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Orange County Short Sale Homes - Why Wouldn't You?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch BRE# 01274644

Orange County Short Sale Homes - Why Wouldn't You?

Buying A Short SaleI like statistics you can really use!  Data is only useful if you can pull a practical purpose from it, right?  With that in mind I compiled the chart below showing the difference in average sale price between standard sales and distressed sales (short sale and bank owned homes) for selected OC communities.

How about saving money... that's fairly practical I'm sure we can all agree.  Orange County short sale homes offer the patient and astute buyer an opportunity to purchase more home for their money or the same amount of home for less money. In simple terms...  If you like saving money and are willing to endure the process buying a short sale is the way to go.  If you are willing to pay more to avoid the hassle and prolonged timeframe then a standard sale is the route you should take.  I know it's not all about the money but let's admit this is a primary factor in the decision making process for all of us.

Community         Standard Sale Price * Distressed Sale Price * Discount %    
Aliso Viejo $605,752 $529,083 12.7%
Foothill Ranch $611,977 $545,388 10.9%
Ladera Ranch $603,972 $551,658  8.7%
Laguna Niguel $658,582 $578,000 12.2%
Lake Forest $550,665 $502,706  8.7%
Mission Viejo $570,815 $503,676 11.8%
Rancho Santa Margarita $569,815 $504,709 11.4%

* The sales data in the chart above was compiled from MLS sales data from 03/01/2010 to 2/28/2011 and compares the average sale price of standard sales (all transactions other than short sale and bank owned) to distressed sales (all short sale and bank owned/REO) for 4 bedroom detached single family homes from 1,800 square feet to 2,250 square feet in size.

Short sales continue to increase as a percentage of the total sales volume in Orange County and 2011 looks to be no exception.  If you are interested in purchasing a short sale then it is mostly good news.  There is plenty of inventory to choose from, interest rates are historically low and in most Orange County communities the average sale price of a distressed home (short sale or foreclosure) is 10% or more below the average sale price of a standard sale.  The bad news... short sales are usually complex and lengthy transactions (remember you will likely save 10% or more!) and you would be wise to select a Real Estate agent that has a demonstrated track record of success representing buyers and sellers in the short sale niche. Experience and expertise help you avoid wasting valuable time and effort pursuing short sale listings that have a marginal chance of a successful outcome.  Find Orange County Short Sales...

Aliso Viejo Irvine Lake Forest San Clemente
Corona Del Mar Ladera Ranch Mission Viejo San Juan Capistrano
Coto De Caza Laguna Beach Newport Beach Trabuco Canyon
Dana Point Laguna Hills Newport Coast Tustin
Foothill Ranch Laguna Niguel Rancho Santa Margarita Yorba Linda

All short sales were not created equally! Before making an offer on a short sale some basic background research should be done.  Is it/was it previously approved?  How many loans are secured against the home? Which bank or banks are involved? Are HOA and property taxes delinquent? Has notice of default (NOD) or notice of sale (NOS) been filed?  Which investors are involved?  If you have questions about a particular short sale listing please do not hesitate to call or email me.  This is my area of expertise and I can help you find a great opportunity or avoid a mess.

Posted by

OC Real Estate Solutions                                                            

by DAVE GUBLER| IML REAL ESTATE |  broker license #: 01274644

direct: 949 292 2763   |   office: 949 273 8923 
web: imlrealestate.com | blog: oc real estate solutions

Successes! 40 Homes Sold In The Last 12 Months: SOLD GALLERY

Stanley Stepak
Howard Hanna - Avon Lake, OH - Avon Lake, OH
Realtor - Avon Lake, Avon, Bay Village, Westlake,

Great numbers there that can be workable by many in that area. It just comes down to people going out to an agent and looking at those homes.  A bundle of money can be saved on something special

Mar 15, 2011 03:21 PM
Dave Gubler
Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch - Lake Forest, CA
Realtor | Orange County

Stan - Yes, first of all the home needs to meet a families needs and that should be the number one consideration but saving 8%, 10% or more vs. a standard sale is a pretty powerful thing.  I know it really helps buyers to be represented by an agent that has experience and success on the listing side of short sales. 

Mar 15, 2011 03:26 PM
Allen Henderson
Henderson Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
www.scottsdaleisms.com

Hey Dave! What about Turtle Ridge. My sister lives at top of the hill! Good info!

Mar 15, 2011 06:25 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

You did your homework sir and came up with some interesting statistics.  A discount like that makes a huge difference Dave.  Well done.

Mar 15, 2011 09:41 PM
Anonymous
Amy singer
Great information. Thanks
Mar 16, 2011 12:27 AM
#5
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

Short sales are hard to avoid in any area and normally they are the best pricce for the buyer if they have the patience.

Mar 16, 2011 12:46 AM
Linda Scofield
Toccoa, GA

Dave - Great stats. you are so correct, not all short sales create equally, sad but true.

Mar 16, 2011 01:26 AM
Rick Thomas
Fort Myers, FL

We bought our home in a short sale, our Realtor let us know what to expect and what to do every step of the way.  Great post!

Mar 16, 2011 01:40 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I love those stats Dave.  They are in line with what we are experiencing here as a percentage of market value.  (Of course we still have the buyers that think they'll get it for even less)

Mar 16, 2011 01:44 AM
Bill Burchard
3B Realty: 951-347-3818, CA - Murrieta, CA
Broker, Realtor, Representing Buyers and Sellers

Good morning, Dave. Excellent presentation of data. As you note, for those who are patient, the potential to save a lot of money is there when purchasing a short sale. Great post! (Suggested for feature.)

Mar 16, 2011 03:09 AM
Dave Gubler
Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch - Lake Forest, CA
Realtor | Orange County

Allen - Turtle Ridge.  What a fantastic area.  About 1/3 of all sales were distressed in that area last year.  Of interest... homes there are either really large, 3,500 sf or more or on the small side... 1,400 sf or less.  Not much in the middle ranges.

Roger - Thanks!  Yes, when you are talking about saving $50k - $60k that is pretty solid.  Patience is the key.

Chuck - SS or REO (bank owned).  Bank owned usually a much shorter time frame but much less inventory to choos from.

Linda - So important to do some major "advance work" on a short sale from the buyers side.  Best to have someone that is very very familiar with them in your corner.

Rick - See, there you go... "Why Wouldn't You?"  Just need to know what to expect (as much as is possible) and a good guide.

Gabe - Yes, I've seen many people lose out on a great deal to a competing offer because they failed to recognize that buying 10% below average price is really fantastic.

Bill - Wow!  Thank you for suggesting. 

Mar 16, 2011 06:22 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Nicely presented stats, Dave -- you make it easy for everyone to see the potential benefit of buying a short-sale, as well as the pitfalls. Not for everyone, but great for the right fit.

Mar 17, 2011 12:40 AM
Dave Gubler
Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch - Lake Forest, CA
Realtor | Orange County

Lottie - You phrased it just right... "not for everyone but great for the right fit."  If the home is right then I think a potential buyer should consider the listing if... if a bit of research reveals it is a good candidate for the short sale.  Some buyers, because they are selling their present home, just aren't a good fit for a short sale to begin with.

Mar 17, 2011 11:18 AM
Dave Gubler
Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch - Lake Forest, CA
Realtor | Orange County

Allen:  By the way, here is a link to my Turtle Ridge interactive market report.  Give your sister the link!  Turtle Ridge Real Estate Market Report

Mar 17, 2011 11:48 AM