Sample Home Simplicity

JUNE 2021

HOME OF THE MONTH

tranquil & private RANCHO SANTA FE Retreat

How Remote Work Can Power Your

vacation home sale Will Mortgage Rates

remain low next year?

KAYE ATKINS

REALTOR® | DRE# 01779680

MEET

KAYE ATKINS

Tenacious. When my college volleyball coach chose a single word to describe each of the starters, she called me “tenacious.” I was only 18 and had no idea why she chose that word for me.

Thankfully I’ve had many years since then to figure it out. Fast forward, I not only understand why Coach called me tenacious, I’ve whole-heartedly embraced that strength. From my Certification as a Master Negotiator and Independent Home Stager to representing hundreds of Home Buyers and Sellers, tenacity has been my driver, and values my compass. I’ve gratefully enjoyed almost 13-years as a Top Producing Realtor and formed life-long friendships with my clients.

When I am not working, my favorite things to do are home renovation and decorating, cooking, reading and spending time with my family and friends. I’ve loved living in San Diego for over 35 years and can’t imagine living anywhere else.

My two children are grown, with families of their own, and I am in the perfect season of life to be all-in with my Real Estate business and let my tenacity loose!

Here are some of the things I can do for you:

Find Your Next Home You need someone who knows this area inside and out! I can work with you to find the right home at the right price for you, including all the neighborhood amenities that matter - not to mention the essential criteria you have for your ideal home Sell a Home When it’s time to move, you need someone who will advertise your home, show to prospective buyers, negotiate the purchase contract, arrange financing, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. I can take care of everything you need, from start to close.

Consult on Home Selling Tactics Oftentimes buyers don’t visualize living in your home the way you do. I can make your home attractive to its ideal audience - which can help you get top dollar. Things like staging the home, making repairs or minor improvements, or even simply painting the walls can be the difference between a home resting on the market and one that’s sold fast.

WORDS FROM PAST CLIENTS “Kaye did an amazing job finding us our first home. She was beyond helpful in helping us locate what we were looking for and was very professional and knowledgeable. I couldn’t imagine using someone else because of her great attention to detail.”

Gina K.

“Kaye was just not any restate agent, she made you feel like family. A person that took you under her wing and guide step by step to the end. She kept you informed of good and bad news but always made sure that before she hung up, I was still smiling and positive.

Lisa Johnson, fought for me to the end. And even though I am all moved in, Kaye still texts and call to make sure I am okay.”

Blanca M.

“Selling a home while living in another state was a challenge and then add Covid-19 to the mix! Kaye was everything you would want in a realtor. Professional, attentive, knowledgeable, experienced. She’s a gem!”

Jeanie R.

“Let me just say if I would have known how great and easy to deal with Kaye and her team was, I would have put my condo on the market earlier. Buying and Selling homes is a long and exhausting process especially with young kids and a full-time job. From beginning to end Lisa was there to help. She connected me with quality contractors and helped me get the most out of my property.

Our house was sold and escrow closed in under 40 days from start of contract with her. I highly recommend Lisa and her team, they get the job done.”

Laura V.

KAYE ATKINS 760.500.0882 | kayeatkins.com DRE# 01779680

YOUR LUXURY

CORONADO CAYS

5 BR | 4 FULL + 2 HALF BA | 6,451 ESF

Exclusive, architecturally designed bayfront masterpiece situated in Cays premier.

The sophisticated yet practical design complements unrivaled views of San Diego.

MLS# 210001616

$7,499,000

LA JOLLA

6 BR | 4 FULL + 2 HALF BA | 5,375 ESF

Gorgeous Mediterranean luxury residence with panoramic ocean views and amazing finishes, located in highly desirable Bird Rock.

MLS# 210013822

$6,995,000

H O M E A WA I T S | C O L D W E L L B A N K E R L U X U R Y . C O M

LA JOLLA

6 BR | 4.5 BA | 8,236 ESF

This canyon-side, gated, modern Mediterranean estate presents an unobstructed ocean-view paradise and is located in the desirable Muirlands enclave.

MLS# 210013174

$6,995,000

EAST VILLAGE

4 BR | 4 BA | 2,271 ESF

Completed in 2016, this sleek unit features high-end finishes & appliances, modern design, and panoramic views of downtown San Diego, Coronado, and Bay Bridge.

MLS# 210011237

$6,498,999

YOUR LUXURY

SANTALUZ

4 BR | 4.5 BA | 6,428 ESF

Rare custom estate in the desirable Santaluz community, offering super indoor and outdoor living with stunning sunset, golf, mountain and ocean views!

MLS# 210011793

$3,599,000 - $3,799,000*

CORONADO

4 BR | 4 BA | 2,830 ESF

Reimagined and ready for summer! This executive home boasts a brand-new kitchen & dining space with cantina doors leading out to a private patio that is ready for entertaining.

MLS# PTP2103518

* Seller will entertain offers within the listed range.

$3,395,000

homeofthemonth

7 23 5 car rizo drive LA JOL L A

THE DETAILS: 5 BEDROOMS | 5.5 BATHROOMS | 5,150 ESF

SPANISH-CLASSIC RESIDENCE WITH

c oastal v i e ws 7 235 CAR R IZO DRIVE NEW CONSTRUCTION! Stunning California Spanish-Classic combining modern custom touches with breathtaking ocean views. A spectacular open floor plan takes advantage of the indoor/outdoor California living we all desire. The state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen flows effortlessly into the dining area, rear-covered patio, and great room. The Fleetwood doors open to a fabulous outdoor patio with spectacular views of the ocean and the golf course below.

Off the kitchen, there’s a wonderful private patio leading to the herb garden. No expense is spared, with top-tier finishes utilized at every turn, from the reclaimed French doors to the solid-slab cherrywood interior doors that show as a piece of art. Capturing the abundance of natural light that the home receives and taking advantage of the amazing ocean views was a top priority during the design process of this newly constructed masterpiece.

This property has it all – a master suite with office and private patio boasting breathtaking ocean views, 4 ensuites, lush rear yard, private pool, and an ideal location within walking distance to lovely downtown La Jolla.

Supersized homes in the suburbs and highmaintenance compounds fell out of favor as people

embraced

lock-and-leave

lifestyles.

Then came the pandemic. People were confined to their homes with their families 24/7. Work, school, entertainment, fitness and everything else now had to take place under one roof.

Travel plans were shelved.

Source: Living Large (4.22.21). Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Blog. https://blog.coldwellbankerluxury.com/living-large/

Less was definitely not more in 2020. Affluent buyers wanted

extensive remodeling work. Tim Allen of Coldwell Banker Realty

space — larger houses with more rooms, more amenities,

in Carmel-by-the-Sea/Junipero points to a nearly $3.5-million

more security. Mega mansions, large gated estates and family

sale located in a remote area in the Santa Lucia Mountains, just

compounds, which previously sat on the market for years, were

south of Carmel. “Despite the house being in dated condition, the

suddenly selling. According to “The Report,” recently released by

property had plenty of acreage and expansive views,” he recalls.

the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program and The Institute

“It had been on the market five years ago and was almost never

of Luxury Home Marketing, the number of sales of homes over

shown, due to its age and remote location. It was put back on

5,000 square feet jumped 17% from 2019 to 2020. There was

market in August and received an offer in 30 days. The buyer

also an 8% drop in average days on market. Nearly 55% of

wanted views and isolation.” On the East Coast, Michele Flood

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury specialists said that more square

of Coldwell Banker Realty in Rye, New York, recounts a sale

footage was the top amenity that flipped in demand from 2019

involving a waterfront property with an older and smaller home

to 2020.

that generated a bidding war between two buyers, one of whom wanted to reunite the house with its original adjacent property

“Homes farther from the city center were extremely difficult to sell,

next door. “The price kept escalating,” she says.

and now they’re in the best market they’ve ever seen,” remarks Nathan Zeder of Coldwell Banker Realty in Coral Gables, Florida.

Compounds, Mega Estates and Escape Houses

“The suburbs had been very slow and rocketed up after June

“Buyers, straight across the board, are buying compounds,”

2020.”

proclaims Tim Smith of Coldwell Banker Realty in Newport Beach.

“They want live, work and play estates.” Smith recalls three such

None of these developments surprise Sonia Hirt, a professor

Orange County properties that sold in 2020: a multi-structure

in Landscape Architecture and Planning at the College of

residence on an acre in Laguna Beach that had been on the market

Environment + Design, University of Georgia, who has studied

for years, a mega estate on nearly an acre in Newport Coast, and

the relationship between public health and architecture, urban

a bayfront mega estate where they brought the buyer off-market.

planning, and suburbanization during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Smith sees the theme continuing into the next decade, since a

“Once the ramifications of the pandemic became clear, it was not

new California law passed to address the housing shortage now

surprising to see an interest in larger homes,” she says. “If the

prevents developers from combining two lots and building across

pandemic goes on for long enough and is deep enough, then

property lines. “Double lots and compounds are becoming more

I think people’s preferences for larger homes could shift for the

scarce, with a higher demand,” he says. One mega estate he

long-term.” How did space make such a rousing comeback? And

sold last year off-market — a Newport Coast 18,000-square-foot

does its renewed appeal signal a new era for luxury housing?

stunner on two lots, with a 12-car garage, theater, gym, sauna, office and pool — set the record for the highest-priced sale in

Desperately Seeking Space

Orange County’s history, he says. “It has been a paradigm shift,

Agents who worked the suburbs in 2020 were inundated with

where consumers are reallocating more funds to where they are

requests for larger homes with amenities such as multiple offices

living now, instead of waiting for their dream home,” he explains.

and outdoor recreation spaces. Frank Isoldi of Coldwell Banker Realty in Westfield, New Jersey, recalls one Westfield property

And that dream home must now serve multiple functions. Eddie

that had a pool, lit tennis court and pond. “Normally, it would

Reay, COO and partner of Southern California luxury general

have taken a bit of time to find the right buyer,” he says. “But

contractor and developer Dugally Oberfeld Inc., says home offices

the first buyer who looked at the home purchased it. Properties

are “now a critical necessity that must be much more functional,”

like this are now in high demand.” Homes with pools or outdoor

he says, while creating children’s learning spaces “with technology

entertaining spaces also sold quickly in Hinsdale and the western

seamlessly incorporated,” was another necessity introduced last

suburbs of Chicago.

year. “Outdoor entertainment spaces are more desirable than ever” so homeowners “can connect with those they care about

“We represented many buyers with two or more kids who

versus going to restaurants and public spaces.” Tennis courts,

accelerated their move to Hinsdale,” says Dawn McKenna of

bocci ball and sport courts also grew in popularity. Many of

Coldwell Banker Realty in Illinois. “They were planning to move to

Dugally Oberfeld’s affluent clients want to create a “vacation at

Hinsdale eventually, but the pandemic bumped up their timeline.”

home” experience. “Because of the recent rules on confinement

Properties with acreage were also desirable even if they needed

and limitations on travel, our clients are trying to create sources

“Last year, we saw a shift from what was previously popular,”

of relaxation, entertainment and wellness within their home,”

she notes. “Before the pandemic, everyone wanted to be in the

says Reay. “Oftentimes, we hear they want their home to feel like

center of the action, where they could walk everywhere and had

a luxury hotel.”

slightly smaller square footages. Now, people want more outdoor space and private outdoor amenities with land around them, a

The desire to be surrounded by amenities and a resort-like

few miles from the Core.”

atmosphere also manifested in searches for “escape houses” or vacation homes within driving distance to one’s primary residence

Heightened demand for these types of properties, coupled with

last year. “The desert has become the Hamptons of Los Angeles

a lack of inventory, also drove buyers to take swift action. Wells

and Orange County,” says Reay. The other trend to emerge in

recounts how an owner of a prime West Aspen home situated

land-strapped California is people purchasing multiple lots in

along the Aspen Golf Club called her on a Saturday morning and

different locations and building multiple houses. “That’s going to

said, “We’re thinking of selling.” Wells toured the property that

be the substitute in the near future,” predicts Smith. “Especially

afternoon, taking photos and videos to share with a potential

with the new ADU law, which allows a primary and secondary

buyer she already had in mind. The buyer flew into Aspen the

accessory unit to be built on almost any lot to help out with the

next day, and the two parties inked out a deal before the home

housing shortage, we’re going to see more accessory dwellings.”

ever made it to the MLS. “It was the highest price-per-squarefoot in the neighborhood,” she says.

Aspen, the Epicenter No other market illustrates the insatiable demand for space than

The Big Picture

Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. The Rocky Mountain region

While space will likely continue to power the luxury real estate

was one of the year’s hottest resort destinations. According to the

market through 2021, it remains to be seen whether the trend

Aspen/Glenwood MLS for Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties, nine

has staying power. Smith is bullish: “I think we’re going to see

properties over 100 acres sold last year, compared to just three in

vulnerabilities with this pandemic and future pandemics. I don’t

2019. Sold properties between 35 and 100 acres also increased

see the search for space as a short-lived trend. This is going to

93% from 2019 to 2020. Among these sales, the average price

be something that people will continue to want over the next

per acre and price per sale increased 40% and 45%, respectively.

decade.”

“As people shifted their lifestyles, they embraced Aspen as a four-

Others are less sure. A majority of Luxury Property Specialists

season destination for its schools, cultural amenities and outdoor

surveyed for “The Report” expected buyers to eventually

space,” says Carrie Wells, a veteran Aspen real estate agent who

revert to wanting homes with smaller footprints in five years.

earned the No. 1 ranking in sales volume within the entire Coldwell

Suburbanization trends also tend to be cyclical. Hirt points to

Banker network for 2020. “For many of my clients, it was an

various pandemics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,

eye-opening experience to be in Aspen during the off-season,

which accelerated growth of some of the nation’s early suburbs.

typically April through June. We had such great weather that

Once the viral illnesses got under control, “the paradigm shifted

people were hiking and biking, and they even discovered skinning,

and the focus turned back toward density,” she notes.

or uphill skiing. It was so popular that all the equipment sold out in local stores!”

Reay predicts two groups of homeowners will emerge from the pandemic: “A lot of people will forget what has happened, and

Wells points to several sizable 2020 sales. A contemporary seven-

a lot of people will be traumatized when it comes to being in

bedroom, new-construction home designed by Ro Rockett Design,

confined spaces.”

perched on an acre on Red Mountain with 10,000+ square feet and views from Independence Pass to Mt. Sopris, sold for $31.8

Only time will tell what the future holds for luxury housing, but the

million in late summer. The sale price was a record for the year, and

lessons of 2020 will not soon fade.

she represented both the seller and buyer in the transaction. The other notable sale was a $29.6-million contemporary mountain home with private river frontage, six bedrooms and 10,626 square feet on Willoughby Way, one of the most desirable streets in Aspen.

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