San Diego is really one big collection of many distinct towns, each with its own character.  Some of the best are actually quite walkable and offer an  eclectic atmosphere. Encintias boasts golf courses, beaches, boutiques, and seasonal festivals.  Kensington offers a more artsy and historical district dating back to the early 1900′s with individual style of homes and mom and pop shops. La Jolla is famous for its ocean air,  fine dining, comedy clubs and of course the University California San Diego, but it also offers a phenominal walkable urban neighborhood right on the footsteps of the Pacific Ocean. Little Italy, one of the 8 boroughs of Downtown San Diego mirrors an antique Italian fisherman’s village, set with a modern twist of a variety of specialty schools, academy’s, as well as private and public schools.  Finally, there is the neighborhood of  North Park where the community association coordinates springtime concerts in the park, night art walk as well as a fantastic historical district to boot.  There is no shortage of activities offered in each of these walkable neighborhoods, pick, choose and enjoy..

Encinitas

Encinitas is calling you!  The city’s largest single industry, ornamental flowers will catch your heart as you inhale the essences while basking in the warmth and sea-side breeze of Encinitas.  The five districts satisfy every fancy from the small beach side mix of business and residences to the golf courses and havens for the shopping-obsessed.  Browse the art galleries and eclectic shops and restaurants or become involved in Olivenhain’s 4-H club.  Celebrate Oktoberfest and the Poinsettia Festivals with your neighbors or teach engineering to little ones at the world’s largest rally of wooden bodied vehicles.  The opportunities abound and await you and your loved ones.   Encinitas boasts numerous public and private schools from the elementary level through to higher education.  Focused on preserving their community’s way of life, the city maintains an Urban Forest Management Program, services for the elderly, dedication to parks and recreation, along with a commitment to safety. Encinitas is home to many notable scientists, business people, artists, writers, performers, and actors who are waiting to call you neighbor!  Welcome home!

Kensington

The home of the San Diego Historic Class 1Streetcars, Kensington is a unique and narrow peninsula protected by steep slopes on three sides with significant dedicated open space.    Primarily owner-occupied single-family homes dot the winding, tree-lined streets and support a small five-block business district on Adams Avenue composed of repurposed original 1910 houses.  Kensington is a close-knit pedestrian-oriented community where everyone knows everyone.  Say hello to your neighbors during your after-dinner strolls or treat the family to one of the historic homes tours hosted by the Neighborhood Preservation Advocacy.  The Edward C. Mann House, Saint John Residence, and the Wonder House of Stone are but a taste of the history Kensington offers.  A community group for most every interest, your family will be engaged through involvement in their community and through the San Diego Unified School District.  Immense parent involvement, dedicated staff, and the highest principal leadership rating, Franklin Elementary provides a great introduction to public education for your little ones complementing Hoover High School’s stellar record and student comments as a “place where your kid will feel safe.”  Convenient to Escondido Freeway, Kensington is a yester-year neighborhood that your children will reminisce to their children.

La Jolla

Ah . . . Prospect Street:  an upscale people-watcher’s dream-come-true, except for the distractions of the numerous one-of-a-kind boutiques and art galleries lining the streets.  Spoil yourself while basking in “The Jewel City’s” mediterranean weather as you ponder the eclectic mix of dining choices:  smell the ocean while seated on the Ocean Terrace at Zagat’s rated George’s at the Cove; allow your tastebuds to travel with authentic (and delicious) Korean and Japanese fare at Shabu Shabu Jinsang; or simply relax and take it all in at the extensive other cafes and restaurants you’ll meet during your sunny stroll through our charming Spanish-style architecture neighborhood.   Just off the north end of Prospect, Sunny Jim’s Cave provides great views of sea lions basking in the sun, nesting native birds, gray whale watching, and picnic opportunities with the family while the kids safely swim at La Jolla Cove.  Designated areas provide elegant high-rise office buildings, high-density housing, and high-end shopping malls; but expect to leave the office when you leave the office.  Many of our neighborhoods prohibit businesses entirely and, coupled with open-air markets, a PGA-level golf course, and tennis courts, La Jolla is a  contemporary community making Prospect Street large enough to accommodate the dedicated professional and small enough to elicit the warm, fuzzy feeling of being “home.”  Prospect Street is served by San Diego Unified School District public schools and boast the US Census Bureau’s highest rating for Education Climate Index.  Our prep schools, diverse denominational churches at every turn, and vast community groups keep the family busy and engaged.  La Jolla’s seven miles of curving coastline also provides myriad other educational opportunities including University of California San Diego, National University, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Salk Institute.  La Jolla has been home to many notable scientists, business people, artists, writers, performers – and now, you!  Welcome home!

Little Italy

Originally a predominately Italian fishing community, Little Italy has become a delicious mix of Italian restaurants, retail shops, art galleries and residential communities.  A small and active community, low crime rates complement the many community festivals.  Multiple public improvement and residential building projects are either under construction or scheduled, resulting in a more densely populated southern section of town and a quaint, intimate northern section.  In addition to the Italian farmers market retailing fresh fish and baked goods, Little Italy also hosts the annual Little Italy Carnevale, a Venetian community open house offering vignettes of entertainment by the retail shops and restaurants.  ArtWalk takes place in April and boasts over 120,000 visitors congregating to purchase the locally-produced arts.  The sports-inclined are invited to watch the annual bicycle race with over 3,000 international competitors or have fun playing at September’s Labor Day Stickball Tournament!  End the year on a festive note at the Little Italy Christmas Village and Tree-Lighting Event, leaving little mouths agape as they watch Santa ride through town on Little Italy Fire Engine Number 3!  Back to basics,  residents are served by numerous educational opportunities from public and private primary education facilities to preparatory academies, San Diego City College, and numerous specialized schools offering programs from business to medial, visual and performing arts.  Little Italy has grown from a haven for the 1906 Great Quake survivors to a diverse yet still close-knit community that loves food, entertaining and socializing.  It just doesn’t get any better!

North Park

Your summer evenings will be enchanted by music of the Bird Park Summer Concerts organized by the vibrant and active North Park Community Association.   Your artistic tastes will further be fed by the Ray Street Arts District, the cultural epicenter home to many art galleries and studios often compared to New York City’s SoHo community.   Join the more than 1,500 people who regularly take part in The Ray at Night Art Walk, San Diego’s largest and longest-running monthly community walk.  Primarily a mix of architectural styles, North Park also boasts the Dryden Historical District comprised of turn-of-the century bungalows.  In addition to convenience to I-805, North Park boasts substantial public bus service making access to University Avenue an easy ride.  The pride in community of North Park residents is evident, contagious, and awaiting you!

Lately, you’ve been thinking a lot about investing strategies. You have a small nest egg that needs to grow, but frankly you don’t trust the stock market. (If you’re like many investors, your 401(k) hasn’t fared well in recent years.) And while real estate has been somewhat of a rocky road in recent years, it’s still a solid long-term investment strategy—and clearly we’re in a buyer’s market. But you aren’t really interested in being a landlord. What to do?

Christine Karpinski has a suggestion: Purchase a vacation home in San Diego and rent it out to tourists.
“Vacation homes are almost always a good investment,” says Karpinski, director of Owner Community for HomeAway—te the world’s leading vacation rental marketplace—and author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner, 2nd Edition: The Complete Guide to Buy, Manage, Furnish, Rent, Maintain and Advertise Your Vacation Rental Investment

“First, if you’re looking for a good long-term investment, real estate tends to be a good bet,” she adds. “Second, vacation properties have the ability to pay for themselves, and owners often earn a profit in rental income. Third, the investment comes with the desirable perk of having a place at the beach or in the mountains to call your own. And finally, there has never been a better time to buy a vacation home—it’s like the planets have all lined up perfectly.”

Karpinski, who owns vacation homes in several parts of the country, says she herself is looking for new properties to invest in. Overall, she says, the vacation home rental market is a burgeoning segment of the economy.

Want to know more? Read on for a few reasons why there’s never been a better time to go vacation rental house hunting in San Diego:

There have never been so many properties on the market. For potential home buyers, there is a silver lining to the slow economy and the housing crisis: Most vacation markets are chock-full of buying opportunities. Once you’ve pinpointed the perfect San Diego vacation rental location that is right for you— Downtown San Diego, Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad?—you will likely have a lot of properties to choose from.

“There are many properties available right now in many different areas,” says Karpinski. “Once you start hunting, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you find. But I must offer one caveat: Before you let yourself fall in love with a property, make sure it is legal to rent it out as a vacation home. Some areas and homeowners’ associations do not allow short-term rentals.”

Prices aren’t going to get much better. In fact, they’re the lowest they’ve been in five to ten years. If you’re pretty sure you want to buy a vacation home “someday,” you might want to quit procrastinating and pull the trigger, says Karpinski.

“Prices should increase eventually,” she points out. “Now is the perfect opportunity to make a really sound investment. In fact, speaking from my own perspective, I’m afraid that if I don’t take the plunge now, I’ll look back ten years from now and say, ‘Why the heck didn’t I buy back in 2010?’”

Interest rates are very favorable for purchasing. Today, mortgage interest rates are low. Bottom line: Take advantage of them while they last.

These days, you have access to the best real estate professionals. Anyone connected to the housing market who managed to survive the housing crash had to be at the top of his or her game. That means the agents left standing today—including the ones you’ll be working with in your search for the perfect San Diego vacation home—are possibly the best of the best.

“Quite simply, the real estate professionals still working today are the top in the business,” says Karpinski. “And because vacation home renting in San Diego has become so popular, they are more knowledgeable than ever. Use their knowledge to your advantage. They are at your service when it comes to helping you hunt down the best property for you.”

It’s never been easier to rent your vacation home. As mentioned earlier, vacation home rentals have never been more popular. More and more consumers are choosing to stay in cozy condos, and beach front homesinstead of cramped, impersonal hotel rooms when they travel. And as market demand has surged, organizations have sprung up to help connect vacation homeowners with these potential renters.

If you buy now, you can be ready for the 2011 peak season. It’s true that the longer you wait to buy, the likelier it is that interest rates could rise. But there’s another reason not to procrastinate: If you buy now, you’ll have time to get your property ready for peak rental season. Experienced vacation homeowners often find that the rental fees generated during the twelve weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day pay their mortgages for an entire year—and most inquiries come in between January and March.

“Even turnkey properties aren’t really turnkey,” notes Karpinski. “To get your property up to your standards, there will very likely be things that you will want to spruce up. Rooms might need repainting. Decorating will need to be done. And the yard might need some work. By buying now, you will have a cushion of time to get the home ready for your guests, take great photos for your property listing, and start marketing it to potential renters.”

This beautiful 5 bedroom 3 1/2 bath estate in Rancho Del Ray of Chula Vista has not ignored any detail, with a luxuriously upgraded spa-like bathroom, a kitchen that is any chef’s dream, custom cabinets, and lush yard with a private in ground pool.

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This spectacular panoramic ocean view home boasts amazing scenery from every room.  This 3 bedroom 2 bath home boasts elegant interior upgrades, relaxed California indoor- outdoor lifestyle, with a beautiful deck overlooking the ocean in  La Jolla.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 110039771 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Terrific opportunity to own this great Bank Owned Property in desirable Sabre Springs. Interior features wood floors, dual master suites, and fireplace in living room. Close to the 56 and I15 freeways, as well as shopping, dining, and other services.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 110054333 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Rare New Construction by Sylvester in Fairbanks Ranch!  Perched up high, this home offers privacy in an enchanting setting.  With 5 bedroom suites including a guest casita, a home theater, game room, over sized office, courtyard, and beautiful pool, this home has not ignored any detail.

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Spacious and bright ground level condo.  MASTER BEDROOM IS HUGE, guest room is great size as well and nice and bright..  Downtown’s best 2 bedroom opportunity in a premium location.  Live in peace and quite while easily walking to all the fun!

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 110027612 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Soaring Ocean, Golf, and Mountain VIEWS!!! This lot compromises nothing. There is no home site available like this one when you consider it’s tremendously large pad that will fit over 10,720 square feet of living space and garage.  Or build a smaller home for the backyard of your dreams.  Located on the most special cul-de-sac in Santaluz with only 3 other mega view home sites.

8138 Sendero De La Pradera 22.4, San Diego, CA 92127 (MLS # 110023175)

Reduced!!! BUILD WITH ANYONE YOU WANT!!! Soaring Ocean, Golf, and Mountain VIEWS!!! This lot compromises nothing. There is no home site available like this one when you consider it's tremendously large pad that will fit over 10,720 square feet of living space and garage. Or build a smaller home for the backyard of your dreams. Located on the most special cul-de-sac in Santaluz with only 3 other mega view home sites. The two neighboring lots were recently purchased for $1.5M each and have broken ground.

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Great Bank Owned Townhome in the desireable community of Wateridge in Sorrento Valley. Great open and roomy floor plan for couples and families. Comes with 2 car attached garage, fireplace and cozy livingroom, all within walking distance to Qualcomm Stadium.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 110039658 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Great opportunity to build a custom home on a premium lot at a great price! One of the last Golf course lots, away from any street noise, with high elevation, and ocean views! Home is not built so many options are available. Builder owned, and will build to suit. Price is to be determined by the size of the home and other factors.

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