San Diego Lifestyle - Feb '16

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LIFESTYLE

Feb ‘16 This month’s topics: -Wondering What It Takes To Buy Your First Home? (pg 1) -Rents Still Skyrocketing (pg 2) -8 Unwritten Etiquette Rules Every Home Seller Should Know (pgs 3-4) -Thinking of Buying? Selling? 5 Reasons You Need To Hire A Professional (pgs 5-6) -7 Things Buyers Do That Real Estate Agents Hate (pgs 7-8)

-Should I Buy Now Or Wait Until Next Year? (pg 9) -Chargers Plan for San Diego Stadium Comes to Light (pg 10) -2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area (pgs 1120) -San Diego's 10 best blogs (pgs 21-30)

Wondering What It Takes To Buy Your First Home?

There are many people sitting on the sidelines trying to decide if they should purchase a home or sign a rental lease. Some might wonder if it makes sense to purchase a house before they are married and have a family. Others may think they are too young.

And still others might think their current income would never enable them to qualify for a mortgage.

We want to share what the typical first time homebuyer actually looks like based on the National Association of REALTORS most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers.

Here are some interesting revelations on the first time buyer:

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Rents Still Skyrocketing

Zillow recently revealed that the 43 million renter households in the US spent $535 billion on rent in 2015. Aggregate numbers like these often make it difficult to truly assess a situation. For more clarity, we want to share some points that were made in a Wall Street Journal article earlier this month.

The article made two important points: 1. Rents are increasing faster than the last several years: “Apartment rents increased faster last year than at any time since 2007.”

2. Rent increases are accelerating “Another report from Axiometrics Inc., a Dallas-based apartment research company, showed that rents increased 4.7% in the fourth quarter compared with the same quarter a year earlier, the strongest year-end performance since 2005”.

Here is a graph to illustrate the rate of increase over the last several years:

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8 Unwritten Etiquette Rules Every Home Seller Should Know

Here are the (previously) unwritten etiquette rules sellers should follow to show their home:and themselves in the best possible light: 1.) LeaveSure, you’re dying to know if prospective buyers will love what you’ve done with the kitchen, but Realtors® agree sellers should not be there lurking in the shadows during an open house or showing.

“Buyers don’t feel as comfortable when the owner is at the home watching their every move,” explains Nicholas Kensington of Scottsdale Real Estate. “Get out of their way so that they can start to picture themselves living there instead of being spied on.” So take a powder. Or at least hide.

2.) Take your pets with youYou think Humbert is the cutest labradoodle ever, but not everyone is bound to share that opinion. In addition to having allergies, some home shoppers may not be in the market for a run-in with an animal they don’t know. “Imagine, as a buyer, having the background music set to ‘barking dog’ while you are trying to take in the home’s nuances that you, as the seller, have worked so hard to hone,” says Brenda Hayward, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. “To say nothing of the stress it puts on your beloved pet. Take your mutt for a car ride, to the dog park, or for a long walk. It will do you both good.”

3.) Move your car“Make it easy for visitors to park and view the home,” Kensington notes. “No one likes parking issues. Having them is a sure way to get a viewing off to a bad start.” In fact, if potential buyers have to park a block away and walk, they may just skip taking the tour of your home. Or if they’re willing to make the hike, they may be in a lousy mood by the time they enter 3 your home. Why risk it?

8 Unwritten Etiquette Rules Every Home Seller Should Know 4.) Lay out important documentsIf questions arise while buyers are on the premises, it may help them decide to put in an offer that much faster if they can find answers quickly and in writing.

“Leaving necessary documents in an easy-to-find spot isn’t just good for selling, it’s also good selling etiquette,” says Kensington. “Put out the home inspection report, appraisal, home warranty, monthly bill information—gas, oil, electric—and proof of any major repairs are all good things to let people look through when they are considering buying your home.”

5.) Offer some refreshments-

House hunters can get parched and peckish. You can help!

“Putting out a few small bottled waters in a small bowl of ice is always appreciated, along with some light, easy grab-and-go sort of refreshments like mints or cookies,” says Cara Ameer, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker.

6.) Be patient waiting for feedbackOf course, you’re dying to know what buyers thought of your home, but that information may not flow back to you instantaneously. Buyers often want to process what they’ve seen and think it over before making an offer. If one comes through, don’t worry, you’ll hear about it!

“It is reasonable to ask for feedback from your Realtor after the showing, but understand it may take a day or two for the buyer’s agent to respond,” Hayward says.

7.) Don’t be greedyWho doesn’t want top dollar for their home? But an unwillingness to negotiate can kill a possible deal and keep your home on the market long after you were hoping to be unpacking at your new place.

“Focusing on your bottom line is always important, but greed can lead to disaster. Remember a little of something is better than a lot of nothing. Generosity will lead you to your promise land,” says Josh Myler, a Realtor with The Agency.

8.) Listen to the ProfessionalsIf your Realtor has some suggestions for improvements that may help sell the home faster, take them to heart but don’t take them personally.

“Don’t shoot the messenger,” says Caroline Gosselin, a Realtor with Sotheby’s Prominent Properties. “Keep emotions out and listen to what a licensed, trained, professional has to say about the house, be it a Realtor or an inspector. It’s immature and unmannerly not to be able to take criticism and be able to move on.”

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Thinking of Buying? Selling? 5 Reasons You Need To Hire A Professional

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it can be quite an adventurous journey. You need an experienced Real Estate Professional to lead you to your ultimate goal. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can For Sale by Owner or FSBO. Here’s 5 reasons you need a Realtor on your side: 1. What do you do with all this paperwork?

Each state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true Real Estate Professional is an expert in their market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork necessary to make your dream a reality.

2. Ok, so you found your dream house, now what?

According to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, there are over 230 possible actions that need to take place during every successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, who knows what these actions are to make sure that you acquire your dream.

3. Are you a good negotiator?

So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. However, after looking at the list of parties that you need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll realize the value in selecting a Real Estate Professional. From the buyer (who wants the best deal possible), to the home inspection companies, to the appraiser, there are at least 11 different people that you will have to be knowledgeable with and answer to, during the process.

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Thinking of Buying? Selling? 5 Reasons You Need To Hire A Professional 4. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?

It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start to attract the right buyers and shorten the time that it’s on the market. You need someone who is not emotionally connected to your home to give you the truth as to your home’s value. According to the National Association of REALTORS, “the typical FSBO home sold for $210,000 compared to $245,000 among agent-assisted home sales.”

Get the most out of your transaction by hiring a professional.

5. Do you know what’s really going on in the market?

There is so much information out there on the news and the internet about home sales, prices, mortgage rates; how do you know what’s going on specifically in your area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively price your home correctly at the beginning of the selling process?

How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much, or offending the seller with a low-ball offer?

Dave Ramsey, the financial guru advises: “When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring an agent who has their finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying/selling experience an educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line You wouldn’t replace the engine in your car without a trusted mechanic. Why would you make one of your most important financial decisions of your life without hiring a Real Estate Professional?

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7 Things Buyers Do That Real Estate Agents Hate

1.) Caring too much about aesthetics Many buyers get caught up in how a house looks right now. And if it looks dirty, outdated, or in need of small repairs, you might be tempted to run. After all, how much is all that going to cost anyway?

2. Tipping your hand You know how it goes. You’ve seen a billion places. You’re totally comfortable with your agent.

Your feelings just start to slip out. You’re getting a bit loose-lipped. Like, why is there shag carpet in the bathroom, anyway?

But voicing your criticism could spell disaster.

3. Waiting too long Found a house you want to buy? Don’t wait. Taking too long to make an offer in a competitive real estate market can drive your agent crazy, and for good reason.

“If too much time passes between a buyer viewing a home and making an offer, the seller might not take you as seriously as another party who quickly expressed interest and maintained communication,” says Dan Hicks 4. Thinking it’s all about the money Don’t get us wrong—how much you’re willing to offer for a house is a huge part of your offer.

But it isn’t the only thing you should worry about.

“It’s not necessarily the highest offer that the seller will accept, but rather the best structured offer,” Hicks says.

Your agent knows a good offer is a mix of timing, the right price, and reasonable contingencies (those clauses that give you the option to bail out of the deal if something isn’t met). If you decide on a price, but refuse to cave on 10 contingencies, you’re probably 7 frustrating your agent—and the seller—more than a bit.

7 Things Buyers Do That Real Estate Agents Hate 5. Ignoring what the seller wants Sellers are motivated for different reasons. Some are entirely driven by money, for example, while others want to see their first home go to someone who will love it as much as they did.

“When you hire a Realtor to represent you in the purchase of a property, [they’re] gathering information about the seller’s motivation,” Hicks says.

They’ll use that information to help you build the best offer, and if you’re ignoring it, you could be hurting your chances.

6. Talking to the other team

OK, let’s get this out of the way: The listing agent is not the enemy. But talking to him without your own agent present is never a good idea, even if you think you’re just being friendly to help seal the deal.

“I’ve had clients talk to the seller or agent and divulge information that would harm them,” Jarvis says. “Stuff like ‘Oh, don’t worry about inspections, my company is paying a huge relocation bonus’ doesn’t exactly set the stage for a tough negotiation with the seller.”

Even if you don’t think you’re saying anything that could hurt, you never really know. Remember, “the listing agent’s job is to get the most money for the seller,” Jarvis says. Just don’t do it.

7. Lowballing the counteroffer

So the sellers didn’t accept your offer, but they’re willing to consider a counter. If your next offer isn’t reasonable, at best, your agent will spend a lot of time going back and forth between you and the sellers’ agent. At worst, you’ll frustrate the sellers and lose the house for good.

We get it. You don’t want to overspend or give in on too many parts of the deal, but don’t be a Scrooge. Listen to your Realtor. By now, he knows what the seller will and won’t accept.

After all, you hired him for a reason. Realtors are pretty good at what they do

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Should I Buy Now Or Wait Until Next Year?

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Chargers Plan for San Diego Stadium Comes to Light

In 2015, Carson became a 4-letter word to Chargers fans. But in an ironic twist of fate, now the same strategy the Chargers used to try and make their jump to Los Angeles is likely going to be used to try and build a new stadium in San Diego.

A lot has been made of the Chargers “coming back to the negotiating table” with Mayor Kevin Faulconer and County Supervisor Ron Roberts. If the Chargers plan plays out, local politicians will

still have significant input into the process because the team will want and need their support. But, in the end, the content of the citizen’s initiative and the campaign to win support for it will be decided on and funded by the Chargers.

Through a review of financial disclosures in Carson, NBC 7 SportsWrap has learned the members of the team the Chargers put together to fully entitle the land in Carson via a citizen’s initiative. A source close to the Chargers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the team’s desire to have a citizen’s initiative be their course of action for whichever site is chosen, be it Mission Valley or Downtown San Diego.

“No matter which site is selected — Mission Valley or downtown — the quickest and most legally defensible way to gain the necessary local environmental entitlements will be through the citizen’s initiative process,” said the source. “That process will also involve all interested parties — community groups, fan organizations, organized labor, and the private sector — helping to provide the effort with real momentum in the way that would not be possible as the result of months of quiet, behind the scenes negotiating.” In reality, the team feels citizen's initiative might be its only option. The Chargers still fear the so-called "quickie" EIR the City did for the Mission Valley site will not stand up to legal challenges and miss the August certification window, making it impossible to put on a

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November ballot. One more reason to believe the Bolts will be focusing their efforts on Downtown.

2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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2016 Top 10 Valentine's Day Restaurants in San Diego Area

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San Diego's 10 best blogs 1.) EJ Eats

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“My main passion is budget eats; hole-in-the-wall places with great food,” she said.

“People say ‘I bet you have all these privileges from being a food writer’ and it’s true, I get some media privileges but [writers] don’t make a lot of money, so when I’m paying out of pocket I want a good meal under $10.”

The aesthetics, quality and thoroughness of EJ Eats is what really makes this a standout blog. Jackson does everything from tasting the food to taking the photos, while making it look like she has a full staff.

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San Diego's 10 best blogs 2.) San Diego UrbDeZine

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UrbDezine is a multi-author wordpress site that has seven subdomains each with regional coverage on different cities including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, Portland and Boston. UrbDezine started when Adams became interested (maybe even obsessed, he said) with WordPress and the community surrounding it.

“I was impressed with how eloquently architects spoke on subjects I was interested in,” Adams said. “So I got the idea to create this multi-authored blog to generate more content which is when I discovered my own love of writing.”

“It’s kind of an environmental and design blog with an urban angle but it could also be a social justice and equity blog too,” Adams said. “[We’ll cover] just about anything [concerning] the urban environment whether that is design, urban planning, bi22 cycling, transit. I don’t think I’ve ever rejected a suggested subject by one of my authors.”

San Diego's 10 best blogs 3) La Jolla Mom

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Dillon — who covers family oriented luxury topics fit for a La Jolla audience — started her blog in 2009, just as the buzzword “mommy blog” surfaced. In retrospect, she said she probably wouldn’t choose that name again, but it’s served her well.

“My whole theory is nobody really cares about my personal day-to-day life and that’s where a lot of blogs go wrong — unless your writing is really, really witty,” Dillon said. “I try to stay away from the mom blog moniker because you’re lumped into a group of people that’s way too diverse. I try to keep it as luxury as possible.”

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San Diego's 10 best blogs 4.) SD Dialed In

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San Diego’s music and concert scene is underrated. Venues and geographical location make for an ideal place for lyrical consumption, but there are a lot of people who aren’t completely dialed in to the music scene. Cue SD Dialed In — a music blog run by Rosemary Bystrak — aimed at encouraging San Diegans to participate and enjoy the local music and arts scene.

“Originally, I was at a job that gave me a lot of time on by hands,” Bystrak said. “I started writing online diary entries [in 2003] about shows I went to and I realized people were actually reading them. That’s when I started SD Dialed In.” Bystrak is realistic. She understands the market and the needs of her readers and she won’t waste time posting something that her readers don’t care about.

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San Diego's 10 best blogs 5.) San Diego Food

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San Diego Food caught our attention and not just because they’re using the .net domain name. The website is run by two cousins, Michael and Darren, who are also food lovers. With the help of other family members and friends, the two are making their way through all the restaurants and food that San Diego has to offer, making recommendations for 25 readers along the way.

San Diego's 10 best blogs 6.) SD Urban

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SD Urban is a blog, and Paul Jamason is a blogger but he also kept his day job as a software engineer. SD Urban is more of a hobby for him, but the thorough coverage and analysis of San Diego’s growing neighborhoods disguises the Kensington resident’s hobby as a full time publication. When Jamason moved to the area in 2000 he noticed two things: gentrification rapidly overtook the neighborhood, and no one was covering it.

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San Diego's 10 best blogs 7.) San Diego Free Pass

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San Diego Free Press sprouted from OB Rag — a blog that focuses on just one area of our city. But Doug Porter and a few other writers decided the amount of news exceeded the Ocean Beach pocket of the Internet. Taking inspiration from the alternative San Diego press boom of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Porter and other writers formed SDFP in June 2012.

“The original San Diego Free Press, along with the Street Journal, the OB Rag and the Door went beyond advocacy of the counterculture and radical politics of the time; those publications challenged the very essence of local and economic power,” he said.

The online publication is a volunteer organization that isn’t quite a blog or a news publication.

Porter said the true purpose of SDFP is to be a forum and platform for progressive ideas, whether that be a standard news article or poetry. (That’s right, you can submit all those haikus you wrote about Del Mar).

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San Diego's 10 best blogs 8.) SD Rostra

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SD Rostra took their name from the Ancient Roman forums of the classical ages. Every post reflects the ideas and opinions of an individual author — not the entire website. Although there is no all-encompassing SD Rostra opinion or political party, contributors, which include Congressional candidate Carl DeMaio, San Diego City Council member, Mark Kersey and other local politicians and players, primarily lean to the right or have conservative, Republican stances on local issues.

So you won’t find liberal headlines like “Dude, is it legal yet?” on SD rostra as you would on San Diego Free Press, but contentious issues such as the legalization of marijuana and minimum wage and are also discussed at length on this politically charged blog with lively debates taking place in the comments section. The array of contributors create for a diverse conversation and a good read.

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San Diego's 10 best blogs 9.) San Diego Sports Domination

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David Frerker is still a student but you wouldn’t know it from his blog — well, aside from the unrelenting support for Aztec sports, that is. The San Diego State University senior’s blog, San Diego Sports Domination, stems from Frerker’s personal obsession with local sports and a sense of school spirit typical of SDSU students.

“A lot of people in San Diego follow us for our football and basketball posts because I try to make them the most in-depth articles out there,” he said. “I have full statistical breakdowns, exclusive interviews and even weather reports.”

Seasonal changes in web traffic is a caveat unique to sports blogging. Sometimes Frerker’s numbers are way up, especially during SDSU’s basketball season. But they also go down during off seasons. Frerker uses Twitter to bring in traffic (his 11k person following doesn’t hurt) but he also said twitter has served as an invaluable networking tool.

But even when his blog isn’t that busy, he is. Frerker works as a social media manager for a local public relations firm while completing his degree in Journalism Media Studies.

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San Diego's 10 best blogs 10.) Local Wally

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Besides the endearing name that makes you feel as if you have a quirky tour guide right there with you, Local Wally is an informative tourism blog focused on providing readers with the most relevant and honest tourism information for those visiting America’s finest city.

He answers all the questions you’re begging to ask. Should I go to Tijuana? Wally doesn’t recommend it. What’s with the seals of La Jolla? Wally loves them. Can I golf at Torrey Pines? Sure, but it’ll cost you. He offers alternative recommendations and a full run30 down on the weather, the attractions and the places to stay.