Hi. I’m John, and I can’t wait to help you find the home that’s right for you.

I’ve lived in San Diego for over 20 years, and in all honesty, I can’t think of a place I’d rather call home. San Diego is a city rich with culture, and is known worldwide for both its beauty and diversity. People have come from all over the globe just to make San Diego their home, and I consider myself fortunate to be among them.

Although I’m originally from south Texas, I’ve been living in California since I started college. I initially went to school in the San Diego area, but eventually ended up at San Francisco State University, where I studied fine art and art history. I also had the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, which was an excellent learning experience, both academically and culturally.

I first got into the real estate business back in 2004, after nearly a decade of work in hospitality management and home remodeling. Although the housing market has changed a lot since those early days, especially after 2008′s housing crisis, there is one thing that has stayed the same – San Diego.

When it comes to selling property, looking for a house, or dealing with a realtor, nothing is more important than knowing the region. San Diego County is unique, and in order to get the most out of the market, it is important to have a realtor that is familiar with the different neighborhoods and communities in the city. That’s where I come in. As a buyer’s agent, I’ll do everything I can to help you find a home and negotiate a fair price.

Although I enjoy my work at Greater Good Realty, nothing means more to me than my 12-year-old daughter Zoe. We try to stay active around the neighborhood and enjoy spending time outdoors. I’m particularly fond of yoga, surfing, cycling, and running. I find that spending time out in the city, whether it be for work or recreation, is one of the best ways to stay in touch with what’s happening in San Diego.

For professional real estate assistance, give me a call.

John Thomas

(619) 972-0865

DRE Lic#01453852

Hi. My name is Randy, and I’m happy to call San Diego home.

I was lucky enough to have been born and raised here, and I consider San Diego to be one the most incredible cities in the United States. Though I’ve had the fortune of living in other parts of the country, my longing to return home has always brought me back to the amazing weather and majestic beaches of southern California. What’s more, my love for the unique beauty and diversity of the area has helped to foster a passion for sharing the experience of living here with others.

After serving 4 years in the Army, I was honorably discharged from active duty three weeks before September 11, 2001. At the time, I wasn’t sure whether or not I’d be called back to duty, so I remained with my wife in North Carolina, just outside of Fort Bragg. As a young family, we had the intention of establishing roots in an area where the cost of living was relatively low. It didn’t work. The humid weather, mosquitoes, and a 4-hour drive to the nearest beach forced us to rethink our choice.

My wife and I moved back to San Diego in 2005, choosing La Jolla as the community to raise our children. Considering my personal experience with buying, selling, and renting real estate, Greater Good Realty seemed like a perfect fit. Working as a realtor has allowed me to use my background in sales and business development to better serve the people and communities of San Diego. Specializing as a buyer’s agent, I focus mostly on San Diego’s downtown districts and northern suburbs. I also work in some of the more family oriented areas around the city, such as La Jolla, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family at the beach and going on camping trips. We’re a pretty active family in general, and are involved with various local groups in our community. Our kids participate in music, dance, boxing, and the local Pop Warner Youth Football league. I also have a background in fitness nutrition and training, and absolutely love being outdoors, whether that be running, biking, hiking, or walking. It’s my way of enjoying San Diego’s amazing architecture, exploring the area’s diverse neighborhoods, and staying atop the city’s ever-changing real estate landscape.

For professional real estate assistance, give me a call.

Randy Swisher

(858) 952-1424

DRE Lic#01924989

www.linkedin.com/in/randyswisherprofile/

That’s where we come in. Whether it be local news or new listings, Greater Good Realty has it covered. Make sure to to visit our website for the most recent updates.

Prices hit 5-year high:

Residents of San Diego who are looking to sell their homes now have yet another reason to do so. According to the San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR), the median sales price of a single-family home in San Diego County reached $450,000 just last month. That is the highest it’s been in over five years.

The recent $450,000 average for home sales in San Diego shows substantial increases from both a month and year before. The current median sales price for homes is 23% higher than it was in April of 2012. In terms of monthly gains, home prices are 4% higher than they were in March. San Diego hasn’t seen prices this high since January of 2008, when the median sales price for a single-family home was $475,000.

The SDAR also reported a rise in the median price for both condominiums and townhomes. The average price for those residencies was $288,500 for the month of April, and although prices didn’t go up much over the course of a month, the current average represents a 37% increase over April of last year.

“If there was any lingering doubt about the real estate comeback, these numbers should put that to rest,” said Linda Lee, president of the San Diego Association of Realtors. “The increase in price means more people will put their homes on the market, which is great news for buyers.”

No more HUD office in San Diego:

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced plans to close 15 field offices across the nation, including one in San Diego. The agency, which is widely known as HUD, is responsible for helping low-income individuals and families find affordable housing. The office closures, which also includes branches in Fresno and Sacramento, are scheduled to happen by October of 2014.

Gene Gibson, a HUD spokeswoman in San Francisco, says the agency is shutting down some of its smaller satellite offices in order to save up to $150 million in leasing and operation costs. The agency plans to move its services, which it says will not be affected, to larger offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The six employees that work at the San Diego office have the options of relocating to another HUD office at the government’s expense, taking a buyout of $25,000, or retiring early.

Many people in the San Diego area have a problem with HUD’s decision, despite the agency’s assurances that services will not be affected. Gabe del Rio, COO of Community HousingWorks, says that closing the San Diego office will not be good for the community. “It’s unclear what that will mean to our work, but it is clearly a loss and will likely make things more difficult for providers and the public alike,” explained del Rio.

Even some lawmakers in California have started to speak up against the office closures. Rep. Jerry McNerney, a Democrat from Stockton, says he believes that HUD should rethink their plan. “This is a clear example of the administration’s lack of attention to the continued crisis in California’s housing market,” said McNerney in a statement. “Closing three offices in a state that has been one of the hardest-hit by this ongoing issue will have disastrous consequences.”

Tastefully furnished, warm, and delightful Condo

Warm and welcoming 801 sq. ft. one bedroom, one bath east facing condo offers partial views towards Balboa Park. Equipped with stainless steel appliances, quartz stone counters, gas fireplace, private balcony, expansive bay window, one parking space, and plenty of storage! Freshly painted with new carpet.

Building Amenities include: Outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness room, cozy club house, game room with billiards table, BBQ, a welcoming lobby, and manicured grounds.

12 month lease preferred

Offered at $2100 per month 

By the numbers:

Since the market began its rebound late last year, it seems as though every month has brought more positive news for the real estate sector. Home sales and prices in most areas have risen steadily throughout the first quarter of 2013, and, according to a recent report by the S&P / Case-Shiller Home Price Index, it looks they will continue to do so.

The report, which has a two month lag time, showed substantial increases in the prices of homes throughout much of the nation. The gains in San Diego County were particularly impressive, even when compared to some of the hottest markets in the country. In February, the average price of a home in San Diego was 10% higher than it was the year before. That marks the first time since June of 2010 that home prices in the area saw a double-digit increase over the course of a year.

Altogether, the 20 city index showed a 9% rise in home prices. That is the highest yearly increase for any month since 2006. “Home prices continue to show solid increases across all 20 cities,” said David M. Blitzer, chairman of S&P’s index committee. “Despite some recent mixed economic reports for March, housing continues to be one of the brighter spots in the economy.”

It’s still a seller’s market in San Diego:

The housing situation in San Diego, even more so than in other parts of the country, has moved further and further towards a seller’s market. The shift, which started around six months ago, is largely due to limited inventory and increasing home values. The median price for a home in San Diego, which rose to $366,000 by the end of 2012, is now higher than it’s been since June of 2008. The real issue, however, is the amount of homes on the market.

In January, there were just 4,100 active listings throughout San Diego County, which is about half of what was available a year ago. According to the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors, that’s the lowest inventory level the area has experienced in at least 3 ½ years. And although inventory has gone up slightly in the last couple of months, which is normal for spring, the total number of listings is still much lower than normal.

There’s still a ways to go:

Even though home values might never reach the inflated numbers of yesteryear, there is room for improvement. In San Diego, home prices are still 34% lower than they were in November of 2005. Gary Painter, a professor at USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate, says that the while prices are improving, the market has yet to see any drastic increases. “Hot markets are often a result of lack of inventory rather than positive market growth, which explain the steady prices,” Painter said. “As fundamentals continue to improve, however, you will begin to see more markets gaining momentum.”

“Dear Seller” Letters:

Considering the competition for available housing, prospective homebuyers have to do everything they can to stand out from the crowd. For some, that even includes sending out letters to homeowners to explain why they should select a particular offer. These “love” letters, which are typically sent through a realtor, often use personal stories and family photos to create an emotional connection between the prospective buyer and seller. The goal is to impress the homeowner, and ultimately, get a deal done.

Patrick Hale, a real estate broker in San Diego, says he encourages his clients to try different things in order to obtain an advantage in the marketplace. “Whatever we can do to make us stand out and make our buyer stand out, whether it works out (or not), we just want to make our buyer have a little leg up on their competition.” Even if sending a letter along with your offer doesn’t make a difference in every case, it’s certainly worth a try.

Newlyweds Adam and Molly Sarasin, who were repeatedly knocked out of the running for houses because of offers made by cash buyers, say they probably wouldn’t have found a home without tugging at people’s heartstrings. “It was exhausting,” explained Adam, 26. “We definitely found that inventory was too low… Competition was way to high.” So, in their letter, the Sarasins explained their situation.

“Adam met a wonderful young woman, Molly, and they will soon be getting married,” read the letter. “They love your house since it is updated on the interior and will have enough room for an office, their bedroom, and what they hope to soon be a baby room.” The letter, written by Sarasin’s realtor, Patrick Hale, helped the couple beat out at least two other offers on the home.

Do it Right:

The cover letters used in home offers generally have certain characteristics in common. Most letters make it a point to provide information about the buyer, covering things like their family status, profession, and area of origin. Cover letters also include financial information, and, in some cases, they even offer perks to the seller, such as covering the costs of closing.

Remember, sending out a poorly written letter can be worse than sending none at all. When writing cover letters, there are a few things to keep in mind. Dave Dennis, a real estate agent in San Diego, says it’s important that you get right to the point when writing your letter. “You need to be brief but strong. You need to stand out amongst a sea of offers.”

It’s been a rough environment for home sellers the past few years, but finally, after substantial growth in the real estate market, housing has started to rebound. During the past year alone, home prices have increased in 92 of the country’s 100 largest cities. Sales volume, or the overall amount of homes sold, rose in 69 of those markets, with 35 cities showing double-digit gains. In most parts of the country, sellers are in the best position they’ve been in in nearly six years.

Although most economists believe these numbers are positive signs for the long-term outlook of the housing market, they view the market’s short-term prospects a little more cautiously. “Two thousand thirteen and 2014 are going to be transition years,” explained Mark Fleming, chief economist at CoreLogic. “The market’s improving, but it’s not totally healed.” Still, depending on where you live, the current housing situation could make for an opportune time to sell your home.

In order to make the process of selling your house a little easier, we have listed a few tips designed to help sellers get the most out of their home sale.

Price your house appropriately:

A recent poll of real estate brokers indicated that 75% of all homeowners think their agent’s recommended listing price is too low. There are a lot of people who see rising home prices and get their hopes up, and while that’s understandable, it’s important to be realistic about what your home is worth. Pricing your home above the market can end up slowing down deals and prolonging the time your home is listed.

Rick Turley, president of Coldwell Banker San Francisco, says the best way for sellers to get the attention of prospective buyers is to price their home in line with comparable sales and “then let the market take it higher.”

Fix the place up:

If your house has any obvious structural or cosmetic problems, you should probably fix them up before putting it on the market. Otherwise, you’ll have to subtract the cost of doing so from your price. “In today’s economy, many buyers don’t have as much savings left over after their down payment for improvements,” explained Teri Herrera, a real estate broker in Bellevue, WA.

When it comes time to show your house, it is important that you do everything you can to make it look its best. Most homeowners only bother to rearrange furniture and clean up for their open house, but it might be even more important to do so before you post pictures on the web. For some, using a professional photographer can be a good way of making your home stand out. According to Redfin, homes (priced between $300,000 and $400,000 ) that used professional images in their listings sold for, on average, $3,000 more than those that used amateur photos. As Errol Samuelson from Realtor.com put it, “web appeal is the new curb appeal.”

Sell based on your situation:

Considering the positive signs in the market, it may be tempting for some homeowners to postpone selling their house until they can get an even better price. Depending on your situation, that may not be the best strategy. For those who are looking to move into a larger place, it may be better to act sooner rather than later. Although higher-end and larger homes aren’t seeing their prices rise as quickly as other housing, the gap isn’t as big as you might think. Waiting to sell your home could get you a better return, but it could also make the appreciation in price on your trade-up more of an issue.

If you are looking to downsize into a smaller residence, the opposite is true. Considering the trends, you might as well maximize the value of your home while the market is still climbing. According to Richard Green, director of the University of California’s Lusk Center for Real Estate, these selling strategies should make even more sense as gains slow for cheaper homes. “Investors are driving the lower end of the market, and there is a point when the investor opportunity becomes less attractive,” said Green.

Rare find in Banker’s Hill!

Offering tranquility and city living with all the storage, parking, and open space of the suburbs.  And NO HOA fees!

View our Virtual Tour, CLICK HERE

3 large bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, 2 car garage, and over 2,100 square feet, this designer inspired residence is sure to please the most discriminating buyer.  Over $50K in upgrades including newer refrigerator, washer/dryer, dishwasher and incredible Rosewood floors throughout.

 The layout of the home offers both a casual and formal environment, supported by an open floor plan.  All 3 floors have ample storage and a full garage which includes built-ins.

This residence is expertly designed and maintained including a private park-like setting.  Just steps away from the hustle and bustle of everyday living but private enough to enjoy the quiet Urban Oasis.  The brick patio off the lower level room leads to a serene and expansive backyard.

Walk to world renowned Balboa Park and fabulous restaurants in minutes.  Just a short 5 minute ride to the airport with easy access to major freeways! You can be in Little Italy, Point Loma, Mission Valley, or La Jolla all within 15 minutes!

Offered at $849,000

Considering the current state of the market, it isn’t necessarily the best time to be a homebuyer. The prices and competition for homes recently hit a five-year high, which, in turn, has led to a real estate market that is oversaturated with prospective buyers. On the other hand, buying a house is still cheaper than long-term renting in most major cities. With the right approach, there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to find and buy the home you want.

In order to make the process of buying a house a little easier, we have listed a few tips designed to help homebuyers with their decision.

How to win a bidding war:

Low inventory levels and an increased demand for homes has led to bidding wars in many markets. According to online real estate brokerage Redfin, instances of home sales involving multiple offers have gone up by as much as 17%. During the months of January and February alone, 73% of Redfin’s agents said that their clients’ offers faced rival bids.

Wining a bidding war is pretty straightforward. Whoever makes the best offer, more often than not, will end up with the home. It is also important to be flexible when it comes to to closing, especially considering that the median time a home stays on the market is getting shorter and shorter. Mary Beth Harrison, a real estate agent in Dallas, summed it up nicely. “You have to give your best offer. Step up to the plate or walk away.”

Don’t bother making a low-ball offer:

The days when you could scoop up a house for 10% to 30% less than its asking price are long gone. Homes in most markets are selling for what their owners are asking for, unless, of course, the house is overpriced in the first place. The fact of the matter is that homebuyers have started to get more realistic about what their homes are worth. Even shaky real estate markets are seeing homes sell for their asking price.

Michael Murphree, a realtor in Birmingham, AL, says that buyers should base their offers on what’s happening in their market. If homes are still selling below their list price in your area, make an offer that is no more than 2% to 3% below what the the owner is asking for. In places where homes are being sold for more than their listing price, you should make an initial offer that matches the asking price.

Assess the risk in your area:

Even though home prices have gradually risen throughout much the country, you shouldn’t necessarily expect them to continue doing so in your area. Every market is different when it comes to the staying power of real estate, so purchasing a home with the assumption that its value will continue to rise could be a mistake. Jed Kolko, chief economist at Trulia, claims that many of the areas that saw a rebound in home values did so only because prices had previously fallen so low. “In rebounding markets, recent price gains may not last,” he said.

For short-term homebuyers and investors, a market’s ability to maintain long-term growth probably won’t matter much. But for those who are looking to purchase a house for the long run, an area’s real estate prospects should be an important consideration. To get a better understanding of what the real estate situation is in your market, it’s a good idea to start by looking up the local foreclosure rates. Websites like RealtyTrac.com should be able to give you a basic idea of what’s happening in your region. It is also recommended that you discuss your area’s real estate prospects with a local broker, who should be able to provide you with more information on the the market.

Greater Good Realty donates 10% of our commissions to various charitable and nonprofit organizations throughout San Diego every year.

The Monarch School:

This month, we’re highlighting the Monarch School, who received a $2,700 donation from Greater Good Realty last year. The Monarch School is a unique public-private partnership between the San Diego County Office of Education and the nonprofit Monarch School Project, a 501(c)(3) organization. The county provides the school with teachers and accreditation, which the Monarch Project supplements with services such as after school programs, counseling, and healthcare. The Project also provides students with food, clothes, and other forms of family assistance.

The school, which is open to grades K-12, focuses on educating students affected by homelessness. According to its website, the mission of the Monarch School is “to educate students impacted by homelessness and to help them develop hope for a future with the necessary skills and experiences for personal success.” To achieve this, the Monarch School does its absolute best to provide a supportive environment where young people who have experienced homelessness can “receive a rigorous education and grow personally to become a highly motivated, contributing member of society.”

Fighting Homelessness:

The issue of homelessness in San Diego is a very real problem. The number of families that don’t have a permanent place to live is on the rise, especially after the recent economic crisis. According to San Diego County’s Office of Education, there are 15,870 homeless students living in the county. What’s more, most of those students happen to be very young. Around 40% of the county’s homeless population is made up of families, with three out of four of the children in those families being of elementary school age.

Students who attend the Monarch School often live in shelters, motels, or in cars, and are absent from class for long periods at a time. The average student is already three years behind their grade level when they first come to the Monarch School, but for every six months they spend there, he or she will progress more than a year academically. The Monarch Project is able to achieve this by eliminating some of the barriers homeless students encounter when getting an education. They also provide a variety of programs and services that simply wouldn’t be available at traditional schools.

To keep up its good work, the Monarch Project depends on volunteers and donations. They’ve already received a great deal of support from organizations and individuals throughout the San Diego area, who, like Greater Good Realty, want to see every child get an education. If you are interested in donating to the Monarch Project or would like to volunteer with the organization, you can find more information here.