San Marcos California Real Estate

San Marcos, California is named for the Spanish name for the lovely valley in which it sits. Just 38 miles northeast of downtown San Diego and twelve miles from the ocean, San Marcos is a family-oriented community with over 62,000 residents. Located midway between Orange County and San Diego, San Marcos is perfectly located for commuters to either metropolis.

The population has exploded in San Marcos in the last two decades. First settled in the late 1870s, only 17,000 people lived here when the city was incorporated in 1980. Today, San Marcos is a bustling community. Two colleges, restaurants, shopping, and lots of outdoor activities as well as a performing arts center, hiking trails, and a peaceful lake just out of town, give the people here lots to do.

A Growing Community

The explosive growth in San Marcos has brought a lot of new housing construction. Most of the houses and condos here have been built after 1995. Frequently, these dwellings are in planned communities with such amenities as a community store, a swimming pool, a park, hiking trails, and tennis courts.

Real estate in San Marcos is a good investment. Values have risen over 15 percent annually in each of the last 5 years. The average median house value is around $200,000 according to the chamber of commerce. Developers here favor Spanish-influenced design. Stucco exteriors, filigree ironwork, and mosaic tile are common features. The recent addition of Cal State's San Marcos campus here has brought new jobs and new residents. The construction continues in this lovely valley.