Deciding What San Diego Home Features to Compromise On

Question: “I own a 3-bedroom condo in Pacific beach and I’d really like to trade it for a house with a yard and keep my monthly payments the same. Do you think that’s possible?” Answer: Yes, depending on what you’re willing to give up. You may be able to sell your condo and buy a
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Can You Identify More than One Property to Buy in a 1031 Exchange?

Question: “We’ll be selling a rental house in Alabama and want to buy something here doing a 1031 exchange. I know we have to designate what property we’re going to buy within 45 days of closing the Alabama house. Can we identify more than one?” Answer: Yes. Here are the 3 options you have for
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Is It Okay For Buyer’s Agents to Contact the Seller?

Question: “We have our home listed and an agent who showed the house called us asking about why we’re selling, when we’d like to move, and if we had other offers. Is that normal?” Answer: Absolutely NOT! That practice is unethical and possibly illegal. The only communication the buyer’s agent should initiate with you should
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How Much Value Does a Pool Add to a San Diego Home?

Backyardpool by Vic Brincat is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Question: “I’d really like to get a home with a pool in the backyard. How much more is that likely to cost?” Answer: Great question. There’s a lot of misinformation amongst the public and even agents on this topic. Some people say that a pool adds no value, while others even say it makes a
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Some Finer Points of 1031 Exchanges

Question: “I sold a rental house for $400,000 and am doing a 1031 tax deferred exchange. There was no loan, so I have $375,000 in my exchange account. I’m buying in Texas and my agent there says I must buy for $400,000. Is he correct? I thought only had to use my cash from the
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Do Repairs Increase Home Value or Just Make It Sell Faster?

Question: “I’m not sure if this makes sense. An agent told me that remodeling and new paint and carpet don’t increase the value of my home, they just make it sell faster?” Answer: That’s nonsense. I’ve heard that many times and never understood the “logic.” All smart improvements should increase the value of your home,
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House vs. Condo: What’s a Better Investment?

Question: “Hi Gary, I don’t really want a condo. They’re not a good investment, with the homeowner fee and that they don’t go up in value. A house is a much better investment, don’t you think?” Answer: I hear that all the time, and I would respectfully disagree. Of course, you have your personal preferences,
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Calculating Value of Multi-Unit Properties Can Be Tricky

Question: “We have four units in Ocean Beach we want to sell. It’s a house plus a triplex in back. An agent calculated the value for us as four units, but shouldn’t the value be equal to the price of a house plus the price of a triplex added together?” Answer: I wish the answer
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Beware Letters Asking to Buy Your San Diego Home

Question: “I got two letters today. One was from someone saying they wanted to buy my rental condo. Another was from an agent saying he has someone who wants to buy my home. Do you think these are for real?” Answer: Yes and no. Almost all letters saying someone (or some group) wants to buy
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Do More “For Sale” Signs Mean a Hotter Market?

Question: “Hi Gary, we’re hoping to buy a home soon. We’re seeing a lot of houses for sale in our neighborhood. Looks like the market is picking up. Would you agree?” Answer: Actually, seeing a lot of For Sale signs is more indicative of the market slowing down than picking up. That’s because a hotter
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