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CHOOSING AN AGENTSELLER’S CORNERPAGE 4

THROW PILLOWSHOME SPACEPAGE 7

December 311 a.m. OB Christmas Tree arrives at the foot of Newport Ave. in the Sand.

December 4 9 a.m. Help decorate the OB Tree.

December 4, 11, 184-7 p.m. Come to the OB Farmers Market on Newport Ave. to pur-chase fresh produce, flowers, and holiday gifts.

December 5 9 a.m. - noonLocal kids decorate OB tree with Santa.

December 5 6:30-9:30 pmOB Holiday Auction at Sunshine Company. 21+ with ID. Great prizes, exciting auctioneers. To donate items for the auction, email info@ obtown-council.org.

December 6 Local stores compete for the title of best holiday decorations at the OB Holiday Storefront Decoration Contest.

December 79 a.m. - 2 p.m. OB Craft Fair. This event helps sup-port the OB Food and Toy Drive!

December 710 a.m. - 4 p.m. All Souls’ Saint Nicholas Home Tour. Tour 5 seasonally decorated Point Loma homes followed by the All Souls’ Marketplace. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at http://www.all-souls.com/#!home-tour/c14e2

December 75:05 p.m. 34th Annual OB Holiday Parade on Newport Ave., from Sunset Cliffs Blvd. to the beach.

December 7, 14, 2111 a.m. - 1 p.m. Santa will be at the foot of Newport Ave.

December 8-15 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. San Diego Bay Parade of Lights (Recurs every Sunday) starting in Shelter Island

through Point Loma and ends in Coronado.

December 16 Holiday Homes Decoration Contest. The Best-Dressed 92107 holiday homes will be judged. More information: 619-316-3403.

December 218:30 a.m. Food & Toy Drive distribution to seniors and families. Located at the Point Loma Methodist Church.

A new report has just been released which reveals seven costly mistakes that most home-owners make when selling their home and a 9-Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money. This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today’s market. The fact of the matter is that fully three-quarters of home sellers don’t get what they want for their homes and become disillusioned and—worse—finan-cially disadvantaged when they put their homes on the market.

As this report uncovers, most home sellers make seven deadly mistakes that cost them liter-ally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free special report entitled: “The 9-Step System to Getting Your Home Sold Fast and for Top Dollar.”

To order a FREE Special Report, visit www.9StepSystemSD.com or hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report, call toll free 1-800-691-9384 and enter 1000. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home. n

INSIDE THIS ISSUEDECEMBER 2013

A 9-Step System to Avoid Costly Mistakes When

Selling Your Home

Holiday Eventsin Ocean Beach/Point Loma

WILD FOR TILEHOME IMPROVEMENTPAGE 3

Making your list? Checking it twice? Consider adding an item or two this year to help benefit local families in need!

Glen & Shannon from Alliance Group and MyPointLoma.com are partnering with the Ocean Beach Town Council and Ocean Beach Community Foundation to sponsor a food and toy drive to help bring holiday cheer to families in Point Loma and Ocean Beach. We will be asking local residents to fill a paper bag with non-perishable food items and/or new,

unwrapped gifts to give away to local families. Our goal is to get enough non-perishable food items and new gifts to support 100 families this

holiday season. We are making the effort for anyone

that would like to donate as easy as possible. We will be setting up pickup dates in all neighborhoods and all you will need to do is leave a bag of goods at your door.

If you don’t have any goods or toys

to donate, but still wish to help a family in need, you can make monetary contributions directly to the organization.

For further information go to www.MyPointLoma.com/FoodDrive to register and stay up-to-date on pickup dates and times. We

are also looking for additional volunteers if you would like to contribute your time!

Thanks in advance for your generosity. Wishing you and your families a joyous holiday season and happy New Year! n

*All donations are tax-deductible

Get on the Nice List This Year!Help donate toys and gifts to families in need!

For further details and a complete list of events, visitwww. MyPointLoma.com/Events

www.MyPointLoma.com/FoodDrive

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Enter to win a $100 gift certificate... see page 4 for details!

Home decor

by Kathryn Weber

T he focal point in a bedroom is almost always the bed itself. The headboard,

coverlet, or throw pillows get most of the attention décor-wise, but what you place at the foot of your bed can also offer visual interest and make better use of the space.

Unless space is extremely tight, most bedrooms have room for a finishing touch at the foot of the bed. Here are 10 options:

1. Bench it. Pick a bench with storage and you’ll not only have a place to tie your shoes, but you’ll instantly have extra space for sheets and cozy throws. Target’s Threshold end-of-bed bench is just the ticket ($159, Target.com).

2. Pair of stools. For an upscale look, pair two stools side by side, like the Karline bench (benches.com). This set-up looks great and provides seating for two. For extra storage, look for stools with space under the cushions.

3. Desk. If space is not an issue, place a writing desk and chair at the end of the bed. It’s a good spot

to place tablets and cell phones at night. Top with a lamp for a complete look.

4. Loveseat. These small, plush sofas are especially inviting at the end of the bed. Add a small table to create a cozy sitting area.

5. Trunk. Antique or made-to-look-old trunks make perfect endpoints to a bed. Pair small trunks with twin beds or place a single large trunk to the foot of a queen or king bed. Use to store blankets and comforters (Sears.com).

6. Antique sewing cabinet. Not sure what to do with Grandma’s old sewing machine cabinet? Place it at the foot of the bed like an end table. Or top with a mirror. Voila, you’ve got a unique dressing table!

7. Console table. These narrow tables aren’t just for foyers and hallways. Slim and unobtrusive, console tables are attractive and take up little space. From old world to contemporary, there’s a style to fit any décor (Wayfair.com).

8. Pair of chairs. Position an attractive set with a table between and you’ve got an inviting

conversation spot.

9. TV cabinet. With the touch of a button you can entertain yourself by placing a TV cabinet with a lift system at the foot of the bed. Attractive

models start at around $1,000 ( To u ch s t o n e h o m e p r o d u c t s .com).

10. Bookshelves. A single unit or two cases set side by side, bookshelves make clever

replacements for footboards and can also be used to display artwork or keepsakes. n

© 2013 Distributed by Tribune Media Services

Don’t Waste All That Spaceat the Foot of Your Bed

2

reAL eSTATe Q&A

by Gary M. Singer

Q: I want to avoid foreclosure. I have applied for a loan modification with my bank and also applied for the Florida’s Hardest-Hit Fund Principal Reduction Program for relief. Now I am worried that I’ve hurt my chances for the loan modification. Did I mess up? —Jim

A: Probably not. When trying to save your home, it’s important to explore every avenue of relief available to you. While some programs are to the exclusion of others, I see no issue with applying to your lender and to the various agencies that are there to help.

But this advice comes with some warnings. Check that the program allows you to apply for other assistance. Don’t apply for the same assistance again until you get an official denial on your first application. Don’t be afraid to apply again after you have been denied, as criteria change from time to time. Be wary of anyone trying to get money from you upfront, because there are plenty of predators looking to take advantage

in your time of need. When dealing with a third-party agency, make sure that it’s sanctioned by your lender or the government program to which you are applying. Make sure to fill out your application completely and to respond to the numerous requests made quickly and completely.

Have realistic expectations and expect realistic results.

Most lenders do not offer principal reduction, but they will help you get to a payment you can afford. Most importantly, don’t give up. Keep trying even when the process becomes difficult and frustrating. It is no fun dealing with corporate policies and a bureaucratic maze, but for most people

there is relief available.

Q: I paid my 15-year mortgage for eight years before I suffered a hardship and had to stop making payments. I am trying to get a loan modification and want to know what happens to the equity in my home. And is the modification done on the original loan amount or just

the remaining balance of the loan? —Valeria

A: When your lender looks to modify your loan, it considers your budget to get a payment that is affordable for you to make. Lenders estimate that a person can devote 31 percent of their household income toward

principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. You do keep your equity. The loan modification amount will be based on what you still owe on the loan, plus the accrued interest and penalties for the time you did not pay.

To get the payment to an affordable amount, your bank will first look to lower your interest rate and will adjust the remaining term of your loan only if it is necessary to spread the payments over a longer time. It’s easy to see what your payments would be if the loan mod is approved by applying the 31 percent formula to your income.

To maximize your chances of getting approved, make sure to cooperate fully with lender requests for documents, even if it means sending in the same form multiple times. Also remember that the bank representative on the other side of the phone is a real person whose job is to try to help you and the many others in similar situations. Even when you’re frustrated, be patient and respectful. n© 2013 Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

Mortgage Relief Possibilities, Loan Modification Basics

Add a plush loveseat with small table to create a cozy sitting area.

Point Loma – A new report has just been released which reveals seven costly mis-takes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9-Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money.

This industry report shows clearly how the tradi-tional ways of selling homes have become increas-ingly less and less effective in today’s market. The fact of the matter is that fully three-quarters of home sellers don’t get what they want for their homes and become disillusioned and, worse, financially disad-vantaged when they put their homes on the market.

As this report uncovers, most home sellers make seven deadly mistakes that cost them literally thou-sands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free special report entitled “The 9-Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and for Top Dollar.”

To hear a brief message about how to order your FREE copy of the report, call 1-800-691-9384 ID 1000. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home. n

7 Things You Must Know Before Putting Your Home

Up for Sale

6797 N. High Street, Suite 213Worthington, Ohio 43085

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[email protected]

Home ImproVemenT

3

by Ilyce Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin

Q: Is it possible to get a second mortgage or loan for a small amount of about $40,000 if you are retired? Even though we have more than four times that amount necessary to pay off our first mortgage of $200,000 and we have a credit score of around 850, we were denied by a large bank. What should we do?

A: It seems that you have great control over your financial life and have achieved success in saving. Your credit score is excellent. The only problem you have is that you are looking for a small mortgage on your home. Frequently, small mortgages require the same amount of work to process and handle as large ones, and the fees are about the same. For this reason, many lenders shy away from low-balance mortgages.

In your case, however, you say that you were denied a loan. With each denial, the lender should have given you a letter stating the reason for the refusal to give you a loan. If you received this letter, look it over and see

what reason they gave. Depending on what it is, that reason will determine the course of action you should take.

If you weren’t denied a loan, but the bank merely indicated that it couldn’t help you with

a loan, then we’d know that there weren’t any specific problems relating to your credit or your home, and they probably didn’t want to deal with this size or type of loan.

Although the big box lender didn’t want to work with you, you might find a local lender or mortgage broker that can offer different

options. One might be to take out a second mortgage or home equity loan on your home. These other mortgage products may have a slightly higher interest rate and may be for shorter terms of up to 10 years, but they can be

quite inexpensive to take out.While it appears you have need

for cash now and need the loan, you may not need a 30-year term, and the difference of several percentage points on a $40,000 loan may only be under $100 per month.

While $100 per month is still what some people pay for cell phone service, home cable bills, or other run-of-the-mill costs, a regular mortgage on your home may cost several thousand dollars. Having a need for this cash for the next several years and then paying it off may be a better solution for you.

Finally, if you actually were denied a loan and you find out it was due to an unpaid medical bill or litigation you are involved in, you might want to clear that issue up or wait until the issue is settled, and then reapply. n


Retirees with Good Credit Denied Small Loan

by Kathryn Weber

T ile was once coldly utilitarian and blandly oblivious to any kind of real style. Fast forward to today’s tile and the choices and varieties are limitless. Perhaps the biggest news is that tile is being used in more ways

than ever before. Tile’s fresh look makes for easy upkeep, too.From metallic to natural-looking stone to glass, you can now create a

beautiful room by using one style or, better still, combining a variety of tile styles and sizes.

Tile is being use more on walls outside of the shower. Instead of sticking with small 4-by-4 or 6-by-6 tiles, you can now decorate showers and bathrooms with 12-inch and larger tiles, or tiny, intricate mosaics, or glass strips, or even pebbles. Adding tile up bathroom walls creates a spa look at home.

SET THE STYLE

Tile can also be used to reflect the style of a home. The pattern can be especially powerful. For example, using certain tile patterns on floors and walls can create a period feel. A running bond pattern in a long, rectangular-shaped tile will create a turn-of-the-century look. Add tile with a crackled glaze and the look can grow even more authentic. Take that same running bond and apply it to large tiles with a stone look and you can even recreate the look of a castle floor.

MIX TILES

Today, tile manufacturers carry a wide variety of tile sizes, as well as accent and trim pieces to match. If you want a cleaner, more contemporary look, limit the variety of tiles used. If you want an opulent look, mix tiles.

Try adding a stone pebble finish in a wave pattern in the middle of a shower wall or on the floor of the shower. Mix finishes, such as metallic or glass, with your tile to give it a burst of interest. Instead of wood trim in the bathroom or kitchen, add a tile baseboard. The look is updated, and tile can withstand more wear and tear than wood.

BE CAUTIOUS

The only concerns with tile are where it’s used and grout. Many kitchens today feature rough tile backsplashes, and while they look fantastic, once grease splatters on this type of finish, it can be tough to clean.

A particularly wonderful look is metallic tile behind a stove. These smooth-surface tiles dress up the area and are easy to clean. Tile should make your life easier because it’s durable and easy to clean.

Grouting material has improved. Especially in wet environments like the bath, grout needs to be sealed, and with the new grouts that contain sealer, this problem is eliminated. n


on THe HomefronT

Go WILD for TILE

SeLLer’S corner

by Gary M. Singer

QueSTIon: I live in Illinois and own an investment property in Pembroke Pines, FL, that is at least $130,000 underwater. I know that I can’t refinance and don’t have a hardship allowing me to get a loan modification. Any suggestions? —Valerie

QueSTIon: I own a condo through my divorce. I rent it out, but it is worth less than I owe. I have spoken to dozens of lenders and no o n e will refinance the mortgage. My credit is perfect and I have w o r k e d h a r d f o r 3 5 yea r s to get it that way. What can I do? —Sandi

AnSwer: Unfortunately, there isn’t always a great solution to every problem. Sometimes people just have to choose the option that will do them the least harm. Lenders call this “loss mitigation.” Because neither of your situations seems to have a clean exit, you will need to weigh your priorities and choose the path that will do you the least harm.

Look at whether your rental income covers most or all of your monthly expenses. If it does, it may make sense to hang in there as property values rise in the long term. Also think about how important your credit score really is to you. If you won’t need a loan for the next few years, it may not really be that important to have a

top-notch credit score right now, at least when compared to your dwindling savings account.

Now that you have checked so many lenders for a refinance, take a deep breath and keep trying to find one that will offer you a refinancing. For that matter, go back to some of the lenders you spoke with before, because new programs are being created all the time. Even if the lender told you no six months ago, it may say yes now. The most important thing is to look at all of your options objectively and pick the one that is the least bad for you—and then don’t give up until you get it done.

About the writer: Gary M. Singer is a Florida attorney and board-certified as an expert in

real estate law by the Florida Bar. He is

the chairperson of the Real Estate

S e c t i o n of the

B r o w a r d C o u n t y

Bar Association and is an adjunct professor for the Nova Southeastern University Paralegal Studies program.

The information and materials in this column are provided for general informational purposes only and are not intended to be legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed. Nothing in this column is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney, especially an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. n

© 2013 Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

4

Homeowners Might Have to Choose

LEAST-BADOPTIONby Ilyce Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin

Q: How do we find a good real estate agent to help us sell our house? The last agent we used asked us to move out and rent an apartment before the buyer inspected our house or closed on the purchase. We refused. Then she asked us to sign a paper that we would fix everything the buyers requested as repairs to the home. She also asked us to install a new roof by making a claim with the insurance company and suggested that the roofers would not charge the deductible.

No one tried to negotiate any of these matters on our behalf, and the buyers backed out of the deal. This is the second similar experience we’ve had with real estate agents.

A: Something doesn’t smell right. On the one hand, you seem to have found some real estate agents that don’t appear to have your interest at heart. Your real estate agent should be your advocate and work to help you through the real estate transaction. Yours are behaving in a

counterintuitive manner, which leads us to believe something else is going on.

While we take your letter at face value, we’re wondering what your home looks like inside and out. Did you fail to repair serious roof damage and now your house is covered in mold? Are you and your spouse “hoarders,” and is your home filled to the brim with junk?

If two real estate agents have been trying to get you to move out of the home, they may be sending you a signal that your home isn’t salable in the condition in which it is in—a fact that may be difficult to convey more directly.

We know of situations where sellers think their home should sell as is but is a hard sell due to the seller’s own actions. We wonder if you’ve taken a step back to assess how your home looks with all of your belongings in it and the damage to your roof. Would your home look better without your personal goods (and that’s why the real estate agent feels that moving out would allow the home to show better)? Every seller should take an objective look

at his or her home.If the problem you’re having is

finding a good real estate agent, we’d suggest you ask friends, neighbors, accountants, and attorneys you may know for a good referral. You should also look around your neighborhood and see what real estate companies have the greatest number of listings there. Once you have the names of a couple of companies, try to figure out which real estate agents actively work in your area.

Once you have those names, you can then interview the agents and see if they are a good fit with you. Personalities are quite important when you choose an agent.

A good real estate agent will not only give you information about properties in your area—your competition—but will also tell you what’s wrong with your house to make your home sell quicker.

Good agents usually don’t simply walk through the door. You need to do some legwork to find a good one. n


Choosing a Good

to Sell Your HomeAgent

buyer’S corner

by Paul Owers

Ryan Williams had been house hunting, off and on, for two years. He finally found the perfect place in Pompano Beach, FL, a four-bedroom home with a pool and a two-car garage. He ended up paying $490,000—even though the appraisal came in at only $425,000.

Williams said he had no complaints bringing an extra $65,000 to the closing table on top of a $160,000 down payment.

“I still thought I got a good deal,” the 40-year-old biologist said. “I plan on staying in the house a long time—I’m telling everybody 20 years, at least. I’ll be OK in the long run.”

Historically, most homebuyers didn’t dare pay above appraised value, but that mind-set is changing amid rising prices and increased competition for a scant supply of homes.

Ryan Paton, president of Capital Lending Group in Fort Lauderdale, FL, said he personally wouldn’t pay more than about $10,000 over appraised value. But he understands why other people will.

Even if recent price gains level out, as expected, there doesn’t appear to be any huge new drop on the horizon, he said. Buyers won’t risk owing more than the home is worth—as long as they put down about 20 percent and intend to stay in the home for more than a few years.

Some prospective buyers say they have no choice, that they either come up with the extra cash or watch the seller move on to the next offer. And with a shortage of homes for sale, it could be weeks or months before they find something else.

“You’d have to start the process all over again—the hunting, the multiple offers,” said Joy Fischer, a real estate agent in Florida’s Broward and Palm Beach counties. “It would be hard to find another house.”

In the past year, many sellers and real estate agents complained that appraisals weren’t keeping up with fast price increases, leading to lower valuations and canceled or delayed sales. Many working-class buyers, for instance, saw their hopes dashed because they didn’t have any extra money to kick into the deals.

But those frustrations are starting to ease, said Jim Flood, regional manager for Supreme Lending in Plantation, FL. He estimates 8 out of 10 appraisals now meet or exceed the agreed-up on sales price.

If the appraisal does come in low, buyers and sellers tend to compromise, Flood said. But some sellers are unwilling to renegotiate the price down to the appraised value because they have back-up offers from investors paying cash. In a cash deal, no appraisal is needed.

“It’s not in your best interest to buy something that’s overpriced,” said Kristi Sachs, an agent in Fort Lauderdale. “But sellers have a lot of different options now. And sometimes buyers walk in and light up and they have to have the house.” n


For Some Buyers, Dream

Home Is Worth

More Than Appraisal

5

5 Ways Borrowers Can Land the

Best Mortgageby Kathleen Lynn

A fter riding a swift updraft earlier this year, mortgage rates have steadied at around 4.5

percent for a 30-year fixed loan.But there’s a good chance they’ll

resume their upward path. That’s one of a number of things borrowers need to know now to get the best loan.

“For planning purposes, if I were thinking of getting into the market next spring, I’d be working with numbers in the 5 percent range,” said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH.com, a Riverdale, NJ-based publisher of mortgage information. That would be up from around 3.5 percent earlier this year.

The market got some rate relief recently, when the Federal Reserve decided to continue its policy of buying bonds to keep mortgage rates low, in an effort to stimulate the housing market and the economy.

The Fed has also made it clear that it will taper off such buying at some point, as the economy improves.

So does that mean buyers should speed up their timetables and jump into the market before rates start to rise again?

Not necessarily. For one thing, analysts aren’t predicting a huge increase.

And the mortgage rate is “only one part of the (home-buying) transaction,” Gumbinger said.

For most people, the decision to buy or sell is less influenced by the financial markets, and much more influenced by what’s happening in their lives: a new job, marriage, divorce, or the birth—or departure—of children, said Greg McBride, an analyst with Bankrate.com.

And even if rates start to rise, they are likely to remain affordable, by historic standards.

“Mortgage rates are not, and won’t be for some time, an impediment to well-qualified borrowers,” McBride said.

“If the difference between a 4.5 percent and 5 percent rate on your mortgage is the difference between being able to afford a home or not, you’re stretching yourself too far.”

Given the changing mortgage landscape, here are five things borrowers can do to get the best deal:

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

The first step is to check your credit report with the three credit reporting agencies. You can do it for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. If there are any errors, correct them. Then do what you can to improve your credit rating by paying down your debt.

Avoid borrowing to buy a car or other big-ticket item in the months before you apply for a mortgage—and, for that matter, up to the date you finally close on your new home.

You can check your credit score at MyFico.com for $19.95. Anyone with scores below 620 will find it very difficult to qualify for a mortgage; borrowers with scores over 740 qualify for the best rates. It’s a good idea to try to improve your score in the months before you apply for a mortgage, because even a 20-point improvement can make a difference in the rate you can get, according to David Stein, chief operating officer of Residential Home Funding in Parsippany, NJ.

GET PREAPPROVED

Even before you start looking for a house, you should get preapproved for a mortgage. This will make you a stronger buyer, because sellers will know you have the financing in place to move forward.

In addition, getting preapproved for a mortgage amount “sets boundaries around what you can afford. Those boundaries dictate what your price range is,” said McBride.

CHOOSE BETWEEN RATES

The standard loan offers a fixed interest rate for 30 years. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) offer a fixed rate for, typically, the first five or seven years; after that, the rates can rise every year. In exchange for accepting the risk that interest rates will rise, borrowers get a lower initial rate on ARMs. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, ARMs make up about 7 percent

of the current market.But ARMs make sense only for people

who know for sure that they’re going to be in the house for a limited time.

“Forget about adjustable rates altogether unless you have sufficient financial stability that you could absorb a higher monthly payment if your timetable doesn’t pan out,” McBride said.

DECIDE LENGTH OF LOAN

Fifteen-year loans are more popular with refinancing homeowners than they are with first-time home buyers because many buyers can’t afford the higher monthly payments. The reward for those higher payments is that over time, you’ll pay much less in interest by shortening the life of the loan. And 15-year mortgages come with lower rates.

Sammy Thomas, a consultant living in Ridgewood, NJ, wasn’t looking for a 15-year mortgage when he decided to refinance as rates dipped last year. But with rates on 15-year mortgages then hovering around 3 percent, he decided that was the best deal. The shorter loan also meant that he and his wife, Demi, a teacher, could live mortgage-free sooner. That was especially appealing as they plan for their retirement, said Thomas, 58. In fact, they hope to put extra money on the loan each month and have it paid off in 11 or 12 years.

LOCK IN YOUR RATE

Once you’ve found a good rate, consider locking it in, which you can usually do for no cost, or for a fee that is refunded at closing. It’s not worth betting that rates will fall before you close on the house.

“I rarely tell folks to try to time the bottom of the market,” Gumbinger said. “Mortgage rates almost always rise much more quickly than they fall.”

“Don’t try to guess the way rates are moving,” McBride agreed. “I’m not a fan of people rolling the dice for something as significant as what their mortgage payment is.” n


Sammy and Demi Thomas re-financed their Ridgewood, New Jersey home from a 30-year to

15-year loan.

Home SpAce

Energy-Efficiency

Tax Creditsby Angie Hicks

If you’re considering a home-improvement project that will cut energy costs, it’s not too late to take advantage of special federal tax credits. But be aware that time is running out.

The residential energy-efficiency tax credit had been set to expire at the end of 2011. But early this year, as part of the “fiscal cliff ” deal, Congress extended it to include projects undertaken during tax years 2012 and 2013.

To qualify for the tax credits—which reimburse homeowners 10 percent of the cost of an Energy Star-qualifying home improvement project, up to $500—the improvement must have been made in 2012 or 2013.

Here’s a list of products and appliances that may qualify for a tax credit, but keep in

mind that the total credit can’t exceed $500:

• Insulation or insulating material, 10 percent of cost.

• Exterior window or skylight, 10 percent of cost,up to $200.

• Exterior door, 10 percent of cost.

• Metal roof with pigmented coating, or asphalt roof with cooling granules, 10 percent of the cost.

• Advanced main air circulating fan, $50.

• Natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler, $150.

• Electric heat pump water heater, $300.

• Electric heat pump, $300.

• Central air conditioner, $300.

• Natural gas, propane, or oil water heater, $300.

• Biomass stove, $300.

Here are basic facts about the tax credit, compiled by our consumer-services research team:

Taxpayers who took advantage of the full original tax credits from 2006 to 2011 are not eligible for the entire credit. However, if you only used $200 of the credit during that time period, you would still be eligible for $300 this time around.

In order to receive the tax credit for various home improvement projects, the work must have been done in 2013 and it must be claimed on the 2013 federal income tax form, which is due to be filed by April 15, 2014.

To take advantage of the credits, fill out IRS Form 5695 and provide a copy of the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement, along with a receipt. Your service provider should be able to help you with the certification statement.

To qualify for the credit, the energy-efficient product must be installed in the taxpayer’s primary, owned residence, and must have an expected life span of at least five years. Usually, labor costs don’t count toward tax-credit eligibility.

Also, each improvement must meet government energy-efficiency ratings. For example, a natural gas, propane, or oil water heater must have an “energy factor” of at least 0.82 or a thermal efficiency rating of at least 90 percent. A biomass stove, meanwhile, would need a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75 percent. For more information, visit energystar.gov.

Another source of help would be a certified tax accountant. n

© 2013 Distributed byMcClatchy-Tribune Information Services

6

by Angie Hicks

Open the door and say, “ah.” Your master bath can be more than just functional; it could

be a spa.Bathroom remodeling continues to

be one of the most popular home improvement projects. It ranks consistently among the top 10 most reviewed categories on Angie’s List, which has more than 700 home and health categories.

If you’re moving beyond the imagining stage and are ready to get serious about renovating a bathroom, here are trends and tips to keep in mind, compiled by our consumer research team.

What you can do with a bathroom depends on its size and who’s using it.

Hall bathrooms are commonly used by kids and guests, and an update may be focused more on making the most of a high-traffic, cramped room. Ideas include replacing a mirror with a medicine chest faced with a mirror, or replacing a pedestal sink with a vanity that has cabinet space.

A master bathroom, however, is usually larger and more private. It’s a likely candidate for a spa makeover. Some ideas from highly rated remodelers:

• Replace the tub with a luxury shower featuring multiple showerheads and handheld sprayers, or a large rain-style shower head.

• Create a fresh, clean look with a frameless glass shower door.

• Upgrade with granite or solid-surface materials.

• Focus less on the latest design trend or fad, and more on elements, fixtures, and colors that will stand the test of time.

• Incorporate universal design—which is intended to ensure that a project is useful for people of all ages, abilities, and sizes. Among the ideas: Replace lower toilets or sinks with taller options that require less stooping or bending.

Plan to do your homework before starting the project. Be realistic about your budget. The average cost of bath remodeling in 2013 was $18,538, down slightly from 2012, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

Before you start talking to contractors:

• Check websites and magazines for designs and ideas. Research materials and products at showrooms and retail stores. This will help contractors more accurately estimate the time and cost for your project.

• Talk to neighbors, friends, and family about their projects. Check contractors’ reviews on a trusted online review site.

• Get multiple bids and ask for and check references. Questions to ask include: Did the contractor meet expectations? Were there

delays or miscommunications? How did the contractor handle requested changes?

• Get at least three written estimates that clearly define the project and what materials will be used.

• Make sure you can reach a contractor when you need to.

• Be sure the contractor you hire is appropriately licensed, insured, and bonded. Bathroom remodeling work often requires electrical and plumbing work—two of the most often regulated trades.

• For most bathroom remodeling projects, expect to pay about 10 percent or more of the total project amount as a deposit. Never pay more than a third of the total cost as a down payment, and never pay in cash. Be aware that especially in bathroom remodeling, contractors will frequently find hidden problems that need to be addressed. Adding an additional 10 to 20 percent to the project budget can help reduce the strain of these types of problems.

• Plan for stress. How will the project change your routine, especially with the bathroom? Where will materials be stored? What are the working hours for the crew? n


Bathroom Remodeling

Trends

Home SpAce

7

by Kathryn Weber

You notice it as soon as you walk in a room—that amazing throw pillow that

seems to pull together the whole design of a show room, that splendid garden room you saw on the local home tour, or your neighbor’s screened porch. Simple throw pillows can make a difference in whether a room “works” or not. Of course, they need to do more than look good; pillows must be comfortable, too.

THE BASICSAs accent pieces, throw pillows

are a great way to change your decor easily and inexpensively. As seasons

change, throw pillows can create a new look in a room and reflect the changing season.

But throw pillows are more than just adornments; they often serve a purpose. Large throw pillows, like European squares, are great for sitting up in bed to read, watching TV or simply leaning against on the floor in the family room. Small pillows can make deep sofas and chairs more comfortable to sit on, or for a snooze on the sofa.

If you use throw pillows frequently, look for ones that are both comfortable, stylish and durable.

SHAPE AND SIZEWhen the only concern is

appearance, your throw pillow options are endless. As for size, the standard on throw pillows for sofas is 18 inches. Larger example, 24 inches and up, are more casual and can be tossed in a basket for easy grabbing in the family room.

Shapes matter, too. Rectangular shapes look sophisticated and are especially nice for deep seating, propped at the small of the back for extra comfort. Mixing sizes and shapes adds visual interest and style.

When it comes to design, sticking with solid colors for large pillows and patterns on smaller ones will keep your collection from becoming too busy or distracting. Solids are also good choices when a sofa or bed covering is busy, and

choose patterned pillows for solid sofas and coverlets.

BY THE NUMBERSA key rule of thumb for

decorating is to use odd numbers for contemporary styles and even numbers for traditional styles. On a sofa, though, a nice mix is four pillows with a rectangle in the center. On a bed, go for a variety of sizes, such as European square, standard bed pillow in a sham, standard bed pillows and a nice long bolster, or two small rectangles.

Can you have too many pillows? When making the bed becomes a chore or people start plucking pillows off the sofa when they want to sit down, your inventory is over the top.

COMFORT COUNTSBecause throw pillows are

typically used for comfort, the right filling and fabric texture can make the difference between a pillow that’s used and one that’s tossed aside. In the bedroom, varying textures is a great way to add comfort and interest. From nubby chenille to soft wool or mohair, fabrics that are distinctive look stylish and feel terrific.

Quality feather pillows are wonderful options, but pricey. Foam offers more support and lasts longer. Choose the fill for the feel you prefer. n


The Right Throw PillowsCan Make Your Room Design Shine

27 Quick and Easy Fix-Ups to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar

point Loma – Because your home may well be your largest asset, selling it is probably one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. And once you have made that decision you will want to sell your home for the highest price in the shortest time possible without compromising your sanity. Before you place your home on the market, here’s a way to help you be as pre-pared as possible.

To assist home sellers, a new industry report has just been released called “27 Valuable Tips That You Should Know To Get Your Home Sold Fast And For Top Dollar.” It tackles the important issues you need to know to make your home competi-tive in today’s tough, aggressive mar-ketplace. Through these 27 tips you will discover how to protect and capital-ize on your most important invest-

ment, reduce stress, be in control of your situation, and make the most profit possible. In this report you will discover how to avoid financial disappoint-ment or worse, a financial disaster when selling your home. Using a common sense approach, you get the straight facts about what can make or break the sale of your home. You owe it to yourself to learn how these important tips will give

you the competitive edge to get your home sold fast and for the most amount of money.

To order a FREE Special Report, visit www.9StepSystemSD.com or hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report, CALL: 1-800-691-9384 ID XXXX. Call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to find out how to get the most money for your home. n

8

EMPTY NESTERS! Before you list your home for sale, order this Free Special Report that reveals how to sell your home for the most amount of money, and avoid making 9 common, costly mistakes.

www.EmptyNesterMistake.com or call 1-800-691-9384 ID# 1013

KIDS! Enter to Win Our…PARENTS: Have your child color this picture, tear it out, and send it to us by December 20, 2013 to be entered in a drawing for a $25 Toys R Us Gift Card. For every entry $5 will be donated to the Ocean Beach Community Foundation to go towards supporting youth athletics in Point Loma & Ocean Beach. Winner will have his or her picture in the next issue. Be sure to include contact information in the artist information section.

KIDS!

Mail this original to: Glen & Shannon’s Coloring Contest, 1889 Bacon St, San Diego, CA 92107

Win a $25 Toys R Us Gift Card!

9

reAL eSTATe InVeSTmenT

by Ilyce Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin

Q: We owned a rental property for many years. We are in our late 70s. We recently realized that the rental property was too far from our family and decided to sell it and purchase a smaller rental home closer to us.

Our real estate agent knew we had never lived in the property and wanted to sell it to purchase another rental property closer to home. We sold the home last June and purchased another rental home in August.

When we applied for the mortgage on the new home, the banker told us about a 1031 exchange. We talked about it with our CPA and he told us we would end up owing the federal government $40,000 in capital gains taxes and $6,000 to our state government. Is there anything we can legally do to avoid paying these taxes?

We will have to take out a second mortgage on the home to pay the taxes.

A: Unfortunately, the IRS has strict rules about deferring taxes on the sale of investment properties and you must adhere to these rules, or else. You received information about the 1031 tax deferred exchange too late.

Simply put, an investor in real estate looking to sell one investment property to buy another must take the following steps. The investor must either sell and buy the investment properties simultaneously or must set up an exchange trust with a 1031 deferred exchange company or appropriate

party.Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue

Code allows investors to defer the payment of any federal taxes upon the sale of an investment property with certain conditions. Those conditions are that the investor must place the proceeds from the sale of the property in an exchange trust, the investor must designate a replacement property within 45 days of the closing of the sale, and the investor must close on the replacement investment property within 180 days of the sale.

Also, the exchange must be between like kind properties: real estate for real estate, investment collectible artwork for investment collectible artwork, and so on.

You already sold your investment property and do not have the ability to go back in time to set up the 1031 exchange before your sale, place all the proceeds of the sale into the 1031 exchange, identify the replacement property, notify the 1031 exchange company of that designation, and then close on the replacement property using the 1031 exchange company.

As you didn’t and can’t comply with the terms of Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, you will have to pay whatever taxes are due that arise from the sale. As we often say, before making a major financial move, you should discuss any possible ramifications with your tax preparer. If you had made that one phone call, you would have realized that you were facing a significant tax event and could have asked

about your options at that time.Frankly, you shouldn’t take legal or

financial or accounting advice from your real estate agent. That’s not what she is trained or certified to do. And the agent was under no obligation whatsoever to try to discern your tax liability and made recommendations to you.

We are very sorry that this didn’t work out and that you are going to have to take a home equity line of credit or second loan in order to make the numbers work. But you have probably helped thousands of others make a smarter decision in this situation. n

© 2013 Distributed by Tribune Media

Investment Property Owner Can’t Set Up

1031 Tax Deferment After a Sale

by Kathryn Weber

There’s something about winter that makes you feel like decorating. The cool temperatures make us long for warm, deep colors that echo the autumn leaves and seasonal produce like pumpkins, bright squashes and gourds, and apples and grapes.

This is the perfect time to recover your dining room chairs, throw a new coat of paint on a dining room wall, or change out linens and comforters. With some fresh winter color choices, your house will feel both cozy and updated.

SHADES OF NATURE

Start with the shades of nature. One hot pick for this winter is yellow. Tones in a muted mustard are bold, fresh choices that pick up on the golden hues of autumn leaves.

Today’s yellow isn’t a deep ochre or lemony shade, but a fresh medium yellow that will give a cheery lift to the dull winter months and take you through to spring.

Last year, the “it” color was emerald. It still is, but paired with a deeper teal, the two look both fresh and winter-like. Teal makes a great color for kitchen cabinets. Too daring? Go for a teal throw on the sofa, some pillows on the bed, or towels in the bathroom. Teal looks especially chic on painted furniture.

TRUE BLUES

Blue shades do a lot of heavy lifting all year long, but lose some of their luster once autumn arrives. To add interest, instead of using a clear medium shade, opt for deep, rich tones like indigo blue, with its nod to purple. It’s that touch of purple that makes blue feel both richly traditional and up-to-

date at the same time.If using indigo in a large room seems like too much, try it

in a powder room to surprise and delight guests.

A GLASS OF RED

Take a cue from the wines of autumn and try a shade of burgundy on the wall. This color is perfectly at home in a dining or family room. For just a touch of this rich red, select burgundy table linens to instantly warm things up. If you find darker shades too intense, go up a few notches to a vibrant raspberry that is at once warm and cool.

Don’t be afraid to pair reds and burgundies. A deep burgundy with a raspberry looks smashing, adding a vibrant dynamic to your winter decor. n


decorATInG

Spark Things Up with

RichVibrant Colors of Winter

VIBRANT SHADES LIKE TEAL AND BURGUNDY ADD RICHNESS AND WARMTH.

1 0

by Glen Henderson

Wow, what a great fall we have had so far in San Diego! The weather has been amazing and the housing market is doing well. In the Point Loma community, we are continuing to see prices moving in an upward trend. The median sold price for single family homes is $817,000, with a high of $2.2mil and a low of $526,000. The number of homes on the market is down 45% from 90 days ago, which is typical as we enter the holiday season and see fewer home owners putting their home onto the market. The average number of days on the market is 81 and home are selling at an average of 3% less than the asking price.

For condos in the Point Loma community, we have a median price of $529,500, which is also on a slow, but upward trend. The number of condos on the market is down 12%, the average days on market is 70 and the selling price is on average 2% under the asking price.

In the Ocean Beach community, we are seeing similar trends in both the single family homes and condos. The median price in OB for single properties is currently at $771,377, with a high of $1.995mil and a low of $447,000. The number of homes on the market is down slightly less than Point Loma at 41%. We have an average of 75 days on the market and sale prices are 2% less than asking prices.

In the condo market, we have a median price of $335,000. The number of condos on the market over the last 90 days is down significantly at 68% fewer units. Our average days on market is 90 and the selling price is on average 3% less than asking price.

We expect to see these numbers remain relatively flat over the next couple months as we make it through the holiday season and into early spring, which is when we typically see allot of activity coming back into the market. I also would like to note that all of the statistics provided in our market recap are based on 90 day trends, so we capture an overall feel of the market vs. any small spikes or dips.

If you would like to receive a complete copy of this report with charts and all statistics, visit www.PeninsulaUpdate.com, or send me an email at [email protected] and I can provide you with all of the details.

We have provided a list of homes that recently sold in the Point Loma and Ocean Beach communities below. If you would like the complete report and a list of all properties that are currently on the market, you can also visit www.PeninsulaUpdate.com or send us an email with any requests.

And if you would like to specifically discuss your current housing situation, pricing on your home, or have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Shannon & I at 619-500-3222. n

November Point Loma & Ocean Beach Real Estate Recap

About the author, Glen Henderson is in the top 1% of Realtors(R) in San Diego and a frequent real estate contributor on various local radio and TV programs.

Point Loma

Point Loma

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach

PROPERt iEs CuRRENtLy iN EsCROw

RECENtLy sOLd PROPERt iEs

Listing Status Prop Type Address Bed Baths SF List Price List DateContingent Detached 3664 Oleander Dr 3 1 1,139 $399,000 1/22/13Contingent Detached 3550 Wawona Dr 3 3 2,193 $675,000 5/23/13Contingent Detached 857 Armada Ter 3 5 5,847 $1,800,000 3/30/12Pending Detached 3516 Wawona Dr 4 2 1,600 $549,000 5/6/13Pending Detached 3649 Wawona Dr 2 1 802 $549,000 9/6/13Pending Detached 3608 Oleander Dr 2 1 848 $549,000 11/4/13Pending Detached 3748 Kingsley St 3 3 2,064 $682,000 10/2/13Pending Detached 3205 Garrison St 2 1 1,274 $689,000 9/20/13Pending Detached 3685 Alcott St 3 3 1,840 $700,000 10/4/13Pending Detached 1005 Concord St 3 2 1,495 $739,000 2/18/13Pending Detached 2724 Willow St 4 3 3,075 $776,000 9/26/12Pending Detached 2844 Chatsworth Blvd 3 3 1,857 $799,000 9/23/13Pending Detached 945 Moana Dr 3 3 1,633 $819,000 11/9/13Pending Detached 940 Catalina Blvd 3 3 2,190 $849,000 9/20/13Pending Detached 980 Point St 4 3 2,816 $875,000 7/30/13Pending Detached 2122 Willow St 3 3 2,543 $950,000 7/1/13Pending Detached 375-377 San Elijo St 4 5 2,708 $975,000 7/10/13Pending Detached 1055 AKRON St 4 2 2,358 $1,195,000 9/17/13Pending Detached 2924 Poinsettia Dr 3 3 2,859 $1,197,000 9/24/13Pending Detached 634 Rosecrans St 1 2 1,676 $1,200,000 9/9/12Pending Detached 3738 Charles St 3 3 2,000 $1,250,000 10/8/13Pending Detached 997 Scott St 3 3 2,300 $1,595,000 9/11/13Pending Attached 1021 Scott St # 237 0 1 288 $219,900 10/29/13Pending Attached 1021 Scott St # 254 1 1 609 $330,000 8/23/13Pending Townhome 3058 Macaulay St 2 3 1,080 $375,000 10/8/13Pending Attached 370 Rosecrans St # 202 2 2 1,280 $625,000 8/5/13Pending Attached 2955 Mccall St # 302 2 2 1,294 $649,000 5/15/13Pending Attached 2926 Kellogg St # B-14 2 2 1,166 $675,000 10/18/13

Listing Status Property Type Address Bed Baths SF List Price List Date Sold Price Sold Date DOM Sold vs. Listing Price

SOLD Detached 2745 E Bainbridge Rd 3 3 2,305 $839,000 9/6/13 $820,000 10/23/13 2 98%

SOLD Detached 3505 Sterne St 4 4 2,837 $879,000 8/6/13 $870,000 10/23/13 47 99%

SOLD Detached 3620 Voltaire St 3 2 1,108 $549,000 9/23/13 $578,000 10/25/13 9 105%

SOLD Detached 1525 Willow St 3 3 2,280 $689,000 9/17/13 $681,000 10/25/13 10 99%

SOLD Detached 2440 Chatsworth Blvd 4 3 2,216 $785,000 9/2/13 $790,000 10/25/13 9 101%

SOLD Detached 3726 Leland St 3 2 1,656 $649,000 9/25/13 $633,000 10/28/13 17 98%

SOLD Detached 2650 Jonquil Dr 4 3 3,068 $1,675,000 8/23/13 $1,675,000 10/28/13 20 100%

SOLD Detached 1854 Capistrano St 2 1 887 $589,000 7/24/13 $559,550 10/31/13 27 95%

SOLD Detached 3512 Poe St 5 3 2,419 $709,000 8/2/13 $695,000 10/31/13 67 98%

SOLD Attached 1062 E Anchorage Ln 2 3 2,655 $1,275,000 10/3/13 $1,100,000 10/31/13 17 86%

SOLD Detached 3336 Talbot St 2 2 1,100 $685,000 8/9/13 $685,000 11/8/13 55 100%

SOLD Detached 1725 Willow St 3 3 1,454 $695,000 8/15/13 $679,000 11/8/13 44 98%

SOLD Detached 2948 Laning Rd 3 3 2,305 $795,000 7/17/13 $788,000 11/13/13 46 99%

SOLD Detached 2930 Chatsworth Blvd 6 5 4,767 $1,275,000 8/1/13 $1,300,000 11/13/13 81 102%

SOLD Detached 968 Moana Dr 5 4 4,026 $1,775,000 9/24/13 $1,545,000 11/13/13 43 87%

SOLD Detached 3019 MARQUETTE St 4 2 1,616 $640,000 10/3/13 $615,000 11/14/13 12 96%

SOLD Detached 3634 Plumosa Dr 4 4 2,355 $979,000 9/10/13 $950,000 11/14/13 10 97%

SOLD Detached 3333 Ingelow St 2 2 937 $645,000 7/11/13 $645,000 11/15/13 66 100%SOLD Detached 1850 Capistrano St 2 1 937 $549,000 7/24/13 $545,000 11/18/13 83 99%SOLD Detached 3618 Fenelon St 3 3 2,138 $1,445,000 5/20/13 $1,382,000 11/18/13 104 96%SOLD Townhome 2240 Cushing #133 3 3 1,350 $505,000 11/18/13 $505,000 11/19/13 -1 100%

All information , reports and statistics are based on data supplied by Sandicor MLS. Neither the associations nor the MLS guarantee, or are in any way responsible for their accuracy. Information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

Listing Status Property Type Address Bed Baths SF List Price List Date Sold Price Sold Date DOM Sold vs. Listing Price

Sold Attached 4452 Mentone St # 207 2 2 1,028 $299,000 8/23/13 $296,000 11/12/13 60 99%

Sold Attached 4402 Mentone St # 102 2 2 1,033 $339,000 9/16/13 $340,000 10/24/13 7 100%

Sold Attached 2292 Caminito Pajarito # 89 2 2 1,074 $390,000 9/7/13 $382,000 11/15/13 37 98%

Sold Detached 4672 Greene St 1 1 700 $406,800 6/18/13 $447,000 10/23/13 30 110%

Sold Attached 4841 Del Monte Ave # D 2 1 850 $424,000 6/25/13 $400,000 10/31/13 97 94%

Sold Attached 4848 Bermuda Ave # D3 2 2 1,111 $495,000 8/29/13 $450,000 11/12/13 36 91%

Sold Detached 4916 Long Branch Ave 2 1 540 $499,000 9/1/13 $499,000 10/29/13 55 100%

Sold Townhome 4845 Muir Ave # 1 3 3 1,227 $525,000 9/5/13 $490,000 11/7/13 17 93%

Sold Attached 4619 Santa Monica Ave 2 1 901 $529,000 7/13/13 $510,000 11/12/13 23 96%

Sold Detached 2345 Seaside St 2 1 1,104 $729,000 8/20/13 $690,000 11/5/13 30 95%

Sold Detached 1127 Alexandria Dr 2 1 804 $749,000 9/7/13 $775,000 10/30/13 9 103%

Sold Detached 4222 Del Mar Ave 3 2 1,294 $785,000 10/13/13 $775,000 11/6/13 2 99%

Sold Detached 1231 Moana Dr 3 2 1,569 $829,000 9/29/13 $829,000 10/31/13 2 100%

Sold Detached 4556 Niagara Ave 3 3 1,965 $1,000,000 9/10/13 $960,000 11/18/13 39 96%

Sold Detached 4572 Niagara Ave 3 2 1,614 $1,199,000 8/27/13 $1,151,000 11/7/13 27 96%

Sold Detached 4362 Santa Monica Ave 4 3 3,842 $1,199,000 10/6/13 $1,140,000 11/14/13 11 95%

Sold Detached 886 Amiford Dr 3 2 1,485 $1,345,000 8/15/13 $1,317,000 11/12/13 44 98%

Listing Status Prop Type Address Bed Baths SF List Price List DateContingent Detached 4742 Pescadero Ave 2 2 907 $525,000 8/31/13Contingent Detached 3757 Narragansett Ave 3 2 2110 $879,000 10/1/13Pending Attached 4452 Mentone St # 305 2 2 882 $300,000 10/21/13Pending Attached 4402 Mentone St # 106 2 2 949 $319,000 11/1/13Pending Detached 2247 Froude St 1 1 580 $337,500 6/3/13Pending Attached 5015 Cape May Ave # 202 2 2 910 $339,900 6/14/13Pending Attached 4588 W Point Loma Blvd # B 2 2 1081 $349,000 4/26/13Pending Attached 4623 Santa Monica Ave 1 1 550 $399,000 9/9/13Pending Detached 4928 Brighton Ave 2 1 766 $449,000 9/19/13Pending Detached 4154 Tennyson St 2 1 1133 $450,000 10/4/13Pending Attached 4878 Pescadero Ave # 103 2 2 1033 $475,000 8/3/13Pending Detached 4255 Montalvo St 3 1 960 $480,000 8/8/13Pending Detached 4327 Voltaire St 2 1 706 $499,000 7/8/13Pending Detached 2319 Seaside St 4 2 1562 $510,000 11/7/13Pending Townhome 3945 Caminito Dehesa 3 3 1831 $525,000 9/9/13Pending Detached 2374 Etiwanda St 2 2 721 $529,000 9/29/13Pending Detached 4606 CASTELAR St 2 1 946 $539,000 11/14/13Pending Detached 2230 Soto St 2 2 866 $550,000 10/11/13Pending Detached 4159 Whittier St 2 2 1152 $599,000 10/17/13Pending Detached 3748 Wawona Dr 3 2 2085 $745,000 8/15/13Pending Detached 4519 Niagara Ave 3 1 942 $749,500 11/2/13Pending Detached 4344 Niagara Ave 2 2 1379 $785,000 9/17/13Pending Detached 3930 Wildwood Rd 3 2 1158 $785,000 10/17/13Pending Detached 4385 Cape May Ave 4 2 2573 $825,000 8/13/13Pending Detached 3795 Milan St 2 2 1642 $875,000 10/8/13Pending Detached 4612 Tivoli St 3 2 1292 $962,500 5/14/13Pending Detached 3756 Milan St 5 3 3757 $1,250,000 10/29/13Pending Detached 4453 Algeciras St 4 4 3640 $1,990,000 8/13/13Pending Detached 875 Sunset Cliffs Blvd 4 3 3720 $2,450,000 11/4/13

mArkeT updATe

juST for func r o s s w o r dpuZZLe

answers

by Myles Mellor

AcroSS

1 Water runs through it

7 Palatial

11 “The Pit and the Pendulum” writer

13 Setting for “The Hunt for Red October”

14 Building design related

15 Serpent

17 Country

20 Cut costs (2 words)

22 Prefix indication wrong action

24 __, the people!

25 Leonardo’s middle name

26 Atmosphere

30 Shorelines

32 ___ Paulo, Brazil

34 Quiet!

35 Some homes have a room dedicated to this

38 Scene

40 Purchase all of them (2 words)

41 Welsh dog

43 Proof of purchase

45 Yellow ribbon spot, in song (2 words)

48 In-flight info, for short

49 Be theatrical

51 Mythical monster

52 Hollow

53 Picture holder

54 Diminutive

down

1 Up and down feature, in a home

2 Academy Award

3 Over, prefix

4 Decompose

5 High, in fashion

6 On the move

8 Vacation spots

9 This, in Montreal

10 Over the moon

12 Garden flower

16 Love ____ (plural)

18 French for friend

19 Stretch out

21 Amazement

23 Tin symbol

27 Human race

28 Plant related

29 Distinguishing features

31 It gets displayed

33 Large reception area

36 Plain and simple

37 Frisbee, for example

38 Attracted

39 Italian river

40 Exercise machine?

42 Property entry-point

44 French summer

46 Line

47 Before to Byron

50 Masters degree

11

point Loma – If you’ve tried to sell your home yourself, you know that the minute you put the “For Sale by Owner” sign up, the phone will start to ring off the hook. Unfortunately, most calls aren’t from prospective buyers, but rather from every real estate agent in town who will start to hound you for your listing.

Like other “For Sale by Owners,” you’ll be subjected to a hundred sales pitches from agents who will tell you how great they are and how you can’t possibly sell your home by yourself. After all, without the proper information, selling a home isn’t easy. Perhaps you’ve had your home on the mar-ket for several months with no offers from qualified buyers. This can be a very frustrating time, and many homeowners have given up their dreams of selling their homes themselves. But don’t give up until you’ve read a new report entitled “Sell

Your Own Home” which has been prepared especially for homesellers like you. You’ll find that selling your home by yourself is entirely possible once you understand the process.

Inside this report, you’ll find 10 inside tips to selling your home by yourself which will help you sell for the best price in the shortest amount of time. You’ll find out what real estate agents don’t want you to know.

To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report, call toll-free 1-800-691-9384 Id# 1017 or visit www.SellyourSdHomeyourself.com. You can call anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how you really can sell your home yourself. n

How To Sell Your Home Yourselfand Save the Commission

This charming 3 bedroom home has been COMPLETELY remodeled throughout and is not to be missed. Features an owned solar system. No more electric bills! Call 800-691-

9357 #3001 for additional details.

Over 1 acre of property with a pool and ample space for RV & boat park-ing. This move in ready home features

nearly 3,000 square feet and was built in 1989. Call 800-691-9357

#3005 for additional details.

Complete green home makeover! This home was completely remodeled into a healthy green home. Enjoy coastal living in this 3 bedroom home. Call 800-691-9357 #3003 for addi-

tional details.

This beautiful highly upgraded Spanish Mediterranean Plan 3 has one of the largest lots located in

Liberty Station. Beautifully landscaped backyard. Call 800-691-9357


You can walk to the beach from your large 3 bedroom home located in

Point Loma Heights. Property features a pool and large 1/4 acre lot. Call 800-691-9357 #3002 for addi-

tional details.

Highly desirable Beacon Point Plan 1 in Liberty Station with over $75k in Upgrades; including: Custom Wood

Floors, Granite Countertops, Plantation Shutters, Custom Built-in Dry Bar with Wine/Beer fridge. Call 800-691-9357 #3006 for additional details.

Enjoy views to Sea World and fireworks at night from this large, 4 bedroom home. Features a large back yard and is just minutes from the water. Call 800-691-9357


Point Loma condo just a short minutes walk from Yacht Club, Shelter Island, beaches/bay, shopping, and restau-rants. Unit includes 1 assigned park-ing space. Call 800-691-9357


SERRA MESA

ALPINE

OCEAN BEACH

LIBERTY STATION/POINT LOMA

POINT LOMA

LIBERTY STATION/POINT LOMA

OCEAN BEACH

POINT LOMA

Licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate # 01870483. All information , reports and statistics are based on data supplied by Sandicor MLS. Neither the associations nor the MLS guarantee, or are in any way responsible for their accuracy. Information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. If your property is listed with another broker, please disregard this notice. It is never our intention to solicit the client of another broker. *Some restrictions apply, contact agent for full details of program.

through our extensive online marketing, we have a list of over 100 buyers that are looking for a home in the Point Loma and/or Ocean Beach community. One of these buyers may be looking to purchase a home just like yours. why not take a minute to see if one of these buyers is your home?

if you’re interested in having one of our buyers see your home, and/or would like to learn how we can help you sell your home for less commission, call or email us today for further details.

Ocean Beach or Point Loma Contemporary style home. Ocean or Bay views. 3+ bedrooms. 2,000+ sqft Up to $1,500,000Ocean Beach or Point Loma Multi unit propertis. 2+ units. 2 bedrooms+ in each unit Up to $1,000,000Point Loma Bay views. 3+ Bedrooms. Family with two young children. Up to $1,500,000Point Loma Considering either a condo or single family residence. 2+ bedrooms. Up to $850,000Point Loma Looking for a single family & must have bay and downtown views. No Loma Portal Up to $2,000,000Point Loma / Liberty Station Couple with young child looking in Liberty Station. Up to $850,000Point Loma / Wooded Area Family of four looking for single family home, 3+ bedrooms. Up to $2,000,000Ocean Beach or Point Loma First time buyer looking for a condo. 2+ bedrooms. Up to $600,000Ocean Beach / Point Loma Heights Family of five looking for 4+ bedrooms, 2000+ sqft. Up to $900,000Ocean Beach Couple looking for cottage style home. 2+ bedrooms. Up to $800,000

View All Homes For sale in Point Loma & Ocean Beach at www.MyPointLoma.com

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