Santa Maria Archives - Page 31 of 35 - Santa Maria CA Real Estate Blog & Information, REALTOR® Selling Santa Maria CA Homes

Can I Buy A Home for $25,000 in Santa Maria, CA?

03/11/2009
Santa Maria

You would be surprised how many times I am asked this question with amounts varying from as little as $5000 to $50,000. And my answer to that is an easy no. I even had someone ask me about an $81,000 home in Foxenwood Estates! When I ask these potential buyers where they are getting this type of information, they point to the various foreclosure related websites. After sampling a few, for properties that are in pre-foreclosure (i.e. a Notice of Default has been filed) the amount of the payments that are in arrears, or the amount of the second loan owing on the property shows up as the list price, when in fact the home may not even be listed with a broker.

Hidden Pines Santa Maria, CA Gated Community

03/10/2009
Santa Maria

Hidden Pines is a lovely little gated community located in northwest Santa Maria. It boasts a private park and streets, and borders the Santa Maria Riverbed walking trail. The homes were built approximately 15 years ago and feature tile roofs and 2 car garages. The development is surrounded by other popular developments, Cherry Blossom Ranch, Essex at Willow Creek, and the gated community of Regency Estates.

Pacific Crest Quarterly Market Update – 12/08 – 2/09

03/06/2009
Santa Maria

Pacific Crest Homes

Pacific Crest is located in southwest Santa Maria, near the area referred to as Westgate Ranch. Liberty Elementary School is nestled in the community along with a nearby park and greenbelt. Building is still ongoing in the area with the addition of the gated Lavigna townhome community, and more upcoming development planned. Since Battles Road was built out to reach this area, Pacific Crest residents can shoot straight into downtown Santa Maria's shopping and restaurants. The development offers low HOA fees of about $150 per month and many truly deluxe floorplans and amenities.

REO Contracts — What to Expect When Buying a Foreclosure in Santa Maria & Lompoc CA

03/05/2009
Foreclosure / Bank Owned (REO) Info, Lompoc / Vandenberg Village, Santa Maria

The majority of foreclosure activity in Santa Barbara county centers in the Santa Maria and Lompoc markets. Most of the time, banks demand that their own contracts be used when selling foreclosures. In a typical real estate transaction, the parties use the forms produced by the California Association of Realtors. However, bank sellers have special issues they want to address in their contracts and they use their own team of lawyers to draft their contracts.

Taste for Justice — Wine, Beer & Food Tasting Fundraiser, March 7, 2009

03/02/2009
Santa Maria

On March 7, 2009, Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County will host its 5th annual "Taste for Justice" fundraiser at the Discovery Museum (705 S. McClelland Street) in Santa Maria. This event will features many local winieries who will pour, including Lucas & Lewellen, Cambria Wineries, Fess Parker Winery, & McKeon-Phillips Winery. There will also be a beer tasting featuring Telegraph Brewery and Santa Barbara Downtown Brewing Company. A chef's competition will feature contributions by Allan Hancock College's Culinary Arts students.

Buying An Approved Short Sale in the Central Coast Market

03/01/2009
Buyer Info, Central Coast Real Estate, Santa Maria, Short Sale Info

What is an approved short sale? Let's start with what a short sale is -- a short sale is where the owner owes more on their loan than their home is worth but they still must sell the home. So, the home is placed on the market and offers are accepted -- subject to lender approval. Lender approval can take months to obtain. An approved short sale is a short sale where the seller has already received approval from the bank. So, usually they list the property at a price that the bank has already indicated that they will accept, and they typically indicate how much closing costs credit and any repair credits the bank will allow.

Stimulus to Fund Santa Maria Levee Repair

02/26/2009
Local Interests / Events, Santa Maria

The Santa Maria Sun reports that local officials have secured an additional $6.7 million to repair the Santa Maria levee. Without repair, Santa Maria homeowners are faced with having to buy flood insurance. In its current state, the levee would…

Village of Northpoint Condos, Orcutt CA Market Update

02/20/2009
Santa Maria

The Village of Northpoint condominium community offers a tucked away feel in the heart of Orcutt to its residents. Located just off Foster Road and within walking distance of both Righetti and St. Joseph's High Schools, this development boasts a pool, clubhouse and tennis courts. Mature trees line the blacktopped streets dotted by clusters of townhomes with blue tinted tile roofs. There are 3 and 4 bedroom plans, each with the bedrooms upstairs and the main living space downstairs.