Should You Wait Till Summer to Sell Your San Diego Home?

Question: “Do you think it’s a good idea to wait to sell until next summer when prices are up?” Answer: You’re making a BIG assumption that prices will be up next summer. How do you know this? Do you have a time machine?  Is it because everyone says – incorrectly – that summer is
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The 10 Commandments of Home Loans

When you’re applying for a home loan, there are several things you should avoid at all costs. Here are the ten biggest, in the form of a Home Loan Ten Commandments: Thou shalt not change jobs, quit or become self-employed. Thou shalt not make a major purchase such as a new car. Thou shalt not
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5 Reasons to Invest in Real Estate Over Stocks

Question: “I think I know what you’re going to say, but do you recommend investing in stocks or real estate?” Answer: Not being a stock expert, you don’t really want me advising you about stocks. But I can share with you 5 advantages that real estate has over stocks: 1. You can personally impact the
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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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What to Watch Out for When Buying Investment Property

Question: “I want to buy an apartment building but I’m a little afraid the agent or seller will cook the books and my return won’t be what they say it is. What should I look out for?” Answer: You’re smart to be cautious. Here’s a list of things I look for when I buy or
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What to Do With Your San Diego Home After Improving It

Question: “I just finished renovating my condo. It has never looked this good in the 20 years I’ve owned it, so I’ve decided to keep it and rent it out…” Answer: Since you did so much to your condo, be sure to get a big security deposit from a potential tenant. You may even want
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How Much to Deposit When Making a San Diego Home Offer

Question: “How much is a normal deposit when you make an offer on a house?” Answer: A typical deposit is 1-2% of the purchase price. But just because it’s typical doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the approach you should take. Offering a bigger deposit, say over 2%, is a way of making your offer appear stronger
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Beware Cost-Benefit Guides When Improving Your San Diego Home

Question: “I’ll be selling in a couple of years and am looking at investing some money in my home now so I can get a higher price when I sell. Can you direct me to a cost versus benefit analysis list for various upgrades or repairs?” Answer: There are several such lists. Here’s one from
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How to Avoid Being Sued When Selling Your San Diego Home

Question: “I’ve never sold a home and I’m very worried about being sued for not disclosing something. Do you have any tips to avoid being sued?” Answer: It’s all about disclosure. If you disclose everything to a buyer, they’re unlikely to sue you later or win if they do sue you. And the proper way
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How Long Does It Take to Sell a San Diego Home Right Now?

Question: “How long does it take to sell a home right now?” Answer: There are many variables, such as location, condition, property type, price range, etc. But by far the biggest two variables are price and agent. If you price your home near market value and have a good agent, you’re going to sell it
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