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Rent Control Regulations: Potential Impact on San Diego

The Name of the Game is Demand and Supply.

The increase in rental units’ demand and the decrease in the supply of rental units gave birth to rising concerns of high rental costs in California. The concerns of increasing housing prices combined with sluggish housing construction have motivated the California to implement rent control laws. Unfortunately, only a handful of cities adopted the law: Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Campbell, East Palo Alto, Fremont, Hayward, Los Angeles, Los Gatos, Oakland, Palm Springs, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Monica, Thousand Oaks, West Hollywood. San Diego does not fall on that list.
The rent control ordinance usually controls two main factors:

Limiting how often and how much landlords can increase rent
Requiring owners to give an adequate reason for eviction

Rent Control Law in California Cities

1. Rent Limit

California cities have implemented rent control laws to keep rental inflation below or in line with the increase in the cost of living each year. The rental hike frequency is a set percentage once every twelve months. The cities that have adopted the price ceiling to curb the exponential growth in rental rates appear below:

City	Allowable Increase
Berkeley	65% of Yearly San Francisco-area CPI Increase (effectively 2%)
Los Angeles	3% or Los Angeles-area Yearly CPI Increase, up to 8% (whichever is higher)
Los Gatos	5%
Oakland	1.7%
Palm Springs	75% of Yearly Los Angeles-area CPI Increase
San Francisco	60% of Yearly San Francisco-area CPI Increase
San Jose	8% (21% if rents have not increased in more than two years)
Santa Monica	75% of the Yearly Los Angeles-area CPI Increase
West Hollywood	75% of Yearly Los Angeles-area CPI Increase

Source: California Apartment Association (Updated 06/05/2015)

2. Eviction Reason

Rent control laws limit evictions to 12 legitimate reasons to avert eviction abuses. These justifications fall into two categories: (1) the tenant is at fault, and (2) the tenant is not to blame.
The tenant at fault may be evicted without compensation for any of the following: non-payment of (legal) rent, breaking a term of the lease, refusal to renew the lease, causing a nuisance (including drugs and gangs), refusal to permit the landlord entry for inspection or repair, using the unit for an illegal purpose, or there is a different person in possession of the unit than who rented it.
When the tenant is not at fault, the landlord must file special paperwork with the City Housing Department and prove the reason is valid. These reasons may include: the owner or owner’s family is moving into that unit, they will no longer rent out the property, the owner is selling the property, or the property is condemned. In these cases, the landlord must compensate the tenant with $3,300 relocation assistance (or $8,200 if the tenant has minor children, a legal disability, or is over 62 years old; new amounts effective 7/1/05)
Source: http://www.caltenantlaw.com/LARSO.htm

Impact on San Diego

Since San Diego has not yet adopted the rent control rules, tenants are facing large rate hike issues, approx. 8.4% in a year. Meanwhile, the rental unit supply has steeply fallen over time due to massive construction regulations that limit investors from developing barren lands. This imbalance in demand and supply has landed a lot of tenants in trouble:
Landlords make full use of this opportunity and increase property rate MOM. Thus, the average rental rate in San Diego has increased to $1940 per month. This number is up about $70 from last year (as per database reports). Today, a majority of tenants contribute around 35% of their income in house rent.
In certain cases, property owners find faulty ways to evict tenants in order to increase the rent. This also leads tenants into trouble of searching for a new rental unit, packing and moving charges, settlement time, legal cost, etc.
**Note** Buy, Sell, Rent San Diego always provides legitimate justification, adequate paperwork, and advanced notice before asking our tenants to move.

What Can Tenants Do?

Be aware of rent raise law:
If you have a lease for more than 30 days (e.g. 1-year lease), your rent cannot be increased during the term of the lease unless the lease allows rent increases. If you have a periodic rental agreement (month-to-month), your landlord can raise your rent. However, he or she must give you proper advance notice in writing. (Civil Code Section 827 (b)). Thus, in these terms, a lease is better than a rental agreement.
Maintenance with rent:
Tenants can request an upgrade or repair in exchange for a higher rental rate. However, they must discuss this before renting the property. It also has to be noted down in the agreement. The vice-versa is also possible, where the tenants offer a repair work done for a lower rent rate.
Tenants Association:
Tenants can form associations and conduct regular meetings for the same. This would help them be united in times of distress. A powerful pressure ensures corrective actions when need be.
These are just a few of the many precautions a tenant needs to take before renting a property in San Diego. However, if you are interested in renting a trustworthy property manager in downtown San Diego with a trusted name, contact Claudette Cooper at (619)825-1974 today.

How to find the Right Tenants for your Rental Property

The biggest challenge most landlords face is finding reliable tenants to fill their properties. Vacant time means money lost, but the wrong tenants can deplete your property value or cost you a lot of money in eviction fees. The process of finding tenants requires you to work fast, be available, and know the right questions to ask. With all of the properties available to renters in San Diego, you will want to make sure your property stands out and you can offer exceptional services throughout the process to showcase your ability to be a professional landlord.

Fair Housing Laws

When looking for tenants, be aware of compliance laws related to renting your property. In San Diego, the Fair Housing Laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. This includes printing advertisements about tenant preferences. In addition, owners should be aware of their responsibility to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities. For example, you may be required to grant an exception to a “no pet” policy if the individual requires a service animal. In general, property owners never intend to violate the fair housing laws. Most violations are the result of a misunderstanding. However, lack of compliance can be costly.

Advertising the Property

You’ll want to post ads in multiple places to attract as many potential tenants as possible.

Online advertisements: Websites like Craigslist, Trulia, Post it, Rent.com, and Zillow generate prospects from outside of the city.
Physical advertisements: Newspaper ads, yard signs, and flyers may seem old school, but they are still effective for locals.
Word-of-mouth: Tell your friends and family about the vacancy so they can spread the word. Word-of-mouth referrals are usually some of the best tenants.

When creating your ads, be prepared to list any property highlights: close to public transportation, all new appliances, large balcony, etc. Include square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, neighborhood name, and expected monthly rent. Leave out advertising that the property is vacant.
You’ll need to be reachable by phone every day from about 8 am to 9 pm. If potential tenants cannot reach you, they’ll move on to other property options.

Screening the Candidates

Screening applicants is one of the most exciting parts of the rental process. It is also the most crucial. Finding the right tenants eliminates early cancellations, late/missing payments, and costly evictions. The process requires careful analysis and patience to locate the right fit. In general, consider what they are looking for in a property, their ability to pay the rent and utilities, and their willingness to abide by the contract. Your application may include:

Social security number: So you can run a background or credit check
Length of time at current address: You are looking for someone with consistent behaviors
Contact information for past landlords: These references are often more reliable than a credit check
Contact information for a current employer: We suggest getting written approval to call and confirm employment.
Income: In general, they should make at least three times more than the monthly rent
Personal and credit references: This is always a good character reference

Accepting an Applicant:

If you choose to accept any applicants, call them as soon as possible. Any time wasted may result in them choosing another property. Have a contract prepared and ready to sign. Then, review the lease with them to make sure they understand the terms and agreements.

Hire a Property Manager

If posting ads, screening applicants, and preparing a lease agreement seems a little overwhelming, you can also choose to hire a property manager. This a great option for owners with limited time. Buy Sell Rent San Diego, for example, takes care of all of the property marketing, showing the property, and screening for the best candidates for you. We perform credit checks, background checks, and call references to ensure you feel comfortable with your new tenants. In addition, we also coordinate routine and emergency repairs throughout the leasing period to keep your property in the best shape.
Whether you are managing your rental process by yourself or hiring a property manager, make sure you take the time to properly educate yourself about how to protect yourself and your property from bad tenants. If you are interested in learning more about hiring a property manager, you can watch this short video with tips for selecting a property manager or contact Claudette Cooper at (619) 825-1974 today.

Property Management of Residents with Pets

San Diego is known nation-wide as one of the most pet-friendly cities. We love our pets like family and understand why people make decisions about where they lived based on their pets. And while we all love own animals, that does not mean we are all comfortable with how they may affect our rental properties.

Being a pet-friendly owner is not only good for the dog-loving image of our city; it is also profitable. Allowing pets makes finding and obtaining tenants easier. Statistics even show that renters with pets stay longer and tend do less damage to the property. However, adding cats and dogs complicates property management and requires a little more paperwork.

Choose your limitations by area regulations:

Keep in mind that property owners cannot apply a no-pet policy to any renter with a documented disability and service animal. In addition, you cannot charge an extra deposit or rent for this animal, regardless of breed or size. You may request verification of the resident’s disability and that the animal assists its owner with the disability. However, You cannot ask about the nature of the disability nor the services performed by the animal

Before selecting pet limits, take a look at the city, county, neighborhood, and building ordinances. Both San Diego County and city are very liberal with pets. However, private communities and condo buildings may have separate regulations. Some buildings specify no pets over a specific weight limit or no animals of certain breeds. These restrictions should be clear for potential renters.

Set a deposit and rental fees:

The deposit is meant to cover the risk of any additional damage caused to the property. Unfortunately, pets add to the potential risks of damage. Typically, a deposit is around one month’s rent. If the tenant has a pet, we suggest increasing the security deposit as much as 50%. You can subtract any damages from that amount at the end of the contract. Can will return any unused portion of the deposit to the tantent when they move out.

Pet rent is a recurring monthly fee for having pets in the home. It promotes responsible pet-ownership and makes allowing pets more profitable. Typically we suggest charging $25-$100 /pet/month.

If you are worried about additional damage to the property, check your references. Call up the prospective tenant’s previous landlord and ask about damages to the property. This should put you at ease, or give you a reason to reject the applicant. There is no need to charge more.

Creating your rental agreement:

The lease agreement with a pet policy requires special consideration. It holds the tenant responsible for the behavior and health of their animals and keeps the neighbors happy. As we mentioned above, you’ll want first to take the time to know the rules of the city, neighborhood, and building. Your contract should clearly state the rules and consequences of violating the renter’s agreement. Include a penalty for having unauthorized pets on the property. Some rules we suggest are.

No pet may be left outside unattended.
All animals must be properly vaccinated in accordance with city and county laws.
All pets must wear city identification tags and collars when outside the house.
Pet owners agree to be responsible for solving any complaints from other residents/neighbors.
You must clean up after your pet when walking it outside.
Pet owners must show proof of a professional carpet cleaning and air-duct cleaning performed at the end of the lease, no earlier than 1 week before moving out.
If carpet stains or odor are found as a result of pet urine or excrement, the carpet is subject to cleaning, repair or replacement at the pet ow” ner’s expense.
“Pet sittingof someone else’s pet is strictly prohibited.
All pet-owners should show proof of renter’s insurance with an attached pet liability clause.

At the end of your contract, collect the information of the pet including the name of the animal, type of animal, weight, and breed. Only animals included in this section of the agreement will be permitted to reside there.

Scheduling routine maintenance:

Once the initial contract is signed, property management is easy. However, to make sure tenants comply with the agreement, and to keep the property in its best shape, set regular times to inspect the property and perform routine maintenance. Residents will be happy to see you take an active role in changing the furnace filter and light bulbs, and you can keep an eye on property damages. If you find the renters have an additional pet or are not properly cleaning up after their pet, you can send them reminders and violation notices sooner.

Hire a property manager:

If you are looking to rent out your property and need help managing it, Buy Sell Rent San Diego will:

Protect you by being familiar with local, state, and federal laws regarding pets
Prepare necessary forms including custom applications and rental agreements with a pet policy that fits your needs and comfort level
Select tenants carefully after calling all references
Coordinate and supervise all household maintenance and property check-ups
Conduct move-out inspection to determine any repairs required
Identify problems or violations and correct them before they impact your property or wallet

Managing properties with pets can be a little extra work, but it means the world to your tenants to have their fluffy family members at their sides. Tenants are often willing to pay more for a landlord that not only accommodate their pets, but welcome them. We want what is best for both tenants and owners alike, which is why we charge a flat-rate fee regardless of pet policy. If you are interested in learning more about managing properties with pets or finding a property for rent with a pet-policy to fit your family, contact Claudette Cooper at 619-825-1974 today.

Red Bull Air Race San Diego: Spectacular San Diego views sometimes include the unexpected.

Fifty thousand fans lined the bay area of San Diego in 2009 to capture the epic air race between a group of international pilots. Eight years later San Diego will once again play host to the Red Bull Air Racing Championship. The second stop of eight, spanning from Abu Dhabi to Japan, including Russia, Portugal, Hungary and Germany ending in Indianapolis in October.

Pilots from around the world including the United States, will compete through a series of races for the World Championship crown. After the first round in Abu Dhabi, the leader in the Master Class is Martin Zonka of the Czech Republic followed by Spain’s Juan Velarde and Canada’s Pete McLeod. Michael Goulian of the United States currently stands in 5th place while the other American, Kirby Chambliss, stands in 11th position. The leader in the second Challenger Class group is Daniel Ryfa of Sweden while the only female racing, Mélanie Astles of France, is currently in third position.

This spectacular group of some twenty-three pilots compete in high-performance single-seat aerobatic planes. Flying between eighty-two foot high pylons at speeds reaching more than two hundred and thirty miles per hour as they compete for the fastest time. Flying a low lying course with twists and turns that sometimes subjects them to a G-force that makes them 10 times their normal weight takes courage and talent.

The giant pylons mark out the course that includes five gates. Each gate being only 32 to 45 feet apart as they circle the course twice at high speed. This course will run across a large section of the bay including the frontages of the Embarcadero North and South and Seaport village.

Once this air race course is marked out along the bay front, practice will take place on Friday, April 14th. On Saturday the qualifying will take place. Then on Easter Sunday, April 16th the race itself will be underway for Championship points.

If you don’t own your own Downtown high-rise condo with a view of the Bay you might want to grab a ticket. They run about $20 for Saturday’s qualification race and $25 for Sunday’s performance. This will allow you to view the live Signal and Video walls along with a preferred view of the race track. There will be restroom facilities and even family entertainment and side acts.

If you would prefer to view this and other spectacular events from your own private condo, please call Claudette at 1(619) 825-1974 for assistance in acquiring such.

Enjoy a Downtown San Diego Tradition with the Nutcracker

Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann (commonly known as E. T. A. Hoffmann) wrote a novella, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King in 1816. Some twenty-eight years later the great French writer, Alexander Dumas rewrote the story as The Tale of the Nutcracker. It was from this version that the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed the music and created the ballet, together with the choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov in 1892.
Since opening for its first performance at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on December 18th, 1892, this magical ballet has become probably the most popular and well known ballet in the world. And for more than one hundred years, each Christmas the Nutcracker comes back to life so he may do battle with the Mouse King.
While it was first performed in the United States more than seventy five years ago, it has also become a San Diego tradition. The California Ballet is currently enjoying its 49th season in San Diego and will be performing The Nutcracker from December 10th through the 24th at the San Diego Civic Theatre with the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony and a cast of more than 150.
Go to http://californiaballet.org/nutcracker/ to book your tickets.
However, The Nutcracker is also being performed elsewhere in San Diego by other troupes. At the Spreckels Theatre on Broadway the City Ballet of San Diego along with the City Ballet Orchestra and Chorus, will perform from December 9th through the 23rd. Choreographed by Elizabeth Wistrich they publish that they are “Voted San Diego’s best Nutcracker.” For more information on this production and how to purchase tickets, you may go to:
http://www.san-diego-theater.com/theaters/spreckels-theatre/city-ballet-of-san-diego-the-nutcracker.php
For an extra special presentation you might like to choose The Great Russian Nutcracker being performed by the Moscow Ballet at the Jacobs Music Center, formerly known as Copley Symphony Hall. This presentation includes award-winning principal artists along with a company of nearly 40 classically trained dancers. The production features a 60-foot growing Christmas tree and spectacular hand-made costumes by Resident Designer Arthur Oliver. The sets are also stunning, with hand-painted designs by Academy Award nominee Carl Sprague. But this lavish production is performed for only one night, Wednesday December 21st. For more information and to purchase your tickets please use the link below.
http://www.nutcracker.com/your-city/get-tickets/san-diego
For further information on holiday events in San Diego you can go to
https://www.buysellrentsandiego.com/best-holiday-events-downtown-san-diego-2016/
If you would like to live within walking distance of all these fun events be sure to call Claudette Cooper at (619) 825-1974 to find out how.

The Best Holiday Events in Downtown San Diego 2016

Winter Holidays in the Sun
For a large part of this country the bleak winter months approach with a silver lining, the holiday season. But in San Diego the sun continues to shine. And we celebrate the holidays much the same, albeit with some subtle and not so subtle differences. A surfing Santa being one of the traditions that are fairly unique to our corner of the winter world.
The eleventh annual Surfin’ Santa celebration at Seaport Village begins the season on Saturday, November 26^th at 1pm. Santa arrives aboard his Xplore Offshore vessel to join in the boardwalk parade. Then visitors can pose for free pictures with Santa on his giant surfboard, riding a six-foot wave. Kids of all ages can create customized eco-friendly ornaments to take home and hang on the tree. This is also a great chance to support the fifty locally owned businesses in Seaport Village.
The Hotel Del Coronado begins its Holiday Festival on Wednesday, November 30^th at 4pm with Coronado school children performing holiday favorites onstage in the Upper Grande Hall. The Sundeck is transformed into a magical Santa’s Village which allows for photos with Santa and his elves. The Del’s Windsor Lawn becomes a beachfront ice skating rink. There will also be games and prizes offered before the fireworks show at 6:45pm.
Little Italy gets the holidays underway with two traditional tree lightings on Saturday, December 3, from 4pm through to 8pm. India Street will be closed down for the lighting of the two trees. The twenty-five foot tower tree of over 1,000 Poinsettias can be found in the center of Piazza Basilone. The second tree will be found in the Piazza della Famiglia, the new heart of Little Italy. There will be live music and entertainment, snacks, holiday beverages, and more!

Of course nothing brings the holidays to the forefront like Balboa Park’s December Nights. On December 2^nd and 3^rd some 350,000 people will visit the park to enjoy a multicultural holiday experience. For the 39^th consecutive year thousands of colorful lights, live music and dance performances can be experienced for free. Enjoy food from all over the world and performances by the San Diego Junior Theatre and the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and more. The event is on both Friday and Saturday with food, shopping, entertainment. Even the museums will have complimentary admission to Balboa Park museums from 5-9pm.
Also at Balboa Park (and already underway) are the wonderful decorations of Whoville in the plaza of the Old Globe Theatre. See Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas now through December 11^th.
On Sundays you can catch the free Organ concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion starting at 2pm. There will be performances of the usual holiday favorites along with waltzes and show tunes from this extraordinary outdoor pipe organ.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will be decked out in historic holiday finery this year and will showcase gingerbread house displays throughout the park as well as a tree-lighting ceremony with caroling starting at 5 p.m. every Saturday in the month of December. Guests can learn how residents celebrated the holidays in the 1800’s while enjoying candlelight tours, holiday singers, live performances and complimentary refreshments.
On Sunday, December 11^th there is the 65th annual Las Posados event at Old Town. The Las Posadas procession is a walking reenactment of the biblical story of Mary and Joseph’s search for a birthplace for Jesus. The candlelit procession starts at 4:45 p.m. and there is singing of traditional holiday songs in both Spanish and English as the players go from inn to inn, symbolically asking for lodging. The procession will include local actors playing the parts of Joseph and the innkeepers. The procession culminates with a live nativity tableau in front of Casa de Estudillo along with a choir performance.
Also on December 11^th is the San Diego Union-Tribune Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade presented by VCA Market Street Animal Hospital. Pet owners and their furry, feathered and scaled companions will be invited to dress in their favorite costumes. They will parade down designated streets to the MLK Promenade Park, adjacent to the Hilton San Diego Gas Lamp Quarter on K Street and 4^th Avenue.
Explore more of the holiday activities San Diego has to offer by clicking on this site in just a few days.
Make all the activities in San Diego part of your life by claiming ownership of your own section.

Find out how by calling Claudette Cooper today at (619) 825-1974

The Best Skyline Views of Downtown San Diego

The sky is not the limit in San Diego. In a city where anywhere with a view is coveted real estate it’s thrilling to know that there are several beautiful spots upon the rooftops of San Diego’s glittering skyline where one can relax, sip a beverage and enjoy the views.
The Altitude Sky Lounge sits atop twenty two floors of the Marriott Gaslamp Quarter Hotel. Probably the highest open air lounge in San Diego. With a great view into Petco Park for game night thrills or to simply relax with other stunning views of downtown and the San Diego Bay this place is a must.
Happy hour specials are every Monday through Friday from 5pm through 7pm. Half off of artisan flatbreads and a wide selection of numerous cocktail and beer discounts too. You can also enjoy exclusive front-of-the-line privileges and a private VIP seated area for you and your guests with their special bottle service program This arrangement is available for parties of two or up to 20 guests.
One of the newer open air rooftop bar lounges can be found on top of Marriott’s Courtyard San Diego Gaslamp/Convention on Sixth and Island. Panoramic views can be enjoyed from this fourteenth floor location with fireplaces, a fire pit and a mix of dining tables, booths and lounge seating, along with the main bar area. Nolen’s has a sophisticated social atmosphere with throwback cocktails to modern takes on classic recipes, a wine and beer selection along with tasty bites, salads, and flatbreads.
Towering some forty stories above San Diego Bay one can raise a toast in style at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Dramatic views with floor to ceiling windows are the feature at this tallest water front hotel on the West Coast. The Top of the Hyatt offers great wine and scotch selections along with lighter fare. A great place to view the setting sun with ocean and city views.
Located on the seventh floor of the Andaz Hotel with 360 degree views is the RoofTop 600. A luxurious pool and cabanas by day where people swim and enjoy cocktails. As the sun sinks below the horizon it takes on a chic and festive atmosphere turning into an almost magical nightclub. Happy Hours are Monday through Friday from 5pm through 8pm with $1 Off Draught Beer, $7 Cocktails, $8 Select Wines by the glass and 1/2 Price Small Plates & Pizza.
Another pool and bar area can be found atop the Hard Rock Hotel in the heart of the Gaslamp area. Float seems to have it all with fire pits, swimming pool, flat screens, private cabanas, gorgeous views, creative cocktails and a great party atmosphere.

While pools and bars are on topic, one has to mention the Solamar Hotel located at J street and 6^th. Loungesix is another oasis like setting with fire pits, swimming pool, cocktails galore with casual small plates like rosemary French fries and house-made charcuterie. A relaxing and fun open air location for locals and visitors alike can enjoy.
For a more luxurious affair with stunning views of Downtown, Balboa Park and San Diego Bay, there is Mister A’s. Great for happy hour, or “Cocktail Hour” running from 2:30pm through 6pm with a full service bar at great prices. Follow up with an elegant dinner and fine dining with seating starting at 5:30pm. Perfect for a wonderful romantic night out or just to make an ordinary day special.
Not mentioned but certainly worth a try is Rooftop Bar in Little Italy at the Renaissance Hotel, 421 West B Street, the SummerSalt at the Palomar Hotel at 1047 Fifth Ave, the Glass Door atop the Porto Vista Hotel on Columbia Street, and Rustic Root, at 535 Fifth Avenue in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.
To own your own piece of these special views that make San Diego so spectacular contact Claudette Cooper at 619-825-1974 today.

Ritz Carlton San Diego

When Ritz Carlton adds its name to the roster of luxury hotels in downtown San Diego we know that our community grows in luster. Considered to be the top rated brand among all luxury brands(1), this will be an enormous jewel in San Diego’s crown and a particularly large boost to the community of East Village.
This four hundred million dollar project holds space for all aspects of life in San Diego along with parking for some eight hundred and eighty seven cars. Located on land being sold by the city for $20,000,000 it is boarded by Island and Market Streets and 7th and 8^th Avenues. The project is a unique development which will include luxurious condos, apartments, affordable rental units, hotels and business space.
The 1.16 million square foot development will encompass two towers, one being nineteen stories with the other at thirty-nine stories high. The lower tower will hold office and retail space which will include a Whole Foods Market.
Nearly the entire block is currently a parking lot but it also holds an historic building on its south west corner, the Clermont Hotel. This hotel was built in 1887 which came close to being demolished numerous times during its colorful history. In 2001 it was finally declared a historic landmark thanks to the efforts of the Gaslamp Black Historical Society.
This new project being created by Cisterra Development will preserve the Clermont Hotel for the future with its 55 single occupancy rooms. The Ritz Carlton Hotel, with some 153 rooms, will occupy floors 20 through 27 of the high tower and above the hotel will be the Ritz-Carlton Residences. These are expected to be sold for around two millions dollars apiece.
This has not been a smooth journey. As recently as July last year there were two developers presenting their unique plans for this coveted space. Holland Partner Group came forward with plans to develop a 34-story high rise with 427 apartments(2). While Cisterra Development, the people responsible for the Sempra Headquarters building across from Petco Park, won through with their plans.

sdut the 400 million mixed use development

However they soon had to face another challenge presented by Unite Here Local 30 hotel workers union. They were demanding unionization of the hotel workers.
Avoiding unionization by promising a living wage to all non-tip-earning employees they soon faced another hurdle from Unite Here. Rick Bates, representing United Here, cited issues regarding potential contaminated soils and other environmental issues. Cisterra is waiting to see if a law suit arises from the union regarding this issue.
The city is expected to gain some $1.5 million from sales, property, and hotel room taxes each year. “This is the most significant enhancement to East Village since the opening of Petco Park,” stated Claudette Cooper of Buy Sell Rent San Diego, “It will provide an economic boost and an enhancement to the overall lifestyle of the Downtown area.”
There are a few more hurdles for the developer and the city but the projection for the finalization of the sale of the land by the city is scheduled for April 2018. Construction would then be completed by October 2021.
For further information on property available in the Downtown area please call Claudette Cooper at 619-241-5447

The Wonderful History of East Village San Diego

East Village is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in San Diego, CA. It also happens to be the largest, since it covers a whopping 130 blocks. The East Village covers the area southeast of Cortez Hill and the Core District, and east of the Gaslamp Quarter. It is bordered by San Diego City College and Russ Boulevard on the north side, J Street to the south, Sixth Avenue on the west as far as E Street, as well as Interstate 5 and 17th Avenue on the east side. The neighborhood is very convenient for commuters, as it allows easy interstate and public transportation (trolley and bus) access. You can view downtown San Diego by district here.
The history of East Village is interesting and inspiring. It was once somewhat of a rundown warehouse district that has literally come to life over the past few years. During the later 20th century, it was only known for the dive-bars and many buildings that stood vacant.
When Petco Park opened in 2004, everything started to change, as trendy shops and upscale restaurants began to open all over the East Village. Major construction projects are ongoing and include a wealth of public spaces and condominiums. For example, on Sept. 30, 2013 the $185 million Central Library, designed by well-known architect Rob Quigley, was opened. This beautiful building features a unique style and design with modern influence. We’re also seeing many families join the community, and businesses like Smarts Farm are quickly making a name for themselves. Smarts Farm is a new raised-bed community garden located on the corner of F Street and 15th in San Diego’s East Village. Everything in the East Village is definitely on the upswing, and we love working with residents and future residents. If you’re looking for property in the East Village district, please call us today at (619) 825-1974

The Downtown San Diego Suja Rock and Roll Marathon

This year, for the third time, the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon San Diego has partnered up with organic juice company, Suja, to present this popular and truly memorable marathon in downtown San Diego. Both runners and spectators alike love this event, and it’s quickly becoming a local ongoing tradition to for those with an active lifestyle. At Suja juice’s website, http://www.sujajuice.com/rock-n-roll-marathon/, any aspiring runners can find a six week plan for both nutrition and training to get ready for the marathon. They include nutrition and training overviews, and weekly motivational mantras, as well as warm-up and rest day hints.
This year’s Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon & Half Marathon is the 19th annual event, and is scheduled for the weekend of June 3rd to June 5th. So, ask any individual who has ever attended this event, and you’ll hear plenty about how exciting and fun it is every year. The runners will race through Old Town and Balboa Park on a course that also provides live entertainment for everybody’s enjoyment. Also, there will be a Relay Race, Half Marathon and Full Marathon.The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series makes running fun. Each year, more athletes participate in Rock ‘n’ Roll running events than any other running series in the United States. What started as a simple idea in 1998 – a marathon with bands along the course celebrating each participant – soon transformed the running landscape igniting the second running boom. While entertainment and the energy of a festival weekend define the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series experience, runners have raised more than $310 million for participating charities shows our heart and soul.
Some of the highlights of the San Diego course include the Balboa Park Start Line, a course that includes the sights and sounds of Mission Hills, North Park, Normal Heights and Hillcrest. The downhill portion, and end of the race includes the scenic Waterfront Park finish line.
All in all, the Suja Rock and Roll Marathon will be rockin’ San Diego from the 3rd to the 5th of June, so don’t miss a day of the exciting events. Mark your calendar today and get ready for this wonderful event in downtown San Diego. If you’re looking to move into the downtown or surrounding area, call us today at (619) 825-1974.