Just Listed

Statuesquely perched on a corner lot in the Burlingame Manor tract of North Park, sits this 2-story Spanish Colonial Revival masterpiece with a casita above the garage. Designed by master architect Charles Salyers and built in 1926 for the Greenman family (the original blueprints are intact!), its provenance makes it a likely candidate for historic […]

How They Work for Your Community What is a Historic District? “A historic district means a significant concentration, linkage or continuity of sites, buildings, structures that are united historically, geographically or aesthetically by plan or physical development and that have a special character, historical interest, cultural or aesthetic value, or that represent one or more architectural […]

What is Mills Act?

Information provided by SOHO. A historical designation can provide a property tax reduction. San Diego is a relatively young town, but many residents are beginning to take notice of one of our most valuable resources, our historic sites and houses. The Mills Act, named for San Diegan James Mills, a former State Senator, provides an […]

If these walls could talk…. (updated)

Now that the dust has settled with the house and the Mills Act contract has been approved, it is time to start prioritizing other projects- the sidewalk, curb, and driveway apron need to be replaced, the lot needs to be landscaped, the patio needs to be tiled, the permitted structure in the back needs to […]

If These Walls Could Talk … Updated

A new owner adds their personal touches, San Diego makes it through the 60’s and some guidance on how to select a contractor. . . In 1960 the family I purchased the house from bought the property and added their personal touches to it with a foyer, additional square footage creating an eat-in kitchen […]

If These Walls Could Talk – Updated

After completing the house and moving in I am finally catching up on my final “If These Walls Could Talk blog posts”- so sorry for the delay! Let’s go back to the period of 1944 – 1960 when the Gentilella family took the reigns of the house and then transferred it to the […]

Just in Time for Halloween – Haunted House for Sale Isn’t Spooky

By Angela Colley @ Realtor.com You might think an old haunted house beset by ghost sightings, strange noises and apparitions would scare away potential buyers, but research has shown that such features can be a plus when putting a home on the market. Even “The Most Haunted House in Ohio” found a buyer. Franklin Castle, built […]

What makes a property historically significant

In the course of serving my clients who show interest in older San Diego communities, we often talk about historic preservation, the Mills Act, renovation costs and other related issues to consider when investing in older properties. The issue became more personal to me in the last year when I purchased a home […]

If These Walls Could Talk…

The house welcomed new owners in 1926. The Taylors would keep it in the family until 1944. One of these days I will do some research on this family and share tidbits of their history with you. Work is coming along nicely, we are about six weeks out from final sign-off by the City! Notice the new […]

If These Walls Could Talk..

This little house would change hands quite a bit early in its life. The plot thickens sometime in 1924 when the Whitney’s, likely falling on hard times, transfer ownership to Helyn Trumer Young and then in 1926 she transfers title to Matthews E. Trumer and Myrtle Trumer. Unfortunately, preliminary research into Helyn’s past leads us to more questions than answers. It does appears […]