banks: Disclosure on a Foreclosure...not if the bank can help it - 09/17/10 05:34 PM
When buying a foreclosure, the disclosures a buyer receives are slim to none. The banks which own the properties have never lived in them, and only owned them a short time, so they are relieved of much of their disclosure duty. However, the banks and the listing agents probably know more about the property than they are willing to tell. 
Banks will often go in and do carpet and paint, new drywall, sometimes appliances too. But does the bank or listing agent tell you what it looked like before the work was done? Not very likely. A buyer would sure like to know if … (9 comments)

banks: What's happening with housing prices in Oceanside? What can I do as a buyer? - 03/30/09 05:01 PM
Homes in good neighborhoods, priced right and in decent condition are getting multiple offers. Why is that?
The number of homes being sold is definitely higher year over year, and from February to about June is the most activity each year on a seasonal basis, so that accounts for some of the competition among buyers right now. I saw the same thing last year at this time...properties with 10, 15, or 20 offers.   The statistics will still show that home prices are decreasing. What is misleading is they are decreasing because the volume of sales are happening now in the … (0 comments)

banks: Rancho Del Oro: low inventory, brisk sales - 01/27/09 04:03 PM
For all the published doom and gloom, Rancho Del Oro in Oceanside, CA continues to be a popular area for buyers due to it's good schools in either the Oceanside or Vista school districts, a convenient location, and an association doing it's job maintaining the grounds to preserve the look of the neighborhoods.
As of 1/27/09, there are only 28 Active listings of detached homes in the MLS and 20 homes are in escrow. I consider a normal inventory of Active listings to be about 40-50. Low inventory, low interest rates, and increasing number of sales should help prices stabilize. However, the … (0 comments)

banks: Banks making an effort to spruce up their listings - 12/07/08 05:23 PM
I have been pleasantly surprised recently by seeing some banks take the time to not only put carpet and paint in homes that need it, but also to replace appliances and fixtures that have been ripped out by the prior owners before being foreclosed.
It certainly creates a better impression for the buyers, helps those buyers get into homes who may not have the reserves after closing to spend $10,000 or so to do these repairs, permits VA and FHA buyers to consider these homes as the home may not otherwise qualify, and is one less cost that needs to be … (0 comments)