Monthly Archives: January 2010

Santa Maria Airport Offers Direct Flight to Las Vegas

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Those looking for a quick pleasure trip need look no further than our own Santa Maria airport for transportation to that get away of all get aways, Las Vegas. You don’t have to go to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles for a direct flight anymore. Continue reading →

Posted in Central Coast Real Estate, Local Interests / Events, Santa Maria / Orcutt | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Santa Maria – Orcutt 2009 Real Estate & Foreclosure Market Update

Posted on January 14, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

1275 single family homes sold in Santa Maria and Orcutt in 2009. This excludes PUDs, condos, and manufactured homes. This figure is slightly higher than the 1230 homes which sold last year. 175 condos and PUDs sold during the same period in 2009; compared to 130 units in 2008. So, overall the number of sales in Santa Maria and Orcutt is up. Continue reading →

Posted in Foreclosure / Bank Owned (REO) Info, Santa Maria / Orcutt, Short Sale Info | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Buying a Short Sale with a VA Loan in Lompoc, CA

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Are you a military veteran looking to buy a short sale home with a VA loan in the Lompoc, CA area? Short sales can be excellent bargains, and they also offer some relief to the VA buyer who may be experiencing difficulty purchasing a bank owned or REO listing in the competitive Lompoc foreclosure market. The first thing to keep in mind when buying a short sale property is that there are a lot of contingencies involved, and using VA financing can add to those contingencies. So, some short sale agents will advise their client to take a conventional, cash, or FHA offer before a VA offer because they view those loans as easier. Continue reading →

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Santa Maria CA Homes and Condos, 2009 Market Report

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

The average price for a home in Santa Maria and Orcutt edged up only slightly from $250,000 in December 2008 to $252,000 in December 2009, reflecting the fact that the market appears to be stabilizing. Also, the average price for condos has gone up from $120,000 to $168,500. Continue reading →

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Santa Maria and Lompoc First Time Buyers, FHA Loan Info

Posted on January 10, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

What is an FHA loan? — Essentially a FHA loan is a loan that is guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration. Lenders typically do not want to lend unless on a home unless a buyer has a 20% down payment. If there is less than a 20% down payment, mortgage insurance is required. And, in today’s market unless you have a credit score at least 720 or above you won’t be able to get mortgage insurance. Continue reading →

Posted in Buyer Info, Lompoc / Vandenberg Village, Santa Maria / Orcutt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Foothill Estates 2009 Update – Lompoc CA Homes and Real Estate

Posted on January 8, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Tucked away in the hills of southwest Lompoc is the charming HOA community, Foothill Estates. The community is broken up into enclaves of duplex style units, with two units attached at one common wall. They have two car garages, and larger back yards than you get in other HOA communities. Amenities include a community pool, spa, and clubhouse. There are 2 and 3 bedroom models which range from about 1100 to 1300 square feet in size. The monthly HOA fees are $145 per month. But what you get for the money can’t be beat. The views from this development are breathtaking and unmatched, and if you have a large dog you can’t beat having a decent size yard versus the patio that most comparably priced condo units offer. Continue reading →

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Santa Maria and Lompoc CA Short Sale Seller Tips

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Everyone in the Santa Maria and Lompoc housing marlet is talking about short sales these days. They love them, they hate them, they love to hate them, they. . . well you get the picture. There are a lot of opinions on them. One thing is for sure, if you are a short sale seller you should work with an experienced agent and obtain legal and tax advice before entering into a short sale arrangement. Short sales have significant financial, legal, tax, and credit consequences. Continue reading →

Posted in Lompoc / Vandenberg Village, Santa Maria / Orcutt, Seller Info, Short Sale Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

825 Louisa Terrace in the Classics Homes at Bradley Square in Santa Maria CA

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Beautifully maintained home in Bradley Square with loads of light. Built in 2005, 1809 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms plus den, and 2 full baths. Oversized master suite with french door entry, walk in closet, and deluxe tub with jets. Great room plan with vaulted ceilings and gas fireplace with granite surround. Kitchen features granite countertops, tile floors, and all major appliances are included in sale. Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Maria / Orcutt | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Taste for Justice VI – Food, Beer and Wine Tasting to Benefit Legal Aid of Santa Barbara County

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Legal Aid’s Annual Taste for Justice Wine Tasting Event is coming around again. The event will return to the Loading Dock in Orcutt. Last year, we held it at the Discovery Museum in Santa Maria and it was a blast. We also introduced the first Gourmet Gavel food competition and beer tasting. Both new elements were a huge success and we are going to continue them. Allan Hancock College culinary students will compete and will be judged on a challenge dish they prepare. Local restaurants will provide appetizers, local breweries and wineries will pour, and a live auction will be held. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. The event this year will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2009 from 1pm – 4pm. If you would like to buy a ticket, give me a call at (805) 878-9879 or click here and buy tickets online. Continue reading →

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The Cambridge Cottages – Santa Maria CA Homes Update

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

The Cambridge Cottage are a charming little enclave of homes on the south end of Santa Maria in the Bradley Square area. They are distinguishable from the other newer homes in the area by their light colored wood front doors. The design of the development discourages thru traffic and includes a couple cul de sacs. The homes are within walking distance of Fletcher Park, Starbuck’s, Jamba Juice, and the newly opened Panera Bread in Santa Maria. Continue reading →

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