“I’m going to be interviewing agents to sell my home in North County. What should I be looking for in a marketing plan?” ***ANSWER: Question… If you need an attorney, would you ask him how he files motions and litigates cases? If you need a surgeon, would you ask her how what types of scalpels

“I own apartments and I’d like to learn more about Limited Liability Companies. I’ve heard they could help protect me in case I get sued if one of my tenants slips and falls or has some other accident. What can you tell me about LLCs?” ***ANSWER: Since this is California where everybody sues first and

“I’ve seen an agent in my neighborhood advertise that they’ll buy my house if they don’t sell it. But I’d rather use you. Will you give me the same guarantee?” ***ANSWER: Sure. But you won’t like the price. And you won’t like the price the agent you mentioned offers you either. The reality is no

“There’s a house my wife and I have fallen in love with. But the owner wants $40,000 more than any house of similar size in the area has ever sold for. How do I talk her down to a realistic price? Thanks.” ***ANSWER: There’s more to value than square footage. There’s location, condition, view, amenities

“Hi Gary. I just turned 55 and I was wondering if that means I can sell my rental house tax-free?” ***ANSWER: Where do I start… Prior to 1997, tax law allowed homesellers 55 or older a once-in-a-lifetime option to exclude $125,000 of gain on their principal residence. This did NOT a investment property. And that

“What if my offer is rejected?” ***ANSWER: Many clients ask me this question. Unless you make a very low offer, the seller will likely either accept your offer or make you a counter-offer with a change of price and/or terms. Then you and your agent will look over the counter-offer and you’ll decide if you

“Hi Gary, I’m thinking of selling my rental house in the College Area. I’ll probably offer it to tenant first? How do I find out value? Should I get an appraisal?” ***ANSWER: It’s smart to offer the house to your renter first. I usually ask my landlord-clients if they’ve checked to see if their tenants

“[Last week you wrote…] ‘There are other creative ways to avoid taxes. Under current tax laws, you can move into your rental property for 2 years, converting it into your personal residence, and then sell it and likely pay very little taxes.’ I think the government has made a modification to this. I’m not sure

“I know that in this market overpricing my home will make it very hard to sell, if it sells at all. How will I know if my home is priced right?” ***ANSWER: Follow the “10/30 Rule”: Once your home has been on the market 30 days or been shown 10 times, if you haven’t received

“I’ve been dying to buy our first home for since last summer, but my husband keeps putting it off because he doesn’t know where to start. What do you suggest?” ***ANSWER: Many of our clients say the same thing. Buying a home is a big deal and it all seems so complicated and overwhelming. Where