Foreclosure filings and past due mortgages have been trending downward over the last year, inventory is decreasing, interest rates are lower than ever before, and I see the home prices stablizing. My expertise comes mainly on the coast and I definitely see all this happening here. Also, the Obama Administration came up with the HARP program which helps distressed homeowners refinance so they may keep their property. With this program  if the home owner has a reasonable ability to pay their mortgage and even if the home's value has been lost in the downturn, the homw owner is allowed to refinance and stay in their home. These are government backed loans by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This also sets a good example for other banks to follow.

In other cases where the homeowner cannot make the mortgage payment because of lack of employment, illness or other challenges, a short sale should be considered. What is most important in doing a short sale is hiring an agent who has been trained to do them properly. That agent can advise you on what paperwork you may need to gather to so all the necessary information for your agent to represent you and contact your banks, explain the situation and start the proceeding.

It may be the most difficult thing for the homeowner to do, pack up and move out of their home once it is sold, but it also frees them up from the burden of a heafty mortgage payment, the responsiblities of taking care of a home and making it's repairs, and the weight and burden of it all can be lifted off their back allowing them to move forard in their life. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert and can help you or your friends with their needs regarding saving their home or selling and doing a short sale. Please contact me at MarlaZanelli.com. Thank you!

The Beach Colony in Del Mar is one of the most sought after places to live, especially in the summer time! Rentals range from $2500 to $10,000 per week, depending on size and location of the property! The ocean front has commanded some of the highest prices ever in real estate when an ocean front home was purchased by Madeline  Pickens for $43,000,000! Yes that was the price! Today's prices are much more reasonable and I would say from my 22 years of selling the area that now is the time to step up and buy something in the Beach Colony if that is where you want to end up owning. I just listed a  town home in the quaint complex of Coast Del Mar Condominiums for $1,369,000! What you get for that price is an amazing location across the street from the sand and restaurants like Jakes and the Posiedon, just next door to L'Auberge Hotel and the Village of Del Mar! The condo has 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, fireplace, 3 private patios, secured parking for 2 cars, community pool and spa and this condo has been remodeled and updated! Granite counters, tile floors, oil rubbed bronze hardware and just some of the materials used in the remodel. Another bonus with the project is that it was remodeled a few years ago and the exteriors of all the units were redone along with new windows, new roofs, paint, etc. That is something that is great to not worry about because it has been done! This property makes a super location to live in full time or a great second home that can be rented when you are not using it. Call me for photos or if you want to view the property! Thanks and Happy Holidays!

They are slowly disappearing.....those vacant lots in our coastal communities....but we do have a few and I have kept track of that market in Solana Beach because I have one such lot for sale! My listing is at 511 S Rios in Solana Beach and what is so unique and special about this lot is it's location at the end of a culdesac street. The feeling of privacy you get when you drive onto that section of Rios is really special. 511 S Rios is over 18,000 square feet which makes it just under a half an acre! What can be built there is a single family home with the possiblity of an accessory unit. It's always best to talk to the City of Solana Beach about details on that. The home can be 4,915 square feet plus a garage. Garages are usually 400 square feet, so that is a good size home to have at the coast! What is also unique is the walkability of this lot. You are right next door to the Cedros Design District which has really hip shops, wonderful gourmet restaurants, live music at the Belly Up, farmers market on Sundays, easy walk to the beach and the train station! How fun is all that! Speaking of the Belly Up...they are getting some top musicains there like Chris Iasack and Boz Skaggs! Another feature of this lot is it has an ocean view. I was there yesterday as the sun was setting and it was a pretty sight! All that for only $979,000....in a neighborhood where homes have sold for over $3,000,000. Email me if you would like to make an appointment to learn more about vacant land in Solana Beach....I have all the scoop on the latest closings. realestate@delmarla.com is my email address. Thank you!

Del Mar captured my heart in the early 1980's when I came to the summer race meet at Del Mar! It was so magical with our beautiful pristine beaches, galloping horses on a historical racetrack, dining at Bully's, dancing at the Belly Up! There were many fun times, exciting times with my horses winning races, and such magical days with exercising in the morning, napping in the sand in the afternoon and out on the town with friends in the evenings! Del Mar continues to hold those magical moments for me, only now I am blessed with selling some of the most desirable real estate in the world, owning horses in partnership with wonderful friends and neighbors and continuing to enjoy our gourmet restaurants, world class hotels and of course top musicians at the Belly Up! It has been an interesting and learned experience to go through the different economical times here. I remember when there were only a few homes in Del Mar for sale for over $1,000,000. And the values that real estate jumped too! Our most expensive ocean front sale being $43,000,000. Yes, there is no mistake on that number! Now you can buy a short sale on the ocean front for $4,000,000. Speaking of the ocean front....I have a new listing coming on the market - an ocean front condo in Solana Beach in the dynamic complex of Seascape Sur! I also have a pocket listing on a gorgeous, one of a kind, newly remodeled home on the ocean front in Solana Beach (with a pool)....call me with any questions if you are interested in either of these properties! I currently also have a beautifully furnished condo on the ocean front in Surfsong...top floor 2 bedroom 2 bath condo offered at only $3,900 per month. Call me or email me for photos. It will be available January 1, 2012. Have a Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

I recently had a client suggest there is another foreclosure wave coming. I then realized how misinformed our general public is and they do not have a real understanding of our current market. First I want you to know this year has been a much better year than the previous two years. Properties are selling, buyers are buying and many of them are using all cash! On top of that the interest rates have been the lowest we have EVER seen! The interest rates have been in the 3-4%!!!!!!!! With interest rates so low, when an interest rate is due to adjust the payment will go DOWN!!!! This is not going to cause a wave of foreclosures. Talk to your lender. Talk to my lender. Interest rates are at give away money levels, which makes buying real estate the smartest thing you can do. I have seen many deals sell this year. I also see the bottom market disappearing in some areas. If you want a  good buy in real estate now is the time to find it. In Solana Beach I was showing Coastal Real Estate and I couldn't believe some of the values! Completely remodeled with great ocean view for $525,000 in an ocean front community. In Del Mar I saw a Coastal Duplex with ocean views....sold within 2 weeks for $1.1.....walk to the Village.....great buy! I specialize in Coastal Del Mar and Coastal Solana Beach......check out my website at www.CoastalSolanaBeach.com. Give me a call if you want to know what is available to purchase or you are ready to buy your coastal dream home! Thanks and have a great weekend!

I received this info from the California Association of Realtors....it was a major victory for everyone when Govenor Brown signed into law a C.A.R. sponsored bill, Senate Bill 458, prohibiting a deficiency after a short sale for one-to-four residential units, regardless whether the lender is a senior or junior lienholder. Going into effect immediately for transactions closing escrow from July 15, 2011 forward, both senior and junior lienholders cannot go after the seller (borrower) to pay a deficiency. It's about time this happened for property owners. With the loss of jobs and loss of income suffered by every day workers, this will make their lives easier to get back on track after selling their homes. Any one trying to waive this rule shall be void and against public policy. A lender can not require a seller/ borrower to pay an additional compensation in exchange for short sale approval but the new law does not forbid a borrower for voluntarily offering a money contribution to the lender in hopes of obtaining a short sale. Why someone would want to volunteer payment I have to really think about. It will cost that lender much more to foreclose, but all banks are different to work with. There are exceptions to the new law - which include a lender seeking damages for a borrower's fraud or waste, a borrower that is a corporation, LLC, or limited partnership. As a Certified Distressed Property Expert I am qualified to handle short sales and have done so in the past with success. If you know anyone who could use my help and services, please let me know! Have a super week!

The stats for the sales of properties in Solana Beach just came across my desk and I thought to pass on the information to you! The market is looking better as far as Notice of Defaults with only 5 in Solana Beach where some areas have 30! We do live in a healthy desirable area! There were 4 single family residents that sold at a median price of $419 per sq ft. There were 7 condos that sold at a median price of $387 per sq foot. There were two condo short sales that sold for $262 per sq ft! Wow, quite a difference in price per sq foot but you must have patience and time to stay in escrow with short sales. They are somewhat easier to get done today but they could still take a long time. I have not broken down these stats to coastal solana beach or east of 5 solana beach, but if anyone needs to know the differences please feel free to give me a call!

Now let's compare Del Mar! There were 8 Notice of Defaults in Del Mar. There were 11 single family sales at a median sales price of $594 per sq foot. Condo transfers were 7 with a median sales price of $361. Short sales in the detached homes were 1 at $983 per sq foot. Condo short sales were 1 at $245.

Wanting to know any other neighbor hoods email me or give me a call! Let me know how I can be of service for your real estate needs! Have  a fabulous Memorial Weekend! Be safe, don't drink and drive!

The Del Mar Race Meet is coming to completion soon, but this is one of the most exciting races of the meet - the $1,000,000 Pacific Classic at the classic distance of a mile and a quarter (1 1/4)! This year the excitement will be enhanced with Chantal Sutherland riding one of the favorites with Game On Dude! The favorite of the race will be Jenny Craig's Twirling Candy who finished behind Game On Dude in the Hollywood Gold Cup. The winner of that race was First Dude who is now retired. If you remember it was a very exciting finish with him and Game On Dude head and head! I heard through the grapevine there was a very disgrunteled fan that day with Chantal....so much so security had to protect her. Silly fans! Go Chantal! She will be getting my support on race day! Other exciting events this weekend is a fund raiser this evening given by the Great Friends Racing....raising money for military personal children....a super great cause! I'll be there in support of them also! Hopefully Great Friends will get lucky this sunday with Ghanzo Bob being their first winner! He had a good work the other day in 36.2 and some time off to have him at the top of his game this Sunday! Go Bob! As a previous horse owner I found out this race meet how fun it can be when you are in a large sydication. It takes the pressure off you and your pocket book! It's a great way to go if you want to experience owning a thoroughbred. If you want to give me a call we can talk about the different groups out there and how I can help you. I have been involved in horse racing for over 30 years, so I have the experience behind me. Another beautiful day in paradise in Del Mar, California....a great place to buy real estate by the way! Super buys out there if you want to move or invest, please give me a call. You can find me at Remax Distinctive on the main street of Del Mar, 1201 Camino Del Mar, suite 215.....Marla Zanelli