I thought of this the other day while driving. You can’t spell community without you n i. The letters y-o-u-n & i all make up the word community but I think the concept of community really comes down to you and I. I hear a lot of people talk about the change they want made to their community and then they never pursue it beyond just the talk. They wait for the Associations or governing board members to do something. But it isn’t the association that lives in your home. A lot of times the members of the board don’t live there either. A community has to be maintained and upheld by the individuals living in it.

You and I!

We need to live together, respect each others space, be prepared to roll up our sleeves and get dirty along side each other and be open-minded to each others ideas and remember to keep the greater good of the community in mind. Together we can make it the greatest community it can be and something for future residents to strive to be a part of.

It takes you ‘n’ I to make community.

This was the story yesterday and today on the news. A few thoughts about this. It will still have the same appearance from the exterior, which is great! The interior will be built as apartment grade instead of condo specs. Meaning, it will not have laundry in the units and cabinets, counters, appliances etc. will not be hi-end.

I think this is great!

There is a need for a fully balanced community in downtown San Diego. Part of that balance is affordable urban housing. Also known as “work force” housing. Housing for the individuals that bust their rear every day to make ends meet. The firefighters, teachers, police officers and trade workers that have helped shape this city and make it great. They have every right to live down here as well. A lot has been said by individuals that will be moving into or already live in nearby condo communities. The feeling that this will hurt their values. The perception is that with the label “affordable” comes the idea of poverty stricken families packing large amounts of people into a small living space. I would hope this will be monitored as this will be an investment on the part of the city. Another fear is that it will only have 65% plus or minus of the original allotted parking if it were the luxury condo it was intended to be. Making street parking become even more scarce. It should not cause a fear. One community official has said that that would be enough for an aprtment building and in the past they had come up with more parking than was necessary. I want to state that when people move and transition into an urban environment, they need to SHED THE SUBURBAN MENTALITY. You aren’t going to have a garage, you aren’t going to have lots of parking. Mass transit is a block away. Use it. It will save you money on insurance and gas and will help clean up the environment. Isn’t that what everyone wants?

I digress. Back on topic. The addition of this work force housing will help bring balance to the neighborhood of downtown. It is not going to add to the inventory of existing available homes because these are rentals and not for sale. Those of you renting your condos shouldn’t feel like it will pull down your value as you will still have a unit in an ownership community with much nicer amenities, fixtures, flooring etc. That will always command a higher price than apartment grade dwellings.

In order for us to thrive we will need infrastructure- the office buildings, commercial buildings, residential buildings both for sale and for rent. This is the reality of urban living. We are seeing it all come to fruition and I am excited about it. The same developer doing this at 10th and 11th on B is also developing a block in the South part of the East Village for the same purpose.http://www.fox6.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=937826bc-195a-4c40-aeb8-cec345e13589

Ultimately, all my clients ask for me to tell them about quality urban homes with great prices attached. Well, there has been a great Price Improvement! This Renaissance urban home is a rarely available and spacious 1BR luxury urban home. Unit 1204 is one of the lowest priced in the complex. The unit features: Panoramic city views, even a bay view from balcony, granite counters, custom paint, and Euro style cabinetry. The kitchen is a galley kitchen with a view window into the living area: it has had stainless steel appliances upgrades complementing the “gourmet and urban style”. The large living room and bedroom windows provide great natural light. The Condo features a lighting upgrade for Artwork. Parking space #17 on parking level P1 level next to parking. Other Unit features include: high speed wiring, GE gas range, GE Oven, GE microwave, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Viking hood and solid doors. There is a large balcony with views of the city. Renaissance is a beautiful high-rise condominium development located in the much sought after Marina District of downtown San Diego. Walk to Horton Plaza, the bay, Seaport Village, the new Padres ballpark (Petco Park), Ralph’s, Nordstroms, the Gaslamp with fine restaurants/clubs and more. Renaissance amenities include a pool, spa, workout facility, tastefully decorated lobby and common room in a secure building. On-site guards 24 hrs per day. Parking is gated and secured.

If you would like to schedule a tour of this condo or to request more information, please contact Mike Ciampa.

I wanted to take a moment to share a feeling I have about my urban loft home in downtown San Diego. We have lived down here for almost two years and let me tell you- the experience has been surreal! We would always watch people on t.v. and in the movies enjoying this lifestyle that was so attractive. Walking out of your urban, downtown building and going across the street to a fun local restaraunt/bar. Strolling a couple blocks to see live, local acoustic musicians that are also neighbors. Having everything you need within a four block walk. Cafes, eateries, coffee houses and boutique shops you will find nowhere else. Filling up the gas tank every couple of weeks as opposed to twice a week. Intercommunity get-togethers hosted in a neighbors’ stylish loft or in a well appointed community gathering area. Imagine all that… and I realized that that has been and IS our life! It makes me feel a little sorry for the people that bought down here and never decided to move here because they didn’t believe in what downtown is becoming. That just rented their place out or are trying to flip it. It is definitely a great opportunity missed. Even to experience it for a couple of years will leave a lifetime of memories to look fondly upon. I have watched new families develop and grow including my own. Not a day goes by that I don’t stop to pinch myself, to make sure I am not dreaming. This is my downtown home. It could be yours.

One of the biggest contributors to the price per square foot of a Downtown San Diego unit is infrastructure. It is always location, location, location. The specific neighborhood infrastructure like local restaurants, local retail, and entertainment are precisely the amenities that make up the energy and characteristics of the neighborhood. Downtown San Diego’s East Village (specifically the Ballpark District) is a neighborhood that is undergoing tremendous growth and development.

When you stand on the corner of 9th and J, all buildings that you see are less than two years old. Last year at this time, there were 13 cranes in the sky. The construction of Petco Park has thus far anchored the build out of this neighborhood. However, many now argue that it will be the new San Diego Public Library that provides neighborhood culture and true value to urban homes. There are many local business stand outs that have opened like: Mondo Gelato, Basic, Java Jones, the Kabob Shop, and Albertsons. Many investors who purchased in this growing neighborhood bought into the vision and potential of what the neighborhood would become. The hardest part of this decision is having to be patient until more things actually open. There are prime retail and restaurant opportunities in Diamond Tower, ICON, TR Produce, and the Legend surrounding the Park at the Park. With everything finally built, you think the hard part would be done. Now all need are some national and local business to show some initiative and just move in. Rumors of restaurants like Donavan’s, PF Chang, and Gordon Biersch are some of the few being talked about on the street. Unfortunately, landlords also know the potential of the neighborhood and assess rents accordingly. The East Village is not even established, but it currently commands some of the highest commercial prices per square foot of any other neighborhood in Downtown.

It looks like delays are going to just be the norm for the East Village. In this months’ Downtown Newspaper, there is a great article on the new urban Fit Club. Read Article This is a 40,000 square foot upscale fitness club that will add significant character to the East Village. At first, the club was promised to open at the beginning of July. Then, opening was moved to Fall of 07. Now, rumor has it that the club will not even get closing to an opening before January of 08.

Even with delays, East Village residents will continue to be patient and support the local business that are already open. The bottom line is this; The East Village will hold its own against some of the most famous urban neighborhoods like SOMA, SOHO, and New York’s Meat-Packing District. Eventually, investors will look back and wish they were among the first to get in while the prices and opportunities were favorable.

Southern California’s home sales are at their lowest since 1995! DQnews.com offers some statistics and facts about today’s market and where we might be headed.

Check out this article: http://www.dqnews.com/RRSCA0807.shtm