First-Time Home Buyers – HomeInfoSanDiego.com

National Association of Realtors Survey

According to a National Association of Realtors survey of buyers and sellers, first-time homebuyers accounted for half of all home sales from July 2009 through June 2010.  That’s the highest share of first-time-buyer purchases in the history of the survey.  This large number of first-time home buyers was due to the generous incentives offered by both Federal and State Governments.  The survey dates back to 1981.

The typical first-time buyer was 30 years old (compared to a median 49 years old for repeat buyers and 39 years old  for all buyers) and planned to stay in their home for a median of 10 years. Repeat buyers planned to stay for 15 years. Typical sellers had remained in their previous home for eight years.

87% of home buyers started on the Internet

Almost half (48 percent) of buyers found their agent through a referral from a friend, relative, or neighbor; the next highest percentage, 10 percent, used a website.  According to the National Association of Realtors, over 87% of home buyers started their seach for a home on the Internet.

The most valuable website feature for San Diego North County buyers was the presence of photos: 85 percent said they found photos “very useful.” Detailed property information was very useful for 83 percent and virtual tours were very useful for 61 percent.  That is why this blog, www.GaryHarmon.com and my main website, www.HomeInfoSanDiego.com, offer a plethora of great photos.

On the main website you can search by using the main search buttons: Foreclosure Search, MLS Search, Over 55 Homes, Ocean Hills C C, Ocean View Homes, La Costa Homes, and Contact Gary.  If you want know more about the San Diego North County real estate communities you can go to the community buttons of: Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido, Vista, San Marcos, or Encinitas.  Your search possibilities only start with the main search buttons.  There are over 200 pages of custom, relevant, San Diego North County homes real estate content available on “HomeInfoSanDiego.com.”  Many communities, such as “Ocean Hills Country Club Homes,” have their own websites within the main website.

Enjoy this San Diego North County real estate resource, and for personal attention, contact Gary Harmon, a top North County real estate agent.

Appraisal vs Home Inspection – Ocean Hills Home Purchase

When purchasing an Ocean Hills Country Club home, you will need both a property appraisal and a property inspection.  You will also need to do this when refinancing your Oceanside home. Not only should buyers complete an appraisal for their own benefit to make sure they are getting the best deal possible on their new Ocean Hills home, it is the only valuation report most banks will consider when deciding whether or not to lend the money.

Appraisal

Appraisers are certified, California state-licensed professionals who have no personal stake in the worth of a property. Prudential California real estate agents who put a Ocean Hills  house on the market will often complete a Comparative Market Analysis, or CMA, before pricing the Oceanside home, but this is not the same as a full appraisal, although experienced professionals’ value estimates may come close to the appraisal. The lender may use their own appraiser, or if they let you select the appraiser, the appraisal may be subject to review.

Appraisals typically include details about the Ocean Hills Country Club property and side by side comparisons of a few similar Ocean Hills properties; an evaluation of market in your area, notes on issues the appraiser believes may negatively affect the property value or are serious flaws, and an estimate of the average sales time for the property.

There are two types of appraisals: the sales comparison approach, in which the appraiser determines your Ocean Hills property’s value by comparing it to similar Oceanside  properties, and the cost approach, in which the appraiser estimates how much it would cost to replace the structure. The second is more common for newer homes, while the former is more frequently used for older Oceanside homes.

Home Inspection

It is important to note that an appraisal is not a home inspection on the Ocean Hills Country Club home you plan to buy. An inspection is designed to find any problems that may prove costly for the owner of the property and involves testing appliances, heating and air conditioning, making sure the plumbing and wiring are up to code and other tasks. The appraisal will not check for these and thus cannot tell you whether many parts of the Ocean Hills home are in good condition.  Your Realtor, Gary Harmon, will suggest the names of a number of proven home inspectors that you can call.  The home ispection will usually last about 3 hours.  After the home inspection, you will receive a lengthy report.  You will then discuss the report with your Realtor and generate a “Request for Repairs.”

For more information see an eariler blog:  Appraisal vs Home Inspection.

For more information on an appraisal or a home inspection, contact Gary Harmon, your Ocean Hills Country Club Realtor.

Ocean Hills Popular (Single Level) One Level Floor Plans

The top requested senior retirement area in Oceanside is Ocean Hills Country Club.  One of the main reasons is a large number on one level floor plans from which to choose. 

Over 55, 55+ buyers seem to favor the Saint Tropez one story, the Costa Smeralda single level, but with a loft, and the Athena one level floorplan the most.  View all Ocean Hills Country Club floorplans on www.HomeInfoSanDiego.com, the most complete website featuring Ocean Hills Country Club.  You can also see all the homes currently listed in Ocean Hills.  Since Ocean Hills is a gated community, you will need to be escorted through the security gate to actually get inside to see what Ocean Hills Country Club has to offer.  Contact Gary Harmon, you top Senior Oceanside real estate specialist, to see Ocean Hills Country Club homes.  Gary will be glad to meet you there anytime.

On this blog, you can read about Ocean Hills Country Club history and why now is a great time to buy Ocean Hills Country Club real estate.  Just go to the top of this page and celect “Over55 (55+).”

Oceanside Homes for Sale Market Conditions & Statistics

Going into July, this is how the market looked in the Oceanside homes area.  See the bottom of the page and below the table for details on Oceanside homes for sale and Oceanside home  inventory. 

This Week in Oceanside

The median list price in Oceanside homes for sale this week is $363,000.  The Oceanside homes inventory and the days on the market are both increasing.  The improving Market Action Index (see graph) implies some increased sales demand may temper the negative trends.

Supply and Demand of Oceanside Homes

Oceanside home sales have been exceeding the new Oceanside homes inventory for the last few weeks.  Because of excess Oceanside home inventory, the prices have not yet stopped going down.  Should the sales trend continue, expect prices to level off soon and potentially to resume their climb from there.  Watch Oceanside home prices as the market transitions from a North County buyer’s market to a North County Seller’s market.

Oceanside Homes for Sale Prices

This week prices of Oceanside homes for sale bumped up a bit but the trend of recent weeks was generally in a downward direction.  An increase in demand will be reflected in the Market Action Index.  Watch the chart in future post to try to identify a change in the market.

These Oceanside homes for sale market conditions are brought to you by Altos Research and Pickford Escrow, one of Gary Harmon’s winning team members.  For more Oceanside homes for sale information, contact Gary Harmon, your Oceanside Realtor.

Ocean Hills – Things to Do

Last month we discussed  the great retirement community east of the Escondido real estate area of Ocean Hills Country Club.    This senior community for over 55 (55+) offers the best in active retirement living that San Diego County has to offer.   Ocean Hills is built around its own golf course and residents play for free.  That is, golf is included in the homeowners association dues.  There are also great tennis courts and a beautiful pool and clubhouse.

If you like indoor activities, Ocean Hills Country Club also offers numerous clubs.  (See links for Ocean Hills Clubs.)  Last month there were over 500 planned activities in Ocean Hills.  Don’t see what you want, start your own club.  Chances are there are other residents that will share you passion and interest.

To set up an appointment to see any of the Ocean Hills, 55+, Oceanside homes for sale,  contact Gary Harmon , your North County Realtor.  Get answers at Ocean Hills Country Club FAQ.   Two other great over 55 retirement communities of Oceanside homes are Emerald Lake Village and  just to the north of Highway 78, the very affordable over 55 community of Oceana CA homes.  If you want to see other areas, check out North County Homes for Over 55.

White Water Views in Oceanside for under $700k

Seacliff Oceanside HomesFind out how to Save an extra 1%.  Just east of the Escondido real estate area down Highway 78 lies the  City of Oceanside.  Oceanside as the name implies is right at the Pacific Ocean.  There is a new community of Oceanside homes for sale call Seacliff.  Seacliff combines all the elements of luxury and style with convenient urban amenities and coveted beach access.  These new condominium Oceanside homes for sale are perfect for those that love the ocean and everything that the Ocean harbor area has to offer.  Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of Oceanside ‘s newest urban jewel.

There is a Model A #2412 that is a 2br/2ba, 1057 esf model for $436,990.  The description is: top floor  with courtyard, corner condominium with many decorator features and upgrades.

There is a C Plan #2214 described as follows: 2br/2ba, 1196 esf, great view of the resort style pool, large picture windows, upgraded 18 x 18 tiles throught, granite counters and stainless steel appliances.  This is offered at $439,990.

There is a D Plan # 2403, 2br/2ba, 1,387 esf model described as: Top floor gorgeous, white water ocean views!  Large over-sized balcony with storage, upgraded granite counters.  Unit is offered at $748,990.

The last plan is the E Plan, 2br/2ba, 1,412 esf with incredible white water ocean views.  Corner condominium, large panoramic windows and 3 balconies!  Unit is loaded with upgrades and is offered at $699,990.

You can walk to the beach and harbor from your new Seacliff home.  To see these fine Oceanside homes for sale, contact Gary Harmon, your top North County Realtor.  To save an extra 1%, Gary Harmon must accompany you to your first visit to these great Oceanside Homes.  Gary will pay you 1% if you buy one of these condos throught him and close escrow by June 30th.

Oceanside Foreclosures and Oceanside Homes for Sale

Oceanside Homes for Sale and Oceanside Foreclosures

Welcome to my Oceanside Homes featured listing page.  Click on the hot links below by price to get a fast start.  If you would like to see an area not shown you can set up your own personalized search by zip code, area, price, features, and much more.  Start your own custom serarch here.   You can also see Oceanside foreclosures, auction, or pre-forclosure homes at even before they reach the San Diego mls.   For a personalized tour of any of these Oceanside homes contact Gary Harmon.
Oceanside Homes $300k – $400k
Oceanside Homes $400k – $500k
Oceanside Homes $500k-$600k
All Other Price Ranges 
Foreclosure Search 
See Video and learn how to SEARCH LIKE AN AGENT!

Gary Harmon, your Oceanside Realtor, is experienced in foreclosure and short sales and will guide you safely through the process.

Oceanside Homes and Oceanside Foreclosures

Oceanside Homes for Sale $300k  – $600k

Welcome to my Oceanside Homes featured listing page.  Click on the hot links below by price to get a fast start.  If you would like to see an area not shown you can set up your own personalized search by zip code, area, price, features, and much more.  Start your own custom serarch here.   You can also see Oceanside foreclosures, auction, or pre-forclosure homes at even before they reach the San Diego mls.   For a personalized tour of any of these Oceanside homes contact Gary Harmon.
Oceanside Homes $300k – $400k
Oceanside Homes $400k – $500k
Oceanside Homes $500k-$600k
 
Foreclosure Search 
See Video and learn how to SEARCH LIKE AN AGENT!