Thank heavens for FHA financing. Many of today's real estate professionals and consumers have never been exposed to FHA because of home prices in the San Diego market over the past several years. For many of us, FHA was an important part of the housing market in the past. All good things eventually resurface and FHA is one of the bright stars that are shining on this market. I think it is important to identify all of the reasons why this program is so important to the real estate community. Before doing so, it is worth noting that the mandatory seller fees associated with FHA financing in the past no longer exist. All fees are negotiable now - mandatory seller fees were as high as $1500 with some lenders and often discouraged sellers from entertaining offers involving FHA financing prio... 07/21/2008

Sorry I've been absent, but we've been busy.  I've had a few comments lately on some of the HDR posts, so I thought I would post some recent images that I created for consideration. THESE WERE HARD TO TAKE.  This is a beach house right on the sand in Oceanside, CA.  I had to wait until a very clear day when there wasn't so much humidity in the air (i.e., NO cloud cover).  Consequently, the outside light was HOT HOT HOT.  The difference between inside and outside is large even on a cloudy day in a neighborhood with grass and trees.  But on the sand next to the water, the amount of light bouncing around outside is RIDICULOUS.  I had never shot a home in this setting, and if you haven't done it, get prepared for some post-processing work!  Even my HDR images were having all sorts of issues... 07/19/2008

Los Angeles Times Fed stiffens restrictions on mortgage lenders The Federal Reserve is clamping down on what it called "deceptive acts and practices" by some mortgage lenders that it says helped lead to the subprime mortgage crisis. The new rules, which apply to all banks and other lenders and specifically target subprime loans and borrowers, will take effect Oct. 1. MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS · The new rules "are intended to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive acts and practices in mortgage lending, while keeping credit available to qualified borrowers and supporting sustainable homeownership," said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. · The new rules will prohibit loans to borrowers who can't repay the loan from income and assets other than the home's value and w... 07/17/2008

I have been a realtor in San Diego for 15 years. I am also a certified and background checked Notary for the State of California.  I have two sons and two grandsons.  I am honest, ethical and knowledgable about our real estate market.   I work for Windermere Exclusive Properties near the beach in Carlsbad, California and love being near the place where all the tourist and locals come to have fun. I also run a non profit corportation called Garden of Innocence National and the sole purpose of this it to teach and provide dignified burials for abandoned and unidentified children.  I am trying to raise money so I can start a garden in every state.   Currently I have a garden in San Diego and have laid to rest over 105 babies.   We also have one in St. Louis and getting ready to start ones ... 07/17/2008

I was wondering why I didn't get any comments on my article.  So upon my review I found the damn statistics had taken the path of error...this page can't be found.  So Damn Lies, Statistics and Techonology!  Here is the latest on what is going on in San Diego.   http://hangtenrealestate.com/2008/06/24/san-diego-county-economic-profile-june-2008/ 06/29/2008

Looking to retire in North County San Diego? North County San Diego offers some of the best retirement living for folks who want to enjoy the finest place to live in America. If you are seeking to live in a 55 + Up community in Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos areas, here are a couple great choices for you. Oceanside Homes For Sale- Mobile Homes, Manufacutured Homes, Condos, Townhomes, Pacifica- Senior Community in Oceanside High $200,000's - High $300,000's  Detached and attached homes Pool, spa, tennis, clubhouse, lots more! SEE ALL PACIFICA HOMES FOR SALE IN OCEANSIDE HERE     Oceana- Condominiums, Attached and Detached Homes in Oceanside near everything  Condos start at $100,000-$200,000 Attached Homes go from $150,000's to high $200,000's Detached Homes go from  $200,000's to mid $3... 06/28/2008

Have you considered the 92057 zip code in Oceanside for your next investment property?  We think there is a compelling argument for the long-term property investor.  Consider this question on Trulia Voices: How is San Diego market doing now? Is it good time to buy investment/rental properties?Which zip codes have best potential if I plan to keep the properties for long term (5/10 years)? I said: Do a home search for properties in the 92057 Zip code, on Trulia- keep it to under $225,000.  Most of these properties sold north of $400K, in 2005. While that was overblown, you can see that there is a lot of room there for growth over a 5-10 year period.  They were once valued that high, now they're about half of the 2005 values.   Now, click this link- Marine Corps NCOs receive about $1,500-$... 06/24/2008

Oceanside San Diego Foreclosures Oceanside has foreclosures for sale in 2008 and in 2009 will also have many bank owned homes on the market. Bank owned properties or REO's in Oceanside CA are filling the San Diego MLS with reduced priced homes. Home and condo buyers wanting to buy a home or condo in the Oceanside area can take their pick. There are many Oceanside homes and condos already foreclosed on by the bank or mortgage holder and many more foreclosures are on the way. We have helped many San Diego home buyers buy a foreclosure and most have saved thousands and even tens of thousands buying a foreclosed home or condo. Buying foreclosures in Oceanside, San Diego California is real easy. You will need to have a knowledgeable real estate agent to show you where and what to look for an... 06/04/2008

Are you finding homes that can actually be purchased  becoming more than just a chore.  I represent several buyers who are having quite the time finding a home, they can actually purchase. More than curious about market statistics, I decided to conduct a little research and selected the Oceanside, CA 92054 market for homes listed under $500K.  The total number of  detached homes currently Active/For Sale in Oceanside under $500K is 108, of which: Bank Owned -  23 Short Sales  -  55 Market Sales - 30 The total number of detached homes currently In Escrow/Pending sale in Oceanside under $500K is 47, of which: Bank Owned - 20 Short Sales - 15 Market Sales - 12 The bank owned properties seem to be the most sellable properties in this price range, followed by the private or market sales.  Br... 06/04/2008

Oceanside's Arrowood community, including KB Homes' Windham and Buckingham tracts, is an area of homes less than 5 years old with new construction still ongoing. Unfortunately, this mix has caused it to have some of the biggest price drops (from the peak) that we have seen in Oceanside. As the inventory of bank owned homes has dwindled, and multiple offer situations has caused many buyers to miss out, the new home builders (KB, Richmond American, Fieldstone, and John Laing) have been very aggressive in both their pricing and the incentives offered which is now translating into decent sales activity. For example, of the 15 homes currently in escrow, 4 are bank owned, 1 is a short sale, 1 is a non-distressed seller, and 9 are new homes. Of homes sold in the past 3 months, 8 were bank owne... 06/01/2008

It's been a heck of a few weeks! Homes in good locations under $400K are getting multiple offers, and most are selling substantially above the asking price. Watch for exciting numbers to start hitting the news when these properties close escrow!Buyers I meet at open houses are frustrated that they can't seem to buy a house! It's either a short sale (like watching grass grow) or an underpriced bank owned property (start the bidding war). There are darn few real sellers willing to sell into this market! Most are just staying put and waiting out the storm. So the reality is that buyers are having a heck of a time. They are making lots of offers that don't go through, and it's not because they are trying to lowball, it's because they are being outbid.The investors are coming out, as well as... 05/23/2008

    I am not a blogger, never read a blog page, but here I am embarking on my blog page and diving in! I own KZ interiorz, an innovative interior styling company which specializes in Real Estate Staging and Interior Redesign (staging to stay vs. staging to sell!).  Staging is a great way, for agents to set themselves apart from the competition by showing clients that they are really, completely dedicated to selling homes.  I recently staged a vacant home in Carlsbad and here are some of my before and after pics to check out.  Hope my blog is enjoyed by you and let me know if I can help you sell your clients home faster and for top dollar! I just staged a home (not the one below) on a Friday, the realtor had Open House on Saturday and an offer was placed on the house on Sunday! Who says ... 05/19/2008

Yet another Bank Owned  Home in Oceanside, this one in Northview. Here is one pic of it and then compare to any home in Oceanside by subdivision or on my other Oceanside Real Estate Blogs   TOO LATE.... Property SOLD... CONTACT ME FOR A FREE LIST OF BANK OWNED HOMES IN OCEANSIDE RealEstateQuestion@yahoo.com  760 207 7245   05/14/2008

Here is yet ANOTHER great Bank owned home in Oceanside, this one in MISSION WELLS.. SOLD! SEE ALL MISSION WELLS HOMES FOR SALE IN OCEANSIDE HERE AND COMPARE   THIS ONE IS GONE..... Contact me for a list of up to date BANK OWNED HOMES IN OCEANSIDE!There are over 100 bank owned homes in Oceanside. Email me realestatequestion@yahoo.com 760 207 7245       05/14/2008

River Ranch is a gated community in North Oceanside CA. SEE ALL RIVER RANCH HOMES FOR SALE HERE   This is a killer deal on this River Ranch BANK OWNED HOME FOR SALE. Call me, lets make them an offer!.................................................................................................................................................................. TOO LATE ....................SOLD! To get a list of Bank Owned Homes in OCeanside or anywhere in San Diego EMAIL ME realestatequestion@yaho.com  760 207 7245 NO MELLO ROOS MLS #: 081034953  only $415,000   05/14/2008

Here is your chance to get ALL IVEY RANCH HOMES FOR SALE IN OCEANSIDE... and then some SEE ALL IVEY RANCH HOMES FOR SALE IN OCEANSIDE HERE NOW! IVEY GLENN IVEY RANCH IVEY RIDGE IVY RANCH JEFFRIES RANCH Try this BANK OWNED HOME IN IVEY RANCH IN OCEANSIDE .... GOING GOING >.........SOLD  Call for a list of Available Bank Owned Homes or Email me  realestatequestion@yahoo.com     05/14/2008

HUGE HOME FOR SALE IN OCEANSIDE IN GUAJOME PARK ESTATES- BIGGEST BACK YARD EVER. SHORT SALE! THIS ONE IS WORTH THE WAIT! HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YARD!!!!!!!!! MLS # 081033160 $390,000 SEE ALL GUAJOME PARK ESTATES HOMES FOR SALE HERE NOW GUAJOME LAKE GUAJOME MEADOW GUAJOME MESA GUAJOME PARK   05/14/2008

Welcome to your Oceanside California Real Estate resource guide provided by Realtor and Associate Broker Jeff Cole of "The Cole Group" at Windermere Exclusive Properties. The northernmost coastal city in San Diego County, Oceanside California is a beach community with over 3 ½ miles of coastline, a fine small-craft harbor housing 900 pleasure boats, sport fishing operations, shops and restaurants. Further accentuating its character as a thriving beach community, Oceanside is home to various tributes to the Pacific Ocean like the Oceanside Municipal Pier (the longest all wood pier on the west coast), the Oceanside Harbor and Marina (offering a variety of watersports like jetskiing, scuba diving, boat rentals, and whale watching excursions), and the California Surf Museum (surfing-related... 05/07/2008

I'm bullish, long-term, on coastal California real estate- that's no secret.  The underlying demographics are still positive for California; more people will be moving in than moving out, over the next 20 years.  Aging baby boomers yearn for warm climes in retirement.  While California has its share of problems, it is still the "promised land" for many Americans. Southern California is getting hammered.  Housing prices in San Diego County have dropped like a ball off a table.  While tony communities like La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe have held up, towns like Oceanside have experienced severe declines.  Two "beach towns" we like, in San Diego County, are Oceanside and Imperial Beach.  We're "value investors" and have been since our days on Wall Street.  Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett ... 04/26/2008

I was a military dependent having been married to my husband while he was in the Marine Corps. I have first hand experience at how the system works from the military side as well as civilian side. Our family got the orders to transfer to Okinawa Japan, putting pretty much all of belongings into storage. Upon transferring back state side the decision was do we rent again or buy a home? We ended up buying a home in Oceanside Ca because we knew we should be there for a few years, enough to get past the capital gains consequences. Many military families face the same decisions. I am here to listen and guide military families when it comes to buying or renting a home. If you have clients, friends, or family members who are transferring to Southern California please think of me for the referr... 04/23/2008