Strike averted at Palomar hospitals

10 Let’s talk about the real estate market

ask mr. marketing

rob weinberg

My daughter grows frustrated while apartment hunting.

No wonder, given the current market. Her operatic career has her traveling more, diminishing the value of typical apartment life. And prices have skyrocketed since COVID, caused by supply shortages and an overabundance of renters.

Many of these renters have been pushed from the buying market by rising interest rates, with successful buyers relying on “love letters” to sellers. Such letters explain why they deserve to own the house more than 18 other families bidding for the same property.

To secure a rare rental property, many would-be tenants have been up-bidding rental rates. It’s gotten out of hand.

Thinking a love letter to renting agents might help, I consulted Rancho Bernardo realtor Brian Habib. Known as “A Man Who Listens™” (which, sadly, is too often in short supply), Brian calls such efforts “a coin toss,” adding, “If the owner will accept such a letter, send it with the offer; there is a possibility it can make a difference in the decision.”

For now, my daughter lives in my third bedroom. Fortunately, we like each other.

Meanwhile, observant market watchers have noticed price-cutting among home sellers. The LA Times reports a slightly softening market, with price cuts from overeager sellers who priced their properties way over market value.

There’s no easy answer to this situation, but marketing oneself should provide long-term visibility. Realtors continue hustling to remind everyone of their presence for the inevitable day when a buying or selling decision is made. Expanding into rentals or new markets may also provide business growth opportunities.

Remaining a seller’s market, buyers and renters should be prepared to position themselves as the best choice.

And those not in the real estate market should take away lessons from both sides on the importance of constantly marketing oneself. Because good times or bad, and regardless of what you sell, there’s always competition. It’s too easy to get lost in the crowd and lose the deal.

As with anything else you’re touting, be able to answer the question, “Why should I deal with YOU?” Just being a nice person isn’t enough anymore.

And remember; if you can’t explain why I should do business with you, how do you expect the customer, owner or seller to figure it out?

With that said, I wish you a week of profitable marketing.

Market your business at www.askmrmarketing.com

THE CARLSBAD City Council approved a November ballot measure to fund renovations for the Monroe Street pool. The project is estimated to cost from $22 million to $24 million, although city officials warned those projections could change due to inflation and a looming recession. Photo by Steve Puterski

Carlsbad sends pool upgrades to ballot

By Steve Puterski

CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad City Council on June 21 approved a ballot measure for the November general election to help fund much-needed renovations at the Monroe Street swimming pool.

The 38-year-old pool has become a hot-button issue in recent weeks as the facility requires upgrades and maintenance to remain operational and in compliance with health and building codes. The city is estimating the project will run between $22 million to $24 million, triggering a citywide vote under Proposition H.

If the ballot measure is successful in November, Prop H, which requires voter approval for any capital improvement projects surpassing $1 million in General Fund costs, gives the council authority to spend the money, although it doesn’t compel the body to act.

The city's last Prop H vote was in 2016 when residents approved rebuilding Fire Station 2 in La Costa.

The project calls for expanding and upgrading the Monroe Street pool with amenities similar to those at Alga Norte Aquatic Center. In March, Kyle Lancaster, director of parks and recreation, described plans to widen the pool to 33 meters, install new shade structures, replace tile and plaster and install solar panels, among other upgrades.

In January 2021, the council selected the most extensive renovation option, which was also favored by residents who participated in an online survey.

The discussion soon shifted to ballot language, specifically in anticipation of further inflation or a deeper national recession.

“The estimate staff provided was conservative,” City Manager Scott Chadwick said. “Eight or nine months from now could be a drastically different ballpark.”

The council approved keeping “up to” the current estimates, although Mayor Matt Hall urged the council to remove the language in case project costs skyrocket, requiring the city to return to voters for further approval to make up the excess cost.

“We’re in an economy where we don’t know what we can or can’t do,” Hall said.

Lancaster said the project cost estimate prior to the Jan. 26 meeting was between $20 million and $21 million, but the city’s consultant recommended increasing the estimate to $22 million and $24 million. The goal is to have the project completed by 2026.

The council also discussed the strategy of the ballot measure. Hall suggested adding the South Carlsbad Coastline Project, or linear park, to the ballot. However, Hall's motion to add the item to a future agenda for ballot consideration was defeated, 3-2.

Councilman Keith Blackburn, who voted in support of the motion, said he believed including the South Carlsbad Coastline Project on the ballot would likely give the pool the best chance at citywide approval.

Councilwoman Priya Bhat-Patel said she would be more comfortable with a plate of options regarding other potential goals or large-scale capital projects.

“It’s about being strategic about what we want to put on there,” Bhat-Patel said. “We will be adding costs to it.”

The council declined to put the ballot measure on the June 7 primary ballot, opting instead to work through a strategic planning process to prioritize the city's capital projects.

According to city staff, the ballot text for the November general election must be submitted Aug. 12 to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. Arguments for and against the measure are due by noon on Aug. 18.

The Registrar of Voters estimates the measure will cost between $65,000 to $95,000 to place on the ballot.

The savings from the city's current budget will be carried over to cover the costs.

City elections

In addition, the council approved a resolution to consolidate the city’s election with the statewide general election. The clerk’s office released the dates for this year’s election filing period, which covers races for mayor, city council, treasurer and the clerk.

The city’s ballot measure to transition the clerk to a hired position by the city manager failed in the June 7 election by a 51-49 margin.

Regardless, the period opens at 8 a.m. July 18 and runs through 5 p.m. on Aug. 12. If an incumbent does not file nomination papers, which covers the mayor, District 3 (Bhat-Patel) and treasurer (Craig Lindholm), the filing period will be extended to 5 p.m. on Aug. 17.

Currently, Blackburn is running for mayor, while Bhat-Patel is being challenged in D3. In D1, Melanie Burkholder, Tracy Carmichael and Sam Ward have announced their campaigns.

No candidates have yet emerged for clerk or treasurer.

VOLUNTEER

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The Senior Volunteer Patrol of the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station performs home vacation security checks, assists with traffic control, enforces disabled parking regulations, patrols neighborhoods, schools, parks and shopping centers and visits homebound seniors who live alone for the communities of Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar.& portions of the county’s unincorporated areas. Volunteers must be at least age 50, be in good health, pass a background check, have auto insurance & a valid California driver’s license. Training includes a two week academy plus training patrols. The minimum commitment is 24 hours per month, & attendance at a monthly meeting. Interested parties should call (760) 966-3579 to arrange an information meeting.

POLICE CHIEF

CONTINUED FROM 7 and professionalism from all members of the Escondido Police Department that is second to none,” Varso said. “EPD is an outstanding police department and I know that it will continue to provide exceptional service for years to come.”

Varso was unavailable to speak to The Coast News before his departure.

City Manager Sean McGlynn will appoint an internal interim police chief from the department’s command staff. The city plans to conduct a nationwide search for a new chief.

“No one has been chosen yet,” Collins told The Coast News via email.

McGlynn called Varso’s departure a “loss” for the city of Escondido.

“We will work quickly to engage in a national recruitment to find a replacement who will continue to advance the mission and values of our organization,” McGlynn said.