So Your Offer Was Accepted—Or Was It?

Question: “The seller’s agent texted my agent that our offer on a home was accepted, but now they say they sold the home to someone else.  Is that legal?” Answer: For a real estate contract to be accepted and binding, there must be: A written offer Written acceptance Delivery of written acceptance to the party
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Limits on 1031 Exchange

Question: “We just bought a house to fix and flip and will do a 1031 exchange so we don’t have to pay taxes.  So our question is…” Answer: Sorry, but I’ve got to interrupt.  I’m about to make you very sad right now, but you’ll avoid much greater sadness later. Per IRS rules, you cannot
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Should You Have Your Buyer Move In Early?

Question: “As I told you, I’m going to have you sell that rental house I own on [address removed].  The tenant moved out last week.  Once we get a buyer, what do you think of having them move in early so I can get some rent going?” Answer: Risky! Sure, everything could work out great. 
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How Much to Offer on a San Diego Home

Question: “When we find the home we want, how much below the asking price do people offer?” Answer: Sorry, there’s no set formula.  What you should offer depends on 4 things: 1. Value This is the #1 factor in what you should offer.  Forget “always offer X% below list price” or “if you want it,
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Is Your San Diego Home Improvement Worth It?

Question: “We got a contractor’s bid of $24,000 to put in new cherry finish cabinets and granite counter tops in the kitchen and both baths, plus a new range/oven.  Do you think that’s a good investment and we would get more than the $24,000 back if we do these things?” Answer: The $24,000 sounds like
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Can Stressed Seniors Have the Kids Sell the House?

Question: “My mother is getting up there in years, and wants to move to a retirement home where she can get the care she needs. But she’s very anxious about selling her house, so she wants me to handle it. Is there any way I can do everything for her so she doesn’t have to
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Who Pays for San Diego Condo Renovations?

Question: “I’m thinking about buying a condo that was built in the 1960s.  It’s fine right now, but what happens in, say, another 50 years? If it has to undergo major renovations or be rebuilt entirely, who pays for that?” Answer: Great question. It’s not likely that a condo complex or even individual buildings will
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Will Starting a Short Sale Prevent Foreclosure?

“I’m several months behind on my mortgage and need to do a short sale.  I’m afraid the bank is going to foreclose, but an agent told me that once I start a short sale the bank it’s illegal for them to foreclose.  Is that correct?” ***ANSWER: I wish it was.  You’re talking about California Senate
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Is There Such a Thing as a 3/4 Bath?

Question: “Our master bath has a shower, sink, and toilet, but no tub.  Is that called a 3/4 bath?” Answer: Way back in 1984 when I got into real estate, we did call that a 3/4 bath. However about 20 years ago it became commonplace to just round it up and call it a full
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Do Security Bars Mean a Bad Neighborhood?

Question: “My wife and I are looking at homes.  We like one, but it has security bars on every door and window.  Do you think that means it’s a bad neighborhood?” Answer: If a high percentage (25%?) of homes in the area have bars, that’s a good indication that it may be a neighborhood with
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