If you have ever considered a short sale, or would like to learn more about how they work, I have the seminar for you…and it’s free! Shortsaleopedia and I have collaborated to hold monthly seminars to help homeowners in San Diego, and the next one is this Wednesday, March 14, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Carlsbad Dove Library.

I have put together a phenomenal panel of experts – from real estate and credit attorneys to a CPA, short sale bank negotiator, mortgage professional, escrow and title professionals, who specialize and are trained in short sales. We will teach you all about the intricacies and ramifications (legal, credit and tax) of short sales, programs that may be available to help you, and how current and upcoming laws could make your sale easier or more challenging.

Please join me and my wonderful expert panel this Wednesday. Come learn, ask questions and get informed. You can sign up here:  http://shortsaleopedia.com/events/event-san-diego-shortsaleopedia-seminar/ The Carlsbad Dove (main) library is located at 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad, just off El Camino Real North of Aviara Parkway.  If you are investigating options for distressed property, this event will be valuable.

If you are looking for a home that is bright, clean, close to the beach and has been recently upgraded to the hilt, I have the home for you! My new listing at 1477 Sapphire Drive in Carlsbad is in the wonderful gated community of Mar Brisa, just moments from the beach, dining, shopping, walking trails and in the wonderful Carlsbad school district.

Here are some of the amenities this home offers:

•4 bedroom plus optional bedroom downstairs (or den/office), 2336 square feet, great floorplan

•  Granite kitchen counters

•  New Travertine flooring downstairs with decorative inlays

•  New custom stone floor-to-ceiling fireplace in family room

•  New hardwood flooring in master bedroom – which has ocean peek-a-boo views and plenty of closet space

•  New carpeting upstairs

•  Surround sound system downstairs with recessed speakers, and the family room is wired for Apple TV

•  3 car garage with built-in storage

• Private, nicely landscaped backyard with fire pit

• Newer kitchen appliances, and refrigerator, washer and dryer convey with sale

• Gated community with community pool, two spas, tot lot and exercise lot

If you would like to schedule a showing for this home, please call me at 760-310-9466. For more information and to view more photos and see the virtual tour, please click here.

Once in a while a property comes along that is very special…that time has come. Welcome to 4029 Sunnyhill Drive in Carlsbad – a wonderful home on a large half-acre, unobstructed ocean view lot, just moments to the beach, shopping and dining.

Highlights:

• Ocean views! Expanded view potential with second story addition
• Updated kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances
• Detached guest house and office, plus 3 greenhouses
• Outdoor kitchen with tandoori and pizza ovens, BBQ, kegerator
• Gated property
• Ranch style, single story home

• Large, private lot 23000 square foot lot
• 2565 square feet of living space (guest house and office not included in square footage)
• Resort-like pool and spa, recently resurfaced
• Basketball court, tennis backboard, large grassy area
• Mature landscaping with multiple fruit trees
• Moments to beach, shopping, dining, Carlsbad Village, schools
• No HOA or mello roos
• Carlsbad schools
• MLS number 120000115

To view this property or get more information please contact Rachel LaMar, Broker, at 760-310-9466 or Rachel@LaMarRealEstate.org. Visit property website for photos, information. CA DRE license 01399682. Property MLS number 120000115.

This coastal South Carlsbad view home has been exceptionally maintained. Nestled in the gated hilltop community of Mar Brisa, this home offers the largest and most popular floorplan and sits on one of the biggest lots. Open Sunday, October 16, from 1:00 to 4:00 – plus win gift cards and take home free goodies just for stopping by!

Features include:

• 4 bedrooms + loft/2.5 bathrooms, 2570 square feet, and ocean breezes
• Beautiful views of mountains, rolling green hills, canyon and
golf course, and peek ocean views from upstairs loft
• Largest floorplan in gated coastal community of Mar Brisa
• Northeastern exposure, with lots of sunlight throughout the day
• Travertine flooring with custom inlays downstairs and on staircase
• Chef’s dream kitchen with center island, breakfast area
• Cathedral ceilings
• Formal dining room
• Cozy family room with fireplace
• Master suite with endless views
• Sunken tub and walk-in closet in master bathroom
• Custom paint throughout
• Big, private backyard (8000+ square feet) with large patio area for
entertaining or dining al fresco.
• Lots of storage throughout
• 3 car garage with epoxy flooring
• Ceiling fans
• Upstairs laundry room with sink
• Great loft area for den/office/playroom/gym, or convert to
5th bedroom
• Short stroll to community pool/spa and tot lots
• Carlsbad schools!
• Low HOA fees, no mello roos taxes
• MLS #110049083

This home is truly exceptional…stop by and see it! I am hosting a gift card drawing just for visiting…plus, pick up some free environmentally friendly shopping bags and Halloween candy! For more photos and information please visit http://1452SapphireDrive.2seeit.com. If you have questions or would like to schedule a private showing please call me at 760-310-9466 or email me at Rachel@LaMarRealEstate.org.

This weekend one of my favorite events comes back to Carlsbad- Art Splash. Stop by on Saturday from 10:00-6:00 and Sunday from 10:00-5:00 on Armada Drive off Palomar Airport Road. The majority of the street is closed for this event, and you can park off Fleet Street. The event and parking are free.

Art Splash is a wonderful place to take the family and enjoy some of the finest local art. There are demonstrations, art vendors, performers, food, and my favorite – the street art. I am always amazed by the talent of our local artists. Your children can try their hand at street art too.

The list of performers for this year’s Art Splash is fantastic – Musicians, dancers, yo-yo and hula hoop demonstrations, cake decorating and chalk art…there is so much to see and do. So if you are looking for something fun to do this weekend that won’t leave your wallet empty, come on out and have some fun at Art Splash!

For more information and an events calendar visit the website at http://www.carlsbadartsplash.org/

Bullying is one of the worst and most relevant things children today must deal with. It is something that we as a society need to tackle, and it will not go away unless we all work together to help educate our children. If you have always wondered how you can help, or what you can do or say to eliminate it, here is your chance.

On October 8 from 4-7 p.m. come on down to Rock for Challenge Day at The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach for some great music (by Temple of the Dad) for a great cause. All proceeds will go towards Challenge Day at Aviara Oaks Middle School, which is an award-winning program for teens to combat bullying. Challenge Day is coming to a Carlsbad School for the first time on November 7. Over 100 children and 35 adults experience this amazing workshop, to help stomp out bullying and teasing on school campuses.

If you have not read one of my previous blogs about Challenge Day and do not know about it, you can go to MTV’s website and watch an episode of “If You Really Knew Me.” http://www.mtv.com/shows/if_you_really_knew_me/series.jhtml This show is a reality show that highlights the Challenge Day program at campuses across the nation. You can pick any episode, but make sure to have tissues handy. Share it with your teens too. Challenge Day is the most real, raw, intense and inspirational wake up call to kids. NO ONE IS UNAFFECTED by this program.

Our biggest dream is that Challenge Day can one day be on every high school and middle school campus, but we need your help. It is not free, and there are few people who are trained to run the program, so there is a waiting list. Here is your opportunity to really make a difference in preventing bullying, and all you have to do is come to the Belly Up and enjoy some great music with friends, have a drink, and relax.

To find out more about Rock for Challenge Day on October 8, Challenge Day itself, and to order your tickets, please visit http://www.villatortuga.net/ChallengeDay/ChallengeDayBenefit.html. Tickets are only $15, and will be $20 at the door. The Belly Up Tavern is a 21 and over venue.

LaMar Real Estate is proud to offer for sale this beautiful home located at 1452 Sapphire Drive. Situated in coastal Carlsbad in the gated ocean view hilltop community of Mar Brisa, this home has been impeccably cared for by the original owner. With 4 bedrooms, a loft, 2 and a half bathrooms and 2570 square feet, this popular “Venice” model offers the largest floorplan in the community. The seller will entertain offers between $699,000 and $719,000.

When you walk into the front door you are surrounded by natural light, cathedral ceilings custom paint throughout, and stunning travertine floors with custom inlays downstairs and on the stairs. The large living room and formal dining room look out to the beautiful backyard and views beyond. The family room has a stone fireplace and plenty of room, and the bright, spacious kitchen is fabulous for the chef and entertaining.

The large master suite has more views – out to the canyon, The Carlsbad Crossings golf resort, mountain ranges and rolling hills. With a sunken tub and big walk-in closet, the master bathroom fills all of your needs.

The upstairs loft – an optional 5th bedroom – provides a great space for a den, playroom, office or gym, and includes a peek view of the ocean. The upstairs laundry room provides convenience and a built in sink. Other features include an expoxy floor three car garage, ceiling fans, upgraded neutral carpeting upstairs, and custom drapery.

Aside from the many exquisite interior features of this home, the beautiful backyard is definitely something to brag about. Situated on a lot of over 8000 square feet, this is one of the larger lots in the neighborhood. The sellers created a large patio area for dining al fresco, and a path that circles the center lawn area (great for strolling or for small bikers). Mature landscape and flowers provide plenty of privacy. The views extend to the rolling hills and mountains, and out to the San Bernardino mountain ranges, plus golf course and canyon views. It truly is a personal oasis.

The Mar Brisa community features a resort like community pool and two spas, barbeques and tot lot, plus an exercise lot. HOA fees are very low and there are no mello roos taxes. Carlsbad schools too! 1452 Sapphire Drive is move-in ready and waiting for a buyer. To see more pictures and get more information on this home please visit http://www.1452SapphireDrive.2seeit.com. Please contact Rachel LaMar if you have any questions, or to schedule a showing, at 760-310-9466.

Art in the Village: This Sunday, August 14, the city of Carlsbad hosts the 13th annual Art in the Village in beautiful downtown Carlsbad Village, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you haven’t been to one of these fantastic events, I encourage you to drop by and have some fun.

The event includes artists, painters, mixed media artists, jewelry artists, sculptors, glass blowers and others. There will be food and live music, plus art demonstrations. The festival is held at State Street and Grand Avenue. There will be plenty of fun for the whole family. For more information visit the website at www.shopcarlsbadvillage.org or call 760-434-2553.

Snores and S’mores Family Campout: This weekend, August 13-14 this fun annual family campout takes place at Aviara Community Park, starting at 5:00 p.m. A great night of fun, food and adventures, sponsored by some of Carlsbad’s terrific family-friendly restaurants. You need to register for this event, so get your tents and sleeping bags ready and find all the details here: http://tinyurl.com/3ka64gz

Leo Carrillo Film Festival: If you are looking for something fun to do, something out of the ordinary and outdoors, this is the perfect suggestion. The annual film festival runs August through September, for five consecutive Fridays. Bring a picnic dinner, your lawn chairs, blankets and some warm clothes and watch a movie outdoors. Admission is free and tours of the historic ranch are offered before sunset as well. If you have never visited this Carlsbad gem I highly recommend it, as it is a wonderful piece of Carlsbad’s history. For more information on the film festival visit the website: http://tinyurl.com/3lahul7

If you have not visited the Forum Shops in Carlsbad I highly recommend you do so. A beautifully designed outdoor upscale shopping center, the Forum offers some of the best shops, boutiques, home, kitchen, specialty stores and dining in the area. In late June Carlsbad welcomed two new stores to the center: Urban Outfitters and H & M. I had a chance to visit these stores recently and found them to be a perfect addition to the Forum lineup.

Urban Outfitters offers modern, trendy, yet casual clothing that for the most part is a bit pricey (but hey, it’s the Forum). Many of the styles appeal to the younger (20-30 something, as well as teen) crowd, but it is possible to find clothing for any age. The store has a fun collection of knickknacks as well, like bedding, kitchen ware and other goodies. It is spacious and fun, with decent customer service.

H&M, located right next door, offers a bit more for all age groups – not just the younger crowd. Prices are pretty decent, and the store is very bright and open. There is a second level with children’s clothing and lingerie (interesting combination).  H & M does have a large, eclectic selection of accessories. Although I will miss the Borders book store that used to occupy the space taken over by these two stores, I think they are a fun and popular addition to the center.

The Forum is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon, and there are some delicious lunch places. My favorites are The Counter (custom burgers, and one of the best veggie burgers around) and the more casual Which Wich (scrumptious custom sandwiches), but you can also dine at Buca di Bepo, Panera, Casa de Bandini, or grab a healthy quick lunch at Jimbo’s Market (fantastic salad bar and hot and cold prepared foods that are mouth-watering and healthy). Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Cold Stone Creamery make for great coffee/desert treats while shopping.

The only problem at the Forum is that, with all the fantastic stores parking is getting tight. But that could change with the addition of the Forum II, which has been on the back burner for a while. Plans include a large cinema, which would be a welcome addition to the area, so keep your eye out for that.

The City of Carlsbad wants residents to attend the hearing on the future of the power plant. It will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn this Thursday, May 19, at 6450 Carlsbad Blvd. Public comments begin at 5:30 p.m.

The city opposes building a second power plant along the coast, but the California Energy Commission has approved doing so. If given final approval they will be built along the lagoon, across from the beach, and adjacent to the railroad tracks and interstate 5. This has been an issue of contention for a long time, and there are other locations in the state that would be safer and better suited to power plant construction.

If you are unable to attend the hearing the city encourages you to write a letter expressing your viewpoints. Please send to: Energy Commission Docket Unit, 1516 Ninth Street, MS-4, Sacramento, CA 95814. Identify all comments with “Docket No. 07-AFC-6.”

You may also comment via email to docket@energy.state.ca.us Also include “Docket No. 07-AFC-6.”

For further information please visit the city’s website at http://www.carlsbadca.gov. You can watch the video on the power plant here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzYjrS0ixlo&feature=youtu.be