An Exciting World of Its Own--Santee Town Center Park East (Santee Parks Part 10)

It was a warm July night in 2010, when I first visited the wonderful world of the Santee Town Center Community Park East located at 550 Park Center Drive, tucked away behind the Sportsplex and Cameron YMCA. People scattered across the giant grassy area on blankets and lawn chairs in front of the concert stage, preparing to hear the sounds of the Corvettes. Many enjoyed their picnic dinners while listening to the music. Children danced to the sounds of rock and roll. It was a delightful sight.


The following September, I vounteered at the first Santee Wine and Blue Grass Festival held at the park organized by the Santee Park and Recreation Committee. What an exciting affair!



On July 4th, the city held a concert festival in celebration of the nation's birth. The locals picniced and strolled around vendor booths. A live band played and people danced, while waiting for the clock to stike 9pm and the fireworks to fill the sky.


Recently, I visited the park again on a lazy Sunday afternoon. As we pulled into one of the large parking lots, I was amazed to see the athletic fields that lied beneath where all the festivities I had been to had taken place. The 40 acres of park includes the Cameron YMCA and the Sportsplex just across two bridges that transcend the San Diego River Bed.



The park was a buzz with activity. My husband and I stolled along the walkway with our dog. As we entered the park, I spotted a gentleman flying a remote control airplane to the delight of all who watched. Lots of open sky to zoom and zag.



As we walked further on, to my amazement, there were lighted synthetic turf football and soccer fields, home to the Santee Pop Warner Ravens. A few soccer games were winding down, and players were gathering up their nets.

I noticed people picnicing at tables, some even under gazebos, along the way. We even stopped to rest on one of the benches that doted the walk way.



The park also includes grills, restrooms, a jungle gym playground area, a concession stand, and a trail system interlinked to all parts of the park.



You will want to visit the Santee Town Center Park East to see this exciting world of its own.


by Virginia Hall
ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI, SFR
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
VirginiaHall.com
Direct (619)258-8585

A Park Amongst the Heavens--Sky Ranch Park (Santee Parks Part 9)

If you are looking for a spectacular view and a new park in Santee to visit, Sky Ranch Park is the place for you. This 1.3 acre mini-park is located in the newer Sky Ranch development at 5850 Cala Lily Street.

The small Santee City park blends in with the rest of the Sky Ranch neighborhood, careful you may drive right by it.


The park has scenic views overlooking the surrounding Santee and El Cajon regions, including Gillespie Field Airport and nearby mountains.



While it is a small park, there is a covered giant playground area along with picnic shelters, picnic tables and barbecue grills. You can stroll along a walkway surrounging the open grassy area or rest on one of the benches and enjoy the solitude.


Dogs on leashes are allowed. Open dawn to dusk, it fits in perfectly with the executive home neighborhood.





by Virginia Hall
ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI, SFR
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
VirginiaHall.com
Direct (619)258-8585

Stroll Down Mast Park West Trail (Santee Parks Part 7)

One of the newest trails in Santee opened in May 2011. It is an extension of Mast Park. The Trail head is a half-mile-long located just south of Carlton Oaks Boulevard just off of Carlton Hills Boulevard.





You can access the trail on the west side of Carlton Hills Boulevard or you can enter park the Mast Park west end parking and walk under the bridge where the Boy Scout Troup 51 has painted several nature murals leading you to the trail entrance.

The finely fenced walking trail weaves through a thickly wooded area that leads to a shaded bench area where you can rest, or just to enjoy a veiw of a river pond where ducks wade and feed off the natural wildlife.



The trail ends at Carlton Oaks Golf Course, where one day there is hope to extend the trail. In the future, Santee,San Diego and the San Diego River Conservancy hope to create a system of trails for bicycle and pedestrian corridors, along both sides of the river from the East County to the rest of San Diego.


Virginia Hall
ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI, SFR
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
VirginiaHall.com
Direct (619)258-8585

Woodglen Vista Park, a Neighborhood Park Geared to All Ages (Santee Parks Part 5)

When I look back over the years of living in Santee, my family has spent many hours at the Woodglen Vista Park, located at 10250 Woodglen Vista Drive, Santee, CA 92071, just behind Cajon Park Elementary. As toddlers and young children, my sons romped around on the playground equipment and enjoyed exploring the large lush green areas and trees.

As my sons grew older, we played games of tennis on the two courts; they played friendly games of basketball on the full size basketball court; and in the spring, they practiced or played on the baseball/softball field.

In their adolescence and teen years, when they took to biking and skateboarding, they spent many hours doing their flips and tricks in the Skate and BMX Park.

We celebrated many family birthdays under the large picnic pavilion. On the weekends and during the summer, people enjoy grilling on the barbecues preparing meals to enjoy on the picnic tables.

Recently, the park fenced off an area where owners can relax in chairs and watch their dogs run free off their leashes.

While there is a lot of activity at this park, it is spread out over 10 acres allowing for even people looking for solitude to find it. This is a great neighborhood park to visit and enjoy some time with one another or by yourself.

For more information about the park, visit Woodglen Vista Park.

Virginia Hall
ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI, SFR
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
VirginiaHall.com
Direct (619)258-8585

Santee Lakes an Outdoor Heaven & Fun Run September 24th (Santee Parks Part 4)

If you are looking for a tranquil place to fish or a place to enjoy some quality family time, you need look no further for an outdoor heaven.

Fifty years ago Padre Dam Municipal Water District created the popular 190 acre Santee Lakes by recycling waste water into seven lakes. The focus of the Lakes is Recreation, Restoration, and Re-investment.

Besides fishing, where you only need a low cost fishing permit for the day, Santee Lakes has a menu of outdoor opportunities such as boat rentals including row boats, kayaks, canoes, peddle boats; Camping with 300 full hookup RV campsites and the recent addition of 10 cabins on or near the lake; picnic areas for large and small groups; playgrounds; and even a Sensory Gardens for the sight impaired. Please see the Santee Lake website for more information.

You won't want to miss the second annual Lap the Lakes 5K Run/Walk and 1/2 mile Jr Fun Run on Saturday September 24,2011, hosted by the Santee Lakes Foundation. For more details go to the Santee Lakes Website for details.

If you haven't visited this haven for outdoor activities, you will need to do it today. Even if you just take a stroll or feed the ducks.

Virginia Hall
ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI, SFR
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
VirginiaHall.com
Direct (619)258-8585

Mast Park a Hidden Neighborhood Jewel (Santee Parks Part 3)

This park is located at 9125 Carlton Hills Blvd, Santee, CA . The park entrance is just behind the Carlton Oaks Plaza business center and Santee Llibrary at the corner of Carlton Hills Boulevard and Carlton Oaks Boulevard. The park is open dawn to dusk and features a large playground, a basketball court, an extensive trail system, a sand volleyball court and an equestrian trail.

At first you might be concerned about what looks like a small parking lot, but keep driving and you will find more parking below the main lot.
On my recent visit, I discovered that the park now has a fenced off-leash dog area where dogs can romp freely.
Besides walking along the natural habitat areas and extensive trail system surrounding the park; in the past, I have used the park for birthday picnics. We celebrated on picnic tables under sheltered gazebos with restrooms nearby. The park offers plenty of trees and green areas as well Barbecue Grills for hot dogs. If the play equipment and a basketball court aren’t enough, Air Jumps are also permitted.

A delightful park to visit. For more information on this park and others visit Santee Parks.

Virginia Hall
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
619)258-8585
Virginia@VirginiaHall.com
VirginiaHall.com

Cool Off at the Santee Aquatics Center (Santee Parks Part 2)

Children bored with summer? Need some low impact aerobic exercise? But don’t have a pool. The City of Santee has joined with the Cameron Family YMCA to offer year round swimming and pool activities to the general public, as well as the YMCA members.

For a small fee, the general public can enjoy the Santee Aquatics Center that has a 25 meter by 25 yard training pool, an activity pool with a play structure, water slide, water exercise area, and locker rooms.

For those like myself, who have an aversion to sweat exercise, you can enjoy a good aerobic workout in the Water Exercise classes, or just swim laps. The lap pools are separate from the water structure and slides.

Families with children can enjoy hours of splashing and playing on the slide and the water structure. Children under age 7 must have an adult in the water. Maximum two children to one adult.

You can't miss the colorful Santee Aquatics Center located at the Cameron Family YMCA, 10123 Riverwalk Dr., Santee, just east of Cuyamaca St. You will want to visit the Santee City’s website to see the current schedules.

For more information about programs offer at the Cameron Family YMCA and City of Santee Aquatics Center call (619) 449-9622 .

Virginia Hall
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
619)258-8585
Virginia@VirginiaHall.com
VirginiaHall.com

Mission Trails Regional Park—Urban Nature Escape (Santee Parks Part 1)

When buying a home, schools and parks are always important. Santee has a number of parks that I would like to share. This is the first part of a ten part series on the parks of Santee.

While Mission Trails Regional Park is not truly a Santee City Park, a portion of the nearly 5,800 acre park is located at the west end of Santee located off Mission Gorge and Father Junipero Trail and is one of my favorite parks to visit.

Centrally located, Mission Trails Regional Park provides a quick, natural escape from the urban hustle and bustle. Mission Trails Regional Park has been called the third Jewel in the City of San Diego Park System.

In particular, this park is one that I often get calls from buyers searching for homes in the area. People love to stroll through the trees, perhaps watch a few birds. Others like to hike along the 40 miles of trails that include open space and rugged hills, including Cowles Mountain. Others bike across the Grassland trails. Families love to visit the Old Mission Dam, and watch the waterfall, cross the river bridge or enjoy a picnic lunch. Mission Trails Regional Park has something to offer everyone, including Fido on a leash.

Opened in 1974, Mission Trails Regional Park has become one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Originally used by the Kumeyaay, the park is the site of the Old Mission Dam, built to store water for the Mission San Diego de Alcala.

Campers visit Kumeyaay Lake, for a weekend of primitive camping with nature, where they might see the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo bird.

You will want to visit the state-of-the-art Visitor & Interpretive numerous informative hikes Center, For more information and Trail and Habitat maps visit http://www.mtrp.org/park.asp .

San Diego County Median Home Prices Slowly Climb

Good news for the over-all San Diego market. The countywide medium home price increased again in May. According to the DataQuick the Median Home Price hit $295,000in May, a $15,000 rise since January and $5000 in May.

Since January, three out of five areas of San Diego County continue a modest recovery. While overall prices are still down 22.6% from a year ago, Buyer activity remains steady.

While the number of "All Homes and Condos" sold countywide decreased by 133 in May compared to April, the number of "New Homes and Condos" increased by 19. Most of May’s increases were seen in higher valued condo sales, which increased from $182,000in April to $199,000 last month.

For example, while Santee showed a 4% decrease in resale house prices from April, the New Home and Condo sale showed increases from April--resale condo prices rose 4% along with new home sales 28%.

While the number of foreclosures decreased from 43.1 percent of all resales in May compared to 51.1 percent in March, some believe the 90 day foreclosure moratorium that went into effect on 6/15/09 along with banks attempting to modify loans may be producing a temporary reduction in the number of foreclosures.

"DataQuick analysts suggested that home prices may have bottomed out, but caution that price depreciation may be hitting more affluent neighborhoods because of mortgage defaults and impatient owners of higher-end homes who need to sell in the current market," according to Ned Randolph, San Diego Business Journal.

The number of homes sold at prices greater than $500,000 has gradually increased from 18.8 percent in March to 20.5 percent in April to 23.1 percent in May.

However, with the reduction in the number of homes available down to about two months supply, demand should continue to push prices slowly upwards.

--Virginia Hall
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Bad News Good News--Santee Housing Market

The bad news always seems to be first, when the media talks about the housing market. While bad news may sell more, a lot depends on how you are looking at it--half full or half empty.

The statistics for April emerged yesterday. While the job layoffs and economy is definitely slowing the housing market return, some areas of San Diego are still sputtering along showing signs of revival. From January until April home prices have slowly climbed in the East County.

While year over year home values have shown a 26.5% decline from April 2008 to April 2009; although, since January the medium home prices in the East County have actually increased 4% from $240,000 in January 2009 to $250,000 in April 2009. Other signs of recover include the number of home sales increased 51% year over year from 323 in April 2008 to 488 in April 2009.

Like several areas of San Diego, Santee home prices have also risen since January the medium home prices have risen from $270,000 to $285,000 in April, over 5% increase. However, again looking at it year over year, from April 2008 to April 2009, it has declined 20.2%. The number of homes in Santee remained steady, from 58 in April 2008 to 59 in April 2009.

As I mentioned in What Happened to All the Houses on the MLS?, with the declining inventory we should continue to see the housing prices slowly recover. If you have been waiting for the bottom to hit, we may have already seen it. So with the interest rates low and all of the buyer incentives mentioned in Uncle Sam Giving Money Away to First-Time Homebuyers and Buy Today with Recession Proof Plans now is the opportune time to buy.

--Virginia Hall


As I mentioned in What Happened to All the Houses on the MLS?, with the declining inventory we should continue to see the housing prices slowly recover. If you have been waiting for the bottom to hit, we may have already seen it. So with the interest rates low and all of the buyer incentives mentioned in Uncle Sam Giving Money Away to First-Time Homebuyers and Buy Today with Recession Proof Plans now is the opportune time to buy.

--Virginia Hall

San Diego Home Prices Turn the Corner or Just a Blip?

According to the San Diego Business Journal, the San Diego Association of Realtors reports the Medium housing prices may have actually turned the corner. Data gathered from Sandicor, the multiple listing services, show housing sales up 60 percent from a year ago, along with a rise in prices from November to December 2008. Resale house prices rose 2.6 percent to $349,450 and a 2.6 percent in condos to $200,000. This does not take away from the fact that housing prices overall dropped 30% from year to year and condos dropped 36%. So we still have a long ways to go.

However, Sellers with homes in good conditions are getting multiple offers starting to drive prices upwards. So I am hopeful, yet wary, the housing prices has hit the bottom. While I think that the housing market is stabilizing, the unemployment rate is still affecting the economy. According to San Diego Metropolitan UpTown Examiner and Daily Business Report the unemployment rate has risen from 4.9 percent in October 2007 to 6.9 percent in November 2008. With the economy still trying to recover, we may still have another year before our home prices actually begin to rise again due to short sales and foreclosures.

So if you missed the opportunity to buy a house in the last few years because the housing prices were too high, now is your chance. The housing prices have rolled back to 2003 prices. How long will this last? Or will the prices drop further? Only those who can foretell the future will know. Why risk missing the boat again? It is time to buy. There are signs that the economy may improve this coming year and you may miss the boat.

--Virginia Hall



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