What is the proper etiquette for gift giving during a home sale?

Question: “We really love the young couple who are buying our home and want to leave them a gift. What’s the normal etiquette for this? Do you think it’s a good idea?” Answer: First of all, how nice you are to be so thoughtful. This is relatively uncommon, so there’s no accepted etiquette. You can
Read more
No Comments

How do I choose the right real estate agent to sell my home?

Question: “I interviewed agents to sell my home and chose an energetic young guy who was very successful. The only problem, I found out later, was that his success was a mirage. He had sold very few homes and didn’t know what he was doing. What should I have done?” Answer: “All that glitters isn’t
Read more
No Comments

Are probate appraisals accurate?

Question: “Hi Gary, my father died without a living trust, so his home is going through probate. The probate appraiser said it’s worth $850,000. That seems a little high. Are probate appraisals accurate?” Answer: Rarely. In my experience, probate appraisals are about the most inaccurate appraisal you could possibly get and tend to be high.
Read more
No Comments

How often should an agent hold open houses?

Question: “I have my home for sale in University City and my agent is hardly holding any open houses, maybe every other week. How often do you think an agent should be holding open houses?” Answer: Great question! There’s a big myth about open houses: so many people believe open houses are THE way homes
Read more
No Comments

What is the cost to sell a San Diego home?

Question: “Hi Gary, besides the Realtor fee, what is the cost to sell a home here? What’s deducted at closing, etc.?” Answer: There are several categories of items that you should be aware of: 1. Standard Seller CLOSING COSTSa) These are title insurance, escrow fee, county transfer tax, and other fees. They typically total .75%
Read more
No Comments

What are the most expensive repairs from a buyer’s home inspection?

Question: “What type of expensive repairs may come up from a buyer’s home inspection?” Answer: Great question, that I hear a lot. In my experience, the most expensive costs that come up, in roughly declining order are: Settlement/structural problems Sewer line that’s broken or corroded Mold remediation Unpermitted room additions Roof replacement Major plumbing (other
Read more
No Comments

If an agent isn’t busy, does that mean they will give better service?

Question: “We interviewed two agents to sell our home. We mentioned to the first one that we’re also talking to a certain well-known agent who has sold signs all over our area. That first agent said she could give me better service and do a better job than the other agent because she’s not as
Read more
No Comments

How to keep the low property tax assessment for an inherited property

Question: “Are propositions 60 and 90 the ones that let people who inherit property from a parent or grandparent keep the low property tax assessment?” Answer: You’re thinking of California Propositions 58 and 193. Propositions 60 and 90 allow people 55 or older to transfer their low Proposition 13 tax assessment to a new home
Read more
No Comments

How do you transfer property and keep the same tax assessment?

Question: “Are propositions 60 and 90 the ones that let people who inherit property from a parent or grandparent keep the low property tax assessment?” Answer: It’s not propositions 60 and 90. Those allow people 55 or older to transfer their Proposition 13 tax assessment to a new home under certain conditions. You’re thinking of
Read more
No Comments

Does lowering the price make buyers and agents think I’m desperate?

Question: “If I lower my price, does that make buyers and agents think I’m getting desperate? I definitely don’t want that.” Answer: Neither would I! And the good news is that it doesn’t send that message at all. There’s an old “joke” in marketing: “What’s everyone’s favorite radio station? WIIFM, also known as What’s In
Read more
No Comments