Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Blog

SHORT SALES are in every community, including the exclusive San Diego coastal community of Rancho Santa Fe.  A "short sale" can happen when a property has little or no equity, that is, the seller owes at closing time more than the property is worth. In these situations, lenders are sometimes willing to accept less than the full amount due, commonly referred to a "short pay" or "short sale." If you are in the market for a good deal, you might want to look at these listings, while they are still available.

Cielo - 5 bdrms/5 baths, 6,729 sq. ft.

• Original List Price:       $2,700,000
• Current List Price:       $2,000,000
• Current Mortgage:       $multiple loans with Countrywide

Circo Diegueno - 4 bdrms/4 baths, 4,968 sq. ft. on 2.61 acres

• Original List Price:       $3,200,876
• Current List Price:       $2,699,000
• Owner Purchased for:   $1,925,000 in 12/2003

Rancho Santa Fe Covenant  - 5+ bdrms/5 ½ baths, 6,421 sq. ft. on 3.14 acres

• Original List Price:       $4,995,000
• Current List Price:       $3,950,000
• Owner Purchased for:   $1,550,000 in 8/1997

Cielo - 6+ bdrms/6 baths, 9,820 sq. ft. on 3.01 acres

• Original List Price:       $2,799,000
• Current List Price:       $2,799,000
• Current Mortgage:       $2,769,000 with Washington Mutual

Fairbanks Ranch - 8+ bdrms/9 ½ baths, 14,121 sq. ft. on 1.87 acres

• Original List Price:       $7,500,000
• Current List Price:       $7,500,000
• Owner Purchased for:   $6,450,000 in 8/2006

The Bridges - 5 bdrms/5 ½ baths, 5,671 sq. ft. on .65 acres

• Original List Price:       $3,272,500
• Current List Price:       $2,674,000
• Owner Purchased for:   $2,910,000 in 8/2005

Whispering Palms/Morgans Run - 2 bdrms/2 ½ baths, 1,740 ft.

• Original List Price:       $725,000
• Current List Price:       $760,000 (per bank's approval)
• Mortgages:                 $902,000 & $98,000 Countrywide 4/2007

Alcala in Morgan's Run - 3+ bdrms/2 ½ baths, 2,479 sq. ft.

• Original List Price:       $750,000
• Current List Price:       $750,000
• Mortgages:                 $800,000 & $99,000 Bank United & Wash Mutual in 4/2006

Information is provided by Sandicor and believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed and subject to change without notice.

If you are interested in viewing short sale listings in other communities, please contact Susan at (858) 245-9905 or visit our website at www.RSFHome.com.

DEL MAR COUNTRY CLUB is home to some of the most luxurious estates in San Diego County.  The name "Del Mar", is Spanish for "of the sea" and Del Mar Country club enjoys the ocean breezes of the nearby coastal community of Del Mar.  Del Mar Country Club is guard gated and one of the finest golf course communities in the area.  There are 266 acres of lushly landscaped hills and 108 custom homes ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 square feet.  The lots for custom home sites are from 1 acre to 3 acres.  Each site offers its own unique view of the golf course, the Del Mar Country Club clubhouse, the open hills, the ocean to the west and the horse country of Rancho Santa Fe to the north.  The Del Mar Country Club architectural review committee has approved Mediterranean, Traditional and Country French home designs. 

The golf course at Del Mar Country Club offers a "No Tee Time Policy" guaranteeing that you can show up for a game and play anytime you like.   Every hole is different and the course is considered fair, but challenging.  There is a unique "double-sided" driving range that allows you to practice with or against the wind and sun and ensures privacy and space.  It is reported that Bill Gates built a custom home here and is reportedly seen enjoying the 18 hole Joseph Lee golf course that the homes surround.  In addition to the 50,000 clubhouse there are six tennis courts, a junior Olympic-size swimming pool, fitness center and spa facility.

For more information about the Del Mar Country Club homes for sale, please contact Susan at (858) 245-9905.

Do you ever wonder what someone in another country pays for gasoline?  Do you ever wonder why they pay more or less than we do in Rancho Santa Fe?  The other day I was at our desert home and decided to see what Costco charged for gas as opposed to a Shell station a block away.

vs.

To take it further, I went online to view what other countries pay for gas and here is a list below of what the average cost of gas is in other countries.  I continue to ponder why we are paying so much... there doesn't seem to be a rational reason.  If you have one, please let me know! 

It was reported recently that vacant homes may need special insurance coverage.  An empty unsold house is a problem.  When a homeowner moves out and the house remains empty, it may continue to be protected by homeowners insurance for risks such as fire, as long as the premium is paid. But after 30 days of vacancy, things like vandalism, water damage caused by broken pipes, and theft are no longer covered. Some policies cease coverage after 60 days.  Exclusions in coverage for vacant properties are not new. Insurance companies believe that damage to a home is more likely when no one is living in it and that certain things grow worse with inattention. They even reserve the right to cancel what coverage remains in force when they learn of an extended vacancy. This potential gap in coverage could be a problem for owners.

Check with your insurance company to see if they provide you a policy such as "Vacant Property & Liability Insurance".  If not, Coldwell Banker is affiliated with NRT Insurance Agency and can give you a quote.  Their number is (888) 717-1776 or visit their website at www.nrtinsurance.com.

If you are interested in information about La Quinta real estate we would like to invite you to view our comprehensive website at www.LQ-Homes.com.  Here you will find every development, golf course community information pictures, aerials, hoa information, maps and prices for La Quinta properties.  You can also visit us at www.Resort-Home.com for more information about the Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and surrounding area communities.

View all desert area listings in the MLS by clicking the link below:

Interested in any San Diego County listings for sale?  Click the link below:

If you would like more information contact us at (760) 567-9100.

65 SOLD PROPERTIES IN RANCHO SANTA FE (92067)

MONTH         NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD

January 2008              6 detached homes

February 2008             9 detached homes

March 2008                 17 detached homes

April 2008                   10 detached homes

May 2008                   13 detached homes

June 2008                  10 detached homes

Least expensive home sold:  $950,000 on Caminito Providencia

Most expensive home sold:  $13,000,000 on Avenida de Acacias

For information on recent sales in any neighborhood in Rancho Santa Fe, please contact us at (858) 245-9905 without obligation!

Wishing you and your families a wonderful Fourth of July!  Whether in Rancho Santa Fe or in another part of our incredible country, may we all remember the sacrifices made to allow us to live free.  Our prayers are with the armed forces and with the future of our great nation. God Bless America!

For a list of the fireworks displays and patriotic activities tonight, please visit www.signonsandiego.com.

Summer is here and Rancho Santa Fe is the perfect place to be!  Residents are looking forward to the annual Fourth of July parade that meanders through the village of Rancho Santa Fe.  Residents dress up their golf carts, horses and children and show their patriotism with an old fashioned parade and picnic in the park.  Visitors line the streets and wave flags and catch candy being thrown to the crowds... fun for all, especially the young at heart!

Today it would seem appropriate to introduce you to the "COVENANT" of Rancho Santa Fe.  The Covenant is arguably the most coveted property within the zip code of Rancho Santa Fe (92067).  Not only do you have to live within the Covenant to go to the Rancho Santa Fe School, but also to use the riding trails, and other exclusive rights. 

In the mid 1920s large parcels of land were sold for citrus and avocado groves in Rancho Santa Fe. Homes were constructed, many on hilltops with fabulous views of the mountains, ocean and valleys. Although building and landscaping requirements were a part of the purchase contract in the early years, Charles Cheney, a noted city planner suggested that the residents of the area form a mutual organization for the administration of the community. In 1927 a non-profit association was formed. The Rancho Santa Fe Association's purpose was to administer the "Protective Covenant" that seeks to insure the "preservation, maintenance, development, and improvement of property owners and in conformance with the general community plan."

Today the Rancho Santa Fe Association is still pursuing the goals of the original developers. This beautiful place is home to approximately 5,000 residents. The focal point of activity is the central village, where businesses and shops line the few blocks of commercially zoned property.   Rancho Santa Fe has no mail delivery to the homes, by choice, and the villagers meet and greet each other daily at the post office.  The village serves as a meeting place where neighbors gather for morning coffee, or stroll down the street to shop in the quaint village, or simply to enjoy the ambiance of what is Rancho Santa Fe.

Whether one lives in the Covenant, or any other community within Rancho Santa Fe, the residents share the same desire for preserving the quality of life and rural atmosphere the planners of the 1920's worked so hard to develop. Rancho Santa Fe continues to grow, but always will stand as a tribute to California's past.

For those of you who would like to read the Rancho Santa Fe Protective Covenant or view .pdf version at http://www.rsfassociation.org/pages/proCove.pdf

If you would like more information about Rancho Santa Fe homes and real estate, please visit our website at www.RSFHome.com or call us at (858) 245-9905.