Looking at the luxury real estate market in Santa Maria and Orcutt California, there are currently 57 homes priced above $400,000 with an average list price of $657,303 and 179 days on market, and a median asking price of $515,000. Looking at the luxury foreclosure market, there were no active luxury foreclosure listings (there was one luxury REO and it was pending), and there were 7 available short sales. However, the sold data from the last 6 months creates a different picture, of the 34 luxury home sales, 5 were foreclosure sales, and 3 were short sales. So, luxury and estate home buyers in the Santa Maria and Orcutt area have an appetite for foreclosure bargains.
Overall, of sold luxury homes, the average list price was $510,270, and the average selling price was $499,382. So, Santa Maria & Orcutt luxury home sellers are getting about 97.8% of their asking price and about $188 per square foot. Looking just at luxury foreclosures (REOs), the average selling price was $437,200 compared to an average asking price of $423,940. So, luxury foreclosures in Santa Maria and Orcutt are being bid over asking price indicating a competitive market for executive and luxury foreclosure homes and real estate.
In the Santa Maria area, the executive and luxury home market consists mostly of homes in the Orcutt area and includes developments such as Elkhorn Estates, Deerfield Estates, Lorraine Estates, Oakhill Country Estates, Lake Marie, and Foxenwood Estates. But, there are also luxury and estate homes in Santa Maria proper in the Country Club area, Hancock Park (near Marion Hospital), and in the Carriage District in downtown Santa Maria.
*Based on the information from the Central Coast Regional MLS. The Association, the Multiple Listing Service, nor Mint Properties guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
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.
Is it a great time to buy? Yes. Interest rates are at historic lows, Congress just passed an $8000 tax credit for first time buyers, and prices just keep getting better and better. There are plenty of folks who are taking advantage of this opportunity. As such, jumping into the current market for foreclosure properties in Santa Maria - Orcutt CA can be a rude awakening for potential buyers. Currently, there is a lot of competition for foreclosed properties. REOs comprise the majority of sold properties in the Santa Maria and Orcutt housing market.
