Good Area Schools Are Top Reasons Why San Diego Homebuyers Choose Master Planned Carmel Country Highlands and Pacific Highlands Ranch in Coastal-close Carmel Valley

    SAN DIEGO, CA, January 09, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The combination of great new home designs, location and the availability of new home products continues to make the Carmel Valley area one of the most appealing new home locations in North San Diego County, but the most compelling reason why many families choose this coastal community is the quality and abundant choice of schools.

"People come to Carmel Valley for the schools, which are some of the best in the nation," said Ken Farinsky, former Carmel Valley planning board member and editor of Carmel Valley Now (www.cvsd.com). "It may surprise new residents that the schools are not San Diego city schools, and that there are three excellent school districts plus a number of private schools that serve the community."

The Solana Beach School District covers the elementary schools in the northern part of Carmel Valley and the Del Mar Union School District covers the elementary schools in the southern part of Carmel Valley. Public middle schools and high schools are operated by the San Dieguito School District. In addition to the many public schools in the area there are a number of highly regarded private schools including Cathedral Catholic High School, San Diego Jewish Academy, Del Mar Pines and Notre Dame Academy.

"With the start of the new year and a slight upturn in the real estate market many home shoppers are getting serious about finding the best home they can afford in the most desirable community," said Rachel Collins, director of sales for Pardee Homes (www.pardeehomes.com), which has new homes for sale in three neighborhoods in the greater Carmel Valley area, with a fourth scheduled to open on January 23rd. "Home sales gathered strength the third and fourth quarters of 2009 and have continued to remain steady at our Carmel Country Highlands and Pacific Highlands Ranch master-planned communities. The $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit which has been extended through April 30, 2010, and $6,500 credit for certain move-up and repeat buyers, is likely to be driving sales at some of our neighborhoods, but we continue to hear that the schools in the area are one of the top reasons why home shoppers choose to buy here year after year."

Pardee Homes' buyer statistics show that schools are always among the top five reasons why someone bought a new home at one of their Carmel Valley communities. The number one reason is location, followed in nearly every case by schools. Three out of four Pardee homebuyers stated that the schools were the reason why they purchased a Pardee home in San Diego.

"The reputation of the schools here is wonderful," said Kimberlee Andrews, a resident of Carmel Valley who moved from Temecula in 2006 because of the school districts. "The schools have lived up to their reputation and continue to have very high test scores in comparison to other schools in San Diego County. In addition, both of the elementary school districts in the area are supported by educational foundations that allow parents to really become invested in their child's education. The foundations provide the programs that are often cut from public schools like music, art, science and P.E.

"We are so lucky to live in Carmel Valley and I continue to be amazed at the remarkable teachers we have encountered here. They are very involved and give so much back with their enthusiasm. I feel like my two elementary school age children are getting a private school-quality education."

Recent homebuyers like Pushpa and Jesse Shao who bought a home at Pardee's Carriage Run in 2008 were very clear about what they wanted in a new home. "Our number one concern was the school district, and number two was the commuting distance to work," said Pushpa Shao. With two school age children they were thrilled to buy a home within walking distance to their neighborhood elementary school in Carmel Country Highlands.

"We're proud of our new home neighborhoods in coastal north San Diego County and do all that we can to support the educational and civic goals of this fine community," said Collins. "Both of our master planned communities in the Carmel Valley area, Pacific Highlands Ranch and Carmel Country Highlands, have so much to offer residents, and topping this list is access to some of the best school districts in San Diego. These schools include the highly regarded Torrey Pines High School, a California Distinguished School, and the newer Canyon Crest Academy. We always recommend that homebuyers who choose to purchase a new home in our communities check with area school districts to confirm school assignments, schedules and capacities."

Current new home neighborhoods by Pardee in the Carmel Valley area include Manzanita Trail in Pacific Highlands Ranch, and Carriage Run and Bridle Ridge in Carmel Country Highlands. Highlands Village, a new neighborhood of resort-style townhomes, will open for sale in Carmel Country Highlands on January 23rd.

New homes by Pardee start in the low $700,000s at Manzanita Trail, which features four versatile floor plans with a range of four to six bedrooms and square footage from approximately 2,357 to 3,056 square feet. Carriage Run is priced from the mid $700,000s and has three floor plans with four bedrooms and approximately 2,151 to 2,402 square feet. Bridle Ridge includes three floor plans with four to five bedrooms and approximately 2,353 to 2,734 square feet. Pricing is from the high $700,000s.

Pardee will soon introduce Highlands Village, a new townhome community featuring high-style, low-maintenance living. Five two-story floor plans will be available with two to four bedrooms and up to approximately 2,044 square feet. This exciting new contemporary neighborhood will include incredible recreation amenities ranging from a resort-style swimming pool and spa to a private clubhouse with fitness facility, media room and guest suites for rent.

Established in 1921, Pardee Homes is one of the nation's most prominent multi-regional builders, with homebuilding operations in San Diego, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles/Ventura and Las Vegas. Pardee Homes is widely recognized for superior master-planning concepts, quality construction, responsive customer service, green and sustainable building practices and dedication to the educational and civic goals of the communities in which it builds. For more information go to www.pardeehomes.com.

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