Living the Monterey Peninsula lifestyle
Long walks along Carmel's scenic coastline... Playing golf at Pebble Beach's finest resorts... Enjoying fabulous sunsets at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove... Living in one of the most beautiful places in the world is a dream for many. Making this dream a reality is my business and a quality real estate experience is paramount. Buyers receive personalized service to find the perfect home of their dreams, sellers benefit from the finest representation specific to their property.
**PROVIDING TOP NOTCH SERVICE IS MY MISSION**
Welcome to my website, a one-stop resource for buyers and sellers. Sellers, find out what your home is worth: Buyers, get local neighborhood info and real estate listings. Explore the local real estate and community information on my market report below or join my facebook page at www.facebook.com/LaurelJaquesCarmelPebbleBeachPacificGroveRealtor
REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND EVENTS BLOG
April 12, 2013-- Local events
This weekend is the "Good Old Days" event in Pacific Grove with lots of food, music and fun, including the most amazing quilt show you have ever seen! Here is more info:
http://www.pacificgrove.org/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=198
February 1, 2013 -- Local events
Next week begins the annual AT & T Golf
Tournament in Pebble Beach. From Feb 4-10, this event features a week
of golf by pros and celebrities on some of the most beautiful courses in
the world. All right here in our own backyard! Here is the link:
http://www.attpbgolf.com/
December 31, 2012--Market overview
Happy New Year! For the start of the new year, it is a good time to review the old. 2012 was an interesting year in real estate. The year began unceremoniously, the market sleeping in the doldrums with low activity and modest demand. In early spring, the market woke up with a start. Interest rates dipped below 4% and buyers that had been waiting on the sidelines, decided that it was a good time to buy. Increasingly optimistic news on the economy motivated many that it was now time to buy, and the momentum gained quickly. Many buyers entered in, but the number of available homes did not increase, creating an undersupply of inventory. Few bank owned properties came on the market and short sale transactions were still encountering obstacles to a successful close of escrow that buyers found discouraging. The result was a lack of inventory and high demand. Those market conditions led to multiple offers resulting in sales over list price, and increasing values. This condition accelerated into the summer months and throughout the fall season. We are now seeing an appreciation of values in some markets, particularly in the lower price ranges. The upper ranges of value (over $1M) still struggle with higher inventory and lower demand, as interest rates are less of a inflential factor due to the lack of available jumbo financing. Winter is here and inventory is at a low in communities with predominant values under $1M: only 36 listings in Pacific Grove, and 24 in Monterey, while in the communities with predominant values over $1M the inventory is much higher: 86 homes in Carmel and 55 in Pebble Beach. As the year ends, we are looking to see how the current economic conditions will influence the year ahead, and whether we can look for this trend to continue. Stay tuned!
October 4, 2012 - Local Events
Come to Pacific Grove this weekend for the
annual Historic Homes Tour on Sunday October 7. Here is the link for
more info and tickets:
http://www.pacificgroveheritage.org/
September 20, 2012 -- Local Events
Music lovers are congregating in Monterey this weekend. Beginning
Friday, and running through the weekend, is the 55th Annual Monterey
Jazz Festival, the world's longest running Jazz Festival. This is a very
popular event and attracts many jazz fans from around the country. See
here for more info:
http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org/2012/
September 19, 2012 -- Pacific Grove
The most southern part of Pacific Grove is called the Del Monte Park area. This area, as well as the adjacent neighborhood of Forest Hill, are situated along the Pebble Beach boundaries to the west and the Monterey boundaries to the east.
September 10, 2012-- Pacific Grove
On the other side of Forest Ave across from Candy Cane Lane is the Spazier Subdivision and Hillcrest Neighborhoods. Values are similar to Candy Cane Lane , though examples of Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture are more prevalent. Here is my new listing on Spazier Ave.
August 17, 2012-- Pacific Grove
From Central Pacific Grove, moving up the hill, is the "Candy Cane Lane" neighborhood, bounded by Hillcrest Ave on the south and David Ave to the north, east of Forest Ave. Since this area was developed later, mostly in the 1940's/1950's, the lot sizes are larger, mostly in the 6000-7000sf range. The larger lot sizes bring larger home sizes, some over 2000sf. Many families enjoy this area with the larger home sizes, close proximity to all the local schools, and of course the festive holiday displays seen in the neighborhood during the Halloween and Christmas seasons. Hence the name "Candy Cane Lane".
August 13, 2012 -- Local Events
This week is one of the Peninsula's largest events--The Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach. It is the finale of a weeklong festival of classic cars including the Concorso Italiano, the Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca and the Gooding classic car auction. The yearly event starts Wed Aug 15 and runs through Sunday with the judging on the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links. Certainly not to be missed! Here is the link to the events: www.pebblebeachconcours.net
August 7, 2012 -- Pacific Grove
One border of Central Pacific Grove is Washington Park, well known to dog lovers as a great place to let the dogs explore the wooded area off the leash. Central PG also hosts the Community Center, a neighborhood treasure with a play park for kids and recently refurbished tennis courts. Both elementary schools are located in this area, plus the high school and middle school. The home values range from $300K for a small fixer upper to $1.2+ for a large remodeled home. There a few apartments and duplexes sprinkled throughout the area. Market activity is presently strong, the schools are well recognized and this is a target neighborhood for families. Average days on market for listings in this area are running about 30 days.
July 27, 2012-- Pacific Grove
The next neighborhood on our tour is the Central Pacific Grove area. Located between Pine Ave and Sinex Ave, this area hosts a wide variety of styles of homes, representative of the periods from the 1920’s to the 1950’s when this area was primarily developed. Some of the unique styles for which Pacific Grove is well known are Craftsman style homes, Mediterranean bungalows, English style cottages and Victorian eclectic styles. These charming homes are inviting to see and pleasant way to spend an afternoon strolling among the streets. The interior of many of these homes, and homes in the adjoining Retreat Area can be viewed during the annual Pacific Grove Historic Home tour held in October.
July 25, 2012--Pacific Grove events
This week is the annual Feast of Lanterns event. Started in 1905 as part
of the Chautauqua Assembly, the event has grown to cover several days
of activities, including an art show, feast of salads, pet parade, and
boat parade featuring the Royal Court. Find out more about this popular
local event:
http://www.feast-of-lanterns.org/calendar.html
July 10,2012-- Pacific Grove
Ever hear of the Asilomar ghost? Reportedly the ghost has appeared in
the chapel at Asilomar on the conference grounds. Hear this story and
others in tours given by the State Parks Dept. The guide will share
stories and information about the
architecture of Asilomar, with tours of the buildings and the grounds.
Other tours are available including boardwalk/sea life tours and
dunes/ecosystem tours. Here is the link for more info:
http://www.visitasilomar.com/activities/interpretation-education.aspx
July 8, 2012--Pacific Grove
The Asilomar neighborhood in Pacific Grove was named in recognition of the Asilomar Conference Center located in this area, among the dunes of the
Asilomar State Beach.
Constructed in 1913 (originally built for the YWCA as a leadership
camp), the architect Julia Morgan designed and
built 16 of the structures, 13 of which are still standing. Considered
the largest collection of Arts and Craft's style architecture in one
location, their designs typifies the Arts and Crafts movement with an
emphasis on the use of local, natural materials and quality workmanship
designed in harmony with the environment. For more information on
Asilomar's architecture see
http://www.visitasilomar.com/discover/asilomar-architecture-.aspx
July 4, 2012-- Local Events
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
Monterey is sponsoring it's first ever 4th of July laser light show event this evening, the result of a public-private partnership sponsored by the Monterey Bay Symphony. With tightening city budgets, the firework shows are no longer seen in the city on the 4th and the trend toward laser light shows as an alternative has now found it's way to Monterey. This patriotic concert will be choreographed with a laser light show and is bound to fill up fast with only 3000 seats. It is recommended to get there early, the gates open at 6pm for picnicing, with the concert beginning at 8pm. I have been to laser shows coupled with symphony music in other cities and they are really something to experience!
June 30, 2012 -- Pacific Grove
Pre- Rec Trail Lovers Point, 1974. Yes, those are really train tracks!
June 29, 2012 -- Pacific Grove
Here is the link to some more information on the Del Monte Express + photos:
June 28, 2012 -- Pacific Grove
Unknown to many people is the fact that the Southern Pacific Railroad ran through this area until 1970. The line was called the "Del Monte Express" and ran along the coast (where the rec trail is now) and brought San Francisco tourists to the Del Monte Hotel and on to Pacific Grove beginning in the 1880's. The track in this area ran behind Crocker Ave to Sunset. The track is now gone in the area and the area where the track lay behind Crocker is a right-of-way and walking path that offers a convenient and tranquil walk through the area.
June 24, 2012 -- Pacific Grove
June 18, 2012 -- Pacific Grove
Here is a new listing in the area, a 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1890sf home across from Washington Park...$819,000. And an update: our new listing at 955 Crest for $649,000 in the Beach Tract went into escrow in one day! Market activity is very strong in that area!
June 14, 2012-- Pacific Grove
Did you know that Pacific Grove has the highest number of historic homes per capita in the country? (yes country!) And a great many of these homes are in the Pacific Grove Retreat area, the first area developed in the city in the 1880's. Many of these homes have been lovingly restored and still exist on the original "tent sites". The retreat area borders the Monterey Bay just north of the downtown area, around Lover's Point. Home values are relatively modest compared with other nearby beach communities. Small one bedroom homes start around $400K (need restoration) to $1M for larger, remodeled homes. This home is one of our recent sales in the neighborhood.
June 9, 2012--Local Events
Relatively unknown, even among locals, is the summers series "Films in
the Forest". Each week during the summer on Tuesday nights, the Outdoor
Forest theatre in Carmel shows a movie in the their outdoor
amphitheatre. Bring a picnic dinner and
enjoy a movie among the stars, the pines trees, with a roaring fire to
warm you! Last week Wells Fargo Home Mortgage hosted "play Misty for
Me". It was great to see that classic again with all the Carmel
settings! Tonight "Hugo" is being shown at sunset.
http://www.foresttheaterguild.org/?page_id=8
June 7, 2012-- Pacific Grove
The Pacific Grove "Beach Tract" (also known as Fairway homes) is the first area we'll visit in the Pacific Grove tour and is typically where home buyers start their home search. The Beach Tract is west of downtown Pacific Grove and east and north of Pebble Beach. The area was developed in the late 1940's around the Pacific Grove Golf Course and many of the original homes still remain. As these homes are just a short walk from the bay (some have bay views) and are situated on lots larger than in the nearby Lover's Point area, home buyers who have been looking in Carmel and are discouraged by the prices, often find their home in the Beach Tract. Prices range from the $600Ks and up. Homes along the bay are $1M+. Here is our recent sale on Shell Ave in the Beach Tract for $1,150,000.
June 6, 2012-- Pacific Grove
Per Wikipedia: In November 1879, after the summer campers returned home, Robert Louis Stevenson wandered into the deserted campgrounds: "I have never been in any place so stinky. Indeed, it was not so much like a deserted town as like a scene upon the stage by daylight, and with no one having any fun." Ha, wonder what he would stay now?-- That house is how much?!!
June 5, 2012-- Pacific Grove
First a little history about Pacific Grove (locals--please humor me!)
Referred to as "The Last Hometown" Pacific Grove was originally founded
in the 1870's as a Methodist summer retreat area for visitors to enjoy
the fresh air and fragrant pines. In the
beginning, the visitors put up tents on small plots of land, which
would later become known as "tent sites". These tents sites are located
in the Lover's Point area and are typically 30 x 60 ft lots. Later, in
the 1880s, small summer homes were built on these "tent sites". Some of
the original tent houses still exist, and recently one was found to
have the original tent still in the attic!
http://www.pacificgroveheritage.org/print-archives/photos/architectural-heritage/
For more archived real estate information click here
Laurel Jaques ~ The Jones Group Coast and Country Real Estate ~ 216 17th St Pacific Grove, CA
(831) 915-1185
