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Romance on a Budget

By Kika Gutierrez on Feb 09, 2012 in Lifestyle & Home, Shopping

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the pressure is on to think of the perfect gift to surprise that special someone in your life. Now for those of you who think that Valentine’s Day is just a scam thought up by greeting card companies and florists, never fear because there are plenty of ways to woo your loved one without breaking the bank and buying into consumerism.

Here are five romantic San Diego ideas that are sure to impress for under $20.

Paddle Boating

For the more adventurous couples, an open-air activity is ideal for romance. At Santee Lakes you and your sweetheart can sail your way through the scenery of the beautiful outdoors by renting one of their two-seater paddle boats for either $8 for a half hour or $11 for an hour. It’ll be fun to work as a team and you two can make a game out of who can spot the most ducks, turtles and rabbits. Not only can you get some fresh air, it’s a great way to live fit with the one you love.

Scenic Picnic

A home-cooked meal is always a great way to show somebody how much you care, but why not push that a step further by taking your food alfresco. Surprise your Valentine with his or her favorite snacks, package them up in a picnic basket and with a blanket in tow take your date to a surprise destination. I recommend the Torrey Pines Glider Port. Sitting on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, watching the paragliders soar off into the sunset is a romantic atmosphere that comes at no cost. Splurge on a bottle of champagne, or some chocolate covered strawberries. Bonus points if the chocolate covered strawberries are home-made!

Drive-In Movie

A blast from the past will remind your date of favorite childhood memories. At the drive-in you get all the fun of going to the movies without the hassle of noisy babies, cell phone ring tones and expensive snacks. You can snuggle up with your sweetheart and laugh out loud at your favorite jokes without having to worry about the inevitable “shhhh!” of irritation you would get at a movie theater. At the drive in you get two movies for the price of one and, with most drive-in’s charging only $7 compared to the whopping $11.50 charged in theaters, you can use the money you save to go to your local grocery store to grab some last minute goodies to munch on during the flicks.

Balboa Park Museum

Most locals avoid Balboa Park to escape from the tourists, and what a shame because it also happens to be one of the most beautiful parts of our city. Luckily, one of the best-kept secrets of San Diego is the perks you get just for being a local. On the first four Tuesday’s of the month, select museums at Balboa park are free for San Diego locals. Take a stroll around the park and make sure to pack a camera because, from the gardens to the architecture, Balboa Park is home to some of the most picturesque gardens and plenty of other spots are perfect for a couple’s photo opp.

Extraordinary Desserts

The name says it all. Skip the typical box of chocolates and treat your Valentine to this dessert haven. It’s a sweet tooth’s paradise here where the desserts are decadent and the decorations are divine. There’s nothing more romantic than a candlelight dessert for two, and at Extraordinary Desserts, you won’t be disappointed with their huge selection of sweets (my favorite is the Shangri-La cake. Yum!). I’d recommend sharing one of their specials. At only $11.50 you and your sweetie will have plenty of dessert to share, and each special is paired with one of their specialty ice creams. Just make sure that you get there early; this place attracts a crowd!

Not only are these ideas great for Valentine’s day, but these date-ideas can work for year-round romance. I say, make everyday Valentines Day by showing the love in your life how much you care 365 days a year.

Happy Valentines Day from Live Fit Magazine.

Rug Company Customizes Formula For Success

By Phoebe Chongchua on Jan 16, 2012 in Featured, Lifestyle & Home

New business start-ups fell from 4.1 million in 1994 to 2.5 million in 2010. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 2010 had the lowest number of new establishments (small businesses) starting up since the data tracking began in 1994.

With the poor economic conditions our country has faced, it’s not surprising that wanna-be entrepreneurs are nervous to venture out on their own. Those who do often struggle to find a way to make ends meet as they are met with consumer spending contraction in uncertain financial times.

However, some local businesses have found a success formula that not only allows them to keep their business doors open but also to thrive despite the downturn in the economy.

After escaping from the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, Rose Blumkin embarked on following the American dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She eventually passed along her strong work ethic and skills in the textile industry to her grandson, Steve Blumkin, who credits his passion for his business to Rose.

Steve Blumkin, Outrageous Rugs Blumkin opened the doors of his floor decor business, Outrageous Rugs, a San Diego-based company, in 1988. Since then the company has been unpacking, rolling out rugs and placing custom, machine-made, and fine rugs in happy customers’ homes.

Part of what’s kept this local, family-run business thriving is a committment to make the customer happy. New technology has changed the business from what it was decades ago. Today, Outrageous Rugs understands that customers have many choices other than the brick and mortar stores that exist within close proximity. The Internet has unraveled the rug business for some companies but not Outrageous Rugs.

“The Internet has definitely changed the landscape of the business. If a consumer has seen something on the Internet, they’ve already kind of told us what kind of style they like,” says Blumkin.

But what the consumer can’t discover by viewing rugs online is the true quality and color of the rugs. And that’s when Outrageous Rugs is there to help.

Outrageous Rugs Showroom “Seeing a real textile [in person] makes a difference,” says Blumkin. The company stands behind the quality of its rugs. Often the Internet can show a picture of a rug that looks fabulous online but once the shipment is received, it’s not always up to the customer’s standards.

“Anything that comes in this store is tried. It’s tested for performance, for wearability, and for cleanability. We only carry really good quality products,” says Blumkin.

With new rugs being added to the collection daily, customers have numerous choices. But, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, Outrageous Rugs offers custom design with customized budgets to suit your needs. And today, many of the custom rugs are made in the U.S., which helps avoid the extra expenses associated with shipping and manufacturing.

The thread that binds this successful company is, “Hard work, loving what you do, and treating people well. It’s how you get ahead,” says Blumkin.

At Outrageous Rugs you’re guaranteed the VIP treatment while you search their collections of exquisite quality rugs at unbeatable prices.

How to Choose a Remodeler

By Phoebe Chongchua on Dec 16, 2011 in Lifestyle & Home

Long before the groundbreaking, homeowners need to make sure that they carefully research to find the best remodeling company for a room addition or renovation. The remodeling industry is rife with companies ranging from the inexperienced, and sometimes unlicensed, to the long-time established, full-service design-and-build remodeler.

“In today’s world there are a lot of companies going under, so consumers want to make sure whatever company they’re doing business with has a track record of happy clients—people they can talk to, projects that they can go see that mirror the type of project they’re looking for,” says Gary Marrokal, President of Marrokal Design and Remodeling.

His company has been remodeling homes in San Diego, California since 1981. His construction background, business knowledge, and 80 years of family history in San Diego, helped lead his company into the national news media spotlight for its award-winning, green-certified designs, and company ethics in the marketplace. Marrokal Design and Remodeling is the recipient of several awards including:

• Better Business Bureau 2008 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
• 2007 Market Leader
• Contractor of the Year / National Association of the Remodeling Industry

That’s why I contacted Gary Marrokal to provide insight on how to choose a remodeling company. We’ve all heard the horror stories about remodeling projects going awry and many of us have survived them—even if just barely. Hindsight, while it proves to be 20-20 vision, doesn’t help recoup lost dollars or fix a muddled renovation. Instead, knowing which important factors you should look for in a remodeling company can help your project turn out to be a dream remodel.

How can homeowners who are considering a remodel be sure, ahead of time, that they’re entrusting their most expensive possession to the right company? Marrokal says homeowners should expect a company to exceed their expectations not just meet them.

Marrokal Design & Remodeling home featured in Live Fit Magazine There are five vital factors that a remodeling company should have: a staff that skillfully listens and pays attention to clients’ needs, trust, experience, full-service design and remodel, and a make-it-right guarantee. Marrokal talked with me about how he’s built long-lasting clients by focusing his efforts on these important customer concerns.

A company that listens and pays attention to clients’ needs

“We understand that clients want a company that will listen and take their ideas and expand on them so that the remodeling concepts offer various design options as well as help to enhance their bottom line such that when the project is done it exceeds their expectations,” says Marrokal. Being the recipient of a highly coveted ethics award, Marrokal knows that not all remodel companies are built the same. Some are seeking profit over true customer satisfaction. And that’s when consumers suffer. Some companies won’t offer energy-efficient or recyclable products; thus the remodel isn’t as cost-effective when it’s complete.

“You want to hire a company that’s going to over-insulate your home, a company that will utilize techniques that can save you money on your water and electricity bills, and also make your home more comfortable,” he says.

But Marrokal cautions homeowners to really make sure they understand what they’re getting. “There are a lot of energy-efficient products that are not cost-effective because it takes too long to recover the cost of the initial product.” Marrokal Design and Remodeling has knowledgeable, experienced staff that can help you determine which products to use in your remodel to give you the most value.

A company that you can trust with your home

Nothing can beat a quality reputation. If the work doesn’t measure up and problems with the remodel mount, the company will eventually find itself buried in lawsuits. Homeowners should always check with a remodeler’s past projects. Ask for clients to speak with and then take the time to view the projects that are similar to the work you will be having done. The extra hours of research could save you future endless headaches and thousands of dollars.

“You really want to talk to a client that the company is doing work for currently. Everyone has a happy client that had work done six months or a year ago, but homeowners should seek to talk to someone who is getting work done right now or whose home was just completed,” says Marrokal. He says it gives an accurate picture of what you can expect.

A company that has experience and a healthy reputation

The biggest complaint in the industry is that many remodeling companies hire surly, fast-talking sales associates to close deals on remodeling projects. This creates a disaster. Homeowners feel pressured and end up with unsatisfactory remodels.

Marrokal says his company has studied customer service training, and the staff knows that the company’s biggest asset is its clients. That’s why their complete satisfaction is a must. And it begins with educating clients. Marrokal Design and Remodeling carefully guides clients, but ultimately lets them choose which level of quality they want for their home.

“You want a company that will give good value but you want a company that will educate you about the different levels and costs for products so that you can choose how much to spend ,” says Marrokal. He adds, “All cabinets will hold your plates but you want hinges and wood that will work ten years from now. You want a finish that will look good 10 years later.”

A company that has a full-service design and remodel under one roof

While this may seem like the more expensive route, it can actually be the most predictable and cost-effective. “A lot of designers don’t know how to listen to homeowners,” says Marrokal. A full-service design remodeling company helps homeowners understand exactly what they are getting—from start to finish—which avoids common industry problems that often occur when an architect drafts the design plans and then a builder is brought in later.

Frequently, when homeowners turn to architects, the plans are over-built and too costly to be developed. When you use a full-service design-and-remodel company, the budget for the design and construction are taken into consideration.

“It’s like if you and I go to the store and we don’t know the budget and I load up a bag with expensive steaks, chips, soda, and a lot of other items without realizing the real cost of the food. Then when we get to the counter, we’re way over budget. The bag gets blown out because we can’t afford it,” says Marrokal.

“In a full-service company, you will understand your design and how it’s going to be when it’s complete,” he says.

A company that has a make-it-right guarantee

In tough economic times, warranties are often compromised. Some companies won’t offer guarantees of their work. That should be a red flag to a homeowner.

“If I put a new roof on your house and five or 10 years from now it leaks, my company will take care of it; shouldn’t we? You want a company that if you have any problems, you know they’ll be taken care of,” says Marrokal.

He says homeowners should try to find out how problems were handled by a company that they are considering hiring. “Today’s society and world are not perfect but how I handle those imperfections— whether it’s during the job or three years later—is what creates memorable moments for clients.”

The make-it-right guarantee is what continues to grow Marrokal Design and Remodeling. Just ask his clients who will tell you that trust, longevity, people with experience, and a full-service company that starts from beginning of concept design to the completion of a project are what made them loyal clients for life.

The Grape Attraction: from retirement to winegrower

By Phoebe Chongchua on Dec 14, 2011 in Featured, Lifestyle & Home

From retirement to winegrower. See how Eric Metz is turning a passion into a livelihood and hoping to help the San Diego Wine industry flourish.

Video journalist Phoebe Chongchua of Live Fit Magazine takes us to Ramona, California to visit Lenora Winery.

Top 10 Cities With Potential Growth

By Phoebe Chongchua on Sep 24, 2011 in Lifestyle & Home

In challenging times finding cities with potential for growth tops the list for many. Where are those cities and how are they becoming prosperous?

According to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, a Washington, D.C-based publisher of business forecasts and personal finance advice, the top 10 innovative cities that have potential for growth over the next decade are spread out all over the country.

1. Austin, Texas.

2. Seattle, Washington

3. Washington, D.C.

4. Boulder, Colorado

5. Salt Lake City, Utah

6. Rochester, Minn.

7. Des Moines, Iowa

8. Burlington, Vermont

9. West Hartford, Connecticut

10. Topeka, Kansas

Kiplinger’s worked with Kevin Stolarick, research director at the Martin Prosperity Institute, a think tank that studies economic prosperity. A formula and a methodology that included several economic indicators were used to select the top 10 cities that have current and likely future growth in high-quality jobs and income. Kiplinger’s also visited the cities with potential growth interviewing business and community leaders, and residents.The number of “creative class” workers (those who are educators, writers, and scientists) in the area was considered as well as things like public transportation systems, and overall affordability.

When the above cities were notified of their new honorable titles some like Burlington, Vermont seized the opportunity to get the word out to the press. The Mayor’s office released this statement about being named one of the 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade.

“It’s no coincidence that economic vitality and livability go hand in hand,” says Kiplinger’s senior editor, Robert Frick. “Creativity in music, arts and culture, plus neighborhoods and recreational facilities that rank high for ‘coolness,’ attract like-minded professionals who go on to cultivate a region’s business scene. All of these factors make our 2010 Best Cities more than just great places to live. They’re also great places to start a business or find a job.”

Cities with potential growth have a few key things in common. They have smart people and great ideas. However, a third key element is vital, and it’s one we find that is becoming increasingly more popular. They collaborate. Business communities to governments to universities to residents–when they’re in collaboration, “the economic vitality is impressive”, reports Kiplinger’s. As these cities soar in vitality they become more livable. The arts, culture, and music come alive, making the cities with potential growth more desirable.

So what specifically makes these cities with potential growth winners in Kiplinger’s research? Let’s explore the first five.

1. Austin, Texas has outstanding programs to help build a network for business brainpower and encourage entrepreneurship. Plus there are available venture-capital funds and about 20 business associations.

“Mix all these elements in what many call a classless society, where hippie communalism coexists with no-nonsense capitalism, and you’ve got a breeding ground for start-ups,” reports Kiplinger’s.

2. Seattle, Washington. They’re not crying the blues over rain. Kiplinger’s dubs this city, “Brain City”. Why? A well-educated workforce and a world-class research university as well as über innovators Microsoft, Amazon and Boeing, are just a few reasons. The city is filled with “garage-tinkering” entrepreneurs who are ready and will to take risks to turn their ideas into successful products, services, and businesses.

3. Washington, D.C. Leave politics aside for a minute and just grasp that this city is “chock-full of job prospects, entertainment venues, and great neighborhoods, and it is booming,” reports Kiplinger’s.

4. Boulder, Colorado. Kiplinger’s call this city an “intellectual hot spot”. It’s here that environmental and scientific ideas burst into brilliant businesses. The driving forces: 6,600 small businesses/corporations, the University of Colorado, and the federal research laboratories.

5. Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s inexpensive to live and do business in this city. “Utah has relatively low wages, taxes and operating costs,” reports Kiplinger’s.

Finding a great home in an innovative city can be a winning combination that evokes your own creativity and prosperity formula.

To see all the rest of the cities and why they ranked in the top 10, visit Kiplinger.

The Garage Can Help Sell Your Home

By Phoebe Chongchua on Sep 16, 2011 in Lifestyle & Home

They’re more than just for parking cars, stacking boxes, and holding trash bins. The garage can help sell your home, if you stage it right. Most homeowners might think of staging their kitchens and bedrooms but the garage is a feature that is playing an increasingly important role.
Here are some organizing tips to help you increase the sale of your home.

If you’re looking to entice buyers make sure your garage is organized, kept up and shows off some of the most important features like its storage capabilities. Storage is always a premium in homes and if your garage showcases closet organizers, hand shelving, and storage bins that can stash away seldom-used items or tools, buyers will find your garage a must-have item on their home-buying list.

Use walls and ceilings for storage. In my garage I had two loft-type storage areas built. They drop down from the ceiling a few feet and allow me to store multiple large plastic bins of seasonal decorations and items that I rarely use. Having the extra space allows you to get your boxes up off the ground which helps to make the room look larger. I have even placed curtains around the storage area so it hides the boxes and bulky items that I have stored up high.

Add lighting. It’s relatively inexpensive and yet this tip makes such a huge difference and increases the garage’s appeal. Replacing the single center bulb with a strip of lighting is a fantastic way to spark a buyer’s interest. Garages are often too dark and dreary. Adding an eight-foot fluorescent light strip will light up the room and make your garage shine.

Coat your floor. Concrete floor in the garage can show off the wrong things like those icky, ugly oil stains. But if you coat your floor with an epoxy resin-based paint or rubber mats and tiles, drippings and spills are easy to wipe up. The mats and tiles help to reduce the amount of dirt that gets tracked inside the garage and ultimately into the house. They also can help with insulation and noise reduction. For practical reasons, coating your garage floor is ideal but it also simply looks nice and is much more welcoming than a concrete floor.

Make sure your garage door opener is working quietly. Sounds silly but the first automatic garage door openers became commercially used back in the 1950s and now they’re a standard feature for most homes. Keep the garage door in the same theme style of the home, color and overall decor. Make sure the door doesn’t squeak when opening by either getting it checked out by the garage door company that installed it or sometimes all it needs is a good oil job to lubricate it. A noisy garage door opener could indicate to a buyer that it’s on the verge of breaking down.

Finish your walls and ceilings. Many garages are not finished but if you put up wall board you can complete the look of the garage and make it look much nicer. Be sure to make sure the garage is insulated before you finish it. That can save on your heating and cooling bills.

Fresh paint. Yes, painting the garage can add a lot. You don’t have to go wild with color–neutral tones are fine. However, if your garage is used for a workout area too, then a little stronger color like a deep blue might work great. It’s all about the overall theme of the room. Don’t be afraid to add a little style to your garage just don’t clutter it with too much decor so that your garage becomes more of a junk yard rather than an organized, clutter-free space.

Should I Rent or Buy?

By Phoebe Chongchua on Aug 19, 2011 in Featured, Lifestyle & Home

If you’re renting a home and have dreamed of owning one, now may just be the perfect time. Trulia.com is reporting that during the month of July, buying was cheaper than renting in 74% of the country’s 50 largest cities.

However, in 12% of the cities, such as New York, Seattle, and San Francisco, you could rent a place for less than you could buy one. And in the rest of the cities (14%), it was about even with renting being only slightly less than the cost of buying.
What’s tipping the scale to make buying cheaper than renting? Of course, it’s the declining home prices and historically low interest rates are also helping to encourage home buying. Recently, interest rates for 30-year and 15-year fixed have been hovering near 4%. Also, the increased demand for rental units is pushing rents up, making now a good time to buy as purchasing a home is cheaper than renting one in most major U.S. cities.

This is making purchasing a home enticing for those who are planning to stay for several years and have the ability to put down a downpayment of about 20 percent.

So, where are the hot buying markets? Las Vegas tops the list. The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index, as reported by CNNMoney.com, shows that prices “have plunged more than 59% from their August 2006 peak.”

Other markets where buying beats renting include Detroit, Michigan; Mesa, Arizona; and Fresno, California. All of these are places where the cost of a median price condo/townhouse is approximately seven times annual rent.

And as reported by CNNMoney.com, Arlington, Texas; Sacramento, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida, “all had buy-rent ratios of eight,” according to Trulia.

New York is the highest city to rent a home (of the 50 markets surveyed). And to buy in that city would cost about 36 times as much, pushing the purchase price to about a million dollars.

If you’re renting now and wondering is this the right time, it really depends on your particular circumstances. Timing the real estate market is never a perfect science. However, the indicators are strong that if you can afford to buy, today’s market certainly offers many good opportunities.

Here are a few things to consider to help you make your decision.

The first is the length of time you’ll stay in the home. Moves are costly and purchasing a home requires extra cash for commissions and closing costs. So, if you’re not sure you can stay for a while, postponing buying might be the right choice. However, if you’ve been in your rental for a long time and have roots in your city, there are great deals on homes. It might be the right time for you to start paying your own mortgage instead of paying your landlord’s mortgage.

How much downpayment? This is a critical concern. With stricter lending requirements, having cash to put down is a make-or-break factor in purchasing a home. Buyers often have to come up with 20% and that can be a big chunk (or even all) of a person’s savings. Also, note that the money usually has to be “seasoned”. In other words, the downpayment money can’t just suddenly appear in your savings account only days before you decide to buy a home. Ask your real estate agent and loan officer for more details.

The cost of owning a home. Part of the thrill of owning a home is the fact that you own it. That means you’re responsible for everything inside and out. Of course, planned developments and Homeowner’s Associations may cover some of the outside maintenance but then you’ll be paying monthly fees. When considering whether to buy or rent, one of the things many first-time buyers neglect to think about is the cost of maintenance. When appliances break; you, the homeowner, will pay to fix them. No more landlord or apartment manager to the rescue. So, if you think things through and weigh the cost of rent versus the cost of buying, you may find the cost and the increased responsibility are well worth it because along with homeownership comes the pride of making your home yours exactly as you like it.

Rooftop Gardens–Gardening in the Sky

By Phoebe Chongchua on Aug 05, 2011 in Featured, Lifestyle & Home

Some property owners are opting to “raise the roof” with an awesome rooftop garden. Who would have guessed that gardening can be placed high above the ground on both commercial and residential buildings.

Urban horticulture is growing in popularity from rooftop gardens to terrace gardening. Homeowners who are short on land are finding their roof or balcony might just be a nice place to have a garden.

From homes to businesses, rooftop gardens are flourishing. According to a video on Greenroofs.com, green roofs “are engineered, vegetated roof covers”. The plants or the engineered soil take the place of a regular concrete, tile or shingle roof.
Woman gardening All roofs are designed to shed water and keep the building dry. “Green roofs are no different. The most important aspect is that they are living, breathing roofs planted with many types of vegetation.”

Does your entire roof have to be green? Not all rooftop gardens have to cover the entire roof. Some are merely a place to have a small, quaint garden planted in containers.

Rooftop gardens are sprouting up in cities to help soften hard edges on buildings. They’re being put on top of luxury condos as an added amenity. They’re touted as enhancers of energy efficiency and a way to use freshly grown herbs and vegetable crops.

These gardens become an extension of the home.Those who have developed their rooftop or balcony garden tend to spend more time relaxing there. Patio tables and chairs, chaises, and candle sconces turn this garden in the sky into a livable room.

There are a few challenges to the rooftop garden, however. If you don’t have an irrigation system, then getting water to your garden can be quite a chore. You might find yourself lugging buckets up from the bathroom or kitchen sink.

This type of garden typically needs daily attention because of its location. Even drought-tolerant plants can quickly get fried on a rooftop garden. Flowering annuals might not be the best pick. However, slow-growing plants that need little water should work well.

Rooftop gardens are tough spots because the temperatures can be extreme and there can be high winds that can easily knock over even a small plant.

Condo dwellers may not have access to their roof. They can instead create a balcony garden. It’s the next best thing to a roof or backyard garden.

Container gardening systems can hold plants, herbs, and vegetables. They can be tricky, though. Potted plants require a lot of care. This is because the soil tends to dry out quickly and keeping it pest-free can be challenging. However, a big benefit with container gardening is that weeds are less likely to pop up. When they do, they’re fairly easy to pull up.

Whether it’s a rooftop or a balcony, a nicely manicured garden is pleasing to many and can be a selling point if they’re easy to maintain.

Gardens are truly a gift to the neighborhood; they can enhance people’s sense of community. They create privacy or a view to be shared. Either way rooftop, balcony, container, and backyard gardens are worth the effort.

Time to Buy a Vacation Home?

By Phoebe Chongchua on Jul 30, 2011 in Lifestyle & Home

Housing prices are more affordable than ever and that’s not just for a primary home. Today, the second-home luxury market is loaded with deals.

Second-homes that once were out of the price range for many are now viable options, according to The Wall Street Journal.

That means that homes that once were $1,000,000+ are now being offered for significantly less. For instance, a Hilton Head Island property in South Carolina sold for $1.2 million back in June 2006. However, by April 2011, the same three-bedroom home sold for $750,000.

Price cuts like these are causing buyers to take note. Reports in The Wall Street Journal indicate that the second-home housing market won’t stay soft forever. Right now some vacation markets are starting to stabilize and prices are even beginning to creep up in, for instance, luxury markets in California and Colorado.
However, hot spots exist for those interested in a vacation home in Miami, Florida, Martha’s Vineyard, or Vail. In these areas foreclosures are helping to keep prices from rising.

Here are some hot spot markets for vacation homes as reported in The Wall Street Journal.

1. Santa Barbara, California: Today’s median home price: $695,000 as compared to five years ago: $1,000,000. Certainly prices are still high in this California market but lower than they were several years ago. It appears this market is stabilizing and may see increases in the future.

2. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts: Today’s median home price: $403,000, but five years ago it was: $638,000.

3. Vail, Colorado: Today’s median home price is $385,000, but five years ago it was $562,000.

4. Miami, Florida: The median home price is now $130,000, but five years ago it was $302,000. In Palm Beach, the median price there today is $254,000, but five years ago it was $758,000.

Earlier this year, the vacation communities saw increases in prices that reached levels equivalent to the days before the housing boom. Analysts attribute the increase to steep discounts and cash purchases.

Homes in prime locations, like those near the water or ski slopes, are selling well. Real estate experts say that foot traffic has increased in some areas by about 30 percent.

Of course, on the lending side, banks are still cautious about making second-home mortgages, especially if they’re jumbo loans (higher than federally guaranteed limits). Many banks have implemented stricter standards for second-home loans.

But for many second-home buyers, getting a loan isn’t a big concern. Many of these buyers pay all cash and skip the entire mortgage process. According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 80 percent of second-home buyers bought their homes not for investment purposes but instead simply for enjoyment and a place to live. Last year 36 percent of the vacation-home sales were all-cash transactions. That’s increased from 2009 when the figure was just under 30 percent.

If a second-home is on your wish list, this may be the best time to shop and find a bargain!

Buyers Want Lifestyle Options in Housing

By Phoebe Chongchua on Jul 22, 2011 in Lifestyle & Home

The adage when it comes to real estate has been “location, location, location.” A recent survey, though, shows that lifestyle options are a priority. These include health and safety, access to cultural activities, and family-friendly neighborhoods.

Of course, location is still important, but today’s buyers are looking for a sense of belonging in a community as well as creating a desirable lifestyle with the home they buy.

More than 1,000 homeowners and future home buyers were surveyed for the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC and the Meredith Corp report. The respondents indicated that how satisfied they’ll be with the purchase of a new home may depend significantly on the home’s surrounding community. About 84 percent of those surveyed were homeowners and an additional 10 percent had plans to buy within three years.
Here are some of the results. The survey found the following lifestyle options are top priorities for buyers.

Ease of commuting by car: 38%

Access to health and safety services: 34%

Family-friendly neighborhoods: 33%

Availability of retail stores: 32%

Access to cultural activities: 21%

Public transportation access: 19%

Nightlife and restaurant access: 18%

Golf-friendly area–access to golf courses: 6%

If you’re a seller what should all this mean to you? It’s an opportunity to target buyers based on their interest. Just like businesses need to know who their target market is so that they can build a brand and solicit to those consumers, so too, for sellers.

If you’re selling your home and you know that the above priorities can influence buyers, it only makes sense to play up the lifestyle options that apply to your home.

Often sellers focus predominantly on their home and the upgrades and amenities. While those features are very important, remember that practically any home can be remodeled. If you’re in an excellent location with easy freeway access, on a low traffic street in a friendly neighborhood, surrounded by retail stores and hot dining spots, it’s time to play it up. Those features aren’t always easy to find.

Promote your lifestyle features with not only creative writing in the Multiple Listing Service detailed section, but also in ads with photos. You should also try using video of your home and the surrounding area. These days marketing goes beyond the MLS and glossy flyers. An archived video on the Internet doesn’t get tossed in the trash like a piece of paper often does.

Showcasing your home on social media sites and giving a taste of the neighborhood in a well-produced video can be a fantastic marketing tool. However, don’t use a poorly shot video; that may hurt you more than help you. Hiring a videographer or even a video journalist to tell a story about the area is well worth the money you’ll spend. This style of storytelling can greatly increase interest in your home and, ultimately, the sales price.

Another option is to use footage (link or embed the video) from local retail outlets and post it on your social sites so that you can showcase some of the fun, nearby entertainment establishments. Create an album on your social sites so that all these photos, videos, links to articles are housed in it and then share it with friends. Don’t make this album about you and your family in the home. Instead, make it like a review of the area. You are showcasing, through pictures, videos and words, the great places that you enjoyed while living in your home. Putting all these items online gives you greater exposure as people forward them to others.

Reality TV is popular for a reason; it takes people along for the journey, exposing life as it really is. Showcasing your home, neighborhood, and nearby restaurants allows potential buyers an opportunity to imagine the things that they would do if they lived in your home. We are becoming a very visual society and because so many properties are viewed first, and sometimes only, via the Internet, it’s worth making what buyers see online valuable and persuasive. Seeing all that your home and its surrounding area has to offer in a video is as close as they get to actually experiencing it. The next step is literally stepping into your home for a closer look.

A little extra effort and promotion to highlight what’s important to buyers may get you the sale faster and the price you’re hoping for.

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Category: Lifestyle & Home

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