Monthly Archives: December 2009

Does 'Days on Market' Always Tell the Whole Story?

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

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. Continue reading →

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Orcutt View Park Townhomes, Old Orcutt CA Condo Update

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Nestled between May Grisham Elementary and Highway 135 is a strip of cute little townhomes known as the Orcutt View Park Condos. These homes offer 3 bedrooms, two baths, a one car garage, and a birds eye view of community sporting events held in the sporting fields next to the school. They are about are about 1400 sq. ft. in size and the association dues are about $180 per month. Most of the townhomes offer a small patio and backyard. For those who wish to commute to Vandenberg AFB, the location is ideal; the commute time is about 15 minutes to the main gate. Continue reading →

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The Hidden Pines Development, Santa Maria CA Gated Homes Community Update

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

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. Continue reading →

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The Hitching Post – A California Central Coast Tradition

Posted on December 27, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

I went out to dinner with friends at the Hitching Post in Casmalia. And despite it being the day after Christmas it was packed. I hadn’t been out there in awhile. It is true that we take for granted things that are right here under our noses. The Hitching Post has a national reputation and a rich history here on the Central Coast. For those who don’t care to go off the beaten path, you can chow down at the Hitching Post 2, located right off the 101 in Buellton. This was the location the movie Sideways. But, for those with a pioneering spirit, who want the authentic experience will venture out to the abandoned stage coach and railroad outpost known as Casmalia. Continue reading →

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River Oaks Development, Santa Maria Homes Market Update 2009

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

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. Continue reading →

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Pacific Crest Development, Santa Maria Homes Update

Posted on December 25, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Built by a local developer, Inland Pacific Builders, Pacific Crest is conveniently located on the south end of Santa Maria and a short 20 minute commute to the main gate of Vandenberg AFB. The Pacific Crest homes were constructed beginning about 2005, and the last few homes are still being sold by the developer. The floorplans are some of my favorites built in Santa Maria, with circular interior entries, spacious kitchens, and luxurious master suite options. Continue reading →

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Santa Maria CA & Lompoc CA Foreclosure Buyers Can Choose Local Escrow Companies

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Finally! Those of you who read my blog recall my recent blog post on buying a foreclosure and not receiving your keys until the day after it closes. It appears that the Claifornia legislature has take a stab at the heart of the problem, which was the fact that buyers were not allwoed to pick their own excrow companies in these transactions. Banks would hire title and escrow companies to complete their foreclosure proceeding and when they turned around to sell the property as an REO, they would compel the buye to use that same title/escrow company to complete the purchase. Continue reading →

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Lake Marie Estates, Orcutt Luxury & Executive Homes Update

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Lake Marie Estates is a secluded enclave of executive and luxury homes in Orcutt, located east of Highway 101, off the Clark Avenue exit. When exiting 101 on Clark, instead of heading west toward downtown and Old Town Orcutt, head east toward the vineyards and wineries. Lake Marie offers a truly rural setting that is just minutes away from shopping and other conveniences. Continue reading →

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