patricia, there are lots of homes that might be close enough to the beach for you but they will not be in encinitas. not yet anyway. when stuff like that comes to across our desk the agents and brokers usually snap them up. ask my brother.

certain parts of vista, oceanside and san marcos can be easily had for less than $300k. if you can define "close to the beach" i could send you a couple of examples of homes that i think are well priced. using myself as an example, i surf, so the beach close is very important. and it has to be close enough to make the wave check easy and also to make it so it's not a major chore if there are no waves and it's a dry run. if you're talking about walking distance...you will need to be looking at condos and townhouses. i've been active in encinitas for 15 years i am very familiar with it, and that price point is unlikely to happen except in extraordinary circumstances...and then for cash buyers who can solve a pressing problem and take a home as-is.

at the risk of breaching a trulia protocol, i am rehabbing a very cool house in Vista right now that will be below $300k. you can click through to my contact info if you'd like to have a look before it hits the MLS, same goes for the agents reading this. the home will be ready in about 45 days. 3/2/cul de sac/ pool. if you are working with an agent, please have them initiate contact.

happy house hunting! this really is a great time to be out looking. i think the next 6 months will see a flood of inventory...WHOO-HOO!

Shop on http://www.EncintiasNeighborhoods.com and you will see a SFR along the beach is going to be rather impossible. You may consider a townhome or condo if you know what you can afford adn really want to be near the beach. The best thing you can do is work exclusively with one agent you are comfortable with that will help you hunt down the good deals. I can help you do this by signing up on http://www.BankOwnedHomesByEmail.com

Good luck!

Dusty Brazil
Real Innovate Realty

Hi Patricia, I am a Buyer's Agent and Independent Broker. I encourage you to send me a message with your contact information and I will explain how you can overcome the problems in this price range that are encountered by First Time Buyers and often prevent them from being sucessful in this difficult market. I have 12 years of facilitating Buyer's in the North San Diego County Costal areas and can provide you with guidance that can only be learned from experience.

Patricia,

Close to the beach is relative. What does that mean to you? I knoiw th ebeach areas fairly well and if you want to be walking distance and want a single family detached home, th eonly beack in San Diego county that would have that is Imperial Beach. IB has gotten alot better in recient years and is that last affordable beach town in San Diego. Even Oceanside close to th ebeach is way over your price point if you want to be walking distance.

PineappleHut is based in Carlsbad

Contact me and I'm happy to go over what options are out there

Jay Gedanken
Broker Associate
PineappleHut Realty
858-605-5839
jay@saveyoucash.com

Patricia,

If you are not already working with an agent, please send your email address to Marcie@SimplyTheBestRe.com. I would be happy to and at least give you some direction.

Kind Regards,
Marcie Sands, REALTOR
Simply The Best Real Estate Company, Inc.