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 much should I list my home for relative to its value?

Question: “How much should a person list their home for relative to the value?” Answer: Great question. To get the most activity and leave a bit of negotiating room, the optimal amount is about 2% over value, except for higher price ranges. If your home is valued over $1,500,000, I recommend you list about 3%
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What’s a capitalization rate?

Question: “What’s a cap rate?” Answer: Cap rate is short for “capitalization rate.” Cap rate is the rate an investment property earns money, as a percentage of the value of the property. It’s similar to an interest rate on a CD. And it’s also your % return if you buy the property for cash. You
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What’s the best website to search for a home?

Question: “Hi Gary, I’m starting my home search what’s the best website to use?” Answer: Great question! I’m going to suggest you use my website, www.SearchSDHomes.com, and here’s why… It’s very user-friendly and simple. Many major sites you’ve heard of have inaccurate or out-of-date information. Mine does not. All the major sites are basically looking
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This Week’s Crazy Building: Ragnarock Museum

Dive into rock and roll music at the Ragnarock Museum in Roskilde, Denmark. Beyond the music, visitors explore how it has influenced culture. Designed by architects MVRDV and COBE, visitors walk the “red carpet” as they approach this gold-studded building. The interior also features the same studded shapes but in a red velvet shade, referencing
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How can I find an agent to accurately price my home?

Question: “I know my home is worth at least 1.1 million, but the first two agents I talked to said it’s in the 900s. Where can I find an agent who knows how to accurately price a home?” Answer: Let me first say that you could be right. Your home may well be worth 1.1
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How much does solar add to the value of your home?

Question: “I was looking at a home and the owner was there and said because he had solar panels his home value went up over $70,000. That can’t be true, can it?” Answer: Not a chance. He was referring to a 1998 Appraisal Journal study, often attributed to Wells Fargo. It says that for every
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Do you pay taxes on a 1031 exchange?

Question: “I’m going to be selling my rental and buying another using a 1031 exchange. A realtor told me that because it’s not my home, the state of California will withhold money from the sale for taxes. Is that correct?” Answer: That agent gave you some incorrect advice. The state will require a 3 1/3%
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How do I find my property line?

Question: “When I bought my house, I was told the property line is at the fence. Do you think that’s correct? Should I look at a map?” Answer: Ever played the kid’s game of “Telephone”? One person whispers a phrase to the next person, who whispers it to the next person, and so on. The
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Not every power of attorney allows you to sell property

Question: “My mother owns her home in her trust. She’s not well, so I’m handling the sale for her. I have power of attorney and…” Answer: Before we go on, we need to determine if that power of attorney is actually valid to sell the house. Now, you may be thinking, “Of course it is.
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Are real estate investing seminars worthwhile?

Question: “I’d like to start investing in San Diego real estate. What do you think of those real estate investing seminars?” Answer: Most of them are a waste of your hard-earned money. Here’s why: Foreclosure seminars – we have VERY few foreclosures in San Diego. Tax lien seminars – ditto. Flipping seminars – too competitive
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