Tag Archives: Santa Maria CA condos

Santa Maria CA Condos & Orcutt CA Condos: Oak Creek Villas & Mission Creek Villas – First Quarter 2011 Real Estate Market

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

The Mission Creek Condos and Oak Creek Villas were built by local builder, Inland Pacific, who also built Pacific Crest, Classics at Bradley Square and La Ventana. Oak Creek and Mission Creek offer the same basic floor plans and amenities; however, there are subtle differences for buyers to consider. Oak Creek Villas condos are slightly older; they were built beginning around 2001. Mission Creek condos are slightly newer as building began around 2004.
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Can I Buy A Santa Maria CA Short Sale and Still Qualify for the $8000 Tax Credit?

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

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. Continue reading →

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Can I Buy a Santa Maria Condo with FHA Financing?

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

Can you buy a condo in today’s market with FHA financing? The answer is yes you can, but it is very difficult lately. Fannie Mae enacted guidelines which have impacted the condo market tremendously. These guidelines were meant to encourage owner occupancy and stability in condo associations but in many instances they have ended up penalizing associations not already in conformance with those guidleines and making all but impossible for them to ever conform. 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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Arborwalk & Autumn Glen Townhomes – Santa Maria CA Homes Update

Posted on January 3, 2010 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

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. Continue reading →

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Another Twist to REO Contracts in the Santa Maria CA Market

Posted on May 17, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

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. Continue reading →

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The Santa Maria CA Market is Tough on Buyers

Posted on May 16, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

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. Continue reading →

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Are Santa Maria & Lompoc Condos Good Investment Properties?

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

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. Continue reading →

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Bank Owned Bidding Wars in the Santa Maria – Orcutt CA Foreclosure Market

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

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. Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Tni LeBlanc, JD, MA, CDPE, REALTOR®

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. Continue reading →

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