The Traditions at Bradley SquareThe Traditions & Classics homes in southeast Santa Maria were built from 2003 – 2006, and are surrounded by newer shopping in the Bradley Square area, as well as other newer home developments. Classics were meant to be the more affordable of the two developments with smaller floorplans and smaller lots, although that distinction blurred during the housing boom as prices zoomed upward. The Traditions offer 6 floorplans, 3 two story models, and 3 one story models, and the floorplans begin at around 2000 square feet and end around 3000 square feet.
These homes are within walking distance to shopping centers which include popular new restaurants such as Panera Bread, Starbucks, Natural Cafe, and Yanagi Sushi. Also close are Albertsons, Food Maxx, Wal-Mart and Home Depot. The Traditions and Classics developments are at the center of some of the best new shops in Santa Maria. Both Homeowners Associations have a relatively low association fee under $200 per year, and the community is also host to a new fire station, Robin Ventura Field, and Rotary Centennial Park. The Bradley Square area is truly a great place to live on the Central Coast of California.
From October – December 2008, a total of 12 homes sales were reported in the Traditions and Classics homes. Four were REOs (foreclosures) and 5 were short sales. So, foreclosure related activity is driving the market in those areas as well. Sold prices in the Classics at Bradley Square ranged from $290,000 to $375,000. A 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2364 sq.ft. bank owned (REO) home on Niverth Place sold for $290,000 on December 27, 2008. That was the lowest sale price during that time period. The highest resale during that period was a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2351 sq. ft. short sale listing on Niverth Place which sold on December 3, 2008 for $375,000. Sold prices in the Traditions ranged from $375,000 to $504,000 during the same period. A 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2068 sq.ft. home on Singleton sold for $375,000 on October 28, 2008, and a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2326 sq. ft. home on Long Terrace sold for $504,000 on October 20, 2008. Current asking prices in both developments range from $279,900 to $469,000, with the median asking price at approximately $350,000.
If you are thinking of buying or selling in either of these developments, please give me a buzz at (805) 878-9879, or send me an email at tni@mintprop.com and I will email you a complete list of current listings or recent sales. I also handle short sales if you must sell and owe more than your mortgage balance.
*Based on the information from the Central Coast Regional MLS. Neither the Association, the Multiple Listing Service, or 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.
Prices of many condos are finally well beneath $100,000 in Santa Maria and Lompoc, which make some condos a good option for investors even with the added expense of a monthly condo fee. There have been some 2 bedroom condos listed as low as $59,000. If you compare a home in the local area that you can purchase for $100,000, you would be looking at a much older home or a smaller cottage with limited rental value and appeal. Everything on the exterior of the home is typically covered by the condo association, cutting down on the responsibility for landlords.
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.
