Blog > Celebrating a Coastal Christmas & Baby Month! J&J's December Newsletter
Celebrating a Coastal Christmas & Baby Month! J&J's December Newsletter
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While most of the country is bundling up, Christmas in San Diego means palm trees wrapped in twinkle lights and house hunting in flip-flops!... Though we don't blame you if the winter wardrobe consists of cozier items like fleece jackets and slippers in the morning/night time. The real estate market is still buzzing with activity, offering fresh opportunities for buyers and sellers even as the year winds down. That's right, we're still helping some of you buy and sell even through the holidays!
On a personal note, Jennie is officially on baby watch—adding a little more excitement (and joy!) to our holiday season. Rest assured, Jim will be holding down the fort while Jennie welcomes her newest little one, ensuring our business continues to run smoothly throughout the holidays. The beauty of a real estate team is our flexibility—we’re always here to support each other and our clients, no matter the season for you or us. We’re grateful for your trust and hope to connect with many of you during this festive time. Wishing you warmth, happiness, and maybe even a new home for the New Year!
In this month's newsletter you'll find...
- Our Recent Activity — Check out our most recent listings & sales activity.
- Personal Updates — Celebrating Jim getting sworn into the Board of Directors at our local REALTOR® association and Jennie's Baby Shower!
- Lightscape 2025 — AI festive light experience in the beautiful San Diego Bontanic Garden, in Encinitas.
- The REALTOR® Report — 6 ways to hold title in California real estate.
- San Diego Spotlight — The top places to go ice skating this season.
- Holidays & Happenings — Property taxes are DUE! Longest night of the year, Christmas, and New Year's Eve!
- Local Market Statistics — San Diego's market based on last month's statistics.
- Punny I'm Home — Our joke section... Though we're the first to admit we're not funny.
Recent Activity
Personal Updates
From Jim:
After two years of being asked to run, I finally said yes and was elected to the board of our local REALTOR® association. And it was just in time! Our MLS was about to require us to register every buyer with them, which was an overreach because it infringed on our clients' privacy. I fought it on several fronts, including communicating to the CEO of the MLS. It worked! My action was the main reason they changed direction on it when others were silent. I look forward to continuing the fight to protect the rights of our clients.
From Jennie:
Although we know baby will come when baby wants to come, my husband (Noah) and I eagerly anticipate to meet our sweet baby boy this month (due 12/12/25). We're excited, among many other emotions too! We appreciate the prayers many of you have been offering, and will gladly supply the next newsletter with a photo of our newborn babe. For now, enjoy a snapshot from our recent baby shower "There's a Bun in the Oven" themed (8.5 months pregnant)!
Lightscape 2025, Encinitas
We wanted to spotlight the 4th annual Lightscape event at the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas. 
This immersive experience truly has to be seen to be appreciated, so if you’re looking for something new and magical this season, we highly recommend checking it out!
As described on their website:
“Step into a world of light, color, and imagination as Lightscape returns to the Garden for its highly anticipated fourth season from November 14 – January 4. This mile-long, illuminated trail has been reimagined with vibrant new installations from artists around the world, plus a few returning favorites that continue to dazzle. Along the way, enjoy lively music, seasonal bites, and festive cocktails.”
Walking the trail in person is an incredible experience. Tickets range from $18 to $28, with an additional fee for parking. We’ve heard it’s definitely worth a visit this month!
As described on their website:
“Step into a world of light, color, and imagination as Lightscape returns to the Garden for its highly anticipated fourth season from November 14 – January 4. This mile-long, illuminated trail has been reimagined with vibrant new installations from artists around the world, plus a few returning favorites that continue to dazzle. Along the way, enjoy lively music, seasonal bites, and festive cocktails.”
Walking the trail in person is an incredible experience. Tickets range from $18 to $28, with an additional fee for parking. We’ve heard it’s definitely worth a visit this month!
To “hold title” in real estate simply means to be the legal owner of a property. The title shows who has the rights to use, control, sell, or transfer the property. Think of it as your official proof of ownership, like the name on the deed or the car title for a vehicle. There are several ways a person can hold title over real estate, some with certain benefits. Common ways to hold title in California include:
- Sole Ownership: Property owned entirely by one individual or legal entity.
- Joint Tenancy: Two or more people own the property together with rights of survivorship (when one owner dies, their interest passes to the surviving owner(s)).
- Tenancy in Common: Two or more people own the property together, but without rights of survivorship—each owner can will their share to someone else.
- Community Property: For married couples or registered domestic partners, property acquired during the marriage is owned equally.
- Community Property with Right of Survivorship: Similar to community property, but with automatic transfer to the surviving spouse/partner upon death.
- Living Trust: Title is held by a living trust, which grants a trustee the rights to act on behalf of the trust for the benefit of named beneficiaries. (HIGHLY recommended)
San Diego's Best Ice Skating Rinks
Liberty Station, Point Loma Hotel Del, Coronado Viejas Casino, Alpine
Visit Website Visit Website Visit Website
Looking for a place to hit the ice this winter? San Diego offers plenty of great options for ice skating rinks! Even with our famously sunny winters, San Diego’s rinks create a magical winter wonderland, often with a unique beachside twist. We’ve highlighted three fantastic locations for ice skating and hope you’ll have a chance to check one out this month!
Click on the photos or the buttons above them to visit the respective attraction's website!
Holidays & HappeningsDecember 10th: 1st Installment of property taxes due! Late fees for payments past 12/10!
December 21st: Winter Solstice
December 25th: Christmas
December 31st: New Year's Eve
Market Update
This data is pulled from last month and based on all residential sales in San Diego County.
Median Sales Price: $886,500
Slightly up from last month.
New Listings: 1,933
About 1,000 less homes were added to the market last month... It's common for the holiday season to see a slowdown in new listings.
Active Listings: 5,031
Slightly less active inventory than last month.
Pending Sales: 1,600
Less escrows than the last few months... Again the holiday season!
Closed Sales: 1,631
Slight decrease of deals closed.
Average Days on Market: 39
Homes are taking more than usual to go under contract, with some exceptions.
Median % of Asking Price Received: 98%
Properties are selling slightly below their asking price, but we're motivated to sell our listings for over asking!
Punny, I'm Home!
How much does Santa's sleigh cost?
Nothing, it's on the house!
Thinking about buying property this year? Reach out for a FREE buyer consultation! We break down the home buying process for you, and run actual numbers to show you how much of a home you can afford in your desired timeline. Text/email us with FREE BUYER CONSULT, and we will schedule with you!
Homeowners, want to know how much your home is worth? Reach out for a FREE home valuation that’s more accurate than your online Zestimate is! You don't need to give us a reason, and we don't expect you to sell if you ask for one. Reply back to this email with FREE HOME VALUATION and we will get to work on yours!
Whether you're planning to make a move soon, considering to rent vs. sell, or maybe you're making a plan for years down the line — We're here to provide insight, guidance, or just a friendly conversation about the market. We are all ears for your feedback on this newsletter too. Let us know what you think or how we can add more value to your real estate journey! Reach out, let's talk!
Growing Together,
Jim & Jennie
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Jim & Jennie
License ID: 01879102 & 02163353
License ID: 01879102 & 02163353