Archive for April, 2008
Number of San Diego homes sold increases
April 15th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, San Diego County Community News, San Diego county Real Estate News
SAN DIEGO– San Diego resale homes market increased over 15% from 
February reching there highest level since August 2007. It’s not all good news however, as year to year sales are down just over 33%.
To see the entire monthly report, go here, or use the “Market Report” tab above.
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Bicycle built for two
April 14th, 2008 Categories: San Diego County Bike Rides
SAN DIEGO-How cool is this?
Chen Yugang, a Taiwanese inventor and director of a creation centre at Far East University in Tainan city, invented this tandem so that the person in the back enjoys a nicer view.
The bike can be set up traditionally, as pictured or back to back and can all be done in just a couple minutes with no tools.
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Triathlon Club of San Diego plays the fool
April 12th, 2008 Categories: San Diego County Community News, San Diego County Triathlon Race Reports, Triathlon Club of San Diego Race Reports, What to do in San Diego
SAN DIEGO– Triathlon club of San Diego had there club race on Fiesta Island today and the pranksters of April Fools showed up.
For San Diego, the weekend came with predictions of a santa ana condition and the possibility of record high temperatures. There were actually some set yesterday, Friday, so the weather forecasters were right on target and race morning air and Mission Bay water temperatures were PERFECT.
Coming out today to join in the race were a couple national caliber athletes, 2007 U23 National Champion Ethan Brown and Cal Berkeley triathlon team president and Auburn International course record holder of 2:08, Steve Sexton. Yes these guys are fast!!
As the swim started, our guests blew out so fast and actually swam right past the first buoy. One of the course lifeguards took off in hot pursuit and eventually caught them to get them on track. I was out on the swim with the first group and again with the beginner swim that I missed all of the swim to bike transition.
The swim mistake obliviously wasn’t too costly to the Olympic boys as they were the first in to the transition to discover we had moved all of the running shoes out of the racks and stacked them on the street. Later Ethan told me this was the weirdest race he had ever done. When asked what he meant, he told me, “ first we miss the buoy and then we get into the transition and you guys took our shoes”. My comment to him was, “welcome to club racing!!!”.
It really was a fun time watching the athletes come in and try to figure out why the heck their transition looked different. Some athletes, three, 
took off barefoot and completed the run minus some skin. Club member Chris Stergers actually used to run this way on purpose so he should not be too worse for wear. The other two guys, may be walking a bit gingerly tomorrow. There too were athletes that just so happened to have another pair in their bags, so did not miss too much a beat.
I do not have times yet, but our Olympians smoked the course then the club finishers were Philippe, Paul and Tim with the girls going Andi Ramer, 
Sara Cates and Stacy Schuckler.
I believe everyone had a great time. Again Denise and Zarah had a great spread of scramble eggs, smoked sausage, soy sausage, hash browns, muffins and everything to make yogurt and berry parfaits. Also, BIG THANKS to all the volunteers that made the race and all club events possible. It was the perfect start of a beautiful weekend and we were fortunate to finish before the strong offshore winds kicked up. I watched a eucalyptus tree split on the side of highway 5 on my drive home. The riders out on their weekend ride had to be having a rough go with winds gusting to 35–40 mphs.
Go here to check all the pictures. While there if you are not a member of TCSD and participate in or have considered doing triathlon, JOIN. It will be the best $60 you will ever spend.
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Save Trestles update
April 11th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, San Diego County Community News
ORANGE COUNTY– In case you are not up to date, there is a proposal to 
extend state route 241 from where it terminate in inland Orange county to the 5 freeway, connecting in San Clemente. It would be a toll road similar to the highway 73 that connects between Laguna Niguel and the John Wayne airport.
The primary issue with this plan is that the builder wants to build an elevated freeway through a state park and campground. Trestles is in reference to the surf spot, named after the railroad trestles in the area, were the state park terminates at the beach.
Recently, the California Coastal Commission held a hearing in Del Mar and voted to not approve the project.
Ok.. the update.
The builder has decided that they are going to appeal to the US Secretary of Commerce, saying the commission does not have jurisdiction and that it is vital to national safety. Sarah Christie, the commission’s legislative analyst had this to say about the effort on the builders part.
“Their project is on life support with a high likelihood of power failure in its future.” -Terry Rodgers, San Diego Union 2–8–2008
In support if this feeling, the Army Corp of Engineers, one of the main agencies that would have to approve various environmental permits before the road could be built, wrote a letter to the commerce secretary saying they were misled and misquoted by the builder.
(Col. Thomas H.)Magness said leaders of the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency of Irvine have made false statements about the corps’ level of support for their chosen tollway alignment. He also accused them of mischaracterizing his agency’s stance on other options for reducing traffic congestion between southern Orange County and northern San Diego County.– San Diego Union Tribune 4–11–2008
Lastly, the citizens of the area that are to benefit from this project the most overwhelmingly disapprove of it. In a poll conducted in October of 2007, 70% of the Orange county voters polled oppose a toll road through a state park and more than half of all surveyed 52% strongly oppose toll roads through a state park,”.– California State Parks Foundation October 3,2007
I am sure this issue is far from over.
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Carlsbad couple suing Realtor lose case
April 11th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, San Diego County Community News, San Diego county Real Estate News
CARLSBAD– The Carlsbad couple suing their REALTOR for paying too much 
for their home in the Aviara area, lost their case. I originally wrote about it here.
After about a week of testimony and only two hours of deliberations the woman led jury dismissed the case.
“Mike Little did what he was suppose to do”, jury forewomen Wendi Brick said. “The bottomline is that you(as the buyer)are responsible when you sign a contract and purchase something”. North County Times 4–11–2008
Wonder if they’ll go after their attorney?
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Rebates to help offset water conservation costs
April 9th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, San Diego County Community News, San Diego county Real Estate News
SAN DIEGO– With our annual rainfall to date about 30% below normal, 
conserving water over the summer is going to be very important to us all.
Many irrigation districts in San Diego are offering a $350 rebate on the purchase and installation of a ‘smart’ irrigation controller.
A ‘Smart’ or Weather-based Irrigation Controller can be an effective technology for reducing water usage outdoors. Unlike a standard automatic timer that turns on the sprinklers at set intervals, a ‘Smart’ Controller uses weather data and site information such as plant type and sprinkler system output to adjust watering times and frequency. Because proper installation and initial set-up of these controllers generally requires an in-depth knowledge of soils, precipitation rates, slope measurements and related factors, professional installation is required for this program
I recently sold a house in the La Costa Valley area of Carlsbad that had one of these installed and the homeowner said the fianl cost to him was less 
than $50.
Another program being offered is a rebate for the installation of EASY turf. Now I know what you’re thinking and I understand that thought, but if it’s good enough for LT, it’s good enough for the rest of us.
Go here for information on the rebate programs and the districts offering the various rebates.
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Allen Webb drops out of Carlsbad 5000
April 6th, 2008 Categories: Aquathlon and Duathlon Race Reports, Real Estate News, San Diego County Triathlon Race Reports, Triathlon Club of San Diego Race Reports
Carlsbad– Allen Webb, the new America mile record holder, came to town with the hopes of besting the America 5K mark of 13:24 set by San Diego local Marc Davis in 1976 on the same course.
American miler great, CSUSM cross country coach and Carlsbad resident Steve Scott had nothing but high hopes prior to the race.
“This is the greatest thing to ever happen to the Carlsbad 5000,” Scott said. “More than any world record, to have a top American competing here 
in peak physical shape, prepping for the Olympics is a testament to the quality of this race and the outstanding performances that have been staged here in the past. Regardless of the time, it will be world news how he does here.”– San Francisco Chronicle March 27,2008
Unfortunately it wasn’t his day and he pulled out shortly after I took this picture at about 2.7 miles. He is less than a second back at this point.
Stay tuned for more from the Carlsbad 5000.
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Clairemont area a hit for first time home buyers
April 4th, 2008 Categories: Aquathlon and Duathlon Race Reports, Real Estate News, San Diego County Bike Rides, San Diego County Community News, San Diego County Triathlon Race Reports, San Diego County run routes, San Diego county Real Estate News, Triathlon Club of San Diego Race Reports
San Diego– I recently picked up a new listing in the northern area of 
Clairemont. It is a short sale, as are most of the homes there and in the county. It’s a 3 bedroom 1.5 bath on a nice canyon lot with a pool. We listed it for $399K-475,000 with the hopes of being able to present the bank an offer of close to $450,000. We received 13 offers in 3 days and have two over the goal.
In the last 90 days there have been 40 homes that have sold and there are currently 22 in escrow. The average sold home is a 3 bedroom 2 bath that is just under 1500 square feet with a purchase price of $490,787. The overall median home price in San Diego county, the good, the bad, the detached and attached, is $472,000 and Clairemont has a little of everything San Diego has to offer.
For the endorphin junkie, Clairemont sits on top of the running and mountain 
biking trials in San Clemente and Rose Canyon which link together. Rose Canyon is also a bike path used to connect Mission Bay , where the triathlon club of San Diego holds many workouts and closed course club events, and southern end of La Jolla. There is also the golf course in Tecolote Canyon for a round of speed golf or just to relax in the sun.
Because Clairemont sits above the canyon, some areas have great canyon view lots of Mission Bay, the ocean, Mt Soledad and/ or the surrounding open areas.
Centrally located, the beach, La Jolla, north county, downtown, mission bay and east county are all a pretty short drive.
If you are a first time buyer or a move buyer looking for a livable community you should give this area a close look. It’s a great location for those with an active lifestyle.
Call or email me for more information.
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Beauty and the beast
April 1st, 2008 Categories: Aquathlon and Duathlon Race Reports, San Diego County Triathlon Race Reports, Triathlon Club of San Diego Race Reports
Carlsbad– Last month People Magazine reported that pop star, music diva, 
latina hottie and new mom Jennifer Lopez is training for triathlon. Now, it looks as though Mike Tyson will be doing the Auburn Triathlon.
New mother JENNIFER LOPEZ is planning to compete in a triathlon in six months.
Lopez gave birth to wins Emme and Max on 22 February (08) and is already focusing on taking part in the endurance sports event, in which participants swim, cycle and run, later this year (08).
She reveals her intention in an exclusive new People Magazine interview, prompting journalist Peter Castro to ask her when she plans to enter a triathlon.
She replies, “Probably in October, September/October… I want my babies to be proud of me.” The singer/actress has rehired celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson to help her get in shape for the grueling challenge.
Maybe the Nautica Malibu Beach tri with the other celebs?
On the beast front, the Triathlon Club of san Diego received an email that Auburn Triathlon announced the former “baddest man on the planet” boxer Mike Tyson(the only video without f-bombs and more) will be racing on May 18th.
“Last year I was visiting Rickey Williams (Miami Dolphins running back suspended from the league for repeated drug violations) at his yoga retreat in Grass Valley (30 miles North of Auburn) and we watched a little of the Auburn Triathlon. I was captivated by the beauty of the course and the amazing physical specimens participating. I couldn’t believe anyone could do all three
events back to back and not get tired. Being able to participate alongside the great athletes in the 2008 field is a dream come true! I just hope I can survive the whole event. I’m more nervous about this race than I was for heavyweight title fight!,” exclaimed Mike.
Feel bad for the drafting marshalls!!!
The J Lo story is true while the Mike Tyson aspect is….. April Fools!!!! 4/2/2008
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