Tag Archives: Santa Maria CA Real Estate

Santa Maria Real Estate For Sale

Now that the housing boom has busted the average price for homes within Santa Maria hovers around $200,000, homes in Orcutt average higher around $300,000. Are you searching for real estate in Santa Maria market? Check out the search links before for current listings. Are you looking to sell your Santa Maria or Orcutt home? Continue reading

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Santa Maria and Lompoc First Time Buyers, FHA Loan Info

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

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Arborwalk & Autumn Glen Townhomes – Santa Maria CA Homes Update

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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Orcutt View Park Townhomes, Old Orcutt CA Condo Update

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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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. Continue reading

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The Santa Maria CA Market is Tough on Buyers

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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Is it me or are Santa Maria CA Short Sales getting easier?

Are Santa Maria CA short sales getting a little easier? Maybe I’m on a high because I just received a short sale approval the other day, and I’m in escrow on another approved short sale that will close in less than 30 days. But, it seems like more and more short sales are being approved every day. A buyer of mine received an approval on another short sale they bid on this month, and lately I’m noticed an increase in the amount of “approved” short sales on the market. Continue reading

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Trader Joe’s Set to Open in Santa Maria CA

It may seem like small news, but in Santa Maria it is big news that we got a Trader Joe’s. For those of us who have been making the treck up to Arroyo Grande for years — the arrival of Trader Joe’s in Santa Maria is a real treat. I can’t wait to zip up the street for the fresh organic produce and meats. It is conveniently located in south Santa Maria near Costco, right off the 101 Stowell exit. Since Santa Maria is now the largest city in Santa Barbara county — it is about time! Welcome Trader Joe’s! They are set to open on March 16th. Continue reading

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Buying An Approved Short Sale in the Central Coast Market

What is an approved short sale? Let’s start with what a short sale is — a short sale is where the owner owes more on their loan than their home is worth but they still must sell the home. So, the home is placed on the market and offers are accepted — subject to lender approval. Lender approval can take months to obtain. An approved short sale is a short sale where the seller has already received approval from the bank. So, usually they list the property at a price that the bank has already indicated that they will accept, and they typically indicate how much closing costs credit and any repair credits the bank will allow. Continue reading

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Santa Barbara County Property Tax Informal Assessment Review Requests Due March 15, 2009

For those who wish to request an informal property tax review from the Santa Barbara County Assessors office, the deadline to apply is March 15, 2009. It appears that the dealine for an informal review has moved up two months, as the previous year’s form had May 15th as the deadline to apply for informal review. By applying, you can submit comparative sales to help the Assessor’s office come up with a reasonable value for your property for tax assessment purposes. Continue reading

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