It's becoming the buzz word in housing -- "green" homes are what many buyers are interested in these days. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), as much as 90 percent of home buyers think that energy efficiency is a very important factor when shopping for a home. These same buyers are also very interested in environment-friendly features including having housing close to parks, public transportation, and well-designed neighborhoods with sidewalks.
The National Association of Home Builders Remodelers (NAHBR) -- a council of NAHB -- says that most homeowners choose green remodeling projects to help conserve energy. NAHBR recommends the following top ways to increase energy efficiency.
Install appropriate insulation in area to be remodeled.
Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that minimally meet the energy code.
Seal all exterior penetrations in areas being remodeled.
Purchase only Energy Star®-rated appliances.
Install only low-flow water fixtures.
Upgrade to at least an Energy Star®-rated water heater, or better yet, a tankless water heater.
Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford and make sure it is correctly sized for the area you want to condition. But going green can seem like a huge challenge. There are so many products and things to consider. And if you're selling your home you may wonder if going green is going to give you more or less green in your bank account. NAHBR says that "72 percent of consumers report energy-efficient features in a home would influence their purchase decision." The council also adds that "61 percent of consumers would spend more than $5,000 upfront to save on utility costs." And, consider this, there are approximately 125 million single-family homes in the U.S. but most were built before energy-efficiency developments, which means if your home has newly renovated green remodeling, it can be a buyer's dream. Featuring your green renovations when you list your home for sale could give you that added value and unique market advantage.
How to get started. Deciding to make your home green doesn't have to be overwhelming nor do you have to make the entire house eco-friendly. Try things like installing energy-efficient lighting such as compact fluorescents. Also, change out any old appliances that are using up lots of energy.
Once you've done this, compare your utility bills so that you can show the reduction to your real estate agent. Your agent can then point out the energy-savings to potential buyers. With utility bills on the rise, any savings can be a major influence on buyers. If they see that similar homes cost more to operate than yours, you will at the very least grab their attention.
Get rid of energy-hog appliances. Sometimes homeowners don't want to replace an appliance because they are selling their home, but replacing an energy-hog appliance can be a cost-effective way to increase the value of your home. Energy Star-certified appliances use less energy and are more efficient to operate. Many of these appliances are 10 percent to 50 percent more efficient than standard models.
Don't forget to sell what you can't see. Insulation isn't something homeowners often think to promote, but, if your home is well insulated, it can be a big selling point.
Make it a healthy home. Going green isn't just about saving money; it's also about preserving the earth and our lives. Many people suffer from allergies, asthma, and chemical sensitivities. For instance, if you have placed pollen screens on your home, be sure to promote that feature. It will likely be considered an added bonus.
Written by Phoebe Chongchua
Tight economic times don't seem to be dampening the desire to streamline electronic home improvements. According to The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), 2009 looks to be a promising year for electronic home upgrades in the areas of energy efficiency, mobile home management, flat panel display adoption, digital transitioning, and wireless integration.
"Housing prices and new home construction are at an all-time low right now. Instead of trying to sell, many homeowners have turned to retrofitting their homes and investing in comforts that will make their home more enjoyable," said Utz Baldwin, CEO, CEDIA in a recent news release. "The trends and technologies we've identified are upgrades that will enhance homeowner satisfaction and ultimately add to a home's value."
David Pedigo the Sr. Director of Technology at CEDIA says before you electronically retrofit your home, "Think about what you want not just now but three to five years from now." He says be sure to take into consideration future wiring needs such as connecting computers to your TV to stream shows right into your living room or, if you have toddlers, think about several years from now and the necessary wiring to connect their video equipment. "Making sure the house is wired to support all those mechanisms is certainly a big deal." According to CEDIA, green energy-efficient home technology is very popular.
So, too, is mobile connectivity. CEDIA reports in its news release that, "Residential security, audio/video and automation systems are being integrated into fully functional mobile devices. For instance, CEDIA experts are installing systems that make it possible for homeowners to turn on the air conditioning remotely, open the garage door after walking the dog and even start the oven for dinner, all with a push of a button on their cellular device." Pedigo explained the most popular upgrades.
1. Structured wiring system: all cables are pulled from each outlet to a single location within the home. It gives the homeowner a lot of flexibility. "It's very easy then to upgrade from cable TV to satellite or from regular phone service to, say, Internet-based Voice-Over IP (VOIP)," says David Pedigo, Sr. Director of Technology, The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA).
2. Automation for daylight harvesting: allows homeowners to use touch panels or computers to control the home. "We can do what's called 'daylight harvesting' which is we can take the shades, motorize those shades at certain times of the day based on an astronomical clock. I know the sun is going to come into the living room in the mornings and that's going to heat up the house and let's say it's summer, so we want the shades to go down so that the morning sun is not heating up the inside of the house and causing the air conditioner to run more. Then around one or two o'clock, those shades go up because the sun is now over the top of the house and by four or five o'clock, the shades on the other side of the home are going down. So, we're 'harvesting the daylight' to decrease the amount of heating and cooling that's required within the home.
3. Monitoring systems: products that are installed to monitor the energy consumption for particular outlets, water, or gas. "I can have a sensor in the master bathroom and then I can have a sensor in the kids' bathrooms," says Pedigo. "I have a 10-year old daughter who is now getting into the I-want-to-take-a-30-minute shower." He says with sensors installed he can monitor and determine where and with whom water consumption needs to be addressed.
Pedigo says it will also help to spot which outlets are using up a lot of energy and increasing your bill. He says you can then decide if you need to replace whatever electrical device is connected to the outlet with a more energy-efficient product.
4. Media servers: are computer appliances that allow you from a central location to view videos, music, Internet video-streamed shows, and more. "We're seeing a real shift in consumer viewing," says Pedigo. He says, "You'll see more and more that the content that you get on your display, is actually Internet-streamed content. You'll be watching a YouTube or a media server like Boxee or something like that to control all of your content on your TV and it's basically coming from a computer inside the TV or you'll be using an Internet connection to interface between the two." Pedigo says more TVs are being sold with an Internet jack that's on the back of the TV, enabling a quick connection to the World Wide Web. "No one thinks about running a computer cable for your TV but you have to start thinking about that." Pedigo says it also helps streamline repair service needs. "Now that there's an Internet jack on the back of the TV, as a service company, I can figure out what's going wrong with your TV without having to make a service call because I can log right into your TV," says Pedigo.
"Without a doubt, find a professional," says Pedigo. He says homeowners will often purchase thousands of dollars of electronic equipment and then end up hiring someone who is not qualified to install it and therefore they risk damaging the equipment. "The biggest thing is to look for someone who is a professional, who is really trained, and is going to give you exactly what you need." CEDIA was founded in 1989 and has more than 3,500 member companies worldwide. Its members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in the specialized field of designing and installing electronic systems for homes.
Written by Phoebe Chongchua
A home is not an island.
The surrounding neighborhood is just as important because it can have a big impact on your lifestyle -- safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
NAR also says you can keep your home value buoyed if you find the right neighborhood.
And you can find the right neighborhood by getting information direct from the best sources -- rather than from second hand and often incomplete data bases professing to offer you one stop shopping for all your neighborhood checking needs.
Make a list of the activities -- movies, health clubs, churches -- you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engage in your most common activities.
Check out the school district. The education department in your town can provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.
Check crime. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics -- not only the level of crime, but also the type -- burglaries, armed robberies -- any trends of increasing or decreasing crime and the location of crime.
Look for economic stability. Your local city or county economic development office can tell you if income and property values in a neighborhood are stable, rising or falling, the percentage of homes to apartments. Apartments don’t necessarily diminish value, but they can indicate transient populations. Check for vacant or blighted businesses or homes.
Consider resale value. A local real estate agent or trade association can give you information about price trends, inventories, selling times and other information that can indicate how well your home's value will hold up.
Hit the streets. Narrow your focus to several neighborhoods and do a "walk-through" of each. Pick a warm day when people are out and available for chatting. Look for tidy, well maintained homes, quiet streets and other indicators of neighborhood stability.
Written by Broderick Perkins
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San Carlos, San Diego - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 7855 Cedar Lake on June 14 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
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San Carlos, San Diego - Announcing a price reduction on 7855 Cedar Lake, a 2,610 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story. Now 
MLS® $583,000 - $557,000-$583,000.
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The pattern gets clearer week after week: We are looking at a slow-motion housing recovery that is itself feeding into a broader economic recovery that should have us out of recession later this year.
Now that's not to ignore the fact that there are markets in the country that still face very challenging economic dynamics - with no real turnaround in view yet on housing sales, prices and unemployment.
But the national numbers are telling us something important, and they increasingly look positive.
Take the last new home construction starts and permits reports. Your local paper or the network news may have said housing starts dropped again, but that was misleading.
The facts are that the Commerce Department found that apartment starts - new multifamily units - took a drop in April, but starts of new single family homes were up by 3 percent, and permits for future construction of detached single family homes jumped by nearly 4 percent.
That's the second straight month of increases . Home builders themselves are seeing a turnaround - more shoppers in their models and showrooms, more contracts, fewer cancellations.
The latest survey of builder confidence - released last week by Wells Fargo and the National Asociation of Home Builders - found sentiment up again for the second straight month. So this is for real.
Consumer confidence in the economic outlook also continues to get better and better. The latest University of Michigan consumer sentiment poll took a three point jump overall…and a 6 percent jump in terms of consumers' expectations for economic improvements ahead.
There are other, less widely publicized signs that we've digging out of the recession as well. For example, economists at Northwestern University say the fact that new weekly claims for unemployment insurance peaked last month - and have been dropping ever since - is a sign that the national economy is past the worst.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told a congressional panel about other, more technical indicators of growth ahead -- such as narrowing spreads on corporate and municipal bonds, smaller risk premiums on short-term inter-bank loans and decreased credit protection costs at the largest U.S. banks.
Finally, consumer interest rates continue to be about as stimulative for economic expansion as they possibly could: Mortgage rates dropped last week by a tenth of a percent -- 30-year fixed rate mortgages are at 4,7 percent with an average one point, and 15-year rates are at 4.4 percent.
Remember back to how you felt last September and October when the global financial system was falling apart? Now think about how you feel about the economy today.
It's a refreshing comparison.
Written by Ken Harney
Falling housing prices, historically low interest rates, and tax credits are creating an enticing environment for renters to convert to homeowners.
"We are still going to have a tremendous amount of foreclosures, price declines, and best opportunities to buy properties at amazing prices," says Bruce Norris of The Norris Group.
If that sounds like a mixed bag of bad and good, indeed it is. Consumers have been inundated with news about a troubled real estate market. "If you look at the closings for California, 55 percent or more closings every month are lender-owned properties; that ratio has never existed before. So, the lenders are really dictating the prices at this point and there are so many lender-owned properties that the appraiser almost has no choice but to give that comp a lot of credence," says Norris. But the good news, especially for those who have been wanting to take the plunge into homeownership is that markets across the country are ripe for choosing the most suitable home.
"The affordability has never been this high. So, in relationship to income, California is the cheapest it's ever been. The fact that prices will still go down kind of means nothing to the person who is going to live in a house for quite a long time -- partly because the interest rates are also historically low," says Norris.
He points to his own daughter as an example. She is getting married this year and buying her own house for the first time.
"I think it's a very bright decision. Do I think her neighborhood might go down for another year-and-a-half, yeah—and to that I say, who cares! She's tying up an interest rate that's probably under 5 percent for 30 years and that may be the real bargain," says Norris.
Her fiancé owns a home but Norris and the couple agreed that her buying a home now is a good opportunity. So after the couple marries they will live in the home in order to receive maximum financial benefits. His daughter is using an FHA loan and putting $4,000 down on a $110,000 California home that was, at the height of the real estate boom worth, $330,000. She will then get a federal tax credit for $8,000 and she can receive that money (in as few as 10 days) now rather than waiting until she files her 2009 tax return. Best of all, the mortgage payment is less than it would cost to rent.
This is a trend that is playing out in many areas across the country. "Fortunately, the interest rates are national so you have that incredible interest rate that is forcing the mortgage payment below rent in many locations, including California. So the area that my daughter is buying in, her rent would be $1,100 and her mortgage payment is going to be about $825," says Norris.
Norris says that, coupled with the federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers, is making renters weigh their options, "It really is an inducement for people to go from being a renter to an owner."
"There are lots of areas that didn't go up as much as California. Let's pick an area, Texas, for instance, you have houses selling for $110,000 to $120,000 range and the rents there are also pretty high--$1,100 - $1,200 or so—so payments there are also a lot less if they own it," says Norris.
"It's most affordable right now, so you would think that everybody would want in, but real estate right now has a lot of fear attached to it and a lot of uncertainty about jobs," says Norris.
Some markets such as California are working to help alleviate barriers to home ownership. The California Association of Realtors in April introduced the Housing Affordability Fund's Mortgage Protection Program. There are specific eligibility requirements; talk to your Realtor for details.
"People who buy property in 2009 have a safety blanket now of six months of up to $1,500 payments per month that the California Association of Realtors, out of some fund that it has, will pay the people's payments," says Norris. He adds, "I've never heard anything like it."
Norris says while these programs to entice renters to become buyers are attractive, he says make sure you're ready to buy. He says there are specific habits that you should have in place before buying a home.
"You should already have developed a savings habit and you're ready to buy a home because you have a little bit of money left over in case something goes wrong," says Norris.
Another affirming reason to move from renting to buying comes from statistics from John Burns Real
Thanks to record low mortgage rates and declining home prices, 55 million families – or half of all U.S. households -- can afford today’s $200,000 median-priced new home, according to figures released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
"That’s an increase of 17 million households from conditions just two years ago and the best housing affordability number we have seen in years," said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. "We are now seeing the first signs that buyers are returning to the marketplace."
Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau comparing home prices, mortgage rates and minimum income needed to purchase a median-priced home in February 2007 and February 2009, a typical family today can purchase a house with $20,000 less in household income and save nearly $500 per month on their principal, interest, taxes and insurance. The number of households that can afford to purchase a home today is 55.4 million, compared with 38.4 million two years ago, according to figures compiled by NAHB.
"With affordability up dramatically, reports from our builders in the field indicate that foot traffic in new homes is on the rise and consumer interest is increasing with each passing day. These are encouraging signs that the housing market may be finally reaching a bottom," said Robson.
Entering the crucial spring home buying season, there are other signs that buyers are starting to return to the market.
Single-family permits were up 11 percent in February, new and existing home sales also posted gains and the huge inventory backlog is being slowly whittled down. In a survey for Century 21 Real Estate last month among prospective first-time home buyers who indicated they were likely to purchase a home in the next two years, a majority – 78 percent – said that now is a good time to buy a home. Of those responding to the online poll, 68 percent said that now is a better time to buy than six months ago.
Another sign that consumers are considering jumping back into the housing market is the growing interest in the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit included in the recently enacted economic stimulus package. During February and March, 1.5 million visitors logged on to NAHB’s consumer Web site, federalhousingtaxcredit.com, to learn more about the tax credit. Further, a new survey commissioned by Move, Inc. found that nearly 20 percent of those who plan to purchase a home this year are doing so to take advantage of the tax credit, which expires at the end of November.
"With home values in many markets at the lowest level since 2003, an $8,000 tax credit available to first-time home buyers, fixed-rate mortgages under 5 percent, and an outstanding selection of homes to choose from, buyers are starting to recognize that this has the makings for a one-time opportunity to break into the market," said Robson.
Housing is a critical component of the U.S. economy, accounting for about 15 cents of every dollar spent in this country, so any upturn in the housing market should be viewed as good news for the overall economy, said Robson.
Construction of an additional 500,000 single-family homes – the difference between today’s anemic construction rate and one that would move closer to meeting the underlying demand for housing – would generate 734,000 jobs and $35 billion in wages in the construction industry and another 790,000 jobs and $37.7 billion wages in manufacturing, trade, and service sector jobs, he noted.
Additionally, another half-million housing starts would bolster the tax base for government, generating $45 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues. And the benefits go well beyond the completion of each home. Within the first year after buying a home, those half million households will spend about $2.5 billion more on appliances, furnishings and property alterations.
"Clearly, housing will be central to any economic recovery we experience in the months ahead," said Robson.
Written by Realty Times Staff
Red flags that signal it's time to replace your roof may be over your head.
Sunlight permitting holes and bucket brigade-sized leaks are obvious signs it's time for a new topper for your home.
There are however, additional indicators that may not be so obvious.
"Certainly if your roof is approaching the end of its life cycle -- usually 20 – 25 years for asphalt shingles -- it's time to think about a new roof," says Ray Rosewall, president and CEO of DaVinci Roofscapes in Kansas City, KS.
The National Association of Homebuilders says decorative slate, metal, masonry and newer synthetic roofs can have a life expectancy of 50 years or more.
"However, a calendar shouldn't be the only way you determine if it's time to replace your roof," said Rosewall.
Think about replacing your roof when:
Your neighbors have new roofs and you want to maintain the value of your home. Also, given most homes in a neighborhood were built at the same time, your roof may reach the end of it's lifecycle at the time your neighbors' roofs are failing.
Your neighbors have not added a new roof and you want to increase the resale value of your home. Hanley Wood's Cost vs. Value 2008-2009 report says a new roof can return an average 65.5 percent of the cost in the form of value added to the home. On a $18,825 roof, that's $12,336 added to the value of your home. That adds up to greater salability.
Your geographic area has seen an increase in severe weather conditions, (including hail or tornados) that require a stronger roofing material to handle the dramatic weather changes. "With the changing weather patterns in our country, combined with the need for homeowners to add value to their properties, consumers should be vigilant about looking for signs of wear along with upgrading their roofs," said Rosewall.
Your existing roof is functional, but has staining that detracts from the look of your home. In a housing market laden with poorly-maintained foreclosed homes, it's a good idea to make yours standout from the eyesores.
You want to shrink your carbon footprint and take advantage of more sustainable green roofing alternatives that are low maintenance and energy saving and can come with 50-year warranties.
Tranquil, Private, Contemporary and Warm
• 1,505 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $508,000 - Price Reduced!
Del Cerro, San Diego - Stunning contemporary home nestled in a secluded canyon setting, features spectacular sunsets and south westerly views! This open floor plan takes advantage of lots of light,features newer roof, dual paned windows throughout,G.E. Profile appliances,double oven/gas stove, exposed wood beams throughout, brazilian cherry hardwood floors, granite in kitchen and baths, all new fencing & landscaping throughout, oversized 2.5 car garage, tons of storage,private backyard perfect for entertaining.Totally updated!
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We received an important indicator of where housing is headed last month, when new mortgage applications for home purchases and refinances suddenly surged as they hadn't in months.
Applications for FHA loans to buy houses were up by 10.4 percent. And overall home purchase applications jumped by 7.1 percent.
Meanwhile mortgage interest rates dropped to their second lowest level in nearly two decades, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Thirty year fixed rates averaged 4.96 percent and fifteen year rated dropped to just 4.5 percent.
Why's this important? New financing applications to buy homes obviously point to rising purchase contracts and closed sales in the months ahead. They also suggest that prices have hit a level in many markets that is attracting once-hesitant buyers off the sidelines.
There's still another factor that's likely at work here as well: Congress's recent improvements to the home purchase tax credit -- pushing it to $8,000 from $7,500 and making it non-repayable. George Ratiu, research economist for the National Association of Realtors, says the big jump in loan applications could be tied to the improved credit in the stimulus package signed into law last month.
"Consumers may be responding to the stimulation" effect of the better credit for 2009, he said.
But let's be clear here: A rise in home purchase applications does not suggest we've turned the corner in the cycle or have solved the multiple challenges facing markets around the country -- high foreclosure levels, continuing domination in some areas of REO and short sales, and continuing increases in the unemployment rate.
Even amid these problems, however, there are some hints of possible improvements ahead. For example, a new study by research firm Realty Trac and USA Today found that despite the constant headlines about record levels of foreclosures, the more closely you look, the more you find that those numbers are highly concentrated in a relatively small number of counties.
More than half of the nation's foreclosures in 2008, researchers found, were concentrated in just 35 counties in 12 states. You can guess where: California, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Florida.
But the really eye-opening finding: In more than 650 other counties, representing one fifth of all markets in the U.S., foreclosure numbers have actually declined since 2006.
Foreclosures are horrible no matter where they occur. But the fact is: Huge portions of the United States have NOT been seeing record foreclosures, short sales or even serious property value declines. They're doing better.
Written by Kenneth R. Harney
Don't let a sluggish economy get you down. There are reasons to shop for personal items—including a new home. I recently saw an advertisement for a new car that said you could return the car in the first year if you lose your job. While there may not be that incentive for homes yet, some other perks might give you reason to start your housing search.
If you can afford to buy, consider making homeownership a goal this year, especially if you haven't owned a principal residence in three years prior to buying. The new stimulus package sweetens the deal for homebuyers who purchase a residence on or after January 1, 2009, and before December 1, 2009. The incentive is for first-time homebuyers who remain in their home for at least three years. It provides a credit for 10 percent of the home purchase price, up to an $8,000 limit. The credit can be taken on your 2008 or 2009 tax return.
If you close on a home after the April 15 tax deadline, you can apply for an extension provided that you close on your home before the extension deadline of October 15. If you're extra speedy and have already filed your 2008 return, don't worry — you can file an amendment to claim the credit. You have three years to do that. You'll need IRS Form 1040X to do that.
Taking the credit on your 2009 return or getting the benefit now, before filing your return, by adjusting your income wage withholding are also options.
The full credit applies to those first-time homebuyers whose modified adjusted income is less than $75,000 or $150,000 (filing jointly). The credit amount drops as your income rises. And if your income is over $95,000 or $170,000 (filing jointly) then you're out of luck—the credit is eliminated.
Be sure to speak to experts to ask questions as some other qualifications apply.
Yet another reason, you may want to shop around is to get in on the action while it's still a buyers' market. Others certainly see the U.S. as a stable place to invest. According to the Association of Foreign Investors (AFIRE), a survey released earlier this year showed that more than 53 percent of respondents ranked the "U.S. as the country providing the most stable and secure real estate investments."
Foreigners from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Europe, and South America are traveling to the U.S. to see what real estate opportunities exist in the U.S. Areas such as Las Vegas, New York, and Miami have been infiltrated with foreigners who are buying now to take advantage of their stronger currency or the opportunity to stash their cash in a dollar-dominated place. While many are looking for commercial properties, some are vying for residential properties too.
"This is the greatest opportunity we've had in 50 years," says Billy Procida, president of William Procida, Inc., a turnaround management firm for middle market real estate companies. He says even though there is a lot of inventory on the market, certain properties will have less interest and be a better bargain.
"If you buy something that is pristine, painted, clean—brand new—you're going to be competing … . This is truly the time when the folks who are willing to roll up their sleeves [and do some work] will benefit from it," says Procida.
So if you're ready to buy but wondering if you can qualify for a loan, Procida recommends the following:
- Put as much down on a home that you can afford or don't buy it. He says even if you can get a larger loan, don't risk it. "Buy within your means. Look how we got in this crisis," says Procida. He adds, "There are still people out there doing no income verification loans." Bottom line—buy what you can afford.
- Check your credit. Procida says one of his family members found out that there was $20,000 of erroneously reported credit debt. "It's absolutely incorrect, but it was on there," says Procida.
- Clean up your credit. "If you have a delinquency clean it up, says Procida. And he advises that you check your report once it's been cleaned up because sometimes the credit agencies neglect to update your credit report.
- Be prepared. Get all your financial records such as two years of tax returns in order and have them handy to make the loan process go smoothly.
- Liquidity is key. Don't go buy a car before you plan to purchase a home (even if you can return it). Having cash helps to show you are qualified to buy at the price point you want.
Written by Phoebe Chongchua
Tranquil, Private, Contemporary and Warm
• 1,505 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $508,000 - Price Reduced!
Del Cerro, San Diego - Stunning contemporary home nestled in a secluded canyon setting, features spectacular sunsets and south westerly views! This open floor plan takes advantage of lots of light,features newer roof, dual paned windows throughout,G.E. Profile appliances,double oven/gas stove, exposed wood beams throughout, brazilian cherry hardwood floors, granite in kitchen and baths, all new fencing & landscaping throughout, oversized 2.5 car garage, tons of storage,private backyard perfect for entertaining.Totally updated!
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San Carlos, San Diego - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 6864 Boulder Lake Ave on April 12 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
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Amenities Galore!
• 2,134 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm single story - MLS® $498,000
San Carlos, San Diego - Rarely do you find a home with amenities like this! Completely remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 full baths downstairs, very large family room looking out to pool, beautiful remodeled kitchen, AND a permitted GRANNY FLAT upstairs with incredible views of Cowles Mountain and Mission Trails!
Charming, open and bright home with lovely pool and incredible panoramic views! The fully remodeled kitchen is a chef's dream with granite counter top, matching granite table, all new appliances including gas stove, all new custom built solid oak cabinets, task lighting throughout kitchen, Italian Tile. Home includes a charming additional room used as a study and could easily be used as a bedroom with the addition of closet or armoire. Sky lights enhance the attention to detail. A well cared for brick fireplace graces the cozy living room. What sets this home apart is the surprise upstairs: a fully permitted Granny Flat built by Lily Construction in 1994. The flat includes living room, kitchen, bedroom, and full bath . AND, on a clear day you can see the Coronado Islands! Enjoy this special suite as Granny Flat, Nanny Flat, Guest Quarters, Rental, or create an incredible master bedroom suite overlooking the pool and Cowles Mountain! The home includes a fully equipped shop which has replaced garage area. In the back yard enjoy the fully installed "Turbo" barbecue with hard plumbed natural gas line, three secure sheds on property for additional storage, AND AGAIN THE VIEWS OF COWLES MOUNTAIN AND MISSION TRAILS! Near the 125, 52, and 8 Fwys, just minutes from beautiful Lake Murray and downtown. Well respected schools and convenient shopping nearby!
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