by Roberta Murphy Its not just Encinitas, but Solana Beach and other areas in California blessed with magnificent ocean bluffs. To be able to dangle ones feet over the edge of the earth with nothing but endless ocean beyond is a singular experience. But to lose ones property to crumbling ocean bluffs is not the heartstopping experience we would wish on anyone. Yet bluff collapse has been a reality for…
Aviara’s Argyle: A Restaurant for Four Seasons
by Roberta Murphy The Argyle Steakhouse at the Aviara Four Seasons Resort in Carlsbad, CA has been a favorite with golfers, locals and visitors since it first opened in 1991. The views over Aviaras Arnold Palmer signature course and the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon provide additional year round ambience to what is already a very wonderful restaurant. Until December, 2006 the Argyle served only breakfasts and lunches. It is now much…
What Could be Better than Short Sales and Foreclosures?
by Roberta Murphy It is difficult to avoid the subject of short sales and foreclosures when discussing real estate these days. We receive ongoing emails and calls from people wanting to buy short sales and foreclosures because they want the best deal possible. They believe that the best buys can only come from bloodied sellers and lenders and that somehow real estate agents are the best bloodhounds of all (which…
Do You Neighboroo?
by Roberta Murphy One of the more interesting sites to follow this past year has been Neighboroo. In fact, we now recommend it to both local and relocating San Diego area real estate clients when they begin the process of searching for homes. Though still in beta format, Neighboroo is amazingly rich in the type of information home buyers are seeking. Local housing market Average prices Neighborhood and community safety…
Luxury Home for Jets and Toys
by Roberta Murphy Even private jet owners from Dubai might want to stop in Carlsbad, California for fuel, red carpet service and a concierge service second to none. Celebrities, business tycoons and savvy fliers already know about the Premier Jet facility at the McClellan-Palomar Airport and the buzz is starting to spread. With U.S. Customs opening an office at Palomar in June, a $24 million facelift in the works, and…
Pop the Cork for Sellsius!
by Roberta Murphy Sellsius Real Estate is one of my favorite blogs. Its full of hip news, developing real estate stories and intelligent opinion. Its a place I visit often. Founders Rudy Bachraty and Joseph Ferrara have now unveiled a new site that so caters to real estate buyers who wants more precision in their property search results. BMW and Mercedes engineers couldnt have done a better job. Its a…
La Costa Chateaus: A Tale of Two Sisters
by Roberta Murphy It was a developers mistake that should have never happened. Sometime around 1970, the developers of the original La Costa Resort and Spa allowed for the construction and sale of two 48 unit condominium buildings inside what would eventually come to be known as œthe gates of La Costa. These two buildings are the first to be seen by anyone approaching the resort from its main entrance….
La Jolla, California: A Coastal Jewel
by Roberta Murphy Some cities are the embodiment of luxury,and La Jolla, California is no exception. La Jolla is a paradise for both the traveller and the resident. Sitting just north of San Diego, it offers a spectacular coastline with heart-stopping views. Add to the natural beauty a charming village, upscale shopping, fine dining and lodging, a top-ranked university (UCSD) and medical school—along with a climate that is arguably the best on earth—and…
A Carnival of Luxury
by Roberta Murphy In case you have never visited or participated in a blogging carnival, please allow me to extend a hand and introduce you to a dizzying world of fun, opinions and amazing information. I have participated several times in the real estate blogging carnivals and look forward each week to reading the winning entries. I imagine it takes huge effort on the part of the host to read through all…
The Luxury Blingdex
by Roberta Murphy Luxury is booming and Wall Street is keeping a keen eye on how the rich are spending their wealth. And what better way to measure that hedonism than by creating a variety of indexes that track the shopping of the ultra-rich that we can call the Luxury Blingdex. The demand for four-figure handbags, five-figure baubles, six-figure cars, luxury resorts and travel, insurable art and heady wines has…