Santa Maria Real Estate Blog, Author at Santa Maria CA Real Estate Blog & Information, REALTOR® Selling Santa Maria CA Homes

How to Buy Short Sales in Santa Maria, CA (Part 1)

01/21/2010
Buyer Info, Short Sale Info

Your agent should analyze any short sale listing that you consider offering on. Part of that analysis should be whether there is a second lien holder. There are many short sales that fail; however when you analyze why they fail, often the reason is because a second lien holder is making unreasonable, and sometimes inappropriate demands.

Can I Buy a FSBO Home with a Real Estate Agent?

01/17/2010
Buyer Info

Yes you can. In fact, I would always advise a home buyer to have representation when making a purchase, and especially when buying a FSBO (for sale by owner). The issue of compensation can be tackled with the seller at the outset. Most FSBOs seek to save money by not paying a Realtor to represent them in the sale of their home. However, I've found that FSBOs will usually agree to pay a buyer's agent out of their proceeds.

Santa Maria Airport Offers Direct Flight to Las Vegas

01/15/2010
Central Coast Real Estate, Local Interests / Events, Santa Maria

Those looking for a quick pleasure trip need look no further than our own Santa Maria airport for transportation to that get away of all get aways, Las Vegas. You don't have to go to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles for a direct flight anymore.

Santa Maria – Orcutt 2009 Real Estate & Foreclosure Market Update

01/14/2010
Foreclosure / Bank Owned (REO) Info, Santa Maria, Short Sale Info

1275 single family homes sold in Santa Maria and Orcutt in 2009. This excludes PUDs, condos, and manufactured homes. This figure is slightly higher than the 1230 homes which sold last year. 175 condos and PUDs sold during the same period in 2009; compared to 130 units in 2008. So, overall the number of sales in Santa Maria and Orcutt is up.

Buying a Short Sale with a VA Loan in Lompoc, CA

01/13/2010
Lompoc / Vandenberg Village, Short Sale Info

Are you a military veteran looking to buy a short sale home with a VA loan in the Lompoc, CA area? Short sales can be excellent bargains, and they also offer some relief to the VA buyer who may be experiencing difficulty purchasing a bank owned or REO listing in the competitive Lompoc foreclosure market. The first thing to keep in mind when buying a short sale property is that there are a lot of contingencies involved, and using VA financing can add to those contingencies. So, some short sale agents will advise their client to take a conventional, cash, or FHA offer before a VA offer because they view those loans as easier.

Santa Maria CA Homes and Condos, 2009 Market Report

01/11/2010
Buyer Info, Santa Maria, Seller Info

The average price for a home in Santa Maria and Orcutt edged up only slightly from $250,000 in December 2008 to $252,000 in December 2009, reflecting the fact that the market appears to be stabilizing. Also, the average price for condos has gone up from $120,000 to $168,500.

Santa Maria and Lompoc First Time Buyers, FHA Loan Info

01/10/2010
Buyer Info, Lompoc / Vandenberg Village, Santa Maria

What is an FHA loan? -- Essentially a FHA loan is a loan that is guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration. Lenders typically do not want to lend unless on a home unless a buyer has a 20% down payment. If there is less than a 20% down payment, mortgage insurance is required. And, in today's market unless you have a credit score at least 720 or above you won't be able to get mortgage insurance.

Foothill Estates 2009 Update – Lompoc CA Homes and Real Estate

01/08/2010
Lompoc / Vandenberg Village

Tucked away in the hills of southwest Lompoc is the charming HOA community, Foothill Estates. The community is broken up into enclaves of duplex style units, with two units attached at one common wall. They have two car garages, and larger back yards than you get in other HOA communities. Amenities include a community pool, spa, and clubhouse. There are 2 and 3 bedroom models which range from about 1100 to 1300 square feet in size. The monthly HOA fees are $145 per month. But what you get for the money can't be beat. The views from this development are breathtaking and unmatched, and if you have a large dog you can't beat having a decent size yard versus the patio that most comparably priced condo units offer.