Shea Homes Begins Construction on 32 New Homes

• San Diego New Home Builder Also Closing Escrow on 22 Homes This Week

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 17, 2009) – Shea Homes San Diego, buoyed by news of a nearly 9 percent increase in housing starts, has announced it will begin construction of 32 new homes in five San Diego neighborhoods this week. The San Diego new-home builder also announced 22 homes will close escrow this week.

According to news announced Dec. 16 by the U.S. Commerce Department, new residential construction permits rose 6.0 percent in November and housing starts increased 8.9 percent, in both cases exceeding market expectations. Permits have risen 17.3 percent above their low in April, and starts have advanced 19.8 percent above their April low point. These gains reflected increases in single-family activity, while multi-family starts have increased modestly.

“November was a promising month, our best this year, and it’s great to see December looking equally strong,” said Vanessa Linn, vice president of sales and marketing for Shea Homes San Diego. “The demand for homes is proving to be consistent, and we are prepared to meet that ongoing demand. There’s still a sense of urgency to take advantage of value pricing, low interest rates and tax credits.”

New home construction is now under way in five Shea Homes neighborhoods:

• Clover at Windingwalk in Chula Vista features two- and three-story condominium homes priced from the mid $300,000s. Clover floor plans range from approximately 1,579 to 1,891 square feet and have two to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and two-car garage. Call 619-397-0964 for information.

• Chaparral Ridge in Escondido is a single-family detached home neighborhood priced from the low $500,000s. The floor plans range from approximately 2,653 to 3,564 square feet and have three to five bedrooms, 3.5 to 4.5 bathrooms, and three- and four-car garages. Call 760-233-5769 for information.

• Mandolin at Del Sur in San Diego is a condominium community priced from the high $400,000s. The homes range from approximately 1,643 to 2,333 square feet and have two to five bedrooms, 2.5 to four bathrooms and two-car garages. For more information, call 858-832-1368.

• Estrella in San Miguel Ranch in Chula Vista features single-family homes on lots averaging 7,500 square feet. Priced from the high $500,000s, Estrella homes have approximately 3,132 to 3,811 square feet, four to six bedrooms, 3.5 to 4.5 bathrooms and two- and three-car garages. For information, call 619-267-2310.

• Sapphire at Windingwalk in Chula Vista is priced from the high $400,000s and offers floor plans spanning from approximately 2,606 to 3,046 square feet. Sapphire homes offer four to five bedrooms, three to four baths and two- and three-car tandem garages. For information, call 619-216-4531.

Among San Diego’s biggest builders, Shea Homes (http://www.SheaHomes.com) offer new homes ranging from affordably priced condominiums and townhomes to traditional single-family detached homes and magnificent luxury residences.

About Shea Homes

Shea Homes, an independent member of the Shea family of companies, recently ranked No.1 among San Diego County homebuilders, according to MarketPointe Realty Advisors. Honored in 2005 as one of “America’s Best Builders” by the National Association of Home Builders, and as “2007 Builder of the Year” by Professional Builder Magazine, Shea Homes is also investing in the future of children and communities across America by sponsoring a multi-faceted literacy awareness program that urges parents to “Read With Your Child 15 Minutes a Day.” For more information, please visit the company’s website at http://www.SheaHomes.com.

Shea Homes is located at 9990 Mesa Rim Road in San Diego. To contact Shea Homes, please call 858-526-6500.

Chula Vista Tree Lighting

It has been a few weeks now, but we are closer to the holiday time then most can imagine! 2009 is nearly over and 2010 is right around the corner. In Chula Vista, Mayor Cox and a large group led in the lighting of the tree at Otay Ranch Town Center - which is directly across from many new homes located in the community of WindingWalk.

WindingWalk is across the street from the mall and provides many options for new home buyers. If you haven't been following the market - now is a great time to stop by and learn about the incentives and the programs available. The rates are historically low and FHA and VA loans offer great rates - along with government tax credit programs - you can find a great new home in Chula Vista.

Get ready for 2010 and make your New Year's wish come true - take the next step in making the American dream a reality - because now is the time!

Chula Vista New Homes

If you haven't been down to Chula Vista recently - well you have missed what has developed into the second largest city in San Diego County. Chula Vista has grown into a brand new community offering new homes for every home buyer.

With malls, new schools, shopping centers and dining - we recommend visiting Chula Vista, CA. today to learn more. Historically low interest rates, low home prices, incentives, government tax rebates and more are just a few reasons to make NOW the time to BUY!

Learn more about New Homes Chula Vista today!

New Chula Vista Homes

Chula Vista located in San Diego county has come a long way in the last 10 years.  New Home master planned communities including: Eastlake, Otay Ranch, WindingWalk, San Miguel Ranch, Rolling Hills Ranch and more.  This massive population increase has created an entire city within the San Diego region which provides for more than 500,000 residents.  The new strips malls, and full mall (Otay Ranch Towne Center) as well as a massive recent upgrade to Plaza Bonita on the 805 has made Chula Vista a prime location to move.  The lower cost of homes compared to other regions in the city as well as the completion of the 125 toll road has created a great place to live and work.  We highly recommend checking out this region for yourself - Click Here for our current recommendation for New Homes in Chula Vista.

New Homes in Chula Vista

Just discovered a new website called Windingwalk.com - it is an entire master planned community of new homes next to the new Otay Ranch Towne Center mall in Otay Ranch, next to Eastlake. They just build a new shopping center in the area and it has an Oggi's Pizza and a new shopping center!

Check out their new homes in Chula Vista online!

Shea Homes Ranks No. 1 in Sales Among San Diego County Homebuilders

With 106 net sales through the second quarter of 2009, Shea Homes (www.SheaHomes.com)

ranks No.1 among San Diego County homebuilders, according to MarketPointe Realty Advisors. The new-home builder earned 8.1 percent of the market, according to the Residential Trends Market Minute chart.

“The Shea Homes sales teams are doing a great job,” said Vanessa Linn, vice president of sales and marketing for the San Diego builder. “We are seeing positive signs and renewed interest at our new-home communities throughout San Diego County. Demand keeps getting stronger, so for those who are waiting and watching, now is the time to buy. Prices will go up, but right now the value is still better than ever.”

Since Jan. 1, Shea Homes has closed out Cypress Greens in Carmel Mountain Ranch. Sanctuary at The Estates at StoneBridge is expected to be closed out soon. The homebuilder is planning to release 36 new homes in August at its neighborhoods throughout the county.

Shea Homes is selling at several new-home neighborhoods, including new homes in La Costa, Escondido, Scripps Ranch, Del Sur and Chula Vista. Choices range from affordably priced condominiums and townhomes to traditional single-family detached homes and magnificent luxury residences. More information is also available at www.sheahomes.com.

Shea Homes is an independent member of the Shea family of companies. Over the past 125 years, members of the Shea family and their companies have accomplished many extraordinary milestones, including completing work on the foundation of the landmark Golden Gate Bridge, working on San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) and serving as a managing partner for the construction of the Hoover Dam. Shea Homes’ most satisfying achievements continue to revolve around listening to our customers’ needs and satisfying those needs by providing an extensive selection of new home floor plans and quality workmanship in the finest neighborhoods and communities available today. Shea Homes is also investing in the future of children and communities across America by sponsoring a multi-faceted literacy awareness program that urges parents to “Read With Your Child 15 Minutes a Day.” For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.SheaHomes.com.

Shea Homes is located at 9990 Mesa Rim Road in San Diego. To contact Shea Homes, please call (858) 526-6500.

Del Sur Community Nominated for Prestigious ‘Green Building’ Award

Environmentally Responsible Concepts Catching on With Residential Developments

A massive North County community development project is anxiously waiting to hear if it has been awarded the most prestigious environmentally correct label a builder can earn.

Del Sur, a planned community being built near Rancho Penasquitos and Rancho Santa Fe, has already won several regional green awards, and an educational facility on the property is in line for the highest level of certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

The voluntary building certification program defines high-performance green buildings, which are designed as environmentally responsible, healthy and profitable structures, based on five categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

The Ranch House at Del Sur, an educational facility open to San Diego residents, may become the county’s first platinum-rated LEED building and serve as the benchmark for green-building practices.

New Homes Del Sur

Only a handful of projects have earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s top honor in California.

Bill Dumka, senior vice president of Black Mountain Ranch LLC, the master developer of Del Sur, said he anticipates preliminary review results to be presented in the next few weeks and final results from their application announced in April or May.

The Ranch House at Del Sur incorporates recycled and renewable materials such as a fireplace built with stones collected from the site, ceiling trusses crafted from recycled beams at an old pier in Portland, reclaimed flooring harvested from a barn in Pennsylvania, insulation made of old blue jeans, countertops made from compressed sunflower husks and cabinets made from wheat.

Del Sur New Homes

“Part of our objective is that the Ranch House be a showcase for the kinds of features that constitute sustainable building,” Dumka said. “We hope to educate, set the example for builder and homebuyers.”

Dumka said environmental and energy-saving improvements aren’t the only benefits.

“The single biggest benefit is community pride and community identity,” Dumka said.

When completed, Del Sur will contain nearly 3,000 single-family and multifamily units near Camino Del Sur in North San Diego, located south of Santa Fe Valley and adjacent to Fairbanks Ranch and Rancho Penasquitos.

The Del Sur project has set the eco-friendly standards high, according to promotional materials, by incorporating on-site recycling efforts during construction that include energy conservation, water-saving techniques and use of renewable materials.

The project is also touted for its use of solar energy systems and tankless water heaters, which reduce utility bills.

Del Sur San Diego New Homes

---

Article by MICHELLE MOWAD, courtesy of San Diego Business Journal

San Diego Winner: Top Ten Places to Retire

Okay, its just a Hubpages post, but a pretty informative one! The guy has good taste; he picked San Diego as the #1 pick for top ten best places to retire! Not hard to understand now is it? ;)
Enjoy!

The Charm of 4S Ranch in San Diego

The first time I drove through 4S Ranch I new I had found something remarkable. 2,900 acres of beauty. This beautiful community is minutes from Hi Tech Giants such as Sony, HP, SAIC, just to name a few. 4S Ranch is located next to another amazing area in San Diego, Rancho Bernardo or RB as it is known in San Diego. 4S Ranch can be accessed from the 15 Freeway between Rancho Bernardo and Carmel Mountain Ranch. Just West of 4S is Del Sur, Santa Luz, Rancho Santa Fe, and Carmel Valley. From 4S Ranch it takes 15 minutes to get to Torrey Pines State Beach with minimal or no Freeway Driving. There are 3 completed public schools in 4S Ranch which consist of two Elementary Schools and one Junior High School and 4th public school Del Norte High School opening the Fall of 2009. Within a 10 minute drive there are multiple private schools such as Maranatha and Cathedral Catholic High School. There is also a Sheriffs station and Fire station located on the West end of the Ranch.

You will find a Boys and Girls club, many parks, hiking trails,Baseball, Soccer, Football, and Softball fields and a Library in 4S Ranch. There are homes, town houses, and condos of all sizes. There are also very high end apartments that are set up like a resort. The Home prices range from $300,000 to well over a million. The towncenter is a great place to meet up with friends for lunch or Dinner. A favorite place of San Diego Padre Pitcher Jake Peavy is Chilis restaurant. He has been seen eating with his family. My favorite restaurant is the Italian and Wine Bar The Villa Capri.

The history behind 4S Ranch began with the Native American inhabitants. Appropriately 4S Ranch has historically been an important place for families to gather, commerce to grow, and nature to thrive. Up until the 1990s you could still see cattle roaming the 4S Ranch landscape. 4S Ranch was originally homesteaded in 1842 by Joseph Snook, a British sea captain. in 1938 the property was purchased by Albert Ralphs, head of the Los Angeles based grocery store chain. The San Diego Union Tribune ran an article sometime back explaining the Ralphs family connection with 4S Ranch and how the ancestors of Albert were actively involved with the help and design of many of the homes and communities within 4S Ranch. There is still some farm land that produces lettuce and strawberries.

---

Article provided by:
Chris Scioscia
REALTOR
CENTURY 21 Award
http://www.ChrisScioscia.com
Toll Free 888-510-3939

Relocating to San Diego

San Diego is a beautiful City. If you are active and like to be outside, the weather offers 300 plus days a year of outdoor activities. If you like the hustle and bustle of the night life, the Gaslamp quarter is the place for you. If you like ranches and horse property you can find that as well. From the other parts of the Country, San Diego looks like all Sunshine, Beach, and fun. It can be if that is what you are looking for.

Over the last 18 years San Diego has diversified it's workforce. We have gone from Military Families and General Dynamic Contractors to High Tech Jobs, Bio-Tech Jobs, Military Families, and Military Contractors. Along with those jobs came the opportunity for the Real Estate Market to get a bit out of control. We had houses in 1999 that people paid $180,000 shoot up to $600,000 by 2005. Sadly enough what went up certainly came down. That is where the old catch phrase, location, location, location comes into play.

New Homes in San Diego

Depending on your life style and expected time to live in San Diego you have many choices of neighborhoods, houses, condo's, and beaches to choose from. I have found that to own a home in San Diego, most people are spending about 50% or more of their income on their home.

Now is the time to buy in San Diego. Building restrictions in the outside lying areas are very tight and the rest of the city is built out. Pretty much what you see is what you get for many years in San Diego. The infrastructure is built so now it is time to pick your location. The same reason you are looking at moving to San Diego many others are as well. This will help keep the health of the Real Estate market going for years to come.

The Beach: If this is your destination you have a variety of places to choose. If you are athletic and enjoy running in different events then Carlsbad, Encinitas, or Solana Beach is for you around $400,000-$600,00. If you are more upscale and are looking for a well taken care of area with minimal issues, then Del Mar or parts of La Jolla is your dream. These homes can range well over the million mark for the views or in the $500,000 plus range.

San Diego New Homes

As you head South from La Jolla you will enter into Pacific Beach where the twenty somethings live and party it up and a little more down the coast is an ex-hippie town called Ocean Beach. Homes in PB and OB as they are called have a huge range depending on you guessed it location and size. Duplexes can run $700,000 plus for a well kept place or $300,000 for a dump. Once you venture farther South than Ocean Beach, please keep in mind that San Diego has a third world country to the South. This poses issues on occasion of sewage spills into the ocean that affect the San Diego coastline close to the border.

Downtown: Hail to the San Diego Padres - Seriously - this organization has helped the San Diego Downtown area flourish and build condos, high rise office buildings, restaurants, Petco Park, and many new hotels. Downtown of San Diego has been called the Worlds best kept secret by many people from the Far East and Europe. The reason being, is that it has the big city feel, the night life, the jobs, but it is not crowded or congested at all. The condos in downtown San Diego are virtually brand new. They range from $300,000 to well over a million. The nice thing about the condos downtown is that for $350,000 you get to live in a nice part of downtown and the complexes are well taken care of.

Agave at WindingWalk, Chula Vista

Inland: If you are looking for raw land and used to rural living, take a look at Ramona and Jullian. There are not a lot of jobs in those parts but you can still pick up acreage for horses, ranches, and that kind of lifestyle.

North County:Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch - These sections of San Diego are suburbs. If you are moving from other parts of the country you will be in culture shock depending upon where you buy a home. In the areas above there are homes and condos from $180,000 to well over a million. Keep in mind the mantra here... location, location, location. What does that mean? School Districts, Jobs, Average House Income, HOA or no HOA, and a sense of community. These are all sections of San Diego that you will want to explore depending on your needs.

More suburbs: 4S Ranch, Del Sur, Santa Luz, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe -- These areas are your more upscale locations and be prepared to pay for it. Again, location, location, location. These areas have a higher resale value once the market turns upward again.

North County: San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside - These areas run along the 78 freeway out to the 5 and 15 freeways. There is some good value in these areas however, you must look at each neighborhood to see if it is right for you.

Clairemont, University City, Kearny Mesa, SouthBay and Chula Vista - These areas again vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. If you are looking to buy in these areas, take your time and explore the shopping malls, grocery stores, and schools.

Amber at WindingWalk, Chula Vista

Let's go up to Temecula and Murrieta - These sections are not considered San Diego however, many San Diegans moved to these areas when the average price of a home in San Diego was $350,000 and the prices in Temecula and Murrieta were under $200,000. The price for the move - a 1-2 hour each way commute to your job. Whether you work in Los Angeles or San Diego, you are on the road 1-2 hours each way. Again, location, location, location. These are also the areas that shot up from $200,000 to $700,000 and now has many empty bank owned homes selling for the $200,000-$300,000 range again.

There is so much more detail to get into but I think you got the idea. When moving anywhere but especially San Diego, take a look at your lifestyle, your needs, and pick the right location based on those factors not just price.

---

Article Provided by Chris Scioscia
REALTOR
CENTURY 21 Award
http://www.ChrisScioscia.com Toll Free 888-510-3939

WindingWalk in Chula Vista

South Bay residents now have a new public park, part of the master-planned community of Windingwalk in Chula Vista.

The $5 million park, which opened Nov. 22, features basketball and tennis courts, a softball/soccer field and picnic areas.

A major attraction is the skate park, with 1,800 square feet of skating surface, developed by Brookfield Homes and Shea Homes, and operated by Chula Vista.

The grand plan for Windingwalk includes 2,300 residences, plus community facilities, retail, office space, and schools.

Meanwhile, GMAC Mortgage has opened a new branch office in Chula Vista on H Street to meet the increased demand for mortgage financing options in the fast growing community.

Lina Echeverria, associate district manager, will manage the office.

In La Mesa, the San Diego-based Health Care Group celebrated a preview of its sales center for the Village at Briercrest on Nov. 30.

Construction of the 123,000-square-foot, 76-unit condo development for seniors is scheduled to begin next spring, with completion expected in 15 to 18 months.

The village, which will feature one- and two-bedroom and alcove floor plans, will offer dining, housekeeping and laundry services, fitness and social activities, and building and landscape maintenance, along with scheduled transportation.

The cost of the project hasn't been disclosed.

Article provided by Pat Broderick, San Diego Business Journal

San Diego's 4S Ranch

Located in the northeast portion of San Diego County, 4S Ranch is a new upscale planned community that offers home buyers a truly special place to live. Construction began on the development in 2001, with the community spanning almost 3,000 acres. There are over 1,600 acres of beautiful land that have been designated as protected open space, for all residents to enjoy.

New Homes in San Diego

Developers plan to build over two dozen neighborhoods, each with their own architectural style and price range. The variety of price points and property sizes allows a wide demographic of buyers to call 4S Ranch home. In addition, enclaves are devoted single family homes or multi family dwellings, which create an eclectic assortment of properties and neighborhood niches. Builders however, have managed to maintain enough cohesion to link each neighborhood together aesthetically.

Developers hope to have a total of 4,500 homes in 4S Ranch, with more than half already complete. Thanks to the area's beautiful year-round weather, miles of scenic walking trails, and spacious tree-lined sidewalks, residents of 4S Ranch often find the outdoors beckoning. This is a pedestrian-friendly community where neighbors are free to leisurely stroll along quiet streets without worrying about heavy traffic zipping by.

Such an inviting environment encourages neighbors to stop and visit while out and about. 4S Ranch is quickly becoming a close-knit community, with residents that are happy to smile and say hello. Newcomers to 4S Ranch typically find their neighbors to be genuinely warm and welcoming, which makes the transition to a new community much easier on the entire family.

San Diego New Homes

For buyers with children, the Poway Unified School District is renowned for providing an excellent learning environment. In addition, a new library was built in the community, and offers year-round story times and other programs for local children.

There is a large Boys & Girls Club that is based out of 4S Ranch Community Park. The Boys & Girls Club offers kids a safe, fun, and activity-filled place for kids to go after school and on weekends.

The 4S Ranch Community Park is an excellent addition to the area, as it's an ideal place for family and friends to get together. The park features a swimming pool that has a waterslide and children's play area. In addition to taking a dip in the pool, kids and adults alike enjoy the park's outdoor roller hockey rink, tennis and basketball courts.

Another focal point of the community is the newly built 4S Commons. Groceries, restaurants, and shops line the Commons, and make for a true gathering place. With food, services, and retail offerings available, residents have everything they need within walking distance of their homes.

Real estate in 4S Ranch starts around $400,000, and can go upwards of $1 million. Right now homes in 4S Ranch are more affordable than ever, with several bank-owned properties available. This is the perfect time for buyers to snatch up a deal. Like the rest of the country, the San Diego County market has slowed down, but savvy buyers know that buying property in 4S Ranch will prove to be a smart investment in the future.

4S Ranch has gorgeous scenery, warm sunny days, and lovely community spirit. If you're looking for a new San Diego community to call home, your search may be over.

---

Article Contributed by Joshua Sloan.

Joshua Sloan is your experienced REALTOR for San Diego real estate. Visit his website at http://www.SanDiegoRealEstateBuzz.com to find San Diego home values, property listings and more.

New Homes in San Diego Up for Shea Homes

Shea Homes just published a press release (see below) regarding it's sales of new homes in San Diego, which are coming in very strong for the year. Go Shea!
******************************************************

April and May sales reports from San Diego builder Shea Homes indicate higher numbers of qualified buyers are making their way to new home neighborhoods. Forty eight homes sold in the first two months of the second quarter, and June appears to be starting strong as well.

“We had eight sales the first week of June, and the number of visitors to the model homes was up by 17 percent,” according to Vanessa Linn, vice president of sales and marketing for Shea Homes. “We haven not seen a jump like this all quarter long.”

Among San Diego’s biggest builders, Shea Homes (www.SheaHomes.com)

has 114 net sales and 52 closings year-to-date. According to Linn, current low interest rates and the incentives of federal and state tax credits have inspired action in prospective buyers.

“First time buyers and those who have been waiting to make a move up to a larger house are realizing now is the time to act. It they wait, they will miss an opportunity that hasn’t been this good in a decade.”

Shea Homes had new-home sales at 12 neighborhoods in San Diego County, and new construction starts as well.

Shea Homes is selling at new-home neighborhoods throughout San Diego County, including La Costa, Escondido, Scripps Ranch, Del Sur and Chula Vista. Choices range from affordably priced condominiums and townhomes to traditional single-family detached homes and magnificent luxury residences. More information is also available at www.sheahomes.com.

Shea Homes is an independent member of the Shea family of companies. Over the past 125 years, members of the Shea family and their companies have accomplished many extraordinary milestones, including completing work on the foundation of the landmark Golden Gate Bridge, working on San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) and serving as a managing partner for the construction of the Hoover Dam. Shea Homes’ most satisfying achievements continue to revolve around listening to our customers’ needs and satisfying those needs by providing an extensive selection of new home floor plans and quality workmanship in the finest neighborhoods and San Diego communities available today. Shea Homes is also investing in the future of children and communities across America by sponsoring a multi-faceted literacy awareness program that urges parents to “Read With Your Child 15 Minutes a Day.” For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.SheaHomes.com.