Monday, August 29, 2011

Rancho Santa Fe School Board Seeking Member

Katie Hawkes finds the news.... for more informational new go to http://www.katiesells.com/
 
RANCHO SANTA FE — The search is on for a new school board member for the Rancho Santa Fe School District to replace Jim Cimino, who moved to Dallas for his job as an executive with Wells Fargo Bank.

Cimino, whose term ends in 2012, resigned July 29 in a letter to Lindy Delaney, school district superintendent.

Delaney told the school board at its Aug. 16 special meeting there were a couple of ways to go in replacing Cimino.

“You can decide to appoint a replacement or go to an election,” she said. “My recommendation is to make an appointment and save the expense of an election.”

The board is looking for someone just right to fill the spot.

“It’s a commitment of time, energy and passion,” Delaney said. “It’s really a big job, there is no pay. We will be looking for someone who wants to put in that type of commitment.”

Those interested in filling the position should pick up a packet containing an application, instructions and a list of preliminary questions at the district office. The deadline for applications will be at 4 p.m. Aug. 29.

“They can drop it off at the district office or fax it over,” Delaney said.

The interviews and appointment is a very public process. Each will be interviewed at a special meeting of the board Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.

The interview will consist of questions about the person and about their vision of the future of the school district.

At the end of the interviews, the new school board member will be sworn in on the spot.

Jim Depolo was appointed nearly 10 years ago to fill the term of a resigning school board member. He ran for the office twice after the appointed term expired.

“He has truly been a good board member,” Delaney said.

Depolo said this time there will be a whole new set of questions about the candidate’s vision of the future of the school.

“When I did it they were asking questions like, ‘do you think a new school should be built,’” Depolo said.

In other school board news, construction crews are putting the finishing touches on the school’s new soccer field and track, including the installation of the school’s mascot eagle center field.

Also at the Aug. 16 meeting, parent Lorraine Kent, who has had children in the district for the past 15 years, told the board her youngest child was having difficulty and she felt she was not informed properly.

She said her child dropped two grade levels in a short time and was told that a test with a poor grade, which was sent home and signed by her, was her notice. Since this happened at the end of the school year, she said she didn’t know how to proceed.

Kent also said she has seen many worthwhile programs go by the wayside such as a parent advisory council, foreign language classes and an honors program, which she would like to see restored.
 
by Patty McCormac

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Covenant formed to protect Ranch still in place

Katie Hawkes find the Rancho Santa Fe NEWS to bring to you... for more information http://www.katiesells.com/
 
by Patty McCormac
RANCHO SANTA FE — In the early 1920s, Rancho Santa Fe was promoted as a place with all the urban conveniences, plus rural freedom, rich in romantic heritage of Spain, with room to grow families and orchards of fruit, with protective restrictions on architecture and landscaping as in the most exclusive metropolitan neighborhoods.

About 80 years later, nothing much has changed.

That is one of the reasons this rural little enclave in the middle of civilization is so unique.

The founders who drafted its Protective Covenant intended to protect property owners’ investments and preserve the rural atmosphere of the area. It still works.

“I believe that people understand the rules apply to everyone. I believe it is fair and we treat everyone the same,” said Peter Smith, Association manager. “We stick to the rules. We’ve been at it a long time. I believe we are the oldest HOA still operating in the state.”

The history of the housing development began after the Rancho Santa Fe Rail Road Company planted acres of eucalyptus trees for railroad ties and learning too late the wood was too soft. Undaunted, the company turned the property in estate ranches, each with its own deed restrictions.

In 1927 when the idea of homeowner association began to become into focus, the way housing developments were managed changed.

The developers went back to property owners asking them to become part of the HOA and to abide by uniform rules. Most agreed, but some did not.

“About 15 properties out of 1,800 are still not in the HOA,” Smith said. These properties are not clustered in one area, but scattered throughout the Covenant.

“When someone asks, ‘why do these (Covenant) rules apply to me and not my neighbor,’ it is probably because the original owners opted out of joining the HOA,” he said.

The Rancho Santa Fe Protective Covenant was adopted in February 1928. Barton Millard was the Association’s first president. Lilian Rice, principle architect for the project, was the chair of the first Art Jury.

The Art Jury in Rancho Santa Fe, to this day, still reviews every proposed development or significant change in a property and gives its approval or not.

A decision by the Art Jury was once challenged by a homeowner who was unsuccessful in his litigation.

“The court ruled that beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Smith said.

The eye that decides the beauty belongs to the community and the Art Jury, the court decided.

The major goal of the Art Jury is preserve the rural character of Rancho Santa Fe. Before a project reaches the Association board, it must first be approved by the Art Jury. If the project is deemed worthy and follows all the rules, the developer or prospective homeowner may ask for the approval of surrounding neighbors.

That done, the project may be seen by the Association board. If the board approves the project, it may be taken to the county for another round of approvals before the project is finally approved. Somehow the process has worked for nearly a century.

If a property owner wants to join the Covenant, it is possible, but it’s not an easy process.

The request must go through a lengthy process and then be approved by the entire community.

Membership has its advantages. It gives property owners the right to join the exclusive golf course and club, send their children to phenomenal schools, board their horses on their own property, join the riding club, explore a world class trail system and take part in having a say about how this close knit community is run.

Smith has been the manager of the HOA for the past 15 years and before that managed the golf club for five years.

“My predecessor said the manger’s job was like having 5,000 chiefs and one Indian. I think I would disagree,” Smith said.

His role is pretty much that of a city manager.

Because Rancho Santa Fe was set up to eventually turn into a city, it is run the same way with planning, building and finance departments.

“The Covenant is a pretty good sized business,” he said.

It has 135 employees including those at the golf club, the landscaping crew, the patrol and the staff inside the headquarters of the Association. It has a $15 million budget.

The decisions are made by a board elected by the membership called the Association.

“My job is to make sure the Association have all the facts,” he said.

“Rancho Santa Fe is not for everyone. It’s rural, more secluded and private. It has phenomenal schools, a place for people‘s horses and trails and of course the weather.”

Monday, August 22, 2011

KATIE HAWKES BRINGS ~ HUD NEWS WITH BANK OF AMERICA...

Katie Hawkes finds the news for you... http://www.katiehawkes.com/ or with any Real Estate questions please give her a call today 858.922.2226

HUD has reached a settlement with Bank of America, releasing the company from liability for failing to adequately provide alternatives to foreclosure on 57,000 delinquent government-insured mortgages.
The agreement was created on a separate but parallel track from continuing settlement talks between Bank of America, state attorneys general, and other regulators over alleged mortgage origination and servicing failures.
The agreement requires the bank to waive a minimum of $10 million in unpaid mortgage payments and vet each of the 57,000 delinquent borrowers for a possible loan modification, short sale, or other foreclosure alternative.
After such outreach, the settlement paves the way for BofA to foreclose on homes that borrowers could not afford even after a mortgage modification and those that have been left vacant by owners.
The agreement is HUD's first involving settlement of claims in which a servicer failed to offer loss mitigation to borrowers. It does not, however, prevent HUD from seeking damages from BofA for unrelated origination and servicing failures.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Zillow: mortgage rates hit 2011 low

Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 3:17 p.m.
Rates for certain home loans have fallen to new 2011 lows as bond yields continued dropping.
Real estate website Zillow.com on Tuesday reported the 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 4.14 percent, down from 4.19 percent during the same time last week.
The site's home-loan records, which date back to 2008, showed the previous low was 4.07 percent in November 2010.
"Given the mental association of credit ratings with bond rates, many people initially think about the impact of the downgrade on mortgage rates," said Zillow Economist Stan Humphries, in a statement. "But that’s probably not where the initial damage will be felt. In fact, near-term, expect almost zero impact on mortgage rates."
Also on Tuesday, California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) announced it decreased interest rates to lenders in its FHA loan program. That happened after bond yields hit record lows, following the Federal Reserve's decision to extend its low interest rate policy for two more years.
Zillow’s rates are based on thousands of mortgage quotes turned in daily from borrowers through the site.
The website also breaks down reported rates by state. It said the average 30-year fixed rate in California has been "stable" at 4.14 percent this week, down from 4.22 percent the previous week.
The lowest rate was 4.08 percent in North Dakota and the highest, 4.38 percent, was in Hawaii.
Standard & Poor's decision to downgrade government enterprise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on Monday has raised concerns about what that will mean for consumers.
San Diego Association of Realtors President Bob Kevane said that move will make it costlier for the mortgage giants to do business, likely leading to higher mortgage rates for consumers. However, that likely won't happen immediately Kevane said.
Even when if rates do increase, "I don't think it's going to change rates much," Kevane added.

Monday, August 8, 2011

6129 LA FLECHA ~ BROKER CARAVAN ~ 8/9 1-4 ~ $100 NORDSTROM GIFT CARD!

Beautifully remodeled property in the village of RSF - WITH GOLF MEMBERSHIP - STAYS WITH UNIT. Wonderful and convenient maintenance-free living. Walk to stores & restaurants.          4 car garage and carport, sundeck, top of the line kitchen, formal LR& DR w/stone FP. Lovely, romantic outoor dining space. Quiet location. One (2) car garage is being used as an office with gym.
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO ~ http://www.katiesells.com/ OR CALL KATIE TODAY... 858.922.2226

Saturday, August 6, 2011

A MOTHER DAUGHTER DAY IN RANCHO SANTA FE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE KATIE HAWKES GROUP... FINDING YOU THE RANHCO SANTA FE NEWS.... 858.922.2226 OR GO TO http://www.katiesells.com/ for Rancho Santa Fe Real Eastat information.
 
Mother and Daughter Mini Weekend Retreat
A day of Rejuvenation, Wellness and Beauty
Sunday August 21st, 9am to 4pm in RSF
Workshops will be geared toward improving mother/daughter communication, helping your teen make good decisions about social situations, appropriate dressing, makeup and other things you would want an expert to reinforce!

Designed just for moms and teen girls ages 11-19, the program will include lunch, yoga/dance class, workshops covering current trends with an LA Fashion Stylist (kristibrooks.com), a Makeup Artist, Keynote Presentation by Teen Life Coach, Linda Sorkin and more. There will be time to use the pool and spa as well.


Info: (858) 381-7713 or email esteegubbay@me.
PROGRAM COST: $70

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Fernando Gutierrez Memorial Cup at the Polo Club in Rancho Santa Fe

KATIE HAWKES BRINGS THE RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS! Give Katie a call today... she knows all you would need to know about the Rancho Santa Fe real estate market ~ Give her a ring... 858.922.2226.  http://www.katiesells.com/ click for Rancho Santa Fe information. 

Fernando Gutierrez Memorial Cup

San Diego Polo Club competition. Preliminary matches at 1pm, feature match at 3pm. Pack lawn chairs, cooler to view games from east side of field for tailgating ($25 per car). 858-481-9217.

Sunday, Aug. 14, 1 p.m.

  • Admission: $10 - $25