Should You Buy a Home on a Lease-Option?

Question: “I’m saving up money for a down payment, but I’d like to get into a house now since prices are so attractive and there are so many homes for sale to choose from.  What do you think of getting a home on a lease-option?” Answer: There are some pros and cons, that I’ll go
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Of Disclosures and Property Lines

Question: “I’m buying a house and we’re closing in 3 days.  There’s a nice detached building in the back that I’ll use as an office.  But the neighbor just said it’s built too close to his property line and he’s going to report it.  All my contingencies are released.  Since this is a new disclosure,
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How to Find Out if the Seller Will Come Down in Price

Question: “Are there any good ways to figure out if a seller is likely to come down in price?” Answer: Here’s the simplest way: Ask (or have your agent ask) the seller’s agent how much the seller will come down! Unless the seller’s agent has specific permission from the seller (almost never happens), it’s a
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What Repairs You Should Ask a Seller to Make

Question: “I’ve never bought a home before.  I know it’s a good idea to have a home inspected.  But what repairs are normal to ask a seller to take care of?” Answer: Good question. First, be sure to make your repair request during your (typically) 7- to 17-day “investigations” period. Second, there’s no true “normal,”
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What to Know About Buying a Fix-and-Flipped San Diego Home

Question: “Is there anything to know about buying a house that a flipper fixed up?” Answer: At least a couple of things… Most flippers do work to appeal to the visual sense and to some extent smell and touch.  So they remodel, repaint, put in new carpet and landscaping, etc.  They rarely update things like
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Rules for Deposits When Buying a San Diego Home

Question: “We’re shopping for a home and I’d like to know if there are any rules about a minimum or maximum deposit?” Answer: No and no. Contrary to popular belief, an initial deposit is NOT legally required. While a contract must have consideration to be valid and enforceable, the consideration for the purchase of a $500,000
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Sellers Still Make Disclosures If They’re Not Residents

Question: “My sister bought a home and later found several things wrong that the seller should have known.  I read your newsletter, so I told her to check her disclosures to see if the problems were disclosed.  She said she got almost no disclosures because, per her agent, since the seller didn’t live in the
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Pest Control Clearance: Section 1 vs. Section 2

Question: “My husband and I made an offer on a home a couple of weeks ago and asked for a termite clearance. The agent said we should ask for all repairs for Section 1, but not Section 2. When we asked the agent what the difference was, she didn’t know. Can you tell explain the
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Does Every Bedroom Need a Smoke Detector?

Question: “I’m buying a home and there was only one smoke detector in the hallway.  My contractor says that’s fine, but my agent says they have to be in the bedrooms.  Which is correct?” Answer: Per California law, the smoke detectors must be centrally located outside each “sleeping area” (sounds like a bedroom to me).
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How to Know the Seller Will Make Adequate Repairs

Question: “We’re negotiating to buy a home and the seller is supposed to do a list of repairs before we close. How do I know they’ll do the work or if it will be done well?” Answer: Assuming you have it in writing that the seller will do the work, if they don’t, then they’d
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