Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Behind the Scenes of being a Realtor, California, Coldwell Banker, In My Opinion Only, Morgan Run, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Santa Fe Social Events, Social Events in Whispering Palms, Whispering Palms Neighborhood

This Avenida Brisa Home is for Sale on the golf course between $1,075,000-$1,175,000.

Via De Las Palmas Home that sold 4/27/2012 for $713,000.

Avenida Feliz Home that sold 4/13/2012 for $690,000.

This Avenida Calma Home is in Escrow with a list price of $1.150mil

This Via Broma Home in Escrow with a list price close to $1.175mil

Since January, the Real Estate Market has made a dramatic turn and Whispering Palms in Rancho Santa Fe is an excellent “micro” example of the phenomenon going on. Speaking only regarding the detached housing market, currently two homes are in escrow and only two homes are on the market. For a neighborhood that has approximately 226 homes, we call that …a huge shortage of available homes for sale. In 2011 we had 7 homes that sold. That does not count what went on the market and did not sell. And last year the average square footage for all homes sold, on and off the golf course was $356 per square foot. This year we have had 2 homes year to date sell (but they were not on the golf course and needed some TLC) and we have two in Escrow that are great quality homes that also are not on the course. The two homes that sold created a year to date average of a sales price of $370 A square foot which is considerably higher than last year. How does this happen when so many golf course homes sold in 2011? Well the two homes this year that sold were smaller, not on the golf course, and both buyers plan to upgrade the homes which will be wonderful for our neighborhood. The two pending homes will bring down our running average of sales per square average, but both homes will close for well over $1mil in my estimation.
In conclusion, it looks like we are on track for sales this year. By end of the first half of the year we will have sold half of what sold last year in Whispering Palms. However, what is developing is a shortage of homes available for sale and the good news of that will drive up the market prices (law of supply and demand) and transition us from a buyers market to a sellers market. Since I specialize in listing, marketing and selling properties, that pleases me! Please look at my tab “Sales Gallery” to see how I market homes and position them to get the most showings through visual presentation and the highest price. It is all about first impressions!

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

California, Caravaning New Listings, Coldwell Banker, Economic Real Estate News, Morgan Run, Preparing A house for sale, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Santa Fe Social Events, San Diego, Shannon Biszantz, Whispering Palms, Whispering Palms Neighborhood

Beautiful Condo in Whispering Palms just came on the market for sale through my office Coldwell Banker Residential in Del Mar. Single Story, multiple fairway views, high vaulted ceilings, new kitchen all make this listing one of the best bargains I have seen this year in Whispering Palms of Rancho Santa Fe.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Behind the Scenes of being a Realtor, California, Coldwell Banker, Morgan Run, Palma De La Reina Project in Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego Condos For Sale, Shannon Biszantz, Social Events in Whispering Palms, Whispering Palms Neighborhood

Off to the grocery store I go in search of the best ingrediants for what is known as “The best Mint Julip in The World.”  It is a “must serve” at your Kentucky Derby Party tomorrow.

The second most asked question this time of year right after, “which horse will win the Kentucky Derby”, is usually “what is the best Mint Julep recipe ever?” In honor of the bacon-and-egg relationship of fine spirits and betting on a Kentucky Derby winner, we have dusted off an old family recipe which we swear was concocted by our Great-Grandpappy and perfect if you are holding a party.

A note about the ingredients- suggest anything pre-mixed or made with powdered sugar and you should turn around and leave right now with your head bowed in shame. The Mint Julep is a deceptively simple drink in terms of combination, but needs a slow hand and a reverence for all things Kentucky. You will need:

Mint Julep Ingredients- Serves 8

2 cups of the sweetest Kentucky morning dew collected from a field of uncut bluegrass (or tap water if you must)

2 cups of the purest sugar hand refined by debutantes at a charity ball (or the store bought white stuff if you don’t want to take the whole thing seriously)
 ½ cup roughly chopped Spearmint leaves grown by blind mountain men (regular mint is fine but please try and buy it from someone wearing overalls)
 32 fluid ounces of premium Kentucky Bourbon preferably along the lines of the 107 proof “Pappy Van Winkle”

 Mint leaf garnish? Really? Stop it, you are just embarrassing yourself.

Making a True Mint Julep

Now that you have some combination of the above ingredients you are ready to practice the magic of mixology, or in the case of the Mint Julep something we like to call “Southern Alchemy”. Wait until your guests arrive before preparing, and remember it’s all about the feel!

1. Put the sugar and water into a saucepan and bring slowly to a full boil until the sugar is dissolved. Let stand and cool. You have now made “simple syrup”, which is not an insult to that side of your family that no one talks about, but rather reflects the ease of the preparation. Simple syrup has many uses, such as for sweetenin’ old fashioned ice tea and declaring that “it is insufferably hot today.”

2. Mash the spearmint with the simple syrup. There is some controversy here but it is muddled so just ignore it completely. The Julep (which comes in many flavours) is originally a medicinal drink which was then made into a tincture with the appropriate herb depending on one’s condition. The alcohol no doubt made the whole thing much more pleasant but note that this drink has real medicinal value- in particular to sooth nerves, aid digestion, vanquish gas, and scarily enough combat hirsutism or “hairiness”. A vigorous, old timey two step shuffle to aid the mashing process while singing along at the top of your voice with the Soggy Bottom Boy’s “Man of Constant Sorrow” would be appropriate here (original song by one-eyed Kentuckian Dick Burnett!).

3. Add crushed ice (“crick” ice preferable when in season). Anything by Tennessee Williams crushed ice. Your crushed ice should reek of despair, binge drinking, and subtle innuendos about unmet marital needs. Do not be afraid to yell out “Stella” at random intervals to get you there.

4. Bourbon. Lots of it, and remember if you can’t set it on fire then it’s not worth discussing. Again barring your own still set-up, make sure to go for anything that people warn you might make you go blind. In terms of volume the recommended mix is four ounces of the mash to ¼ cup simple syrup, but these are essentially big government guidelines and to be met with suspicion and contempt. This would be a good time to put on “Copperhead Road” by Steve Earle at high volume to get your fire up. Think Revenuers, Junior Johnson, and ’49 Fords with blown out 500 cubic inch engines barrelling through “the hollers” in the dark of night- who the hell has the right to tell you what you can grow, err distil anyway??

5. Combine all the above and serve in antique Civil War era pewter mugs. If you happen to be all out of one hundred and fifty year old drinking vessels, then you may use those giant plastic mugs you got at Senor Frogs in Cabo- just make sure they are really chilled!

6. Et voila! The most authentic and best Mint Julep recipe ever. Drink a minimum of four prior to race time, all the while making outrageous claims to your guests about your athletic accomplishments in high school- ahh the glory days! (this step optional)

At this point your Kentucky Derby party will have been a hit, and absolutely unlike anything anyone has ever witnessed before. Assuming friends, family and spouses are still talking to you afterwards, you will no doubt be asked to host your equine soiree again next year. If however everyone has left never to return, we recommend putting on Bill Monroe’s bluegrass classic, “Blue Moon of Kentucky”, while mixing another Mint Julep- it can only make you feel better!

I will share it here..along with some photos of delicious tasting mint julips!

Compliments of www.gamblingbeat.com

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Behind the Scenes of being a Realtor, Bob Baffert, California, Celebrity Real Estate, Kentucky Derby Day 2012, Kenutcky horse racing, Lexington Kentucky, Louisville, Mint Julips

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

California, Coldwell Banker, In My Opinion Only, Morgan Run, Palma De La Reina Project in Rancho Santa Fe, Preparing A house for sale, Shannon Biszantz, Whispering Palms Neighborhood