Licensed since 1984, San Diego real estate broker Gary Kent is a recognized authority on real estate. In addition to selling over 5,500 homes for clients, he has been an expert court witness, trainer of other agents, and he does seminars on home buying, home selling, and investing. Gary has sold homes for The Salvation Army, dozens of major banks, and Fannie Mae, amongst others. You can find Gary on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Lots to Consider When Finding “Comps” for Your Home

Question: “Hi Gary. I’m trying to find out what my rental property will sell for and am sending you the four comps another agent sent me. He said to look at the ones for sale and price it just under them and I should get about that price. Two of them are in a much
Read more
No Comments

What to Do if You Can’t Find a San Diego Home

Question: “My wife and I have been looking on our own and are getting very frustrated trying to find a home. Can you give us any tips?” Answer: The first thing you need to do is start working with a good, active, experienced agent. I’m guessing you haven’t done so yet because you don’t want
Read more
No Comments

Do People Film San Diego Homes with Drones?

Question: “I saw a drone flying around a house in my neighborhood. Do you think they were filming it because it’s coming on the market?” Answer: Possibly. However, that would be illegal. I’ve researched this and the FAA currently prohibits almost all private commercial use of drones.
Read more
No Comments

Can You Just Tell Sellers to Buy As-Is?

Question: “Can I just tell buyers they have to buy my home As Is with no repairs?” Answer: Yes and no. Before I explain what that means, try this fun game: Ask your significant other, “Do you promise you won’t get mad if I tell you something?” If they agree, then say, “Those pants make
Read more
No Comments

Can Sellers Make Electrical Repairs Themselves?

Question: “Hi Gary. We made an offer on a home and the inspector found a few electrical issues. We asked for them to be fixed by a licensed electrician. Then right before closing we found out the seller made the repairs himself, not a licensed electrician. He can’t do that, can he?” Answer: The seller
Read more
No Comments

This Week’s Crazy Buildings: The Chopsticks

The Summit and The Highcliff by Shing Boning licensed under the terms of CC BY-SA 3.0
This week’s crazy buildings are The Chopsticks in Hong Kong. Individually, they’re the Summit and Highcliff. Together, they’re known as the Hong Kong Chopsticks. Built in 2001 and 2003, respectively, these residential skyscrapers aren’t affiliated, but both have incredible views both natural and man-made. Due to their proximity, thinness and incredible height, they resemble a
Read more
No Comments

Can You Avoid Taxes by Exchanging into a Property You Own?

Question: “An agent told me that if sell my triplex rental and put $$ into the other side of the duplex I live in that I can avoid taxes. Is that correct?” Answer: Sorry, but no. To defer your taxes, IRS Code Section 121 requires you to exchange into a property that you buy. You
Read more
No Comments

Why Don’t Buyers Do Home Inspections Up Front?

Question: “Hi Gary. I haven’t bought or sold a home in 30 years, so I don’t know the process.  I just sold my mother’s home and the buyers asked me to discount the price $12,000 after they had their inspection due to electrical and roof issues.  Why didn’t they do their inspection upfront instead of
Read more
No Comments

Is Now a Good Time To Buy a San Diego Home?

Question: “We’ve been on the fence. Do you think it’s a good time to buy right now?” Answer: That’s a version of what I call “The Crystal Ball Question.” Let me explain… What determines whether it’s a good time to buy? Factors include: Will prices go up or down? Will the for-sale housing inventory decrease
Read more
No Comments

This Week’s Crazy Building: Tower of Winds

Tower of Winds by Forgemind ArchiMedia licensed under the terms of CC BY 2.0
This week’s crazy building is the Tower of Winds in Yokohama, Japan. A picture doesn’t truly do this structure justice. While the tower merely reflects the rest of the city during the daytime, by night it’s a different story. Computers within the building sense the ambient wind and noise levels, then adjust its 1300 lamps,
Read more
No Comments