San Diego Real Estate

San Diego Real Estate Debbie Bulkeley - Realtor
Willis Allen Del Mar
DRE # 01815617 I work at Pacific Sotheby's International Realty with the Katie Hawkes Group.

We help people buy and sell homes in Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Olivenhain, Rancho Santa Fe, Santaluz, 4S Ranch, Poway, Rancho Bernardo and Rancho Penasquitos. We pride ourselves in offering the highest level of customer service you have ever experienced. You can contact us for information, advice, or who to hire for those pesky jobs that need to be done around the house. We are here for you whenever you need us!

06/18/2026

The recent Sorrento Valley fire was a close call for many families.

As a member of the Peak Fire Safe Council, I understand how quickly wildfire conditions can change and how important it is to be prepared before an emergency happens.

On the day of the fire, I happened to be driving nearby and watched firsthand as what started as a small fire quickly grew due to strong winds. In a short amount of time, it spread and burned approximately 90 acres.

One of the most important things homeowners can do is follow the "Ready, Set, Go" approach to wildfire preparedness.

✅ Ready: Create a go-bag for every member of your household and take steps to harden your home. This includes reducing combustible materials around your property, boxing in eaves, and protecting vents with ember-resistant mesh.

✅ Set: Stay informed. Apps like Watch Duty and Genasys can provide critical alerts and evacuation information during an emergency.

✅ Go: If evacuation orders are issued, leave immediately. Waiting too long can put your family and first responders at greater risk.

The best time to prepare for a wildfire is long before one starts.

Living in Rancho Peñasquitos, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, and other wildfire-prone communities means taking preparedness seriously. A little planning today can make a big difference tomorrow.

If you'd like more information about wildfire preparedness, the Fire Safe Council, or ways to make your home safer, feel free to reach out.

06/16/2026

Before every hike, there are a few things I never leave home without.

After years of hiking trails throughout San Diego and beyond, I've learned that being prepared makes the experience so much more enjoyable.

My hiking essentials include UV-protective clothing, comfortable hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water, electrolytes, and snacks to keep my energy up along the way. I also love carrying a cooling towel for warmer days and hiking poles when I know there will be steep climbs or descents.

One of my favorite pieces of gear is my water bladder because it makes staying hydrated so easy while I'm on the move.

The best part about hiking isn't the gear, though. It's getting outside, enjoying nature, and taking time to appreciate the beautiful places around us. Whether it's a local trail in Rancho Peñasquitos or a waterfall hike somewhere new, I always come back feeling refreshed.

Of course, even with all my preparation, I occasionally forget something. This time it was sunscreen because I switched backpacks! 😊

What are the hiking essentials you never leave home without?

06/13/2026

One of the things families love about living in Rancho Peñasquitos is having so many activities right in the neighborhood.

The Canyonside Community Center is a great example of that.

On any given weekend, you'll find baseball games in full swing, families enjoying the playgrounds, football practices on the fields, and people gathering to enjoy the outdoors.

The center also features tennis courts, which have become a popular spot for pickleball players, a gym, large grassy areas, and plenty of space for recreation and community events.

It's one of those places that brings people together and creates the kind of active, family-friendly lifestyle that makes Rancho Peñasquitos such a desirable community.

Whether you're raising a family, staying active, or simply looking for ways to connect with your neighbors, there's something for everyone here.

06/06/2026

This may be one of the hardest challenges I've taken on since training for triathlons.

This July, I'll be participating in the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. The hike is 26.3 miles long and takes us past 11 beautiful waterfalls. If you know me, you know I love hiking, waterfalls, and being outdoors, so this feels like the perfect challenge.

But the most important part isn't the miles.

We're raising money for Make-A-Wish to help grant wishes for critically ill children. Many of these kids spend countless hours in hospitals and undergo medical treatments. A wish can give them something exciting to look forward to and create memories that last a lifetime.

One thing I've learned during training is that difficult goals are much easier when you're surrounded by supportive, like-minded people. There's a reason the saying goes, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

I'm excited, a little nervous, and grateful to be part of something that can make a difference in a child's life.

If you'd like to support this cause, any donation helps. You can find the donation link in my bio.

Thank you for cheering me on and helping make wishes come true. 💙

06/05/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from buyers is that they need to have everything figured out before they start the homebuying process.

The truth is, most successful buyers start with questions, not answers.

You don’t need to know exactly how much to put down, what neighborhood to choose, or whether now is the perfect time. What you do need is good information and a plan.

Here are four things I wish more buyers knew:

• You don’t necessarily need 20% down.
• The perfect house probably doesn’t exist.
• Home inspections matter more than most people realize.
• Preparation beats speed every time.

The buyers who feel the most confident aren’t always the ones who know the most at the beginning. They’re the ones who take the time to learn their options and make informed decisions.

If buying a home is something you’ve been thinking about, I’d love to help you create a plan, understand your options, and guide you through the process every step of the way.

05/29/2026

When we first bought this house, we noticed there was an old wooden owl box up in one of the trees.

At the time, we didn’t think much about it.

But after the tenants moved in, the owl box suddenly fell to the ground… and we quickly discovered it was completely full of bees. 🐝

There were bees everywhere, so we immediately called a beekeeper to come help rescue them safely. Watching the process was actually fascinating. The beekeeper carefully removed and relocated the bees so they could continue thriving somewhere else.

This little experience was such a reminder that homeownership and investment properties always come with surprises you never expect. 😊

One of the things I’ve learned over the years in real estate is that every property has its own story, personality, and unexpected moments along the way.

Thankfully, this one had a happy ending for both the tenants and the bees.

05/28/2026

I don’t think most people would expect this about me… but I’ve completed multiple triathlons. 😊

For years, I swam, biked, and ran separately, but I never imagined putting all three together until my early fifties.

Then in 2015, everything changed.

A group of athletic and incredibly supportive friends encouraged me to try my first triathlon, and before I knew it, we were doing several races a year together, traveling, training, and creating memories I’ll never forget.

One of my favorite traditions became traveling to Bass Lake for a triathlon and then spending time hiking around Yosemite afterward.

What I learned through all of it is this:

You are capable of more than you think.

Starting something new later in life can feel intimidating, but age is not the thing that holds most people back. Often, it’s simply believing whether or not we can do it.

For me, having supportive friends and raising money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation made the experience even more meaningful.

It truly takes a tribe.

If there’s something you’ve always wanted to try, this is your reminder that it’s never too late to start.

And if you’ve ever challenged yourself to do something difficult or adventurous, I’d love to hear about it. 💛

05/26/2026

Sometimes caring for people shows up in the smallest details.

Part of volunteering with baby clothing donations means carefully inspecting every item so it feels as close to new as possible for the babies and families receiving it.

That process goes far beyond just folding clothes.

We check for stains, loose threads, holes in seams, lint, pet hair, and fabric pilling. Every piece is trimmed, cleaned, smoothed out, and refreshed with care because every family deserves to receive something that feels clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully prepared.

I think this is one of the reasons I’ve always connected so strongly with both community work and real estate. In both cases, details matter.

Whether it’s preparing clothing donations for a family or preparing a home for sale, taking the extra time to do things well can make a meaningful difference for someone else.

There’s something really special about helping people feel cared for in life’s important moments.

Feeling incredibly grateful right now. 💛Before boarding the boat for our once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation, my husband a...
05/25/2026

Feeling incredibly grateful right now. 💛

Before boarding the boat for our once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation, my husband and I spent a few beautiful days exploring the Azores together.

From waterfalls and peaceful hiking trails to pineapple farms, ocean views, and quiet moments over coffee, every part of this trip has felt special.

One of my favorite parts has simply been slowing down and experiencing it all together. The natural beauty here is unbelievable, and it’s hard not to feel thankful for the opportunity to see places like this side by side with the person you love most.

Travel has a way of reminding you how important it is to pause, appreciate the moment, and make memories while you can.

The Azores have already been unforgettable, and our adventure is only just beginning.

05/21/2026

There’s a big difference between being an individual landlord and a large investment company.

When we found this property, we weren’t quite ready to move yet, but we knew it was where we wanted to be in the future. So instead of waiting, we decided to purchase it and rent it out while we continue living in our current home.

In the meantime, the rental income helps cover most of the mortgage while we build equity and prepare for our next chapter.

But what really changed my perspective was realizing how emotionally invested we became in the property.

Because we personally own the home and may eventually live there ourselves, we genuinely care about maintaining it well and making sure the people living there feel comfortable.

To me, owning an investment property has never been just about collecting rent. It’s about providing someone with a safe, functional, well-cared-for home while also building long-term financial stability.

If you’ve been thinking about buying an investment property, planning for retirement, or creating future housing options for yourself, there are a lot of different ways to approach it.

I’m always happy to share what we’ve learned through our own experience.

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