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.