July/August 2011 From The Front Porch Journal

S@N DIEGO COUNTY’S

from th_

FRONT PORCH Journ[l

WH@T’S HOLDING YOU B B@CK? @CK?

fr__

ON THE RO@D TO BEING DEBT FREE @ LOC@L C COUPLE’S OUPLE’S STORY

B@UHINI@ CORYMBOS@ THIS MONTH IN ROSEBUD’S G@RDEN

IS HE@VEN RE@L?

CHECK OUT BOOKS OR B BLOGS LOGS INSIDE

The Real Estate Series Br in A g

Complimentary Appetizers & Drinks

Fr ie nd !

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE

August 9, 2011 October 4, 2011 November 8, 2011

EVENT

Do’s and Don’ts of Buying and Selling a Home Keeping Your Home and Family Safe Decorate With What You Already Have

January 10, 2012

Get Your Home Organized

February 7, 2012

Easy Home Improvements For Your New or Existing Home

March 13, 2012

Be Tax Wise

April 17, 2012

Creating Great Curb Appeal

June 12, 2012

Protecting Your Assets

CAROLYN PLUMMER

Rosemary Joles

All Events Are Free!

Time: 6:30-8:30 Where: To Be Announced Limited Seating Please RSVP 619-405-7673 or 858-550-2541

contents

july/[ugust

^_p[rtm_nts 4 the real estate brief a note from rosemary homepath= 5 out and about experience sd theatre san diego padres schedule 6 family corner bargain hunter thoughts from moms and dads

6

7 et cetera where’s rosemary delish 10 minutia useless knowledge bravo and mia bites rosebud’s garden

7

11 front porch pickin sd concerts 12 bits and pieces books or blogs podsabilities ponderings appaholics ingenious

8

13 success mission possible 14 domiciles from east county to coast From the Front Porch Journal Compliments of:

12

10

The Joles Group Rosemary Joles Realtor 619·405·7673 Homes@InHarmonyWithYourDreams.com 8310 La Mesa Blvd.

La Mesa, CA 91942

the real estate brief a note from rosemary It’s the “Back to the 50’s Car Show” outside my office as I put the finishing touches on this issue of From The Front Porch Journal. It sounds like the whole world is having fun without me and as soon as this article is done I’m heading out to join them. Everyone should take the opportunity to visit La Mesa on a Thursday night during the months of July-August from 5-8 pm.

You’ll have the chance to see some incredible classic and vintage vehicles of all styles in a family friendly setting. While you’re here, be sure to enjoy dinner at one of our great local restaurants and browse our La Mesa Village shops.

So now on to some real estate news. Although I was hopping during the month of May the rest of the San Diego market seemed to slow just a bit… 

Sold listings were down from April 2011 to May 2011 by 2.5% for detached homes and 4.4% for attached homes.  The detached and attached sold listings were also down from the same month of May 2010 to May 2011. Detached homes were down 13.8 % and attached homes were down 19.5%. Now I know that doesn’t look good, but one has to keep in mind that buyers were rushing to purchase a home to take advantage of the tax credit at that time last year so we will continue to see this trend through June I’m sure.  The median sales price of $380,000 for detached homes is up 1.3% and a median price of $214,000 for attached homes is up 2.1%  Interest rates are now at a 50 year low at 4.5 %.

I’m seeing investment property that will actually cash flow!

I read a great article in the Wall Street Journal that talked about why now is a great time to buy. I posted it on my new website LivinInLaMesa.com Look under recent posts for the article Is It Time To Take the Home Buying Leap. Keep in mind the site is a work in progress, it will be getting a fantastic home search function in the next week that will include a lifestyle search. I want to hear your feedback!

Until next time, blessings to each of you and your families.

Homepath = relaxed financing and only 3% down Did you know there is a great alternative to FHA financing that only requires 3% down and the seller will pay up to 3.5% of the sales price towards closing costs? Fannie Mae HomePath properties are located in neighborhoods throughout the country that Fannie Mae owns through foreclosure.

These are one-to-four units that are available as primary residences or investment properties. HomePath financing is a special home loan to finance the sale of these properties. Lower down payments and relaxed financing requirements allows for more home shoppers to become homebuyers. Here are some the benefits of a HomePath loan:      

Only 3% down payment required on a primary residence Only 10% down payment required on 1-unit investment properties No mortgage insurance required No property appraisal required Allows investors to finance up to 10 properties There is a HomePath Renovation loan option for up to $35,000 in home improvements

Additionally, Fannie Mae has introduced a closing cost incentive up to 3.5% of sales price for home buyers on primary residence purchases with a closing date on or before October 31, 2011. Buyers must request this incentive upon submission of initial offer in order to be eligible. Assisting buyers purchasing Fannie Mae foreclosed properties reinforces Fannie Mae’s commitment to stabilizing neighborhoods hard hit with foreclosure properties.

HomePath financing is only available on eligible Fannie Mae HomePath properties. These properties range in condition from fixer-uppers to turn-key, single family residences and units to condos.

Some of these properties would not meet FHA’s property requirements, buyers have now been given a low down payment alternative. For properties eligible for either a HomePath mortgage or a HomePath Renovation mortgage in your local area, go to: HomePath.com. Once you are on the HomePath home page you can enter in the zip code of the neighborhood of your choice and be able to view all the available HomePath properties.

Prospect Mortgage is one of the nation’s leaders in HomePath financing and HomePath Renovation financing. I have been specially trained to handle the specific requirements of a Fannie Mae HomePath financing transaction. Please contact me today to learn more about HomePath financing.

Carolyn Plummer is a mortgage professional with Prospect Mortgage.

She has been in the mortgage industry for 25 years. When she is not busy helping clients with their mortgage needs she is spending time with her husband of 23 years and her 14 year old daughter. Carolyn can be contacted at 858-550-2541 or Carolyn.plummer@prospectmtg.com

out and about experience sd theatre Lamb’s Players Theater

Broadway San Diego

lambsplayers.org

Broadwaysd.com

The Music Man May 27– July 24

Shrek the Musical July 5-July 10

Mixtape Extended again to September 4 Trying August 12-September 25

The Coronado Playhouse coronadoplayhouse.com The Roman Holiday July 8-August 7

The Tempest May 29– September 25 Amadeus May 29– September 25 Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone July 1– July 10

theoldglobe.org

Hershey Felder in Concert:: The Great American Songbook July 11-July 17

Much Ado About Nothing May 29– September 25

Hershey Felder in Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein July 22-August 28

The Old Globe

Mary Poppins August 10-28

San Diego Repertory Theatre sdrep.org The Who’s Tommy July 16-August 14

SD Sports

family corner bargain hunter bar·gain [bagr-guhn}] -noun 1. an advantageous purchase, esp. one acquired at less than the usual cost: The sale offered bargains galore.

thoughts from moms and dads Happy Birthday Grandma Amy!

Ninety-three years young.

What’s Holding You Back?

A good place to start, we’ve been told, is at the beginning. We wanted a house. So badly we could taste it. A home to call our own with no landlord or rules about painting.

At the time we’d been married about five years, living on one income, carrying way too much debt and we were basically broke.

We had too many friends jump into the housing market before they were ready and we did not want to make the same mistake. It was time to get serious but we did not know how. That is what was holding us back--the lack of a plan. We were given a book called The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It had a simple plan for financial freedom and peace. That was the plan for us!

If you want to fill a bucket, first you have to plug the hole.

The first thing we did was stop borrowing money. Yup, we did it. We cut all of our credit cards into itty bitty pieces. We discovered you can pay for things with cash.

With no credit cards to fall back on, we needed an actual emergency fund. One of those things your Grandmother tells you to keep. We quickly saved a grand and stashed it away for that rainy day.

Like a lot of people, we made decent money but could not figure out exactly where it was going. This is when the curse word “budget” came in. Before each month began, we wrote out how much money was going to come in and where and how it would all be spent. Suddenly, not only did we know where all our money was going, it was as if there was actually more of it! A budget can be a daunting undertaking, but once we got the hang of it and stuck to it, we realized how empowering it is to have control of our money.

Spending under control: check. Next step: mountain of debt. That is what was standing between us and our house. (to be continued) Josh and Liane Wilson rent in Santee with their three fantastic children. Josh is Pastor of Ministry Production at New Venture Christian fellowship and Liane is a stay at home mom.

They have no business writing a financial column because they are regular shmoes. God has blessed them in spite of this.

Amy Marsolek teaching great great granddaughter Claraissa Wheeler about flowers just as she always has to so many other generations.

What 93 years of life has seen…  Seventeen presidents  Artificial heart developed  Six major wars  Hindenburg exploded  1st class stamp .03 to .44  Antihistamine invented  World population 1.8 billion  Teflon invented to 6.9 billion.  Holocaust  Life expectancy: 39 yrs-78 yrs  Tax withholding started  Unemployment 1.4%-9%  Computer invented  Federal spending:  Dead Sea Scrolls discovered 12.68 billion-3,552 billion  Microwave invented  Federal debt:  Xerox introduced 15 billion to 14 trillion  Polio vaccine developed  Prohibition  Fiber optics  Woman’s Suffrage  Weather satellites  Vitamin D&E discovered  Man on the moon  Rin Tin Tin first famous  Beatlemania television canine  Liver, kidney, heart transplant  Antifreeze invented  Woodstock  Lindbergh flies first nonstop  Floppy disc-jump drives transatlantic flight  Internet, email, facebook  First TV sold for $75.00  Watergate  Steamboat Willie first cartoon  72’s, 33’s, 45’s, cassettes, with sound 8-track, CD’s  Discovery of penicillin  VHS, DVD, Blue Ray  Pluto discovered  Space Shuttle  Star Spangled Banner became  Legionnaire's Disease the national anthem  Test tube baby  Refrigerator became safe for  MTV home use.  AIDS  Split of the atom  Exxon Valdez oil spill  FM radio invented  Internet  Bonnie and Clyde  Cloning  Nylon invented by Dupont  9-11

where’s rosemary?

I love exploring this beautiful county that we live in. In every issue of From the Front Porch you’ll find a photo of different places that I’ve been in San Diego County. Your goal is to figure out where I took the photo. Submit your guess by August 20th, 2011 and the first correct answer will win a $25 gift card to the restaurant of their choice! You can email them to: Homes@InHarmonyWithYourDreams.com or mail them to 8310 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, CA 91942. Thanks for playing!

et cetera

Chocolate Éclair Cake

   

where was rosemary?

The Prado Courtyard in Balboa Park We have a Winner Kathy Krause from Tierrasanta Kathy received a $25.00 gift card to Anthony’s Fish Grotto in San Diego

delish

Graham Crackers 2 packages 3.4 oz. instant French Vanilla pudding mix 3 1/2 c milk 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed Frosting  6 T Butter  4 T Cocoa  3 C Powdered sugar  1 T. 1 tsp. Corn Syrup  1 T 1 tsp. Vanilla  2 T Milk Recipe Credit: Rebecca Johnson Directions Line bottom of a 9 x 13 pan with whole graham crackers. Prepare pudding according to directions but 3 1/2 cups milk. Fold in non-dairy whipped topping into pudding. Spread half pudding mixture over crackers. Put on another layer of graham crackers. Add remaining pudding mixture. Top with another layer of crackers. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before frosting with the following: Melt butter over low heat. Add cocoa, mixing well. Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Frost top layer of graham crackers and refrigerate 24 hours covered before serving.

TÜv{|àxvàâÜtÄÄç fàâÇÇ|Çz

f panish Hacienda

3393 Dehesa Rd.路 El Cajon路 CA路 92019 $1,799,000-$1,999,000 Welcome to one of the most exclusive golf course properties in San Diego's East County. Sequestered behind wrought iron gates, this 4,700 square-foot Spanish hacienda sits on 2.2 acres with a 520 linear-foot frontage on the Sycuan Golf Course. As you step through the stately alder wood front door you are greeted by the homes focal point, a great room with soaring 20-foot ceilings, a massive natural stone fireplace & spacious formal dining area with a built-in buffet and breathtaking views of the golf course and verdant backyards with ponds and waterfalls.

The open kitchen features granite counters, solid alder wood cabinetry, huge center island, top of the line D茅cor appliances and a breakfast area. Across from the kitchen you will find an inviting sunken family room, stone fireplace and built-in cabinets to showcase family heirlooms. In the left-hand wing of the hacienda you'll encounter three finely appointed bedrooms complete with private baths and incredible views. The master bedroom boasts a full wall of built-ins including dressers and armoire, rock fireplace, and capped off with incredible views of the golf course, mountains, hills, and vibrant landscaped property. The master bath features skylights, raised tub, his and her personal baths and walk-in closets. An interior laundry room and enormous 1,100 square foot, 3 car garage & ample driveway for parking complete the estate. The backyard ponds are stocked with bass & bluegill. Irrigated with a private well, the property is planted with scores of species of plants designed to explode with color all year round. There are also two orchards with numerous fruit trees. The west side of the estate has a vegetable garden. Come experience this property in person to appreciate the opportunity of calling this your dream home.

The Joles Group Rosemary Joles

In Harmony With Your Dreams Homes@InHarmonyWithYourDreams.com 619-405-ROSE (7673) 8310 La Mesa Blvd.

La Mesa, CA 91942

minutia The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "Its A Wonderful Life".

Todd Joles known as Todd the “Toolman”, is a handyman by day, a passionate luthier by night, mandolin/bluegrass aficionado by choice, and a purveyor of this useless knowledge.

His wife Rosemary threatens it’s going to get him into Jeopardy training one day.

bravo and mia bites

Photo compliments of: Rebecca Johnson

useless knowledge

Bravo and Mia Say: “A dog can express more with his tail in minutes than his owner can express with his tongue in hours.”

The newest addition to the Rebecca and Shane Johnson household is a puggle named Mia. Diva Mia is the one with the pink collar to the left. We finally got Bravo and Mia to sit still long enough to take a photo. Of course the only way we could do that is by catching them sleeping! Bravo still spends most days working at getting peanut butter out of his Kong and is definitely terrorized daily by Mia. He is truly the innocent one of the two as Mia has taken over the role of the family terrorist! Mia and Bravo are the grandpuppies of Rosemary and Todd Joles.

botanical name: bauhinia corymbosa common name: butterfly vine Likes: Sun, part shade Hates: Overwatering Blooms: Pale pink Negatives: Could be invasive Bonus: Attracts bees, butterflies and birds

“I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."

-- Claude Monet Photo compliments of: Rosemary Joles

rosebud’s garden Rosemary is passionate about low-water gardening in San Diego. She loves creating gardens that look like lush water thirsty gardens, yet need very little moisture to maintain them. Her other passions include real estate, lattes spending time with family and friends, reading, music and laughter!

sd concerts 8/5 The Mighty Untouchables Location: Point Loma Price: FREE Time: 6:15 pm Info: plconcerts.org 8/5-8/6 Broadway’s Tony Winners Location: Downtown Price: $20 Time: 5:00 pm Info: sandiegosympony.org 8/12 Rockola

Location: Point Loma Price: FREE Time: 6:15 pm Info: plconcerts.org

9/16 Blame Sally Location: Normal Heights Price: $20/$50* or $30 at the door Time: 7:30 pm Info: amsdconcerts.com 9/21 Brett Dennen Location: La Jolla Price: $25 Time: Sunset Info: aquarium.ucsd.edu 8/5‐8/23 La Jolla Music Society Summerfest 2011

Location: La Jolla Price: $45-$85 Time: Varies Info: ljms.org

8/5 7:30 pm

Opening Night: 25th Anniversary Celebration

8/12-8/13 Dennis DeYoung The Music of Styx Location: Downtown Price: $20 Time: 5:00 pm Info: sandiegosympony.org

8/6 7:30 pm

Gil Shaham & Friends

8/7 3:00 pm

Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson:

8/9 7:30 pm

Mozart I: Soul of a Genius

8/10 7:30 pm

An Evening with Olga Kern

8/17 Steve Poltz Location: La Jolla Price: $25 Time: Sunset Info: aquarium.ucsd.edu

8/12 7:30 pm

Serenades & Romance

8/14 3:00 pm

Assad Brothers: Legends of the Guitar

8/16 7:30 pm

Mozart II: The Sublime Spirit

8/17 7:30 pm

Marc-André Hamelin & Alisa Weilerstein

8/19-8/20 The Classical Mystery Tour (Beatles) Location: Downtown Price: $20 Time: 5:00 pm Info: sandiegosympony.org

8/19 7:30 pm

Commissions and Premières

8/20 7:30 pm

Baroque Masters

8/21 3:00 pm

Tokyo String Quartet

8/23 7:30 pm

Mozart III: Quintet Masterpieces

8/19-8/21 Summer Grass Location: Vista Price: $16-$23 Info: summergrass.net 8/25-8/26 Wynonna Location: Downtown Price: $20 Time: 5:00 pm Info: sandiegosympony.org 8/27 Shawn Phillips Location: Normal Heights Price: $25/$50* or $30 at the door Time: 7:30 pm Info: amsdconcerts.com 9/2-9/4 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular Location: Downtown Price: $20 Time: 5:00 pm Info: sandiegosympony.org

front porch pickin san diego music from classical to bluegrass

books or blogs

appaholics In less that one week I had 3 different people, from 3 different walks of life come up to me and say “Have you read the book Heaven is for Real?” Whenever I hear something three times from three different people I know that it’s a listen up and take notice moment.

This book about a 4 year old boy who visits heaven while undergoing emergency surgery is an amazing story. The details that he gives his parents on things he could not possibly know will make you sit up and take notice. To read excerpts from the book visit: heavenisforreal.net. An easy read, you’ll finish the entire book in an afternoon. And hey let me know what you think after reading it.

For the most part “Toolman” and I love living in our wee humble cottage in the heart of La Mesa Village. Unfortunately, our passion for reading is starting to inflict upon our valuable storage space. Our closet! When you live in a tiny space utilizing it to it’s highest and best use is important. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I saw that Amazon now has a Kindle Reader for smart phones. I think its a great solution for us to determine if we like this mode of reading before we purchase a couple of Kindles ourselves. Go to the Amazon.com Kindle store and search for apps. I’d give you the link here but it’s too long!!!!

podsibilities Laura Story’s song Blessings is what I’m playing as I write this. Laura’s husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor just 2 years into their new marriage. Seven years later, Martin still has limited sight and memory even after numerous surgeries. This experience is what inspired Laura to write this song. A beautiful perspective on what a blessing is. Listen to it by clicking on the link: youtu.be/EjoE5xGuYNY

Five years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that?

Or the day before that?

bits and pieces From Marcandangel.com

ingenious

-Source: Real Simple Photo:Aya Brackett

ponderings

At a party, stash ice in a colander set on top of a bucket or a bowl. Water will drain out, and the guests will get only the solid stuff.

success

Just a few points to let you know how I can help you or anyone you may refer to me in the purchase of their home.

Mission Impossible: The Joles Group’s mission: Find a 3 bedroom 2 bath home for a family of 4 in a good neighborhood for $250,000 or less.  Not a lot on market in price range and the ones that are need tons of work. Yeah for perseverance!  Need to get buyers name off 2 home loans from a previous marriage. Yikes!  Appraisal comes in too low for conventional loan refinance on those two home loans. FHA loan to the rescue!  Wrote offer in February, no answer from short sale bank for 2 1/2 months. Classic.  In escrow and the refinance lender is no where to be found. You know who you are and shame on you..  Get counteroffer from bank, they want $20,000 higher than offered. Buyer only qualifies for $10,000 higher. Oh my..  FHA appraiser calls out peeling paint on exterior and seller can’t afford to pay for it. Uh oh...  Child support lien on the property. It happens.  One week before close seller says he can not move by closing date. Sigh.

Mission Possible: Success Takes A Team!!!! 

Gratitude to my buyers who took everything in stride and always got the paperwork we needed to us in a timely fashion. You hung in there in faith even when the challenges hit and believed we could get the job done.  Special thanks to my husband, Todd, who took care of the exterior peeling paint and matched it perfectly. Your talents and creativity are amazing to me!  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to lender Angela Williams. You did an amazing job and lit a fire under the refinance lender. We could have not finished this home purchase without you.  Congratulations to the newlywed couple who now own a beautiful home, in a great neighborhood. You got it at the price you wanted and it need very little work. It was a true pleasure working with you. Wishing you all many happy, prosperous years full of laughter, good health, and friends in your new home.

Making the Impossible, Possible… The Joles Group

domiciles

Upgraded Condo · University Heights· $189,900-$209,000 2 Bedroom 2 Bath · 866 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Traditional Ranch · Lemon Grove · $320,000 3 Bedroom 2 Bath · 1576 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Lovely Charmer · Point Loma · $525,000 2 Bedroom 1.5 Bath · 983 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Custom Home · Mount Helix · $575,000 4 Bedroom 4 Bath · 2856 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Craftsman Bungalow · Mission Hills · $798,000 2+ Bedroom 2 Bath · 1545 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Pristine Elegance · Mission Hills · $1,365,000 3+ Bedroom 2.5 Bath · 2719 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

from east county to the coast

Rare Anchor Cove · Liberty Station · $480,000 3 Bedroom 3 Bath · 1350 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Dual Masters · Del Cerro · $525,000-$545,000 5 Bedroom 3 Bath · 2340 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Renaissance · Downtown · $585,000 2 Bedroom 2.5 Bath · 1295 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Canyon Rim Home · Normal Heights · $609,000 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath · 1305 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Panoramic Views · Bankers Hill · $1,495,000 4 Bedroom 2.5 Bath · 3698 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

Charming Village · La Jolla · $1,639,000-$1,669,000 4 Bedroom 3.5 Bath · 2717 Sq. Ft. · 619·405·7673

JO PE N N D IN G

...

BA Y G AR PAR D K EN N AA EW VE PR .C IC O M E

!

BU YE EL RS CA SS JO CL N O SE D BU SPR YE I N R’ G S V SS AL CL L E O Y SE D

SE L

SS

LE E R’ L C S A

!

Rosemary Joles THE JOLES GROUP

In Harmony With Your Dreams Residential Sales · Short Sales · Leasing 619· 405· 7673 Homes@InHarmonyWithYourDreams.com 8310 La Mesa Blvd. · La Mesa CA · 91942