It’s hard to believe that 2011 has come to an end and that the New Year 2012 is upon us.

We hope that this greeting finds you well and that you are enjoying the holidays.

The team at 92101 Urban Living wants to wish all of you a very happy New Year 2012!

VA will be making some changes for the New Year and on January 1st, 2012 the maximum loan for 100% financing will be lowered to $477,000 in Downtown San Diego including San Diego County.

Riverside County will remain at $417,000 but Orange County will reduce where the maximum loan for the 100% financing will be $621,000. If you are a veteran and would like to obtain loans over the $477,000 amount you would need a down payment of 25%.

If you are a veteran looking to invest in Downtown San Diego Real Estate and for example you are looking to buy a Downtown San Diego Condo or Downtown San Diego Loft priced at $577,000 you would need a $25,000 down payment.

We are sure that you already know this, but we wanted to give you a broader overview of the historically low mortgage rates that have hit our real estate market over the past couple of weeks.

With a rate average that is below 4%, real estate transactions just keep getting cheaper when it comes to financing your purchase.  These incredible rates afford first-time home buyers, real estate investors, and repeat or 2nd home buyers a perfect opportunity to buy in Downtown San Diego.

During the past 40 years, Freddie Mac has kept track of home loan interest rates; only two times in the last couple of decades has the rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage been under 4%.  This time, the rate is holding pretty steady compared to the former occurrence where it was only a one-time thing. The record low 30-year mortgage rate is not alone as it is closely mirrored by record low ARMs and 15-year fixed rates (3.3%).

Has there ever been a better time to invest in Downtown San Diego Real Estate? Low mortgage rates, low home prices and a less competitive real estate market due to the holiday season provide ample evidence that this might be the time for you to make a decision about investing in a Downtown San Diego Condo or a Downtown San Diego Loft.

We hope that this greeting finds you well and that you will enjoy this time with family and friends. We want to wish all of you a very happy holiday and a happy New Year!

Best wishes…
92101 Urban Living

A meeting was held Nov 29th, 2011 in Downtown San Diego where the San Diego Unified Port District gave conditional approval to help fund the proposed San Diego Convention Center Expansion Project located in the Marina District. They also mentioned that the Port may give up to $3 million a year for the next 20 years in contributions.

They also directed the Port District’s staff to begin negotiations with the City of San Diego to decided terms and conditions of support agreements. Another item on the list is to develop alternatives to address balancing needs and benefits in the Port of San Diego’s five member cities all bordering the San Diego Bay…San Diego, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and Chula Vista.

To read more about the Convention Center Project read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs You can help influence the Convention Center expansion, San Diego Convention Center Expansion and Hotel Development Has Begun and Lead Architect Selected for the Downtown San Diego Convention Center Expansion.

Downtown San Diego is filled with people of all shapes and sizes but one thing that seems to be a common thread amongst the differences is a love of music. Musical events and venues (for a wide array of music lovers) pepper Downtown San Diego and the Casbah in Little Italy happens to hold a special place in the heart of many.

Each Christmas Eve an annual, and much anticipated, rock ‘n’ roll show excites the masses at the Casbah. This free show (yes, FREE!) is an opportunity for San Diego’s best musicians to step on stage and pay tribute to the Rolling Stones. These musicians have absolutely no interest in being a Rolling Stones cover band but to only play their favorite songs by the band and have a good time while doing so. For those of you who truly know San Diego’s music scene, part of the joy of this show is not knowing who is going to show up on stage!

If your Christmas Eve is available, the Casbah opens it’s doors at 9pm for the 21 and over crowd awaiting a good time. Exile on Kettner Blvd will not disappoint.

Downtown San Diego is definitely a city with a lot of different projects going on at the same time and CCDC (Centre City Development Corporation) is the organization responsible for creating a livable Downtown community as well as planning for the future. CCDC is a public nonprofit organization acting on behalf of the Redevelopment Agency of the city.

We always suggest visiting the CCDC’s website for more information on the different ongoing projects in Downtown. Many Downtown San Diego Real Estate investors looking to buy a Downtown San Diego Condo or a Downtown San Diego Loft can get a lot of information here. You might want to know if another high-rise will be built next to the complex you are thinking of buying in or if there are plans for a park, commercial buildings and so on.

Check out the list below on major ongoing projects currently in process;

• East Village/Ballpark District
  Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge
  Downtown San Diego Library
• Core District
  C Street Safety Enhancements Public Improvements
  Civic Center Complex
• Marina District
  Convention Center Expansion
  San Diego Quiet Zone
  Navy Broadway Complex
• Columbia District
  North Embarcadero Visionary Plan (NEVP)
  Lane Field Park
• Little Italy District
  San Diego Quiet Zone
• Gaslamp District
  Horton Plaza Expansion and Park

For more information visit CCDC.

The San Diego Symphony is a Downtown San Diego treasure. With events throughout the year such as Summer Pops and the Symphony Spooktacular, you can’t help but love the entertainment the symphony provides our city.

This weekend, December 16-18, Holiday Pops arrives at Copely Hall. The symphony will play many memorable yuletide tunes while John Pagano (well known for his sing alongs with Burt Bacharach at Summer Pops) sings the night away. But, he won’t be the only one singing these holiday favorites. The San Diego Master Chorale as well as San Diego’s Children’s Choir will also be heard singing. But don’t dispair, there will be a sing along where audience participation is encouraged! This is an event for the entire family and will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

Tickets are still available as well as Symphony Gift Certificates which sure would make a great gift-especially for those of us living in Downtown San Diego!

Now if you’ve been living in Downtown San Diego, this is old news but for those of you new to this urban lifestyle, welcome to the land of dog lovers! Downtown San Diego loves its dogs and the Gaslamp Quarter celebrates these pooches with its annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade.

On Sunday, December 11th at 3pm the parade begins. Canines and their humans will take over the streets of the Gaslamp donned in costumes. Yes, costumes. In fact, there are prizes for Best Costume, Best Costumed Duo and many more. See what I mean? There is a seriously love of dogs in this city. If this sounds right up your (and your dog’s) alley, head over to the Hilton Park right next to the San Diego Hilton Gaslamp Quarter where the festivities begin and end.

After parading your best friend through the streets, trot on over and take part in the Pet Expo located at the Hilton Park. There you will find all of the latest and greatest, biggest and best treats, gifts, active wear, and gourmet food for your beloved four legged friend. Afterall, this event is all about them, right?

Happy Howlidays!

If you are one of the lucky ones to snag tickets to this event at The House of Blues in Downtown San Diego, nice! With Lenny Kravitz headlining, it’s bound to be an electric show which benefits none other than the all deserving Children’s Rady’s Hospital.

On Sunday, December 11th the show is on. Doors open at 7pm for this 21 and over event. Not only can you expect Lenny to rock the house but an acoustin performance by Gavin Rossdale and Bush will continue to make this show unforgettable. If you are one of the lucky ones to land VIP tickets, you’ll be treated to a private acoustic performance with Mat Kearney in a separate dining room. Not only will this small venue provide great ambiance but the music alone will put everyone in attendance in the holiday spirit.

Knowing your money goes to benefit Children’s Hospital-ah, what a cool thing! You lucky ducky’s with tickets better enjoy the show for all of us without tickets because the only way any of us are getting in, is if the stars are in alignment when we call Sophie hoping to be the lucky caller. Either way, let me know how the show is…especially Lenny.

ENJOY.