How Many Homes Were Sold in Santa Maria in 2010?*
It's the beginning of a new year, so many people are waiting anxiously to hear how many homes and condos were sold in Santa Maria last year, what the average sale price was, and how it compared to 2009.
Santa Maria Real Estate: Tips for Buying Santa Maria Foreclosures
1) For an “as-is” purchase – Banks don’t like to make repairs, and you will find that the Santa Maria real estate is littered with bank sellers who intend to make no repairs to their properties. This may even include situations where the property has been cited by the City of Santa Maria for violations of the municipal code.
Looking to Buy HUD Homes in Santa Maria or Lompoc CA?
Are you interested in buying a HUD home in Santa Maria, Orcutt, or Lompoc? You can search for HUD homes by clicking here. Also, you need a registered HUD agent to write an offer on a HUD home. I am a registered selling agent with HUD and I can take you for a tour of any local HUD home, explain the bidding process, and write an offer. These homes are generally not listed on the MLS, so the potential for a buyer bargain is tremendous as they receive less exposure.
Does ‘Days on Market’ Always Tell the Whole Story?
It's the end of the year and time to begin compiling data and drawing conclusions about what the real estate market was like in Santa Maria and Lompoc this past year. Often, sellers and buyers rely on "days on market" to tell them additional and useful information about the real estate market. However, as with any one statistic, days on market can be an unreliable and misleading indicator of true market conditions.
The Hidden Pines Development, Santa Maria CA Gated Homes Community Update
Are you looking for a home in a gated community in Santa Maria? You may want to check out the homes in Hidden Pines. It is located near Preisker Park and across the street from the gated community of Regency Estates.
River Oaks Development, Santa Maria Homes Market Update 2009
Home to Jim May Park (an 11 acre park which includes a lake and walking trails) and Ida Redmond Taylor Elementary, the River Oaks development offers an idyllic setting which parallels the Santa Maria riverbed in northeast Santa Maria. Built from 1999 -2003, these homes range from 1400 sq.ft. up to almost 3000 sq.ft. in size. Current asking prices for active and pending homes in the River Oaks development range from $260,000 to $299,900. In the past 6 months, home sales prices in River Oaks ranged from $235,000 - $310,000.
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.
Another Twist to REO Contracts in the Santa Maria CA Market
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.
Can I find 100% Financing in the Central Coast market?
I get this question all the time forom buyers looking to jump into the market. For the most part, the answer to that is no. There is a program through the USDA that provides 100% financing for rural properties. I'm told by a local lender that this applies to some areas of Guadalupe, and also some areas of Nipomo, but I haven't been able to verify it. There is also the Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan Program which offers 100% financing to qualifying veterans. But unless you have some military service under your belt, you are not eligible. Other than that, right now I don't know of any 100% financing program available to buyers.
