Duncan Hare

"THE OWNER IS ALSO A REALTOR/BROKER, SHE SAID SHE DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM REPRESENTING ME"

I would have a problem, and would not do it. This is a serious conflict of interest. Please get you own agent.

To evaluate the homes put together a budget. Buy what you can afford.
Taxes can be reduced in some areas, becuase of the decline in home values.

Please, please, please get professional advice. Find a Realtor to represent you andprotect your interests. - Fri May 23 2008, 06:03

Short sale - the bank pays, not you.
Both laons are included, The holder of the second loan looses first. The first loan may be paid off without an loss to the lender.
Get advice from an accountant and a lawyer. There are potential tax consequences to a short sale, foreclosure and deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, especially with cash out refinances and home equity loans.

Our experience is lenders become more flexible the closer you are to foreclosure. They appear are less flexible if you mortgage payments are current. - Fri May 23 2008, 05:58

It is negotiable. You, the seller can ask the buyer to pay clsoing costs.
The phrase in the contract is typically written "Seller shall pay $xx,xxx of buyer recurring and non-recurring closing costs".
Your costs in California can include escrow, inspection fees, appraisal fess, and the (expensive) loan fees. - Fri May 23 2008, 05:53

Talk to the seller's agent. The seller's agent should have authority to talk to the bank. Ask for a conference call with the bank to discuss the status of the short sale. A personauthorized to talk to the bank msut be on the call with you.
You experience, sadly, is common. The bank's are overwhelmed with short sales and the process is lengthy.
Don't pay anyone any money other than the closing agency (lawyer or escrow), or buyer's inspections. - Fri May 23 2008, 05:50

Paseo Robles is very nice. The wine industry is growing by leaps & bounds. Southern Montery County is relatively inexpensive.
Temecula/Murrieta/Menefee in South Riverside county is more affordable now, and full of young families who could not afford the expensive homes in San Diego & Orange Counties.
Tracy/Lodi in San Joaquin county. Stockton is not so nice - when I was there it had a crime problem.
Lake County is affordable. Jobs? Probably questionable.

The difficulty is "good job market" and "affordable". Good jobs are in cities. Cities are generally expensive.

And, Oh dear, the question "and they are not a minority as Caucasians " is fraught with terrible problems, as it's illegal to discriminate, steer (this neighborhood is full of martians), or blockbust (as in the, martians are coming, sell now or you'll be living next to green people). Plase avoid discussion of race, gender, origin and such completely, and focus on schools, crime and a well maintained neighborhood.

Look for schools with good results "California Distinguished Schools", becuse schools with good results and low crime tend to run together. All proice districts release crime reports, Schools also release reports which are somewhat difficult to analyze, and seem to be designed so one can't compare school districts. - Fri May 23 2008, 05:44

Call a real estate office, and ask for realtor. Generally an MLS member (realtor) can look into the tax records. - Thu May 22 2008, 21:47