VIEJAS ROLLS OUT RED CARPET FOR GUESTS AT A ROYAL TEA

Del Mar National Horse Show Continues.

In Honor of The Royal Wedding…

We are certainly not royalty here but if you want to pretend for a day, you can participate in the Royal Tea and Hat Ceremony.

In celebration of the royal wedding, Del Mar Community Connections is holding a Royal Tea and Hat Contest on Thursday, April 28, from 2-3:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Parish Hall (334 14th St. Del Mar). The event will feature tea and light refreshments. Bring favorite cookies or finger sandwiches if you wish to share. A prize will be given to the “most glamorous hat.” Piano music will be provided by Lori Ritman. RSVP by Tuesday, April 26, to 858-792-7565 or DMCC@DMCC.CC

The 6 Greatest Reasons To Buy A Home Now:

Just as the housing boom came to an end, the downturn will reverse itself one day, too. While economists and consumers may be uncertain when the bottom will come, there are growing signs that it’s already here or extremely close. The best time to buy a home is now — and here’s why.

It’s hard to tell a market has reached bottom until prices and sales volume start to rise again. So the best time to buy is when market conditions are indicating the approach of a bottom.

To take advantage of near-record low mortgage interest rates and home prices as low as they were a decade ago, home buyers may have to take some risks, such as riding out another short-term dip in property values.

But the rewards may be well worth it. A number of factors point to a small window of opportunity to buy “at the bottom” before the market turns more favorable.

Here are the six greatest reasons to buy a home right now:

1.   The economy is growing

In the first week of March 2011, the Federal Reserve released the Beige Book, a compilation of economic trends across the country, with the comment that the economy is expanding at a “modest to moderate pace.” Goldman Sachs economists are predicting a 4% growth in Gross Domestic Product between now and mid-2012.

2.   More jobs are available

A growing economy means more jobs. The Labor Department announced in mid-March that applications for unemployment insurance fell for the third week, to the lowest level since July 2008. At 386,250, the number is well below the 425,000 threshold that signals modest job growth. For the first time in months, the unemployment rate dropped below 9% to 8.9%, well below the 9.7% rate of a year ago. What’s more, employers recently added approximately 192,000 jobs.

More jobs mean higher consumer confidence, and that translates into more spending, more household formation, and more home buyers able to qualify to buy a home.

3.   Houses are a hedge against inflation

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.5% between January 2011 and February 2011, excluding volatile food and fuel. For the year, gas is up 19.2%, fuel oil is up 27.1%, and food is higher by 2.8%.

Inflation rates are based on consumer prices. The urban index is up 2.1% for the year, which means inflation is currently at 2.1%.

Why is that good for home owners? When prices rise, a major asset such as a home, purchased at a fixed cost, becomes more valuable. In an inflationary environment, housing prices typically rise.

4.   Mortgage interest rates are near record lows

Between October 2010 and March 15, 2011, benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage interest rates rose from a historical bottom of 4.32% to 4.77%.

If you purchased a home with a mortgage of $300,000 when rates were 4.32%, your payment would be $1488.14 a month. Over the term of the loan, you’d pay a total of $535,730.17, with $235,730 in interest.

The same home purchased in March 2011 would cost you $1,568.56 per month, for a total of $564,681.72, and $264,681.72 in interest. That’s an increase of $80.41 per month, and an extra $28,951.71 in mortgage interest over the term of the loan.

That’s why prices can’t compete with interest rates. To beat the low interest rates of 2010, your home’s value would have to decline nearly 10%. At the current rate, that would take approximately a year and a half. That’s a lifetime in economics. Economists are already predicting higher mortgage interest rates — so the chances that market conditions will be better in the future are poor.

5.   Pent-up demand is ready to release

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Census Bureau, household formation — a key ingredient for regulating housing supply — has declined significantly since the beginning of the Great Recession. Like many economic indicators, it, too, has overcorrected to approximately 1.0% annually. But considering that the largest generation ever — 81 million Echo Boomers — is well into renting and home buying age, the numbers should be closer to the 2.3% annual growth of the 1970s, when 78 million Baby Boomers reached adulthood. Based on that and other calculations, about 2.1 million would-be households have delayed formation due to the recession, creating pent-up demand for housing.

6.   Buy-versus-rent ratios favor home ownership

As the economy improves, households increase. Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s, said he expects buying to beat renting in most markets by mid-year. The NAHB’s Multifamily Market Index shows that rental vacancies have been falling steadily since Q2 2009. When more people are renting, higher rents can be charged. Right on cue, rents increased a modest 3% in 2010. Higher maintenance and building costs could mean rents will go even higher in 2011.

Michael Corbett, host of the “Mansions & Millionaires” segment on the syndicated TV show Extra, recently noted, “I’m pretty comfortable saying that five years from now, people are going to be saying, ‘Damn, if I had just bought in 2011.’” The oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, recently said, “Home ownership makes sense for most Americans, particularly at today’s lower prices and bargain interest rates.”

The California Market in general:

After three months of higher transaction volume, sales softened 9% in February 2011 over January, and were 4% below the pace set in February 2010. Unsold inventory rose from 6.7 months to 7.3 months on hand, tipping the state back into a buyer’s market. Statewide median prices fell 2.8% to $271,320 from $279,140 in January. The median price is 2.5% below the level of February 2010 and the lowest since May 2009, when it was $263,440.

The California Association of REALTORS® chalks the reversal up to several factors. Sales volume may be down due to the elimination of federal and state tax incentives, continuing consumer uncertainty. There are also fewer foreclosures on the market to lower median prices.

Advice for buyers: A housing recovery doesn’t proceed in a straight line. The question is, how deep are the dips? Buyers could wait for even better conditions, but the current alignment of falling mortgage interest rates, lower home prices, and wider selection is unlikely to happen again. Prices may go lower, but mortgage interest rates may go higher. If this isn’t the bottom, it’s very close. Act now.

Advice for sellers: Suddenly, buyers are back in control, and they’re demanding perfection. Your home’s price, presentation and condition are crucial to selling quickly. Now is not the time to test the market’s tolerance for higher prices or skip necessary repairs and updates.

Rhythm and Vine Benefiting The Boys & Girls Club April 9th.

Featuring three musical performances, silent auction and VIP exclusive tent, this spectacular music, wine and food extravaganza will strike a new chord in San Diego’s North County this spring. It all will take place at North County Fair Mall in Escondido

Rhythm & Vine has been produced in association with World of Wine Events and Fast Forward Event Productions, known nationally for the acclaimed San Diego Wine & Food Festival—the largest of its kind on the West Coast.

For more details and ticket options CLICK  HERE

IMPECCABLE SINGLE LEVEL IN THE CROSBY!

Rare single level home is now available and ready to sell in The Crosby Estates. Fantastic location! This home is highly upgraded with the interior courtyard being the heart of the house. Upgraded flooring, carpet, counters, cabinets and appliances are just a few things which make this home stand out.  Fantastic for indoor-outdoor entertaining and relaxing!  If you are looking for single level or know someone who is, please call us for a private showing. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!

17141 San Antonio Rose Ct, San Diego, CA 92127 (MLS # 110007992)

Unbelievably perfect single-level view home in picture-perfect "Crosby" at Rancho Santa Fe! Indoor/outdoor living with complete privacy and ease. The highest and most desirable of upgrades are throughout this elegantly casual home. Wonderful interior courtyard with fireplace is ideal for large-scale entertaining as well as private family living. RARE OFFERING!

Property Type(s): Residential / Detached, Residential / All

Price History

Schools

Additional Details

Features

Location

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Listed with Prudential California Realty

(view all details for MLS #110007992)

The Rancho Santa Fe Community Center to celebrate 40 years!

The Rancho Santa Fe Community Center is holding it’s biggest party of the year. All are invited and it is sure to be a grand affair.  The 40th Anniversary Gala will be help Saturday, April 2nd at The Rancho Santa Fe Inn.  For more information CLICK HERE.

Spring Is Beginning to Bloom at The Carlsbad Flower Fields!

Master Gardeners will be at The Flower Fields® March 26, April 9, April 16, May 8.

Kids Day on March 26th where kids can Enjoy snow & Sledding starting at noon! Face paining, Ronald McDonald, The Coast Kids, and crafts make Kid’s Day an unforgettable event!

April 10th – Bulbs, Blooms & Beauty: New this year! Enjoy floral design, a cooking demo, soap making, art vendors, and a strawberry shortcake eating competition!

Bluegrass Day – April 16th & The Arts & Crafts Fair – April 16th & 17th. Family and friends will enjoy a full day of Bluegrass music and arts and crafts. Shop for wonderful treasures created by local artisans.

Canon Macro Photography workshop on Sunday April 17th, 10:30am – 3:00pm. Come and celebrate the beauty of The Flower Fields® with Canon USA at a macro photography workshop. The workshop is free with paid park admission.

Bonsai Show and Sale – May 7th & 8th. Enjoy the unique blending of art and horticulture at our bonsai exhibition and sale. For more information, please call (760) 431-0352 or visit www.theflowerfields.com

Mother’s Day Celebration – May 8th. Join us on the final day of our season for Mother’s day. Create your own bouquet to honor Mom on
her special day!

Visit The Flower Fields Website

Smucker’s Stars On Ice at Valley View

Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek and Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen will be joined by a stellar cast of world-renowned athletes in this year’s Smucker’s Stars on Ice 25th Anniversary Tour – produced by Scott Hamilton! Smucker’s Stars on Ice continues to be America’s favorite figure skating tour, offering fans a rare opportunity to witness some of the world’s most talented champions. Also starring Jamie Salé & David Pelletier,Kurt Browning,Ekaterina Gordeeva,Tanith Belbin & Benjamin Agosto and more! Seats are selling fast so buy your tickets today!

Symphony of Clouds – Musical Adventures of the Boy Mozart

February 18 – 27 By Margaret Larlham Don Powell Theatre BUY NOW!

Suitable for the entire family and children of all ages! Against a backdrop of Mozart’s music, this joyful production incorporates milestones in Mozart’s early life and work in stormy 18th-century Europe, inspired by letters, biographies and the music itself. Action, dance, song, and humor, are driven by Mozart’s rise to fame as a musical prodigy. A central motif of clouds and cloudscapes in infinite variety, externalized by dancers, singers, and actors, mirrors the emotional and ephemeral aspects of Mozart’s journey of life and the vitality of his music compositions. Excerpt printed by permission from usaplays4kids. Prices: $13 for faculty/staff/students/alumni, $15 for public There is a $1 service charge per ticket at all locations. Feb. 18 10:00am Feb. 18 7:30pm Feb. 19 7:30pm Feb. 20 2:00pm Feb. 23 10:00am Feb. 24 7:30pm Feb. 25 10:00am Feb. 25 7:30pm Feb. 26 7:30pm Feb. 27 2:00pm Creative Team: Margaret Larlham, Director