Month: August 2013

Very attractive and well maintained home in excellent north of Grand Avenue
location. This home features an open floor plan, cathedral ceilings, spacious
rooms, and light and bright decor. Pleasant neutral colors and handsome finishes
include maple cabinetry, granite countertops, chrome/nickel hardware, newer
carpeting and ceramic tile flooring. The spacious living room includes a gas
fireplace and flat screen TV wiring. The kitchen features stainless steel
appliances, microwave oven, gas stove, reverse osmosis system and a garbage
disposal. Bathrooms include attractive ceramic tile shower surrounds,ceramic
tile flooring, and granite countertops. Master suite features walk-in closet;
master bath features dual sinks and large tile shower with bench. The house has
lots of storage, both inside the house and in the garage. Sliding glass doors
lead to the private fenced yard with space for play and relaxation. Extra
parking and no HOA or HOA dues!

Meet Laura and Eric. They are co-owners of the SLO Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop on Santa Rosa and Olive St (across the street from Taco Bell and on the opposite corner from Jack in the Box).  Readers to my blog may know that I eat out quite a bit and it’s a thrill to find a restaurant that does it right.  I’ve been going to Mr. Pickles since they opened last year and I have always received great service and a great sandwich. Kudo’s to Laura and Eric (and their employees!) for running such a great sandwich shop!

Now is a great time to give Mr. Pickles a try (before the Poly kids start school again on September 22nd).  When you go in, tell them the “No BMT Guy” sent you  (I always order a #13 – Chicken and Avocado with No Bacon/Mustard/Tomato on a sweet roll- mmmmmmm  yummy).  They are also a great choice for group lunches. My office has ordered from them on multiple occasions and the sandwiches have been a hit with everyone.

Make sure to say hi to Laura and Eric too!!   If you do, they will give you a cookie. (actually,  they’ll give you a cookie with every sandwich).

 

 

 

Over the past year and a half we have seen the SLO County real estate market stabilize & strengthen and the trend continues. Low inventory, coupled with high demand, has driven SLO County housing prices upward. The climate has shifted to a seller’s market.

While prices are still down from the peak in 2006, sellers are seeing multiple offers and the competition to “win” a home is met with buyers willing to purchase property sight unseen, pay full price or more … often at the expense of zero repair concessions, no appraisal contingency, etc. The market remains volatile and buyers should have appropriate expectations, complete their due diligence, and satisfy themselves regarding the condition of the property.

 

 

This spectacular 60+/- acre ridge top estate provides the ultimate in privacy,
views and Early California charm. The custom built main home is made of Adobe
brick with Saltillo tile floors and a wood burning fireplace. The main home has
2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and an office. The property also includes a guest house
which has an open floor plan with a bedroom area, bath with spa tub, and
kitchenette. Entertain on the expansive flagstone patios with built-in
BBQ/smoker. Or soak in the hot tub and enjoy the stunning canyon views. There is
also a 2-car garage. Only 45 minutes from San Luis Obispo, it’s a great spot to
call home or a terrific place for a getaway. Easy access to wine country and
Central Coast beaches.

Existing home sales jumped more than expected in July, even in the face of higher mortgage rates. The reason? Borrowers are trying to “get out in front” of higher rates and purchase a home before affordability deteriorates even more. Fence sitters are standing up quickly.

Last week, Freddie Mac’s survey of mortgage rate averages across the nation had the 30-year fixed rising to 4.58%, which is the highest level in 100 weeks.

The difficulty for borrowers isn’t simply the fact that rates are higher, it is that rates are changing at “the fastest pace in more than 4 years,” according to Dan Green.

Green points out that during the summer months of June 2013 through August 2013, mortgage rates were changing at 0.142% per week, on average. This compares to an average of 0.054% per week from January 2010 through August 2013.

Borrowers face a faster-paced market and higher home prices. Will July’s buying surge give way to a slump if rates continue to rise? The market is still sorting itself out, but if the rules of supply and demand are any indication, higher costs will reduce demand, home sales, and price appreciation.

Rates move as investors (and markets) find themselves dealing with a uncertainty. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has been very deliberate about “openness” regarding the “tapering” of its stimulus program, quantitative easing. QE helped push rates lower in the first place, and less QE (read: demand) will lower bond price, thus increasing interest rates.

[For more on the connection between the bond market and mortgage rates read here.]

The problem, though, is that Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke has said that the Fed will wind down QE when the economy is ready. The “readiness” of the economy is open to interpretation.

This is why slight changes in economic data are having an outsized influence on mortgage rates. We are interpreting the numbers not just in relation to the U.S. economy, but to what they might suggest about the Fed’s view of the future of quantitative easing (QE).

For example, when unemployment claims drop on a week-to-week basis, investors might interpret the improvement as a sign that the economy is growing – and the Fed is more likely to “taper” QE.

Perhaps in the future we can go an entire week without mentioning words like “Fed” and “QE”, but for now this is the world we live in.

Beautiful views of the city and surrounding hills are yours from all living room and kitchen windows. Enjoy coffee in the morning and a glass of wine at night on the fantastic deck at the rear of the home. This versatile space lends itself well as an investment property with an excellent rental history, or perhaps it could be used for a multi-generational family. Two living areas, one upstairs and one down, provide for many possibilities. A park only steps away provides additional play space for the kids and pets. Hiking trails are nearby too.

 

Vina Robles Amphitheater – Soon the word will be out and this fabulously intimate new outdoor venue will be no longer low key.  If you love live music, you must check out the well thought out line up this venue offers.  The talent seems to have been chosen for their ability to perform and engage the audience as each concert I have attended has been a fabulous experience………more than I expected, truth be told.   The tickets may feel on the high side for our area but there are no bad seats. There is also a way to shave off a bit of the online cost by going on concerts nights and purchasing at the box office. Food, beer and wine is available, very good and quite reasonable. Photos are of the charismatic Michael Franti and girlfriend Zara personally take pictures of fans and music man Bruce Hornsby’s high energy group as they wow fans.  For more info go to www.vinaroblesamphitheatre.com.