Short or Stay San Diego Gary Kent San Diego Short Sale Specialist

Should you Short Sell or Stay in your San Diego Home? That is a question many San Diego home owners ask me. Hi, my name is Gary Kent. I’ve been a REALTOR since 1984. With the San Diego real estate meltdown, it’s been a difficult time for many people like you. If you are frustrated
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The Importance of Reliable Home Stats

“I was told my Tierrasanta home is worth $475,000, but the UT says the median in Tierrasanta is $520,000. My home is 1700 square feet, well maintained, but needs to be updated. Is the agent underpricing my home?” Answer: Great question. Even accurate statistics can be misleading. The stats you quoted were for only ten
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The Trouble with Home-Swapping

“Is there such a thing as a home/property swap, where I trade my home for another person’s home?” Answer: You’re the second person to ask me that this week. Yes, this is theoretically possible, but the challenge is having all these things happen at once: 1. You like someone’s home enough to buy it, you
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Switching Banks When Mortgage Shopping

“I’m looking for a San Diego home and shopping around for a mortgage. Once my offer is accepted, is there any rule that prevents me from switching banks if I find a better deal with another bank?” Answer: Probably not, but it depends on your contract. However, some warnings: – You don’t always get the
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Use Caution When Buying a San Diego Home w/ a View

“If I buy a home with a view, would my neighbor be allowed to build up or grow their trees and block the view?” Answer: To my knowledge, there’s NO universal law or statute preventing someone from blocking someone else’s view. All I know of that may protect a view are neighborhood CC&Rs (covenants, conditions,
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How Auction Pricing Fools Buyers

“Gary, I saw a home in an excellent neighborhood for $225,000 and am very interested. How soon can I see it?” Answer: I’m not sure where you saw it advertised, but that San Diego home is being auctioned and $225,000 is just the opening bid. It will end up selling for dramatically more…probably over $400,000.
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Reducing the Price of Your San Diego Home

“Hi Gary. I own a University City home that I need to sell because I’m moving to L.A. I listed with my sister’s friend who I don’t know at all. It’s been on the market over 3 months and she keeps telling me to reduce the price. I don’t want to go any lower because
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Selling Your San Diego Home Vacant vs. with Tenants

“I’m thinking about selling my La Jolla home. Should I sell my home vacant or with tenants there?” Answer: It depends on the occupants. In particular, how they keep the home and how cooperative they are. A well-kept home with beautiful furniture is a real plus. But a messy home with dated or ugly furniture
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Viewing a San Diego Home via Open House

“We’d like to see your house on Denver Street. Do you know when the next open house is?” Answer: That Clairemont home sold in about 10 days on the market. But let me address something. Many people really want to see a home and wait for an open house to see it. However, the majority
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Do Banks Want to Foreclose on Your San Diego Home?

“I read recently that banks are telling people they need to go into default to do a loan modification, then they’re foreclosing on the home. The article said banks do this so they can get the home at auction for far less than its value. Is that true?” Answer: That’s absolutely 100% incorrect. Despite all
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