Santa Maria Ca short sales Archives

Can I Buy A Santa Maria CA Short Sale and Still Qualify for the $8000 Tax Credit?

So many of the first time home buyers in the Santa Maria market today are concerned about whether they will qualify for the $8000 tax credit. Short sale purchases can qualify for the credit , so long as the buyer qualifies for the credit in general. (You should check withb your tax professional on this issue). However, because the timelines on short sales are somewhat undetermined, they can fail to close by the deadline for the tax credit. Right now, it is my understanding that in order to qualify a buyer must have a confirmed contract by April 30th. In the case of a short sale purchase, this means the buyer must have a signed contract and bank approval of the short sale in hand in order to qualify for the tax credit. And, the transaction must close by June 30th.

Arborwalk & Autumn Glen Townhomes – Santa Maria CA Homes Update

The Arborwalk and Autumn Glen townhome communities are newer homes built between 2003 - 2006 and offer an ideal location in south Santa Maria. Both communities are close to shopping, restaurants and other amenities. Arborwalk is a gated community at the intersection of Miller & McCoy, and Autumn Glen is located across from the Crossroads Shopping Center at the intersection of Crossroad Lane & Bradley Rd.

The Santa Maria CA Market is Tough on Buyers

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.

Is it me or are Santa Maria CA Short Sales getting easier?

March 25, 2009
Vandenberg AFB Homes
Santa Maria, Seller Info, Short Sale Info

Are Santa Maria CA short sales getting a little easier? Maybe I'm on a high because I just received a short sale approval the other day, and I'm in escrow on another approved short sale that will close in less than 30 days. But, it seems like more and more short sales are being approved every day. A buyer of mine received an approval on another short sale they bid on this month, and lately I'm noticed an increase in the amount of "approved" short sales on the market.

The Santa Maria Real Estate Market is Hot!

I know the media is saying that the real estate market is in the dumps. And I guess if you were hoping to get housing boom level prices for your home, it is. But if you are a Santa Maria or Ocutt home owner who needs to sell your home, you should know that the Santa Maria real estate market is hot! Why do I say that? Because homes that are priced in line with today's market that are not short sales, sell in less than a week. I feel as if this is a hidden secret of today's market place. Everyone believes that it is hard to sell your home right now, but even short sales that are well priced are receiving multile offers right now.

Santa Maria CA & Orcutt CA Short Sale Buyer Information

With the majority of single family homes and condos being listed as "short sales" in the Santa Maria CA and Orcutt CA market, buyers are considering this type of listing more often. A "short sale" is a property listing where the owner owes more than the homes' current value, but still desires/needs to sell. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon position for sellers in Santa Maria CA.

Santa Maria CA Foreclosure Buyer Alert – $8000 First Time Home Buyer Credit Approved

February 13, 2009
Vandenberg AFB Homes
Santa Maria

If you are sitting on the fence about buying, Congress just gave you another reason to jump into the market for foreclosures in Santa Maria, CA. The recently passed stimulus bill modestly increases the first time home buyer credit from $7500 to $8000. But more importantly, buyers now do not have to pay the credit back as long as they stay in the home a minimum of 3 years.

Mission Creek Village Condos vs. Oak Creek Villas (Santa Maria CA & Orcutt CA Condos)

The Mission Creek Condos and Oak Creek Villas were built by local builder, Inland Pacific, who is also currently finishing up Pacific Crest in Westgate Ranch. Oak Creek and Mission Creek offer the same basic floor plans and amenities; however,…

Buying Bank Owned Homes (REOs) in the Santa Maria CA & Orcutt CA Market – Should I Use FHA/VA or Conventional Financing?

February 1, 2009
Vandenberg AFB Homes
Foreclosure / Bank Owned (REO) Info, Santa Maria

When the bidding gets competitive, buyers are often left to wonder how asset managers make their decisions about which offer to choose. If you have 15 offers how do you select one over the other? The obvious selection would be based on the net to the lender, but there are other factors. In particular, time and time again, I see FHA buyers assed over in this market for buyers using conventional financing. That is not to say that FHA financing is not being used -- it is.

Should I Make an Offer on a Central Coast Short Sale Property?

January 12, 2009
Vandenberg AFB Homes
Central Coast Real Estate, Short Sale Info

Short sales are popping up all over the Central Coast of CA due to the recent housing boom/bust. Many buyers are interested in these properties because they offer the possibility of today's prices with less competition from other buyers.