Finding Out if You Owe Tax When Selling

Question: “I’m selling my home. My proceeds will be under 250K, so I won’t have to pay any taxes…” Answer: Hold on! That’s not how you figure out whether you owe taxes when you sell your home. Taxes are not based on the size of your check at closing. If it were, everyone would put
Read more
No Comments

Using Imperfect Comps to Sell Your San Diego Home

Question: “I don’t see how you can use comps to determine value.  My house is remodeled and the house across the street just sold and it was in terrible condition.  You can’t tell me my home is worth what his is.” Answer: You’re right.  I can’t and I won’t. Even though a “comp” is supposed
Read more
No Comments

Bad Realtors Don’t Deserve Second Chances

Question: “Hi Gary. Turns out you were right on about the price of our home. The agent we listed with was about $400,000 too high. But he worked hard for 6 months, so we’re going to give him another shot and relist the house with him next month…” Answer: (NOTE: this is what I wanted
Read more
No Comments

Should You Set Your Alarm When Selling Your Home?

Question: “We have an alarm on our home and want to keep it on when we’re not at home.” Answer: Do you like to annoy your neighbors?  Do you enjoy frequent visits from the police?  Do you like paying fines for excessive false alarms? If so, go right ahead and set your alarm. What I’m
Read more
No Comments

Why List Prices May Not Be Accurate

Question: “I’ve heard you say that you can’t look at the asking price of a home as an idea of value.  But those prices were set by a professional real estate agent.  So they must be fairly accurate, don’t you think?” Answer: Nope. I’d like to think what you said was true.  But reality is
Read more
No Comments

Don’t Use Others’ List Price to Get Your Home Value

Question: “Can you compare this listing at [address removed] to our house? It has no garage and is not remodeled like ours, but it’s listed at $725,000. Based on this, don’t you think our home is worth more than $800,000?” Answer: I’d say your house is worth more than the one you referenced. However, as
Read more
No Comments

Should You Have Your Buyer Move In Early?

Question: “As I told you, I’m going to have you sell that rental house I own on [address removed].  The tenant moved out last week.  Once we get a buyer, what do you think of having them move in early so I can get some rent going?” Answer: Risky! Sure, everything could work out great. 
Read more
No Comments

Can Stressed Seniors Have the Kids Sell the House?

Question: “My mother is getting up there in years, and wants to move to a retirement home where she can get the care she needs. But she’s very anxious about selling her house, so she wants me to handle it. Is there any way I can do everything for her so she doesn’t have to
Read more
No Comments

Premium Price for Your Remodeled San Diego Home

Question: “We remodeled our home about 20 years ago.  It’s still in great condition, so we feel we should get a premium price for it…” Answer: I hate to tell you this… Today’s San Diego homebuyers are spoiled. My theory is it started about 10 years ago when thousands of apartments were converted to condos. 
Read more
No Comments

Should Your Agent Attend Your San Diego Home Showings?

Question: “I really don’t want to be bothered with showings of my home.  I talked with one agent who promised he’d accompany other agents for all the showings.  Would you be willing to do that?” Answer: No matter what happens, if you live in the house, somehow you’re going to be involved in the showings.
Read more
No Comments