Hard to Get a Loan on a Fixer Upper?

Question: “Is it hard to get a loan on a fixer upper house?” Answer: It depends on the home’s condition and the loan type. If a home is ugly, worn, or dated that won’t impact financing. If there’s peeling paint, torn carpet, or various other items too lengthy to list here, you can’t get an
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Premium Price for Your Remodeled San Diego Home

Question: “We remodeled our home about 20 years ago.  It’s still in great condition, so we feel we should get a premium price for it…” Answer: I hate to tell you this… Today’s San Diego homebuyers are spoiled. My theory is it started about 10 years ago when thousands of apartments were converted to condos. 
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Avoid Making a Vague Offer on a San Diego Home

Question: “I’d like to make an offer on a house. I want to put in that it’s subject to the seller making any necessary repairs. And…” Answer: Hold on. I’m already seeing problems. First of all, “necessary repairs” is extremely vague. “Necessary” according to whom? When I receive offers on my sellers’ homes with vague terms,
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Why Does the Seller Pay the Buyer Costs?

Question: “I just got an offer on my house, but the buyer wants me to pay $10,000 of his closing costs. Why should I pay his costs?  And why didn’t he just offer a lower price instead?  This seems kind of shady, like they’re trying to defraud their bank.  Have you heard of this?” Answer:
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Will Xeriscaping Add Value to Your San Diego Home?

Question: “Gary, I’m going to xeriscape the front of my house to conserve water and lower my water bill.  How much value do you think that will add?” Answer: [Note: Xeriscaping is landscaping that needs little or no watering by using less-thirsty plants like cacti and succulents.] First, I highly commend you for conserving water.
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Can You Still Get an Inspection on a Home Sold As Is?

Question: “If a home is sold as is, can I still get an inspection?” Answer: Yes, unless you agreed to remove your inspection contingency from the contract.  But that’s unlikely. So yes, you can and should get an inspection. AND, contrary to semi-popular belief, you still have the right to request repairs or to cancel
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Can You Move Into Your Rental to Avoid Taxes?

Question: “I talked with my tax guy about selling my rental condo and he said I’m going to have to pay about 40K in taxes if I sell it without doing a 1031 exchange.  So I’m going to move into my rental for two years so that I don’t have to pay any taxes when
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Should Your Agent Attend Your San Diego Home Showings?

Question: “I really don’t want to be bothered with showings of my home.  I talked with one agent who promised he’d accompany other agents for all the showings.  Would you be willing to do that?” Answer: No matter what happens, if you live in the house, somehow you’re going to be involved in the showings.
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Why Do Bad Agents Use Price Per Square Foot?

Question: “I saw a home and asked the agent what she thought of the price. She told me homes were selling for $400 per square foot, so the list price was about right. Even I know you can’t figure out a home value that way. Why do agents use something that doesn’t work?” Answer: Great
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Are There Still Fix-And-Flip Houses Left to Buy?

Question: “I’d like to start buying, fixing and flipping houses.  Lots of people making are making big bucks doing it.  Do you know any good houses I could buy?” Answer: Sorry, but that train has pretty much left the station. When values were rocketing up and foreclosures were plentiful, I’d tell you to jump right
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