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The First Steps to Buying a Home If you go through the three steps I've outlined below, you will be ahead of most first-time buyers. You will be much more likely to succeed in the purchase of a home. Lastly, you will be in a better position financially, because you will have purchased a home within your means. In other words, you'll be less likely to face a future foreclosure. So without further ado, here are the first three steps to purchasing a house that I recommend taking: 1. Research and Education The first phase of the process requires plenty of research.  Next, you should spend some time learning the terminology or lingo associated with the home buying process. In particular, you should learn the mortgage terms, since that is where first-time buyers often get confused.  The third step in your research process should be the various types of mortgages. available to you. This overlaps with the terminology research mentioned above, but it goes beyond that... details >>>

My wife and I are expecting to add a new member to our family later this year.  We recently purchased a new home in Encinitas, CA and couldn't be happier about the location of our new home.  We live in a friendly and quiet neighborhood close to the shopping district and Restaurants.  The real estate in Encinitas is beautiful and the school district's out here are wonderful.   Southern California has some of the best private and public schools in the country.  There is never a gloomy day in Southern California with the sunshine and beaches always there at the turn of a corner.  There are plenty of award winning restaurants here in Encinitas as well as Golf courses for me to explore.  The museums and parks are great for the children and family.  The surrounding areas such as San Diego, Carlsbad, Escondido, Vista, and Oceanside are all just as beautiful.  Driving through the coastline throughout Southern California and looking out your window is paradise... details >>>

[caption id="attachment_460" align="alignleft" width="319" caption="Linda Moore, award winner"][/caption] Linda Moore a broker associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Encinitas was recently announced as the winner of the company’s moving contest for San Diego. The contest which ran from August through October of this year was based on the number of clients that Linda referred to the Coldwell Banker Concierge Department for moving services. “I’m proud of the fact that my company not only represents buyers and sellers in real estate but that we also have a complete Concierge service that provides recommendations for all of the services they need at the time of a move,” Linda was noted as saying. “The main reason why I like to use the Concierge’s mover services, and other services they recommend, is that the Concierge has verified each company’s reputability, insurance, bonding, etc, and stands behind those services. If the client has... details >>>

The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is an international showcase of the world's premier wine and spirits, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 18-22, 2009, the event auctions benefit the American Institute of Wine & Food culinary arts scholarship program. Over 800 wines and spirits, 70 of San Diego’s top fine dining restaurants and 30 gourmet food companies will participate in the 2009 Festival. Now in its sixth year, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has quickly grown into a world-class wine and culinary extravaganza. The five-day festival features wine tasting seminars, cooking classes by award-winning chefs, and an elegant Reserve Tasting. The festival culminates on Saturday at the star-studded Grand Tasting Event complete with the “Chef of the Fest Competition,” celebrity cookbook signing tents, a special VIP tent, live entertainment, and more.     The San Diego Bay Wine &... details >>>

Are you a thrill seeker or a flower follower? Whatever your interests, use our list of area attractions to plan your next outing. Whether you're coming from across town or from another country, our listings will help you find places you won't want to miss. Make sure you either stop by the Encinitas Visitors Center at, the corner of Seconnd St. & H St. in Encinitas, CA. to get information on any of the fun things to do while visiting our beautiful Southern California costal community. Disneyland Park Phone: 714-781-4565 Address: 1313 South Harbor Blvd. City/Zip: 1313 South Harbor Blvd. City/Zip: Anaheim, 92803 Knott's Theme Park Phone: 714-220-5200 Address: 8039 Beach Blvd. City/Zip: Buena Park, 90622 Legoland California Phone: 760-LEGOLAND Address: 1 Lego land Drive City/Zip: Carlsbad, 92009 San Diego Wild Animal  Phone: 760-747-8702  Address: 15550 San Pasqual Valley Road City/Zip: Escondido... details >>>

The Annual Fall Festival, formerly known as the Poinsettia Festival, is held each November in downtown Encinitas. The Wavecrest Woodie Meet takes place once a year, on the third Saturday of September at Moonlight State Beach. It is the largest rally of wooden bodied vehicles in the world and it is free to the public and to participants. The Annual Oktoberfest, is held the third Sunday in September to coincide with the start of the Oktoberfest celebrations in Germany. This is the only community event in Encinitas that takes place in "new Encinitas." The San Dieguito Heritage Museum is located in Encinitas. Other points of interest include the Quail Botanical Gardens,Self-Realization Fellowship temple and La Paloma Theater. When I visited with my son to learn about the town's history, I was taken in by a charming and welcoming staff and from all the Native American artifacts. There is everything from a gift shop to a small eatery... details >>>

...Not really for me.. Everyone has someone in their family who wakes up early on Black Friday to go shopping.  I personally have not gone with my mom because I like to sleep in after stuffing myself on Thanksgiving. Every year my mom wakes up at 4am to get her Holiday shopping done.  It has always been the busiest day for retail stores and restaurants.  It really is a great day to find the best bargains of the year,  its just not meant for me.  Shoppers like my mom are willing to wake up and head to their favorite department stores to catch the best deals of the year.  Items on sale are usually limited and go fast so there will be lines out the door by 5am before  Macy's, Nordstrom, Walmart, and Target open their doors. Some stores like Sears and Best Buy offer online sales before or on Black Friday, which is ideal for the bargain buyers like myself who would rather sleep in the day after Thanksgiving.  Good luck to all the holiday... details >>>

There is nothing more special then coming home for the holidays and Carlsbad is the place to be. Why? Not only are the homes in Carlsbad special but people love to put up lights on their homes. Imagine moving to Carlsbad and living on a street that has Xmas decorations from end to end. What could be better? Being inside one of those homes... with a roaring fireplace and a double door entry that opens up to the tree inside. So if you are looking for Carlsbad Real Estate or any property in La Jolla or northern San Diego, let me personally take you for a tour. Let's make friends and that may be my gift for the holidays!... details >>>

Remember that movie "Miracle on 34th street"? What was the one thing that made that movie? It was when they found the home they dreamed of! Everyone knows that the greatest and most exciting thing about the holidays is getting and receiving gifts. The best ones are the ones where you never could have guessed what the gift was and sure enough, it was the very thing you dreamed about. That movie touched all of our hearts because we know that everyone wants a home that is perfect for them and a place where you can raise a family. A place to not just live... but call home! Encinitas homes is beyond imagination! They are not just incredible homes but the place they surround is exciting and fun. Encinitas real estate can be found very inexpensively right now and some of the biggest deals you could ever hope for is on the market. It is a good time also to find properties in Carlsbad and La Jolla and if you look on my site under the MLS listings you can find some homes ... details >>>

As a licensed Encinitas Realtor and Carlsbad Realtor, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard stories of how my customers are welcomed to the neighborhood with a welcome basket from some of the neighbors. Stories like that make me smile because no one likes being alone in a new house and a new neighborhood. In case you know someone who has bought Encinitas real estate or Carlsbad real estate and would like to wish them well on the move, or you have a new neighbor moving into your Encinitas neighborhood or Carlsbad neighborhood, perhaps you can collaborate with your other neighbors and send a gift basket to welcome them. Gift baskets are an instant conversation starter, and your new neighbors in Encinitas or Carlsbad will surely be grateful for your compassion. Check out some of these local companies for information about a gift basket for any occasion. Custom Gift Creations (760) 942-6718 Encinitas Platinum Gift (760) 597-0922 Vista Ashlee Creations... details >>>