What to Know as a First Time Home Buyer in Oceanside and Carlsbad

Buying your first home can conjure up a whole assortment of feelings at the same time. Happiness above all, but also nervousness, excitement, and some trepidation. There are a lot of variables that go into buying a home. It can be hard to get it all straight.

Of course, location is probably the first and biggest question. Where should you move to? It’s no secret that North San Diego County would be the first recommendation and if you’re looking to buy a home in North County, we’re here to help. There are communities in both Oceanside and Carlsbad that would be perfect for new homeowners. Are you ready to begin your journey of being a homeowner? Here’s what you need to know.

Military Homebuyers

First, some information that is pertinent if you’re a member of the armed forces. North County is home to many service members, particularly the city of Oceanside. Oceanside is just south of Camp Pendleton, the major Marine Corps base on the west coast. With thousands of marines needing to be in the area, it only makes sense they would want to settle down with their families somewhere close. There are plenty of resources available to members of the military looking to buy a home.

One key thing to be aware of as someone in the military is a VA loan. You’ll of course want to contact Veteran Affairs directly for specifics, but to summarize, a VA loan is for the purpose of buying or maintaining a home. These loans are still given through private lenders (banks, mortgage companies) and the VA guarantees a portion of the loan. Keep this in mind while looking for a home in Oceanside and surrounding cities.

Oceanside

Since we’re already talking about Oceanside because of its proximity to Camp Pendleton, let’s stick with the area. Oceanside is well known in the region as a city with great value. You can get a fair amount for your money. Two communities to spotlight in particular here are Rancho Del Oro and South O. Rancho Del Oro has been under heavy development for the past couple of years, but you still may be able to “get in on the ground floor” so to speak if you act quickly. Hundreds of homes have popped up with an estimated 3,000 in the pipeline for Oceanside in its entirety. It’s a great time to be a buyer.

South Oceanside, more commonly referred to as simply South O, is the area that runs from Oceanside Pier down south to Buena Vista Lagoon. If you’re looking for beach living that’s pretty low key and has a nice variety of people looking to just chill out and enjoy life, South O is the hip community for you. How many other communities can call itself home to a museum dedicated entirely to surfing?

Carlsbad

Not too far from Oceanside is Carlsbad, known as “The Village by the Sea.” It’s a big tourist town, but that doesn’t mean it also doesn’t make for a great place to live. The great thing about Carlsbad is there is variety in the architecture that makes up the neighborhoods. For example, in the northwest part of the city you’ll find cottages and bungalows from the 1950s alongside the classic “mansion on the hill” style home.

As far as neighborhoods to keep an eye on, consider Calavera Hills and Robertson Ranch. Calavera Hills has a desirable school system that has been getting positive press in recent years. It’s a great, developing neighborhood for families. Robertson Ranch is undergoing serious development as new properties pop up all the time. From luxury homes to affordable housing that has the same amenities as luxury condos, there is a property there for any budget. Both neighborhoods are ideal for first time home buyers thanks to the current value of the properties and the ongoing development that should make its value rise over time.

One Last Thing

You’ve been pointed in the right direction as far as location goes, but here are some other bits of information for first time buyers to go over. We’ve put together a resources page for you where you can learn about all the various topics you’ll come across throughout the process of buying your home. Things like escrow accounts, closing costs, home inspections, and property taxes are all subjects you’ll need to become familiar with. You’ll also learn about foreclosures which can be another avenue of purchasing a home if you’re concerned about what you can afford.

Conclusion

Are you feeling like you’re ready to start looking for a new home in North San Diego County? We’ve got plenty of listings to show you in areas like Oceanside and Carlsbad. Start the process of becoming a homeowner and contact us today.