Homes

Homes

FANITA RANCH POP-UP INTERNET ADS STRIVE TO DRUM UP SUPPORT FOR MASSIVE PROJECT

By Miriam Raftery

July 15, 2019 (Santee) – Fanita Ranch, the controversial master-planned development proposed in Santee, is seeking to drum up community support through pop-up ads targeting East County residents on the Internet.  This reporter had one of the ads pop up while paying an online solitaire game.

The ad claims that Fanita Ranch can “improve traffic” including adding westbound and eastbound lanes as well as a high-capacity onramp at Mast Blvd.  The ad clicks open to the website https://fanitaranch.com/improvingtraffic. But project opponents take issue with the advertising’s claims.  

A MAGICAL PLACE: HUBBELL HOME, STUDIO AND GARDENS

By Miriam Raftery

July 13, 2019 (Julian) – A visit to artist and architectural designer James Hubbell’s property atop a hill overlooking the Volcan Mountain Preserve in Julian, California is an entry into a whimsical world, where buildings appear to have sprouted from the landscape, complementing curves and rugged forms in nature, punctuated by colorful stained glass, murals and more.

Every year on Father’s Day, the Ilan Lael Foundation opens up the property to the public for a tour of the property, where James and his wife, Anne, still reside.  I had the pleasure of taking the tour this year.

LEARN HOME FARMING SKILLS FROM CHICKENS TO CHEESEMAKING, BEEKEEPING TO BACKYARD FISH FARMING AT THE ALPINE LIBRARY

By Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2019 (Alpine) – The San Diego County Library in Alpine is offering a fresh crop of free “modern homesteading” classes where you can learn how to raise and grow your own foods. The offerings include cheesemaking, beekeeping, vermicomposting, tilapia farming, backyard chickens, home farming and edible landscaping.

Below are full details:

HOW SHOULD COUNTY SPEND FEDERAL FUNDS IN YOUR COMMUNITY? SHARE YOUR VIEWS IN THESE PUBLIC FORUMS

 

East County News Service 

July 5, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- “San Diego County needs your input on how best to invest federal funds in our low- to moderate-income communities,” says Supervisor Dianne Jacob. 

The County is holding a series of public forums at county libraries, each one hour, including these East County locations, to hear your ideas:

  • Alpine, July 8 at 12:30 p.m.
  • Ramona, July 10 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Julian, July 12 at 11:30 a.m.
  • El Cajon, July 22, 3:30 p.m.
  • Borrego Springs, July 24 at 11:30 a.m.
  • Spring Valley on July 29 at 11:30 a.m.

You can also share your thoughts and suggestions in an online survey: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/sdhcd/ 

LA MESA CONSIDERS LEASING FORMER POLICE STATION SITE TO HOUSING DEVELOPER

By Miriam Raftery

July 3, 2019 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, July 9 to discuss whether to consider leasing the former police station site at the southeast corner of Allison and Date avenues to USA Properties Fund.  

PARK CIRCLE COMMUNITY BREAKS GROUND IN VALLEY CENTER

East County News Service

View video

July 2, 2019 (Valley Center) – Park Circle, a master-planned community with 632 homes, parks, retail and recreational space has broken ground in Valley Center.
 
Built by Touchstone Communities with landscape design by InSite Landscape Architecture, the 186-acre site is slated to include eight neighborhoods with a variety of architectural styles and home sizes. Park Circle will also include a 2.6 acre County park open to the public, four linear parks, three private recreation complexes, 8 miles of trails, native riparian habitat, a dog play area, community gardening, restaurants and a shopping center.

REAL ESTATE REALITY: SHOULD I ADD MY SPOUSE TO THE TITLE OF MY HOME?

By Maryanna Jackson

June 28, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) –  Dear Maryanne,

Two years ago, I purchased a condominium in San Carlos. I was single. I have since married and never did add my spouse to the title.

If I should sell my home will I need to add my spouse to the title of my property in order to sell?

--D.S., San Carlos, S.D.

COUNTY APPROVES CONTROVERSIAL MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY IN OTAY RANCH

Ths project site burned in the 2007 Harris wildfire. State Route 94 through Jamul, the main access route, is rated by Cal Fire in the most dangerous 1%  of areas in the state for evacuation during a major fire.
 
By Kendra Sitton
 
June 27, 2019 (Jamul) – San Diego County Supervisors have voted 3-2 to approve a Master Planned Community outside of Otay along Proctor Valley within the Jamul area, known as Village 14 and Planning Areas 16/19. Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who represents Jamul, voted against the plan alongside the only Democrat on the board, Nathan Fletcher during the Wednesday, June 26 meeting.

RENTS RISING ACROSS SAN DIEGO AND EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – The city of San Diego ranked second worst in the nation for rent hikes on  a one-bedroom apartment in 2018, at 17% with an average rent of $2,300, according to Rent.com. By contrast, the national average rent increase nationwide was 2.69% and California averaged a 4.48% increase in rents on one bedroom apartments during the same time period.

 

Rents are also skyrocketing in East County, where some communities had double digit rent hikes from March 2018 through March 2019 for 1 BR units:

Lemon Grove +15.66%

La Mesa +10.63%

El Cajon + 5.04%

Santee, by contrast, had only a modest 1.25% increase.

Spring Valley, the only unincorporated community in San Diego County with enough inventory to provide statistically valid data, had a 9.6% increase.

FLOWER CARE MAINTENANCE KEEPS GARDENS LOOKING THEIR BEST ALL SUMMER LONG

By Melinda Myers

Photo:  Removing spent flowers on many perennials will encourage additional boom and keep gardens looking their best, courtesy Melinda Myers, LLC

June 18, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - A bit of grooming and care will keep your flower gardens looking their best throughout the hot summer months and into fall.

Remove the flower stems of salvias, veronicas and similar flowers as the blooms begin to fade. Use a pruner or sharp garden scissors and cut just above the first set of leaves or above the side shoots where new flower buds are forming.

RON BURNER, SANTEE RESIDENT, REALTOR, YOUTH SPORTS COACH, JOINS KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY IN EL CAJON

East County News Service

June 14, 2019 (El Cajon) – Keller Williams Realty San Diego East Foothills in El Cajon, the largest residential real estate brokerages in San Diego’s East County region with more than 320 agents, has announced that Santee resident Ron Burner has joined the firm as a real estate sales agent.

COULD YOUR LA MESA HOME QUALIFY FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND BENEFITS? FIND OUT JUNE 6

East County News Service

June 4, 2019 (La Mesa) – Was your home built before 1984?  If so it may qualify for historic preservation, with tax benefits and other advantages.  La Mesa Conservations and the La Mesa Historical Society will host “Historic Preservation in La Mesa: Myths, Realities and Benefits” including the city’s historic property update. The event will be held this Thursday, June 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 4731 Date St., La Mesa.

This event is free. but please RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-preservation-in-la-mesa-tickets-61773023777?mc_cid=a883f98a8a&mc_eid=54e8d2ba08

REAL ESTATE REALITY: WHERE, OH WHERE, DID OUR SEPTIC TANK GO? HOW TO AVOID A PORTA POTTY PROBLEM.

By Maryanne Jackson, real estate broker, CNE. CPRES. DRE#01784021

Photo: Creative Commons image via Free Stock

June 4, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Dear Maryanne,

My fiancé and I purchased our first home in December. We were told there was a septic tank on the property. We had asked our agent on numerous occasions to find out the exact location of the septic tank, but he never followed through with our request; he only told us, “The septic tank had recently been pumped therefore we really had no need to worry about it right now, we just needed to focus on closing the deal.”

Upon moving in we attempted to use the showers and toilets and noticed the water started to back up. We called numerous plumbers and the prior owner- who informed us that the septic had been renovated when the investor bought the property from her and did the flip.

We now are paying $200 a month for a porta potty rental; it is our only way to have a bathroom on our property until this gets resolved.

How could this situation have been avoided? Was there something we should have done while in escrow?

K. W. Blossom Valley

TAXPAYERS WATCHDOG GROUP HONORS EAST COUNTY REALTORS FOR HELPING DISABLED MILITARY VETERANS

 

 

East County News Service

May 29, 2019 (San Diego's East County) – The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,800-member real estate trade group for San Diego-area realtors with an office in El Cajon, was recently honored by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA) with a Golden Watchdog Award. The award recognized PSAR’s assistance to the San Diego County Assessor’s Office with a program that is helping disabled military veterans achieve homeownership.

EAST COUNTY REALTORS GROUP’S COMPETITIONS RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITIES

 

 

East County News Service

May 29, 2019 (Chula Vista) – The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a real estate trade group for San Diego-area realtors with an office in El Cajon, will host its third annual Realtor Games from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, June 21 at Scobee Park, 2390 Boswell Road, Chula Vista.

SANTEE APPROVES BOND FINANCING FOR WESTON IMPROVEMENTS

 
 
By Mike Allen
 
May 28, 2019 (Santee) -- Santee’s City Council approved the final phase May 22 on about $9 million in bonds that will be issued next month to pay for improvements and city services to the controversial Weston residential development, formerly called Castlerock.
 
The special tax bonds are completely supported from property taxes paid by the residents of Weston, which is located just west of Santee Lakes and off Mast Boulevard.
 
No city funding will be used to repay the bonds, which are being issued through two separate community facilities districts via a mechanism commonly used by many cities in California called Mello-Roos.
 
The actual amount of issued debt won’t be known until the debt is priced and sold in early June, but likely will come in at about $8.9 million although the special financing districts controlled by the city of Santee has the power to issue up to $9.5 million in debt.

CALIFORNIA'S CONTROVERSIAL PRO-DEVELOPMENT HOUSING BILL UNEXPECTEDLY SHELVED

 

 

By Matt Levin and Ben Christopher, CALmatters

CALmatters is an independent public interest journalism venture covering California state politics and government.

May 19, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Shock. Depression. Relief.

Those were just some of the reactions as the year’s most controversial state housing bill met its sudden demise. But very few people—supporters, opponents, and even the author himself—can claim to have seen this coming.

REAL ESTATE REALITY: A ROOTY SITUATION - FINDING A PEACEFUL COMPROMISE

 

 

By Maryanne Jackson, real estate broker, CNE, CPRES

May 13, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - 

Dear Maryanne,

My wife and I have been having some issues with our neighbors’ large tree. The tree has encroached over the shared fence, causing damage to our deck.

 

The damage has since been repaired by our neighbor’s insurance company.

 

However, the deck repair company made note that the tree roots were growing under the fence and into our yard. Eventually this may cause damage to the deck again unless the tree is removed.

 

The insurance company will not cover the cost to remove the tree and our neighbors are not in a financial position to cover the cost.

 

Any ideas? We really don’t want to take legal action against our neighbors and are seeking peaceful solutions.

 

Jay N. Horizon Hills, Mount Helix


SAN DIEGO’S PROPOSED NEW VEHICLE HABITATION ORDINANCE DRAWS OPPOSITION; PROTEST PLANNED TUESDAY

 

Update May 15, 2019: The San Diego City Council has voted to approve the new vehicle habitation ordinance.

By Miriam Raftery

May 13, 2019 (San Diego) – After a federal judge found San Diego’s vehicle habitation ordinance unconstitutional and issued an injunction to halt its enforcement of the ban on sleeping in vehicles, a new ordinance backed by Mayor Kevin Faulconer has been passed 3-1 by a committee and forwarded to the full city council, where a vote is expected on Tuesday, May 14 at 2 p.m.  

 

COUNTY RESCHEDULES HEARING TO JUNE 26 ON GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR MAJOR HOUSING PROJECT IN OTAY-JAMUL AREAS

 

 

East County News Service

May 10, 2019 (San Diego) – On June 26 at 9 a.m., County Supervisors will hold a hearing on a proposed General Plan Amendment for the proposed Otay Ranch Village 14 and Planning Areas 16/19. This is rescheduled from the original May 22 date.

The project proposes to develop 1,119 homes on approximately 1,284 total acres within an approximately 860 acre development footprint that lies within Otay Ranch Village 14 and Planning Areas 16 & 19 (PAs 16 & 19).  The project includes property in the Otay Ranch area as well as land between Jamul and Chula Vista.

HOME SALES AND PRICES INCREASED IN APRIL, REALTORS GROUP REPORTS

 

 

Ramona tops list with most homes sold

 

East County News Service

Photo: Creative Commons

May 9, 2019 (San Diego) – Sales of existing homes in San Diego County continued to rise in April, according to housing statistics compiled through the San Diego Multiple Listing Service by the GreaterSan Diego Association of REALTORS®.

REAL ESTATE REALITY: INTENTIONAL TRANQUILITY: DESIGNING WITH A PEACEFUL PURPOSE

 

 

By Maryanne Jackson, Real Estate Broker, CNE. CPRES.

April 20, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -

Dear Maryanne,

My mother and I purchased a home in Lemon Grove last year and it has been very quiet until recently. There is a lot of construction going on lately and the cars are being diverted past our home. We are now interested in finding solutions to creating a quiet and peaceful environment without moving.

Thelma S. & Joy L.

Lemon Grove, CA

EARTH TALK: SUSTAINABLE TRENDS IN HOME RENOVATION AND DESIGN

 

 

By Sam Bowman, Earth Talk

April 19, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Sustainability has become a trend in home renovation and design, but which aspects of it are trending in the green building niche right now? As more people become passionate about eco-friendly living, sustainable innovations grow and become more accessible for anyone looking to create a greener house for themselves. When considering sustainability, trending items are not just about what is fashionable; it’s also about which are doing the most for the environment.

HOME OF THE FUTURE: ALMOST HERE TODAY?

 

 

By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss, EarthTalk

Photo:  This small rooftop wind turbine from Netherlands-based start-up The Archimedes can generate 1,500 kilowatt-hours of energy each year, which would account for about 15% of the typical American household's annual energy needs

April 12, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Dear EarthTalk: Given all the advances in residential household efficiency, can you paint a picture of what the home of the future will look like?

—Jennifer C., Valmeyer, IL

WHAT SDG&E’S TIME-OF-USE RATE MEANS FOR YOU

 

 

Source: Sullivan Solar Power  

April 5, 2019 (San Diego) -- Beginning on March 1, 2019 SDG&E started defaulting its residential ratepayers to a new form of billing for electricity, a time-of-use rate known as “TOUDR1.” They plan to default 700,000 – 1,000,000 ratepayers per month to this time-of-use rate through mid-2020. SDG&E is mandated to provide two notices to ratepayers informing them 30 and 60 days prior to defaulting a customer, providing opportunities for ratepayers to opt out of being defaulted. See below for more details, or click here to RSVP for a seminar near you to learn more and speak with us in person.

REAL ESTATE REALITY: BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME--ADDING A GRANNY FLAT

 

 

By Maryanne Jackson, real estate broker

April 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County)

Dear Maryanne,

My mother is living in another state now, but we need to start to explore the possibility of having her come live with us soon. We have a large lot and would like to find out  how to get a permit to build a smaller unit on our residential property.

Is this an easy process?

--JD. La Mesa

REAL ESTATE REALITY: A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT—LANDSCAPING WITH A PURPOSE

 

 

By Maryanne Jackson Real Estate Broker CNE. CPRES

March 21, 2019 (La Mesa) -

Dear Maryanne,

I own a property on Fuerte Drive in Mount Helix. With all the rain we have been getting recently, there’s an area in my front yard that has become a stream when it rains. Can I divert this water away from my house? What are some of the most common ways to deal with this?

--Ms. S. T.

LA MESA BEAUTIFUL CULTIVATES HARMONY WITH NATURE IN EAST COUNTY

 

Upcoming spring events April 10 and May 19 reap harvest of community opportunities

By Elisabeth Handley

March 18, 2019 (La Mesa) -- Spring heralds all things new, so what better time to plan a new garden or landscape renovation? La Mesa Beautiful’s spring events are the perfect venues to get ideas, talk to experts and have a lot of fun in the process.

TRANSPARENCY CONCERNS PLAGUE LA MESA COUNCIL OVER GRANNY FLAT ORDINANCES

 

 

By Allan Acevedo

 

March 16, 2019 (La Mesa) – What a difference two weeks makes. The La Mesa City Council heard robust public comment from diverse perspectives concerning the approval of two so-called “granny flat” ordinances. On narrowly won passage from a divided Council, while the second passed unanimously.

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