|
COASTAL TOWNS:
Del Mar
On the train line running south to San Diego, the pretty coastal community of Del Mar is small, chic, and friendly. The charming downtown has local arts and crafts galleries, small cafes, one-of-a-kind fashion stores, and over two miles of white sandy beach which brings a wide range of activities to your doorstep. Conditions are great for surfing and boogie boarding, and dogs can run free for most of the year. Two beautiful ocean side parks offer shade and great spots to picnic.
With a population of around 4,500, Del Mar is small enough to be friendly and community orientated. The Powerhouse Community Center hosts many great events throughout the year. The Del Mar Racetrack (opened by Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brian) draws thousands during the horse racing season and is host to the fantastic Del Mar Fair, the county's largest.
Nearby hills grant superb views to lucky homeowners, and the two square miles of coastline properties house beachfront cottages with superb beach access and easy access to downtown Del Mar's shops and restaurants.
Solana Beach
South of Encinitas and north of Del Mar you will find the city of Solana Beach. With approximately 13,000 residents, this community prides itself on supporting the arts. Solana Beach's City Hall hosts rotating art exhibits, and the artists of the community are active in beautifying the area in unique ways.
Residents of Solana Beach enjoy the many recreational opportunities that arise from its location in beautiful coastal Southern California-golf, tennis, and hiking are popular, there are parks and beaches to visit, and two community centers that offer classes and recreational programs.
| | 
Zoning Laws >The Zoning Variance When you are selecting land on which to build your new home, be certain to investigate the zoning for that particular area. You might fall in love with rural acreage that just happens to be zoned for agricultural or recreational purposes. Since zoning uses are not interchangeable, you would need to apply for a variance in order to build a single-family residential dwelling on the land. This can be a challenging process!
Getting approval to have the zoning changed on property requires that you first give public notice, and then request approval for a variance from the government agencies that supervise enforcement of the zoning plan. You might encounter resistance from neighbors or various local interest groups who oppose the zoning changes that would allow you to build your dream home.
Your local planning department can tell you how a particular property is zoned and explain what you need to do to get a variance. Your real estate agent may be able to refer you to a local land use attorney who can guide you through the process.
|
| Q |
What amenity do 48% of all homes in the new housing market have?
|
| A |
48% of all newly-constructed homes now have 2 1/2 baths or more, up from 1985 when only 29% had more than 2 baths.
|
 See More Real Estate Trivia > |
|
|
|
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
