Buying a San Diego Home From an Auction Site

“I keep seeing these ads for an auction company. I went on their sites and the opening bids are very low compared to what the homes previously sold for. What do you think of buying a San Diego home from an auction site?” Answer: I’m not going to call it a scam. Let’s just say
Read more
No Comments

Short Sales: To Buy or Not to Buy?

“I hear a lot about short sales. Do you recommend buying them or avoiding them entirely?” Answer: Great question. And like many questions, the answer is “it depends.” In this case it depends on the short sale particulars: – How many loans is the seller going short on? – Does the listing agent seem to
Read more
No Comments

Is It Hard to Get a Loan on a Fixer-Upper?

“Question. I want to buy a fixer upper house so I can fix and sell it for a profit (hopefully!). Is there any difficulty getting a loan on a fixer?” Answer: Great question. If a home is in poor condition, you may have trouble getting a conventional loan. (An FHA or VA loan would be
Read more
No Comments

Finding a Good Homestager for Your San Diego Home

“Do you have a home stager you can recommend? And what do they typically cost?” Answer: I do know a good homestager and will be happy to give you her contact info. Homestagers offer a range of services, in increasing order of cost: – Initial consultation (often free) – A list of things you can
Read more
No Comments

The Wrong Way to Find a Lender

“I’m looking to refi my condo and I’m calling lenders out of the phone book trying to find the lowest rate. Can you recommend me the lender you think has the lowest rates?” Answer: STOP! Shopping rates is NOT the way to find your lender. Here’s why: 1. There’s more to a loan than interest
Read more
No Comments

Beware of Agents Illegally Inventing Offers

“I just made an offer on a Pacific Beach home that had been on the market for 8 months. Now suddenly there’s a second offer. Why is it that when I decide to make an offer, suddenly and mysteriously another offer appears? I’m a little suspicious.” Answer: While RARE, agents have been known to unethically
Read more
No Comments

Selling San Diego Real Estate Without Too Much Tax

“I’ve owned San Diego real estate for 40 years and I’m tired. I’m 71 and want out of being a property manager. My wife and I own a 7-unit apartment complex in Normal Heights. Any ideas on how to sell it without paying a lot of tax?” Answer: Here are SIX ideas for you: 1.
Read more
No Comments

7 Easy Fixes for Selling Your San Diego Home

“We’re planning to sell our home. We’ve done a beautiful remodel inside our home, but our front porch is shabby. From reading your newsletter we know how important a good first impression is. Can you give us ideas to improve it that won’t cost too much?” Answer: Of course, I haven’t seen your home, but
Read more
No Comments

Price Appreciation in San Diego Neighborhoods

“Hi Gary. I’m thinking of buying a home and I’m trying to decide where. Don’t you think that all neighborhoods in San Diego tend to appreciate at the same rate over the long run?” Answer: I agree that most San Diego neighborhoods should appreciate at about the same rate… unless there’s what I’ll call a
Read more
No Comments

What Happens to the Lease When Selling Your San Diego Home

“Hey Gary. We want to sell our parents’ old La Jolla home in the Muirlands area. The thing is it’s leased through the end of July. If we sell, what happens with the lease? Do you think a buyer will just take it over?” Answer: Leases “run with the property,” not the owner. That means
Read more
No Comments