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.
Can the Bank Require Home Repairs?
Wednesday, 06 November 2013
“I’m buying a house with 20% down and my bank just said that there’s a cracked window and some electrical items that need to be fixed. Can they do that?” Answer: Remember the golden rule: “He who has the gold makes the rules.” So yes, the bank can require that. This is more common on
- Published in Q&A - Home Financing Questions
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Does Reducing the Price on Your Home Look Desperate?
Tuesday, 05 November 2013
Question: “I’m not sure I should reduce the price on my home. Won’t that give the impression that I’m desperate or there’s something wrong with my home?” Answer: Quite the contrary. The typical reaction of agents and buyers is something like, “Oh, look, they’ve reduced the price on that one. With a more attractive price,
- Published in Q&A - Home Selling Questions, Real Estate Tips
You’re Taxed on Taxable Gain When Selling, Not Net
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Question: “I have no mortgage on my home and I know when I sell I’m going to pay a lot in taxes. Can I just put a big loan against it so I pay less tax when I sell?” Answer: Sorry, but you’re taxed on your taxable gain, not on your net. Here’s the basic
- Published in Q&A - Home Financing Questions
Can the Seller Ever Back Out of a Contract?
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Question: “It seems like the buyer has all the rights to get out of a contract. Can the seller back out if he gets a better offer or for some other reason?” Answer: Here’s the idea: The buyer is coming into many unknowns when buying a home, including: The physical condition of the home Whether
- Published in Q&A - Home Selling Questions
Must You Stay in San Diego to Keep Your Low Tax Base?
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Question: “I heard that if you’re over 55 and sell your home, you can keep your low Proposition 13 tax base. Do you have to stay in San Diego County to do that?” Answer: (I’ve addressed this before, but so many seniors are unfamiliar with it, I’m happy to go over it again…) Many seniors
- Published in FAQs, Q&A - Home Financing Questions, San Diego
How Much Do Remodels Increase Your San Diego Home Value?
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Question: “We redid our baths a couple of years ago and now we’re considering remodeling our kitchen. We plan to sell the house in 2015 when I retire. How much will a kitchen remodel increase our home value?” Answer: Someone asked me the same question TODAY. The answer: it depends. It depends on: How much
- Published in Q&A - Home Selling Questions
Do You Need Tenant Permission to Repair Your San Diego Home?
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Question: [From a client whose rental house I listed] “Can you get me bids to make some repairs the flooring? My property manager says I need to get the tenants’ permission to repair it. Is that correct?” Answer: As the owner, you have the right to make repairs and you only need to give the
- Published in Q&A - Home Investing Questions, Real Estate Tips