Discover All of the Great Things to Do in Escondido - 09/30/11 03:15 PM
Escondido is located in Inland North San Diego County, and it is a really unique place to live.
The name (Escondido) means hidden in Spanish, probably because Escondido occupies a shallow valley ringed by rocky hills. Founded in 1888, it is one of the oldest cities in San Diego County.
Escondido has an economy based on agriculture, tourism, retail, services, light industry, and high tech. Home to the world famous San Diego Zoo Safari Park as well as lovely wineries and museums, Escondido is a wonderful place to visit and to live. 
Are you considering a move to Escondido, California? Have you ever checked … (4 comments)

Just Sold – View Home in Ramona, California - 09/29/11 01:30 PM
 
Just closed escrow on this gorgeous view home in Ramona, California. And, here’s the best news yet: this was a short sale, closed in less than 90 days, and the seller received a $30,000 short sale incentive from Chase Bank.
This Ramona short sale seller signed the listing agreement the third week of June. An offer was received within one week. Four weeks later, our office received short sale approval from Chase Bank. Unfortunately, the buyer did not want to move forward. However, a new buyer was found right away, and we just closed the transaction: two buyers, two approvals, … (5 comments)

Some Things Are Not So Bad for Short Sale Listing Agents - 09/28/11 12:09 AM
A few weeks ago, I read an interesting article on Housing Wire entitled “New Normal Means a Lot More Pain to Come.” The article addresses our existing housing market. An economist for the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis discusses how our “new normal” in housing is marked by 2% to 3% growth rates, more frequent recessions, and decreased consumer spending. The article also states that equity investors who can purchase properties and then rent them out may be the key to cutting our recovery time.
What I liked most about this article was the phrase “new normal.” Our economy has … (16 comments)

Walmart Is Coming to Encinitas - 09/27/11 09:46 AM
Can you believe that Walmart is coming to Encinitas?
According to an article in the San Diego Union Tribune, Walmart will open a store in Encinitas next fall (that’s Fall 2012).
Just a few weeks ago, the city issued permits to the store to begin converting what used to be the Home Expo on Leucadia Boulevard (just west of El Camino Real) into a Walmart. The renovations are expected to take about a year.
One of the issues that came up when issuing the approval was with respect to the parking. As the lot currently stands, there are not sufficient parking … (7 comments)

Here’s the Reason that Some Short Sales Don’t Close - 09/26/11 12:27 PM
I just heard that Dorothy’s ruby slippers (rather the ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore) are going to be auctioned off and they are expected to fetch between two and three million dollars. If you recall, Glinda the Good Witch puts the slippers on Dorothy’s feet at the beginning of The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy knows they are magical and learns at the end of the film that if she clicks her heels and repeats the famous phrase “There’s no place like home,” she will be returned to Kansas.
I certainly wished that I could be returned to Kansas this past … (12 comments)

Why Are Disclosures Important When Buying a Home in Escondido? - 09/25/11 10:34 AM
If you are thinking about buying a home in Escondido, San Marcos, Vista and beyond, there are a lot of things to know about the California homebuying process.
One thing that is very important (and often overlooked or considered tricial) is the subject of property disclosures. Disclosures are those specific documents that ‘disclose’ or make known certain information about the property, the neighborhood, and the Homeowner’s Association among other things. And, in the state of California, the preparation and presentation of these disclosures is mandatory.
The California Residential Purchase Agreement states (in item 6A) that the seller shall deliver to the … (8 comments)

East Escondido Home for Sale - 09/24/11 09:40 AM
MLS# 1100296941347 Hiawatha GlenEscondido, California  92027
This Escondido home for sale is a single family home located in East Escondido at 1347 Hiawatha Glen. The name Hiawatha was familiar to me—not because I have had previous listings on the same street but because we probably had some limited study of the name Hiawatha in school.
Hiawatha was a legendary Native American leader and founder of the Iroquois Confederacy. Hiawatha is also a fictional character in the poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
While that stuff is all part of history, this home is a bit newer. Built in 1988, this Escondido family … (9 comments)

Escondido Humane Society – Adopt a Pet Today - 09/23/11 04:57 PM
Escondido Humane Society3450 East Valley ParkwayEscondido, CA 92027760-888-224
I heard a really interesting human-interest story on the radio today about how the city council in Toronto passed a new ordinance on Wednesday. 
As reported by CTV News, puppies and kittens sold in Toronto pet stores must come from shelters, humane societies or rescue groups. The Toronto City Council voted unanimously to institute the changes: the goal being to keep stores from selling animals from puppy or kitten mills.
So, in keeping with this new city ordinance, I thought that now might be a good time to again share information about our … (0 comments)

Horse Ranch in Valley Center – An Equestrian Oasis - 09/22/11 09:35 PM
Horse Ranch in Valley Center – An Equestrian Oasis
 
Address:
16120 Woods Valley Road
Valley Center, CA 92082
 
About the Property:
Nestled in the heart of Valley Center, The Oaks Farms (formerly Indian Hills Ranch) is a distinguished horse facility that spans approximately 39+ acres. This rustic property is based on the vision of Joan Irvine Smith, a world-renowned horsewoman with a lifetime of experience in the equestrian field. Today lush, mature landscaping–enhances arenas, barns, stables and more.
The Oaks Farms is large enough–almost 40 acres–to handle your dreams. Enjoy the entire ranch exclusively, with opportunities to create your … (5 comments)

Short Sale Urban Myths – Short Sales with No Late Payments - 09/21/11 07:59 PM
It happens all the time: I have sellers and agents call me at the office to ask whether a short sale seller (their prospective client) can list in a short sale because the seller has not missed any mortgage payments.
Or, I may get a call from an agent who tells me that the bank told the seller that he or she could only get evaluated for a short sale if mortgage payments have been missed. Apparently, there’s this masked employee who seems to work at all the banks and spread this misinformation like wildfire. (It’s almost like the beginning of … (40 comments)

Learn Proven Short Sale Lead Generation Techniques - Free Webinar this Thursday - 09/20/11 09:47 PM
I realize that there are only two days left. Please don’t take it the wrong way. If you have nothing to do this Thursday. September 22 at 10:00 a.m. PST, then I would love for you to join me for a FREE webinar on how to generate short sale leads.
It may be hard to believe, but there is an art to working the short sale. From taking the listing to opening escrow, certain techniques can be used to make the transaction move along more quickly and efficiently.
And . . . if you have been anywhere near a newspaper or the … (4 comments)

Free Short Sale Workshop on September 21, 2011 – Vista California - 09/19/11 08:21 PM
You're Invited!
It may be hard to believe, but there is an art to working the short sale. From taking the listing to opening escrow, certain techniques can be used to make the transaction move along more quickly and efficiently.
And . . . if you have been anywhere near a newpaper or the Internet, then you know that short sales are a large component of the current real estate market share.
You and your colleagues are invited to a FREE live workshop where you will learn some tips about how to become a short sale expeditor!
In this workshop, you … (7 comments)

How Would You Grade the Mortgage Servicers? - 09/18/11 03:36 PM
If you are actively working short sales, then you probably already have your little black book of contacts—you know, the employees at the big banks that you call when the traditional route isn’t going your way. Well, what would you do if you didn’t have that little black book?
 
You probably also have your list of banks that are your personal faves and banks that you want to avoid like the Plague. Fannie Mae has recently started to rank the banks just like we all do each and every day—except that their grading system may have a little more clout than … (10 comments)

Casa de Bandini in Carlsbad - Delicioso - 09/17/11 10:28 AM
I had dinner last night at Diane Powers Casa de Bandini La Comida de Mexico in Carlsbad, California. In North San Diego County (and particularly in Encinitas and in Carlsbad), Mexican food places (and I’m not talking about national fast food chains) are a dime a dozen. However, this one is tops.
Located in the Forum in Carlsbad, Casa de Bandini Mexican Restaurant does a great job embracing Mexican culture—through its food, mariachi entertainment, home made tortillas, and unique décor. So much so that I asked my son if he could get extra credit in Spanish class—just by eating there. Casa … (9 comments)

Encinitas Ranch Home for Sale – Ocean View - 09/16/11 12:10 AM
1750 Dylan Way, Encinitas, CA 92024
MLS #110052171

If you are looking for a home with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, than you should look no further than 1750 Dylan Way in Quail Ridge, Encinitas Ranch.
This Encinitas Ranch Home for Sale is located at the end of a cul-de-sac and perched high on a hill in the highly-coveted gated community of Quail Ridge in Encinitas Ranch. It features 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and approximately 5000 square feet of living space.
The entry features a glorious two-story rotunda that leads to an open, airy living room with soaring … (9 comments)

Do Sellers Pay Taxes on Short Sale Incentives? On Gift Horses? - 09/15/11 09:19 AM
Have you ever considered proverb, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”? I actually researched it and learned that as horses age, their teeth begin to project further forward each year. Because of this, their age can be estimated by checking how prominent the teeth are. So, what the proverb means is that you should not criticize or cast doubt when something nice is offered to you (don’t focus on the horse’s teeth).
The short sale incentive is something nice. But, could it be a beast of burden?
There are all kinds of incentives available to short sale sellers throughout the … (9 comments)

Obama Discusses Mortgage Reform in Famed Job Speech - 09/14/11 09:27 AM
Unless you live in a cave or some other remote area sans technology (in which case you probably are not reading this), you have probably already heard that a large part of Southern California (including some of Northern Mexico and parts of Arizona) lost power for a good long time beginning on Thursday afternoon, September 8. This occurred after 3:00 p.m. (PST)—just before Obama’s big Congressional Address (also known as the jobs’ speech).
While the loss of power may have stopped many So Cal folks from hearing the speech, it didn’t stop Obama from speaking a little bit about his new … (4 comments)

Resort Style Living in North Escondido - 09/13/11 12:12 AM
1318 Quartz Hill Lane, Escondido, CA 92027
MLS #110040849
Offered at $475,000 to $500,000
"Resort Style Home in Escondido"Create a free slideshow with Picnik! This stunning home is located in a desirable community in North Escondido. It has many wonderful features including gated entry, tile flooring, Jacuzzi, solar-heated swimming pool, gorgeous landscaping, a free-standing aviary, tennis and basketball courts, a remodeled kitchen with custom lighting and cherry wood cabinets.
On the grounds, there is a main house with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1710 square feet of living space. There is also a 600 square foot guesthouse, complete with it’s own … (6 comments)

More Changes to HAFA - Check 'em Out - 09/12/11 12:19 AM
Can you believe it? There are some new changes to HAFA, and they have been set forth in Making Home Affordable Supplemental Directive 11-08 (August 9, 2011) 
What Is HAFA?
In March 2009, the U.S. Treasury issued guidance for loan modifications by participants in the Making Home Affordable Program and subsequently updated and expanded that guidance in April of 2010 to include the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA)—a program that provides borrowers with an alternative to foreclosure through a short sale or deed-in-lieu (DIL) of foreclosure.
This new Supplemental Directive (11-08) addresses following: Eligibility Matrix, Intent of Borrower Communication Timeframes, Consideration … (5 comments)

Escondido Country Club Home for Sale - 09/11/11 09:48 AM
2147 Royal Lytham Glen, Escondido, CA 92026
MLS #110034076

If you want to live in the Escondido Country Club and are currently home shopping, you should consider this single-level 3 bedroom, 2 bath Escondido Country Club home, sitting up against the hills below Emerald Heights.  Step out onto the elegant patio and you can hear the birds chirping. This property is located on a quiet and serene cul-de-sac, with lush landscaping throughout the neighborhood. The turnkey, move-in ready home features vaulted ceilings. The master bedroom has its own patio with double sinks in the master bath.  Open and airy with … (4 comments)

Escondido Country Club Short Sales - 09/10/11 06:12 PM
If you live in the Escondido Country Club or any other part of Escondido and need to sell your home right now, it’s possible may need to participate in a short sale. 
A short sale occurs when you are “upside down” on your mortgage--when you owe more on your loan then your property is worth. That’s where a qualified short sale Realtor® can help. A Realtor® experienced with short sales can negotiate with the bank that services your loan in order for the mortgage lender to accept the current market value and forgive the difference. 
If you live in or around the Escondido … (0 comments)

Who Pays the Property Taxes in a Short Sale? - 09/09/11 08:03 PM
Agents frequently ask me about the property taxes associated with a short sale. Should the seller pay the property taxes? What happens when the lender escrows property taxes? What happens to the defaulted property taxes? 
The good news is that these are easy questions to answer.
When a short sale package is submitted to the bank, the short sale package includes an estimated settlement statement. The estimated settlement statement (also known as a HUD-1) itemizes all of the costs associated with the short sale through the projected closing date.
A savvy escrow officer, title officer, listing agent, or short sale processor … (19 comments)

Short Sale Fraud Alert from Freddie Mac - 09/08/11 12:16 AM
Short sales are closing more often in order to avoid foreclosure as demonstrated in the RealtyTrac report that came out this past week which shows that there was a 19% increase in pre-foreclosure transactions in the second quarter of 2011. 
Freddie Mac says its short sales have risen from about 4 percent of completed workouts in 2000 to nearly 14 percent in 2010. HOwever, Freddie Mac also notes that this increase comes part and parcel with an increase in short sale fraud.
One type of fraud that has been brought to light involves agents who rig sales and hide higher offers from … (3 comments)

How to Select a Bernardo Santa Fe Real Estate Agent - 09/07/11 09:18 PM
Whether you are interested in buying or selling a home in Bernardo Santa Fe Escondido, you may be interested in hiring a real estate agent or a Realtor® to help you through the process.
Hiring a qualified Bernardo Santa Fe agent—someone who will be able to take you step-by-step through the process—can be difficult.
Here are some things to consider when selecting a Bernardo Santa Fe Escondido agent: 
Is the agent you are planning to work with a Realtor®? A broker? The term Realtor® describes a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® (the world’s … (0 comments)

RealtyTrac Reports Increase in Short Sales - 09/06/11 11:14 PM
According to a report released by RealtyTrac, pre-foreclosure sales increased 19% from the second quarter of 2011. These statistics may suggest that banks are imaking it their goal to work with distressed borrowers and unload properties before foreclosure.  Of course, it’s pretty obvious that many of the banks do want to work with borrowers. Why else would they offer such great short sale incentives (up to $35,000)?
Here are some national statistics that are pretty interesting:
Third parties (that’s your short sale buyer) acquired 102,407 pre-foreclosures in the second quarter of 2011. 162,680 bank-owned homes were sold in the same period.  … (6 comments)

Homes for Sale in Sonata Escondido - 09/05/11 03:09 PM

Sonata Escondido is one of the many great communities located in the city of Escondido. Comprised of 149 single-family homes, the community has over 12 acres of commons areas—making it a great place for those who enjoy the outdoors.
Built in the 1980s, the community of Sonata Escondido is comprised of Sonata Patio I and Sonata Patio II.  These homes provide thoughtful and organized floor plans, all with attached garages. Homes range in size from 1,800 to nearly 2,700 square feet.  
Because of the topography, many of the homes in Sonata Escondido have views of the mountains and of scenic Lake … (2 comments)

Shark at Swami’s Beach - 09/04/11 03:16 PM
Just the other day, Carlsbad resident Gary Elliot took a photo of at Swami’s Beach in Encinitas. You will never guess what he found in his photo. While he thought he was taking photos of surfers, when he got home he noticed that there were more than just surfers and the marvelous Pacific Ocean in his photo.
Check out Elliot’s photos to see what appears to be the friendliest shark in Encinitas.




About Swami’s Beach: Swami’s Beach is an internationally recognized surf spot at the southern tip of Encinitas. It is named after Swami Paramahansa Yogananda because … (16 comments)

Bernardo Santa Fe Escondido - 09/03/11 07:03 PM
I love the community of Bernardo Santa Fe in Escondido. Why? Well, hey… who wouldn’t love a community that is close to the mall, to the highway, to scenic Lake Hodges—yet feels quiet and tranquil all at the same time?
Bernardo Santa Fe is a gated community consisting of 113 estate homes completed in 2001. It is located in southwest Escondido, just west of the I-15 and north of Via Rancho Parkway. (Yes, folks, that’s the same exit as the Westfield North County Fair.) Aside from the mall, Bernardo Santa Fe is close to Kit Carson Park, Felicita Park, the Lake Hodges Driving Range and … (2 comments)

Solutions for San Diego and Riverside County Distressed Borrowers - 09/02/11 09:25 AM
North San Diego County Distressed Borrowers - This Information Is for You
If you live in Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside and beyond and you are having trouble making ends meet, it is important to face facts and know your options. 
The data tells the truth about the current situation in our real estate market. Right now there are many residents of North San Diego County who might be facing foreclosure who feel scared to open their mail, to contact their lender, and to face the reality of their situation.
If you are having trouble making ends meet and making those … (2 comments)

The Impact of a Bad Broker Price Opinion - 09/01/11 12:13 AM
Look what was in my email inbox the other day:
Melissa Zavala, I am contacting you to check if you are interested in doing a CMA in the following ZIP code… 
The ZIP code was 100 miles from my office, so I politely declined.
But, this special request got me consider the sorry state of Broker Price Opinions. In the wild world of short sales, sometimes the BPOs come in very high, and other times they come in very low. It’s not surprising that the results are so disparate (yes, that’s a real word), especially if some yokel like me was … (93 comments)

 
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Escondido Real Estate - North San Diego County Homes

Melissa Zavala, Broker

Escondido, CA

More about me…

Broadpoint Properties

Address: 220 West Second Avenue, Escondido, CA, 92025

Office Phone: (760) 839-3838

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Broadpoint Properties



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