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first time buyers: Yikes, We Just Bought a House!! Now What? - 05/27/12 06:39 PM
Yikes, We Just Bought a House!! Now What?
The emotions run high when you get word that you just bought a house, especially for first time home buyers.
There’s lots of excitement involved in the search process…exploring the possibilities, envisioning yourself in different houses, dreaming about the future, and perhaps feeling some frustrations, too, at not finding exactly what you want where you want it and for the price you want.
There’s the trepidation about making your first offer.
Do you make an offer on a house you like? How much should you offer? Should … (34 comments)
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first time buyers: Outdoor Living in Carlsbad California – At Home (Part 1 of 2) - 03/25/12 07:38 PM
Outdoor Living in Carlsbad California – At Home (Part 1 of 2)
Buyers looking for a home in the Carlsbad CA area often have a common request…to have outdoor space for enjoying the Southern California lifestyle.
That outdoor space request may mean a simple deck or patio, for those living in a condo. But it might mean a full-blown outdoor kitchen and elaborate entertainment area.
Amenities might include a pool (with slide or waterfall), fountain, spa or spool, plenty of hardscape, perhaps on varying levels, firepit(s) or wood burning fireplace, bar area, plentiful seating areas, built-in heat … (7 comments)
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first time buyers: HOA Documents: Why Should I Look at Them? What Should I expect to Find? - 05/11/11 01:09 AM
A Buyer Asks - Why Should I Look at the HOA Documents? What Should I expect to Find? Not too long ago a first time buyer I was working with asked me "Why should I look at the HOA documents?"
She also wanted to know "What should I expect to find?"
These are excellent questions, and any buyer in Carlsbad or other nearby Southern California communities needs to understand the HOA they are potentially buying into.
Not all communities have an HOA (that's Home Owner's Association), but you can be sure if the property is a condo or PUD (Planned Unit … (43 comments)
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first time buyers: A recent buyer asked...Do I need flood insurance? And Should I have earthquake insurance? - 04/30/11 10:15 AM
A recent buyer asked...Do I need flood insurance? And should I have earthquake insurance? The answer is IT DEPENDS.
With regard to earthquake insurance, it is optional, and not required by a lender as a condition of a loan. I asked two well respected mortgage officers I know. That's true at least right now. Requirements could change, I suppose, as they seem to every day.
Having earthquake insurance may be a good idea, especially if the home is found to be located in an earthquake fault zone per the Natural Hazards Report (e.g., First American, Disclosure Source, Property ID) and the … (9 comments)
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first time buyers: 5 New Year's Resolutions for Buyers - 01/03/11 12:54 PM
5 New Year's Resolutions for Buyers If you are not truly serious about buying right now, you won't be ready to commit to these resolutions. But it will give you something to think about for when you are serious.
For those who are really ready, my thoughts on what you MUST do are here. Take a hint.
GET PRE-APPROVED
Yep, this sounds like a no-brainer, but in my experience many buyers do not do this when they are first getting started. If you aren't paying cash, then you're going to need a loan from a bank. Not an easy thing to … (6 comments)
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first time buyers: I'd Like to Congratulate my First Time Buyers - 08/16/10 11:08 PM
Getting to closing is the ultimate pleasure for many buyers, although it might rival walking in the door of your new home.
I have some good friends I recently helped to buy their first home. It was a major lesson in patience, among other things, over a long period of time.
20 offers later over 10 months (REOs, short sales, getting outbid many times even when at and above asking price, and having to withdraw from 2 transactions due to significant inspectional issues), major delays with the underwriter and then the PMI company, and some title issues that were overcome, we … (37 comments)
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first time buyers: I Like the House but I am Not in Love With It! - 09/13/09 03:45 PM
I Like the House But I am Not in Love with It!
Is falling in love with a home you are buying important?
Is it OK to like a house, and hope to fall in love later?
Or should the initial reaction be stronger than that?
And is not being in love a good reason to not buy?
I suspect this varies from person to person. I had someone just the other day make this comment when out looking at homes, and it really made me realize that for some people being in love with a house really IS important, … (12 comments)
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first time buyers: California Home Buyers Fair in Los Angeles This Weekend - 04/14/09 05:07 PM
Home buyers (and potential home buyers) in Southern California will have a terrific opportunity this weekend to gather lots of information about the home buying process, loans, dealing with credit issues, the importance of having a home inspection, and many other topics.
The Los Angeles Convention Center is, again, the site of the 2009 FREE home buyers fair on Saturday April 18 (from 10 until 5) and on Sunday (from 11 until 4). IF it is anything like last year's event you can expect thousands of folks stopping in for more than 50 educational seminars and multiple vendors in the real … (3 comments)
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first time buyers: I Met a Savvy First Time Buyer The Other Day - 01/04/09 10:17 AM
I had the opportunity, a pleasant one, to meet a new buyer the other day. Turns out she was pretty savvy, which is always a pleasure in this market, and in light of what we have been reading recently here on AR (see Lenn's excellent post to Not Blame the American consumer...if you haven't read it you must).
I am working with a number of buyers I would classify as savvy, most of whom have been through the mill before and know the ropes. Sure this market has taken everyone for a ride in more ways than one, but the folks … (45 comments)
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first time buyers: Is YOUR Vision Real or Ideal? - 12/30/08 06:55 PM
Listen up, buyers. I have an important question for you.
Is YOUR vision ideal or real?
While this is directed more at those folks buying their first home, since they have no experience at it, it certainly can, and likely does, apply to buyers who have been through the process before but in different times.
We all know that goals are important, whether having to do with your job, your personal life, your financial objectives, or otherwise. The same is true of buying a home.
Certainly the larger goal IS to achieve the dream of owning your own home. Simple enough. … (6 comments)
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first time buyers: Carlsbad Buyers - Are You Using Technology to Your Advantage? (Part 1 of 3) - 08/05/08 06:45 PM
There probably aren’t too many of you who are looking for a Carlsbad home (or anywhere for that matter) that aren’t using technology in some manner. In this day and age it is hard to escape. But are you using technology to YOUR advantage?
This is a 3-part series on how Carlsbad buyers can use technology to their advantage before and during a real estate transaction.
Here we begin with the home search.
SEARCHING FOR A HOME
Searching for a home, whether locally or for a relocation, is best accomplished on the Internet.
Whether you are venturing out on your search … (9 comments)
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first time buyers: Relocation is NOT for Dummies (Part 3) - 01/03/08 11:03 PM
So far we have examined some of the emotional and psychological issues associated with a relocation (Relocation is NOT for Dummies Part 1), and a few practical issues you must consider when selling your home (Relocation is NOT for Dummies Part 2).
Here in Part 3 the focus is on house hunting from a distance and how to make the most of buying your new home in a distant location. You can’t drive around neighborhoods to look at housing, and you may not know much, if anything, about your new location. In a relocation:
How do you go about house hunting … (34 comments)
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first time buyers: San Elijo Hills Homes for Sale - Resale and New Construction - 12/17/07 08:51 AM
Start YOUR SAN ELIJO HILLS HOMES SEARCH HERE (and other area communities in San Diego including Cardiff, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Encinitas and San Marcos homes)
Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods
All content copyright © 2007 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits
… (6 comments)
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first time buyers: Fall in San Elijo Hills, San Marcos, California - 12/15/07 12:08 AM
I have had lots of folks visit the posts I wrote about the master planned community of San Eljio Hills in San Marcos, including the most upscale neighborhood under construction (the highest point in the community).
San Elijo Hills has received a lot of attention...not surprising given the location (fabulous coastal views from the highest point in North County), the design of the community, the diversity of home styles and prices, and much more.
I have also had a bunch of inquiries from interested buyers - not surprising given what this community has to offer. A downtown area reminiscent of a New … (19 comments)
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first time buyers: Carlsbad Homes - New Construction Flooring Decisions - 10/07/07 05:14 PM
Buyers in the Carlsbad real estate market have a variety of options regarding their housing. They can choose to buy either one of the hundreds of resales or new construction. And within the resale category particularly, one can choose between attached and detached homes, condos or single family residences, and single level or multistory. And there are some larger mid-rise building around that offers condo as well.
Buying new construction in this area seems to be popular, and some do this every few years (perhaps that may sift a bit with the correcting market). Home builders here offer a broad range of … (10 comments)
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first time buyers: Carlsbad Real Estate - September 2007 Market Report - 10/06/07 06:38 PM
Here is an overview of the MLS housing statistics for Carlsbad for September 2007 (this information does not include private sales or homes sold through builders that are not in the MLS).
Homes for sale - 541 detached, 281 attached (same as August)134 detached and 67 attached homes came on the market in September533 detached and 252 attached homes have sold in the last 6 monthsAbsorption (inventory) is 6 months for detached (slight increase from August) and 6.6 months for attached homes (same as August)Average marketing time was 61 days for attached and 66 days for detachedMedian sales price for detached - … (10 comments)
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first time buyers: Carlsbad Homes - What Can I Afford in Carlsbad? - 10/03/07 10:44 AM
I often get asked about Carlsbad home prices. Many buyers realize the costs of living in Southern California, but don't always have a good understanding of the actual market values.
It is true that the Carlsbad area IS expensive, although it is less so than many coastal communities. You can buy a good sized house with 4 bedrooms and a 1/2 acre of land in some areas of the country for what you pay for a 1 bedroom condo here. And the media certainly contributes to the perception that California real estate is expensive.
However, there are some good deals to be had … (4 comments)
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first time buyers: Carlsbad Home Buyers - What You Need to Know About the Purchase Agreement - 09/16/07 11:12 PM
Buying a Carlsbad home, or a house elsewhere in North County, means using the standard California Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions (a.k.a. RPA).
It's an imposing document, especially for first time buyers. The standard document is 8 pages of single-spaced contract language, so for someone who has not done this before it CAN be intimidating.
There are critical decisions that YOU have to make along the way.
But here are some hints to get you through the offer process. However, the intent is NOT to review everything, since you need to do some of the Q and A stuff … (16 comments)
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first time buyers: Buyers' Battle Cry - I Want a Deal! - 09/12/07 10:06 PM
They shout it from the mountain tops, in their emails, in telephone calls, at Open Houses. They tell their neighbors and friends. Agents hear it over and over. I had a call today, in fact.
"I want a deal."
There probably isn't a single buyer out there who isn't on the bandwagon right now and looking for -- no, demanding -- a deal. And why not? Most markets favor buyers right now, sellers are anxious, prices have dropped in many areas, inventory is up, prices are being reduced again and again, and homes are sitting on the market for months and months.
And some … (59 comments)
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first time buyers: Carlsbad Shopping - Henry's Market - 08/28/07 10:10 AM
MORE REAL ESTATE INFORMATION:
Fans of Coastal San Diego - a fun blog about living in the San Diego area, including Carlsbad. I would love to have you stop by and add your own thoughts and recommendations.
Relocation A to Z - everything buyers and sellers need to know about relocation to Carlsbad, or anywhere else.
First Time Buyer Central - for new AND experienced buyers
Click photo to link to my personal website to search for Carlsbad homes (and San Diego in general), download FREE buyer and seller reports, search for community resources and more.
… (12 comments)
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Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Homes for Sale ~ 760-840-1360
Carlsbad,
CA
More about me…
Solutions Real Estate (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)
Address: 6005 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 280, Carlsbad, CA, 92011
Office Phone: JUSTMYCELL
Cell Phone: (760) 840-1360
Email Me
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DISCLAIMER: I must disclaim liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of, or reliance on, any information contained in this blog, or for the accuracy of comments or opinions expressed by visitors to my blog. The information contained in the articles is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed, and the opinions expressed in these articles are mine.
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