Santa Maria Archives - Page 29 of 35 - Santa Maria CA Real Estate Blog & Information, REALTOR® Selling Santa Maria CA Homes

CAR HAF Announces the Mortgage Protection Program

09/30/2009
Central Coast Real Estate, Santa Maria

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.

Short Sale Seller Tip – Purchase Price Still Matters

09/15/2009
Santa Maria, Seller Info, Short Sale Info

In a short sale, the seller asks the bank to allow a sale even though they owe more on the mortgage than the property is worth. Accordingly, the seller is not permitted to take any proceeds from a short sale. In a "normal" sale, sellers have a vested interest in getting the highest price for their home. A higher offer means a bigger net for the seller.

Cal STRS Home Loan Program for Santa Maria & Lompoc Teachers

08/30/2009
Buyer Info, Central Coast Real Estate, Lompoc / Vandenberg Village, Santa Maria

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

Where Have all the Houses Gone in Santa Maria – Orcutt?

07/15/2009
Buyer Info, Santa Maria

When I searched the MLS for active properties this morning, I came up with 158 single family homes or condos for sale. 29 of those listings are short sales, and 35 are active REO listings. There are 234 contingent listings, and 222 of them are short sales. In the last 30 days, 131 homes have sold, with an average price of about $250,000, average price per square foot of $150, and averaging about 75 days on market. 28 of those sold homes were closed short sales, and 61 were REO (bank owned property) sales. Average days on market for short sales were about 120 days (this reflects the time period to obtain bank approval), and average days on market for REO listings was about 53 (this includes the time it takes to get the contract finalized by the bank).

Is Cash Still King in the Santa Maria CA Foreclosure Market?

05/24/2009
Foreclosure / Bank Owned (REO) Info, Santa Maria

Cash buyers are getting the best deals in this competitive market. I've found that the best deals tend to be bank owned homes vs. short sales, and cash does help in the ban owned bidding process. Banks tend to be more conservative about selling prices for short sales where they still have the borrower on the hook. So, I find that short sales tend to close right at current selling prices or slightly higher. Whereas, the goal with REOs is to move that asset off of the books quickly. So, you will see bigger price discounts on bank owned properties.

Another Twist to REO Contracts in the Santa Maria CA Market

05/17/2009
Foreclosure / Bank Owned (REO) Info, Santa Maria

I just received a counter offer back on a Bank of America property (formerly Countrywide) with a new twist that I haven't seen before in REO contracts. Countrywide officially became Bank of America Home Loans about two weeks ago. I've sold quite a few Countrywide REOs and was used to how they did things. However, it appears that the switch over to Bank of America has changed some things.

The Santa Maria CA Market is Tough on Buyers

05/16/2009
Buyer Info, Santa Maria

Currently, there is intense competition among buyers in the Santa Maria market. If this is a buyer's market, it sure doesn't feel like it anymore. Indeed, with the banks calling almost all the shots in the under $300,000 market (short sales and foreclosures), it certainly feels like a sellers market.

Should I Buy a New Home or a Newer Home in the Santa Maria – Orcutt CA Market?

04/30/2009
Buyer Info, Santa Maria

Buying a new home versus a newer home can be a difficult decision. I've found that some buyers just cannot see past the gleam of the perfectly manicured model home. I am often asked by buyers which they should consider, new or newer. In today's declining market, there is often a big difference price wise between the two.