Mewborn Team Real Estate Consultants: CoastalLuxurySanDiego.com

July 24th, 2009

Carlsbad, CA – Water Rates Increase August 1, 2009

Categories: Carlsbad, Communities, La Costa

Carlsbad water and wastewater rates will increase about 10 percent or an average of $7.56 a month for most Carlsbad residents, based on decisions at the June 23 Carlsbad City Council and Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors meeting. The rate increases go into effect Aug. 1, with customers seeing changes in their monthly utility bill starting in September.

Nearly 74 percent of the water rate increase is directly related to increases in water purchase costs, due to the drought. The City of Carlsbad agreed that maybe by passing on a portion of the increased costs, it would encourage Carlsbad residents to conserve water.

To also increase conservation, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District board adopted a new billing rate structure, known as tiered rates. Under the tiered rate system, customers will pay one rate for up to a certain amount of water. Water used above that amount will be billed at a higher rate, similar to how electricity rates are structured. The amount of water in the lowest tier is 12 units, the amount of water needed for essential indoor water use, such as cooking, cleaning and drinking.

Please see the chart below for more detailed information on the new tiered rates.

New Carlsbad Residential Water Rates*

Monthly Delivery Charge Flat Rate $16.78

Tier 1 0-12 units $2.29

Tier 2 13-20 units $2.95

Tier 3 21 units or more $4.02

Typical Water Bill** $44.26

*Rate based on a typical household using a 5/8 inch meter. Delivery charges and cost vary according to meter size.

** Based on use of 12 units of water.

Business and irrigation customers are charged a flat rate per unit for water. The new rate for business customers will be $2.64 per unit, and $2.97 per unit for irrigation customers. Changes to recycled water rates and agricultural rates will be considered by the water district board in July.

Wastewater rates will increase 9 percent or approximately $3.28 for the average single family home. Wastewater is billed at a flat rate for residential customers. Rates for multi-family developments and commercial users are billed based on water usage.

Tags: Carlsbad, Carlsbad homes, Carlsbad News, Carlsbad real estate

Posted by Mike and Amy Mewborn// Please leave a comment.

July 22nd, 2009

Del Mar Races – Opening Day – TODAY

Categories: Carlsbad, Community Events, Del Mar, Encinitas, La Costa, Oceanside, San Elijo, San Marcos

Del Mar Racing Season Returns TODAY with
races Wednesday through Sunday
July 22nd through September 9th.

Whether you live in San Diego, Del Mar, Oceanside, Encinitas, Carlsbad, or La Costa - this is a San Diego summer must. 

General admission is $6 for Stretch Run and $10 for Clubhouse.  Additional fees apply for reserved seating.  Opening day pricing is $10 for Stretch Run and $20 for Clubhouse.

Visit Del Mar Thoroughbred Club  for maps, directions, and daily race information.  Have a fabulous day at the races.

Posted by Mike and Amy Mewborn// Please leave a comment.

July 21st, 2009

La Costa Town Square Update

Categories: Carlsbad, Communities, La Costa, La Costa Town Square

News Flash on La Costa Town Square

The City Planning voted 5 in favor, none opposed on the building of La Costa Town Square, in Carlsbad, CA.

Aspen Properties is trying to get an August 15th date scheduled with the Carlsbad City Council to make their presentation for approval.

As of right now, there still are no signed tenants. We will keep you updated as we know more. If you have any questions about La Costa Town Square or any other Carlsbad real estate happenings, please contact us. We are always happy to help.

Posted by Mike and Amy Mewborn// Please leave a comment.

July 20th, 2009

Median Home Prices Up For Third Month In A Row

Categories: Buyers, Carlsbad, Carlsbad Market Trends, Del Mar Market Trends, Encinitas Market Trends, La Costa, La Costa Market Trends, La Costa Oaks, Market Trends, Oceanside Market Trends, Relocation, San Elijo Market Trends, Sellers

If you were looking to buy in La Costa, Carlsbad, or San Diego, and were hoping to catch “the bottom” of the San Diego real estate market – you may have already missed it!

We have been telling clients over the past couple of months that we thought the market had stabilized.  In La Costa and in particular La Costa Oaks - most of the lowest sales prices (La Costa comparables) had been BEFORE January 2009. 

We have also been telling clients that you won’t know the bottom of the Carlsbad real estate market, until you’re already past it.  It seems that may be the case.  Dataquick has reported that the Median Home Price for San Diego real estate is up for the third month in a row. 

But don’t take our word for it – For the San Diego Union Tribune real estate article – click – San Diego Real Estate Prices.

Tags: Carlsbad Real Estate Prices, La Costa Real Estate Prices, San Diego Real Estate Prices

Posted by Mike and Amy Mewborn// Please leave a comment.

July 17th, 2009

Was Casa De Bandini Worth The Wait?

Categories: Carlsbad, Communities, Community Favorites, La Costa

Based on the UNBELIEVABLE crowds – the answer must be a resounding yes! We visited Casa De Bandini a few days after its June 30th opening. We arrived for dinner, at 4:45 pm. The bar was already packed. The restaurant nearing half full. For the first Casa De Bandini review..

The Casa De Bandini Menu looked scrumptious, and extensive. For those who are looking for restaurants that provide gluten free alternatives – Casa De Bandini delivers.

I will tell you that the bar service was a bit spotty. The restaurant service was good. And the good was GREAT! Large portions, reasonable prices, diverse menu. I think the biggest problem is that the arrival of Casa De Bandini may harm the business of the slightly less expensive El Torito – and isn’t competition always good? It keeps quality up and prices down.

By the time we left at 6 pm, the wait was over 90 minutes! This just goes to show how popular Casa De Bandini is – after four years away from San Diego. So beware – after 5 pm, the wait can be quite long. But we (and the people leaving) thought it was WELL worth the wait!

Casa De Bandini is located in The Forum Shops in Carlsbad, CA. For a map or directions – Casa De Bandini.

For information about local Carlsbad, La Costa, and other coastal happenings, subscribe to our blog. We love living in Carlsbad and are often writing about the things we enjoy the most!

Tags: Carlsbad CA, Casa De Bandini

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July 16th, 2009

New Homes in La Costa, CA from $500,000 – GREAT DEAL!

Categories: Buyers, Carlsbad, La Costa, La Costa Greens, New Construction

This past weekend we went to the grand opening of the new homes in La Costa Greens. Avellino in La Costa Greens are being built by KB Homes.

The La Costa Greens townhomes range from 1615 square feet to 2216 square feet and start as low as $526,000, with some homes having a La Costa Resort and Spa golf course view.

Because of the low Avellino pricing, there are no current incentives offered by the builder or lender. However, as a first time buyer, you may be eligible for an $8,000 federal and $10,000 state tax credit. If you use The Mewborn Team in your purchase, we will offer $1,500 toward closing costs to buy down your mortgage/interest rate.

These La Costa Greens homes will go to the award winning Carlsbad schools – Poinsettia Elementary School, Aviara Oaks Middle School, and Carlsbad High School.

As a part of La Costa Greens, you also have access to the La Costa Greens Presidio Club and swimming pool.

If you have any questions about these homes or any other La Costa, Carlsbad, Oceanside, or north county coastal real estate or mortgages, please contact us below. We are always happy to help!

Posted by Mike and Amy Mewborn// Please leave a comment.

July 9th, 2009

July 11th and 12th Health and Wellness Expo

Categories: Carlsbad, Community Events

July is Carlsbad’s Parks and Recreation Month.  The highlights of Carlsbad’s Parks and Recreation Month is this weekend’s Health and Wellness Expo and the Carlsbad Triathlon.

The Health and Wellness Expo will be held at Westfield Plaza Camino Real on Saturday and Sunday July 11th and 12th.  The hours are 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday in the southwest parking lot.  The expo will have demonstrations and activities for all age groups to promote getting (and staying) healthy at any age.

On Sunday, the fun starts at 8 am with the Carlsbad Triathlon at Tamarack Beach.  The Carlsbad Triathlon includes a 1 mile swim, a 25k bike ride, and a 5k run.

So, if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, pack up the family and go learn about some of the things that our City of Carlsbad is doing to promote health and a sense of community.  For more information, go to www.carlsbadca.gov/recreation.

Tags: Carlsbad, Carlsbad Community Events

Posted by Mike and Amy Mewborn// Please leave a comment.