Welcome To The Latest Issue
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Holidays to you. May you and your family have a safe, warm, and happy holiday season. For a bittersweet "Chicken Soup" Christmas story, click here

True Story: The Names Have Been Changed...
In 1910, developers bought Lookout Mountain, a ridge north of the Sweetwater Reservoir. They then resold it, lot by lot, with a unique offer: buy a $109 encyclopedia set and they threw in a buildable lot! The area became known as Encyclopedia Heights, later renamed to the Spring Valley neighborhood we now call Dictionary Hill. ("San Diego County Place Names A to Z" --Leland Fetzer)

FREE DVD: How To Sell Your Home & Buy Another
There's 5 ways to coordinate buying a home while selling your old one. One is best. Another's a disaster. Learn the pro's and con's of each + smart buying & selling tips. This DVD is a must if you're making a move in the next 12 months. You'll discover:

- Which of the 5 strategies works best for YOUR needs
- Don't be forced to give your home away for a quick sale
- The $5,000-$50,000 hidden TRAP in the small print
- Pricing to get top $$ for your home (it’s not what you think!)
- The HUGE MISTAKE agents make when juggling 2 closings
- Find out what your home will REALLY sell for in today's market
- How NOT to get stuck paying mortgages on 2 homes
- When is the very best time to list your home?
- Avoid being the "contingent buyer" sellers hate to sell to
- How do bridge loans work? Should you get a "HELOC" instead?

Call (800)748-1340  to have your FREE DVD sent to you via mail. Recorded message. Call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. The guide should arrive at your home within 72 hours.

Do You Know Someone (Parent, Senior, Disabled Person) Who Needs Help At Home?
I know a great company that helps people with daily activities like cooking, shopping, walking, hygiene, driving, cleaning, etc. I'm so grateful to them for providing tender loving care for my own parents. Call Eric at (858)536-9995 at "All Valley Home Care" in San Diego County. Tell him I sent you. Their website is www.allvalleyhome.signonsandiego.com. (Unpaid endorsement)

There's a "Perfect Storm" of three unique trends shaping now to May 1st as the ideal time to buy a San Diego condo or townhome UNDER MARKET. Will you miss out or take advantage? Come learn almost everything you need to know before you purchase a condo or townhome! At this seminar, You'll Discover:

- Why people say RIGHT NOW may be your golden window of opportunity to buy a condo at the LOWEST PRICE
- Pro's and Con's of owning a condo
- How to find motivated--even DESPERATE--condo sellers
- Should you buy new construction, a conversion, or resale?
- How to get a FREE Inspection & FREE appraisal when you buy
- Key condo documents explained: CC&Rs, Rules, Bylaws, etc
- Condo vs. Townhome vs. Co-op vs. House w/ HOA
- What do you REALLY own when you buy a condo?
- How to get the best loan for your condo
- Easy way to find out if a condo complex has costly problems
- 4 Condo myths that could cost you
- How to buy a condo ZERO DOWN
- Rent vs. buy? You may be surprised!
- 5 Questions You MUST Ask Before You Buy ANY Condo
- Monthly condo fees: good deal or waste of money?
- Condo situations, problems, and complications to avoid
- Why condos make an excellent 1st investment
- Buying a condo for your college student

Many experts see a 3-6 month window of opportunity to buy a condo or townhome at below-market prices. Will you miss out or take advantage?

"Hi Gary. Thanks for your emails. You did a great job when you sold our condo in San Diego. Now that I've moved to Los Angeles, I've decided to go ahead and buy a home here. Can you help me buy a home in L.A.?"

***ANSWER:

I'm honored that you want me to help you.

And while I'm indeed licensed to represent you anywhere in California, I couldn't represent you well as I just don't know the L.A. market. Nor could I give you good service, being over 100 miles away.

But I can still help you...

Being in real estate for 21 years, I've developed networks and met many wonderful, skilled agents in different cities. So I'm happy to refer you to a good, reputable agent to find you that perfect home.

If you'd like me to refer a good agent for you, give me a call or email me.

"We have a home we'll be selling soon and want to be sure we hire the best agent. So here's my question-- which is better, hiring an agent with lots of homes for sale, or an agent with few or none?"

***ANSWER:

Which is the better restaurant, the one with the vacant parking lot or the packed one?

Did you say the packed one? I thought so. And that applies directly to real estate. Here's why:

1. More listings means the agent is more successful.
2. More listings means the agent has more buyers.
3. More listings means the agent has a finger on the pulse of the market, prices, and what it takes to sell your property today.

...On the other hand...

Were you one of those contrarians who thought, "if the parking lot is so full, maybe they're too busy to give good service?"

If so, you have an excellent point.

There are indeed agents so busy that they give clients dismal, pathetic service. They serve a lot of clients...ONCE. The clients don't come back a second time or refer their friends.

But an agent with a dedicated, professional support team can give you superb service and help your sale be smooth and profitable.

So, just like the old adage says, if you want something done, ask a busy person. Just be sure he's got good help.

"Is it wise to put a large down payment down or put down the smallest amount possible? We have a lot of cash from the home we sold in Boston and can put down almost 50%. Or should we go 10% down and borrow the rest?"

***ANSWER:

Simple question, not as simple to answer. Regarding what you should do, there are several factors, including:

- loan thresholds
- opportunity cost: $$$
- your need for flexibility
- your need for security
- taxes

1. Loan Thresholds
You'll get a more attractive rate &/or loan terms with 20% than with 10% down. Same goes with 10% down over 0% down.

2. Opportunity Cost
Typical fixed rates are hovering just over 6% now. What return can you consistently get in another investment? If it's 7%+, than you put less down and invest the rest.

3. Flexibility
If your income or bills are erratic, put less down and hide away some money for a rainy day.

4. Security
If you're like my wife, you'd rather put more down as you seek the security of a lower mortgage payment and eventually even having your home paid off.

5. Taxes
I include this though I'm not convinced it's valid. Many clients say they need to buy a home with a big mortgage because they're "getting killed on taxes". However, it make no sense to borrow more at 6% and put the rest in the bank at 2%.

Your Home Here!

- SOLD/Clairemont - Enjoy canyon views & breezes! W. Clairemont 4R/2BA home w/ dbl garage & basement. Reduced: 499-530K Contact Me

- Clairemont - Gorgeous redone townhome: dbl garage, fam rm, FPL, remod kitch, huge patio, no HOA fees for 6mo's! 440K-485K Contact Me

- SOLD/Clairemont - Updated "Mount Street" 4BR/2BA home w/ dbl garage. Newer central a/c, roof, heater. Reduced: 500K! Contact Me

- Clairemont - Spacious 3BR/2BA home w/ HUGE 580sqft family room/ "great room"! Quiet street, 2-car garage. Reduced: 575K Contact Me

- La Jolla - 3BR/2BA 1-level home on quiet street. Large lush private bkyd, redone kitch & BAs, valley vu, tennis! 720-750K Contact Me

- Mira Mesa - Sharp 3BR/2.5BA (+ loft), 6-year-new home w/ mountain & valley views, 2-car garage. 460-500K  Contact Me

- Mission Hills - Attention Contractors / Developers / Investors! Buildable lot suitable for 4-8 homes. 750-850K!  Contact Me

- Oceanside - Newer 5BR/3BA, 2344 sqft home w/ family room, sunny just-remodeled kitchen, Saltillo tile. Reduced: 560-615K! Contact Me

- SOLD/Pacific Beach - North P.B. 3br/2ba house w/ hardwood floors, gas FPL, skylights, grassy yard, dbl-garage. $699,999  Contact Me

- Pacific Beach - Development Opportunity! Redone 3BR home w/ room to build 2 condos. Resell or hold for income. 825-900K Contact Me

- Phoenix, AZ - 30 apartments, large 3BR & 2BR units, well-maintained complex, Mesa area. Do a condo conversion? $2.1M. Contact Me

- Pt. Loma - Point Loma Tennis Club ground-floor corner unit w/ remodeled bath. Big rooms. Looks like a model! 275-300K!  Contact Me

- San Carlos - Cute 1BR condo w/ greenbelt view on a quiet culdesac. Incl new paint, frig, walk-in closet. Reduced: 210-233K  Contact Me

- University City - Striking 2004 full remodel 3414sqft home: 1/2-acre culdesac lot, flowing floorplan, vivid colors. 988K-1.15M  Contact Me

- USD Area - Light & bright 3BR/3BA 1431sqft townhome w/ 2-car garage, quiet area. Priced BELOW recent sales & reduced: 535K!  Contact Me

- Vista - Private, secluded, hilltop home with 4br/3ba, 3000sqft, big lot, garage, & more: 770-795K  Contact Me

Referring a friend or someone you care about is the highest compliment you can give me. Thank you for all of your generous referrals!

Have a great week...

"The Agent You See EVERYWHERE"

Gary Kent Team --- RE/MAX Associates