Tag Archives: Santa Maria real estate

Traditions at Bradley Square Homes in Santa Maria CA – 1st Quarter 2011 Market Update

The Traditions at Bradley Square 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. The Traditions at Bradley Square offer six floorplans, 3 two story models and 3 one story models. The floorplans begin at around 1800 square feet and end around 3000 square feet. Continue reading

Posted in Santa Maria / Orcutt | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Classics at Bradley Square Homes in Santa Maria CA – 1st Quarter 2011 Market Update

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 development is at the center of some of the best new shopping in Santa Maria. Continue reading

Posted in Santa Maria / Orcutt | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What Should I Look for in a Santa Maria CA Lender?

I typically recommend local lenders because I find that they are more accountable. Even if a buyer is using a national bank, I find it is better to have a local representative on the file. Nothing is more frustrating than working with some 1-800 number lender who becomes conveniently absent when a deal starts heating up, or timelines get tight on a transaction.

Continue reading

Posted in Buyer Info | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How Many Homes Were Sold in Santa Maria in 2010?*

It’s the beginning of a new year, so many people are waiting anxiously to hear how many homes and condos were sold in Santa Maria last year, what the average sale price was, and how it compared to 2009.

Continue reading

Posted in Santa Maria / Orcutt | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Santa Maria Homes – Pacific Crest Estates Snapshot

Inland Pacific, a local builder, built Pacific Crest Estates beginning in about 2005. Because the homes were sold new during the height of the housing boom, many if not most of the current and recent sales in the development are foreclosures or distress sales. Continue reading

Posted in Santa Maria / Orcutt, Seller Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Santa Maria Foreclosure Market Tip: What is a “Contingent REO?”

If you’ve been tracking the market for foreclosures for awhile, I’m sure you’ve come across a contingent REO and wondered what that means. An REO is an industry term for a foreclosure, and a contingent REO is one where an offer has been verbally accepted by the bank or the asset manager, but the paperwork is still being signed. Continue reading

Posted in Foreclosure / Bank Owned (REO) Info | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Santa Maria First Time Home Buyer Alert

I’m afraid the days of 100% financing for everyone are gone. Unless you are a veteran with a VA home loan benefit, or buying in a rural area through the USDA loan program, there are not many 100% financing options. (Santa Maria does not qualify as a rural area, but in the past, Guadalupe and parts of Nipomo have qualified). Continue reading

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

Top 5 Short Sale Myths

Myth #1: I have to be an owner occupant to qualify for a short sale. Where did this myth come from? I’ve done short sales for investors and non-owner occupants. They happen all the time. I just listed a home where the lender told the owner to do a short sale on their rental property. You can sell your investment or rental property via short sale. Continue reading

Posted in Seller Info, Short Sale Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Santa Maria Real Estate: Tips for Buying Santa Maria Short Sales

1) Be prepared for an “as-is” purchase. Many times there is deferred maintenance on short sale listings. Often owners in financial distress stop performing maintenance on the home either willfully and because they lack the funds. You can ask a short sale seller to make repairs, but often they are unable or unwilling to do so since they are losing their home. You can also approach the short sale lender and ask that they allow the cost of the repairs to be deducted from their “net” but often the answer will be no, even if the repairs are required by your lender in order to originate your new loan. Continue reading

Posted in Buyer Info, Santa Maria / Orcutt, Short Sale Info | Tagged | Leave a comment

Santa Maria Real Estate: Tips for Buying Santa Maria Foreclosures

1) For an “as-is” purchase – Banks don’t like to make repairs, and you will find that the Santa Maria real estate is littered with bank sellers who intend to make no repairs to their properties. This may even include situations where the property has been cited by the City of Santa Maria for violations of the municipal code. Continue reading

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