“Is it true that since credit scores are pulled by social security number and not by name, credit cards/accounts that are just in my husband’s name (I’m not even listed as an authorized user) will never impact my personal score?” ***ANSWER: Our preferred lender tells us that credit is run based on name, social security

“Hi Gary. My neighbor’s home next door was appraised at $825,000. My home is in better condition, so I know mine is worth over $850,000. How can I find out a realistic value without paying for an appraisal?” ***ANSWER: Before you go any further, let’s look at three questionable assumptions you’ve made to arrive at

Do I have to have 20% down before I buy a home in San Diego? “Hi Gary. My wife and I are working to save the 20% down before we buy our first home, but it’s slow going. Is it possible to buy with less than 20% down?” ***ANSWER: Yes! You’re not alone with the

Why should I get Pre-Qualified before I start looking for a home? “I’ve been looking for a home in Mission Valley for 2 months and agents keep pushing me to talk to a lender. I’m looking for a good deal and if I don’t find one I won’t buy. So I don’t want to waste

“Gary, please give me a call. My husband is being transferred to Florida and we’ll be putting our home on the market next week. We’ve heard a lot about you and want to find out about your marketing plan…” ***ANSWER: I’d love to meet with you…and I’d like to give you some advice. There’s SO

“We have a new pair of twins and need a bigger home. We’re very picky and won’t list our current home until we find one to buy. We need the money from that to buy, so we’ll have to make a contingent offer and then sell our place. Do you think this is a good

Is Mello Roos deductible? “We’d like a newer home and we’ve been looking in north county and Carmel Valley. Many of them have those Mello-Roos payments. Is Mello-Roos tax deductible?” ***ANSWER: If you’re not familiar, Mello-Roos is a fee LIKE an extra property tax. You’ll find it on a lot of local homes built after

What about Negative Cash Flow? “Hi Gary, I receive your informative emails and I truly enjoy them. Thanks. My question is this: I have investment properties but some have negative cash flow. In reading real estate books, negative cash flow is discouraged but I strongly believe that a real estate investment is just like a

What about Seller Paid Closing Costs? “I know sometimes people buying a home ask the seller to pay their closing costs. Why would a homeseller ever agree to do that?” ***ANSWER: Great question. Many of my seller-clients have objected LOUDLY when asked to pay a buyer’s closing costs. My advice is it doesn’t matter if

Should I buy a foreclosure home? “Hello Gary. I’ve learned a lot from reading your newsletters and I was wondering….do you deal with foreclosure homes at all? If you do, what are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a foreclosure compared to a regularly listed home on the market?” ***ANSWER: In Southern California, foreclosures are