Should I Buy a San Diego Home With a Cracked Slab?

Question: “What do you think about buying a house with a cracked slab?” Answer: I tell my clients there are two kinds of cracked slabs: those that ARE a problem and those that are NOT a problem. Experts say that all house slabs have cracks in them. Drying cracks or other hairline cracks are common
Read more
No Comments

Should You Get a Home Warranty?

Question: “What exactly is a home warranty and who pays for it?” Answer: It’s an insurance policy that sellers usually pay for that covers certain things that can go wrong with the systems of the house and (depending on coverage) the appliances, pool, spa, and roof. The policy is for one year after closing and
Read more
No Comments

What Costs Do I Pay When I Buy a San Diego Home?

Question: “What costs should I expect to pay when I buy a home?” Answer: Division of costs vary by geographic region. In San Diego, the buyer usually pays: Home inspection + any other inspections (except termite) Half the escrow fee Lender’s policy of title insurance Notary & recording fees for loan documents All new loan
Read more
No Comments

Are There Still San Diego Short Sales & Foreclosures?

Question: “Are there still any short sales and foreclosures? I don’t see them anymore.” Answer: Remember 2008-2011 when it was so rare to see a home offered that was NOT a short sale or foreclosure that we referred to them as “traditional sales”? In many neighborhoods (Eastlake, Spring Valley, etc.), if your life depended on
Read more
No Comments

Can Sellers Cancel a Counter-Offer?

Question: “Gary, I made an offer on a home. The seller sent me a counter offer good for three days, but just two hours later they said they were cancelling it because they were taking another offer. Is that allowed? Aren’t they locked for the three days?” Answer: Sorry to tell you, the seller was
Read more
No Comments

Do Buyers Now Pay for Termite Clearance?

Question: “A friend of mine told me that there are new home sale contracts and that now the buyer is responsible for paying for the termites instead of the seller…?” Answer: Not exactly. Before I answer your question, let me give you some context… When I became a Realtor in 1984, it had long been
Read more
No Comments

Should You Use the BBB to Find an Agent?

Question: “Should I check with the Better Business Bureau to find an agent?” Answer: There are a range of opinions about the “BBB.” Some say it’s a fine consumer protection organization that provides a great service. Others say it’s really just a for-profit business that charges businesses to be listed. Some say it’s a relevant
Read more
No Comments

Buying a Home w/ Payment No Bigger Than Your Rent

Question: “Is it a realistic target to want to buy a home and keep my payment no greater than the rent I’m paying now?” Answer: I don’t know your current rent, your down payment, or what you want in a home to answer for your specific situation. But I can say it’s tough to buy
Read more
No Comments

Do Termite Inspections Cover Fungus?

Question: “I saw a house that has a lot of fungus damage to the wood. Does a termite inspection cover that?” Answer: Yes. While it’s often called a “termite inspection”, the correct term is “pest control inspection,” which covers anything that can decay or eat the wood. And that includes fungus.
Read more
No Comments

Why Do Homes Sell Over Market Value?

Question: “I used to be an agent and I remember once in awhile seeing a home sell at a price that was clearly over market value. I never could figure out why that happened. Can you hazard a guess?” Answer: I’d love to. There are few reasons homes very occasionally sell at a price clearly
Read more
No Comments