What Is a “Highest and Best” Offer?

Question: “We made an offer on a home. The seller responded saying there are several offers and asking for ‘highest and best’. Can you explain what that is exactly?” Answer: The seller is countering those who offered on their home. But instead of countering with a specific price, they’re asking the buyers to come back
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Offer At, Below or Above List Price on a San Diego Home?

Question: “My husband and I have been looking for a home for four months. The perfect house just came up in University City that’s probably asking 5-10% below the market. Not sure what to offer. Do you think we should offer below the asking price, at the list price, or above?” Answer: Information flows so
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Will This Value Range Pricing Mistake Haunt Sellers?

Question: “I saw an ad that said the seller ‘will ACCEPT offers between $600,000 and $660,000.’ If that’s the case, why wouldn’t everyone just offer $600,000?” Answer: Unfortunately, the broker isn’t stating that correctly. It’s supposed to say: “Seller will entertain offers between $600,000 and $660,000” or perhaps just “Value range $600,000 to $660,000”. That
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How Long Is Your San Diego Home Inspection Good For?

Question: “We made an offer on a house and the seller had a home inspection done 4 months ago. How long are home inspections good for?” Answer: There’s no generally agreed “expiration” date for a home inspection. But I’d say any inspection done in the past 6 months is still going to be pretty current.
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Should You Buy a 1-Bedroom Condo?

Question: “Is buying a 1BR condo a bad idea because they’re hard to resell?” Answer: No. First of all, like any real estate, they’re not hard to resell if priced correctly. But if they were undesirable, that would (or at least should) be reflected in the form of lower prices.
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How Long Do You Have to Make an Offer?

Question: “A house just hit the market that we like.  How long do you think we have to make an offer?” Answer: A day? An hour? I don’t know how long it will take other potential buyers to offer on the specific home you like.  But I’ve received offers in as little as an hour
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What San Diego Home Can You Afford?

Question: “My daughter and her husband make about $150,000 per year. What price range do you think they can afford?” Answer: Great question, but more info is required to answer that: What are their revolving (i.e. monthly) debt payments? How long have they been on their jobs? How is their credit? How much do they
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Should You Present Your Offer to the Seller in Person?

Question: “I read in the paper that a good way to help get your offer accepted is for your agent to present it in person to the seller. Is that what you recommend?” Answer: Wow, that brings back memories! Way, way back in the dark ages of real estate…before e-signatures…before email…before faxes(!), that’s how we
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Why Most Real Estate Sites Aren’t Helpful

Question: “I’ve been researching the web about buying a home.  There is SO MUCH information out there, much of it contradictory.  I’ve learned a few things.  But on some topics, I’m actually more confused than when I started.  Is there one website you recommend that’s got accurate, useful info?” Answer: I think it’s great that
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Where to Start When Buying a San Diego Home

Question: “We want to buy a home, but have never bought a home before.  Where do we start?” Answer: The first thing you should do is make a list of questions you have. The next thing is to call an agent you know and trust.  Depending on how soon you plan to buy, you might
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