Real estate expert Ruth Ann Fischer who shares advice on buying on Coronado Island

Did you know you can elope on Coronado Island for less than $1500.00? This includes the backdrop of the world famous Hotel Del in the background, along with rose petals sprinkled across the sand. How picturesque; a bride and groom saying "I do" in one of the most beautiful and romantic destinations along the California coastline.

          We are spoiled, aren’t we? Given the overall beauty and geographic diversity of San Diego, it’s easy to forget that some exceptional escapes like Coronado Island are just a short car ride away. North County residents, for example, can become immersed in the "wealth triangle" (La Jolla, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe) while overlooking this "jewel" of a town in the southernmost point of California. If you were to ask residents of this quaint, sophisticated beach town if they felt left out, there would probably be a resounding "no" followed by a sigh of relief that their prestigious yet small-town community is still a world unto itself.

        The late, great novelist, Richard Matheson, knew this more than anyone when he chose to reside at the Hotel Del Coronado while he penned one of the most beloved love stories, "Bid Time Return." This tragic love story is about a man that falls in love with a photograph of a famous actress in the late 1800’s. If this sounds familiar, it’s because the book was adapted into the screenplay, "Somewhere in Time", starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeves. It must’ve been Coronado Island’s timeless energy that laid forth the foundation of this classic love story.

        We asked resident and Coronado realtor, Ruth Ann Fisher, if she could provide us with more interesting facts on Coronado.

Q.      What brought you to Coronado? In 2000, my husband was transferred here with the Navy. I had previously worked in Florida with a mortgage bank handling their foreclosures and REO’s, so I began my career as a realtor.

Q.  How has last year’s recession affected the housing market on Coronado? The prices have obviously gone down but not to the extent of other communities. Coronado has unique qualities that have helped us weather this economic storm. With limited boundaries, great schools and a Mayberry charm, Coronado will always draw homeowners, second home buyers and investors.

Q. What are the benefits of living on Coronado Island as apposed to San Diego?  Besides what was written above, an incredible low crime rate.

Q.What encouraging words do you have for home buyers that are looking to invest in Coronado Island?  If you’ve been considering a purchase in Coronado or have been waiting for the right time, buy now! Prices are lower than they’ve been in many years. There’s a good selection of homes available, however, many buyers who have been on the fence have started to make moves since the first of the year, and our inventory is starting to go down.

Q.  What would you say to entice a buyer to choose Coronado over let's say, Rancho Santa Fe or La Jolla? Coronado is a lifestyle choice. It’s a charming, smaller coastal town just over the bridge from a metropolitan city with lots to offer. For commuters, we are 15 minutes from the airport and a ferry ride from the train station.  Our family has even taken our bikes on the ferry and then caught the train to Santa Barbara for the weekend. We also have parades on the 4^th of July and at Christmas, and we have concerts in the park each Sunday during the summer. Everyone comes out and enjoys a picnic dinner with family, friends and neighbors. To quote from the Wizard of Oz (also penned in Coronado), "There’s no place like home." 

Truly, there’s no place like Coronado Island; an inspirational, romantic and mysterious place. In closing, it seems fitting to quote Richard Matheson:

"Ah; a bridge ahead, "I’ll take it. I don’t care where it leads so long as it is away from this. Coronado says the sign. Driving straight into the sun…"