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Paso Robles, CA

Tips On Buying A Home In Paso Robles

Suzanne  Martin: Real Estate Agent in Paso Robles, CA

buying a home in paso robles

Tips on Buying a Home in Paso Robles

Are you a First Time Home Buyer or an Investor who is buying a home in Paso Robles or the surrounding areas? If you've been searching and looking at properties, you are probably noticing that there is a lot of competition and a lot of homes that need rehabbing badly! Anything under $325,000 is the fastest moving part of the market because there are more buyers in this price range. So, when you or someone you know is thinking about buying a home in Paso Robles ---or anywhere in San Luis Obispo County, pass these tips on to them. It will increase your chances of finding a home and getting your offer accepted.

1. First, select a Realtor who knows short sales, REO's, HUD properties, and the different types of loans available. Why? Because you can still buy a rehab home using FHA by getting a 203K loan to pay for the rehab work.

2. Get pre-approved for a loan by an experienced loan officer. A good loan officer will ask you the right questions about your personal situation and will recommend a specific type of loan for you. Be sure to ask him or her about USDA loans (100% financing), FHA, FHA 203K loans and about conventional as well.

3. Ask yourself if you are interested in buying a home in Paso Robles that is in move-in condition or if you want to get a fixer and do it yourself. Since 1/3 of the market are short sales , 1/3 are REO's or bank owned properties (foreclosures), many of these homes are NOT in move in condition and have NOT been kept up.

4. Keep an open mind. Buying a home in Paso Robles is a process. You may find a great home right away or it may take weeks for you to see something you want. The key is to be flexible and know what your options are, and because it is a process, you may find that your needs and wants change as you see what's available in your price range. We all want to save money, but don't skimp on your home. You will be living in it for years, so you should be happy.

5. Make sure your agent checks for new listings, price reductions, and homes that come back on the market ---EVERY DAY! You want to be the first one to see an opportunity!

6. Understand how buying a short sale or foreclosure affects you. Purchasing a short sale could take several months and may never close. A REO/Foreclosure can close in 45 days!

7. Be ready to move quickly. When buying a home in Paso Robles, have all your ducks in a row for financing, etc. so when that house does come on the market, you can put in an offer quickly. Your agent will be able to tell you additional things about the house that will effect how you will put in an offer.

8. When in a multiple offer situation, write a CLEAN offer! That means, don't ask for concessions such as closing costs, home warranties, etc. You may have to increase the purchase price, too. It depends on the situation, the type of home and if it's listed under market value. Your agent should know all of this, and make sure you discuss strategies on how you can be the offer the bank or seller selects.

SEARCH ALL LISTINGS

I hope these tips on buying a home in Paso Robles helps you in your pursuit of your home! Please feel free to call me at 805-296-9005 or email me anytime! I'd love to help you.

Things to do in Paso Robles

Suzanne  Martin: Real Estate Agent in Paso Robles, CA

Things To Do In Paso RoblesThings to do in Paso Robles

Paso Robles Events ...Downtown!

Click on the links below to view Things to do in Paso Robles downtown. Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association is dedicated to cultivating community in the downtown area of Paso Robles.

Paso Robles Events and Things to do in Paso Robles in the Winter 2012

February Events
Valentine Movie Night at Park Cinemas, February 12, 2012

Paso Robles Events in the Spring 2012

March Events
Wedding and Special Events Expo, Sunday, March 4, 2012

April Events
Vintage Sidecar Rendezvous, Recycled Treasures, and Bicycle Bonanza, Saturday, April 28, 2012

May Events
Festival of the Arts, Saturday, May 26, 2012

Paso Robles Events in the Summer 2012

June Events
KidsDay in the Park, Saturday, June 2, 2012
Concerts in the Park, June 15, 2012
Concerts in the Park, June 22, 2012
Trading Days and Kid's Flea Market, Saturday, June 23, 2012
Concerts in the Park, June 29, 2012

July Events
Concerts in the Park, Friday, July 6, 2012
Concerts in the Park, Friday, July 13, 2012
4th Annual Lavender Festival, Saturday, July 14, 2012
California Mid-State Fair, July 18, 2012 to July 29, 2012
Concerts in the Park, Friday, July 20, 2012
Free Pancake Breakfast in the Park, Thursday, July 26, 2012

August Events
Concerts in the Park, Friday, August 3, 2012
Concerts in the Park, Friday, August 10, 2012
Pre-Olive Festival Social Mixer, Friday, August 17, 2012
Concerts in the Park, Friday, August 17, 2012
9th Annual Olive Festival, Saturday, August 18, 2012
Concerts in the Park, Friday, August 24, 2012

Paso Robles Events and Things to do in Paso Robles in the Fall 2012

September Events
Pajama Party Movie Night, (Fund Raiser) Sunday, September 9, 2012
Taste of Downtown & Arte de Tiza, Saturday, September 15, 2012

October Events
Pioneer Day Parade, Saturday, October 6, 2012
Golden Oak Festival, Chili Cook Off, & Battle of Garage Bands , Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012
Safe & Fun Halloween Downtown, Wednesday, October 31, 2012

November Events
Elegant Holiday Evening Downtown, Saturday, November 10, 2012
Paderewski Festival, Saturday, November 10, 2012
Holiday Craft Bazaar in Downtown Park, Friday, November 23, 2012
Holiday Downtown Lighting Ceremony, Friday, November 23, 2012

Paso Robles and Things To Do In Paso Robles Events in the Winter 2012

December Events
Santa's Holiday House Schedule - December 9 - 24, 2012
Downtown Christmas Light Parade, Saturday, December 1, 2012
Vine Street Victorian Showcase, Saturday, December 8, 2012
Victorian Teddy Bear Tea, Saturday, December 15, 2012

I hope this blog of Things To Do In Paso Robles helps keep you current on activities. If you are a local resident who is either in the market to buy or sell a home in Paso Robles or the surrounding area, please keep me in mind! I would love to give you a Free Market Analysis! If you are thinking about Relocating, I'd love to assist you in providing any information about the area, school information, or discuss the market in general

Visit Downtown Paso Robles website for more information and Things to do in Paso Robles!

Suzanne B Martin --805-296-9005

How To Buy a Paso Robles HUD Home

Suzanne  Martin: Real Estate Agent in Paso Robles, CA

How To Buy Paso Robles HUD Home

A HUD home is acquired by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

If a foreclosed home was purchased with a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the lender files a claim for the balance due on the mortgage. The FHA pays the claim, and then transfers ownership to HUD, which sells the home.

Tips on how to buy a Paso Robles HUD Home:

*You must use a HUD registered real estate broker. My broker, Platinum Properties is a registered HUD broker.

*You must be pre-approved for a mortgage. Get pre-approved/pre-qualified.

*Owner-occupied bidders receive first priority.

*HUD offers three types of properties: FHA insurable homes, FHA insurable homes with a repair escrow (203K)and homes that are not insurable with an FHA loan.

*You do not have to finance a HUD home with an FHA loan.

Buying a HUD home is similar to buying a bank owned/REO property but because it is owned by HUD, there are different contracts and methods to submit an offer. Usually you can get a great deal on these properties, but patience is a must! There may be days before we know if HUD will accept or reject our offer and the offer is actually submitted electronically. This is why the broker must be registered in order to assist home buyers in putting in offers. Visit the HUD Homes website for more information

If you would like to find out more on how to buy a Paso Robles HUD home or HUD homes anywhere in San Luis Obispo County, email Suzanne Martin or visit my website to search for HUD homes or to get pre-qualified for a home loan.

Thank you for reading my blog on How To Buy a Paso Robles HUD Home!

Tech Toys Tips & Tools - which do you want Training on?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor®: Real Estate Brokerage in San Luis Obispo, CA

As we are putting together a Tech Bootcamp, we brainstormed a myriad of ideas that we (and our fellow Realtors) may be interested in learning more about. Take a look at the list, and vote on the items that YOU would like to find out more about.

We grouped the topics into sections: Social Media, Office Tools, Transactions, Marketing, iPad & Cell Phones, and Other for a total of 33 topics! Isn't it amazing to realize how much technology impacts our daily business, and quite honestly our business would run without it.

Topics

Social Media:

1

· Blogging

2

· Facebook

3

· Twitter

4

· Linkedin

Office Tools:

5

· File security & access

6

· Online office / “paperless” office organization

7

· Mobile office / laptop

8

· Cloud collaboration (dropbox)

9

· e-fax

10

· Back-up system (cloud)

11

· Email organization

12

· Accessibility (LogMeIn or GoToMyPC)

13

· PDF documents

Transactions:

14

· Transaction management software

15

· Real Estate Dashboard

16

· ZipForms / C.A.R. forms

17

· e-signing

18

· Short Sale submission software

Marketing:

19

· IDX / RETS feeds

20

· Videos / YouTube

21

· Online reputation management (yelp etc.)

22

· QR codes

23

· SEO / Web page

24

· Contact Database

25

· Email drip system

iPad & Cell Phone:

26

· iPad apps

27

· Blackberry phone

28

· iPhone

29

· Droid phone

Other:

30

· Lockbox software / hardware

31

· MLS Green features

32

· MLS reciprocal access

33

· MLS tips

Paso Robles Home Buyer Information

Suzanne  Martin: Real Estate Agent in Paso Robles, CA

Paso Robles Home Buyer Information

10 Steps To Home Ownership!

Paso Robles Home Buyer Information

Step 1: Are You Ready?

10 Steps to Home Ownership
Knowledge and experience are the keys to successful real estate transactions. REALTOR.com® contains an enormous amount of valuable information, and such data -- combined with the expertise, experience and training of local REALTORS® -- can be the essential keys to your success.
One of the keys to making the home-buying process easier and more understandable is planning. In doing so, you'll be able to anticipate requests from lenders, lawyers and a host of other professionals. Furthermore, planning will help you discover valuable shortcuts in the home-buying process.
Do You Know What You Want?
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or entering the marketplace as a repeat buyer, and you need Paso Robles home buyer information, you need to ask why you want to buy. Are you planning to move to a new community due to a lifestyle change or is buying an option and not a requirement? What would you like in terms of real estate that you do not now have? Do you have a purchasing timeframe?
Whatever your answers, the more you know about the real estate marketplace, the more likely you are to effectively define your goals. As an interesting exercise, it can be worthwhile to look at the questions above and to then discuss them in detail when meeting with local REALTORS®.
Do You Have The Money?
Homes and financing are closely intertwined. (Financing is the difference between the purchase price and the down payment, commonly referred to as debt or the mortgage.) The good news is that over the years new and innovative loan programs have evolved which require a 5 percent down payment or less. In fact, a number of programs now allow purchasers to buy real estate with nothing down.
In addition to a down payment, purchasers also need cash for closing costs (the final costs associated with closing the loan). Several newly emerging loan programs not only allow the purchase of a home with no money down, but also underwrite closing costs.
Not everyone, however, elects to purchase with little or no money down. Less money down means higher monthly mortgage payments, so most home buyers choose to buy with some cash up front.
As to closing costs, in markets where buyers have leverage, it may be possible to negotiate an offer for a home that requires the owner to pay some or all of your settlement expenses. Speak with local REALTORS® for details.
Is Your Financial House in Order?
Those great loans with little or nothing down are not available to everyone: You need good credit. For at least one year prior to purchasing a home, you should assure that every credit card bill, rent check, car payment and other debt is paid in full and on time.

Read more about this topic!

Visit 10 Steps To Home Ownership

Paso Robles Home Buyer Information