VOLUME 5 I ISSUE 5 America the Beautiful!

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www.localumbrellanews.com July 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 7

LOCAL LIFESTYLE PUBLICATION Kensington-Talmadge Neighbors Continue Fight AgainstDestructive "GrannyKen-Tal Neighbors Continue Fight Against Destructive “Granny Towers” and Backyard Dwelling Units

It was a fun 4th in Talmadge!!

by guest contributor, Paul Krueger Here are some highlights from the parade…

What the heck is happening in San Diego real estate?! Are homes even selling? Can I even get a loan right now? These are some of the questions I get on a daily basis in the midst of our COVID19 shelter in place period. I am here to tell you that indeed, homes are selling and people are getting loans. It’s still a bit early to see any price adjustment trends as we tend to measure that trend over a 3–6 month time frame and we just don’t have that hindsight as of yet. But I can tell you that I am still consistently seeing multiple offers on properties in San Diego, particularly in the $1.2 million range and below with both my buyer and seller clients. Of course, this depends on the location and overall presentation, but with an already very limited set of housing inventory for buyers out there to choose from, it’s even tighter now. Those that can still qualify for a loan are able to take advantage of the still low rates and achieve their dream of homeownership, moving up, or downsizing. Loans can be a little tricky these days for a primary residence and trickier still for an investment property. For a primary residence loan, with many (but not all) lenders, you should count on having at least 20% down if you are needing to borrow $701,501 or higher as this puts you in the “jumbo loan” category. Most lenders are still processing VA loans up to $1 million $0 down (always an incredible opportunity

The grassroots, volunteer group "Neighbors for a Better San Diego" (NFABSD) is now spreading its message across the city, urging San Diegans to Þght back against irresponsible city regulations that allow speculators and absentee landlords to build multiple rental units on singlefamily lots, with no parking, no landscaping, and little or no setbacks from neighboring properties. NFABSD started its campaign for sensible development in April, when a group of Talmadge residents learned of plans by the new, absentee and benefit thanks to their service!), and if owner to convert a single family residence on 49th Street into a six-unit complex. A review of city you are borrowing $701,500 or less, which permit applications conÞrmed that the developer puts you in the conventional financing will convert the garage to an "accessory dwelling unit" (ADU/JADU), build four more ADUs in the category, many lenders will still allow you property's modest backyard, and also rent out the existing home, for a total of six rental units. to put as little as 5% down. All loans and City regulations allowed the developer to all lenders are not created equal, nor are proceed without notifying neighbors, and the community had no opportunity to review the plans or comment their financing programs. Contact me for on the proposed construction. The city's ADU a referral to a trustworthy lender that can regulations, approved in October, 2020, also go far beyond what is required by state law. provide you the information you need to No off-street parking is required, adding up get started in your research. to a dozen or more cars and trucks to the already crowded streets in our established neighborhoods. There are no side or rear If you would like to explore buying and/setbacks required for the backyard ADUs, so those additional buildings can sit right on or selling in this ever changing market, their neighbors' property lines. Developers give me a call at 619.944.2798 or email me at Megan@MeganB.com. I’d be happy can "clear-cut" backyard trees, shrubs and greenery to make room for the ADUs, with no requirement that they replace any of that desperately needed to discuss with you what sets my service "urban forest". The backyard ADUs can be 30 feet tall, dwarÞng the surrounding single-story homes. Even worse, the absentee landlords don't apart from the rest!pay development fees, which robs the city of desperately needed funds to improve the outdated and inadequate infrastructure in our established neighborhoods. Despite our best efforts, the absentee owner of the 49th Street property started that work on that project on July 5. And just as we feared, the developer has clear-cut the backyard to make room for the ADUs

Neighbors for a Better San Diego appealed to our newly-elected District 9 Council Member, Sean Elo-Rivera for help in repealing the most damaging aspects of the city's ADU regulations, which apply to neighborhoods throughout the city. But to date, Elo-Rivera has refused to take a leadership role in rewriting the regulations. Mayor Todd Gloria has also defended the regulations, which go far beyond existing state law, which allows a property owner to build an ADU and junior ADU on a single family residential lot. Proponents of the city's destructive, irreversible regulations also continue to misrepresent the facts by insisting that the new rules simply bring the city into compliance with state regulations, which is patently false. In response, Neighbors for a Better San Diego has stepped up its organizing effort, spreading its message to other communities in District 9, and throughout the city. Community groups and homeowners from Valencia Park to Clairemont and South Park to University City are joining our effort to roll-back the most damaging aspects of the new regulations. Neighbors across the city are planting "No on GrannyTowers" yard signs in their front lawns, and contributing to NFABSD's effort to expand affordable housing options for San Diegans, while retaining common-sense regulations. With your help and support, Neighbors for a Better San Diego will continue its effort to restore common sense and basic environmental standards to new construction in San Diego's older neighborhoods, and throughout the city.

Have questions about real estate? Contact Megan!

Meet your neighbor Wendy Reynolds

Our spotlight this month is on Wendy Reynolds of Talmadge. A San Diego native, Reynolds grew up in Clairemont, went to Mission Bay High School and attended San Diego State for college, “GO AZTECS!” Along the way Reynolds moved to San Francisco and after 20 years in the Bay Area, she decided she needed a change and made the move back to her hometown of San Diego. After going to area open houses, she came across Talmadge. According to Reynolds, “I loved the friendly neighborhood vibe and all the planned activities. I haven’t seen a neighborhood quite like Talmadge.”

In May of 2019, Reynolds made Talmadge her home. A graphic designer for 25 years, she has owned her own design business, Olive Design for 20 years and is currently freelancing. Ultimately, she is looking for a permanent employee position (hint, hint). You can find her online portfolio at wendyreynolds.myportfolio. com. In her free time, Reynolds loves hiking, mountain biking, print making, art shows and happy hour. Her passions include travel, photography and she loves her adorable dog, Diego. If you see them out in the neighborhood, be sure to say hello! Happy to have you here, Wendy!

Megan Beauvais

REALTOR® 619.944.2798

Have Questions About Real Estate? megan@meganb.com DRE 01426805 Contact Megan! Megan Beauvais DRE 01426805 REALTOR¨, GRI megan@meganb.com

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527365. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. 619.944.2798 www.meganb.com

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527365. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been veriÞed. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is