How to Find Your Credit Without a Lender

Question: “How do I find out my credit without going to a lender to have them run it?” Answer: Per my favorite mortgage lender, here’s a link you can use to check your credit with each of the 3 major bureaus for free one time per year: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action Lenders don’t use this report, but you
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Using Imperfect Comps to Sell Your San Diego Home

Question: “I don’t see how you can use comps to determine value.  My house is remodeled and the house across the street just sold and it was in terrible condition.  You can’t tell me my home is worth what his is.” Answer: You’re right.  I can’t and I won’t. Even though a “comp” is supposed
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Why Most Real Estate Sites Aren’t Helpful

Question: “I’ve been researching the web about buying a home.  There is SO MUCH information out there, much of it contradictory.  I’ve learned a few things.  But on some topics, I’m actually more confused than when I started.  Is there one website you recommend that’s got accurate, useful info?” Answer: I think it’s great that
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How to Improve Your Credit Score

Question: “Can you share any tips on how to improve someone’s credit score?” Answer: Here are several smart ways to improve your credit score… 1. Carefully review your credit report Most credit reports have at least one error that will lower your score. Read your credit report line by line and report any errors in
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Bad Realtors Don’t Deserve Second Chances

Question: “Hi Gary. Turns out you were right on about the price of our home. The agent we listed with was about $400,000 too high. But he worked hard for 6 months, so we’re going to give him another shot and relist the house with him next month…” Answer: (NOTE: this is what I wanted
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Where to Start When Buying a San Diego Home

Question: “We want to buy a home, but have never bought a home before.  Where do we start?” Answer: The first thing you should do is make a list of questions you have. The next thing is to call an agent you know and trust.  Depending on how soon you plan to buy, you might
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Can You Find a San Diego Home to Do a Lease Option On?

Question: “Can you find me a home that I can do a lease/option on?” Answer: Probably not, especially not now. Lease options are rare in slow markets and almost unheard of in hot markets like we’re currently experiencing. Typically a seller will do a lease option if they are unable to sell their home any
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Should You Set Your Alarm When Selling Your Home?

Question: “We have an alarm on our home and want to keep it on when we’re not at home.” Answer: Do you like to annoy your neighbors?  Do you enjoy frequent visits from the police?  Do you like paying fines for excessive false alarms? If so, go right ahead and set your alarm. What I’m
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Do Sellers Have to Accept the Highest Offer?

Question: “I made an offer on a home and was one of three offers.  The seller made a counter offer and asked everyone to submit the highest price they’d pay.  After we did, the seller asked us to go higher.  This all sounds a little iffy.  Don’t they have to take the highest offer, or
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What Makes Home Valuation Sites So Bad?

Question: “You always say that Zillow and other sites are so inaccurate.  What do you think causes them to be so far off?” Answer: There are many reasons sites like these are so inaccurate.  Here are a few: They “pull” comps from within X miles of the subject.  However those often include neighborhoods geographically close
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