If you are looking for a home that is bright, clean, close to the beach and has been recently upgraded to the hilt, I have the home for you! My new listing at 1477 Sapphire Drive in Carlsbad is in the wonderful gated community of Mar Brisa, just moments from the beach, dining, shopping, walking trails and in the wonderful Carlsbad school district.

Here are some of the amenities this home offers:

•4 bedroom plus optional bedroom downstairs (or den/office), 2336 square feet, great floorplan

•  Granite kitchen counters

•  New Travertine flooring downstairs with decorative inlays

•  New custom stone floor-to-ceiling fireplace in family room

•  New hardwood flooring in master bedroom – which has ocean peek-a-boo views and plenty of closet space

•  New carpeting upstairs

•  Surround sound system downstairs with recessed speakers, and the family room is wired for Apple TV

•  3 car garage with built-in storage

• Private, nicely landscaped backyard with fire pit

• Newer kitchen appliances, and refrigerator, washer and dryer convey with sale

• Gated community with community pool, two spas, tot lot and exercise lot

If you would like to schedule a showing for this home, please call me at 760-310-9466. For more information and to view more photos and see the virtual tour, please click here.

The numbers are in! Below are the home sale statistics for San Diego in 2011. If you would like a .pdf copy of the entire chart, please email me at Rachel@LaMarRealEstate.org and I will be happy to send them to you. Thank you to title rep extraordinaire, Roxanne Kelemen with Advantage Title for this data.

Once in a while a property comes along that is very special…that time has come. Welcome to 4029 Sunnyhill Drive in Carlsbad – a wonderful home on a large half-acre, unobstructed ocean view lot, just moments to the beach, shopping and dining.

Highlights:

• Ocean views! Expanded view potential with second story addition
• Updated kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances
• Detached guest house and office, plus 3 greenhouses
• Outdoor kitchen with tandoori and pizza ovens, BBQ, kegerator
• Gated property
• Ranch style, single story home

• Large, private lot 23000 square foot lot
• 2565 square feet of living space (guest house and office not included in square footage)
• Resort-like pool and spa, recently resurfaced
• Basketball court, tennis backboard, large grassy area
• Mature landscaping with multiple fruit trees
• Moments to beach, shopping, dining, Carlsbad Village, schools
• No HOA or mello roos
• Carlsbad schools
• MLS number 120000115

To view this property or get more information please contact Rachel LaMar, Broker, at 760-310-9466 or Rachel@LaMarRealEstate.org. Visit property website for photos, information. CA DRE license 01399682. Property MLS number 120000115.

This coastal South Carlsbad view home has been exceptionally maintained. Nestled in the gated hilltop community of Mar Brisa, this home offers the largest and most popular floorplan and sits on one of the biggest lots. Open Sunday, October 16, from 1:00 to 4:00 – plus win gift cards and take home free goodies just for stopping by!

Features include:

• 4 bedrooms + loft/2.5 bathrooms, 2570 square feet, and ocean breezes
• Beautiful views of mountains, rolling green hills, canyon and
golf course, and peek ocean views from upstairs loft
• Largest floorplan in gated coastal community of Mar Brisa
• Northeastern exposure, with lots of sunlight throughout the day
• Travertine flooring with custom inlays downstairs and on staircase
• Chef’s dream kitchen with center island, breakfast area
• Cathedral ceilings
• Formal dining room
• Cozy family room with fireplace
• Master suite with endless views
• Sunken tub and walk-in closet in master bathroom
• Custom paint throughout
• Big, private backyard (8000+ square feet) with large patio area for
entertaining or dining al fresco.
• Lots of storage throughout
• 3 car garage with epoxy flooring
• Ceiling fans
• Upstairs laundry room with sink
• Great loft area for den/office/playroom/gym, or convert to
5th bedroom
• Short stroll to community pool/spa and tot lots
• Carlsbad schools!
• Low HOA fees, no mello roos taxes
• MLS #110049083

This home is truly exceptional…stop by and see it! I am hosting a gift card drawing just for visiting…plus, pick up some free environmentally friendly shopping bags and Halloween candy! For more photos and information please visit http://1452SapphireDrive.2seeit.com. If you have questions or would like to schedule a private showing please call me at 760-310-9466 or email me at Rachel@LaMarRealEstate.org.

LaMar Real Estate is proud to offer for sale this beautiful home located at 1452 Sapphire Drive. Situated in coastal Carlsbad in the gated ocean view hilltop community of Mar Brisa, this home has been impeccably cared for by the original owner. With 4 bedrooms, a loft, 2 and a half bathrooms and 2570 square feet, this popular “Venice” model offers the largest floorplan in the community. The seller will entertain offers between $699,000 and $719,000.

When you walk into the front door you are surrounded by natural light, cathedral ceilings custom paint throughout, and stunning travertine floors with custom inlays downstairs and on the stairs. The large living room and formal dining room look out to the beautiful backyard and views beyond. The family room has a stone fireplace and plenty of room, and the bright, spacious kitchen is fabulous for the chef and entertaining.

The large master suite has more views – out to the canyon, The Carlsbad Crossings golf resort, mountain ranges and rolling hills. With a sunken tub and big walk-in closet, the master bathroom fills all of your needs.

The upstairs loft – an optional 5th bedroom – provides a great space for a den, playroom, office or gym, and includes a peek view of the ocean. The upstairs laundry room provides convenience and a built in sink. Other features include an expoxy floor three car garage, ceiling fans, upgraded neutral carpeting upstairs, and custom drapery.

Aside from the many exquisite interior features of this home, the beautiful backyard is definitely something to brag about. Situated on a lot of over 8000 square feet, this is one of the larger lots in the neighborhood. The sellers created a large patio area for dining al fresco, and a path that circles the center lawn area (great for strolling or for small bikers). Mature landscape and flowers provide plenty of privacy. The views extend to the rolling hills and mountains, and out to the San Bernardino mountain ranges, plus golf course and canyon views. It truly is a personal oasis.

The Mar Brisa community features a resort like community pool and two spas, barbeques and tot lot, plus an exercise lot. HOA fees are very low and there are no mello roos taxes. Carlsbad schools too! 1452 Sapphire Drive is move-in ready and waiting for a buyer. To see more pictures and get more information on this home please visit http://www.1452SapphireDrive.2seeit.com. Please contact Rachel LaMar if you have any questions, or to schedule a showing, at 760-310-9466.

These days it is more difficult than ever before to qualify for a loan. Lenders have such a tight grip on their money that they practically require you to sign over your firstborn to release it. Many buyers find themselves in tricky situations – first time buyers who might not have enough cash or credit scores that are not practically off the top of the charts, and move-up buyers who may not have enough equity in their homes for downpayments. But there is an option that may make home buying possible: FHA loans.

FHA loans have been popular with first time buyers for some time, as they offer low rates, underwriting standards that are not as strict, and only require very minimum downpayments. Furthermore, these loans allow use of rent history for qualification purposes – a great help for those who have never owned. But more recently repeat buyers have been discovering these types of loans, allowing many to purchase when they do not have the cash reserves available for a traditional 20% downpayment.

There are requirements for FHA loans – the buyer must be purchasing the home as a primary residence, have reasonable credit scores, and be able to afford monthly payments, for starters – and these can vary depending on county or state, so it is imperative to consult with an FHA-approved mortgage lender. If you need referrals please let me know. If you are considering a home purchase you should definitely look into FHA loans.

Have you been considering buying a home, maybe for the first time, maybe to move up or down? Have you been waiting for the market to hit bottom, for prices to fall, for loan rates to get lower? Guess what? It is that time. Yes, I am a Realtor, and my telling you this may sound self-serving, but let me tell you why that is not the case:

1.  Rates are still low. They will get higher – that is something I would be money on. There are a few reasons why. One is that they have been historically low for a long time and it is inevitable. Another reason is that there could be some big changes coming up in the loan industry (see below), which will make them rise.

2.  Qualifying for a loan is not going to get any easier. Lenders are still reeling from the housing crash and make it difficult to qualify new borrowers (believe me, I have seen it happen to my own clients). If the new rules pass in September, come October 1 loan limits will decrease, meaning buyers will have to put MORE money down in order to qualify for a loan, and limits will be lower so that means less of a loan (buyers will have to buy smaller homes, or maybe even consider different areas/neighborhoods).

3.  Down payment requirements could rise. If the loan limit rates decline the downpayment amounts will increase. Borrowers will have to pay more money up front to get a loan. This will make buying a home a pipe dream for many Americans.

4.  There are still some great loan products out there. FHA loans require much lower downpayments and better interest rates. If the new limit restrictions pass they will have an effect on these loans.

5.  Selling a home could get much more difficult. If the loan rates change it may effect sellers the most, especially in higher priced areas like San Diego county. Buyers who could qualify for a loan to buy a home may no longer be able to afford that much house, so sellers may have a hard time finding qualified buyers. Many homeowners may not be able to sell their homes, which could lead to more foreclosures. Property values will go down, but who will buy these properties? One theory is that the lenders will simply rent them out rather than try to sell.

6.  It is a great time to negotiate! With the market slower than usual for the time of year, and the many well-priced homes out there that are available (especially short sale and lender owned properties), buyers are in the driver’s seat as far as negotiations are concerned. There are some stubborn sellers out there, but if you encounter that situation you can always find another property that is ripe for negotiation.

7.  Learn from who is buying now. If you look closely, especially in the attached home market, you will see many investor buyers. As I have said before, this is a sign. It is a sign that now is the time to buy. I am personally working with multiple investor clients right now, and they are getting great deals on short sale and lender owned properties.

I get asked all the time what the market is like, how we are faring here in North San Diego. The market is doing much better than in some other areas of the country, but we are still struggling a bit. Prices have come down, and will likely continue to do so. If the new loan limit reductions pass it will create qualification problems for many buyers and for sellers as well. Right now you can still lock in a very low rate (today’s conforming rate on a 30 year fixed mortgage is  4.5% with no points). There is a decent amount of inventory out there.

So, here is my pledge to you: I will do my best to help you find the right property, at the right price – if you don’t there is no pressure at all. Use me as a tool to help you, because that is what I am here for. I will provide all the information you need about any home we find. You don’t need to sign any agreement, I won’t make any demands on you. I offer you honesty and professionalism, and all you have to do is call me. I will be around all weekend. 760-310-9466

It’s one of the questions of the moment, and one that many real estate agents and mortgage brokers fear most at this time: what will happen to the housing market once the conforming loan limits drop at the end of September? How will buyers and sellers be affected, if at all?

Let’s start at the beginning: conforming loans are those that are eligible for guarantee by the government. Because of this, they tend to have lower interest rates. The cap on the amount that the government can guarantee used to be lower, but in 2008 Congress raised the cap to $729,750 in some markets (typically those with higher priced homes, like in California). This made lenders feel more secure in doling out loans, because they knew they would be covered by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac if the homeowner defaulted on the loan, thus making them less risky.

Also potentially on the chopping block are FHA limits, and lowering them could impact 40 states and hundreds of counties, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Since FHA backed loans are popular right now across a broad spectrum of buyers, this could also be a problem for those seeking to qualify for these types of loans. Many organizations, including NAR, have been making appeals to Congress to not allow limits to be reduced.

Come October 1 these higher limits are set to revert back to the old limits – $625,500 in some markets , such as pricier home markets like San Diego County. Many reports have predicted this will be a huge blow to buyers trying to qualify for loans, and some lenders are already starting to scrutinize current applications in light of the coming changes. How might this affect the borrower?

Interest rate increases: With loan limit decreases higher interest rates are likely. If a borrower needs a loan that exceeds the new caps she will need a jumbo loan, which has a higher rate. This may cause the buyer to look for homes that are smaller and cost less – or simply to hold off on buying. Either way this could effect housing market recovery.

Down payment increases: Buyers will need to make bigger down payments should they need loans that are over the lowered limits, in order to get jumbo loans. Again, this could lead to inventory stagnation in the middle part of the market, with buyers starting to focus on lower-priced homes or just opting to wait.

Price decreases: With the changes in loan limits and thus, buyers being able to qualify, comes the inevitable – sellers may have to reduce home prices to entice buyers to buy (so that they can qualify for a loan without having to get a jumbo loan).

Given the current state of the housing market and economy, this move to reduce loan limits doesn’t seem like a good one…however, there is a ray of hope in the scenario: if you are a buyer you could benefit immensely from prices going down. You may have to adjust your criteria a bit – maybe a smaller home or one that needs a little TLC, but all in all it could have a positive outcome for buyers. Sellers are the ones who will have a more difficult time with the changes.

Buyers still have time to research, find a home and lock in a rate. If you are a seller, you still have time to price your home WELL. This is certainly not the time for overpriced listings, so have a frank discussion with your agent and utilize the comparables to come up with a price that will get those buyers in the door.

Home Prices Show Slight Increase Heading into Summer. San Diego home prices rose slightly in April over compared to March, 0.4%, ending a four-month price dip across the county.  Prices were still lower than they were the same time a year ago, and analysts claim the rise is due to the start of the spring/summer buying season.

Median Market Time for San Diego County Homes Rises. San Diego County homes showed an increase in median market time in May, up to 70 days, according to Realtor.com, lower than the national average of 92 days. Normal market time in the county is about 50-60 days. Median market time is the average time a home is listed on the market. In these more challenging times it is imperative to start a home sale at the right price, so speak with your agent about area comparables, amenities, condition and location of your home and neighborhood to attain the best price and attract buyers.

Half of pending properties in California are short sales or REOs. This may come as no surprise to those who follow the market, and it is great news for buyers. A recent study by the California Association of Realtors found that 28% of buyers who bought property last month purchased REO (lender-owned, or post-foreclosure) properties, and 19% of pending homes sales last month were short sales. The good news, aside from the fact that this inventory is being sold (leaving the market to push toward normalcy), is that these properties are priced lower than traditional sales, allowing the buyer to get a great deal.

Oversight Mandated for National Banks. As part of the regulatory settlement for the robo-signing scandal, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has announced new rules by which all national banks under it’s supervision must adhere. The rules basically require the banks to assess their own foreclosure management processes by September 30, 2011. Banks are also ordered to suspend foreclosure proceedings while working with homeowners on possible loan modifications (this is big news)…although the languages does state “when possible.” Hmmm. There are a slew of other rules as well, so let’s hope this will be a start to lender oversight.

Fannie and Freddie Offer Deals to Save Buyers Money on Home Purchases. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are sweetening the price of homeownership by offering great deals to buyers. Sitting on over 200,000 foreclosed homes combined across the country, these two companies are eager to dispose of their inventory, so if you are a new homebuyer (sorry folks, no investors allowed) you could be eligible for up to 3.5% of the home price paid in closing costs. They are also rewarding your real estate agent with a $1200 bonus. FYI: to qualify for these programs the home must close escrow by October 31 for Fannie homes and September 30 close dates (with contract dates no later than July 31) for Freddie homes. For more information go to http://www.homepath.com/ (Fannie) or http://homesteps.com/ (Freddie).

Downpayment increase rule under debate: If you haven’t heard, banking industry regulators have a rule on the table that would require buyers to pay a minimum of 20% down on home purchases. Although many lenders require this already there are some loans that can be obtained with very little money down, such as FHA loans (which require only 3.5% down). This has stirred much debate amongst buyers, sellers, Realtors, economists and politicians, with studies concluding that 30% of the home sales market would be decimated.

Congress’ intention in raising downpayment rates is to provide stronger borrowers, thus preventing fewer loan defaults in the future. But many groups, including the National Association of Realtors (NAR) are vehemently opposed to such legislation and have been lobbying against the proposal. I will keep you updated.

Mortgage Servicers in the Hot Seat Again: At least 14 regulated mortgage servicers have been scolded by banking regulators for negligence and misconduct in servicing, or failing to properly service loans. The U.S. Treasury also recently released a report indicating performance by the 10 largest HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program) servicers. They found 4 need substantial improvement (including Bank of America, Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase), and are withholding future financial incentives under the program to the 3 mentioned above until improvements are made and problems addressed.

Home Sales Expected to Rise This Year: Some economists, like Lawrence Yun – chief economist for the National Association of Realtors – predict sales for the remainder of the year will improve for the following reasons: more jobs, stock market wealth is on the rise, apartment rents are climbing, conditions of high affordability continue, home values are at historically low levels, investors are out in the market nice again looking to hedge against inflation, lenders starting to shorten lengthy short sale processes, and the number of foreign buyers has increased due to market conditions. Of course there are other factors to keep an eye on, like gas prices and the fate of Congress’ attempt to increase down payments on home purchases (see above), but there seem to be strong factors indicating this may in fact be true. Let’s hope so.