Archive for January, 2012

Beach Front Property Management

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

The beach is a beautiful place. There is something inherently refreshing about a clean ocean breeze, the soft push and pull of the ocean waves, and the feel of the sand between your toes. Unfortunately, we can’t all live so close to the beach, or at least not all year round.

Beachfront vacation homes have become a popular means of getting short bursts of time with the sand, sea, and sun. However, with the mortgage, cost of upkeep, and other expenses, you might consider renting out your vacation home. But this is easier said than done. San Diego’s own property management officials are an indispensable resource in this process and can help you navigate the mysterious waters of beach home renting.

What is Property Management?

You can think of property management primarily as the liaison between the owner (you) and the potential tenants of your vacation home. The management provides a certain buffer for owners who want to distance themselves from tenant constituency while still retaining ownership of the property. This makes a lot of sense for owners of vacation homes as they don’t always live near those vacation home properties.

Property management includes several duties. What are some of the most important?

Legal Protection

There are a lot of strings attached to owning a property and leasing it out to tenants. Landlord-tenant laws are a little hard to keep track of for the average homeowner. Any good property management company is specially trained to understand the ins and outs of these laws. As such, they’ll be able to protect the tenant in the event of any legal problems.

A property management company is aware of local housing laws. As such, an official from the company will go through your vacation home before and after each lease period and inspect each and every detail to ensure you and your tenants are well protected.

Property managers can also help you with your taxes, namely with deductions. In fact, property management services are usually tax-deductible.

Maintenance Issues

In most cases, it’s not uncommon for the owner to live far away from his or her vacation home. This distance can lead to certain difficulties, especially in the case of maintenance emergencies that happen out of the blue. Handling a maintenance call in the middle of the night is jarring, and immediate service can cost you a fortune.

Local property management companies know how to handle maintenance emergencies promptly and affordably without necessarily waking you up in the middle of the night. Property managers are easier to reach and usually offer ‘round-the-clock service. They are also knowledgeable about the best local businesses that can handle specific maintenance issues, whether it’s leaky pipes or a malfunctioning heater.

Vacancies

Part of a property manager’s job is to prepare a property for rent and facilitate the renting and leasing process. Property management companies will point out possible problems in your vacation home or improvements that will increase your home’s rental power.

Managers are also well-aware of the going rate of homes in the area during high and low seasons. They can then market your home at competitive rates that will garner profits for you while ensuring a constant cycle of tenants. In this way, they can shorten periods of vacancy where your home is pretty much just gathering dust.

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Mardi Gras San Diego

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

French for “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras originally marked the last night of rich, fatty food and drink before the ritual fasting the occurs during Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday a mere day later. Mardi Gras is also often used synonymously with the Carnival (or Carnevale) season.

While many have forgotten those traditional religious ties, even lengthening the period to include whole days and weeks of celebration, Mardi Gras still remains a festive period for food, fun, drinks, and a bit of debauchery—a time to enjoy life with friends and loved ones. This year, Mardi Gras proper is on February 21. While we can’t all be in New Orleans to celebrate, there are still tons of great events right here in San Diego.

Little Italy Carnevale

Presented by the Little Italy Association, San Diego will play host to the 9th Annual Little Italy Carnevale. The event reflects the Carnevale celebration occurring in the city of Venice in Italy. The Little Italy Association will present tons of fun and entertainment, from gondola rides to free food. Make sure to snag your own Passaporto di Carnevale, which will give the times and locations of the entertainment as well as a list of participating businesses where you can get your passport stamped.

This year the celebration will be held on Saturday, February 18th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on India Street between Hawthorn and Cedar. Last year saw over 12,000 attendees. Make sure to grab your masks and other traditional Venetian Carnevale regalia—you’re sure to have a fun time.

The Hillcrest Mardi Gras Street Party

Hosted by the Greater San Diego Business Association’s Charitable Foundation and the Hillcrest Business Association, the Hillcrest Mardi Gras Street Party is held every year and is patterned after the annual Mardi Gras celebration held in New Orleans. This year will be the party’s 10th celebration.

Growing steadily over the years, the Hillcrest Mardi Gras Street Party is expected to be huge in its tenth year. The event offers local San Diegans the opportunity to experience Mardi Gras without having to spend tons of money. Featuring food, drinks, live entertainment, costumes, and beads, the Hillcrest Mardi Gras Street Party promises to be a raucous, fun-filled evening. This year, the party will feature a large dance stage, giving you that nightclub feel in the streets of Hillcrest.

Proceeds and donations from the event will go to benefit both the GSDBA Foundation and the Hillcrest Business Association. The GSDBA Charitable Foundation will use proceeds to provide college scholarships to LGBT youth and allies in the San Diego community. The Hillcrest Business Association will use its proceeds to ensure a thriving, vibrant community with an outstanding business presence. In the last ten years, the Hillcrest Mardi Gras Street Party has raised over $160,000 that has gone towards LGBT youth scholarships and neighborhood improvement.

Be there February 21st at University Avenue between First and Fourth from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

San Diego Brazil Carnival Ball 2012

Another yearly event, the San Diego Brazil Carnival Ball will be hosting its 20th celebration this year. The ball is held all Saturday evening, starting at 9:00 p.m. and ending early Sunday morning at 1:30 a.m. The venue for the event is 4th and B.

The annual ball will feature plenty of fun and entertainment, including Carnival bands, parades, capoeira performances, beads, and much more. The star of this event is the Spectacular Samba Show. Rich in color and beauty, the show will feature dancers in glittering costumes adorned with beads, sequins, and feathers accompanied by percussionists playing the authentic rhythms of Rio de Janeiro.

Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Quarter

A recent tradition, the corporate-sponsored party in the Gaslamp Quarter began in 2005 and has quickly gained popularity. While the line-up still remains to be announced, the party promises to feature multiple stages, a massive masquerade parade, live performances, international DJ talent, and elaborately themed areas, on top of the usual good times, good food, good drinks, and good company.

If you’re in for a fun night, visit the Gaslamp Quarter on February 21st from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. Advance tickets are $20 but you can buy tickets at the entry gate on the day of the event for $25.

Have fun celebrating the joie de vivre!

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Valentine’s Day in San Diego

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Looking for something more romantic than a heart-shaped box and a bundle of roses? You can find it in San Diego’s gorgeous sunsets, eclectic menus, and Valentine’s Day adventures. San Diego is a beautiful backdrop for any romantic day, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. With beautiful beaches, award-winning spa packages and amazing cruises, San Diego’s climate and culture make it all possible.

Are you looking for something unique to show your loved one how much you care? Forget about cards and candy and really wow him or her with something special. With so many twilight events and fun festivities, there’s something for every pair of lovebirds to enjoy.

Go Old-School

Temperate San Diego weather makes just about anything possible. And on this Valentine’s Day, watching a classic movie at a drive-in theater can teleport you and your honey back to the days of yore. Grab some snacks and a blanket, and snuggle up under the stars at the South Bay or Santee drive-in movie theaters. These cozy drive-ins are a great way to spend some romantic quality time by watching one of your favorite old flicks.

Satisfy a Sweet Tooth

If your honey is a chocolate fanatic, then take a tour of the For the Love of Chocolate festival in downtown Escondido this year. Pair chocolates with wine, champagne, and beer at this curious cocoa-inspired event, and finish off the romantic day with a horse-and-carriage ride. The event is only $20 per person and includes 10 beer or wine and chocolate pairing tastes.

Horse Around

This event is one of the greatest public Valentine’s Day expressions of laughter and love in today’s world. Starting at 6 pm, the Valentine’s Day Pillow Fight is a massive pillow fight that is celebrated not just in San Diego, but around the world. These all-ages, non-commercial events occur in all places, including London and Toronto.

The purpose of the event is to bring people outside to have fun, and encourage everyone to step away from the TV. With a global community of participants, the pillow fight is a free festivity that keeps us from being consumers, and simply allows us to be consumed by the moment.

Coronado Valentine’s Day 10K

If your darling loves to give you the runaround, consider participating in the Coronado Valentine’s Day 10k, beginning February 12th at 8 am. This 2nd annual run is flat and fun, giving the casual runner a chance to be a part of the action. Proceeds benefit the Islander Foundation and the Stephen J. Wampler Foundation.

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February Activity Guide San Diego

Friday, January 20th, 2012

As the winter caps are tucked away and the spring bicycles are brushed off and tuned up, San Diego begins to stretch its arms and really start getting into the New Year fun. The month of February brings a re-introduction to what San Diego has to offer with a half-off museum month, an artsy Oceanside banner project, a pet-friendly 5K run, and much more.

San Diego Museum Month – February 1-29
San Diego’s museum month rings in the springtime with an entire month of half-off San Diego museum entry prices. Choose from 40 museums in San Diego County and enjoy the arts, science, culture, and history that these museums have to offer. Some museum highlights include:

Encinitas Arts Alive Banner Project and Auction – February-June
Local artists create banners depicting what this area means to them. The event promotes walking the streets of coastal towns and brings art and community together. Money raised by the Arts Alive event promotes the arts and offsets the cost of the next year’s project.

California Open Wildlife Art Festival – February 11-12

Held at the Corky McMillin Event Center in San Diego, this festival features more than 150 artists and wood carvers from the United States, Canada, and Japan.

The Open Wildlife Art Festival hosts a world-class carving competition, exhibits and sales, an art auction, tool vendors, and antique appraisals.

Puppy Love 5k Run/Walk – February 12

Grab your pooch and come kick off Valentine’s Day with a Puppy Love run/walk. This event starts at the corner of Via de la Valle in Solana beach. In celebration of pet lovers everywhere, the course ends with a Furry Valentine Canine Costume Contest, a doggie boot camp and agility course, and many more activities.

San Diego Derby Dolls – February 18

If you missed January’s Derby Dolls event, or you’re just itching to catch another act, join these gals at the Del Mar Fairgrounds starting at 6 PM. Buy tickets online in advance for $15 and enjoy watching this unique and exciting women’s competition.

San Diego Mardi Gras – February 21

San Diego participates in this long-time New Orleans tradition every year with its own Mardi Gras held in the Gaslamp Quarter. This outdoor celebration includes parades and a block party with musical acts, food, beverages, and beads. This is a fun, festive, 21 and over event that’s held rain or shine.

Silver Bay Kennel Club Dog Show – February 25-26

One of the largest dog shows in the United States, the Silver Bay Kennel Club dog show includes a dog agility competition, best-in-show and breed competitions, and obedience competitions.

Southern California Gray Whale Migration – Through February 27

‘Tis the season for grey whale migration south along the California coastline to the waters of Baja. These whales breed and then return to their summer feeding grounds. Although March and May are peak months, whale-watching tours and cruises run all the way through the month of February. With a 96% success rate of seeing whales, the Newport Landing Whale Watching tours are a great way to swim into spring.

Dividing the Estate – February 1-12
If plays are up your alley, see this Pulitzer Prize winning play about family, money, and greed. Held at the Old Globe Theater, this popular play was nominated for a Tony Award in 2009.

If February is your month to take a trip down to the southern tip of California, then consider catching everything the West Coast has to offer in the month of February. San Diego is jam-packed with events regardless of the season. As a hub of museums, wildlife, and social events, there’s never a dull day in America’s Finest City.

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