Carlsbad

Carlsbad is nestled between Oceanside, Escondido and Encinitas has a wide variety of short sales available. Since this rural beach community appeals to the resort dwellers, you will be surprised to find short sales under $100,000 unlike the higher prices in the big cities surrounding the smaller Route 5 towns.
There are more short sales than there are foreclosures now in all over the country and the roads less traveled offer better deals. Look for the term ‘pre-foreclosures’ since that is what a short sale is, another words the bank has not taken it and the seller may still live in the home. This means is it probably still well taken care of and has its appliances. Carlsbad, CA Ocean Hills or Buena Vista Lagoon areas are not as densely populated and have not seen growth affected by the boom. There will still be short sales available.
You may need to check the local newspapers for notices of auctions and defaults. Check with our local title company for a list of pre-foreclosures, they might hand them out to local agents. Then check with a local agent in your preferred neighborhood. If you are willing to exit the Carlsbad zipcode, dip into the Oceanside area a little then you will find 3 bedroom homes for under $20,000. Many of these may have not had a successful short sale run and were rented out versus occupied by an owner. So they may not be move in ready and require some fix up.