Santa Maria & Lompoc Buyers Betting on Appraisals to Save Them From Bidding Wars

There is intense competition for homes in the Santa Maria and Lompoc markets, especially for homes priced under $300,000. There simply aren't enough homes for interested buyers. It is not unusual when competing for a home to go up against 12 - 15 other buyers. And, some are pulling no punches when it comes to asking price.
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The Edgewood Homes in Orcutt, CA, Market Update

The Edgewood Homes in Orcutt are a delightful collection of one and two story homes just west of Bradley Road and north of Union Valley Parkway, adjacent to the Oak Knoll neighborhood and St. Joseph High School. These homes are about a 20 minute drive to Vandenberg AFB. They were built in the mid to late 1980's and range in size from 1300 sq. ft. to 1800 sq. ft. The development includes a private park that is gated and for the use of residents only.
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CAR HAF Announces the Mortgage Protection Program

The California Association of Realtors has announced the creation of a Mortgage Protection Plan for first time home buyers. This program was developed to give first time buyers some incentive to buy homes in an uncertain economy. Although buyers don't seem as if they need any further incentive to buy right now, with bidding wars and multiple offers the usual situation in the Santa Maria and Lompoc markets, when this program was conceived buyers were very hesitant to enter the housing market.
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Cal STRS Home Loan Program for Santa Maria & Lompoc Teachers

Local teachers in Santa Maria & Lompoc may be eligible for the home ownership loan programs available through the California State Teachers Retirement Program ("Cal STRS'). Eligible participants can apply for several different loan options which can increase borrowing power and lower down payment requirements. Currently, Cal STRS offers a zero down option using a two loan 95% and 5% structure, as well as a low down option using a two loan 80% and 17% structure
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Are Short Sales Never Ending Bidding Wars for Buyers?

Are short sales never ending bidding wars? Yes, they can be. In general, short sales are some of the most frustrating transactions for sellers and buyers. And, it is almost inevitable in this market that buyers will consider a short sale while looking for a new home. The market is simply loaded with short sales, and sometimes they sit there for months awaiting bank approval. So while buyers wait for the next bank owned listing to pop on th market, they tend to hash and rehash the short sale inventory.
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Buying REOs (Foreclosures) – You May Not Get Your Keys Until the Day AFTER it closes!

Of all the delays that REO buyers must endure, this tends to be the most difficult to swallow. After you’ve crossed the finish line, the loan funded, and you’ve waited the additional day for the transaction to record, NO KEYS! I've had this happen about 3 times, but it is beginning to be a trend on REO purchases that buyers cannot get the keys to their new home until the day AFTER the transaction closes. Banks centralize their escrow and title work on foreclosures, so you are almost always dealing with an out-of-town escrow company that is overburdened with work and often doesn't care about your individual transaction.
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Mint Properties Joins the Santa Barbara Coastal Housing Partnership

Recently, Mint Properties joined the Coastal Housing Partnership, an organization set up to help deal with the issue of affordable housing in Santa Barbara County. I am proud to be a part of the work that the Coastal Housing Partnership performs in educating member employees on home buying and helping make the process more affordable overall. Mint Properties offers real estate services in the three valleys: Santa Ynez Valley, Lompoc Valley, and the Santa Maria Valley.
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