by Roberta Murphy I watched Sunday night’s 60 Minutes segment on the real estate industry and blanched when I heard reporter Leslie Stahl guarantee that Realtors get “six percent on every house they sell…it is sacrosanct.” Leslie Stahl dared to tread where no Realtor would ever step, because commissions are negotiable and anything to the contrary would amount to price fixing. If I go through the San Diego MLS, I will see commissions…
La Costa Membership
by Roberta Murphy One of the questions we frequently answer is: How much is membership at La Costa Resort? This South Carlsbad, CA resort features two 18–hold championship golf courses, world-class tennis facility with 4 clay and 13 hard court surfaces, a state-of-the-art athletic club, a day camp for kids, fabulous pools, a renowned spa, the Chopra Center, two fine restaurants and semi-regular social events for members. All of these…
A Solution for Junk Mail
by Roberta Murphy There is nothing more annoying than to have solicitors intruding into your life by telephone. Millions rejoiced when Do Not Call lists were instituted and we all reclaimed precious time in our lives by joining it. And junk mail? Not quite so intrusive is all the junk mail that clogs our mailboxes, trashcans and landfills. I would be delighted to never receive another offer to refinance my…
Carnival of Luxury Winners
by Roberta Murphy What a pleasure it has been to go through the entries for the first Carnival of Luxury. It was fun to read entries not only from outstanding real estate professionals, but a rant from a therapist, an art review, advice for creating abundant lifestyles, and the story of a Las Vegas legend who went from a $2500 loan to billionaire status. Perhaps it is the ultra-warm weather we have…
The No Fear Estate
Once in awhile a property comes along that will take your breath away. And that was the precise intent of an owner who had no budget, no restraint andNo Fear.You see, that visionary owner was Mark Simo, co-founder and CEO of NO FEAR and Spy Optics in Carlsbad, California as well as the TransWorld Business website that launched in 2005. Mark Simo sold this La Costa estate several years ago…
Encinitas Bluffs, But It’s No Joke
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…
