As we moved in to 2012, FHA government-guaranteed loans allowed higher borrowing limits, banks were approving more short sales and foreclosure write-offs, interest rates were at record lows, and home prices had finally bottomed out.

By mid year 2012, strikingly low interest rates helped attract home buyers into the market and lure millions to refinance.  It was at this time, July 2012, which we finally started to see a significant increase in home values nationally due to the strong demand and low supply. With a 3.8% gain in home prices from July 2011 – July 2012, according to analytics firm CoreLogic, we saw the largest year to year comparison since August 2006.

Fall 2012 brought recor...

We had so much fun at the Holiday Boutique hosted by Willow Grove Educational Foundation on December 3rd! Thank you to everyone who came out to support the school through holiday shopping.  It was a great success, as Willow Grove was able to raise over $5,000 after expenses.

It is our hope that we can continue to support Willow Grove as well as other local schools and foundations with your help, through our Giving Back Program.  In 2013, we will be donating 10% of the net proceeds from every commission check, whether we represent you on the buying or listing side, to a school or foundation of your choice!

Please help us to support those that need it most and allow us the opportunity t...

No surprise, Del Sur School’s have placed top rated in the county, with Del Sur Elementary awarded Poway Unified School District’s #1 rated school! This explains why so many families have chosen Del Sur as their top choice of places to live in San Diego.

Not only is Del Sur Elementary highly regarded, all of the schools in and around the Del Sur community are succeeding as San Diego’s top schools with high performance rates.

According to Del Sur Living, here are our local outstanding highlights:

Del Sur Elementary received the highest API score in the district Oak Valley Middle School is rated second amongst all PUSD middle schools Del Norte High school is rated third among PUSD ...

Have you heard!? Del Sur is buzzing with buyers who have been anticipating the release of the 98 new home sites, in the ever growing community just north of Rancho Santa Fe.  Homes were released in early November in the communities of Presidio, Valencia, and Mandolin, offering a variety of homes to a diverse buyer population seeking attached and detached homes starting in the $400,000 - $700,000 range.

One of Del Sur’s developers, Bill Ostrem, designed these communities with the vision that families not only could find quality in their home but connection to the outdoors and the their surrounding neighbors.  Regularly planned gatherings and events make these neighborhoods stand out as a ...

Inman News, one of our favorite real estate news sources, recently shared the $48.8 million dollar manor nestled atop the East River, with exquisite panorama views of New York’s glowing harbor and beyond. The original owner and designer, Mrs. Shipman, was a prominent landscape designer.  Her extraordinary eye benefited this residence as well as those of her striking clientele, which included Robert T, Vanderbilt, J.S. Rockefeller, Mrs. M. Mellon, Jacob Schiff, Edward F. Hutton, and Vincent Astor. In short…. AMAZING!!!

This got us thinking….what kind of sophisticated property with a similar price tag would this afford in San Diego? 

The $40 million dollar goldmine we found lies in the Sa...

 

Just got a new listing that has swung our excitement meter way, way, way into the red zone. Not only is this San Diego home impeccably gorgeous. The price is juicier than a summer peach! Two years ago, this jewel sold for $1,025,000. Now $969,000 will put the keys into your hands. Can you say major bargain?! 

Once you step inside this spectacular San Diego home, you may never want to leave! The distinctive property is nestled in the enchanting Verrazzano community, drawing abundant architectural inspiration from the splendor of famed Requa-style villas. Enveloped in the comforting serenity of lush greenery and palm trees, the home sits on a ¼ acre raised premium view lot. Inside this ...

 

Right now, we’re soaring. Our team recently sold this choice San Diego home for a robust $965,000 – at a phenomenal price per sq. ft of $270! How long did it take? Two months? One month? Uh-uh. One week. That’s it. Blink, and it’s gone. Not too shabby considering this is a community where the average house takes three months to sell.

Where That Leaves the Competition

Far, far behind. But not only in the speed department. Right now, Homes By Katharina is lighting up the marketplace with the highest price per sq. ft. for all Santa Monica homes sold to date. In fact, this particular gem flew off the shelf at the highest price per sq. ft for all Santa Monica sales since January 1, 2012. ...

 

I recently sold this San Diego home – start to finish in just under a month! And I have to say, both the owners and I couldn’t be more pleased. Here’s a snapshot of the enjoyment ahead:

Tucked away amidst the gently winding streets of Torrey Del Mar, this enticing Carmel Valley home has been landscaped and remodeled to pristine perfection! Within the spacious retreat, family and friends will experience an exhilarating ambience highlighted by generously-sized main rooms; custom tile flooring; contemporary window treatments; a full security system; master suite enhanced by views of the rear yard; an oversized bathroom featuring a large soaking tub; and a comfortable casita perfect for o...

7425 Rancho Cabrillo Trail, Mirasol, 92127

A recent price reduction heightens the irresistible allure of this exquisite Mediterranean jewel! Tucked away between Fairbanks Ranch and Santaluz, the secluded San Diego home invites you into a private paradise graced by the cheerful warmth of Italy. Experience a new dimension in luxury living enriched by upgraded flooring, extensive built-ins, five fireplaces, GE Monogram stainless steel appliances, walk-through pantry area, spot lighting, a surround sound system, a full security system, and motorized driveway gate. Enriching your experience of this former model home, the two balconies adjoining the master bedroom and bathroom offer phenomenal...

 

Selling a luxury home can be a very different process than selling an ordinary property. Luxury estates tend to stay on the market for a long time because their owners sometimes find themselves making one of the top three mistakes that luxury real estate owners make when trying to sell their property. We’ve gathered a list for you so that you can see if you fall into this category!

Market your house to “everyone.” The best luxury home marketing plans use a variety of different strategies to reach only qualified buyers without paying for wasteful marketing to reach everyone.  Although lots of people might be curious about your home, it makes sense to focus your limited marketing dollar...

 

Located in the captivating community of Rancho Penasquitos, this stylish contemporary San Diego home invites you into a whole new dimension of luxury living. Through a beautiful courtyard, you’ll glide into your own private five-bedroom sanctuary enriched by touches such as rich wood flooring, custom paint, fine hand-selected drapery, private loft, custom tile flooring, tech area, library, and a spacious master suite enhanced by an additional room. For unleashing your inner culinary wizard, step into your own chef’s kitchen featuring a walk-in pantry and butler’s pantry. And you’ll no doubt feel your senses soar as a superb surround sound system enlivens this showplace with exhilaratin...

 

You’ll escape to the sun-warmed splendor of Italy in this gorgeous Mediterranean-style residence. Located on a ¼ acre lot, the former model home is nestled between Fairbanks Ranch and Santaluz in Pardee’s Mirasol community. This exquisite four-bedroom San Diego property will sweep you away with a lively interplay of luxury touches such as upgraded flooring, extensive built-ins, five fireplaces, GE Monogram stainless steel appliances, walk-through pantry area, spot lighting, a surround sound system, a full security system, motorized driveway gate, and two balconies from the master bedroom and bathroom for breathtaking views of the home’s scenic surroundings. The exhilaration of this one...

No matter what your attitude about San Diego short sales, one thing’s for sure – they’ll be with us awhile. The number of defaults is climbing, expanding the inventory of choice San Diego County properties. And the superb selection means phenomenal bargains for San Diego County homebuyers, and opportunities for owners contemplating short sales.

The team at Homes by Katharina is well on top of the short sale market. In fact, we currently have a bumper crop San Diego County short sales in the works. How successful are we? Homes by Katharina has secured approvals on every short sale we’ve represented.

Now maybe you’re still on the fence regarding San Diego County short sales. You’ve heard ...

Spring isn’t the only thing bringing sunnier skies. The economy is pushing forward with its own kind of warm weather front. That’s right. Storm clouds are yesterday’s news. According to Fannie Mae’s February 2012 National Housing Survey, the key indicators tell a very upbeat story. Example -- 35% of Americans believe our economy is rolling on the right track – a healthy 19% jump since November of last year. But, as they say in infomercials, wait – there’s more. For instance --

Only 12% of Americans expect their financial situation to worsen over the next 12 months, the lowest number  in over a  year. 16% claim their expenses have increased significantly in the last 12 months, a 3% d...

Real Living's Katharina Thinnes

Named Top Producer For 92127

Katharina Thinnes, of Real Living Lifestyles , was recognized in 2010 as #1 in Market Share for the neighborhoods of 92127. In addition, her listing to sale time was the shortest on the market for this zip code.

 

Thinnes’ leading edge marketing strategies have set new standards for real estate advertising in San Diego County. This has made her one of Southern California's Premier agents, as an expert in coastal residential real estate and exclusive developments, including Santaluz, The Crosby Estates, Del Sur and surrounding Rancho Santa Fe areas.

A Luxury Director for Windermere Exclusive Properties, Thinnes calls the Fai...