Cays, Village, Shores Homes and Condos for Sale

Here are some tips on staging your Coronado houses and condos to sell. It doesn't take long for a prospective buyer to form an opinion about your Coronado homes and condos. Here's how you can tilt the odds in your favor by making your homes appeal to the widest clientele possible. Recently, I noticed that sellers are taking home staging more seriously. This was particularly evident in Coronado golf course and Coronado waterfront homes and condos.  Read this before you put your property on the market.

Read Also:  Feng Shui may assist you sell your Coronado home for sale!

First Impressions Matter!

Prospective home buyers form an opinion about the home you're selling in 15 seconds, by one estimate. And the clock starts ticking at the curb -- even before the home buyers get in the house. So how do you tilt the playing field in your favor? Increasingly, it's by staging your home.

Generally speaking, staging means making your home as appealing as possible, as quickly as possible, to the broadest clientele you can. In fact, Barb Schwarz of StagedHomes.com estimates that about one in four homes nationwide are now staged. So if you're not doing it, you may be at a disadvantage.

Read Also:  How to showcase your Coronado home for sale best!

There are techniques to pulling this off -- some of them obvious, and some not so apparent. We polled the experts to get some of their top tips.

Staging as un-decorating

Staging takes some effort and some money -- but it works. According to a study of 2,772 properties sold in eight California cities in 1999 that was done by real-estate broker Joy Valentine, staged homes remained on the market less than half the time that unstaged homes did -- about 14 days versus 31 days. The average difference in sale price over list price for staged homes was 6.3%, versus 1.6% for unstaged homes. You stand to gain $9,000 on a $200,000 house, Dana and co-author Marcia Layton Turner point out in their book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging your Home to Sell." 

Coronado is The Perfect Place To Buy A Home For Your Family

Coronado Real Estate is booming with new home developments that resemble the cozy residential Coronado neighborhoods of years gone by. Stores, parks, and schools you can walk to.  Grid-pattern streets. Wide, landscaped sidewalks. Sound like a blast from the past? It may seem that way in these days of dead-end cul-de-sacs and suburbs designed for automobiles, not pedestrians. The Coronado housing market is responding to the needs of growing families.

But you can still find new neighborhoods that hark back to the cozy communities of yesteryear. Across San Diego County, from Chula Vista to San Marcos, housing developments are embracing the village concept, which takes modern ideas and blends them with the most successful features of older neighborhoods.

"It's really a back-to-the-future concept, based on traditional town centers and downtowns after the turn of the 20th century in the United States," says Anthony Flint, author of This Land: The Battle over Sprawl and the Future of America and a researcher at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a Massachusetts think tank.

Otay Rach

In Otay Ranch in Chula Vista, slated to become home to 19,000 houses and 50,000 people, the village concept has been in the minds of planners since the early days of development almost 20 years ago.

"One of the basic tenets was a series of pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods that have a sense of place and aren't a sea of sameness," says Kim Kilkenny, executive vice president of the Otay Ranch Company. "It really is turning back the clock."

Read Also:  Otay Ranch Features Walkable Villages With a Strong Sense of Place.

Developers at Otay Ranch made special efforts to avoid the mistakes of some of their colleagues. "A lot of neighborhoods were built, and they didn't have schools or parks, and they didn't have the necessary services in order to make them livable when homes first appeared," Kilkenny says. "When we acquired Otay Ranch, we saw this as an opportunity to do lots of things differently."

The result for Otay Ranch: about a dozen villages, approximately a square mile each, surrounding centrally located elementary schools, parks and shops. A giant open-space network. And plenty of transit stops, most within a quarter-mile of each home.

Kilkenny says pathways for people were created by developing 60-foot-wide greenbelts and "pop-through" cul-de-sacs that eliminate dead ends for pedestrians. "It's easier to walk in Otay Ranch than drive it," he says. "It's just the opposite of what you've seen in other communities. You don't have to get into the car to go to the elementary school, the park or stores."

Indeed, the village concept is largely a reaction to the design of developments over the past few decades, according to Dr. Ethan Berke, a Dartmouth Medical School professor who studies the effects of neighborhood design on exercise. He says, "The concept was a response to far-flung conventional suburban development, which is entirely car-dependent, doesn't allow for much walking and requires lots of fuel."

Read Also:  Otay Ranch's Habitat Restoration Program Creates Natural Habitats for Endangered Plants and Animals

One of the newer villages at Otay Ranch will even have something very rare in modern housing developments-streets in a grid pattern instead of winding roads and cul-de-sacs. That translates into fewer dead ends for pedestrians and makes it less likely anyone could ever say, "You can't get there from here."

Researchers have found walkable communities make residents more active, especially when they allow people to walk for more than just recreation. "Grids are good. Long, sprawling, winding suburban streets and cul-de-sacs are less walkable because there are fewer options to navigate through the network of streets," says Berke. "It takes a longer walk to get to a destination because there are fewer options to get there."

Coronado Communities

Urban expansion has become as Californian as the Coronado sunny weather and surfing. With an estimated increase of 1 million residents in San Diego County over the next 30 years, it's no wonder a multitude of retail and residential developments are springing up around the area. As developers work to create Coronado homes-with an emphasis on living-more ZIP codes surrounding Coronado area are becoming part of the upscale urban scene, thanks to new village concepts and mixed-use Coronado Real Estate developments.

 92118

This is the primary zip code for Coronado.  This wonderful zip code will connect you to all the fine homes and condos in Coronado.  Coronado is the Crown City within San Diego County.  This Crown City know as Coronado, is one of the most sought after locations in the world.

91913

Otay Ranch, the fastest-growing community in San Diego over the past few years, is planned to encompass 11 urban villages and 27,000 dwelling units on roughly 22,900 acres. The recent opening of the Otay Ranch Town Center has bridged the retail gap for both Otay and EastLake, with stores such as Coach, Anthropologie and REI, while also providing a social center for the region. After hitting the shops, residents can enjoy the surrounding "paseos" interlinking numerous public parks with an 11,000-acre open-space preserve to provide hiking, biking and horseback riding.

92101

Downtown San Diego, with its condos, skyscrapers and parks, exemplifies urban growth. Currently, more than 60 residential developments are in the works. More than $3 billion in changes are being implemented, making the area attractive to professionals and families alike. Towering condos like Smart Corner-a 300-unit mixed-use space bisected by the City College trolley stop-are redefining the box that once was urban living. Now, living rooms at The Legend and Diamond- View Tower double as great seats for Padres games, while also offering a park, fine dining and luxury shopping a baseball's throw away.

92127

Twenty minutes from downtown, two new communities- Santaluz and Del Sur-have taken root. Situated southeast of Rancho Santa Fe, together they're comprised in a larger plan, Black Mountain Ranch. Before the sinking of the finishing nails at Santaluz, all of the large plots had sold. But a few resale properties could bring some new neighbors for this upscale development that boasts a centrally located golf course, designed by Rees Jones, and panoramic views of the surrounding Black Mountain and San Dieguito River Parks. Breaking ground on approximately 890 acres next door is Del Sur. A more compact village plan, the development reinvents family-friendly neighborhoods of old, while incorporating shopping, dining, hiking and biking.

92078

A new development called San Elijo Hills is making this North County ZIP stand out. Sitting atop the highest points in North County, San Elijo offers wonderful views of surrounding valleys and beaches. The neighborhood's neo-traditional design uses elements such as mixed-use housing and community- friendly streets to effectively turn 2,000 acres into a balanced community. Miles of pedestrian trails connect even the far reaches of this community, where residents can find a plethora of recreational fields that spread into a 19-acre park. The San Elijo Hills Community Network-a private, Web-based network-also makes involvement easy by providing residents with a virtual meeting place, a community calendar and service information.

92131

A few years ago, Scripps Ranch was devastated by wildfires, but true to its spirit, million-dollar homes are rising from the ashes. Representing the newest luxury communities: The Estates at Stonebridge. These residences-set on the edge of Mission Trails Regional Park-provide natural beauty and expansive lots. The homes range from about 3,000 to 6,000 square feet of luxurious living space, complemented by lush landscaping. Another positive facet is the undeniable sense of community. An excellent school system and a number of new neighborhood centers, such as the Scripps Ranch Village Center, exemplify this region's resilience and pride.

There are plenty of Coronado homes for sale. How can you sell your Coronado homes in a buyer's market? First, you must realize how your home is different from other homes that may be for sale in your neighborhood. Maybe you are selling one of the Coronado homes on a golf course? Maybe your home has an excellent bay view? The real estate market is competitive. As your Realtor, I would like to help you sell your Coronado homes.

Read Also:  Real Estate Investing; Coronado Golf Course Homes

Now, for most houses in most parts of the country, it's a buyer's market. That means that more houses are for sale, there are longer stretches on the market, and prices have slowed, plateaued or, in some places, decreased.  Homes are staying on the market for about four months, according to the most recent averages from the National Association of Realtors.

If you plan to plant your "for sale" sign, here are two things you can do beforehand:

1. Recognize every market is different. Your state, town or neighborhood could dovetail with national numbers or buck the trend entirely. "There really is no national market," says Sambrotto. "There's a patchwork of regional markets." Never rely solely on one person's advice or opinion. Talk to a handful of professionals, do your own research and listen to your gut instinct.

2. Get your home inspected. "Before I would even call a real-estate agent, I'd have my home inspected," says attorney Diana Brodman Summers, author of "How to Buy Your First Home." Some real-estate agents advise against spending the money (basic inspections range from $200 to $400, according to a 2004 survey from the American Society of Home Inspectors), because the buyers will get one anyway prior to closing. Others recommend it because it gives sellers an early warning on any repairs they might have to make.

But in this market, says Summers, it's better to be proactive. "I would rather know what the inspector is going to find and be able to fix it -- and pick who will fix it," she says. This method also allows you to shop around for the best price instead of perhaps paying an inflated price later on.

Read Also:  How To Get A Good Real Estate Inspection Report: Coronado Cays Homes

Home Owners Insurance for your Coronado Home

Here are some ways to save money on Coronado homeowners insurance. It takes work, but shopping around is the best way to get a good deal on homeowners insurance for Coronado homes and condos. Here are some other ways to reduce your insurance premiums for Coronado homes and condos.

You can save money on homeowners insurance if you know how. Discounts from your insurance company are available for a variety of reasons, ranging from the type of building material used to build your home to how close you live to a fire station. Here are 12 ways you can save money on your homeowners policy:

Shop around.

Check with several different insurance companies to get rate quotes. Do your friends or family members like their insurance company? Get online quotes from sites like MSN Money.

Raise your deductible. The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance kicks in. Typically, deductibles start at $250. Increase your deductible to:

• $500 and save up to 12% on your premiums.
• $1,000 and save up to 24%.
• $2,500 and save up to 30%.
• $5,000 and save up to 37%.

Just make sure you can afford to pay the higher deductible if something should happen.

Buy your home and auto policies from the same company. Many companies will give a discount if you buy both homeowners and auto coverage from them.

Consider insurance consequences when buying a home. If you're looking at buying a home, think about the cost of insuring the home. A newer home's electrical, heating and plumbing systems, and overall structure are likely to be in better condition than those of an older home. This can lead to a discount on your premiums.

Also consider the construction of the home and your geographical location. If you live on the East Coast, you'll want the house to be able to stand up to wind damage; on the West Coast, you need to keep earthquakes in mind.

Insure your home, not the land. Although your home and its contents are at risk from fire, theft, windstorms and other perils, the land your house sits on is not. Don't include the value of the land in deciding how much homeowners insurance you need to buy.

Improve security and safety. Items such as deadbolt locks, burglar alarms and smoke detectors often bring discounts of 5% each, depending on the company. Your insurance company may also offer a significant discount of 15% or 20% if you install a sophisticated home-security system. If you're thinking about buying such a system, check with your insurer to see which systems they recommend and which will earn you a discount.

Stop smoking. Smoking accidents account for more than 23,000 residential fires every year. Some insurers offer to reduce premiums if no one in the home smokes.

Senior discounts. Insurance companies have found that retired people stay at home more and spot fires sooner than working people. Older people also have more time for maintaining their homes. If you're at least 55 years old and retired, you might qualify for a discount of as much as 10%.

Group coverage. Alumni and business associations often work out insurance deals with an insurance company, which includes a discount for association members. Ask your association's director about any such deals.

Stay with an insurer. If you've kept your coverage with a company for several years, you may receive special consideration. Several insurers will reduce their premiums by 5% after you've been with them for three to five years, and some companies will discount you as much as 10% after six years.

Check your policy annually. You want your policy to reflect the value of your home and belongings. If you review your policy every year, you will be able to make the necessary adjustments. If, for example, you just sold a valuable painting, you won't need the same amount of coverage. But if you added a garage, you'll need to increase your coverage.

Look for private insurance first. If you live in a high-risk area (one that is especially vulnerable to coastal storms, fires or crime) and think you'll be forced to buy homeowners coverage from your state's high-risk insurance pool, check first with an insurance agent. You may find that you can still buy insurance at a lower price in the private insurance market than from the insurer of last resort.