Is it safe to buy a house that had mold?

Question: “We kind of like a house we saw. It’s a cute 4-bedroom with a huge yard. But the agent said it previously had mold that was removed. Do you think it’s safe to buy the house?” Answer: Good question. First of all, not all mold is hazardous. So it depends on what kind of
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Knowing when to make changes in your home search

Question: “I’ve been looking and looking for a 3-bedroom 2-bath house in a nice area within a mile of the coast for around $400,000. My agent tells me I need to look for a condo, but I don’t want a condo. Any suggestions?” Answer: Do you want to hear what you want to hear, or
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The Pros & Cons of Lease Options

Question: Hi Gary. We’re not ready to buy a home but have heard about a lease + option to buy. How do you feel about those? Answer: If you can find one, lease-to-own or lease-option might be a good choice for you. If done right, you can lock in a price on a home and
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How do Property Taxes Work?

Question: “I’ve never bought a home before. How do property taxes work? How are they determine how can they change?” Answer: Your annual property tax will be a certain percentage of the assessed value. In San Diego County, it’s 1% + some add-ons which bring it to between 1.1% and 1.2%. When you buy a
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Buying a Home at a Courthouse Foreclosure Sale

Question: “What do you think of buying a home at a foreclosure sale down at the courthouse?” Answer: For sophisticated investors, it can pay off well. However, there are many very real risks and downsides to buying at a trustee sale: Low supply / high demand: There are very few foreclosures now, but plenty of
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How to Know if Your New Home Was Fumigated

Question: “I just bought a house and closed a couple of weeks ago. My neighbor said he never saw a termite tent go on. How do I know it was fumigated?” Answer: Let me ask a few questions… First, did the contract call for a pest control clearance? If so, was a fumigation required for
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The 50/20/10 Rule for Looking at Homes

Question: “I’ve only been looking at homes for a couple of weeks and seen about 25. There’s one I really like, but I’m afraid it’s too soon. I know there’s no magic number, but how many homes do you suggest I see before buying one?” Answer: Because it’s very subjective, I’m going to just make
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Adding a Second Story to Your San Diego Home

Question: “We’re looking to buy a house in the I-5 corridor. We either want a view or one where we can build up to get one. How do I know if I can add a 2nd story? What kind of restrictions are there on building up?” Answer: Great question. Here are some things you need
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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
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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
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