Located just 25 miles north of San Diego proper, Encinitas is a beautiful, coastal beach city. The city’s largest industry is the growing and cultivating of ornamental flowers, particularly poinsettias. Well-known for its mild climate and surf scene, Encinitas perfectly illustrates the laidback, beach-going vibe of Southern California, great for tourists and locals alike.

Facts About Encinitas
•    The city gained its name in 1669 from Gaspar de Portola, the Governor of Baja California, but the area was settled in 1881 by Jabez Pitcher, who is considered the father of the town.
•    As of the 2010 census, Encinitas has a population of 59,518, an increase from the 58,014 in 2000.
•    According to government estimates, the median household income of Encinitas in 2005 was $86,520.
•    Encinitas has the perfect mild climate, maintaining a temperate 72 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, rarely dipping below 40 degrees or exceeding 85 degrees. Average annual rainfall is about 10 inches. Although it’s generally sunny, the area experiences marine layer cover every so often (June Gloom, May Gray).

Encinitas Home Design
Encinitas is made up of five distinct areas: Old Encinitas, New Encinitas, Olivenhain, Leucadia, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea. As such, it has a wide range of different home designs and styles. While Old Encinitas presents a mix of Spanish styles and beachside bungalows, New Encinitas is composed of larger tract homes. With such a diverse array of styles, it’s easy to remodel your home into whatever style pleases you. From classic Spanish design to breezy and beach-oriented to the sleek, modern-contemporary home, you have a plethora of home design choices in Encinitas.

Home Remodeling
Spectacular views can be gained from many Encinitas homes by adding a second story.  Outdoor living spaces for personal enjoyment and entertaining are also very popular .  Like most areas in San Diego County, Encinitas has its share of homes that need kitchen renovations, bath remodeling, or an exterior facelift.

From the Nate Burkus Show, Holmes on Homes:

Renovation Rehab

Mike Holmes tells you everything you need to know when hiring a contractor.

Transform Your Bedroom and Relationship

October 11 2011

Choosing A Home Remodeler On The Nate Show

I am dedicating this post to the memory of Martin “Marty” Gleich, a San Diego icon who founded American Housing Guild and Guild Mortgage.  Mr. Gleich passed away on September 25, 2011 at the age of 87.

Besides being know as a home builder and mortgage broker, Mr. Gleich was a generous philanthropist, giving anonymously to many causes including education, libraries, the environment and the arts.

Mr. Gleich built over 20,000 homes in Serra Mesa, Mission Village, Clairemont, Grossmont and San Carlos from the early 1950′s through the mid 1970′s.  In the late 60′s, a home remodeling division was started, and Murray Lampert was the general manager for many years before founding his own company, Murray Lampert Construction in 1975.

In 1960, Mr. Gleich started Guild Mortgage to help people finance there homes.  Guild Mortgage is still doing business today.

To this day, when you walk the streets of Serra Mesa – Mission Village, you will see the American Housing Guild logos stamped in driveways.  American Housing Guild homes were distinct with pitched ceilings inside, and siding on the exterior.

Martin Gleich will be remembered for how passionate he was about improving the lives of others and helping to make the world a better place.

When asked about the community, most people’s first reactions are, “Where is Bay Park?” Although it’s mostly known for cool breezes and proximity to Downtown San Diego, Bay Park is still a growing community. Bay Park is a relatively new neighborhood in the northern area of San Diego. Built on hilly terrain, Bay Park is bordered on the North by Bay Ho, on the East by Claremont and Linda Vista, Mission Bay and Pacific Beach to the West, and Morena to the South.

Neighborhood Facts

•    Bay Park sits atop hills that overlook Mission Bay, which was first named “False Bay” by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542.
•    Median listing price for Bay Park homes is about $510,000, with
•    Median selling prices around $420,000.
•    The average household income is around $45,000 per year.
•    Bay Park schools include Toler Elementary School, School of the Madeleine, and Holmes Elementary School.

Home and Design

The home architecture in Bay Park is typical of most homes in the San Diego area. Some homes adopt a classic California Spanish style. Other homes incorporate aspects of the beachside cottage, allowing for exposure to beautiful sunsets and cool ocean breezes. Newer homes in Bay Park take into account coastal proximity and home design trends of the day, with some touches that call back to the area’s Spanish roots. Because Bay Park is a developing neighborhood, potential residents can seek home contractors to bring their personalized home design to life, or update an existing home with a kitchen renovation or bathroom remodel.

Located in the northwestern corner of San Diego, Carmel Valley is a wealthy, master-planned coastal community, full of commercial office buildings, residential units, hotels, retail stores, and restaurants. Carmel Valley is bordered to the north by the North City Future Urbanizing Area and Pacific Highlands Ranch, to the east by Del Mar Mesa, to the west by the I-5 freeway and Torrey Pines, and to the south by Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve and Torrey Hills.

Neighborhood Facts

•    Carmel Valley is named for the Carmelite Sisters of Mercy who established a dairy farm and monastery in the area around 1905.
•    Carmel Valley was master planned and formed on February 1, 1975, though construction did not start until 1983.
•    The area was home to about 42,000 people in 2006.
•    The average listing price for homes in Carmel Valley is about $830,000, but
•    The median selling price is around $670,000.
•    Schools in the area include Ocean Air School, Sycamore Ridge School, and Sage Canyon School (all public, K-6).

Area Home Renovation and Remodeling Projects

Because Carmel Valley is such a new area, it has a wide variety of home designs and styles. Many homes draw off of older Spanish design elements. Others mix the laidback Californian style with the new, modern trends of today. Some parts of the area are still in development allowing for the construction of modern, contemporary-style homes. Carmel Valley home owners can create their ideal home design—whether it’s traditional Spanish style or a breezy, modern dwelling with all the latest eco-advancements. As the median household income is over $120,000, residents can afford higher-end updates, such as the popular kitchen remodels and bathroom remodels.