Home buying is currently en vogue again. And, homebuyers in Escondido, San Marcos and beyond have been busy searching the Internet for homes for sale and attending open houses. Once you have found the home that you are looking for, you write your offer and it is accepted. Hurray!

But, what’s next?

In the state of California, the period between the time and your offer is accepted and the time that you get the keys is called the escrow period. The escrow period is the time to inspect the home more carefully, to learn more about the home by conducting other due diligence activities like reading the Natural Hazard Zone Disclosure Report, the preliminary title report, the seller’s disclosures. It is also the time when your lender (if you are obtaining a loan) processes all of the paperwork necessary to provide you with your mortgage.

One important part of the loan process involves obtaining an appraisal. As a contingency of providing you with a mortgage loan, your lender will send out an appraiser to appraise the home and confirm the property value. With the market moving like gangbusters, it is not uncommon for buyers to get involved in bidding wars and offer more than the asking price, only to learn later that the appraised value is lower than the agreed sales price.

Mortgage lenders may not make loans on amounts above the appraised value of the property. So, if you find yourself in a pickle, it’s important to have a good buyer’s agent on your side—one that knows how to deal with little hiccups that may occur in the midst of the home buying process.

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Many homebuyers look into the FHA loan when buying their first home. This loan is often a great option for homebuyers, but there are a few things that you need to know when obtaining an FHA loan for your home purchase. We reached out to lender, Brad Yzermans, the Home Loan Artist, in order to get an update on FHA.

Here’s what he had to say:

Do you have any updates for us on FHA loans?

Yes, there are some new criteria impacting FHA loans. FHA, in the past, has never required collections to be paid. But, FHA has just come out with a guideline that if the amount owed in collections is above $1000, the collection must be paid in full or the borrower must be entered into a repayment agreement. Additionally, if the borrower has entered into a repayment agreement, you would need three months history of repayment before being qualified for a loan.

How is this impacting your business?

I have a few borrowers right now that have collections totaling over $1000. They have to enter into repayment agreements, so it is going to be 3-4 months before they can start making offers again.

Any additional tips?

They key is to make sure that the property is going to qualify for an FHA loan, subject to what the appraiser mentions in the appraisal report. Minor or major repairs may be required in order for a property to qualify for an FHA loan. For example, a heater may need to be replaced or a broken window may need to be fixed.

Also, with the increase in FHA mortgage insurance rates, buyers may want to take a hard look at conventional loan programs that allow for a down payment of as little as 3%. In many cases, private mortgage insurance is less costly than FHA. There are also many local loan programs that might be available for certain borrowers.

If you are a buyer who is considering an FHA loan for your home purchase, it is important to work with a qualified lender and a qualified Realtor® who understand the ins and outs of the FHA home purchase. If you are not sure where to start your search, please do not hesitate to contact the agents at Broadpoint Properties.

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Dear Broadpoint:

I am writing to you because I have a question. I want to buy an Escondido property to flip. I want to rehabilitate the property and then I would like to sell it for a profit. I continue to write offers on foreclosed homes, and all my offers are declined. I do lots of research on the properties and then present my findings with my offer, yet no banks are accepting my offers. I am getting a bit frustrated. It’s like my money is burning a hole in my pocket. What should I do?  –Irritated Investor

Dear Irritated Investor:

Buying a home in the current real estate market, especially for investor buyers, can be very frustrating. Despite what you may have heard, many of the banks (when selling their foreclosed homes) are looking for top dollar. In fact, many of the foreclosed homes listed by our agents are listed at the current market value. The banks seem to be of the opinion that they want top dollar for their properties, and we rarely see these properties being sold for cents on the dollar. Often foreclosed homes are sold to first time and move-up buyers: folks who are looking to keep the home for a long time.

What I would recommend that you do is to work with a qualified Realtor® who can help you to identify properties is disrepair for which it may be difficult for a buyer to obtain a loan. This way, the buyer pool will be minimized and you may be able to get the deal that you are looking for. Best wishes to you as you search for homes for sale in Escondido and if we can be of help, feel free to contact our office.  –Broadpoint

Home prices in Murrieta are sizzling right now, and this Murrieta for sale is no exception. This lovely 3 bedroom, 4 bath home is located at 30426 De Caron Street. It has 2849 square feet of living space and a large, open floor plan. It is conveniently located near shops, schools, and transportation–just about everything you might need to be content in Murrieta, California. So, if you would like to live in the wonderful community of Murrieta, why not check out this Murrieta home for sale?

Have a look at the information below to learn more about this charming Murrieta home for sale.

30426 De Caron Street, Murrieta, CA 92563 (MLS # T12004094)

This beautiful 3 Bedroom Home with Office and Large Loft is loaded with fabulous upgrades. Has appealing Hardwood Floors, upgraded Berber Carpet, Large Kitchen Island with elegant Granite Countertops, Recessed Lighting, GE Stainless Steel Appliances, 5 Burner Stove, Wood Blinds, Plush Cabinetry and Warm Neutral Paint Tones. Sports a Downstairs Master Bedroom with shower and tub, His and Her Bathroom Sinks and Walk in Closet. Other Bedrooms also have Walk in Closets. Nice Fireplace and Built in Entertainment Niche in Cosy Family Room. Sink in Laundry Room. Pool size landscaped rear yard with brick wall in serene setting...If your Buyer likes both style and substance, this is the one. Thanks for showing.

Property Type(s): Single Family, Residential

Last Updated	3/25/2012	Tract	n/a
Year Built	2007	Community	Murrieta - East
Garage Spaces	2.0	County	Riverside
Total Parking	2	Walk Score ®	26

Schools

Additional Details

Features

Location

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Listed with Robert McCann, Broadpoint Properties

(view all details for MLS #T12004094)

Don’t like this one? We have more. Check out what else is currently for sale in the very same area.

Showing properties 1 - 10 of 368. See more city of Murrieta real estate.
(all data current as of 5/21/2012)

1. $1,299,999 : 40432 Via Caballos, Murrieta
   
   7 beds, 5 full baths

   Home size: 6,109 sq ft

   Lot size: 9.32 ac

   Year built: 2005

   Parking spots: 5

   Days on market: 2

   Walk Score®: 12
2. $395,000 : 30658 Mcgowans Pass, Murrieta
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,105 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,970 sqft

   Year built: 2003

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 3

   Walk Score®: 20
3. $279,900 : 29602 Branwin Street, Murrieta
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,617 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,761 sqft

   Year built: 2005

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 3

   Walk Score®: 49
4. $435,000 : 30366 MAYACAMAS Drive, Murrieta
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,773 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,405 sqft

   Year built: 2002

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 3

   Walk Score®: 54
5. $1,500,000 : 40780 Calle Compina Nuevo, Murrieta
   
   11 beds, 10 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 10,633 sq ft

   Lot size: 10.03 ac

   Year built: 1988

   Parking spots: 12

   Days on market: 3

   Walk Score®: 0
6. $254,900 : 30645 Fox Sedge Way, Murrieta
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,269 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,098 sqft

   Year built: 2007

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 28
7. $319,900 : 30634 McGowans Pass, Murrieta
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,075 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,969 sqft

   Year built: 2003

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 25
8. $349,000 : 26364 Alcott Union Drive, Murrieta
   
   8 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,666 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,534 sqft

   Year built: 2002

   Parking spots: 8

   Days on market: 5

   Walk Score®: 63
9. $274,900 : 26768 Silver Oaks Drive, Murrieta
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,100 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,098 sqft

   Year built: 2000

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 5

   Walk Score®: 52
10. $278,500 : 26256 Palm Tree Lane, Murrieta
    
    6 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 3,271 sq ft

    Lot size: 7,405 sqft

    Year built: 2002

    Parking spots: 4

    Days on market: 5

    Walk Score®: 58

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Home prices in Escondido are amazing right now, and this Escondido home for sale is no exception. This lovely 4 bedroom, 3 bath 2-story home is located at 2045 Via Alexandra. It has 2005 square feet of living space and a large, open floor plan. It is conveniently located near shops, schools, and transportation–just about everything you might need to be content in Escondido, California. So, if you would like to purchase this lovely home and get a great interest rate to boot, why not check out this Escondido home for sale?

Have a look at the information below to learn more about this charming Escondido home for sale.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 110055348 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Don’t like this one? We have more. Check out what else is currently for sale in the very same area.

Showing properties 1 - 10 of 367. See more city of Escondido real estate.
(all data current as of 5/21/2012)

1. $619,000 : 1435 FLORA VISTA, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,053 sq ft

   Year built: 1980

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 2

   Walk Score®: 9
2. $599,900 : 381 CYPRESS CREST Ter, Escondido
   
   5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,480 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,200 sqft

   Year built: 1973

   Days on market: 2

   Walk Score®: 54
3. $689,000 : 2954 Anaheim St, Escondido
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,324 sq ft

   Year built: 1973

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 3

   Walk Score®: 8
4. $565,000 : 1910 S Juniper St, Escondido
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,484 sq ft

   Lot size: 21,400 sqft

   Year built: 1961

   Days on market: 3

   Walk Score®: 57
5. $540,000 : 3348 Wild Oak Ln, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,587 sq ft

   Year built: 2001

   Parking spots: 5

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 0
6. $299,000 : 1457 View Pointe Ave, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,302 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,200 sqft

   Year built: 1972

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 46
7. $339,000 : 635 Woodside Pl, Escondido
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,776 sq ft

   Year built: 1980

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 35
8. $319,900 : 2093 Alexander Dr, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,618 sq ft

   Lot size: 14,000 sqft

   Year built: 1959

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 69
9. $549,500 : 30237 Ridge Creek Road, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,565 sq ft

   Lot size: 29,185 sqft

   Year built: 1989

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 5
10. $775,000 : 2931 MARY Ln, Escondido
    
    4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,977 sq ft

    Lot size: 43,560 sqft

    Year built: 1999

    Parking spots: 6

    Days on market: 5

    Walk Score®: 3

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

At the request of one of our readers, we are featuring the Encinitas Boat Houses. Residents of Encinitas recognize these two homes on Third Street in Encinitas. While they look very real, these two “faux” ship homes are not seaworthy. The homes, as you can see from the photo, are side-by-side. Each is about 15 feet tall and 20 feet long with a total living space of a little over 2000 square feet.

Perhaps the boat houses look so real because they have so many “ship” features. Each home has 19 portholes, two decks, large flat-roofed pilothouses, a galley, and even a bathroom below deck.

According to the Encinitas Historical Society, these homes are “the earliest and best examples of recycled architecture.” Built in the 1920s by Miles Kellogg (son of a sea captain), these homes were made from old timber from a popular nightspot that did not survive the Prohibition.

Owned by the Encinitas Preservation Association, these homes are currently rented in order to raise funds—the goal being to turn one of the two homes into a museum.

The Encinitas Boat Houses are just a block away from the Pacific Ocean and three blocks away from South Coast Highway.

Does this area of Encinitas pique your interest? Want to see some homes for sale in Encinitas (updated every two hours). Bookmark this page (or save to your favorites) and check out the latest homes for sale in Encinitas below.

Showing properties 1 - 10 of 163. See more city of Encinitas real estate.
(all data current as of 5/21/2012)

1. $529,000 : 1436 Avenida De Las Adelsas, Encinitas
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,709 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,583 sqft

   Year built: 1976

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 3

   Walk Score®: 51
2. $650,000 : 1404 Willowgreen Ct, Encinitas
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,424 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,926 sqft

   Year built: 1989

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 55
3. $979,000 : 2550 El Camino Del Norte, Encinitas
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,950 sq ft

   Lot size: 26,136 sqft

   Year built: 1973

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 5

   Walk Score®: 26
4. $1,375,000 : 1487 Neptune Ave, Encinitas
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,508 sq ft

   Year built: 1985

   Days on market: 7

   Walk Score®: 54
5. $849,000 : 1618 ORCHARD WOOD RD, Encinitas
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,020 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,082 sqft

   Year built: 1990

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 7

   Walk Score®: 55
6. $569,900 : 117 Turner Ave, Encinitas
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,830 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,500 sqft

   Year built: 1973

   Days on market: 7

   Walk Score®: 69
7. $924,900 : 604 Cypress Hills Dr, Encinitas
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,985 sq ft

   Year built: 2003

   Days on market: 8

   Walk Score®: 40
8. $2,895,000 : 3419 Via Monteverde Dr, Encinitas
   
   5 beds, 6 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 7,000 sq ft

   Lot size: 2.10 ac

   Year built: 2003

   Days on market: 8

   Walk Score®: 20
9. $1,275,000 : 1922 Stewart Wy, Encinitas
   
   5 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,226 sq ft

   Year built: 2012

   Days on market: 8

   Walk Score®: 51
10. $1,250,000 : 1938 Stewart Wy, Encinitas
    
    4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 4,402 sq ft

    Year built: 2012

    Days on market: 8

    Walk Score®: 51

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Did you know that the City of Escondido has a first time homebuyer’s program where eligible homebuyers can get up to $25,000 towards the purchase of a home?

Wow! That’s really great, right? Just today, we received an email in our office where a local Escondido resident asked the following question:

“How can I go about getting qualified for the Escondido first time homebuyer’s program?”

Well, this gentleman already knows the answer to the question, but I am going to share it with you here.

In order to get qualified for the Escondido first time homebuyer’s program, you need to sit down with a local mortgage officer who has experience with this program. This means that the individual that you are working with must understand the qualifications for the program as well as the process for obtaining the city loan. The good news is that the mortgage lender takes care of all of the details for the program and works it out so that the loan you obtain with the mortgage lender (called your first mortgage) and the loan from the city (your second mortgage) are all taken care of by one individual.

The best part of this program is that repayment of the loan is deferred until you sell, transfer, refinance or no longer live in the property as your primary residence.

So, if you are interested in buying your first home in Escondido and want to take advantage of this program, please feel free to contact our office. We can “hook you up” with a local mortgage lender and help you get on your way to homeownership in Escondido.

Like Escondido? Want to see what properties have just come on the market? Check out these Escondido properties below (updated every two hours). And, if you see something that piques your interest, feel free to give us a call.

Showing properties 1 - 10 of 388. See more city of Escondido real estate.
(all data current as of 5/21/2012)

1. $619,000 : 1435 FLORA VISTA, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,053 sq ft

   Year built: 1980

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 2

   Walk Score®: 9
2. $599,900 : 381 CYPRESS CREST Ter, Escondido
   
   5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,480 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,200 sqft

   Year built: 1973

   Days on market: 2

   Walk Score®: 54
3. $689,000 : 2954 Anaheim St, Escondido
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,324 sq ft

   Year built: 1973

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 3

   Walk Score®: 8
4. $565,000 : 1910 S Juniper St, Escondido
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,484 sq ft

   Lot size: 21,400 sqft

   Year built: 1961

   Days on market: 3

   Walk Score®: 57
5. $540,000 : 3348 Wild Oak Ln, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,587 sq ft

   Year built: 2001

   Parking spots: 5

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 0
6. $299,000 : 1457 View Pointe Ave, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,302 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,200 sqft

   Year built: 1972

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 46
7. $339,000 : 635 Woodside Pl, Escondido
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,776 sq ft

   Year built: 1980

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 35
8. $319,900 : 2093 Alexander Dr, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,618 sq ft

   Lot size: 14,000 sqft

   Year built: 1959

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 69
9. $549,500 : 30237 Ridge Creek Road, Escondido
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,565 sq ft

   Lot size: 29,185 sqft

   Year built: 1989

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 4

   Walk Score®: 5
10. $775,000 : 2931 MARY Ln, Escondido
    
    4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,977 sq ft

    Lot size: 43,560 sqft

    Year built: 1999

    Parking spots: 6

    Days on market: 5

    Walk Score®: 3

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.