Category Archives: Real Estate

San Diego home prices, sales up in October

San Diego County’s median home price was $573,500 in October, lifted by a big increase in sales.

There were 3,485 home sales, up 10.1 percent compared to the same time last year, said CoreLogic data provided by DQNews. Experts have largely attributed the turn in the market to falling interest rates.

The median price of $573,500 is an increase of 2.6 percent in a year. That is an improvement over the past few months, which showed prices flat in San Diego County. However, at the same time last year, prices were up 5.6 percent in a year.

San Diego County was not alone in this trend. In Southern California home sales were up around 8 percent, and median prices moved up slightly. The uptick in prices seemed to correlate with other indicators of a rebounding market, including a drop in the number of price reductions in San Diego County and across Southern California from earlier this year.

Interest rates for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage were 3.69 percent in October, said Freddie Mac, down from 4.83 percent at the same time last year.

While lower interest rates may have helped potential buyers, home inventory was tightening. There were 6,082 homes for sale in October, said the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors, down from 7,918 at the same time last year.

read more at: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/real-estate/story/2019-11-21/san-diego-home-prices-sales-up-in-october

California expands backstop for those losing homeowner’s insurance

California regulators announced on Thursday new protections aimed at helping the growing number of people living in wildfire-prone areas who cannot find adequate homeowner’s insurance.

The California FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) currently covers up to $1.5 million in losses and is restricted to fire damage. All state-backed insurance companies are required to pay into the program.

Starting in April, the FAIR plan will cover up to $3 million in damages, and by June the insurance plan will be expanded to cover water damage and personal liability.

“Many have been dropped by their insurance company, even after decades with the company,” he said during the Thursday press briefing.

read more at: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/story/2019-11-14/california-to-beef-up-backstop-for-those-loosing-homeowners-insurance-in-wildfire-prone-areas

San Diego offers free rat inspections for homeowners

Signs of rat activity include:

  • stripped bark from plants and trees;
  • piles of cut snail shells under plants or piles of wood;
  • sounds in the attic, floor and walls;
  • rat droppings in garages, storage buildings or other sheltered areas;
  • rub marks caused by greasy rat fur;
  • damaged food containers;
  • signs of gnawing.

“The County’s Vector Control Program assists property owners with their rat control efforts by providing inspections and consultations. The County performs exterior inspections to educate property owners about structural weaknesses that may allow rats to enter structures. During these consultations, a rat control starter kit is provided to the property owner. These kits include an enclosed rat station, a rat snap trap, and an educational pamphlet with information for control measures focusing on exclusion and elimination.”

  • To request a free rat inspection: Call (858) 694-2888 or e-mail vector@sdcounty.ca.gov