What Costs Do I Pay When I Buy a San Diego Home?

Question: “What costs should I expect to pay when I buy a home?” Answer: Division of costs vary by geographic region. In San Diego, the buyer usually pays: Home inspection + any other inspections (except termite) Half the escrow fee Lender’s policy of title insurance Notary & recording fees for loan documents All new loan
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Are There Still San Diego Short Sales & Foreclosures?

Question: “Are there still any short sales and foreclosures? I don’t see them anymore.” Answer: Remember 2008-2011 when it was so rare to see a home offered that was NOT a short sale or foreclosure that we referred to them as “traditional sales”? In many neighborhoods (Eastlake, Spring Valley, etc.), if your life depended on
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Do Buyers Now Pay for Termite Clearance?

Question: “A friend of mine told me that there are new home sale contracts and that now the buyer is responsible for paying for the termites instead of the seller…?” Answer: Not exactly. Before I answer your question, let me give you some context… When I became a Realtor in 1984, it had long been
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Should You Use the BBB to Find an Agent?

Question: “Should I check with the Better Business Bureau to find an agent?” Answer: There are a range of opinions about the “BBB.” Some say it’s a fine consumer protection organization that provides a great service. Others say it’s really just a for-profit business that charges businesses to be listed. Some say it’s a relevant
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Buying a Home w/ Payment No Bigger Than Your Rent

Question: “Is it a realistic target to want to buy a home and keep my payment no greater than the rent I’m paying now?” Answer: I don’t know your current rent, your down payment, or what you want in a home to answer for your specific situation. But I can say it’s tough to buy
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Do Termite Inspections Cover Fungus?

Question: “I saw a house that has a lot of fungus damage to the wood. Does a termite inspection cover that?” Answer: Yes. While it’s often called a “termite inspection”, the correct term is “pest control inspection,” which covers anything that can decay or eat the wood. And that includes fungus.
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Does a Cracked Driveway Mean Settlement Problems?

Question: “I saw a house that I liked, but the driveway has a lot of cracks in it. Does that mean that the house has settlement problems?” Answer: Maybe. Maybe not. Driveway slabs are almost always poured at a different time than the house slab. And they typically aren’t as thick, aren’t reinforced with metal
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How Many Homes to See Before Buying

Question: “My wife and I are first time homebuyers. How many homes do you think we should see before we decide on one to buy?” Answer: Once you start seriously looking for a home, I’ve found most people physically walk through about ten (not counting open houses) before they choose the one they want to
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Will the Fence Always Be on the Property Line?

Question: “I was looking at a house with a large yard that goes down a hill. I assume the fences would be on the property line, correct? That’s what the owner said.” Answer: While fences are usually on the property line, never assume that’s true for any given house. And it helps that the owner
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How Much Should Your Deposit Be?

Question: “We’re going to make an offer on a home for $875,000. How much do you think our deposit be? Is $2500 too low?” Answer: Yes! The seller won’t take your offer seriously with a low deposit like that. Deposits are typically 1 to 2% of the price. When I represent a homeseller, I insist
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