Does a Cracked Driveway Mean Settlement Problems?

Question: “I saw a house that I liked, but the driveway has a lot of cracks in it. Does that mean that the house has settlement problems?” Answer: Maybe. Maybe not. Driveway slabs are almost always poured at a different time than the house slab. And they typically aren’t as thick, aren’t reinforced with metal
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How Many Homes to See Before Buying

Question: “My wife and I are first time homebuyers. How many homes do you think we should see before we decide on one to buy?” Answer: Once you start seriously looking for a home, I’ve found most people physically walk through about ten (not counting open houses) before they choose the one they want to
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Will the Fence Always Be on the Property Line?

Question: “I was looking at a house with a large yard that goes down a hill. I assume the fences would be on the property line, correct? That’s what the owner said.” Answer: While fences are usually on the property line, never assume that’s true for any given house. And it helps that the owner
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How Much Should Your Deposit Be?

Question: “We’re going to make an offer on a home for $875,000. How much do you think our deposit be? Is $2500 too low?” Answer: Yes! The seller won’t take your offer seriously with a low deposit like that. Deposits are typically 1 to 2% of the price. When I represent a homeseller, I insist
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How Long Do Buyers Have to Inspect a San Diego Home?

Question: “How long does a homebuyer have to inspect a home?” Answer: That’s a good question, but a more complete question to ask is: “How long does a buyer have to inspect and investigate a home and, depending on what they find, either cancel or request from the seller a credit or repair?” That’s because
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Must Sellers Bring the Home Up to Code?

Question: “When you buy a home, does the seller have to bring the home up to current building code?” Answer: No*, thank goodness! Can you imagine the burden if the owner of a home built in 1950 were forced to bring their home to current code? So many people would hang onto their homes rather
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San Diego’s Changing Housing Market

Question: “My wife and I were looking for a home a few months ago and gave up. We were tired of making offers and losing out to higher bidders and cash buyers. But I’m seeing a lot more for-sale signs. Do you think the market changed?” Answer: Yes! While most of the media is months
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Can You Trade Your Pacific Beach Condo for a House?

Question: “I own a 3-bedroom condo in Pacific beach and I’d really like to trade it for a house with a yard and keep my monthly payments the same. Do you think that’s possible?” Answer: What are you willing to give up? You may be able to sell your condo and buy a small 2BR
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Must Sellers Disclose San Diego Home Appraisals?

Question: “I just bought a house and we closed a few days ago. We paid $550,000, but now I just heard from a neighbor that the old owner had the house appraised and it was for $525,000. Didn’t they have to disclose that?” Answer: Simple answer is “no.” But I rarely keep it simple, do
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When Are Sellers Liable for Lack of Disclosure?

Question: (From clients whose home I sold in San Diego.) “We found some serious structural damage to the addition of the home we just bought here in Texas. Kelly and I would appreciate your opinion given your expertise in real estate. We were told the addition was permitted but can find no documentation of it.
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