Licensed since 1984, San Diego real estate broker Gary Kent is a recognized authority on real estate. In addition to selling over 5,500 homes for clients, he has been an expert court witness, trainer of other agents, and he does seminars on home buying, home selling, and investing. Gary has sold homes for The Salvation Army, dozens of major banks, and Fannie Mae, amongst others. You can find Gary on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

How Many San Diego Homes to See Before Buying

“I’ve only been looking an homes for a couple of weeks and seen about 25. There’s one I really like, but I’m afraid it’s too soon. I know there’s no magic number, but how many homes do you suggest I see before buying one?” Answer: Tough question. Because it’s very subjective, I’m going to just
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What Is Mortgage Insurance?

“I’m putting down 10% to buy a home and my loan person said I have to pay mortgage insurance, but didn’t explain what that is. What exactly is mortgage insurance?” Answer: It’s insurance covering your lender against future losses from a foreclosure. Often called PMI or Private Mortgage Insurance, it is typically required on loans
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Finding a Home Before Selling

“Hi Gary, We would like to find something before we sell, so we are not left with nothing. I don’t believe what we want exists in our price range, but perhaps you can tell us. Our requirements are…” Answer: To be realistic, you face some big challenges: 1. Few sellers (and no bank selling a
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Credits for Carpet Allowance?

“I’m looking at a home that needs lots of work. Is it possible to get a carpet allowance so I have some of the money to take care of the work?” Answer: Great question. It amazes me that every few weeks a supposedly professional real estate agent will send me an offer asking for a
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Selling As Is Without Repairs

“Can I just sell my home As Is and not have to make any repairs?” Answer: Try this fun game: Ask your significant other, “Do you promise you won’t get mad if I tell you something?” If they agree, then say, “Those pants make you look really f—a—t.” After the yelling subsides and you’ve slept
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Issues with FHA Loans

“I’ve made seven offers on foreclosed homes and lost every one. I’m getting an FHA loan. Do you think that’s the problem?” Answer: Yes. FHA loans are an issue for 2 reasons: First, we’re seeing more and more FHA appraisers call for repairs to be done to make the loan. This causes either A) unplanned
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Experience Means Great Service

“Gary, with all the homes you sell, are you too busy to give me good service?” Answer: There’s an old saying: “When you want something done, ask a busy person.” My success selling homes show that I’ll probably be successful when you hire me to sell your home. Further, it gives me the resources to
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Selling “Show with Offer”

“I have a million-dollar rental house that’s leased through next May. If I sell, it would have to be ‘show with offer’. What do you think?” Answer: Selling subject to a lease and “show with offer” will limit the market dramatically. So you’d either want to work with the tenant to change that situation (if
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When You’ll Know a Buyer is Qualified

“We’ll be selling our home this summer and we’d like to have you handle it. One question: with all the turmoil with banks and the mortgage market, how will we know for sure when we have a buyer who can get a loan?” Answer: When escrow closes. Sorry to say, but that’s really the only
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The Importance of FICO Scores

“How important are FICO scores when you get a loan?” Answer: Vital. They can be the difference between getting a loan or not, how much you need to put down, and the rate and points you pay. My longtime lender recently priced an owner-occupied conventional loan for someone with 20% down. Based on the FICO
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