1. Get "Pre-Approved" - Not "Pre-Qualified!"

Do you want to get the best property you can for the least amount of money? Then make sure you are in the strongest negotiating position possible. Price is only one element in the negotiations, and not necessarily the most important one. Often other terms, such as the strength of the buyer or the length of escrow, are critical to a seller.

In years past, I always recommended that buyers get "pre-qualified" by a lender. This means that you spend a few minutes on the phone with a lender who asks you a few questions. Based on the answers, the lender pronounces you "pre-qualified" and issues a certificate that you can show to a seller. Sellers are aware that such certificates are WORTHLESS, and here's why! None of the information has been verified!

Many times unknown problems can come to the surface! Some of the problems I've seen include recorded judgments, alimony payments due, glitches on the credit report due to any number of reasons both accurately and inaccurately, down payments that have not been in the clients' bank account long enough, etc.

So the way to make the strongest offer today is to get "pre-approved". This happens AFTER all information has been checked and verified. You are actually APPROVED for the loan and the only loose end is the appraisal on the property. This process takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your situation. It's VERY POWERFUL and a weapon I recommend all my clients have in their negotiating arsenal.

2. Sell Your Property First, Then Buy the House

If you have a house to sell, sell it before selecting a house to buy! Contingency sales aren't nearly as strong as one that comes in with a ready, willing and able buyer. Consider this scenario: You've found the perfect house - now you have to go make an offer to the seller. You want the seller to reduce the price and wait until you sell your house. The seller figures that this is a risky deal, since he might pass up a buyer who DOESN'T have to sell a house while he's waiting for you. So he says OK, he'll do the contingency but it has to be a full price offer! You have now paid more for the house than you could have because of the contingency, and you have to sell your existing house in a hurry! Otherwise you lose the house! So to sell quickly you might take an offer that's lower than if you had more time. The bottom line is that buying before selling might cost you THOUSANDS of dollars.

If you're concerned that there is not a house on the market for you, then go on a window-shopping trip. You can identify possible houses and locations without falling in love with a specific house. If you feel confident after that then put your house on the market.

Another tactic is to make the sale ''subject to seller finding suitable housing''. Adding this phrase to the listing means that WHEN YOU DO FIND A BUYER, you will have some time to find the new place. If you don't find anything to your liking, you don't have to sell your present home.

3. Play the Game of Nines

Before house hunting, make a list of things you want in the new place. Then make a list of the things you don't want. You can use this list as a guide to rate each property that you see. The one with the biggest score wins! This helps avoid confusion and keeps things in perspective when you're comparing dozens of homes.

When house hunting, keep in mind the difference between ''STYLE AND SUBSTANCE''. The SUBSTANCE are things that cannot be changed such as the location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district, and floor plan. The STYLE represents easily changed surface finishes like carpet, wallpaper, color, and window coverings. Buy the house with good SUBSTANCE, because the STYLE can always be changed to match your tastes. I always recommend that you imagine each house as if it were vacant.

Consider each house on its underlying merits, not the seller's decorating skills.  

4. Don't Be Pushed Into Any House

Your agent should show you everything available that meets your requirements. Don't make a decision on a house until you feel that you've seen enough to pick the best one.

A decade ago, homes were selling quickly, usually a few days after listing. In that kind of market, agents advised their clients to make an offer ON THE SPOT if they liked the house. That was good advice at the time. Today there isn't always this urgency, unless a home is drastically underpriced, and you'll know if it is.

Don't forget to check into the SCHOOL DISTRICTS of the area you're considering. Information is available on every school; such as class sizes, % of students that go on to college, SAT scores, etc.

5. Stop Calling Ads!

Please note - ads are sometimes created to make the phone ring! Many of the homes have some drawback that's not mentioned in the ad, such as traffic noise, power lines, or litigation in the community. What's not mentioned in the ad is usually more important than what is.

For this reason, I want you to be very careful when reading ads. Remember that the person writing the ad is representing the seller and not you! The most important thing you can do is have someone on your side looking out for your best interests. Your own agent will critique the property with an eye towards how well it meets your needs and will point out any drawbacks you should know about. Pick an agent you feel comfortable with and enlist the services of that agent as a buyer's broker. Then you become a client with all the rights, benefits, and privileges created by this agency relationship, and you're no longer just a shopper. Did you know that many homes are sold WITHOUT A SIGN ever going up or an AD EVER BEING PUT IN THE PAPER? These "great deals" go to those people who are committed to working with one agent. When an agent hears of a great buy, who do you think he's going to call? His/Her client, who he has a legal obligation to work hard for you, or someone who just called on the phone and said "keep your eyes open"? So to get the best buy on a property, I always recommend that you hire your own agent and stick with him or her.

Source: The original author is not known. It is not our intention to infringe upon copyrighted material. If you are the original author of any of these articles, please let us know so that we may provide appropriate credit.

Great article from Yahoo with 7 easy fixes to increase your home's value!

This time of the year is the perfect time to tackle home improvements tasks you put off during the cold winter weather. There are lots of relatively simple and affordable things you can do to give your home a facelift. Your house will look better and your family will feel happier in it. As a bonus, you will also boost your home's value at the same time.

Add the Perfect Touch with Paint

"A fresh coat of light pain on the interior walls can work wonders," says Kelly O'Ryan of Coldwell Banker in Lexington, Massachusetts. "Paint will always clean up dirty walls and give a room a better image."

Although dark colors can be stylish, O'Ryan advises going for lighter shades to brighten things up in warmer seasons. Karol Nickell, editor-in-chief of Fresh Home magazine, offers this advice: "Smart color selections can make a small or cramped room appear dramatically larger. In the foyer, make a good first impression with similar tones mixed at different strengths. In the living room, a bold color paired with a white ceiling makes the room seem taller than it really is."

2. Focus on the Flooring

Good, well-maintained flooring can set a positive tone for the entire interior of your home. Take proactive steps to protect your biggest investment.

"Like paint, flooring can help create an impression of spaciousness and airiness," Nickell says. "Whether it's a floating laminate floor, tile or a natural 'green' alternative, lighter-tone flooring can make formerly drab areas appear modern and streamlined."

3. Lighten Up the Accents

"Summer is a great time to change your window treatments and area rugs," O'Ryan says. "Once again, dark colors are associated with winter months; a lighter airy curtain will give any room a brighter and more pleasant appearance. If your floors are in great shape, you may want to remove the area rug(s) and leave the floors bare. Eliminating the rugs will open up the room and make it appear larger."

4. Update the Windows

Old windows aren't just ugly - they can also let your heat and air conditioning escape, costing you big bucks.

"While window treatments are typically a focus in many home makeovers, the actual windows themselves are often overlooked," says Victor Gonzales Maertens, an energy efficiency expert with Lennox Industries. "However, upgrading old single-pane windows with new ENERGY STAR-qualified windows can save an average of between $126 and $465 per year on energy bills, and some new windows qualify for the federal tax credit."

5. Weed Out Bad Landscaping

Neglected bushes and overgrown lawns can kill a home's curb appeal. Don't worry - you don't need a green thumb to spruce up your yard. Going green doesn't have to damage your finances.

"Clean up the site by removing any dead or dying plants, branches and flowers," suggest Jennifer Hoxsie, landscape designer with Greenhaven Landscapes in Lake Bluff, Illinois. "Prune overgrown shrubs along the home's foundation so they are below the window sills and off walkways and driveways. Fill empty holes with site-appropriate plants. Have all the planting beds weeded, edged and mulched for a clean, crisp look. Finally, weed and fertilize the lawn and provide supplemental watering if necessary to maintain a lush green carpet."

6. Add Decorative Touches to the Yard

We're not talking about plastic pink flamingos or creepy garden gnomes. Taylor Graves, representing CertainTeed building products, says, "Adding benches, stepping stones, fountains or other garden accents could go a long way in making your outdoors a visually appealing and welcoming environment."

7. A Few Final Exterior Touches

While you're outside, there are a few other quick moves that can make a big difference. (If you only have $1,000 to spend, what can you do that will get you the most bang for your buck?

"Add color with paint to outdoor features such as window frames, decorative beams and porches," says Kurt Gleeson, national vice president of sales for RealEstate.com. Stick with calm colors that complement the home's exterior color scheme, avoiding shocking shades and drastic contrasts.

"Clean external brickwork or concrete slabs with a liquid masonry cleaner to make them look new and neat. Power washing can give external stonework, walkways and front stoops a quick makeover."

Spruce Things Up

By investing a few bucks and some elbow grease, you can boost your home's image - and value - quickly this summer.

Source: Yahoo Finance

I found some great information about Short Sales. Many people aren't sure what they are or even why they are necessary at times. On top of being a Fine Home Specialist, I am also a certified Short Sale Specialist and am here to help you with all of your homebuying and selling needs.

What is a Short Sale?

A short sale is necessary when the proceeds from the sale of your home are not enough to pay off the loan balance against the home, thus prohibiting the sale. A short sale will allow a homeowner to sell their home for less than the amount owed on the mortgage, and in most cases, the difference does not have to be paid back to the lender.

4 Myths About Short Sales

I don't have a serious enough hardship to qualify for a short sale.

Today, it's harder to Not qualify, than it is to Qualify. There are numerous ways to qualify for a short sale and a borrower does not have to be behind on payments. If a borrower can show that they are struggling to make payments or are facing some other type of hardship such as a divorce, tenant moving, job transfer, medical emergency, decrease in pay, etc., then a bank will seriously consider approving a short sale.

I'll be responsible for the difference between what I owe and what my home sells for.

Most lenders will put the following verbiage on the short sale approval letter you receive in writing: "Lender will not seek a deficiency judgment against borrower". In most cases if a lender accepts a short sale they are going to write off the loss, show the debt as settled, and you are able to walk away from the debt without having to worry about your lender coming after you. There are a few lenders who are pursuing borrowers after a short sale.

My credit will be ruined if I do a short sale.

A short sale can actually save your credit. It is treated by your lender as a "settlement of debt", and as opposed to a foreclosure, it is infinitely easier on credit and for a much shorter period of time.

I will owe taxes on the amount of loss that the bank takes on my short sale.

This can be avoided most of the time. As an example, if your lender accepts $100,000 less than what you owe them they may report this amount to the IRS, and you will be taxed on that $100,000 as 'ordinary income' at the end of the year. Good news is there are many ways to avoid this tax, including recent legislation. You can research the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 or see if you qualify for "Insolvency". Contact your tax advisor.

Short Sales - Pros

1. Depending on the lender, you may be able to get a release from the deficiency in writing.

2. If your property is 100,000 dollars upside down, you get rid of the liability now. If you do a loan mod and then have to sell your house in two years, you may still be 100,000 dollars upside down or worse.

3. Within a few years your credit rating may recover and you may be in a position to purchase property in a down market.

4. You may get to live rent free for a while.

Short Sales - Cons

1. You may not be able to buy a house for a little while. (Average 1 to 2 years)

2. You will have to move eventually.

3. You may damage your credit (Though much less than a foreclosure)

4. You have to deal with the the selling process.

Are you gearing up to buy your first place? Shopping for a home is exciting, exhausting and a little bit scary. In the end, your aim is to end up with a home you love at a price you can afford. Sounds simple enough, right? Unfortunately, many people make mistakes the prevent them from achieving this simple dream. Arm yourself with these tips to get the most out of your purchase and avoid making 10 of the most costly mistakes that could put a hold on that sold sign.

1. Not Knowing What You Can Afford
As we've all learned from the subprime mortgage mess, what the bank says you can afford and what you know you can afford or are comfortable with paying are not necessarily the same. If you don't already have a budget, make a list of all your monthly expenses (excluding rent), including vehicle costs, student loan payments, credit card payments, groceries, health insurance, retirement savings and so on. Don't forget major expenses that only occur once a year, like any insurance premiums you pay annually or annual vacations. Subtract this total from your take-home pay and you'll know how much you can spend on your new home each month.

If you end up looking at homes that are outside your price range, you'll end up lusting after something you can't afford, which can put you in the dangerous position of trying to stretch beyond your means financially or cause you to feel unsatisfied with what you actually can afford. You may even learn that you can't afford the type or size of home that you desire and that you need to work on reducing your monthly expenses and/or increasing your income before you even start looking.

2. Skipping Mortgage Qualification
What you think you can afford and what the bank is willing to lend you may not match up, especially if you have poor credit or unstable income, so make sure to get pre-approved for a loan before placing an offer on a home. If you don't, you'll be wasting the seller's time, the seller's agent's time, and your agent's time if you sign a contract and then discover later that the bank won't lend you what you need, or that it's only willing to give you a mortgage that you find unacceptable.

Be aware that even if you have been pre-approved for a mortgage, your loan can fall through at the last minute if you do something to alter your credit score, like finance a car purchase. If you cause the deal to fall through, you may have to forfeit the several thousand dollars that you put up when you went under contract.

3. Failing to Consider Additional Expenses
Once you're a homeowner, you'll have additional expenses on top of your monthly payment. Unlike when you were a renter, you'll be responsible for paying property taxes, insuring your home against disasters and making any repairs the house needs (which will occasionally include expensive items like a new roof or a new furnace).

If you're interested in purchasing a condo, you'll have to pay maintenance costs monthly regardless of whether anything needs fixing because you'll be part of a homeowner's association, which collects a couple hundred dollars a month from the owners of each unit in the building in the form of condominium fees.

4. Being Too Picky
Go ahead and put everything you can think of on your new home wish list, but don't be so inflexible that you end up continuing to rent for significantly longer than you really want to. First-time homebuyers often have to compromise on something because their funds are limited. You may have to live on a busy street, accept outdated decor, make some repairs to the home, or forgo that extra bedroom. Of course, you can always choose to continue renting until you can afford everything on your list - you'll just have to decide how important it is for you to become a homeowner now rather than in a couple of years.

5. Lacking Vision
Even if you can't afford to replace the hideous wallpaper in the bathroom now, it might be worth it to live with the ugliness for a while in exchange for getting into a house you can afford. If the home otherwise meets your needs in terms of the big things that are difficult to change, such as location and size, don't let physical imperfections turn you away. Besides, doing home upgrades yourself, even when you have to hire a contractor, is often cheaper than paying the increased home value to a seller who has already done the work for you.

6. Being Swept Away
Minor upgrades and cosmetic fixes are inexpensive tricks are a seller's dream for playing on your emotions and eliciting a much higher price tag. Sellers may pay $2,000 for minimal upgrades or staging that you'll end up paying $40,000 for. If you're on a budget, look for homes whose full potential has yet to be realized. Also, first-time homebuyers should always look for a house they can add value to, as this ensures a bump in equity to help you up the property ladder.

7. Compromising on the Important Things
Don't get a two-bedroom home when you know you're planning to have kids and will want three bedrooms. By the same token, don't buy a condo just because it's cheaper when one of the main reasons you're over apartment life is because you hate sharing walls with neighbors. It's true that you'll probably have to make some compromises to be able to afford your first home, but don't make a compromise that will be a major strain.

8. Neglecting to Inspect
It's tempting to think that you're a homeowner the moment you go into escrow, but not so fast - before you close on the sale, you need to know what kind of shape the house is in. You don't want to get stuck with a money pit or with the headache of performing a lot of unexpected repairs. Keeping your feelings in check until you have a full picture of the house's physical condition and the soundness of your potential investment will help you avoid making a serious financial mistake.

9. Not Thinking About the Future
It's impossible to perfectly predict the future of your chosen neighborhood, but paying attention to the information that is available to you now can help you avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.

Some questions you should ask about your prospective property include:

• What kind of development plans are in the works for your neighborhood in the future?
• Is your street likely to become a major street or a popular rush-hour shortcut?
• Will a highway be built in your backyard in five years?
• What are the zoning laws in your area?
• If there is a lot of undeveloped land? What is likely to get built there?
• Have home values in the neighborhood been declining?
• If you're happy with the answers to these questions, then your house's location can keep its rose-colored luster.

Conclusion
Buying a first home can seem stressful and overwhelming, and it isn't without its share of potential pitfalls. If you're aware of those issues ahead of time, you can protect yourself from costly mistakes and shop with confidence.

For many people, a home is the largest purchase they will ever make, but it need not be the most difficult.

Source: Yahoo Real Estate

To qualify for Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, the properties exchanged must be held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment. Stocks, bonds, and other properties are listed as expressly excluded by Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, though securitized properties are not excluded. The properties exchanged must be "like-kind", i.e., of the same nature or character, even if they differ in grade or quality. Personal properties of a like class are like-kind properties. Personal property used predominantly in the United States and personal property used predominantly elsewhere are not like-kind properties.

Real properties generally are of like-kind, regardless of whether the properties are improved or unimproved. However, real property in the United States and real property outside the United States are not like-kind properties.

Taxpayers may wonder whether items such as equipment used on a property are included in the lump-sum sale of the property, and if they are able to be deferred. Under Treasury regulation §1.1031(k)-1(c)(5)(i), property that is transferred together with the larger item of value that does not exceed 15% of the fair market value of the larger property does not need to be identified within the 45 day identification period but still needs to be exchanged for like kind property to defer gain.

Cash to equalize a transaction cannot be deferred under Code Section 1031 because it is not like-kind. This cash is called "boot" and is taxed at a normal capital gains rate.

If liabilities assumed by the buyer exceed those of the seller (taxpayer), the realized gain of the seller will be not only be realized, but recognized as well. If however, the seller assumes a greater liability than the buyer, the realized loss cannot offset any realized and recognized gain of receiving boot such as cash or other personal property considered boot.

Originally, 1031 cases needed to be simultaneous transfers of ownership. But since Starker vs. U.S. (602 F.2d 1341), a contract to exchange properties in the future is practically the same as a simultaneous transfer. It is under this case, decided in 1979, that the rules for election of a delayed 1031 originated. To elect the 1031 recognition, a taxpayer must identify the property for exchange before closing, identify the replacement property within 45 days of closing, and acquire the replacement property within 180 days of closing. A Qualified Intermediary must also be used to facilitate the transaction.

For more information about 1031 Tax Exchange visit http://www.expert1031.com/ and ask the experts.

Home Sales in San Diego Rise 5.2 Percent

July 13, 2010

Homes sales in San Diego County rose 5.2 percent in June, compared to the same month a year ago, while prices increased 6.8 percent during the same period, a real estate information service reported today.

A total of 3,885 homes changed hands locally last month, compared to 3,692 in June 2009, according to La Jolla-based MDA DataQuick. The median price of a home in San Diego County in June was $335,500, compared to $314,250 in the same month a year ago.

A total of 23,871 new and resale houses and condos sold in the six-county Southern California region -- Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange counties -- in June, according to DataQuick. That was up 7.2 percent from 22,270 in May, and up 2.6 percent from 23,262 in June 2009.

June sales throughout Southern California were the highest since July 2009.

"The market was wildly out of kilter a year ago, now it's just somewhat out of kilter," said John Walsh, MDA DataQuick president. "We're still seeing lots of bargain hunting, and we're not seeing much discretionary buying. The single-biggest issue is still mortgage financing. Rates may be at record lows, but that doesn't mean much if the lender won't qualify you."

The median price for a Southern California home was $300,000 last month, down 1.6 percent from $305,000 in May, and up 13.2 percent from $265,000 in June 2009, according to DataQuick.

Source: CITY NEWS SERVICE

This article from the La Jolla Light tells how home sales and median prices are increasing! Take advantage of low interest rates now and have me help you find the home of your dreams!

A recent market trend report created by Prudential California Realty, in collaboration with Altos Research, indicates a significant increase in the sale of homes under $1 million, for San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County, between the end of the first quarter of 2009 and the end of the first quarter of 2010.

Developed to provide consumers with a comprehensive source of information about the impact of the national economy on their local housing market, the market trend report also showed a 16.7 percent increase in median home prices in Southern California compared to last year, to $297,540.

"The window of opportunity for buyers to capitalize on the historically low interest rates could be closing," said Mark Johnson, vice president of marketing and technology for Prudential. "Prices are still about 30 percent below the peak of the market, but that could change quickly. Just over the past few months, I have heard many of our agents talk about how their listings generated multiple cash offers and sold above the original asking price."

Prudential creates four separate issues of the report every month, for the regions surrounding San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County and Santa Barbara. The report offers helpful and relevant information pertaining to each region, from the average cost per square foot of housing and the average days on the market for listings, to average sale prices and the inventory of homes in a specific price range.

Provided at no charge to the consumer, the market report can be requested via the company's website, at www.PrudentialCal.com, or by contacting a local Prudential agent. To showcase the company's ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices, the report is published in an attractive electronic format that allows it to be easily saved or e-mailed.

Even though the June report indicated that sales of homes under $1 million have dramatically increased, the data for homes priced over $4 million represent extremely favorable conditions for buyers. Since the average price of homes declined, and the number of listings grew significantly over the past year, the data for this segment of the market shows that there are numerous opportunities for buyers interested in fine homes throughout Southern California.

No one wants their home sitting on the market for months... or even a year. Paying attention to small things counts when trying to sell your house. With a little elbow grease and planning, it's easy to make your home stick out in a good way and sell faster!

Here are some helpful tips from an article I read:

Screen appeal beats curb appeal: Most homebuyers now research homes online. It's crucial that the house be staged and looking its best before the photos are taken to post online. Furnished homes (even with rented furniture) present much better than empty homes. Don't use a cheap camera. A nice-looking home can still look like a dump in a bad photo.

Look outside in: The first thing a buyer sees is what's outside your house, not in. Freshly cut grass, manicured shrubs, swept sidewalks and a power-washed driveway look inviting. On the other hand, sick or dead potted plants scream, "Don't buy this house."

Clutter kills: Clean up every room and get rid of anything you don't need, or send it to storage. A modestly filled room looks larger than a cluttered one. Sloppy surroundings may make a buyer question how well you've maintained your home over the years.

Nothing personal: Remove all photos, degrees and other personal effects. Buyers want to imagine themselves living there, and too many reminders of your family (especially if yours is partial to moose heads hanging on the wall) may make it harder for buyers to imagine living there.

Know your audience: The best home stagers research the types of people who buy houses in your neighborhood and adjust the house to suit that demographic. If most buyers are families with kids, keep all the bedrooms as bedrooms. If more singles are looking to move in, consider staging one of the bedrooms as an office or home gym. We once spent six months trying to sell an empty home, but sold it a month after hiring a stager.

Need help buying or selling a home? It's my pleasure to serve you. Let me, Karen Hickman help you buy your next home. Call me at 858-551-7204 or e-mail me at KHickman@prusd.com

The Del Mar Race Track season starts July 21, 2010!

One New Bet on 2010 Wagering Menu at Del Mar

With the exception of one new bet, Del Mar's 2010 wagering options will mirror those of past seasons when the seaside course "where the turf meets the surf" rolls out its seven-week season starting Wednesday, July 21.

The new bet is one that has proven highly popular at other racing venues and is expected to find a happy home among Del Mar's faithful. It is a 50¢ Pick Four, which will be offered on the final four races daily on the Wednesday through Sunday cards.

The bet, which is a tweak on the track's previous $1 Pick Four, first surfaced at Keeneland in Kentucky in 2007 and has met with pari-mutuel success at several other tracks, including Churchill Downs. It requires players to pick the winners of four consecutive races.

Del Mar will feature the standard win, place and show wagering on all its races, as well as the following "exotic" bets:

The $2 Pick Six (on the day's final six races), $2 Rolling Double (on all races but the last), $2 Quinella (all races), $2 Parlay, $1 Rolling Pick Three (starting with the first race and ending with the last three), $1 Super High Five (on the day's final race), $1 Place Pick All, Exacta (all races), Trifecta (all races with at least six betting interests) and the minimum 10¢ Superfecta (races with at least eight betting interests).

The track's betting "exotics" are relatively simple to understand: The Pick Six requires picking the winners of six straight races. A Daily Double requires picking the winners of two consecutive races. A Quinella requires picking the first two horses (in either order) in one race. An Exacta requires picking the first two horses (in exact order) in one race. A Trifecta requires picking the first three horses (in exact order) in one race. A Parlay requires the picking of at least two consecutive winners, with the winnings from the earlier bet(s) going back on the subsequent race(s). A Pick Three requires picking the winners of three consecutive races. A Superfecta requires picking the first through fourth horse in a single race in correct order. A Super High Five requires selecting the first through fifth horse in a single race in correct order.

Del Mar's 37-day meeting begins Wednesday, July 21 and runs through Wednesday, September 8. Racing will be conducted Wednesdays through Sundays.

http://www.dmtc.com/

July 4th Fireworks Locations in San Diego

July 4 is just around the corner which means lots of things to do and see — like fireworks. Whether you like your fireworks big, small or set to music, just about every city and community in San Diego will have something for you to ooh and aah at. Here’s a quick look at where to head so you can watch glistening fireworks to celebrate our country’s independence. All fireworks shows and activities listed below take place on Sunday unless otherwise noted. Be careful and have fun!

Paradise Point Resort & Spa “9th Annual All-American BBQ & Fireworks Extravaganza,”1404 Vacation Road, Mission Bay: (858) 274-4630 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (858) 274-4630      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Barbecue at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 3rd (this is the only Saturday fireworks display for the 4th in San Diego); adults $59, children $25. Kids activities and carnival. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Annual Big Bay Boom July 4 Fireworks Show, Downtown: (619) 686-6200 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (619) 686-6200      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or thebigbay.com for parking/shuttle information and map. Fireworks, from barges placed near Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero area and Seaport Village; at 9 p.m. to music from 105.7 “The Walrus” FM radio.

Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown: sdmaritime.org or (619) 234-9153 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (619) 234-9153      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Fireworks, picnic dinner and live music aboard the Berkeley Ferry; adults $40; children ages 5-10, $20; children ages 4 and under free; and up, $65. Check-in: 5 p.m.

Summer Pops: “Star Spangled Pops” on the Embarcadero Marina Park South, Downtown: (619) 235-0804 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (619) 235-0804      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Concerts with Marvin Hamlisch. $17-$76. Gates open 6 p.m., concerts at 7:30 p.m.

Hornblower Cruises & Events, 1066 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown: (888) 467-6256 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (888) 467-6256      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Dinner cruise, fireworks viewing and live music from 7 to 10 p.m. Board at 6:30 p.m. $115 per person. Discount for children 4-12.

Yacht America sunset and fireworks sail, 1050 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown: (800) 644-3454 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (800) 644-3454      end_of_the_skype_highlighting; sunsetsail-sandiego.googlepages.com. Departs at 6 p.m. Traditional picnic fare, soft drinks; BYO alcohol. Adults $125; children 12 and under $80.

USS Midway Museum’s “Apple Pie 4th of July” celebration; 910 North Harbor Drive, Downtown: midway.org. Doors open at 6 p.m. Visitors can bring aboard picnics, and then watch the fireworks. Live music performance by N.R.G Energy. Limited tickets available; adults $15; children 17 and under $10.

Coronado Fourth of July Celebration, Spreckels Park; Glorietta Bay: ecoronado.com or (619) 328-2461 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (619) 328-2461      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Daylong festivities include a 15k run, 5k run/walk and rough-water swim. Live music TBA. July 3 parade at 10 a.m.; fireworks on July 4 at 9 p.m.

La Jolla Cove, Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1180 Coast Blvd.: (858) 456-1700 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (858) 456-1700      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Mission Bay Yacht Club, 1215 El Carmel Place, Mission Bay: (858) 488-0501 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (858) 488-0501      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Boat parade; Dixieland Jazz band and Tommy and the Stilettos will perform; fireworks at 9 p.m. (Members-only parking.)

“31st Annual Ocean Beach Fireworks off the Pier”; Ocean Beach Pier, end of Newport Avenue: (619) 226-8613 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (619) 226-8613      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or oceanbeachsandiego.com. Fireworks at 9 p.m. simulcast to 103.7 FM radio.

Sea World San Diego’s “Fireworks: Into the Blue”; 500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay: (800) 25-SHAMU begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (800) 25-SHAMU      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Extended fireworks set to patriotic music at about 9:50 p.m.

Mira Mesa, Mira Mesa Community Park/Gil Johnson Recreation Center, 8575 New Salem St.: (858) 538-8122 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (858) 538-8122      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Noon-9 p.m. parade, family activities; fireworks at 9 p.m.

“Santee Salutes”; Santee Town Center Community Park’s West Ball Fields; 9400 Cuyamaca St.: ci.santee.ca.us or (619) 258-4100 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (619) 258-4100      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, ext. 201. Free. Family activities and fireworks, 3:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Spring Valley Park, 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley: (619) 479-1832 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (619) 479-1832      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. At the swap meet behind the Spring Valley Community Center. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

San Diego County Fair, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.: (858) 755-1161 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (858) 755-1161      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or sdfair.com. 7:30 p.m. Navy Band Southwest; 9 p.m. fireworks, followed by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts concert. Free with fair admission.

Grape Day Park, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido: 4 to 10 p.m. (760) 839-4138 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (760) 839-4138      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Activities starting at 5 p.m.; no barbecuing or dogs allowed; big parking lot will not be accessible; food available for purchase. Marine Corps will perform at 8 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.

Julian, Main Street: (760) 765-1857 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (760) 765-1857      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Pre-parade activities begin at 10 a.m. with parade at noon; no fireworks.

Legoland’s “Red, White and Boom!” 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad: (760) 918-5346 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (760) 918-5346      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Entertainment by the Jumpitz. Fireworks at 8:30 p.m. All activities included with admission.

“17th Annual Independence Day Parade”; July 3 at North Tyson Street Park in Oceanside going from Coast Highway to Wisconsin Avenue to Civic Center Drive: msoceanside.com or (760) 535-5227 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (760) 535-5227      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Daylong family-friendly activities. No fireworks.

Olive Pierce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, Ramona: ramonachamber.com or (760) 789-1311 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (760) 789-1311      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Family activities start at 5 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Tune in to music on 96.5 FM radio.

Old Poway Park’s “Old Fashioned 4th of July,” 14134 Midland Road, Poway: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music and family-friendly activities available with fireworks celebration taking place at Poway High School.

Bradley Park, 465 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos: ci.san-marcos.ca.us or (760) 744-9000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (760) 744-9000      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Free to the public with entertainment at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Brengle Terrace Park’s “Red, White and Boom” celebration, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista: (760) 726-1340 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (760) 726-1340      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, ext. 1571, or cityofvista.com. Park opens at 7 a.m. Family activities; live music; barbecue fundraiser sponsored by Famous Dave, $65 per person but $500 for table of eight; free to public, parking $10 per vehicle; fireworks at 9 p.m.

Kimball Park, 12th Street and D Avenue, National City: Carnival 5 p.m. daily July 1 through 3. (619) 336-4290 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (619) 336-4290      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Live entertainment by North Carolina Concert band at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 4.