Information for Out-of-Area Agents and New Agents for Rancho Bernardo

This page describes some basic rules and information that will be important for Out-of-Area Agents and New Agents who have listings in the Rancho Bernardo area.

Rancho Bernardo is one of the country's pioneer Master Planned Communities, originally developed beginning in the 1960's. Rancho Bernardo is known for its development of CC&R's and architectural standards. One example is the predominance of red tile roofs throughout the community. Another example is that Real Estate "For Sale" signs are limited to 9 x 12 inches. (This includes Open House signs.)

These rules and CC&R's have played a significant role in maintaining the standards for development in the community, and extend to some long standing rules that include how properties are presented for sale, such as the sign rules.

Each neighborhood in Rancho Bernardo belongs to one or more Home Owner Associations or Community Centers that may have their own specific variations of the rules and regulations. Many community members take great pride and importance with these standards, and an agent who is not in compliance may risk offending local residents.

It's pretty easy to work within the guidelines, as long as you know what they are.

Rancho Bernardo

There are sign restrictions in Rancho Bernardo and recently they have been vigorously enforced. For sale and open house signs anywhere in Rancho Bernardo cannot exceed 9"x12". In addition, you may not use flags, balloons, etc. with the signs.

There is a Rancho Bernardo Real Estate Broker's Meeting and Open House Caravan every Thursday morning. You may schedule your listing for the broker open house by adding it as a "Tour" in Paragon.
Click here for detailed instructions.

Then, come to the RB Broker Meeting at 9:00 on Thursday to pitch the property prior to the open house. The pitch is mandatory, though you are allowed to have some other licensed person pitch it for you. If the property is not pitched, it will be scratched from the open house list.

The broker meeting is held at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road. If you arrive between 8:45 and 9:00, just follow the crowd of agents to the meeting room. There is a $1 admission fee to cover the cost of coffee.

You may only place a property on the broker open house once every six months. Retours are only allowed if there has been a dramatic change in the condition of the property or a price reduction of 10% or more.

If you choose, you may offer refreshments or a cash drawing to entice more agents to come to your open house. This is strictly optional.

After the broker meeting, just go hold the house open. On any given week, there are 5-20 new listings on the open house caravan. Therefore, the number of agents who will come to your open house is difficult to predict.

That's about it. Good luck with your listing and, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me by email Kevin.Williamson@camoves.com or by phone (858) 676-6180.

Kevin Williamson, Office Manager
Coldwell Banker in Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Bernardo Real Estate Brokers Association

Seven Oaks and Oaks North in Rancho Bernardo

It is important to know that these are the two age-restricted communities (55+) in Rancho Bernardo. Anyone can own a property in Seven Oaks or Oaks North, but you must be 55 years or older to live in the property. (There are certain exceptions to this rule, but it is your responsibility to check with the specific HOA for the detailed rules and regulations.)