Sometimes it is helpful to look at the cost of homes by quartile.  We will take a look at the median price of Encinitas homes for sale from the lowest priced quartile to the highest.   The lowest 25% of Encinitas homes for sale median price is $575,000.   The lower middle median price for Encinitas homes is $924,000 .   The median price for the upper middle 25% is $1,484,500, and the most expensive top quarter for Encinitas real estate is $2,322,500.  The above data was provided by Pickford Escrow, one of Gary’s winning team.  Data was compiled by Altos Research.  To find out more about Encinitas home market statistics or to talk to an Encinitas Realtor, contact Gary Harmon, you Encinitas real estate agent.

http://www.wimp.com/budgetcuts/

This is definitely worth watching and sharing with a friend.

Everywhere in the San Diego North County real estate area may be susceptible to damage from an earthquake, maybe even a bigger one than hit Chile. We all need to be ready.   Here are some of the things we can do.

1. Identify earthquake hazards in your North County home. Secure everything around your North County property that might fall and hurt someone. This is easily done if you do items as you buy them. For example, when I bought my big screen tv, I secured it to the wall of my Escondido home with a safety wire. If you are starting from scratch, buy a stud finder at a North County Home Depot or Lowes and use it to find the proper studs. Of course, the water heater in the garage must have straps.
2. Create a diaster plan. Talk with each one in your family and plan what to do in case of an earthquake. Have a meeting place outside of your San Diego North County home, but close by so everyone can be quickly accounted for. Learn basic first aid if possible. Have a place away from your North County property you can call, preferably out of state. The out of state phone lines won’t be as crowded. Learn how to deal with a lack of utilities and basic services. Also, expect aftershocks.
3. Make up some disaster supplies kits. These kits would be useful in any type of emergency. Everyone in your North County home should have one. It is a good idea to have one at home, school, work, etc. You should have a large kit for your home that would last everyone three days to a week. These kits should contain food, water, clothes, and sanitary supplies. Your San Diego Red Cross sells kits and also has tips on what to put in the kits if you make your own.
4. Have your North County property checked to identify any weaknesses. There are common issues that a home inspector will know that could help your North County home be stronger. If you just purchase a North County home, your North County real estate inspector will have made sure you had earthquake straps.
5. During an Earthquake you should drop, cover and hold on. Drop to the floor, take cover under a strong table or desk, and hold on firmly. If there are no tables closeby, drop to the floor next to an interior wall of your North County home.
6. After the quake, check everything for damages or injuries. Always be calm and take care of yourself first so you will be ok to help others. When you are sure you are safe, then you can start helping others. You need to know how to turn off leaking gas, water, or electricity if necessary.
7. When you know you ae safe, you can continue to follow your disaster plan. Stay away from the coast if there is any possibility of a tsunami. Listen to your battery powered radio for any emergency instructions. The station would be 600 AM . Call your out of area contact and let them know you are ok. You can find more information by looking on the Internet at www.eartquakecounty.org.

For North County real estate information, call Gary Harmon, a top North County Realtor.

• Interview you to determine your priorities and housing needs.
• Help you determine if “NOW” is the correct time for you to buy an Encinitas home.
• Discuss your financial picture and suggest proven lenders such as HomeServices Lending.
• Develop an accurate estimate of the total cash that will be required in you Encinitas real estate purchase.
• Go over your monthy house payments including principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI).
• Give you information on Encinitas real estate neighborhoods that you are considering.
• Show you how to determine the best Encinitas home buy in those neighborhoods.
• Help you locate properties and foreclosures that may not be on the Encinitas real estate market.
• Go over the California purchase agreement and explain terms.
• Write a detailed purchase contract when we find the Encinitas home of your choosing.
• Negotiate the purchase transaction on your behalf.
• Be there for you every step of the way.

For more information on purchasing a home in Encinitas or other areas of San Diego North County, contact Gary Harmon, your Encinitas Realtor.

The median price of Encinitas homes for sale on February 15, 2010 is $1,199,500.  The average asking price per square foot id $383.  See chart at the right for more data.

The Encinitas real estate area continues to be the highest priced area in San Diego North County. Since the first of 2010 Encinitas home inventory has been steadily increasing.  This is due to the usual seasonal influx of homes on the market at the first of a new year and the slow down in actual sales.  The overall Encinitas real estate condition is weakening a little.

If inventory continues to grow at the current rate and sales of Encinitas homes do not pick up, we will see a downward pressure on Encinitas home prices.

For more  up to date Encinitas home market conditions contact Gary Harmon, you San Diego North County Encinitas Realtor.

Three things you can do to prepare for a disaster at your Encinitas home.

1. Have an emergency kit.  You should have at least three days of supplies at your Encinitas home in easy to carry  containers.  This is the base for your evacuation kit.  You can make your own  or buy them from the San Diego American Red Cross.  Water, food, clothes, and sanitary items are a must.
2. Have an evacuation plan.  You should make a plan on how to evacuate your Encinitas home.  Talk to everyone about where to meet outside the home and who to call.  Have a local number to call and also a number out of the area if possible.  Local phone lines may be jammed.
3. Be informed and keep informed.  Know what type of disasters can happen in the Encinitas real estate area and how to respond.  The number one disaster that Encinitas home owners have is fires.  Here in San Diego County we need to also be prepared for earthquakes.  Keep a battery powered radio and keep updated.  Store the batteries separate.

For more information on disaster plans and how to make one, contact  the American Red Cross.  For more information on Encinitas real estate, call Gary Harmon, your Encinitas Realtor.

Up to Double Your Tax Credit – Encinitas Homes and Foreclosures

Most Encinitas home owners are aware that Encinitas property values have been declining. In many parts of San Diego County, the decline has been relatively dramatic. That decline may mean a reduction in Encinitas property taxes, however. Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment passed in California in 1978, allows a temporary reduction in assessed value (which is what your Encinitas property taxes are based on) when a property suffers a “decline-in-value.” That decline in Encinitas home value occurs when the Encinitas real estate market value of the Encinitas property is less than the assessed value as of January 1st. Does a decline in a property’s market value require a reduction in Encinitas property taxes? The answer is that it depends on the Market Value and the Taxable Value.

• Market Value – Is how much the property would sell for (the unconditional sales price)
• Taxable Value – Is established by the Assessor, (the Prop. 13 value), and this value may be increased by a
  CPI factor of up to 2% per year as specified by California laws

A temporary reduction in Encinitas property taxes can only be granted if the Encinitas home Market Value falls below the Prop. 13 value (Taxable Value). Some property purchased in 2005, 2006 and 2007 would be the most likely to qualify. Property is valued for property tax purposes each year as of January 1. If you’d like information about recent comparable sales in the Encinitas real estate area to see what today’s value may be, simply contact Gary Harmon, your Encinitas Realtor. I’d be happy to help you!erty taxes are based on) when a property suffers a “decline-in-value.” That decline in Encinitas home value occurs when the Encinitas real estate market value of the Encinitas property is less than the assessed value as of January 1st. Does a decline in a property’s market value require a reduction in Encinitas property taxes? The answer is that it depends on the Market Value and the Taxable Value.

• Market Value – Is how much the property would sell for (the unconditional sales price)
• Taxable Value – Is established by the Assessor, (the Prop. 13 value), and this value may be increased by a
  CPI factor of up to 2% per year as specified by California laws

A temporary reduction in Encinitas property taxes can only be granted if the Encinitas home Market Value falls below the Prop. 13 value (Taxable Value). Some property purchased in 2005, 2006 and 2007 would be the most likely to qualify. Property is valued for property tax purposes each year as of January 1. If you’d like information about recent comparable sales in the Encinitas real estate area to see what today’s value may be, simply contact Gary Harmon, your Encinitas Realtor. I’d be happy to help you!