Is APR the Best Way to Shop for a Loan?

“Is APR the best way to shop for a loan?” Answer: From my preferred lender, Robert Geiler of Rancho Financial: “The APR was developed to show borrowers the true cost of getting a loan as an interest-rate rather than a dollar amount. It was supposed to make it easier for to compare rates because, theoretically,
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Home Sales Tax After 2012: Fact or Fiction?

Not sure if you got one of these emails: “Another Obama Nightmare. Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it? That’s $3,800 on a $100,000 home etc. When did this happen? It’s in the healthcare bill. Just thought you should know.” Answer: I’ve
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Buying a Messy San Diego Home

“My wife and I have been looking at San Diego homes and can’t believe how much of a mess some are. We went into one that had piles of old newspapers and junk stacked all the way to the ceiling. I’d never buy a home in the disgusting condition some are offered in. Do agents
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Are Owners Carrying Back Notes?

“Are many owners carrying back notes nowadays? I almost never see it offered. With savings interest rates in the 1% range, you’d think it would be very common.” Answer: Good question. I agree with you that many owners would benefit by “being the bank” and letting the buyer make payments on a first or second
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Marketing Your San Diego Home “As Is”

“A Realtor told me we can market our home “As Is” and not make any repairs. Is that a good idea?” Answer: No, for at least two reasons: 1. Marketing “as is” gives many homebuyers and agents a sneaking suspicion that your home has problems you don’t want to fix. This will lead to buyers
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Restrictions on Obstructing San Diego Home Views

“Hi, Gary! A San Diego real estate agent on an open house near me said there’s a building restriction in our area which prohibits blocking more than 5% of any neighbor’s view, without their permission, even if the construction complies with the usual 30 foot above the grade limitation. Do you know of any such
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How Big Your Down Payment Should Be

“Is it wise to put down a large down payment or put down the smallest amount possible? We have a lot of cash from the home we sold in Boston and can put down almost 50%. Or should we go 10% down and borrow the rest?” Answer: Simple question, not as simple to answer. Regarding
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Listing Your San Diego Home for a Short Time

“Hi Gary. My wife and I plan to sell our home in January. When we sold our last home in 2000, we chose some agent who promised us a high price but turned out to be a slacker. He didn’t do anything and never called to tell us what was going on. I don’t want
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An Unethical Agent-Abusing Tactic

“My wife and I are looking for a North Park home. Her brother is a contractor and also has a real estate license. He told us to do all the legwork and have agents show us homes, then he’d write the offer for us. So we’ve been calling agents to see homes, but we just
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Selling Your San Diego Home Vacant vs. w/ Tenant

“Hi Gary. We love your Q&A. Question: We want you to sell our rented La Jolla home in January. So my question is whether we should sell the house vacant or with the tenant in? What do you think?” Answer: Great question. The best answer is usually to sell it vacant, but the right answer
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