Banking on New Offices: Windermere Timing is Grand for Opening

With timing too perfect to be planned, Windermere Real Estate held its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday—the day after  the city of La Mesa completed its Allison Avenue streetscape project. 

The two-month remodel of the former California Coast Credit Union building was worth the wait for those already on board with the company.  The inside was consistent, stylish and functional in its decor. 

The front door faces the new downtown renovation project, which includes the library and police station. The post office and City Hall are nearby and just a few feet away is the La Mesa Springs Shopping Center and the new location of the La Mesa Village Farmers Market. 

Parking is plentiful for agents, staff, clients and customers  and is easily accessed from Allison. This west side of Spring Steet has taken on an air of productive and happy Village life, seamlessly blending with a welcoming oasis of modernity.

The owners were there in their big Windermere bus as were managers, brokers, staff and agents from other Windermere offices in Southern California. 

In spite of the cold, damp and windy day, agents from other local offices as well as title company representatives, escrow representatives, lenders and other real estate service officials were there to wish them well and welcome them to the tight-knit East County real estate community.

Local dignataries were on hand to welcome the Windermere office to La Mesa, including Mayor Art Madrid and, of course, Mary England and David Smyle of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

Jan Farley, the new broker of record for the La Mesa office, carried off her duties as the gracious hostess of the evening flawlessly and as a result had several interviews and hired at least two agents the following day. 

The yearly Pacific Sotheby’s Risk Management Seminar was held at the Kona Kai Conference room on Shelter Island.  The rain was steady and the traffic impossible on the freeways, but the  information provided and refresher course on personal safety were well worth the trip. 

Agents of all the Sotheby’s offices, including the soon-to-be-opened la Jolla Office, were there.  Owner Brian Arrington, always generous, provided the wonderful breakfast and paid parking for everyone who attended. 

David Hinrichs of Lloyd Pest Control and Debi Levenson of Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source sponsored the two-hour presentation by Robert Brand, a leading litigation avoidance speaker.  Other speakers included Rick Hagen, always a wealth of information and who keeps himself, and us, updated on all issues related to real estate, and Darel Handley, who spoke on personal safety and the latest in technology for the real estate agent. 

Alas, no group picture this year due to the inclement weather.  The company is growing so fast it will be too big for group pictures soon!  It has grown from its little group of agents who first opened their doors in La Mesa in the fall of 2006  to large offices in La Mesa, Point Loma , Mission Hills, Coronado and—opening next month—La Jolla.

This Week in La Mesa: Real Estate Activity

17 new listings since May 13:

4515 4th St #5, 91941                     3 bd  2 ba  1017 esf  $175,000

7504 Parkway Dr #204, 91942     1 bd  1 ba    707 esf  $105,000

8220 Vincetta Dr #28, 91942        1 bd 1 ba     700 esf  $119,000

5712 Baltimore Dr #491, 91942    1 bd 1 ba     621 esf   $144,000

5415 Lake Murray Blvd #1, 91942  2 bd 2 ba   821 esf  $169,000

8383 Fresno Ave, 91941                   3 bd 2 ba  1630 esf $399,000

7971 Pasadena Ave 91941                 3 bd 3 ba  2416 esf $429,900

4055 Yale Ave 91941                         4 bd 3 ba  2208 esf $449,000

9298 Dillon Dr. 91941                       3 bd 2 ba  2272 esf $456,000

9130 Edgewood Dr. 91941                5 bd 3 ba  4487 esf $599,900

10160 Vista De La Cruz, 91941        5 bd 3 ba  2782 esf $719k - $799k

4389 Yale Ave,  91942                       3 bd 2 ba  1194 esf $319,000

6300 Primrose Dr. 91942                 4 bd 2 ba  1284 esf $349,900

5792 Tex St, 91942                            3 bd 2 ba  1473 esf $359,900

5750 Urban Dr. 91942                       3 bd 2 ba 2030 esf $399,900

6071 Amarillo Ave, 91942                3 bd 2 ba 1746 esf  $499,000

3724 Jill Ln, 91941                             3 bd 3 ba 1430 esf $260,000

17 homes opened escrow.