When Doing a Short Sale, Hire an Expert

Question: “…I’ve known [agent’s name deleted] for years. But I don’t think she’s a short sale expert so I’ll probably look to you to help me sell…” Answer: Thanks for that. But don’t be surprised if she (who I don’t know, so this isn’t about her specifically) says that she can handle the short sale
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Can Agents Accept Other Offers Without Countering Yours?

Question: “I made a decent offer on a condo and didn’t even get a counter offer to see if I’d go up. They just accepted another offer. Is that ethical?” Answer: It’s most likely ethical. There are some cases where the seller’s agent ignores other offers so he can get his own offer accepted and
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Is It Hard to Get a Loan for a San Diego Home?

Question: “I’ve heard that banks aren’t lending. Is it still hard to get a home loan?” Answer: Short question, long answer… Banks lost billions of dollars in the foreclosure crisis. They’re under the microscope by the press, political groups, and politicians for any possible misdeed or mistake, big or small, accidental or intentional. And regulations
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Frequent Short Sale Mistakes

Question: “Hi Gary. We’re in default on our home and need to do a short sale. There’s a lot of investors calling to buy our home, so we’re not worried about getting it sold. We don’t really need an agent because the buyer’s agent can handle the short sale. We all have a common goal,
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Is Your Relationship Ready for Home Ownership?

Question: “My boyfriend and I want to buy a home. We’ve been together 6 months, but don’t have any current plans to get married. Do you think that’s a good idea?” Answer: Since I’m a Realtor, you might expect me to espouse the party line of, “Yes, it’s always a great time to buy a
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The Impact of Lowered Assessment on Your San Diego Home

Question: “Hi Gary, I just got a notice from the county tax assessor’s office saying they were lowering my assessment. I attached a copy for you. Is it real? And if so, will this affect me if I need to get an appraisal or will it affect the value of my home?” Answer: That indeed
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That Nearby Low-Priced Home Could Be a Short Sale

Question: “We just saw online that the house at [address deleted] a few doors from our rental is for sale and we’re concerned about the low price. It’s listed for only $250,000 and hasn’t sold. Is that correct?” Answer: Yes and no. Yes, the price is correct. No, it’s not for sale now. It’s a
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Why People Sell Their San Diego Homes Without Signs

Question: “The house next door to me is for sale, but I didn’t even know because there’s no sign. Why would someone sell without a For Sale sign?” Answer: Unless you live in La Jolla, where no signs are allowed, there’s no good reason to sell without a sign. The main reason I’ve heard is
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Time Frames for a 1031 Exchange on Your San Diego Home

Question: “When you do a 1031 exchange, what are the time frames and when do they start?” Answer: Great question. This is something I’ve found that few agents even know. There are two time frames, running concurrently, starting the day you close on the property you’re selling: 45 days to “identify” the property(s) you’re buying.
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Can You Leave Items for the Buyer?

Question: “I have a pile of bricks, a lot of potted plants, and some cans of paint left over from the painting we just did. Can I just leave them for the buyer?” Answer: You can’t just leave personal property, even if you think the buyer will want it. You have to either have it
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