Scott McMillin and Julie K. Danielson present Janice Weinrick

Scott McMillin along with Julie K. Danielson presents International Real Estate Award to City of San Diego.

Liberty Station was awarded the 2011 Prix d’ Excellence Award by the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) based in Paris , France for the Best Master Plan.  One of only two awards received in the United States.

Scott McMillin, Chairman of The Corky McMillin Companies along with Julie K. Danielson, Broker-Associate at McMillin Realty, Inc. were part of the delegation on hand to present the award to Janice Weinrick Director of the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency at the City of San Diego Council meeting.

Julie K. became involved in FIABCI after earning her Certified International Property Specialist Designation (CIPS) through the National Association of Realtors. The CIPS designation addresses cultural, currency, regulatory, liquidity risks and taxation differences which affect foreign national as well as expatriates when purchasing real estate.  This certification compliments her 25 years of experience in helping local markets become global.

Danielson, a member of the Paris based organization traveled to Pafos, Cyprus with SVP  Kim Elliot of The Corky McMillin Companies to receive the award.

For more information click on link:

http://www.juliekaysellshomes.com/1132330.html

A few recommendations for the year of 201:

Enjoy your new home if you have bought in the last 12 months and consider improvements you can immediately take advantage of in the future or make your home more attractive for future marketability.

Bought a property prior to 2005; you may want to consider your re-financing options.

Bought a property prior to 2000; it is a great move-up market if you are in a position to look for a larger or smaller home.

Looking to purchase your first investment property; it is a great time to look at real estate for long term investing. Since 2000 real estate has had a 43% return.

CALL, THAT’S ALL! 619.888.2948
or jdanielson@mcmillinrealty.com

My husband and I spent this gorgeous day biking from Chula Vista to the most southwestern corner of the U.S.   We rode into Imperial Beach and down Seacoast Drive to the end of the street. We then road over the rocky hill onto the beach.

We are standing about 4 blocks from the international border of Mexico.  We met Michigan and Canadian folks today. Both of the visitors were enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

What a great idea to winter in the San Diego County area.

The fun begins 6:30pm with a table tailgate located at Norman Center in Chula Vista.   Come as a single for $20.00 per person or purchase a team table for $160.00. The night features many prizes and drawings along with a silent auction including a Big Bear Lake, California 3 Day Ski Package.

Proceeds from this fundraising event will benefit community charities.

TEAM TRIVIA CHALLENGE III

In December of 2010 I  traveled into Ecuador in search of the perfect retirement community and home.  Traveling throughout South America has become a ritual in November and December for many years now.

Clients looking to retire in a less expensive, warm and friendly area south of our country’s border would enjoy Cuenca.   This UNESCO World Heritage city is progressively hip as well as environmentally conscientious.

The time I spent in the city continued to impress me daily.  The dining selection was outstanding, the coffee shops plentiful and the art on display along with the museums were well worth the trip.  Most of all I enjoyed the beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables found in the markets.

My highlight in Cuenca was definitely the Christmas pageant parade know as Pase del Nino Viajero honoring the traveling Infant Jesus.  The origins of this religious festival according to Bonnie Hamre; is in the early 1960′ when a statue of the Christ Child was taken to Rome to be blessed by the Pope.  Upon the statue’s return, someone in the watching crowd called out, “Ya llego’ el Viajero!” and the statue became known as the Nino Viajero.  The pageant parade is an all day affair with a leading by a guiding star with angels, the Three Kings, officials, shepherds and huge numbers of costumed children.  Please enjoy my video below with the beautiful children of Ecuador.

In the event you are looking for more information about retiring in Ecuador, you can contact me for relocation services.

1. TAX BENEFITS

2. APPRECIATION

3. EB5 INVESTMENT VISA – Residency Highlights

TAX BENEFITS

According to Mayer Brown a leading global law firm on January 27, 2010, US Representative Joseph Crowley along with co-sponsors Representatives Tiberi and Bean, introduced H.R.4539; the Real Estate Revitalization Act of 2010 (Tax Transaction Update Feb.16,2010). This legislation proposes to amend the current Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA). The amendment would modify the treatment of certain foreign investments in US real property under Section 879 of  the Internal Revenue Service Code. Many proponents view H.R.4539 as an important measure to proactively encourage foreign equity investment in the US real estate market when the debt capital is very limited.

Furthermore, Mayer Brown explains foreign investors generally pay federal taxes on their US source income and income that is “effectively connected” (or treated as effectively connected) with a US trade or business. Under the IRS Section 879(a), income from the disposition of US real property interest (USRPI) is treated as “effectively connected income” and subject to net taxation in the US. Foreign investors with “effectively connected income” must file US tax returns. This proposal seeks to modify IRS Section 879 and change the US federal tax rate and filing requirements depending on the characterization of the capital asset. Please seek professional legal and tax advice for a comprehensive treatment of the proposed changes.

APPRECIATION

Currently it is my belief the US is in a position to provide the best appreciation for real estate especially in Southern California, more specifically in San Diego County. According to a Bloomberg analysis of company reports; “In crash-prone markets such as Southern California and Florida, prices of some construction-ready lots are up 50% or more from their 2009 lows”. Douglas C. Yearley Jr., E.V.P.  of Toll Brothers believes “There is definitely a shortage of land, and you cannot turn the switch on overnight; that will cause builders to aggressively buy the land they can.”

As a result of these positive signs for a recovery along with Gary London’s economic analysis for the real estate industry discussing the coming shortage of housing in San Diego County he believes is brewing, it is my opinion the area will see sharp pricing increases in the coming years. Mr. London is forecasting in San Diego County a shortage of housing in the next decade of 40,000 to 45,000 units. Mr. London details this opinion in the March 1, 2010 San Diego Business Journal. Gary discusses the housing not likely to be built and why he is forecasting a housing shortfall.

With this information it is quite clear to see why supply and demand will create the environment for property price appreciation.

EB5 INVESTMENT VISA – Residency Highlights

Foreign investors looking for liberty and different living options in the United States may want to learn more about the EB5 Investor Green Card program. The EB5 Investor Green Card program maybe an excellent opportunity to work, go to school or retire in the United States. There are two options available under the EB5 Investor Green Card category for immigration. Green Cards are made available to people who have legitimate investments in the U.S. that bring capital and jobs to the country. The EB5 Investor Green Card program has two options for immigrant investors and their immediate families. Upon qualifying for the EB5 Green Card program the investor and immediate family members will be approved for a conditional residency permit.

The conditional residency permit is granted once the immigrant provides the supporting documentation requirements along with the qualified investment amount of money into a new or troubled commercial business or approved regional center and met the requirements for job creation evidenced by a comprehensive business plan. The investment may be a mix of various forms of capital, including cash, equipment, inventory, property and other tangible assets.

Once the conditional Green Card is issued the immigrant may petition for removal of a conditional residency and qualify for a permanent residency status within approximately 2 years. With the above in mind, the advantages of the EB5 Investor is there are no quota backlogs at this time, the investor does not need a sponsor, investors can use an approved regional center or their own business and finally the foreign investor can enjoy a residency life style in the United States of America.

Retirement Homes in San Diego Area – Want to live by the water?

Chula Vista is a coastal community and one of the best kept secrets for retirement homes in San Diego area. San Diego, California’s topography is as diverse as the housing styles found in the different communities. Chula Vista is one of those diverse areas where coastal living as well as inland communities is still reasonably priced.

Chula Vista, as I mentioned is a coastal community where the Kumeyaay Indians lived thousands of years before the Europeans came to this beautiful area located at the southern end of the San Diego Bay. The Kumeyaay were called Diegueno Indians for some 200 years upon the Spanish arrival in the area. The Spanish had a propensity to rename the indigenous tribes after the missions where they taught the Spanish cultural to the local Native Americans.

Around 1769 a leader of the Spaniards named Fr. Junipero Serra a priest passed through Chula Vista around July 1 to help establish a the first California mission known as the San Diego Mission. Not far from the mission to the east the Spanish soldiers established a fort known today as Presidio Hill according to the Imagines of America Chula Vista (Roseman and Watery 2008).

The land holdings that is known today as the City of Chula Vista were used during the Spanish reign as grazing pasture for their horses and cattle. During the time California was part of Mexico, the Chula Vista area flourished with cattle ranching. The large cattle ranches provided hides and tallow which were traded with passing American as well as British ships making Chula Vista part of the world trading process during the early 1800′s.

In 1868 El Rancho de la Nacion, 26000 Mexican land grant rancho in the San Diego area was purchased by Frank Kimball and his brothers. The coastal area of Chula Vista, know today as Western Chula Vista was a part of the land grant. The purpose of the land grant purchase was to create an agriculture distribution point. Mr. Kimball need access to water and transportation. This land grant became part of the Santa Fe Railway. The Santa Fe Railroad built the Sweetwater Dam which is located in the eastern community of Chula Vista.

One of the many fascinating homes in the coastal community of Chula Vista is the Sallmon House Estate. The Sallmon House was built in 1916. A home which embraced the Spanish Pueblo Revival architecture style. Mr. Sallmon was a graduate of Yale University with a MA in 1894. He was associated and participated in the China-Yale Association and helped establish a mission station which included a medical college and hospital in Changasha China along the Yangtze River.

This mission station hospital later became the Xiangya Reproductive and Genetic Hospital and is currently the leading genetic research hospital in China. After leaving China, Mr. Sallmon came west to Chula Vista via Connecticut around 1915. Mr. Sallmon planted 5 acres of avocado featuring 350 trees on the estate property. The avocado trees were Taft, Perfecto, Fuerte, Puebla, Dickinson, Montezuma, Queen, Knight, Linda and Nabal varieties of the fruit.

According to The Journal of San Diego History, Mr. Sallmon worked with Kate Sessions (San Diego horticulturist), Dr. Fairchild (USDA Explorer) and Frank Meyer (Agricultural Explorer, also known for Meyer Lemons and Meyer Medal award). These four pioneers worked to introduce many of the first plants and fruits into Chula Vista and the San Diego Region, through a work station in Florida. The Sallmon House was one of the federally funded sub-stations that introduced avocados into California from Peru and Chile around the 1920′s.

The City of Chula Vista is rich with history which has contributed to the diverse lifestyles, communities topographies and culture of this coastal community. The Sallmon House is one of many historic homes that dotted the western side of the city. This home recently was purchased last year. There are still many opportunities to own one of the many homes in the area.

According to the “Action Market Index” of Altos Research Corp., as of the March 2010 this coastal community is still presenting a “Buyers Market”. The “Action Market Index” answers the question “How’s the Market?” by measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of the inventory. You can preview information on property pricing and inventory levels for the area at Altos Research website.

Some of the interesting housing styles available in this coastal community:

Historic Victorian Orchard Homes

Spanish Revival Estate Homes

Craftsman Bungalows

50′s Style Ranch Housing

Spanish Mediterranean

Contemporary

There are many reasons to live in Chula Vista with all the different home styles available. The top three reasons to live in this particular community by the water in southern California in my opinion are weather, weather and weather. Chula Vista has one of the mildest climates in the USA. Most often the day is 72 degrees, sunny with a slight coastal breeze.

The San Diego area of Chula Vista, California is one of my favorite locations in the county. I am a resident and can honestly share the “weather is terrific”. Located at the southern most part of the county we are still a bargain when comparing our city’s housing options to the rest of San Diego’ communities.

If living by the water is in your future plans for retirement and cold snowy winters is a season to forget; Chula Vista is a coastal community to keep in mind. Visitors are welcomed. See you soon.

The historic homes in the United States (US) for sale feature many architectural fashions or styles that have been chic over the country’s past.  The style of historic homes in the United States is loosely modeled from Ancient Classical, Renaissance Classical, and or Medieval architectural traditions.

The Ancient Classical home is based upon the monuments of early Greece and Rome.  The Renaissance Classical home is reminiscent of the renewal of classicism during the 15^th century Renaissance period in Italy.  These two styles of homes, Ancient and Renaissance share many of the same architectural features.  The final style Medieval originated in the Middle Ages.  The Middle Ages architecture is based from the formal Gothic style used for churches during this period.  American homes influence for Medieval architecture was spawned from England And France.

Cultural influences found in typical neighborhoods help to identify historic homes for sale in the US to determine architectural origins, according to A Field Guide to American Houses (McAlester, 2000).  McAlester believes you would consider three criteria.  Those three criteria include style, form and structure. The property at 654 Del Mar Avenue in the coastal community of Chula Vista is a house constructed during the transitional periods of the Victorian and Colonial era.

In the western states historic homes for sale in the US were most often architecturally interconnected with the detailing and themes of the Medieval style, even though they were built doing the 1920’s and labeled Victorian or Colonial.

Please enjoy the video below showing a home-built in 1922 and currently for sale in the coastal community of Chula Vista, California.

Foreign investors are starting to revisit the US real estate market as  the opportunities for investment improve.   My belief is the origins of the capital maybe changing, but the Asian interest in real estate still ranks at the top according to the Outbound Chinese Investment panel I heard speak at the China Business Outlook in January of 2010.

In addition,  selling property to overseas investors  caught my eye last September during  my visit  to the 13th annual China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) held in Xiamen, China.   I believe we will see more capital starting to come from Asia.  My perception is based on the booth activity I saw while helping host the World Trade Center Exhibit.  There was a significant interest in US real estate.   As a result, we will most likely see investors from  Hong Kong as well as other Asian countries.

At the CIFIT investor symposium in Xiamen, I presented the investment opportunity for the Millenia below:

As more and more high net worth, entrepreneurial investors see the US as a country of economic opportunity;  ( I mean who would of thought an NBA team would be purchased by a Russian;  the  China Investment Corp., would announce plans to invest up to $2 billion in US mortgages while the Bank of  China establishes a new office to originate commercial mortgages in the US.  Oh; and  by the way Harley Davidson has clientele riding their bikes in China. Yes, times are a changing! ) we will continue to see advancements in cross-border real estate.  If you would like additional information about overseas investing or the Millenia you can visit my website at http://www.juliekaysellshomes.com or call Julie Kay in the  US. 619.888.2948.

Retirement homes in San Diego area are available in many different types of communities.  San Diego, California’s topography is as diverse as the housing styles found in the different communities.  Is it too late to benefit from the economic downturn for property purchases in San Diego? No, in my professional opinion is not too late!  According to the “Action Market Index” which  Altos Research Corp.  reports real-time analysis of local residential real estate markets   across the country, many parts of San Diego County are “Cold, Buyers Market” as of the week ending March 26, 2010.  The “Action Market Index” answers the question “How’s the Market?” by measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of the inventory.

(Keep in mind, information obtained from Altos is based on properties currently listed for sale and available publicly. When evaluating a particular property, make sure you use comparable sales data in addition to the market trend information available in a report supplied by a local market Realtor. The data presented in the Altos report is accurate to the best of their knowledge, but cannot be guaranteed.)

Now’s the moment to invest spending your golden years in America’s Finest County.  I can help you discover the neighborhoods and retirement homes in San Diego area.  If you are pricing San Diego from Europe, you are still going to enjoy a substantial currency benefit along with the inventory we now are presently showing. Canadian’s currency is close to par; so pricing for you continues to be reasonable. The savvy buyer can profit ahead of California’s rebound.

Retirement homes in San Diego area of Chula Vista, California is one of my favorite locations. I am a resident. Located at the southern most part of the county we are still a bargain when comparing the Chula Vista’s many amenities to the rest of San Diego’s municipalities.  Here is our best kept secret.

LEARN MORE CLICK HERE

You can learn more about my services by visiting my website: Julie Wants to Help You