Can I bring my dog when I go to see a home?

Question: “Is it okay to bring my dog inside when I see a home?” Answer: Great question. First of all, I love, love, LOVE dogs. But even though you and I and most normal people love dogs, you should never bring your dog into a home you’re viewing without permission. The owner may be allergic,
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How long does the 1031 exchange process take?

Question: “I’m thinking about doing a 1031 exchange, how long does the whole process take?” Answer: It’s MUCH faster than you might think. In fact, it only takes a couple of days to set up. So it shouldn’t delay your transaction. That being said, never wait until the last minute to set up your exchange.
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Do real estate networks sell homes?

Question: “Are you a member of a big network? We went to a seminar at a retirement community and an agent spoke and said a reason to use them is that they’re with a big firm that has a network that will sell our house.” Answer: Yes, I’m a member of several large networks, including
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Can I still sell my San Diego duplex even if my rents are way below market value?

Question: “We own a duplex and are considering selling it. Our rents are way below market because we’re just not very good landlords and our tenants have been there forever. Will that be a problem?” Answer: You’ll still be able to sell your duplex. But because a large percentage of potential buyers are investors, and
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What is the proper etiquette for gift giving during a home sale?

Question: “We really love the young couple who are buying our home and want to leave them a gift. What’s the normal etiquette for this? Do you think it’s a good idea?” Answer: First of all, how nice you are to be so thoughtful. This is relatively uncommon, so there’s no accepted etiquette. You can
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How do you make a backup offer?

Question: “My wife and I made an offer on a home. They accepted another offer, but we asked and they said they’d keep us as a backup. But we found out the offer they accepted fell through and they sold to someone else without even telling us. Is that legal?” Answer: From your question, it
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Is a single family house a good investment?

Question: “What do you think of buying a single family house as an investment?” Answer: Funny you should ask. I’ve never been a fan of buying houses in San Diego as a buy-and-hold investment. But I just closed on my very first one ever, earlier this month. So I guess my views have changed. For
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What are some smart tips for buying a home?

Question: “Any smart tips you can share about buying a home?” Answer: Sure, here’s one… When you look at homes online, pay special attention to the ones with very low-quality photos. I don’t mean ugly homes necessarily, but the homes with photos that look like they were taken by an 8-year-old using an iPhone 1.
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How do I choose the right real estate agent to sell my home?

Question: “I interviewed agents to sell my home and chose an energetic young guy who was very successful. The only problem, I found out later, was that his success was a mirage. He had sold very few homes and didn’t know what he was doing. What should I have done?” Answer: “All that glitters isn’t
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Can a home seller legally require me to qualify with their lender?

Question: “I just made an offer on a home. I’ve been qualified by a mortgage broker I know, but the seller wants me to qualify with a lender they know. Is this even legal? I’m a private person and don’t want to share my personal information.” Answer: Yes, it is legal. What may or may
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