San Diego Real Estate

San Diego Real Estate Group is an experienced, knowledgeable team of San Diego Realtors who list and negotiate short sales, locate real estate for home buyers, locate REO and trustee sale real estate for investors, list and market homes for our clients. Whether you are looking for vacation homes in San Diego or Mission Beach or trying to negotiate a short sale, our realtors will help you locate and purchase the perfect home.

What is San Diego Real Estate

The San Diego real estate market is home to some of the most desirable real estate in the country. Within the San Diego real estate market, you can find the some of the most luxurious homes, as well as more affordable homes. Spread across seven unique areas from coastal to inland, the San Diego real estate market truly offers something for everyone.

Despite advertising and media reporting that tells you it’s always a good time to buy San Diego real estate, the decision is a highly individual one.  At any time, it can be either the wrong or the right time to buy real estate for you.  If you must move for your job, then it’s the right time to buy if renting isn’t an option.  If you are just thinking you’d like to change homes, study the market to see if prices are rising, falling or standing still. Regardless of your motivations, make sure that you love the home you buy and most importantly that you can afford your payments now and five years from now. Buying a real estate in San Diego is an important a highly individual decision – make sure that it’s the right time for you to buy a home.

How does buying a home in San Diego work?

When buying a San Diego real estate, you must be well informed to avoid over paying. Prices for comparable homes can vary greatly within a matter of miles in the San Diego real estate market. Buyers must be conscious of many locational factors, such as proximity to local schools or noisy airports, when determining what price is reasonable. Other factors, including local and national news, seasons, lending requirements and tax credits, further complicate the market by continuously altering the levels of supply and demand for San Diego real estate. National real estate statistics, such as home prices and sales volume, frequently do not translate to San Diego real estate, so make sure to research your specific area and do not rely on national statistics as a measure of value.

Is it possibly to get a good deal on San Diego Real Estate?

Getting a good deal on a San Diego home is about understanding the market, not offering below market prices on every property. A good listing agent will not even present an offer that is significantly below market to his or her client. Proven strategies that do work include participating in short sales, making offers on bank owned properties that have fallen out of escrow, buying cash at trustee sales or directly contacting homeowners. Good deals happen every day in the San Diego real estate market- it's just a matter of finding one that matches well with your needs.

How to find the right deal at the right price on a San Diego home

Finding the right deal at the right price takes market knowledge, patience, and the ability to act quickly for the right opportunity. Prior to beginning a home search it is essential to identify the home features that are most important to you (e.g. number of bedrooms, size of kitchen, location). Buyers that methodically track attractive listings and move quickly for the right opportunity are generally more satisfied in the long run with the price they paid. Many San Diego real estate buyers do not know exactly what they want and often times the first property they see in hindsight was the best property for them.

Everything you need to know about San Diego Real Estate

The San Diego real estate market is divided into seven primary areas, each with its own distinct characteristics.

San Diego Coastal – La Jolla, Ocean beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and Point Loma. These are five great cities that all offer easy access to the San Diego beach. These areas typically have higher priced real estate due to the proximity to the coast, but there are areas that have more affordable homes for families.

North County Inland – Forrest Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Scripps Ranch, Ramona, Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, and Poway. Family neighborhoods! There cities offer it all, from million dollar homes to 100k condos.

North County Coastal – Fallbrook, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, and Santa Luz. These are the nicest cities in San Diego from beach front homes in Del Mar, trackside properties in Solana Beach to estates in Rancho Santa Fe. The North County Coastal cities offer great school districts and are a great place to live.

Easy County – El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley, Lakeside, and Santee. It’s always sunny out here! Stay away from the coastal marine layer while getting a great price in these five neighborhoods.

Downtown – Old Town, Gas Lamp, Little Italy, Horton Plaza, and Marina District. Something is always going on in Downtown San Diego, from Padre Games and night life to great restaurants, be next to it all!

Central – Claremont, Mission Valley, North Park, South Park, Encanto, Mission Hills, Sorrento Mesa, Del Cero, and San Carlos.

Central San Diego really means what it says. You are a 20 minute drive from everything.

South County – Chula, Imperial, Coronado, and San Yisdro. Close to the beach and the border. South Country offers affordable housing in the most South West part of the country.

What do you need to know about buying San Diego Real Estate?

When buying San Diego real estate, you need to know exactly what you can afford, what type of home and features you are looking for, and your time frame to purchase. Currently the market is almost entirely short sales, bank and investor owned real estate. Short sales can be lengthy processes and may fall apart during escrow. Buying San Diego real estate through a short sale process is a good way to find a good deal, but you need to be patient and being willing to continue your home search as these processes may take months to complete and there are almost always other competing bids. Bank owned San Diego real estate is sold AS-IS and are not always move-in ready. Buyers should weigh the benefits of a lower purchase price against the potential future costs for necessary improvements and renovation. Investor owned real estate typically has had all the necessary repairs and upgrades completed to make the real estate attractive for a quick sale. Real estate investors are often willing to negotiate with buyers when their properties have been on the market for more than 30 days. That's why it is so critical to choose an expert San Diego real estate agent when looking at these different areas.

The volume of short sales and bank owned properties has limited the number of “normal” transactions. However, there are always people looking to sell their homes for reasons other than financial motivations. Perhaps their family has outgrown a home or they are relocating for a new job. Whatever their reason for selling their San Diego real estate, private transactions are a good way to find well maintained homes but you may need to pay a slightly higher price.

The first steps to buying San Diego real estate is getting a pre-qualification letter from your bank, figuring out how much you can afford and begin researching properties. Finding a good agent can also help you save time and effort. Be wary of Real Estate agents who answer yes to all your questions. A competent agent will tell you if you are being realistic with the San Diego real estate that you want for the price you can afford.

What you need to know about selling San Diego real estate

When selling your San Diego real estate you must research the competing properties that are on the market in order to price your property to sell. A high number of bank owned properties or short sales in your neighborhood may make it difficult to sell at a full market price. To figure out what your San Diego real estate is worth helpful tools such zillow.com and google.com maps can help you locate comparable properties. If you want more for your house than the market says its worth, there is good chance it will not sell. It’s tough to get “lucky” in this market, so listing it for the right price the first time will give your house the best chance of selling. Listing at an above market price can cost you a lot of time and even money. Utilizing the right real estate agent can also help you to price your property for a quick sale and avoid chasing the market. San Diego real estate is always desirable and when priced right will always sell.

Choosing the right Agent for you

The Internet has changed the way buyers search for homes. San Diego real estate is no different. You can start a lot earlier in the process, and spend more time doing your own research. So, use the Web for early research. When it comes to actually working with a Realtor, you can use someone you’re referred to by a friend or relative. Or, you can begin to ask questions via email and see which agents are most responsive and helpful. Make sure to find an Agent you feel comfortable with and who understands your needs as well as the San Diego real estate market. A good Agent will save you time, energy, and money.