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Property Spotlight
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Pacific BeachCA
For Sale
$249,900
1 Beds / 1 Baths
| Unbelievable location only 3 blocks to the beach! This condo has everything you need with granite counter tops, travertine in the bathroom, maple flooring, and cherry cabinets... more >>
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La JollaCA
For Sale
$249,900
1 Beds / 1 Baths
| Live at the Beach in the Wind-N-Sea neighborhood! First floor unit is light and bright with west facing balcony!.. more >>
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San Diego
For Sale
$279,000
4 Beds / 2 Baths
| 4BR/2.5BA
From the front porch you can see the OCEAN! Handyman special - bring your tool belt and fix this home up! Large back yard - for you to create your own private haven... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$299,999
3 Beds / 1 Baths
| FREE 24 HOUR RECORDED INFO AT 1-800-433-0203 EXT. 7773
This 3 bedroom, 1 bath home is a beautiful blend of classic 1940''s charm and modern upgrades... more >>
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EscondidoCA
For Sale
$325,000
4 Beds / 2 Baths
| Great opportunity to customize to your taste and style. Home is ready for your TLC to make this YOUR DREAM HOME! You can easily add another bedroom and bath above the garage making it a 5 bed/3 bath... more >>
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SanteeCA
For Sale
$389,000
3 Beds / 4 Baths
| Must see the breath taking views in Northstar at Sky Ranch this complex is nestle in the hills of Santee. You will feel at home in this upgraded townhome... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$399,000
2 Beds / 3 Baths
| REDUCED! This townhome is located in a quiet complex Chateau Village. This complex features pool, spa and tennis courts. You will feel the openness with the vaulted ceiling... more >>
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EncinitasCA
For Sale
$429,000
3 Beds / 2 Baths
| This single story home is located in Village Park. This is a great neighborhood with parks and walking trails. The home has a fireplace in the living room to cozy up to with your friends and family... more >>
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EscondidoCA
For Sale
$459,000
4 Beds / 3 Baths
| Come enjoy the tremendous panoramic mountain views from the spacious 4br/3 ba home. Kitchen has counter space, lots of cabinets and tile flooring... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$639,000
4 Beds / 2 Baths
| Welcome home to this lovely open floor plan with a well manicured yard. Great neighborhood in West University City... more >>
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La JollaCA
For Sale
$849,000
4 Beds / 3 Baths
| A Spectacular home built by Concordia with fantastic city and canyon views... more >>
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EscondidoCA
For Sale
$1,150,000
4 Beds / 6 Baths
| Luxury Defined-elevated and Private Architectural Gem with dark bottom pool with waterfall, swim ledges and separate spa with waterfall and views to Catalina Island, when clear... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$1,293,000
4 Beds / 3 Baths
| Real Estate at its best! This is a beautiful San Diego property!.. more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$1,695,000
3 Beds / 3 Baths
| If you appreciate volume, design and architectural beauty, this home is for you!.. more >>
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CarlsbadCA
For Sale
$1,950,000
4 Beds / 4 Baths
| Sensational views and a sense of privacy elevated from street with entry garden and mature palms. Side lot is mostly vacant with perimeter landscape plus multiple fruit trees, olives and palms... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$2,075,000
3 Beds / 3 Baths
| Designer''s own home with many customized features showcasing indoor\/outdoor living with San Diego''s climate and views taking full advantage of this elevated, private lot walking distance to Old .. more >>
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La JollaCA
For Sale
$3,850,000
4 Beds / 5 Baths
| Real Estate at its best! This is a beautiful La Jolla property!.. more >>
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It appears fewer singles are buying homes. And competing against dual-income bids in a period of low interest rates and a dearth of available homes could spell more tough months ahead for single homebuyers.
 In 2001, single women bought 15 percent of homes, while single men purchased 7 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors' survey, " 2002 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers," which evaluates marketing, demographic, and other characteristics of home buyers and sellers.
In 1999, singles made up 27 percent of the market share.
"Single buyers were a smaller component of last year's housing market due to the mild recession," said David Lereah, NAR's chief economist.
According to the NAR, 42 percent of all homebuyers are first-timers; 53 percent of single men and 52 percent of single women are new to home buying.
The biggest factor for singles and families continues to center around location the neighborhood, price, and proximity to work, school, family, and friends.
As economic uncertainty lingers, many single homebuyers' biggest concern is whether they can afford a home, especially when some areas of the country are experiencing soaring home prices, making it a challenge for single and married buyers alike.
"There are many first time buyers ready to buy, but with inventory so low many are finding it difficult finding a home," said Rosa Jiminez, a Houston Realtor. "The best advice I can give a buyer in today's market is not to take too much time deciding on making an offer on a home they like. If it looks good and you like it ... go for it. It won't be there tomorrow."
And in Sacramento, one of the more affordable areas in California, the outlook continues to look grim for single buyers looking for an "affordable" home.
"You can almost forget about getting into a nice home in the great neighborhoods for under $200,000," said Sacramento Realtor Steve Rath. "It's still possible, but a tough task."
It's also a sellers' market in parts of the Midwest.
"The real estate market continues to be tremendously active," said Marie B. Farnsworth, a St. Louis Realtor. "Homes that are priced at or near market value are selling the first week for full price or more. Many sellers are receiving multiple offers. Home buyers need to keep up with the new listings if they are serious about purchasing a home this summer."
As a single homebuyer, what should you do to position yourself? For starters, you'll want to:
- Do your homework. Determine what you wanthow many bedrooms, approximate square footage, and which neighborhoods you prefer.
- Think about condominiums and townhouses. These are typically more affordable and may suit your lifestyle: typically there's little upkeep, you have neighbors likely other singles close by, and you may have access to community facilities, like a pool or workout room. But you'll also need to consider you probably won't have much privacy outdoors or any type of back yard. You'll also need to factor in how much you'll pay for your homeowners association fees.
- Spend time comparing mortgages to get the most advantageous plan for your requirements and financial situation.
- Get pre-qualified for a mortgage before you begin looking at homes. Not only will this give you an exact price range for your purchase, but pre-qualification will add a great deal of strength to your offer.
- Stay in close contact with your agent and clearly express your needs. This is especially important if you're in a market where inventory is low. You'll want to be notified as soon as a home that fits your criteria goes on the market.
- Keep in mind that there's no such thing as the "perfect" home. Instead, set priorities. Determine what you're willing to sacrifice, especially if you're in a tight market.
- Bid competitively. Keep in mind you'll likely be competing against other offers. If you're in a tight market, it's not the time to see how low the seller will go.
- Protect yourself by investing the $200 to $500 for a professional inspection before you buy the home and sign the final mortgage loan papers, otherwise you run the risk of not exposing potentially expensive or even hazardous defects in the property.
Most importantly, if you're determined that now is the time to buy, don't be timid. You'll need to be ready to pounce and make an offer as soon as you see that close-to-perfect home that hits the market.
Written by: Michele Dawson
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