There are many different types of home loans that are available to you as a buyer. In fact, banks and other lending institutions have dozens of different loan programs that you can choose from when you are purchasing a property or refinancing one. It is not possible to cover all of them in this article, but below are some of the most common loans available today.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan has become one of the most popular loans today because it allows the buyer to put as little as 3.5 percent as a downpayment. Therefore, it is possible to buy a house when you do not have a lot of actual cash available. Many people think they have to have a large downpayment to buy a home. But this is not the case with the FHA loan. However, if you have enough money, you can put more down as a downpayment and consider a conventional loan.

Conventional loans are also very common and popular today, and are widely used in the lending world. These loans will require a larger downpayment than an FHA loan but keep in mind, the more you put down, the lower your loan balance and your monthly payment will be. Conventional and FHA loans are probably two of the most common loans that are being used today. However, there are other types of loans like the VA loan (Veterans Affairs).

VA loans are not as common as FHA and conventional loans, but they are used by many buyers who qualify as military veterans. With a VA loan, a qualified buyer can take advantage of some special benefits offered to them by the government. There are some requirements that the seller must cooperate with when accepting an offer from a VA buyer, but it is a good loan and a great benefit for our veterans. A negative to the VA loan is that a lot of sellers do not want to cooperate due to the requirements that are part of the loan. As a result, the seller will try to find a conventional or FHA buyer first before considering a VA buyer. It is simply a reality of the real estate world.

Typically, what sellers and listing agents look for in a buyer’s financing is prioritized as first, a cash offer; second would be a conventional loan with as large of a downpayment as possible; third would be an FHA loan and last would be other types of loans like VA loans.

There are many different kinds of features in each of the loan categories. For example, there are fixed loan rates and adjustable loan rates. There are different lengths of time that a loan can be extended. The most common period is thirty years. But there are also shorter time periods like 15 years.

Another tidbit to keep in mind as a general rule is that you as a buyer will be required to pay for monthly mortgage insurance (PMI) if you put less than 20 percent down. This is an insurance that protects the lender if a buyer defaults on the loan and is charged monthly as part of your mortgage payment. If you are able to put 20 percent or more down, you should not be charged PMI. Five years ago it was very easy for almost anyone to get a home loan. But today, lenders are stricter with their lending criteria and they look more closely at a buyer’s credit score, income, debt ratio and assets when qualifying them. Lenders are still lending money. So if you want to buy a home or an income property do not hesitate to call your bank or credit union and get prequalified. It is a very quick and simple process and can even be done over the phone.

As I have shared in previous articles, real estate has always been one of the best investments historically throughout the world. So you owe it to yourself to look at buying a home.

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).

We live in a world of temptations where there is something to buy around every corner. In addition, we have become conditioned to wanting immediate gratification. So if there is something we see that we want, we simply buy it. If we do not have the actual money for the item we simply charge it on a credit card. We have become and are known as a consumer-based society. Well, all of this is fine except for when you need money to buy something of substance like a home and you find that you are broke.

Many of us today do things and spend money in ways that we think are a basic way of life, but just a few decades ago these same things would have been considered luxuries. There are so many examples; like going to a Starbucks daily and buying that special coffee; going out to eat several times a week; playing lotto or even going to one of your favorite casinos. Maybe you like the weekend getaways to Palm Springs, L.A. or some other travel destination. Getting a massage is certainly at the top of my list for treating myself. The discretionary ways in which we spend money are endless, not to mention the things we have to spend money on like rent/mortgage, gas, groceries, insurance, utilities and medical etc. So it is up to us to be mindful and exercise care with our spending and live beneath our means.

I had a friend visit me recently from London and as a nice gift, he surprised my partner and I by treating us to an overnight stay at one of the upscale and beautiful hotels downtown. He reserved two suites for us, which were very elegant and high end. I must say it was fun to indulge in that type of decadence. But when I found out what the rooms cost, I was not happy. My friend spent more than $600 for the one night stay. And although the thought was nice, I did not want him to spend that kind of money on me. I would have been happier with him treating us to a meal at Urban Mo’s, Baja Betty’s, Babbo Grande or one of the many fun restaurants around town, which would have been a fraction of the cost. What was the worst part of this is that my friend is a regular working-class guy. He does not have the kind of money to spend $600 plus on a one-night hotel stay, particularly when we had made arrangements for him to stay with us.

Although this example might be a little extreme, there are countless examples of how we all spend money without thinking much about it.

It is wonderful to treat yourself to special things in life, but make sure when you are spending your money you are not over-extending yourself financially. It is so easy to spend money, and you can find yourself spending your money faster than you can make it.

If you have not already done so, take the time to assess how you spend your money each day. You will probably be amazed at some of the items you buy and how quickly your money can go. You may want to make a budget for yourself and long and short term financial goals. Of course, one of the most important things that we should all use our money for is a home. If you already have a home, then consider helping a friend or family member who is currently renting, plan for a home purchase. Now is such an incredible time to buy a home. Housing prices are significantly down from five years ago and mortgage rates are historically low. So save your money and buy a house.

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).

One of the most important aspects of buying a home is to have a home inspection done during the escrow process. There are many things that you may not be able to see on the interior and the exterior of a home that may need repair. There are also many things that you should take into consideration and keep in mind when you do a home inspection. Listed below are a few points to be aware of:

As a general rule, when you hire a home inspector, they will check most aspects of the interior and exterior of a home. They should go into the attic, the garage and also under the home if the home has a crawl space. At the end of the inspection the home inspector should give you a verbal summary and should also supply you with a comprehensive written report of the findings. Do not be intimidated by the repairs that are outlined in the report. No matter how new or how nice a home is, there will typically always be many items found that are in need of repair or in need of some kind of maintenance or upgrade.

Through the years building codes have changed greatly. As a result, there are tens of thousands of homes all over San Diego and throughout the state that are not compliant with today’s standards. However, at the time that these homes were built they adhered to the current building codes of that time. In fact, California has one of the strictest building codes in the nation, so it can be very overwhelming to have a home inspection and be presented with the findings. It is essential that your home inspector does not just identify problems with a home but also properly explains to you possible ways the repairs can be carried out. Most items that are found in a home inspection are easily fixed. I remember when I bought my first home, many years ago, I was overwhelmed by the home inspection report and quite honestly I did not understand most of it. But through the years I have reached a much better level of understanding of general repairs and try to share that information with my clients during the purchase or the sale of a home. So whenever you have a home inspection, make sure you have an opportunity to speak to the inspector to ask any questions you may have about the inspection and the property.

The most common time that people do an inspection is when they are buying a home. But it is also a good idea to do a home inspection if you currently own your home. This way you can learn a lot about your property and its condition. Usually you will find items that are in need of repair that you were not aware of. In addition, you will typically find many safety related items to address or upgrade. It is also common to identify preventative maintenance items that are needed, which often can save you money in the long run by fixing a problem before it gets too big.

In addition to a general home inspection, there are many other types of inspections you can do on a home. A termite inspection is another example of an inspection that can be done, which usually is separate from a general home inspection and specifically focuses on damage to the property caused by termites, wet rot, dry rot and damage caused by other living organisms. In a future article I will cover more information on the many other kinds of inspections you can do. But for now just remember you will always want to do a general home inspection anytime you are buying a property. You will also want to find a professional home inspector who has good experience.

Typically your home is one of your biggest investments so you want to make sure it is in good condition and that it is as safe as possible. By doing a professional home inspection, you can be aware of your home’s condition and maintain it accordingly.

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).

At some point you will probably need a Realtor to either buy or sell a property. So how do you go about finding a good one that will meet your needs, particularly when there are a lot of Realtors to choose from? Well below are some recommendations that can help you select a Realtor that is right for you.

Experience

First, it is important to hire a Realtor who has been in the business a while and is experienced. Real estate has become more complex during the years and it is imperative that you work with a Realtor who is familiar with all the intricacies of the business. It is not in your best interest to consider a Realtor who is new in the business.

Full time

It is common to find Realtors who are part time. There are many reasons for this. A lot of Realtors need to work another job to make ends meet. Some are trying to break into the business as new agents. As a result, they are only available as a Realtor part of the time. You need to work with a real estate agent who is available to you – even in the evening and on weekends.

Interview

Once you have found two or three real estate agents that sound good on the phone, it is recommended that you meet with them in person. This will give you an opportunity to see first-hand if you like how they conduct themselves, and to see if there exists the right chemistry and fit for you.

Specific knowledge

What type of property you want to sell or buy can be of significance, when choosing a Realtor. For example, if you are selling an income or commercial property, you are going to want a real estate agent who is seasoned in that area. You many also want to try an agent who is familiar with the specific geographic location that you want to buy or sell in.

Realtor vs. agent

Just because a real estate agent has a license to sell property doesn’t mean she or he is a Realtor®. You may have noticed I followed that last reference to “Realtor” with the “circle-R” symbol for “registered trademark.” That is what the word Realtor is – a trademark. In order to legally call yourself a Realtor, you have to be a member in good standing of the National Association of Realtors®, which means you must adhere to the organization’s strict code of ethical conduct as you practice the business of being a Realtor.

References

It is always a great idea to get references from a Realtor. This will allow you to speak to people who have worked with the Realtor directly, so you can hear, first-hand, the experience they had with them. This also affords you the opportunity to ask questions that are of interest to you and that relate to your specific situation.

Referral

One of the best ways to find a real estate agent is to have someone you know refer them to you. If you know someone who has had a good experience with a Realtor, you should meet with them. This is probably the single most important factor when selecting a real estate agent.

One of the biggest complaints I hear about some Realtors is that they are simply not available. So when you are selecting a Realtor make sure you ask them how available they are going to be to you. For example, some Realtors have scheduled time slots when you can speak to them. But it is in your best interest to simply have a real estate agent who will be available to you when you need them.

The real estate industry may look simple from the outside looking in, but it is not. It has become a very complicated process and it is essential that you work with a good and experienced Realtor, when you need to buy or sell a property. When that time comes, keep in mind the tips above to help you find a Realtor that will best meet your needs and will do the best job possible for you. Happy house hunting or house selling!

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Associations of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).

Here in fabulous San Diego, it continues to be a buyer’s real estate market. With housing prices significantly down from five years ago and mortgage interest rates continuing to be historically low, it is a great time to buy

Real estate is not as complicated as it may seem to be. I know there are all kinds of books, CDs, DVDs, workshops and classes that are available to educate you on buying property. But let me keep it real simple for you. The best advice for you as a property owner or a buyer is to simply buy when prices are low and sell when prices are high. I realize there are many factors that do not make it possible to always follow this rule, but you want to keep this concept in mind and whenever possible stick to it. Even though property values always go up and down over time, one of the best investments historically throughout the world has always been real estate. So do not be afraid to buy property.

If you are currently renting an apartment or a home, you owe it to yourself to consider buying a house or condo. If you already own your home, you should consider buying an investment property, even if it is just a one bedroom condo. It is so important to plan for your financial future, no matter what age you are. Buying property is one of the best investments you can make particularly now that housing prices are down and you can buy when they are low. In addition, mortgage interest rates are remarkably low.

Some additional benefits to homeownership are:

Tax benefits – All the interest that you pay on a loan is tax deductible. So each year you can deduct the interest you pay and as a result pay less in income tax. When you rent, you will never see any kind of a return on the money you pay in your monthly rent.

Payment predictability – As long as you have a fixed rate mortgage, which I recommend, you can anticipate your monthly payments. When you rent, your landlord can increase your rent each year. In fact, an annual rent increase is recommended by property management companies and is a standard in the real estate industry.

Stability – When you own your own home you can plant your roots and stay in one place. I have known many people over the years that have had to move out of their rented home or apartment because the owner was selling, wanted to move back in or some other reason that caused them to take back possession of the property.

Pride in ownership – You can improve your property by landscaping, decorating and doing whatever improvements you want to without the interference or approval of your landlord. Plus, most renters do not want to put money into a home that is not theirs and therefore, you never make your rented house truly your own.

Feeling of community –Statistically renters move more often than homeowners. So when you own a home there is more of an opportunity to get to know your neighbors and as a result you will have more of a feeling of community. Once you have property, be careful to protect your equity in it; this is the positive difference between your loan balance and the actual value of your property. Do not refinance and take more money out on your property, unless it is essential. This is how many people have over extended themselves in recent years. The real estate market in San Diego is different from many other cities throughout the nation, due to the fact that there are a lot of buyers in the market here looking for property. So as a buyer, you are often competing with other buyers when submitting an offer on a property. It is not uncommon to have multiple offers on a listed property. Particularity when the property is priced properly with today’s market and is priced under the $600,000 range. So remember, it is now a buyer’s market and the best time to buy property. Also, keep in mind that in addition to the low interest rates and housing prices, there are many other advantages to owning property.

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).

Whether you live in a single-family home, condo or an apartment, it is wise to keep it as secure as possible. Statistics show that in times of economic downturns, home burglaries go up. So it is more important than ever that you keep your home safe and secure. Listed below are some tips that you can use to decrease the possibility of your home being broken into.

Lock up

Anytime you leave your home, you should always lock all of your doors and windows, even if you are just leaving for a short period of time. It is also recommended that when you are home to keep your doors and windows locked that are not in use.

Provide night lighting

It is always a good idea to have lights located in key locations on the exterior of your home. One of the most popular kinds of exterior lighting today is the motion-sensored light. With motion-sensored lights you are not wasting electricity until the light is activated. It is also recommended that you have an interior light on a timer, so when you are not home it will turn on automatically giving the appearance that someone is home.

Re-key

Anytime you move into a new place, you should always change the locks. You never know who a previous occupant has given keys to. An easy and cost effective way to do this is to have all of your locks re-keyed by a local locksmith. Also try to avoid giving your keys out to people like housekeepers and other types of service providers. It is also not a good idea to leave keys in outside hiding places.

Start a neighborhood watch program

It is highly recommended that neighbors get together and start a neighborhood watch program. It is a relatively easy thing to do and can have a great effect on preventing crime. You can contact your local police station for more information on a neighborhood watch program and a representative can come and educate you and your neighbors.

Have a watch dog

It may be a little old-fashioned, but dogs are a huge deterrent for burglars. Most dogs will bark when someone approaches a home, and most burglars will simply not consider a home with a dog.

Trim landscaping

Having heavy shrubs, bushes and plants by windows can create a prefect setting for a burglar to enter a home. So it is suggested that you trim and or clear landscaping by windows and other ways of entry so that they are more visible and less inviting for a burglar to use.

Install a security system

There are many different kinds of security systems you can put in your home. To learn about the different options, you should contact a local security service company. These companies offer basic to full service programs and although they will cost you money, it is usually money well spent.

There are also many factors that you cannot have control over with regard to burglaries. For example, statistically homes on alleys are a better target for a burglar because they can be easily entered from behind. Also with the use of cell phones today, a burglar can enter a home from the alley and have a “spotter” in the front of the home simply sitting unnoticed in a car. If someone arrives at the home during the burglary the spotter simply can call his cohort, who is inside the home, to alert him of the arrival and to get out of the house immediately. This makes it almost impossible for the burglar to get caught.

It is not possible to completely protect your home 100 percent from being burglarized, but you can take many preventative steps to significantly decrease the chances of it happening to you. The time you take to prevent burglaries, will be time well spent.

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).

The “perfect” home. A beautifully remodeled Spanish-style home with a separate guest house in Marston Hills.

Everybody wants the “perfect” house. But what is the perfect house? Well, for everyone it is different. In fact, buyers’ home criteria range from A to Z. What one person loves in a home, may very much be the opposite for another. Some may want a cute house, in a nice quiet neighborhood with a white picket fence, and others may want a modern downtown condo with a view. As different as people can be with their property likes and dislikes, usually there are some commonalities with residential property that appeal to the general public.

Today in the U.S., the typical buyer has become accustomed to a fairly high standard of living. This, of course, includes standards in housing. It is amazing how these standards have changed dramatically through the decades. Looking back at when homes were being built at the turn of the last century, there were not the luxuries that we know today. Simply to have one bathroom in the home was quite sufficient. In fact, it was a huge upgrade from not having to use an outhouse. Today most people want and even expect to have at least two bathrooms in a home. Also, closet space used to be very small although quite sufficient for that period of time. But because of the dramatic increase in American consumerism, walk-in closets are now in high demand, and again are even a requirement for many homebuyers. To add to this requirement, many homebuyers also want a lot of storage space, whether it is in closets, attics, garages, basements, sheds or any kind of place where “stuff” can be stored. Also, space in general is usually a desirable feature for most people. The more square footage, the better the home is. In comparing the American mindset of housing standards to that of the rest of the world, it is very different. This is demonstrated very clearly on the Home and Garden television network show, House Hunters International, where many American buyers go to cities all over the world to buy a home. The comments that are typically made by the buyers on the show have to do with how small the kitchens, bathrooms and basically all the rooms are. And if the kitchens and bathrooms are not remodeled, it is usually not a property that the typical American buyer will pursue. Because our standards have become so high we are not aware that the rest of the world does not have the same standards or mindset that we do. So if you are buying a home outside of the country, keep in mind those properties are going to be different. So, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Although property tastes can vary greatly in and outside of the U.S., there are often homes that appeal to the masses. A great example locally, is a property that is currently on the market in the Marston Hills area of Hillcrest. It is an incredibly beautiful Spanish-style home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It has been remodeled with a gorgeous kitchen and great bathrooms. It also has a separate guesthouse; an over-sized two-car garage with a light and bright art studio over it. The main house and the guest home have their own private yards and the entire property is landscaped in a way that creates a tranquil and picturesque setting. Although people have different tastes in properties, this is one property that anyone would fall in love with. It has tremendous emotional appeal and the visual charm that you see in the home and garden magazines. This property is like a small compound that could satisfy anyone’s needs and tastes. To add to its desirability, it is in an excellent quiet location just a few blocks from the Hillcrest Village. It is also completely fenced, offering the ultimate in privacy. This property has it all and awaits its new owner!

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).

Front (L-R): Sandy Gallin, Hollywood talent agent, Elizabeth Taylor, Larry Fortensky, Elizabeth Taylor’s eighth husband. Back: Barry Perkins, Anton Cruz and Trent St. Louis

It has already been more than a year since the passing of Elizabeth Taylor (March 23, 2011). Although she was of my mother’s age and generation, she managed to stay in the limelight her entire life. There are many things that were extraordinary about Elizabeth Taylor. But the one thing that the LGBT community needs to be aware of is the fact that she was greatly supportive of our community and helped raise millions of dollars for AIDS research and programs.

Elizabeth Taylor is probably best remembered as a big movie star with a career that stretched over a period of many decades. She was one of the highest paid, most sought after and biggest box office draws during her movie career. She had a beauty that was internationally admired and she was always in the spotlight for one reason or another. She was married eight times to a variety of men, ranging from movie stars to construction workers and from politicians to millionaires. She also was one of the first and most successful businesswomen to launch a line of perfumes and other accessories. Even after her death, her White Diamonds perfume alone brought in an estimated $70 million last year. But the most important, rewarding and beneficial work she has ever done was through her philanthropy.

When AIDS first hit the scene in the early 1980s it was a devastating blow to our community. Gay men were dying at an alarming rate and nobody was able to do anything about it. To add to the horror, there started to be a very negative stigma attached to AIDS. It was considered the “gay disease” and at the time it was considered a shameful thing to have. It was also a death sentence and because so little was known about it people were afraid to come in contact with anyone who had it. Nobody seemed to be able or wanted to help, including the government. Well, this is when our hero, Elizabeth Taylor, came on to the scene and became our spokesperson and started fighting for us and our causes.

Elizabeth Taylor became an AIDS activist and helped establish The American Foundation for AIDS Research (AFAR), which is dedicated to the support of AIDS research, AIDS prevention, treatment, education and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. In addition, she founded The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), which raises money for many different AIDS service organizations worldwide. Through her work, she has raised millions of dollars that has gone directly to countless, wonderful organizations. The L.A. based Project Angel Food was one of the many organizations that Elizabeth Taylor supported and was a board member of. Through Project Angel Food, over the years, I had the special opportunity to work on many events and fundraisers where I would watch Elizabeth Taylor in action. She would come to an event and people were simply in awe of her. The world loved her and she used her celebrity status and popularity to educate and to get people involved in the cause. I remember one event in particular I was at with her, where she had invited about 20 of her close friends for a small intimate fundraiser. This event was to benefit Project Angel Food and was at the Beverly Hills home of one of Elizabeth Taylor’s friends. As her rich and famous guests started to arrive at this elegant compound, my job as a Project Angel Food volunteer was to simply greet the guests and, when it was time, collect donations from them. After the lavender-eyed beauty did a little socializing with everyone she then stood up and announced that it was time to “give”. She then personally wrote out a $100,000 check to Project Angel Food and then asked that everyone else make a generous donation. Well right after that, checks were being written by people like David Geffen, one of the founders and owners of DreamWorks, Aileen Getty, granddaughter to oil tycoon John Paul Getty, Sandy Gallin, one of the biggest talent agents in Hollywood, just to name a few. It was a pretty amazing and successful night for Project Angel Food, but for Elizabeth Taylor it was just another night of work for her, on her philanthropic journey. For the last 30 plus years of her life, Elizabeth Taylor was totally committed to her philanthropic work. She has touched the lives of millions of people worldwide and has helped make this planet a better place to live. Last year, Elizabeth Taylor’s fortune was estimated to be a billion dollars. After her death, much of her fortune was donated to The American Federation for AIDS Research, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and many other wonderful charitable organizations. For this and for all the work that this incredible woman has done, we shall be forever thankful.

You may wonder what all of this has to do with real estate. Well, maybe not a lot. But it is important that we know and remember that Elizabeth Taylor has spent more than three decades raising millions of dollars for AIDS research and programs and has directly helped create a positive image for our community internationally, which has ultimately given us a much higher level of general acceptance, compassion and respect. So for that, I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).

Bright corner unit in the Atlas building with rare large wrap-around terrace overlooking the city

Through the years, I have seen a lot of single detached homes, condos, lofts, townhomes and almost every other type of property you can imagine. I have seen everything from demanding fixers to extravagant remodels and everything in between. But few have the amazing emotional draw that I like to call the “WOW! factor.”

I realize that everybody’s taste is different and what might strike one person as amazing, may not strike another in the same way. Yet, every once in a while, I come across a property that really touches me in a way that makes me actually stop dead in my tracks and literally say, “Wow!”

San Diego has countless numbers of beautiful properties; and many of them can have uniquely outstanding features. In this region, there are homes that are located above canyons and offer spectacular views of natural settings. We also have the coastal area with unbelievably attractive properties with ocean views. Then, there are the thousands of world-class downtown condos that feature picturesque vistas and breathtaking views. Having the opportunity to take in so much beauty (both natural and architectural) is one of my reasons for loving my job. I get to continuously experience amazing and unique examples of architecture, landscaping and design.

One of the most amazing homes I have ever seen was an estate with a 360-degree view of the Pacific Ocean. The home had an extremely large front room, and an equally expansive dining room, the latter being entirely open to the outside. In addition, it had a swimming pool right in the middle of the front room and dining area. As I sat in this great room, I was amazed with what I was seeing. It was simply the ultimate in resort-type living and had, most definitely, an incredible wow factor.

Here in San Diego, there are many amazing properties that have a wow factor. A good example is a new listing in Hillcrest which is a fabulous 1,700 square foot plus luxury corner unit condo that has an over-sized 700 square foot terrace with great day and evening views. It is located on the quiet south-west side of the Atlas building, which makes it very light and bright and a good location. From the moment you walk into this residence, you are struck by its charm and character. It is decorated in a way that is beautiful and yet still very homey and comfortable.

This property is listed at $669,000, which is actually very good value when you take into consideration the excellent location, square footage, the views, the rare large terrace, the fact that the building is new and all of the incredible upgrades that this pristine home has to offer.

Create your own wow factor and enjoy your home for many years to come.

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).

There was a time when the gay community was not welcomed into neighborhoods. The common mindset of the masses was that we would be a negative addition and that we would even bring property values down. However, over the last several decades, this mindset has slowly changed. Not only is our community welcomed in most metropolitan cities, but we are now given well deserved credit for the revitalization of many neighborhoods throughout the country.

It is not uncommon that in time cities and neighborhoods throughout the country decline. This has typically been a part of real estate history. What was once the fashionable, thriving neighborhood often becomes the old and less desirable area. Locally in San Diego, there are many areas that at one time were the more desirable locations to shop and live. But over time, new neighborhoods and shopping centers were built and the old ones became run down and less than desirable. For example, most all of the metropolitan communities like Hillcrest, North Park, University Heights, Normal Heights and South Park were once “The” places for shopping and residing. But as the neighborhoods started to age and as new neighborhoods were built, these metropolitan communities became run down. Another contributing factor to the decline of the metropolitan areas in San Diego was the development of Mission Valley, where major new shopping centers, restaurants and malls became available to shoppers, leaving the old businesses in the dust. This trend is very common for many cities throughout the country and beyond. But there have been success stories in revitalizing many of the old and rundown neighborhoods, which the gay community has largely been a part of.

Hillcrest is one of many neighborhoods where the gay community has come in and fixed it up. Just over two decades ago, Hillcrest was showing its age and it wasn’t looking pretty. There were many run-down homes, businesses and apartment buildings. But over the years, it has transformed into a vibrant village where people come from all over San Diego to dine, shop and play. Hillcrest’s revitalization has been largely due to our gay community. As a community, this is something we should be very proud of. But Hillcrest is not the only neighborhood that has benefited from our community’s special efforts.

Although there are no official statistics to track LGBT migration to various urban neighborhoods, we all know what we have done over the years with regard to restoring old neighborhoods. There are well known areas like Greenwich Village in New York and the Castro District of San Francisco, which are predominantly gay neighborhoods that have been made into very desirable communities specifically because of our efforts.

But in addition, there are dozens and dozens of other districts over the last several decades that we have transformed from “bad neighborhoods” to trendy and fashionable places where people come to spend time and money. This pumps thousands of dollars into the economy, which ultimately makes the neighborhood safer, more attractive and stable.

Seattle’s Capitol Hill section, for instance, has in the last 20 years seen an influx of gay men and women who have rehabilitated houses in the working class area. The Montrose neighborhood in Houston, once a declining working class section, is now the geographic center of a lively gay community. In Miami, there is South Beach, in Denver the Cheesman area, in Cincinnati Liberty Hill and Northside and in St. Louis the South Grand Street area. There are also concentrations in smaller cities throughout the heartland.

Perhaps nowhere is the phenomenon of a gay neighborhood as an urban pillar truer than in the Dupont Circle section of Washington, a half-mile north of the White House. In the past 20 years it has been transformed from a rundown area of stores and apartments, badly in need of renovation, to one of the most vibrant and desirable places to live in that district. Today there is a lively mix of restaurants, nightclubs and businesses that keep the area awake long past the time the rest of the city has closed its eyes and rolled up the sidewalks.

Like the Dupont Circle section of Washington, there are now many fantastic gay places to live all over the U.S. The fact is, we as a gay community, have gone into different cities, districts and neighborhoods throughout the country at a time when many people were abandoning them for the suburbs. We fixed up buildings that were falling down and gave tender loving care to the homes and businesses. As a result, there are now wonderful gay neighborhoods throughout the U.S. where the LGBT community can live safely and proudly, and Hillcrest is an exemplary model to show off such a community.

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).