Sellers, Just Sign Those Escrow Papers

From an owner whose home is in escrow: “I’m not going to sign the escrow papers until I know how the physical inspection went…” Answer: You’ve already signed the contract and signing the escrow papers makes you no more or less committed. But waiting to sign could lead to delays as escrow needs to know
Read more
No Comments

How Auction Pricing Fools Buyers

“Gary, I saw a home in an excellent neighborhood for $225,000 and am very interested. How soon can I see it?” Answer: I’m not sure where you saw it advertised, but that San Diego home is being auctioned and $225,000 is just the opening bid. It will end up selling for dramatically more…probably over $400,000.
Read more
No Comments

7 Things to Avoid to Improve Your Credit

“My wife and I plan to buy a La Jolla home this summer. Is there anything we should do now regarding getting a mortgage?” Answer: Yes, I suggest you call a reputable mortgage lender and get qualified now to find out if you need to do anything to improve your credit. And here are a
Read more
No Comments

Reducing the Price of Your San Diego Home

“Hi Gary. I own a University City home that I need to sell because I’m moving to L.A. I listed with my sister’s friend who I don’t know at all. It’s been on the market over 3 months and she keeps telling me to reduce the price. I don’t want to go any lower because
Read more
No Comments

3 Types of Credit Scores Explained

“Hi Gary. Question about credit scores. I thought the max was 850, but I just bought a car and they said my score was 870. How is that possible? I asked the guy at the dealership and he didn’t know.” Answer: Congratulations for having great credit. But don’t worry, your 870 score hasn’t broken the
Read more
No Comments

Why Do Sellers Pay Title Insurance?

“There are so many costs to sell a home. Why am I supposed to pay for title insurance? I know there are no liens against my home. I’m sure a simple title search would show this.” Answer: Great question. Several clients have asked me this over the years… Title insurance covers more than just recorded
Read more
No Comments

If You Don’t Buy the Home, Do You Lose Your Deposit?

“Hi Gary, I’ll be buying a San Diego home within the next few months. I’ve never bought a house before, so please excuse me if this is a dumb question. If I make an offer and it gets accepted, but I end up not buying the house, do I lose my deposit?” Answer: As you’ve
Read more
No Comments

Why Banks Prefer to Sell to Owner-Occupants

“I’ve been told that banks prefer to sell their foreclosures to owner occupant buyers. Is that true and why? I’m strictly an investor, so what’s the downside of just saying I’m going to live in the property?” Answer: That’s a lot of questions. I’ll answer them one at a time: 1. Do banks prefer to
Read more
No Comments

Selling Your San Diego Home Vacant vs. with Tenants

“I’m thinking about selling my La Jolla home. Should I sell my home vacant or with tenants there?” Answer: It depends on the occupants. In particular, how they keep the home and how cooperative they are. A well-kept home with beautiful furniture is a real plus. But a messy home with dated or ugly furniture
Read more
No Comments

Viewing a San Diego Home via Open House

“We’d like to see your house on Denver Street. Do you know when the next open house is?” Answer: That Clairemont home sold in about 10 days on the market. But let me address something. Many people really want to see a home and wait for an open house to see it. However, the majority
Read more
No Comments