The CARLSBAD VILLAGE FAIRE on Sunday May 6 from 8 am until 5 pm  is the nation’s largest 1-day outdoor fair.

There is something for everyone, including the kids, but be prepared for big crowds and plan accordingly.

Read more>>> THE CARLSBAD VILLAGE FAIRE IS COMING TO CARLSBAD VILLAGE MAY 6, 2012

Thinking about selling your home in the CARLSBAD area? Let’s talk when the timing is right for you.

The conclusion???

Rents are going up in many cities in the US and are expected to continue to rise.

Another report by ZILLOW (see the map below) confirms that rents have gone up in a number of communities, fairly substantially in some areas. It might be time, if you are considering buying vs. continuing to rent, to do you due diligence and check out the financials of one vs. the other. A good mortgage officer can help you look at all the loan programs and help you figure out the associated costs so you can look at your budget.

Obviously people are hoping for some good news, since we have had years of negativity surrounding real estate. And the media doesn’t help.

It’s not an easy question to answer, since it depends on how specific you are being with regard to market – national? state? regional? town? neighborhood?  The truism that REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL is certainly no exception when talking about where the market is headed.

What IS encouraging is that we are seeing more and more reports of shifts in the market in California, and elsewhere in the country, that may signal that better times are ahead, perhaps in 2012 but certainly beyond. While economists and real estate expert expert housing prices to decline in the next 3 – 6 months, many feel we will start to see a rise in prices by the end of 2012. We are seeing them in some markets now that have not experienced the dramatic drops we saw here in California.

Some other things we are seeing?

• Multiple offers
• More Cash Buyers
• Limited Inventory

We also know that the SHADOW INVENTORY is going to impact the market, with more homes at discounted prices (good for buyers) that will impact average housing prices negatively before things start to improve. This will vary by area depending on the number of foreclosures in the wings

READ >>> What Impact will Shadow Inventory Have on the Housing Market?

A recent local article in the North County Times also reports some positive news – a decline in foreclosures, the lowest level in San Diego County since 2007.

READ >>> HOUSING: Foreclosure Rates Sink to Five-Year Lows

We are also seeing an increase in rents, on average, and this is expected to continue. It is now becoming more favorable to buy rather than rent for many individuals.

Stay tuned for more updates on the issue of where the market is headed.

In Carlsbad you will find them in some of the public parks, at some schools, and in some planned communities (for residents only).

You can elect to join private clubs as well, such as at the La Costa Resort and Spa, or the Bobby Riggs Tennis Club in Encinitas.

TENNIS MAPS (website link) provides an on-line resource for places to play tennis. Why not check it out?!

Experience the LEUCADIA LIFESTYLE in the slideshow/video below. Then check out the SEARCH BUTTON above to look for your Encinitas home for sale along the coast.

No surprise given the weather we have year-round.

That OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE at home is often about an outdoor entertaining area, which might include a simple grill or a pretty elaborate kitchen, among other amenities.

Here are some possibilities, if you are thinking about buying a home or perhaps even making some changes to your current home to take better advantage of the OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE.

By the way, if you are searching for a home, check out the LIFESTYLE SEARCH (link) on the top navigation bar under SEARCH.

And check out my WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU and BUYER LIFESTYLE questionnaires below – you can print or download to your compute.

It can be particularly tough on kids (been there, done that several times).

Having had my own experiences, but also as a result of working with a number of relocating families over the years, I wanted to pass along a few tips that might help you are relocating with kids, especially older ones who may be having a tough time with the move to unfamiliar territory.

Read the full article >>>>> HELPING KIDS ADJUST TO A RELOCATION

PART ONE is about some general things you can do to help.

PART TWO will cover some specific things in the Carlsbad CA area for kids who are moving here.

Would you buy a new home near a pig farm?

How about a luxury home overlooking the gorgeous ocean where there is a nude beach.

And there is a lesson here, too for SELLERS…about disclosures!

Read more, including the comments from agents around the country on this important BUYER ISSUE  – “HEY, WHO PUT THAT PIG FARM THERE?”

ISLA MAR is but one of the gated communities in AVIARA with homes for sale that offer views.

You can read more about ISLA MAR and AVIARA here (link). And take a tour of AVIARA in the slide show below.