Mr.& Mrs. Williams decided NOT to accept my buyer's offer on their short sale listing.  They said they were "fed up" dealing with their bank, the foreclosure process, the long wait time for short sale approval (this would be their 4th buyer, as the first 3 fell out of escrow).... they didn't want to haggle with the bank any more, they were afraid of tax penalties (although they were wrong), and had already filed for bankruptcy and had it discharged. Their choice now:  To simply walk away and allow the bank to foreclosure on their home.  It's called a "strategic foreclosure".  And the Williams were choosing a Foreclosure instead of a Short Sale. Or so they thought.... A week after their scheduled Trustee Sale auction date, I checked the public records through www.ForeclosureRadar.com and... 03/28/2010

You may have read my blog about researching the HOA red flags on a condo before listing it for sale: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1563016/before-you-list-a-condo-for-sale-research-the-hoa-red-flags- Since condos are more affordably priced than single family residences, many of the condo buyers are FHA and VA buyers.  In fact, I have found a large majority of condo buyers have FHA or VA financing (VA loans are more popular in areas with military bases).  As the listing agent, you'll want to be prepared with accurate information for your MLS listing and to respond to inquiries from your fellow Realtors. FHA Below is the link to verify if the Condo Complex is FHA Approved: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm You must input the name of the complex, not the street address. VA To ... 03/24/2010

You may have read my blog about researching the HOA red flags on a condo before listing it for sale: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1563016/before-you-list-a-condo-for-sale-research-the-hoa-red-flags- Since condos are more affordably priced than single family residences, many of the condo buyers are FHA and VA buyers.  In fact, I have found a large majority of condo buyers have FHA or VA financing (VA loans are more popular in areas with military bases).  As the listing agent, you'll want to be prepared with accurate information for your MLS listing and to respond to inquiries from your fellow Realtors. FHA Below is the link to verify if the Condo Complex is FHA Approved: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm You must input the name of the complex, not the street address. VA To ... 03/24/2010

Our San Diego Heritage The Missions: Mission San Luis Rey, located in scenic Oceanside is the largest of the California Missions, known as the King of the Missions and offers something for everyone. Established by Spanish Catholics between 1769 and 1823 Spanish Missions of California are religious outpost that brought livestock, fruits, vegetables, flowers and industry into California. Today, the missions stand as some of San Diego's oldest monuments. Educators, history buffs, children and curious minds will enjoy the King of the Missions and discover a part of San Diego history not easily forgotten. Explore one of the seven wonders of the San Diego North County. San Diego Zoo! A trip to San Diego is just not complete without a visit to the world famous San Diego Zoo. The zoo is a sanct... 03/18/2010

Join the Laughter Yoga Club this Saturday in Oceanside CA Laughter is good for you. We all know that "laughter is the best medicine," and everyone seems to enjoy a good laugh. But so often with our busy lives, stress, fatigue and other reasons laughter avoids us. It's hard to find something to laugh about. And laughing without a reason? Perhaps not so easy to do.  Laughter Yoga Clubs were started in India back in 1995 and have become quite popular - there are now over 6000 Laughter Clubs in 60 countries. [photo courtesy of foxtongue on Flickr] The Laughter Yoga Club will be held at 5205 Windmill Street in Oceanside, CA on Saturday March 20 beginning at 11 am.  Visit the Feeling Good Place for more information or call Hanna (760-944-8417) or Stacey (760-390-1498). Email Hanna at Hanna@Fe... 03/16/2010

The Oceanside real estate market has undergone many shifts and continues to evolve, especially with the number of distress sales. This report does not include any private sales nor manufactured or mobile housing; the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed.  Media reports speak in general terms, so information may not represent the reality of the local Oceanside real estate market. Having data from a knowledgeable agent about local market conditions benefits you as the buyer or seller for making informed decisions about a purchase or sale.  READ MORE: Oceanside California - A Growing and Changing Coastal San Diego Community  In February 2010 there were 146 homes sold in Oceanside's 4 zip codes (92054, 92056, 92057, 92058), a 7% increase a... 03/11/2010

4981 Poseidon Way, Oceanside – Sold! Ocean Hills Country Club in Oceanside, California The property at 4981 Posisedon Way in the Ocean Hills area of Oceanside was recently sold for $520,000 on February 12, 2010. I represented the buyer in the transaction. This home on Poseidon Way which is located in the Ocean Hills Country Club. Ocean Hills Country Club is a 55+ community with a golf course, pool, club house and many activities for the residents. Ocean Hills Country Club has both detached and attached homes throughout the community. If I can answer any questions, please contact me. Phone or Text: 949.280.0681 Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com 03/04/2010

I represented Chuck Smith on the purchase of a condo at North Coast Village in Oceanside, CA. The condo Chuck bought was listed as a short sale, and we went through a seven-month process of waiting and strategizing before the transaction finally went through for Chuck. Chuck recently sent me this testimonial letter. Thanks, Chuck, for the great letter! Our goal at Globella Buyers Realty is to provide such great customer service that each client becomes as big a fan as Chuck is. 03/04/2010

I can see that a lot of folks are mis-informed about topics like: short sales, flips, investors, profits, fair market value, distressed value, and the myth of "highest & best".  To be completely honest, before one year ago, I did not understand those topics either.  This was not a market I was used to dealing with, and certainly not at this level.  But in the past year, I've learned: 1. If you are a listing agent, and you receive a purchase offer for a specific listing that is active, you have a fiduciary duty to present it to your sellers, whether you like the offer or not.  It is their job to take the contract to their attorney to vet it.  You cannot simply reject the offer because you don't think it's right, but if unsure, take it to your real estate attorney for verification.  You c... 02/24/2010

There are many independent seniors communities here in Southern California, and seniors seeking a new home in a 55+ community have many options depending on where they prefer to live, the amenities desired, and budget.  The Oceanside real estate market offers a variety of communities for seniors; Emerald Lake Village is a 55+ community in south Oceanside close to the Carlsbad line that has a strong appeal for a variety of reasons.  Emerald Lake Village is gated, providing an additional level of security that is appreciated by many seniors. There is a club house with pool, spa, billiard room, large meeting room and full kitchen, as well as a library with fireplace. Residents with RVs can use the area set aside for RV parking with a fee of $25/month.    There are 161 Cape Cod-style manufa... 02/22/2010

February 22, 2010, a golf tournament and dinner auction will be held to benefit injured troops in San Diego county. This event is sponsored by the El Camino County Club, in Oceanside --conveniently located right off the 78 Freeway. Golf tournament will begin at noon and the dinner auction will begin at 5PM.   $60.00 for 18 holes of golf, includes a cart and dinner auction. If you wish to attend only the dinner auction the cost is $20.00. 50% of the proceeds will go to the Warrior Foundation a nonprofit that aids injured servicemen and women locally..   Contact the El Camino Country Club Golf Shop @760-757-0321 for tickets or tickets can be purchased at the door. . 02/15/2010

The Oceanside real estate market has undergone many shifts and continues to evolve, especially with the number of distress sales. This report does not include any private sales nor manufactured or mobile housing; the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed.  Media reports speak in general terms, so information may not represent the reality of the local Oceanside real estate market. Having data from a knowledgeable agent about local market conditions benefits you as the buyer or seller for making informed decisions about a purchase or sale.  READ MORE: Oceanside California - A Growing and Changing Coastal San Diego Community  In January 2010 there were 136 homes sold in Oceanside's 4 zip codes (92054, 92056, 92057, 92058), a decrease of 32... 02/07/2010

Latest Real Estate Market Data for Oceanside, California Every time you turn on the news or read the newspaper, you hear some sort of report about the real estate market. In most cases, however, the report is about the national real estate market and not the specific statistics for the city where you live. Buyers, sellers, and homeowners in Oceanside, California should be familiar with the current real estate market statistics for your city. So, here's the latest information for you: Detached Homes Total Sold Days on Market Average Sold Price January 2010 77 52 $397,594 December 2009 143 51 $357,871   Attached Homes Total Sold Days on Market Average Sold Price January 2010 59 96 $200,408 December 2009 72 64 $203,014 Total sales declined in January in Oceanside, and there was a decrease ... 02/06/2010

I received this email from JD Clayton of Progressive Loan Solutions in San Diego, California. JD was hired by the listing agent on a short sale listing (that I represented the buyer on). JD's job was to be the intermediary who communicated with the banks in the short sale transaction. This particular transaction took longer than seven months to complete, and JD was there working on it the entire time. I had quite a few conversations with her throughout those seven months. Here's the email I received from her just before Christmas: Justin.I wanted to take a moment to say "thank you" for all you did to facilitate the closing of (seller's) Oceanside property. I need to add that you are in the top 1% of realtors that I have dealt with during my tenure in this business, which spans over 3 de... 02/05/2010

  To search homes for sale in Oceanside, Carlsbad and throughout San Diego county all you have to do is click on the picture of the home below for San Diego county MLS.  If you want the most up to date mortgage rates click on the picture that says "rates".                 Oceanside and Carlsbad homes for sale                            Current mortgage rates       The market is stabilizing which means that with a strengthening economy home values are  beginning to rise in Oceanside, Carlsbad and San Diego County.  Oceanside has seen an average of about 28% rise in closed purchase transactions!  Get in while you still can.  View Oceanside real estate market report.       Call us or stop by our Carlsbad office today! View Larger Map       First Priority Financial is licensed by the Califo... 01/23/2010

The Oceanside real estate market has undergone many shifts and continues to evolve, especially with the number of distress sales. This report does not include any private sales nor manufactured or mobile housing; the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed.  Media reports speak in general terms, so information may not represent the reality of the local Oceanside real estate market. Having data from a knowledgeable agent about local market conditions benefits you as the buyer or seller for making informed decisions about a purchase or sale.  READ MORE: Oceanside California - A Growing and Changing Coastal San Diego Community  In December 2009 there were 199 homes sold in Oceanside's 4 zip codes (92054, 92056, 92057, 92058), as compared to ... 01/09/2010

Are you considering selling your home in Oceanside, California? Do you owe more to your mortgage company than your home is worth? If that is the case, then you may need to list your property in a transaction called a short sale.  A short sale is a transaction where the property is sold for less than the amount of the debt, and the lender agrees to this sale. It is a transaction that requires patience and a bit of paperwork, but short sales are very successful in our current real estate market. Whether you live in Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista, or Carlsbad or anywhere else in San Diego County and beyond and you want to sell your home, you will need to be informed about the real estate market in your area in order to determine whether you will need to sell your home in a short sale. What i... 01/05/2010

Street Light Removal will be taking place in the Rancho Del Oro Neighborhood over the next two months the City of Oceanside, will be removing structurally unsound street light poles. To date the City of Oceanside, has survey approximately 30% of the area and found 40 street light poles to be structurally unsound. 25 of the 40 have been removed with the total number removals yet to be determined. These street lights were installed in the early 1980's and the poles are showing signs of rust deterioration which could make them unstable during high winds. The cost to remedy this situation is being discussed with Rancho Del Oro HOA. 01/05/2010

January 7, 2010 @ 6PM-8PM in the Community Room at the public library located at 330 North Coast Highway, Oceanside, California will take place a meeting regarding the upcoming plans to make downtown Oceanside, much more pedestrian friendly. This would include possible alternatives for improvements to Mission Ave which will be discussed. There are currently five different alternatives to the traffic circulation off Mission Ave ---   Mark your calendars and join in the lively discussion. See you there. 01/05/2010

The Oceanside Terraces auction took place last summer, but we still receive calls weekly wondering about the disposition of these luxury urban condos. The story unfolds: It took some doing, but we were finally allowed into the auction room where high bidders would be able to purchase the remaining 29 residences at the Oceanside Terraces. We wanted to be able to report on the results (as we are doing now), but someone with Accelerated Marketing Partners tried to block our entry. An executive with the firm eventually intervened, and we were allowed into the room where approximately 100 registered bidders were seated. The auction was orderly, and Eve Sieminski, Mike, Scott and I were able to see most of the bidding activity from where we sat at the back of the room. And in a little over a... 12/16/2009