Tracey Stotz, Broker/REALTOR

Showings start tomorrow on this beauty! #lamesarealestate #SanDiegoRealEstate #home

Free Little Library Scavenger Hunt - what a fabulous activity to do with your child or grandchild. Register at the link on the post to get your first clue. Proud to sponsor activities like this that get kids off their computers, outside and interested in books! Hunts are happening locally in La Mesa, Clairemont Mesa, North Park and Santee.

If you are thinking about buying property but waiting for a downturn in the market, you may have a long wait. Read this UT article on the increase in prices that is predicted in San Diego. The bottom line is, it is difficult to time the market. Even if it does drop a bit, if you are planning to hold the property for a decent period of time the market historically always comes back and surpasses previous highs. Right now mortgage rates are at lows we have only seen the past year so. It is still a good time to buy if you can find a property that meets your needs. Let me know if I can help. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com//forecast-san-diego-h

Got some questions from a client on Prop 19 and intergenerational transfers. Here is the skinny from the California Association of Realtors legal team: "Proposition 19 changes the rules on exemptions from reassessment for intergenerational transfers by limiting the exemption to the transfer of a primary residence to a child (or grandchild) only when the property continues to be used as a family home by the child (or grandchild), and even then, if the divergence between the t...axable value and the actual value is too great, a partial increase in the new taxable value will be imposed. As is the case under current law, under Prop. 19, a grandparent- to-grandchild transfer receives the exemption only if the parents are deceased. Proposition 19 also includes provisions that would allow the transfer of a family farm to retain its taxable value. These new rules apply to any purchase or transfer beginning February 16, 2021. If I pass my principal residence on to my children or grandchildren, will the property be reassessed? So long as the property continues to be used as a Family Home (primary residence), and the transferee claims the homeowner exemption, the property tax basis will remain the same, subject to some upward adjustments if the property value, at the time of transfer, is more than $1M over the original tax basis." If you are thinking about transferring property contact your accountant to see how you can get the best tax benefit for your situation.

Looking for something fun to do this crazy holiday season? Check out some East County Christmas lights! EL CAJON Jingle Bell Hill Solomon Ave/Pegeen Pl Dec 5-25 | Mon-Th: 6-9pm, Fri-Sun: 6-10pm Nightmare Before Christmas 11456 Pegeen Pl Nov 29-Jan 3 | Mon-Th: 6-9pm, Fri-Sun: 6-10pm... 1838 El Pico Drive Dec 1-31 | Dusk-10pm 9777 Valley Ranch Road Nov 27-Dec 26 | 5-10:30pm 1552 Cajon Greens Place Nov 25-Jan 2 Sun-Th: Dusk-10pm, Fri-Sat: Dusk-12am LA MESA 6266 De Camp Drive Dec 1- 25 | 5-9pm SANTEE Starlight Circle/Sunburst Santee Tomel Ct | Dec 1-31 | Dusk-10pm 9325 Pebble Beach Dr Dec 1-31 | Dusk-10pm 9435 St Andrews Dr Nov 30-Jan 1 | Dusk-10pm 8575 Shanes Way Dec 1-31 | 4:30-9:30pm

Another one sold! This Mt. Helix listing went "as Is" for $61,000 over list with a signed back-up offer in place. If you want to sell call me. The market is unbelievable right now. #hothothot #SanDiegoRealEstate

Real estate continues to be a bright spot in the economy. Per information released by the California Association of Realtors today, buyer demand is not slowing down. November closed out on a strong note from a demand perspective. The number of new mortgage purchase applications was up 28.1 percent from the same week in 2019. That is the largest increase since early September and shows that demand remains unseasonably strong for this time of year. During Th...anksgiving week of 2019, showings logged through showingtime.com (a showing service many realtors use) dipped below weekly averages by more than 26 percent. In 2020, showings remained nearly 90 percent above their weekly average levels and are still more than 157 percent ahead of the 2019 pace. With interest rates at unbelievable lows that demand is expected to continue into 2021. Let me know if I can help you take advantage of this strong market.

Prop 19 passed! If you are over 55, have been in your home a long time, and have watched its value rise astronomically this is a fantastic incentive to sell and purchase a new home in California. You now can take the low taxable value of your primary residence with you no matter how much your new property costs or where you are moving in California. There are other details but that is the the general concept. Find more details below. Call me if you want to discuss how this might help you as you consider selling.

Yes, the real estate market has gone crazy this year. Who would have guessed a pandemic would have caused prices to go up 10 percent in one year! However with interest rates low it is still a good time to buy. If you are considering a purchase there are some key things you need to do which will allow you to compete in this market. First and foremost, get pre-approved for a mortgage. COVID restrictions have made it more complicated to view a property. Because of this som...e sellers won't even let you see their house unless they know you are serious and can afford it. In reality should you even shop for a house if you don't know what you can afford? Second, shop under what you are willing to spend. If your maximum budget is $550,000 look at homes in the $525,000 - $530,000 range knowing that there will be multiple offers on the property and you can't compete if it goes over your max. Third, don't forget there are extra costs in the transaction as well as once you buy the home. Allocate funds for those too. Homeowner's insurance, property taxes, appraisal fee, escrow fee, etc. According to a November 6 article in the Union Tribune, 34 percent of homes in San Diego County are selling above listing price. That is up from about 15 percent at the end of 2019. With inventory still very low that may continue for awhile. If you want to jump into the market just make sure you are prepared and let me know how I can help!

PM me to see this new Mt. Helix listing. The architecture is very cool. The lot is 15,000+ square feet and useable. There are also RV hook-ups. #sandiegorealestate #20minutesfromdowntown #lamesa

Tickled to help a good friend and his family market and sell their Mira Mesa home for top dollar. #SOLD

Congratulations to Janice and Dave! Sold in Santee.

I just found out I made the San Diego Union Tribune's "Best of..." list for real estate brokers. What a beautiful surprise. I am honored to be in the company of some of the biggest brokerages in town. Thank you to my clients who took the time to vote for my little brokerage. I am honored to have your support. (Does this sound like an Academy Awards acceptance speech? Well, we all need some positive news right now!) REAL ESTATE Real Estate Brokerage... Best: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Favorites: Coastal Premier Properties, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Coldwell Banker West, Compass, Distinctive Homes California, Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, Regal Properties, Sand & Sea Investments, The Avenue Home Collective, and Tracey Stotz, Broker

The Home Tour is going virtual this year. I am happy to be a major sponsor!

Time to take a look at the California ballot propositions that impact real estate. Let's take a look at Prop. 19. Prop. 19 would allow home owners over the age of 55, people with severe disabilities and victims of natural disasters to transfer the property tax base from their current home to their newly purchased one, regardless of the new residence's value or location. This could be done up to three times. This changes current law which allows counties to decide if they wil...l allow the transfer (approximately 11 counties do) and the transfer is only good for properties of equal (up to 5% higher) or lesser value. The transfer can only be done once per category and currently doesn't include those who have lost their home to natural disasters like wild fires. The measure hopes to encourage people in entry-level homes/condos to move into larger properties and open up opportunities for first-time buyers. We need more reasonably priced housing and this is one way to help.

Looking for a new home? Check out this new listing...it even has an outdoor gym! PM me to see it. #sandiegorealestate #lovemyjob

Setting up for a pop-up exhibit on the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Drop by today from 1 pm - 4 pm to view this excellent exhibit! 8369 University Ave in La Mesa. #lamesahistoricalsociety #historymatters #lamesahappenings #vote

Proposed use for the La Mesa Holiday Inn...https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/homeless-housing-propose

Commercial real estate is facing a new reality. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com//new-san-diego-office

Wondering what is in the works for Horton Plaza? Jimmy Parker, a senior partner at Stockdale Capital which is working on the redevelopment, provided a comprehensive overview for the San Diego Association of Realtor's east county group this morning. Parker called it the "Campus at Horton" and the indicated the plans call for 700,000 of office space with 300,000 of retail and a city park. The large parking structure will also remain since it supports much of the area parki...ng. The office space will be geared toward tech/bio tech with the goal of bringing more businesses downtown. He used descriptors like "open floor plan allowing for social distancing, connected environment, green building practices, and touch-less elevators" to catch our attention. He also highlighted all the outdoor spaces being added and how they would have more interface with the indoor space. Overall it looked pretty good. With all the residential real estate in downtown now it would be ideal if more people could work where they live and play. Phase 1 is has a rough completion date of early 2022.

There is nothing like a pet to make your house a home. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com//animal-adoption-even

Another great day - closed the sale on this Mt. Helix home. It was a pleasure to represent this family as they sold their family home. Real estate is hot. Can I help you? #SanDiegoRealEstate