the National Association of Realtors.

2. See what you can afford. Websites such as bankrate.com have mortgage calculators that will allow you to see what your budget can comfortably handle.

3. Find out what your total monthly housing cost would be, including taxes and homeowners insurance. To get a feel for the maximum amount you should spend, including taxes and insurance, use MSN Real Estate's home affordability calculator. In some areas, what you'll pay for your taxes and insurance escrow can almost double your mortgage payment. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average yearly premium can range from $477 in Utah to $1,372 for unlucky Texans. To get an idea of what you'll pay in insurance, pick a property in the area where you want to live and make a call to a local insurance agent for an estimate. You won't be obligated to get the insurance, but you'll have a good idea of what you'll pay if you buy. For an idea of what you'll pay in taxes, Zillow publishes property-tax information for homes all over the country. Just remember that exemptions and the intricacies of local tax law (such as Florida's Save Our Homes value cap) can create differences between what a homeowner is currently paying and what you can expect to pay as a new homeowner.

4. Find out how much you'll likely pay in closing costs. The upfront cost of settling on your home shouldn't be overlooked. Closing costs include origination fees charged by the lender, title and settlement fees, taxes and prepaid items such as homeowners insurance or homeowners association fees. You can see what closing costs average in your state by looking at Bankrate.com's annual closing cost survey.

5. Look at your budget and determine how a house fits into it. Fannie Mae recommends that buyers spend no more than 28% of their income on housing costs. Go much past 30% and you risk becoming house poor.

6. Talk to reputable real-estate agents in your area about the real-estate climate. Do they believe prices will continue falling or do they think your area has hit bottom or will rise soon?

7. Remember to look at the big picture. While buying a house is a great way to build wealth, maintaining your investment can be labor-intensive and expensive. When unexpected costs for new appliances, roof repairs and plumbing problems crop up, there's no landlord to turn to, and these costs can drain your bank account.

So consider whether you're ready for the expense and effort of homeownership before pulling the trigger- this is true for San Diego and all areas of the country.

April Calendar of Events

San Diego, CA

Now – 05/04 “A Little Night Music” at the Cygnet Theatre in Old Town. One of Broadway's seldom produced masterpieces, A Little Night Music is sophisticated, literate and stylish, but also disarmingly warm, funny, charming and very human. Stephen Sondheim's most romantic and achingly beautiful score is written entirely in Ravel-inspired variations on the waltz and includes Sondheim's most popular song to date, the haunting "Send in the Clowns." www.cygnettheatre.com

04/04 – 04-06 San Diego Padres VS Los Angeles Dodgers.
Fri., Apr. 4 Dodgers Military Opening Night & Family Fireworks presented by USAA- Padres Rally Towels
Sat., Apr. 5 Dodgers Padres Flags presented by Chase Card Services
Padres Magnet Schedules presented by Oggi's Pizza and Brewing Co.
Sun., Apr. 6 Dodgers Padres Camouflage Floppy Caps for Kids presented by North Island Credit Union. Kids 14 & younger

04/05 – 06-15 Be a Grunion Groupie!
Free with aquarium admission! Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps naturalists every Saturday and Sunday as they share the amazing tale of the elusive California grunion. Learn how these unique fish “run” up our local beaches and lay their eggs in the moist sand. Experience the joy of watching baby grunion hatch right before your eyes!

Saturdays and Sundays 11-11:30 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m.

04/07- 06/04 Experience the Remarkable Grunion Run! Birch Aquarium at Scripps naturalists will guide participants through an unforgettable night, starting with a presentation on grunion, followed by a rare opportunity to witness grunion eggs hatch before their eyes, nature willing. The unique experience continues with a moonlight beach exploration. Please bring a flashlight and warm jacket. $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 6-13
2008 Season:
• Monday, April 7, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. • Monday, April 21, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 6, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. • Wednesday, May 21, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 4, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
04/10 Louis XIV at the House of Blues. All Ages, starts at 8pm. $20.50.

04/11 – 04/13 Art Alive 2008: Paris in the Park. San Diego Museum of Art’s annual three-day event: dozens of award-winning floral designers will fill SDMA’s galleries with creative arrangements inspired by artworks from the Museum’s renowned and diverse collection. The result is a vibrant display of color and texture, providing a breath-taking new way for visitors of all ages to explore the collection. As the Museum’s annual fundraising event and a San Diego tradition, Art Alive provides critical financial support for SDMA’s educational outreach programs throughout San Diego County. Balboa Park. www.sdmart.org $5- $12.

04/12 – 04/13 Moto X World Championships. The first wave of athletes to be invited to compete at the first-ever Moto X World Championships, to be held at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego includes motocross legends totaling more than 85 riders. The new annual event will feature the best Moto X riders in the world competing for the title of Moto X World Champion in a variety of disciplines including Freestyle, SuperMoto, Speed & Style, Best Trick, Step Up and Moto X Racing. $10, $20, $25 www.ticketmaster.com.
04/15 – 04/17 San Diego Padres VS Colorado Rockies.

04/17 – 05/04 63^rd Annual Del Mar National Horse Show For more than 60 years the Del Mar National Horse Show has been one of the most respected, distinguished and popular equestrian events in Southern California. Consisting of three disciplines — Western, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper — the Del Mar National Horse Show is a delight for horsemen, as well as a great spectator event. Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar. http://www.sdfair.com/horseshow/index.html
04/19 Taste of Uptown/Hillcrest. For tickets or information please call McFarlane Promotions at 619-233-5008 or visit www.mcfarlanepromotions.com and www.hillcrestassociation.com. Don't wait, because the “Taste of Uptown / Hillcrest” has sold out the past three years and is sure to sell-out again.

04/20 Balboa Park Earth Fair. San Diego’s EarthFair in Balboa Park on April 20, 2008 is the largest free annual environmental fair in the world.

04/20 Fallbrook Avocado Festival. Since the 1960s, tens of thousands of avocado lovers converge in San Diego's North County to sample avocados, check out the cooking contest entries, buy avocado-themed gifts, and enjoy bands, live enterainment and friendly beer gardens. http://www.fallbrook.org/events/avocado-festival.asp

04/21 Super Diamond at the House of Blues. All ages 9pm. $20.

04/23 – 04/24 San Diego Padres VS San Francisco Giants.

04/25 – 0427 Annual Lakeside Rodeo & Parade. The Western Days Parade is 9:30am on Saturday. The Rodeo, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, features seven major events. Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, Highway 67 and Mapleview Street, Lakeside. Dates are tentative, please check in advance. www.lakesiderodeo.com

04/25 – 04/27 San Diego Padres VS Arizona Diamondbacks.

04/26 – 04/27 ArtWalk Little Italy. In its 24th year, ArtWalk features original work from hundreds of artists, interactive art activities for children, performing arts, and much more, in a weekend-long FREE event. www.artwalksandiego.org

There's a lot happening in San Diego this month! Check it out...

March 2008 Calendar of Events- San Diego

Now- 04/30 Passport to the Senses Menu at the Marine Room Due to the overwhelming popularity of San Diego Restaurant Week, The Marine Room will continue to offer a $40.00 three-course menu through April 30, 2008. www.marineroom.com.

Now- 03/30 The American Plan (West Coast Premiere) at the Old Globe Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg (Take Me Out, Three Days of Rain) is considered one of the American theatre’s greatest living playwrights. The American Plan is his funny and intriguing look at deeply rooted double standards of America in the early 1960s. www.theoldglobe.com.

Now – 05/11 Flower Fields Ranunculus Tours, Carlsbad. Every year from early March to early May, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch blossom into a spectacular sea of brightly colored ranunculus flowers. Visitors can view and tour the fields in Carlsbad. Open to the public seven days a week, 9am to 6pm. Interstate 5 to Palomar Airport Road Exit. Head east one block and turn left on Paseo Del Norte. Make a right into the first driveway. KIDS DAY is 3/29! www.theflowerfields.com.

Now – 05/15 A Day in Pompeii- Natural History Museum. Come experience the legend and human drama of Pompeii. Buried in 79 CE by a catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii remained hidden and forgotten until 1748 when archeologists began to excavate the site. What they discovered were exquisitely preserved objects that offer a glimpse into the day-to-day life of this ancient city. $7-$22. www.sdpompeii.org.

Now – 05/26 Nature Cruise- San Diego Harbor Excursion. This exciting 5 1/2 hour guided nature tour takes you outside San Diego Bay into International waters for an up close and personal view of Islas Los Coronados. In addition to whales you could see dolphins, harbor seals, sea lions, kelp forests, and up to 80 varieties of sea birds and other marine life, much of which is just feet away. Learn about life on the islands, infamous “rum running” days, the old Casino, dead man’s Island and more. Plus, witness one of only two elephant seal rookeries within 300 miles. Don’t forget your camera! $40 - $50. http://sdhe.com.

03/04 - 04/13 Dancing in the Dark, World Premier Musical at the Old Globe. That’s Entertainment! Playwright Douglas Carter Beane (Broadway’s Xanadu) and director Gary Griffin (Broadway’s The Color Purple) are bringing this musical extravaganza to the Globe stage and then to Broadway! In Dancing in the Dark, Tony Hunter, played by Scott Bakula, is a Hollywood star with a career on the wane…see more at www.theoldglobe.org.

03/15 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Balboa Park. The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will make it's way through beautiful Balboa Park on Saturday, March 15 at 11 a.m. The event is fun for the whole family. In addition to the parade, there will also be a Kid's Zone with games and rides, musician showcase stage, traditional Irish dancers, Celtic Village and beer garden. FREE. www.stpatsparade.org.

03/15 – 03/17 Banff Mountain Film Festival. This year's films will take you to the ends of Earth and into your own backyard. These stories explore virtually every corner of the globe and are brought to life on the giant screen. Tickets go on sale at all Adventure 16 locations and the Museum on February 1. Film lists, which include different films each night, will be posted on the Museum's website in late January. Advance purchase for each night recommended. Presented by New Balance and National Geographic. $10 in advance, $12 at the door
March 15, 16, & 17, 7-10 PM. Call 619.255.0203 for more information and to buy tickets.

03/17 HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

03/17 ShamRock St. Patrick’s Day Block Party. The streets of the Gaslamp Quarter are fitted with 30,000 sq. ft. of Astroturf in order to bring the rolling hills of Ireland to downtown San Diego. This brilliant outdoor musical block party includes traditional and alternative Irish bands and plenty of green beer. Guests must be 21 years or older for this ticketed event. www.gaslampquarter.org.

03/19 Miracle of the Swallows of San Juan Capistrano. Wednesday, March 19th, 2008-Enjoy the "Fiesta de las Golondrias" the celebration of the return of the swallows to San Juan Capistrano from Goya, Argentina. Enjoy lunch at the historic El Adobe de Capistrano Restaurant, art exhibits, street fairs and a guided tour through the San Juan Capistrano Mission in down town San Juan Capistrano. Guided tour info at www.bajaspecials.com.

03/23 HAPPY EASTER!

03/29 California Half Ironman Triathlon. Starts and ends at the Oceanside Pier and expected to draw entrants from all over. Athletes will compete in the race by swimming 1.2 miles in Oceanside Harbor, bike the 56 miles through Camp Pendleton and the half-marathon (13.1 mi) run will be along the coast and finish at the Oceanside Pier. www.ironmancalifornia.com.

03/29 San Diego Indie Music Fest. 7 Stages, over 70 Acts! An extravaganza of Independent Music, Film, Art, Business & Thought.Rock, Jazz, Folk, R&B, World, Funk, Spoken Word, Latin, Punk, and more... Indie artisans selling their creations, interactive art, henna tattoos, tarot readings, Kids Play area, Voter Registration, SD Indie art and businesses, and delicious food and drink all day long. All Ages welcome - All Day Long! www.SDIndieMusicFest.com.

Looking Ahead: 04/05 – 04/06 San Diego Crew Classic. Crew staging and race start is in Mission Bay. Watch the race make its way to the finish line at Crown Point Shores. $7/day per person or $10 for both days. Free to children under 13 and active duty military. $10/day for preferred parking. Free parking at Vacation Isle with free Cloud 9 Shuttle Service to Crown Point. www.crewclassic.org.

This is just a small sample of events in San Diego. YOu can view more San Diego events at:
http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors/EventCalendar

Democratic and Republican leaders completed a deal Thursday with the White House on an economic stimulus package that would give most tax filers refunds of $600 to $1,200. The plan also provides tax incentives for businesses and contains a measure that would help an important segment of the mortgage market.

The package raises the conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, beyond the current $417,000, which would allow the government-sponsored companies to buy bigger loans in areas with high housing costs such as San Diego. The new limit would be tied to a cities median housing price and capped at no more than $625,500. That could help free up the market for "jumbo" mortgages, which has suffered amid a broader credit crunch. Help is on the way for San Diego Real Estate!!!

Today the Fed made a huge move to give relief to homeowners by lowering the Fed Rate by .75%. This drastic move will help homeowners across the country keep their homes and possibly refinance into a better loan. This move will greatly help the San Diego Real Estate market and could trigger a small buying boom. This is a great time for buyers to take advantage of low rates, motivated sellers providing deep discounts and seller closing cost credits. Not to mention, the increased inventory levels will give buyers a greater selection of homes. This may be the right time to jump back in if you have been sitting on the side lines.

Welcome to our discussion about the real estate housing market in San Diego CA.

This blog will talk throughout the year about things most of you think about or want to know concerning real estate in San Diego.

Topics will include; home buying ideas, how to sell your home fast or for top dollar, relocating concerns, how best to search for San Diego real estate and more.

We welcome your questions or comments so this can be more than just a real estate blog.

San Diego is a part of and within of California. The areas surrounding have different lifestyles, styles of homes and market trends. Check out our San Diego Real Estate Housing Market report to see what is happening, its updated monthly or sooner if something important has changed.

Next try our California home search page. It gives you more ways to search. You can search like the other websites do or if you are looking for more unique homes we have extra fields you can check to define features of properties you may want to look at.

Think about signing up for Property Alert so you weekly reports of homes just listed in San Diego and the surrounding areas. A new and exclusve feature (wont find this on other sites in our area) is the Home Price Drop Alert that lets you know when a home's listing price gets reduced enough to where you would want to jump in and try and get it.

Thinking about selling yourself? Try our "FSBO (For Sale by Owner)" section. List your For Sale by Owner for free.

How about Bank Owned or Foreclosures? Try our San Diego foreclosure and County foreclosure section.

Wanting to know why listing with us gives you more? Check out our List a home in San Diego to see why you should list with us.

There are many other features (pocket listings, advanced mapping, VIP tools, etc.) we have so be sure to check everything we have to offer.

May Calendar of Events San Diego 2008

Now – 06/26 Spa Soiree at the Hotel Del. Spa at The Del presents a one-of-a-kind happy hour experience. Imagine you and your friends or loved one relaxing on chaise lounges and sipping a complimentary glass of champagne while enjoying an exquisite paraffin foot treatment*, hand exfoliation* or eye treatment*. Throw in soothing music, an enchanting fire pit, appetizers and drink specials, plus free parking and you’ve got San Diego’s happiest happy hour experience. Spa Soiree takes place every Thursday (beginning April 3, 2008) from 4pm to 7pm. Advance reservations are recommended. Entry is complimentary with the purchase of a 50-minute treatment. For information, please call (619) 522-8100 or visit www.hoteldel.com .

05/03 Fleet Week Sea and Air Parade. The flagship event of San Diego's salute to the military is the Fleet Week Sea & Air Parade. Your U.S. Navy will parade down The Big Bay to display the various types of ships and aircraft that comprise the world's mightiest Navy. The general public can view this truly spectacular parade and participate in the Fleet Week festivities from many spots along the waterfront. The best viewing will be from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Cruise Ship Terminal, Broadway Pier and the lawn area next to the Fish Market Restaurant.
05/03 – 05/04 Red Bull Air Races, Embarcadero, San Diego. Last year, more than 50,000 spectators came to see the Red Bull Air Races in San Diego. Your chance to see the world's most skilled and entertaining pilots comes again may 2008. Each race will comprise two days of competition: Qualifying and Race Day. A new race format will see all twelve pilots compete on Race Day for the first time. In the Red Bull Air Race the world's best pilots race at speeds reaching 250 mph, enduring forces of up to 10 Gs as they navigate a low-level aerial racetrack made up of air-filled pylons.

05/03 – 05/04 Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo. The event features music, food, handcrafts and Southern California’s only reenactment of the 1862 Battle of Puebla. The weekend of activities kicks off on Saturday with a traditional Mercado for shoppers and diners, live music and colorful entertainment performed at eight different venues throughout the event. From the food to the fun, it is always a Fiesta in Old Town! www.fiestacincodemayo.com. FREE. Sat 12-10, Sun 10-5.

05/11 MOTHER’S DAY! Don’t forget to call, write, or take out your MamaJ.

05/13 San Diego Film Festival – 35mm Monthly Event. Sink your toes into the sand as we celebrate short documentaries with cocktails and Indie film under the stars at 35mm! Recommended $5 donation to San Diego Film Foundation 501(c)3 at the door. 35mm in May will feature filmmakers and their documentary films associated with Invisible Children—an organization led by humanitarian workers that sheds light on the impact of war, child soldiers in Uganda. 8-11pm. The W Hotel, 421 West B Street, San Diego, CA 92101.
05/14 Coastal Networking Mixer. A fun happy hour event we host on the 2^nd Wednesday of every month from 5:30-7:30pm. A great mix of socializing & business networking at a different venue between La Jolla & Solana Beach each month. Call for this month’s location- 858-204-7259! FREE!
05/15 Pet Day on the Bay-Dogs Cruise FREE May 15th. Hornblower Cruises & Events will present the 8th annual Pet Rescue Day on the Bay event to benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center. By donating a new or gently used blanket or towel, a dog and its owner cruise FREE on any one-hour harbor cruise on a Hornblower yacht. 619-686-8700. North Harbor Drive, Downtown, San Diego. 9:30am – 4:00pm.
05/18 15^thAnnual Little Italy Sicilian Festival. The music, dance and cuisine of Sicily come to the streets of San Diego's Little Italy on Sunday, May 18, 2008, 10 am-6 pm, as part of the 15th annual Festa Siciliana Sicilian Festival free celebration on India Street. Approximately 20,000 visitors are expected at the annual event, which features authentic Sicilian food and entertainment, surrounded by the colorful ambiance of the revitalized Little Italy section of San Diego's downtown.
05/24 Sesame Street Bay Of Play at SeaWorld. The cast of Sesame Street will come to SeaWorld San Diego with the opening of “Sesame Street Bay of Play at SeaWorld.” This two-acre Sesame Street-themed interactive play area will include three kid-friendly rides: Elmo's Flying Fish, Abby's Sea Star Spin and Oscar's Rocking Eel. Also, the musical production Big Bird’s Beach Party will take stage at SeaWorld’s Pets Playhouse stadium, and the new movie Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination! in 4-D starring Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster and Big Bird.
05/24 RUBIK’S Cube Competition at the Fleet. Come watch cube masters compete in a series of mind-boggling events, including solving the Rubik’s cube puzzle in less than 30 seconds or solving it while blindfolded! Plus, learn how basic mathematical algorithms make solving the puzzle quick and easy! Admission to the Rubik's Cube Competition is included FREE with Fleet admission. To register for the competition, please visit www.speedcubing.com.
05/26 MEMORIAL DAY!!
06/01 Rock’n’Roll Marathon. Participate in the 11th annual San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon and run 26.2 miles from Balboa Park, through the city, along the beach and end at the Marine Corp Recruitment Base near the airport. This is a scenic run with lots of places for spectators and volunteers along the course. Before the event join the runners at the San Diego Convention Center for a huge health and fitness expo, admission is free and there are always fun booths with samples and items to try. Go to the website www.RnRmarathon.com to get details on signing up to run, volunteer or just attend the expo.