Signing a Buyer-Broker Agreement

“Hi Gary. It’s been about 10 years since my wife and I bought our home. We recently met with an agent to talk about finding a bigger home. When we were done, he asked us to sign a Buyer-Broker Agreement. I’ve never heard of this. What do you advise?” Answer: A “Buyer-Broker Agreement” outlines how
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Don’t Let Fluctuating Prices Control Your Decisions

“I could have sold my San Diego home in 2005 for $600,000, but now it’s only worth $475,000. I don’t want to take such a big loss.” Answer: (Question from reader who paid $290,000 for his home in 1998.) You need to have a short memory. What you could have gotten was an unrealized number
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Tips for Buying a Cheap San Diego Home

“We’re trying to buy our first home, but just can’t find anything we can afford in a safe area. Any ideas?” Answer: Here are a few ideas for you: 1. Buy a small, basic, inexpensive condo in an ugly complex. 2. Buy a duplex with friend or family, each living on one side. 3. Buy
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Have FHA Loans Become More Expensive?

“I heard FHA loans have become more expensive. Is that true?” Answer: They’ve become both more expensive and cheaper. How could that be? Several months ago, HUD (Dept of Housing and Urban Development) changed how they charge the “MIP” or Mortgage Insurance Premium on FHA loans. The upfront premium due at closing has been trimmed
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Offering on the San Diego Home You’re After

“My wife and I found a Pacific Beach home we want to buy. The list price is $525,000. What do you think a good offer would be?” Answer: Probably $515,000. Or $535,000. Or perhaps $400,000. Your question is impossible to answer until you tell me: 1. What is the home worth? (You should have a
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Should You Go to Where You Bank for a Mortgage?

“Do you recommend I go to where I bank to get a mortgage? Will they give me some kind of preferential treatment?” Answer: The answer would have been “yes” 50 years ago. However, today it’s very rare for a bank to give any significant benefit to one of their customers who gets a mortgage. Call
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Finding the Value of Your San Diego Home

“We need to sell our home and my husband wants way too much for it. There have been several homes sold in our neighborhood that show what our home is worth. But my husband keeps pointing to two high sales to justify his price. One sold 10 months ago and is almost a mile away.
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How We Can Help You Buy Outside San Diego

“Hi Gary. Thanks for your emails. You did a great job when you sold our condo in San Diego. Now that I’ve moved to Los Angeles, I’ve decided to go ahead and buy a home here. Can you help me buy a home in L.A.?” Answer: I’m honored that you want me to help you.
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Hiring a Busy vs. an Idle Agent

“We have a home we’ll be selling soon and want to be sure we hire the best agent. So here’s my question: which is better, hiring an agent with lots of homes for sale, or an agent with few or none?” Answer: Which is the better restaurant, the one with the vacant parking lot or
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Having Defects Fixed vs. Dollar Credit

“My wife and are planning to buy a La Jolla home. We know to hire a home inspector to find any major defects in the home. If such defects are found, do you suggest asking for the item to be fixed or for a dollar credit?” Answer: I usually recommend to all my clients, be
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