North San Diego County Market Reports
For those of you watching the real estate market in the coastal communities of North San Diego County, here is a summary real estate market report with links to SEPTEMBER 2009 real estate market reports for the following communities:
Carlsbad
Cardiff
Encinitas
San Marcos
Oceanside
Rancho Santa Fe
Del Mar
Solana Beach
Each report also has some links to earlier market reports for those communities (some more than others). I can always provide detailed report susch as these for ANY community in San Diego as well as broken down by area/neightborhoods. Just ask.
Can Your Transaction Get Audited? YES!
This may not apply to all transactions during the process, but it does at least with FNMA (Fannie Mae) and Freddie Mac if you are purchasing an REO. Perhaps other lenders as well.
I am in the midst of a transaction with a very tight deadline and all of a sudden we learned that FNMA has pulled the REO file for an audit.
It has nothing to do with the offer itself (this is a cash deal, not a loan), the buyers, or the transaction, but apparently is a routine, random, periodic audit that they do of their REOs that are being serviced by various banks. No warning.
This is NOT to say this happens a lot (the listing agent says this is the FIRST in all of her REO transactions in over 2 years) but it CAN happen, without warning.
This causes a delay of an unknown period. Just something to be aware of, although lots of folks get through these deal without this sort of delay.
Important San Diego MLS Information for Buyers
Many buyers in our area are looking at short sales, pre-foreclosures, and REOs as part of their home search. And there is LOTS of competition, so it is not really a “buyer’s market” for these kinds of homes. You will almost always find multiple offers on these properties, sometimes the day the new home is listed or within a day or so.
SANDICOR, the MLS for San Diego, has implemented a new status called CONTINGENT, which means there are offers awaiting approval of the short sale, or which have been submitted to the REO lender for approval. They are still ACTIVE but now there are multiple bids.
Links to Help You Research Schools, Communities, Crime and the Housing Market
If you are buying your first home you are very likely spending a lot of time researching on the Internet. And why not? There’s a ton of information there.
Are You Researching on the Internet? You Should Be!
The things that tend to be of interest, apart from listings, of course, are schools, communities, crime and the housing market itself.
I wrote a recent article for relocations, providing a bunch of links to various sites in these areas. But you might find this resource useful as well.
READ MORE: Internet Aids for Helping You in Your Relocation to Carlsbad
Of course this information can be useful no matter what community you are interested in.
If I can help further, just let me know.
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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your home search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler
My First Time Buyers Handbook
I have done a lot work with first time buyers, both back in Boston and out here in Southern California.
There is so much for new buyers to learn and often they do not even know the right questions. Working with a REALTOR who takes the time to explain the process, answer questions, and truly help buyers become as prepared and educated as possible is so important.
I finally completed my first time home buyers handbook, which I will begin sharing with new clients. however, if you would like to download a summary of my first time buyers handbook feel free to do so. The real thing is, of course, much more detailed, but the summary will get you started.
And of course if we decide to work together to find you a home in the Carlsbad area (including Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla) you will get the entire handbook to help you.
I would love to know what you think. Are there other important things to include (of course you are not seeing the entire thing but let me know what stuff is important to you)? Are there particular questions that you have? Please let me know.
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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits
Daylight Savings Time is Fast Approaching
This has nothing to do with real estate (except that you will have more time after work to see homes in the daylight)…but keep in mind that:
Daylight Savings Time starts this Sunday, March 9 at 2 AM (it’s earlier this year).
Get Organized for Your Move – The Move Itself
You will be moving at some point since you are thinking about, or in the process of, buying a new home.
If you have been reading you know we talked earlier about getting organized. Here my guest blogger, Kathi Burns, Founder of addSpace to Your Life!, talks about getting organized for the move itself. There are some great tips (this is the first of 3 articles on moving) – you may want to bookmark it or print it out for the future.
And feel free to pass along to others who may need the advice.
If you find this information helpful, I’d love to hear about it.
First Time Home Buyers – Get Organized for Your Move
I apologize for not writing more since the beginning of the year. Somehow things just got away from me, and business has really picked up. A good sign, I would say.
Now that the holidays are passed, we are seeing an increase in inventory – not a surprise, and this can mean for options for your first time home buyers.
If you are looking to buy a home, you probably need to start thinking about getting organized for your move. No one really likes to move but it has to be done. While some folks use movers, a good number do it themselves. Being prepared is important so you don’t waste time.
I am writing a series on getting organized which is likely to have some interest from lots of people – those who are selling and then moving, those of you who are buying your first home, and perhaps even some who are staying put but know their homes and lives are chaotic and want to do something about it.
I have asked Kathi Burns, business owner and Founder of addSpace to Your Life! to help with this task, since she is an expert on getting organized. Need to get rid of clutter? Organize your closets? No matter what, I think Kathi will have some great tips for you. And feel free to pass along the articles or refer friends, family and neighbors to them.
You can read the full introductory article Don’t Let Disorganization Ruin YOUR Move here. Kathi’s first of 3 posts will be later this week, and I will post the links here.
First Time Home Buyers Fair – April 12 and 13, 2008
The California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.) and the Los Angeles Times are hosting a FREE fair for first time home buyers in Los Angeles.
The fair will be held on Saturday and Sunday APRIL 12 and 13 (NOTE THIS IS A NEW DATE), 2008 from 9 am to 6 pm at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
About 2 dozen programs to help buyers will be held in both English and Spanish. See their homebuyers fair website for more information.
What Happens After the Due Diligence Period?
In the process of purchasing Carlsbad real estate (or elsewhere here in California), the period once you have completed the due diligence may seem a bit of a letdown. After all, you’ve been through all the anxiety of:
- finding the right home
- putting in an offer
- negotiating the final purchase price
- getting the offer accepted
- wading through all the disclosures
- worrying about getting your loan commitment…then getting it
Read Part 2 on After the Offer Comes the Negotiations
Read Part 3 on What to Expect After My Offer has Been Accepted (the due diligence period)
Read Part 4 on Your Carlsbad Home Loan Commitment
Whew, now THAT’S over. So what happens after the due diligence period?
This will be somewhat of a quieter time for you. But there is still lots to do.
ONE: You need to being planning your move (how are you going to move? If with a mover you need to get estimates and pick the right vendor). And you probably should start packing the personal stuff you don’t need. If you are having a mover pack for you, that can make your job a little easier, but if not you will want to start packing as it can take quite a while.
TWO: Check into the utilities for your new house – gas and electric. You will need to set up accounts IN YOUR NAME and have them plan to start the new accounts on the day of closing (when you take possession). Allow some time for this, it often cannot happen over night.
THREE: Check into cable and telephone services. They often need a week or sometimes more to set things up, and may need to come out to the house. Need more telephone jacks or a cable installed? Again, plan ahead. Some folks are just using their cell phones and not having new phone service installed.
FOUR: Pay your home owner’s insurance policy for 1 year starting from the closing date and make sure the escrow company gets a copy of the binder (receipt) showing you are paid in full. You cannot close without this, at least if you are financing the purchase.
FIVE: There may be some conditions you will still have to meet according to the mortgage lender (see your loan commitment). These may not need to be met until the day of closing but it depends. Make sure you understand what is required and take care of it.
SIX: Don’t forget to take care of all the mail forwarding – notify the post office (you can do this on-line). And notify your magazine subscriptions of your new address in plenty of time.
Congratulations. You are almost there!
