“Gary, please give me a call. My husband is being transferred to Florida and we’ll be putting our home on the market next week. We’ve heard a lot about you and want to find out about your marketing plan…” ***ANSWER: I’d love to meet with you…and I’d like to give you some advice. There’s SO

“We have a new pair of twins and need a bigger home. We’re very picky and won’t list our current home until we find one to buy. We need the money from that to buy, so we’ll have to make a contingent offer and then sell our place. Do you think this is a good

Is Mello Roos deductible? “We’d like a newer home and we’ve been looking in north county and Carmel Valley. Many of them have those Mello-Roos payments. Is Mello-Roos tax deductible?” ***ANSWER: If you’re not familiar, Mello-Roos is a fee LIKE an extra property tax. You’ll find it on a lot of local homes built after

What about Negative Cash Flow? “Hi Gary, I receive your informative emails and I truly enjoy them. Thanks. My question is this: I have investment properties but some have negative cash flow. In reading real estate books, negative cash flow is discouraged but I strongly believe that a real estate investment is just like a

What about Seller Paid Closing Costs? “I know sometimes people buying a home ask the seller to pay their closing costs. Why would a homeseller ever agree to do that?” ***ANSWER: Great question. Many of my seller-clients have objected LOUDLY when asked to pay a buyer’s closing costs. My advice is it doesn’t matter if

Should I buy a foreclosure home? “Hello Gary. I’ve learned a lot from reading your newsletters and I was wondering….do you deal with foreclosure homes at all? If you do, what are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a foreclosure compared to a regularly listed home on the market?” ***ANSWER: In Southern California, foreclosures are

Starker Exchange: “I’m planning to exchange my San Diego rental house for an apartment building in Texas. I know there’s different kinds of exchanges. I heard I should do a Starker Exchange. What exactly is that?” ***ANSWER: The name is from a 1979 court case: T.J. Starker vs. US. A Starker exchange is one name

Should I use a lockbox to sell my home? “I’m talking to agents about selling my home in Clairemont and one said I don’t need a lockbox for agents to see my home. Won’t it be harder to sell my home without one?” ***ANSWER: You’re right. And any agent who (except for special cases) tells

What about Probate Sales? “Hello Gary. My wife and I see your name everywhere. Question- We’re looking for a home in Pacific Beach for our daughter. Do you recommend buying a home at a probate sale?” ***ANSWER: First, some info… A probate sale occurs when someone passes away without a living trust naming a willing,

Landord Assistance Sites “I’ve been investing in real estate for a couple of years. My wife and I own 3 rental condos that we manage ourselves. Can you recommend any good websites to learn more about what I need to know as a landlord?” ***ANSWER: Here’s a couple: www.SDCAA.com www.kts-law.com For San Diego Rental information