What Appliances Are Included with My San Diego Home?

Question: “How do I know what appliances are included when I buy a home?” Answer: The timing for your question couldn’t be better. I just sold one of my client’s homes.  The range/oven was mentioned as included and the refrigerator was not.  The buyer didn’t request either in his offer. However, a week into escrow
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Can Loan Buyers Compete with Cash Buyers?

Question: “I keep hearing about homes selling with people paying all cash and not getting a loan.  Is it possible to buy a home if I need to get a loan and still compete with cash buyers?  And why are there so many cash buyers?” Answer: Bad news / good news if you need to
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So Your Offer Was Accepted—Or Was It?

Question: “The seller’s agent texted my agent that our offer on a home was accepted, but now they say they sold the home to someone else.  Is that legal?” Answer: For a real estate contract to be accepted and binding, there must be: A written offer Written acceptance Delivery of written acceptance to the party
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How Much to Offer on a San Diego Home

Question: “When we find the home we want, how much below the asking price do people offer?” Answer: Sorry, there’s no set formula.  What you should offer depends on 4 things: 1. Value This is the #1 factor in what you should offer.  Forget “always offer X% below list price” or “if you want it,
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Who Pays for San Diego Condo Renovations?

Question: “I’m thinking about buying a condo that was built in the 1960s.  It’s fine right now, but what happens in, say, another 50 years? If it has to undergo major renovations or be rebuilt entirely, who pays for that?” Answer: Great question. It’s not likely that a condo complex or even individual buildings will
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Why Agents Won’t Tell You a Home’s Preliminary Sale Price

Question: “Hi Gary, we see a sold sign on a house you have listed in Bay Park.  What did it sell for?” Answer: Great question! Many agents would (and do) answer such a question and tell you the price. However, those same agents are likely damaging their client and violating their fiduciary duty to look
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What Is a Processing or Transaction Fee?

Question: “Hi Gary.  I made an offer on a condo last week.  The agent wrote in that I had to pay their company a $395 transaction fee?  I didn’t get what that was for.  Do you know?” Answer: Some real estate agents and/or firms charge clients an extra fee they call by various names, such
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Are There Any Condos Without HOA Fees?

Question: “We rent right now and can barely afford a house, so my wife and I were thinking condo.  But I don’t want to pay those monthly association fees.  They’re a waste of money.  Are there any condos without fees?” Answer: Sorry.  Buying a condo almost always means you’ll be paying those pesky “HOA fees.” 
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Are Agents Required to Write Your Offer on a San Diego Home?

Question: “Gary, I’m ticked off.  I wanted to write an offer on a house and your agent refused to write it.  That’s unethical and illegal and I want you to give me a call.” Answer: My agent came said you wanted to write an offer more than 20% below the market value of the home
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Do Agents Also Get People Loans?

“Hi Gary.  My husband and I met an agent at an open house.  We liked her and want to work with her to find a home.  But she also said she can get us the loan.  I’ve never heard of that.  Do agents also get people loans?” Answer: This is less common than it used
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