Should Your Agent Be There For All Showings?

Question: “I’m interested in selling my condo in La Jolla. I’ve already spoken with an agent who promised she’d accompany other agents for all the showings. Are you willing to do that?” Answer: I’d never do you such a disservice! Why is that a disservice? Because it usually dramatically reduces interest and showings. Let me
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Should a Structural Engineer Inspect the Home Foundation?

Question: “Should we have a structural engineer inspect the foundation on a home we want to buy?” Answer: A few years ago, I had a pain in my chest almost certainly from straining myself in the gym. I called Kaiser to set an appointment to see my doc and when they heard “chest pain” they
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Why Have a Seller Pay Closing Costs for the Buyer?

Question: “What’s the benefit of having a seller pay closing costs for the buyer? They’ll want a higher price, so I don’t get why people do it.” Answer: Indeed, when I get an offer on a client’s home and the buyer wants the seller to pay their closing costs, many of my clients object. And
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Can a Website Tell me What Work to Do on My Home Before Selling?

Question: “Is there a website that can tell me what work I should do on my home before I sell it?” Answer: Probably, but I have a better idea. If your home is in San Diego and you’re considering selling, invite me by and I’ll give you profitable fix up tips based on my 31
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Must the Seller Pay the Realtor Fee?

Question: “I’m going to be a first time homebuyer and want to learn as much as I can. I’ve heard the seller has to pay for the Realtor fee as well as termites and a few other things. Is that correct?” Answer: Not exactly. All costs are technically negotiable, so the seller is not required
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Advantages of Cash Offers on San Diego Homes

Question: “Gary, a question. As the seller, what is the difference between a cash offer and one where the buyer gets a mortgage? Essentially, what’s in it for me? Are my closing costs lower with cash?” Answer: Your costs aren’t lower. What’s in it for you is: Your sale is more certain Possibly a shorter
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Is It Legal to Pretend to Have Other Offers?

Question: “My wife and I have our home for sale and just got an offer. My agent said to get the price up, we should basically pretend to have other offers and make something called a multiple counter offer to the buyer. I have a very bad feeling about this and really don’t want to.
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Is an Offer Considered Accepted if It’s After the Expiration?

Question: “I offered on a house and the sellers countered back, giving me 24 hours to respond. I did accept it, but a couple of days after the deadline. I saw the sellers when I had my home inspection and all seemed fine. They even told me they’d leave me the refrigerator, which wasn’t even
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Refinancing Home Loans to Avoid Disaster Later

Question: “On my house and four rentals I have all adjustable mortgages and everything is going great. The rates vary from 2.5% to 3.5% and you can’t touch rates like that on fixed rates.” Answer: You didn’t ask, but I’m going to give you some advice. The conventional wisdom is that rates will go up
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Avoiding Big Taxes When Selling Your San Diego Rental

Question: “Hi Gary. I’m not sure what to do. I want to sell my rental house in UC, but am facing a big potential tax bill. You’d said it’s worth about $800,000 and I paid $150,000 for it. As we discussed, I do have some interest in buying a home here in the Bay Area
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