Why List Prices May Not Be Accurate

Question: “I’ve heard you say that you can’t look at the asking price of a home as an idea of value.  But those prices were set by a professional real estate agent.  So they must be fairly accurate, don’t you think?” Answer: Nope. I’d like to think what you said was true.  But reality is
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What Appliances Are Included with My San Diego Home?

Question: “How do I know what appliances are included when I buy a home?” Answer: The timing for your question couldn’t be better. I just sold one of my client’s homes.  The range/oven was mentioned as included and the refrigerator was not.  The buyer didn’t request either in his offer. However, a week into escrow
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Can a Homeseller Make Me Use a Certain Lender?

Question: “Can a homeseller make me use a certain lender? I’m looking at a home and the listing agent says I have to use their lender. Isn’t that illegal?” Answer: I just listened to a real estate legal seminar and they discussed that very topic. It is 100% legal for the seller to require you
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Agents Can Sell You or Advise You

Question: “Hi Gary. Thank you for coming by my condo, but I’m going to hire Joyce from ABC Realty [names changed]. You said I could only get $475,000, but I’d like to get $550,000. Joyce seemed really positive that she could get me the $550,000.” Answer: When an agent walks in your door, they can
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Can Loan Buyers Compete with Cash Buyers?

Question: “I keep hearing about homes selling with people paying all cash and not getting a loan.  Is it possible to buy a home if I need to get a loan and still compete with cash buyers?  And why are there so many cash buyers?” Answer: Bad news / good news if you need to
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Pest Control Clearance Approval

Question: “I’m selling a townhouse.  My agent is a friend, but he’s new and inexperienced, so I’d like your opinion.  We accepted an offer and the buyer’s lender insists that it be tented.  The homeowner’s association pays for that, but it’s taking a long time to get their approval, let alone get it scheduled and
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Don’t Use Open Houses to Find Your Home Value

Question: “Hi Gary.  I’m not ready to sell yet, but what do you think about going to open houses to get an idea of what my home is worth?” Answer: Let me tell you a story… There’s a Bay Park home that had been on and off the market for years, usually listed 20-50% over
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Are San Diego Short Sales & Foreclosures Gone?

Question: “I rarely see any foreclosures or short sales any more.  Are they pretty much gone?” Answer: Almost. After the tsunami of foreclosures, the flood of short sales, and the wave of loan modifications, most people in trouble on their homes either lost them or got in a position to keep them. Throw in our
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Getting a Reverse Mortgage

Question: “My wife and I are almost 70.  We don’t want to move for 1-2 years, but we saw a one-story home in Oregon that we’d like to buy now and move to later.  What do you think of getting a reverse mortgage to get the cash to buy that home?” Answer: Reverse mortgages can
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Don’t Use Others’ List Price to Get Your Home Value

Question: “Can you compare this listing at [address removed] to our house? It has no garage and is not remodeled like ours, but it’s listed at $725,000. Based on this, don’t you think our home is worth more than $800,000?” Answer: I’d say your house is worth more than the one you referenced. However, as
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