Sheryl Brown Homes for Sale San Marcos, Carlsbad, Vista, Oceanside

30-Day Escrow - Is it realistic in California? I just read a report put out by the California Association of Realtors in California regarding customer satisfaction with their lenders. In their report, they cited that J.D. Powers and Associates has identified an 18-point reduction in customer satisfaction in the past year. Why? Partially because a 30-day escrow may be a thing of the past - at least for awhile. The typical 30-day escrow is now taking nearly 47 days! Not good, especially when the buyer has penalties for late closure.

I just wrote an offer a month ago, and put in a 45-day escrow, just in case we needed the extra time. I had just lived through a 30-day escrow that became 67 days - and that wasn't pretty. It was all due to delays in underwriting and approval. (See another blog on my experience with MetLife). Wouldn't you know it, we closed in less than the planned 30-day escrow . . . this time.

So what were the factors that J.D. Powers was looking at when ranking customer satisfaction, beside closing on time? The other factors were the actual application process, the loan officer or mortgage broker, and the amount of contact the client had with the lender.

The top 3 lenders, according to the results of the J.D. Powers research, were:

1. Branch Banking and Trust
2. Wachovia
3. National City Mortgage and SunTrust Mortgage tied for third place

Branch Banking and Trust scored especially high in the areas of the application or approval process and closing on time. So, if I have another client that needs a 30-day escrow, I personally, would recommend they consider Branch Banking and Trust.

Homes for Sale in Carlsbad - Market Information November 2009!

If you are wondering about the inventory of homes for sale in Carlsbad, the breakdown of availability in various price ranges, and how long they have been on the market - this report is for you! This market information is direct from the MLS, and it's important to bear in mind that the range value pricing can affect the results of this report on the homes for sale in Carlsbad.

To begin with there are a total of 250 detached, single family (SFD) homes for sale in Carlsbad, as of November 16, 2009. The lowest priced home is on the market for $309,000 and the highest priced home is listed at $1.699M to $1.799M. Many of the lower priced homes in Carlsbad will be either manufactured homes or homes for people aged 55+.

So at what price range are most of the homes for sale in Carlsbad found?

• No SFD homes were found under $300,000
• 9 homes were between $300,000-$399,000 and the average days on the market (DOM) was 69.
• 11 homes were between $400,000-$499,000 with the average DOM at 52
• 44 homes were between $500,000-$599,000 with the average DOM at 54
• 32 homes were between $600,000-$699,000 with the average DOM at 60
• 34 homes were between $700,000-$799,000 with the average DOM at 53
• 33 homes were between $800,000-$899,000 with the average DOM at 73
• 31 homes were between $900,000-$999,000 with the average DOM at 89
• 11 homes were between $1M-$1.099M with the average DOM at 72
• 11 homes were between $1.1M-$1.199M with the average DOM at 76
• 18 homes were between $1.2M-$1.299M with the average DOM at 165
• 8 homes were between $1.3M-$1.399 with the average DOM at 126
• 39 homes were over $1.4M with the average DOM at 160

So, of the homes for sale in Carlsbad, approximately 50% are available under $799,000, and the other 50% are over $800,000. As far as the days on market, it stays between 52-60 in the $400,000 to $799,000 bracket. And as we might expect, the homes for sale in Carlsbad over $1.2M are on the market the longest.

Click here for more information on Carlsbad!

Price Reductions on Homes in Carlsbad - where are they? As of today, November 9, 2009, there are 408 homes actively listed on the MLS in Carlsbad, CA - in the 92008, 92009, 92010,and 92011 zip code areas. Of those 408 homes, there were price reductions on homes in Carlsbad totalling 51 over the past 2 weeks - or that's 12.5% of the homes on the market.

The number of price reductions on homes in Carlsbad varied by the price range they were in:

• 6 were reduced in the $300-399k range
• 4 were reduced in the $400-499k range
• 7 were reduced in the $500-599k range
• 8 were reduced in the $600-699k range
• 5 were reduced in the $799-799k range
• 6 were reduced in the $800-899k range
• 3 were reduced in the $900-999k range
• 7 were reduced that were over $1M

So, it looks like the price reductions on homes in Carlsbad is pretty much happening across the board. So let's take a look at where the price reductions are happening.

The price reductions on homes in Carlsbad seem to cluster in about 4 areas:

• East of Aviara, in La Costa
• Rancho Carrillo, Carlsbad
• East of El Camino Real and south of Cannon
• Spread out east of Carlsbad Village and east of the 5

So what does this all mean? Price reductions on homes in Carlsbad appear to be affecting all price categories, but there does seem to be some clustering of where those price changes are happening.

If you have any questions, please go to my website to look at homes or contact me for more information on where the price reductions on homes in Carlsbad are happening.

Street Faire in Carlsbad, CA will be held this year on Sunday, November 1st, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. When you go to this street fair, you will witness one of the country's largest - at the street faire in Carlsbad, CA.

I would recommend that you plan plenty of time for parking. The side streets will be full for miles around the street faire in Carlsbad, CA. In fact, skip the hassle and try one of the shuttles. There are two this year, one located at the Coaster Station on Poinsettia and one on the corner of Sears in the El Camino Real Shopping Mall.

They have about everything there, so bring some cash to buy and get great deals. It's a perfect time to get an early start on Holiday shopping. You will find everything from clothes, jewelry, art, home decorations, and there are even games and a section for kids.

And be sure to go to the street faire in Carlsbad, CA hungry! There is plenty of food. Get there early enough (7 am) and you can start the day off with a pancake breakfast put on by the Kiwanis Club. Then things pick up with live bands and food stations everywhere.

It's really a half-day experience. Don't try to go there in a rush.

To get there, take the Carlsbad Village Drive off the I5, and go west. The faire runs north and south on Grand Ave, so you will bump right into it!

Home with a Guest House for Sale in Carlsbad, California, on the market for $615,000! Need extra space for friends or relatives to stay when they visit you now that you live so close to the beach? No problem with this home with a guest house located in a park-like setting and walking distance to Carlsbad Village!

Built in 1988, this remodeled home with a guest house for sale has 5 large bedrooms, 4 baths, with a bright, open floor plan of 2815 sf. The large, bright kitchen features granite counter tops and a breakfast bar. Floors are travertine tile. The master bedroom (a large 15x20 feet), has a private patio that provides a view of the surrounding hillsides. The master bath has also been remodeled with separate tub and shower.

The backyard to this home with a guest house for sale is private with a park-like setting, and features a built-in BBQ and refrigerator, perfect for entertaining your friends and family.

And the guest house - how many times would you like to have room for in-laws, friends, or even an office. The guest house has it's own, separate entry, so it's even possible to consider renting it out.

And best of all, this home with a guest house for sale is walking distance to the Village of Carlsbad. There you will find ample shopping, restaurants, and one of the best family beaches in San Diego! Imagine shopping for fresh produce at one of the two Farmer's Markets held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You are also freeway close to the I5, giving you easy access to other beach communities in San Diego.

Carlsbad is known for it's great schools. So don't forget to check out the schools, if you have school-aged children. If you buy this home with a guest house for sale, you will be in the boundaries that will put your kids into Buena Vista Elementary, Valley Middle School, and Carlsbad High School.

Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to find such a great value close to the best beaches in San Diego! For more information on homes in Carlsbad, go to (This is not a short sale or REO!) MLS #090056276