Cool Hand Luke’s in San Marcos

Cool Hand Luke’s is scheduled to open in mid January of 2012.  Check their website for updates and grand opening information.  Cool Hand Luke’s has a wonderful variety of grilled fare. Included on their menu are Rib-eye, Prime rib, BBQ chicken, seared Ahi, Shrimp and several salads.

The San Marcos Cool Hand Luke’s is located at the corner of Knoll Rd and San Marcos Blvd, just west of the Starbucks.

 

Discovery Lake, San Marcos

Below are a few photos from around Discovery Lake in San Marcos, which is a nice little gem hidden in Discovery Hills.
                              
                             
                             
The photo in the bottom right corner is a little (ok extremely) hard to see but there is a duck feeding a chick.
Discovery Lake is at the end of Foxhall just beyond the small park and tot lot. The loop around the lake is part of the San Marcos trail system, which includes over 50 miles of hiking/biking trails throughout the community.

Tips for Home Buyers

Tips for buyers
Interested in buying a home and claiming the home-buyer tax credit? Below are five tips:

1. Don’t procrastinate. Start searching for a home now with a Realtor that will spend time educating you on the process. Getting an early start will give you a better chance of finding the right house before the credit deadline. Before you start house hunting, get preapproved for a mortgage, said Eddie Fadel, a Miami-based mortgage banker, and do a realistic assessment of what you can afford. Buyers who have to sell an existing home should price it aggressively from the beginning to drum up interest and get a buyer as soon as possible. Click here to start your search.

2. Don’t count on another extension. The credit won’t be available forever, Fadel said. If you want to take advantage, be sure to make that spring deadline.

“This is a medication for the housing crisis. Once the patient-which is the housing market-cures, there will be no medication needed,” he said.

3. Mind the interest rates. Mortgage interest rates are low right now, but will likely rise next year. Higher rates will affect your monthly mortgage payments, thus the affordability of the house you are buying. Average rates on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage have been hovering around 5%, but when the government stops buying large amounts of mortgage-backed securities, rates could rise.

4. Communicate with your lender. Throughout the process, make sure you’re communicating with your lender regularly; if there’s a piece of documentation you’re asked for, get it turned in as soon as possible. Good communication is important in making sure the loan closes on time and your Realtor should ensure constant communication. Think twice before pursuing a short sale if you want to make the credit deadline. That’s where someone sells a home for less than what he or she owes on a mortgage, with permission of the lender. The process can be lengthy and unpredictable because the homeowner’s lender has to approve any deal, and can be complicated when there is a second and/or third mortgage associated with the property.

5. Don’t take shortcuts. Don’t forego any of the steps you would normally take just to make the tax credit deadline. Make sure the house is a good fit for your needs and get a home inspection. Skipping steps could cost you in the long run.

RISMedia

Tips to avoid mortgage modification scams

What is a Short Sale

San Fernando Valley Man Makes a Difference (please share)

San Fernando Valley Man Makes a Difference (please share)

Facebook is very good for catching up and staying in touch but the real value is in the power of networking. San Fernando Valley Relics recently posted a comment on FB offering to donate T-shirts to local charities. I live in San Marcos but I grew up in the Valley, which is why I follow San Fernando Valley Relics on FB and saw the post for the T-shirts so I sent a message to Tommy about possibly getting some of the shirts for a charity that helps homeless children. (StandUpForKids).  With out any question, Tommy from San Fernando Valley Relics told me that he would have a few cases ready to pick up within a few days.  The shirts are now in the hands of, or on the backs of many needy homeless children throughout Southern California.

Tommy from San Fernando Valley Relics is a hero

Tommy at San Fernando Valley Relics

Make the Call to Hankins and Hall

When you are thinking of buying or selling a home, Make the Call to Hankins and Hall

Buyers – What I will do for you:

• Whether you are planning to purchase real estate now or a year from now, I will work with you and make sure that you understand the entire process.
• I will sit with you and review a Buyer’s Resource Binder that includes 1) A comprehensive, step-by-step review of the home buying process. 2) Sample inspection reports and what to look for in a competent inspector. 3) Guidelines and review questions to use when selecting a loan professional. 4) We will review the entire purchase contract, disclosures and addenda so when you are ready to write an offer, there will be no surprises. 5) A comprehensive list of replacement costs and life expectancies of the major components of the home, including appliances. 6)The last item in the resource binder is a guarantee of my commitment to YOU.
• I will help you negotiate a contract with the seller that has the most possible protection for you.
• I will attend to the home inspection with you to help ensure all possible defects are annotated by the professional home inspector that you choose.
• I work very closely with all parties involved in the transaction to ensure an on-time close.  This includes working with your lender, the listing agent, the escrow officer, the pest and home inspection companies.
• Even months or years after the close of escrow, I will be available as your resource for anything related to you home.
• I am available by phone, fax, e-mail or text 7 days a week and will return your contact request within minutes.

When you are thinking of buying or selling a home, Make the Call to Hankins and Hall

Double Peak Park in San Marcos

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For your Real Estate needs in North San Diego or Southwest Riverside County……..
Make the Call to Hankins and Hall
Lela 760-591-0020 DRE#01407710
Steve 760-809-1637 DRE#01764446

Lela Hankins and Steve Hall are full time real estate professionals providing full service in real estate to Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido,Fallbrook, Bonsall, Rancho Bernardo, Valley Center, Temecula, Red Hawk, and Murrieta

If you are in the market for a great lender that understands all loan types including FHA and VA, contact Brian Skaar at Brian Skaar.com

Sunset Park in San Marcos

Sunset Park is a 19 acre park located at the wester border of San Marcos and includes the following amenities:

•2 Reservable picnic areas

•2 Tot lots    •Off-leash dog park    •Splash pad    •Volleyball court    •Half basketball court    •Lighted indoor soccer arena    •Disc golf course    •Multi-purpose sports fields    •Amphitheater    •Picnic areas •Multi-use trails

For more information about the park, please call (760) 744-9000

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * For your Real Estate needs in North San Diego or Southwest Riverside County…….. Make the Call to Hankins and HallLela 760-591-0020 DRE#01407710 Steve 760-809-1637 DRE#01764446 Lela Hankins and Steve Hall are full time real estate professionals providing full service in real estate to Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido,Fallbrook, Bonsall, Rancho Bernardo, Valley Center, Temecula, Red Hawk, and Murrieta If you are in the market for a great lender that understands all loan types including FHA and VA, contact Brian Skaar at Brian Skaar.com

Community Directory for San Marcos

The City of San Marcos is a very well run machine and they provide wonderful services.  This is a great list that is extremely helpful and should be printed and saved as a resource.

Community Resource Guide

All City phone numbers are(760) 744-1050 plus the extension listed below unless otherwise noted.

City Departments

3206 Abandoned Vehicles

3118 Administration

3238 Affordable Housing

3331 Brush Clearance in Public Right-of-Way

3241 Building Permits

3102 Business License

3174 Cable Service Problems

3145 City Council

3145 City Clerk

3145 City Elections

3206 Code Compliance Hotline

3331 Dead Animal Pickup

3216 Development Services

3229 Engineering

3126 Finance

3405 Fire Department (Non-Emergency)

3200 General Information

3143 Housing & Neighborhood Services

3120 Human Resources

3206 Illegal Dumping

3500 Parks and Recreation

3143 Parking Tickets/Citations

3204 Planning

3331 Potholes

3331 Public Works

3331 Storm Drain Maintenance

3217 Storm Water Program

3331 Street Lights

3305 Street/Road Construction

3273 Traffic Issues

Other Services

Animal Control (760) 888-BARK

Boys & Girls Club (760) 471-2490

Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM) (760) 750-4000

CSUSM Arts & Lectures (760) 750-8889

Certificates (Birth, Death, Marriage) (760) 940-6868

Chamber of Commerce (760) 744-1270

Childcare Resource Services (800) 481-2151

Family Resource Center (760) 761-5553

Graffiti Hotline (760) 591-9100

Hazardous Waste Disposal (800) 444-4244

Historical Society and Museum (760) 744-9025

Library (760) 891-3000

Large Item Pickup (760) 744-2700

Meals on Wheels (760) 736-9900

North County Health Services (760) 736-6700

Palomar College (760) 744-1150

Palomar College Health & Wellness (760) 744-1150 ext. 2838

Panorama Teen and Family Center (760) 471-9449

Project CARE (760) 744-0467

Public Transportation (Sprinter, Breeze) (760) 966-6500

Recycling (760) 744-2700

San Marcos Unified School District (760) 752-1200

Senior Services (SD County) (800) 510-2020

San Marcos Senior Center (760) 744-5535

Sheriff’s Department (Non-Emergency) (760) 510-5200

Storm Water Hotline (760) 481-3878

Trash Service (760) 744-2700

Water/Sewer Service (760) 744-0460