Xtend Barre Carlsbad is located in Carlsbad Village Faire, upstairs across from Vinaka Cafe.  Your first class is always free to try it and see what everyone’s talking about.  For first time clients, there are two current specials running… one month unlimited for $125 or three months unlimited (to REALLY get that bikini body) for $400.

Come take a class.  See what everyone’s talking about.  It’s hard, fun, and WORKS!  I truly believe that if every girl in Carlsbad knew something could work like this, every girl in Carlsbad would be doing it!

Some of the eligible items include:
Air Conditioning Units
Barbecues (no propane)
Basketball hoops
Furniture 
Doors
Mattresses
Toilets
Large appliances 
Water heaters 
File cabinets

For a list of items that qualify for the program and what is not allowed, visit the city’s Web site, www.carlsbadca.gov, under Environmental Programs.

To make a pick up reservation, call Waste Management, the city’s trash contractor, at 760-929-9400, during the registration period.  Residents are limited to two items per pick up day.  The city offers five bulky item pick up days a year. 

Computers and televisions are not eligible for pick up.  Electronic items must be discarded at a qualified household hazardous waste facility. Carlsbad residents can take their electronic waste to 2880 Industry St. in Oceanside, 760-929-9400, or 1145 East Taylor St. in Vista, 800-444-4244. Please call ahead for hours of operation.

The city recommends residents consider donating useable goods to charity or allowing others in the community to use them.  Waste Management is a partner with Freecycle, an online network where members give away and get items for free in their own communities.

There are many possible reasons for smaller homes:
1. Aging boomers: As people are living longer, more Carlsbad couples are selling the big houses in favor of a smaller, single story home with less yard (and maintenance). We are finding that La Costa and Carlsbad single story homes are often on the market for a fraction of the time as a similar square footage two-story. The demand for these homes are increasing dramatically! Also as baby boomers are becoming empty nesters, many are choosing to trade in their big home for an RV or more vacations.

2. Affordability – We often find that Carlsbad real estate buyers stretch to buy the biggest, best house they can afford. In times of economic distress – layoffs, declining property values, decreasing wages, people just can’t afford the big house any more. Factor in increases in San Diego energy and water costs, more homeowners are realizing that maybe they need to revisit their monthly housing expenses.

3. Tight credit markets – Any loan above $417k is still a jumbo loan. Even though homes within the expanded limits are often called high balance conforming loans – these and other jumbo mortgages are harder (and more expensive) to get. As Carlsbad interest rates rise, home buyers will be able to afford less and less.

If you have any questions Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, and other north county coastal San Diego real estate or mortgage topics, please contact us. We are always happy to answer your questions.

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.

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.

This past Saturday was the opening of Rockledge in La Costa Oaks, in Carlsbad, CA.  We stopped by Saturday morning just to see the traffic.  It wasn’t nearly as busy as the grand opening of Copperwood in La Costa Oaks about a month ago.  So, we wondered about the potential immediate success of the development.  It seemed to me that given the AMAZING price range for being part of my much loved La Costa Oaks subdivision, that the community would be much busier that morning.

HOWEVER – we happened to stop by again on Sunday evening about 4:00 pm on our way to The Carlsbad Outlet Mall and Ruby’s.  And although, the traffic still wasn’t bustling, it was steady.  And imagine out surprise when we spoke to the sales representative and found that FOUR OF THE NINE homes that had just been released the day prior were already sold!!!!

As a real estate agent – that is GREAT news.  It reinforces some of the trends we are seeing with our clients – if you find a great home at the right price – you better be ready to act.  They are often selling on the first day on the market – at ABOVE asking price.  Does that mean the booming market is back – not necessarily.  But in a price range under $500k to $600k – homes are selling, and often selling quickly!

As for Rockledge at La Costa Oaks – Colrich expects to build 43 homes – many with canyon and ocean views.  The schools are the very highly rated and desirable – Mission Estancia Elementary, Diegueno Middle, and La Costa Canyon High School.

Rockledge at La Costa Oaks have homes between 1,913 and 2,463 square feet.  The property tax base is 1.3%.  As a La Costa Oaks homeowner, you will have access to The Oaks Club (which includes a gathering room, catering kitchen, swimming pool, bbq areas, and fully equipped exercise facility).  You will also have access to the coming La Costa Oaks Splash – a second pool and bbq area scheduled for completion in late 2009.

There are $10,000 of incentives offered if you use the preferred lender.  If you choose to use our services, the Mewborn Team is also offering a $4,000 incentive toward closing costs.  You ALSO have up to possibly $18,000 of tax credits available.   The financial incentives are HUGE!  ASK US HOW!

If you have any questions about Rockledge, La Costa Oaks, or any other local real estate communities, please contact us.  We are always happy to answer your questions.

The 90 minute wait AND fabulous review just go 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 everyone leaving said it was WELL worth the wait!

In a trip to Casa De Bandini about a week ago, they were putting the finishing touches on the restaurant and training the staff. The hostess was wearing a beautiful traditional mexican “costume” with the long flowing skirt, and ruffly white blouse. There is dining inside or out. The outside tables have heaters, umbrellas, and lights strung over the entire patio. When I went in today, the

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.

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!

I love the Carlsbad, Del Mar, and San Marcos Sammy’s because of the gluten-free pizza. Although not quite as soft, fluffy, and chewy as its typical wheat filled counterpart, it is a wonderful pizza – especially for those of us who really love a great pizza and try to limit the amount of gluten in their diet.

If you have any news about your favorite Carlsbad or La Costa businesses, please contact us. We always want to keep the community up to date on favorites or community news!

Located conveniently (to homes in Carlsbad, La Costa, Leucadia, San Elijo, and Encinitas) in the Carlsbad Forum Shops, Casa de Bandini is anticipating a June opening date.  As residents of La Costa Oaks, we spend tons of time at the Carlsbad Forum Shops, and never really took to Yellow Coyote. 

Some of our friends and neighbors remember the “old” Casa de Bandini as one of their favorite San Diego restaurants.  As such, this La Costa resident is looking forward to their opening.  News to follow when we see their doors open.  If you have any La Costa or Carlsbad community favorites or any real estate questions, please contact us below.