Paying Mortgage Insurance on a San Diego Home
Sunday, 17 July 2011
“Hi Gary. We make good income, but we don’t have a lot of money to put down on a home. I’ve heard if you don’t put at least 20% down you have to pay mortgage insurance. Is there any way around that?” Answer: Not really. Mortgage insurance is required for almost all home loans with
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The Importance of a “For Sale” Sign
Friday, 15 July 2011
“How important is it to have a for sale sign up when we sell our home? We’d rather that our neighbors not know that we’re moving.” Answer: I highly recommend that you go with the “for sale” sign. A sign is an important tool in marketing and selling your home. And believe me, when your
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How Much Are California Property Taxes?
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
“Hi Gary. I’m from New Jersey, which has the highest property taxes in the country. I’m living here and looking to purchase a home and I want to know how much are property taxes?” Answer: California’s Proposition 13 limits your property taxes to 1% of the assessed value + voter approved local bonds, all totaling
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The 1031 Exchange Time Limit
Sunday, 10 July 2011
“Hello Gary… We’re interested in selling our investment properties. We like the 1031 exchange concept. However, we are scared off by the 45 day identification process and feel it’s not enough time to find a property to buy.” Answer: A couple of ideas… First, you could list your properties contingent on buying a property. In
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Using Good Scents (and Sense) to Sell Your San Diego Home
Thursday, 07 July 2011
“When I was a kid in the 60’s, my dad was in the navy and we moved a lot. When we sold a home, my mom baked bread when people were coming to look. The whole house smelled great and my folks said it helped with the sale. Now I’ll be selling soon, but I
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Why It’s Better to Stick With One Agent
Tuesday, 05 July 2011
“Hi Gary, my wife and I really enjoy your newsletter. We own a condo right now that I inherited, so I’ve never bought a home. But my wife and I want to buy a house. Do you think it’s a good idea to stick with one agent or work with several agents to find the
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The Cost of Buying in Nicer Areas
Sunday, 03 July 2011
“I’d like to buy a 2-4 unit property in Pacific Beach, but the prices are so high relative to the rents. I know this is typically the case, but why? Why are gross rent multipliers higher in better neighborhoods?” Answer: Great question. Here are the reasons, as I see them: 1. Many buyers of 2-4
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The Biggest Mistake When Choosing a Realtor
Thursday, 30 June 2011
“My wife wants to use her friend’s sister who is a realtor to sell our home. But I don’t know that person and from what I’ve heard it sounds like she’s not that successful. This sounds like a bad move, isn’t it?” Answer: The biggest mistake people make when selling their home is choosing a
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The Oscillating History of Down Payments
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
“Hi Gary. My wife and I are working to save the 20% down before we buy our first home, but it’s slow going. Is it possible to buy with less than 20% down?” Answer: You’re not alone in your crazy belief that you actually need MONEY to buy a home. Financing rules have moved like
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Seven Scary Facts About FSBOs
Sunday, 26 June 2011
“I know it’s a good idea to use a broker to sell a home, but I need to get every penny out of it and I’m thinking of trying to sell on my own. Can you give me any tips?” Answer: I understand where you’re coming from. Most of my clients need every penny then
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