Issue #227
In This Issue
Welcome / This Week's Special Offer
Welcome To The Latest Issue
Hello again. Back safe Wednesday night flying from London via 5 days in New York City. First time in NYC and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice and helpful Manhattanites are, several asking us if we needed directions. One of many highlights was going to Ellis Island and finding info on my late father’s and his family coming to the U.S. from Poland in 1921. To look up your family, go to www.ellisislandrecords.org. …Today is Regis Philbin’s birthday. How old do you think he is? 60? Maybe 65? He’s turning SEVENTY-FIVE. …It’s also my favorite actor’s birthday: Sean Connery is 76 today. On to the real estate world…
True Story: Glad No One
Called The Cops
My assistant Stephanie and I drove out to see a foreclosure a bank wanted me
to sell for them. Driving the street, we found the address. It was a corner
house, unusually well-maintained for a foreclosure. We searched for the lockbox
the bank had put on, but no luck. So we went around trying doors and windows,
shaking them, hoping for one to open. Again, no luck. …Suddenly I got a funny
feeling. We went around to the front to double-check the address. The number was
right…but the house was actually on the cross street (remember, it’s a corner
house), making this the WRONG house. We dove into my car and drove off. We did
find the right home half a block away. This one wasn’t as nice…
Get On Our Brand-New “Foreclosure
Hot-List”
Several major lenders have just selected me to handle their foreclosures. And
I’m looking to build a short list of investors or people just looking to
purchase a home at an attractive price. I anticipate they will be available
5-10% below market. If you’d like to be the first to find out about them,
click
here.
CNNMoney Best U.S. Places
To Live 2006
The cities with the PRICIEST HOMES per CNNMoney are:
1. $1,362,500 Newport Beach, CA
2. $1,129,000 Greenwich, CT
3. $979,500 Santa Barbara, CA
4. $929,000 Palo Alto, CA
5. $880,000 Cupertino, CA
6. $870,000 Goleta, CA
7. $848,500 San Clemente, CA
8. $790,000 Bethesda, MD
9. $785,000 Pleasanton, CA
10. $784,000 Santa Monica, CA
San Diego didn’t even make the list! But Encinitas with #16 @ $742,500 and
Carlsbad #24 @ $680,000.
Next Friday: 10 cities with the HIGHEST HOME APPRECIATION 2004-2005
Interested In Positive Cashflow Apartments
With No Management Hassles?
Want a hands-off real estate investment with consistent positive cashflow?
Sound too good to be true? I've found a great investment opportunity that I'm
personally investing in, as have several of my clients. If you have $100,000 to
$3,000,000 to invest and want to find out more...Call me at (858)457-KENT or
CLICK HERE for info on the Positive Cash-Flow Apartments
Just a reminder to
email me if you know a good, dependable,
skilled, honest, reasonably-priced handyman. If they have all these qualities,
please email me at GaryK@GaryKent.com.
And also email if you have a remodeling or decorating nightmare (see below) that
you’d like to share. Thanks!
Décor & Remodel Nightmare #3 of ???
When selling your home, it pays to depersonalize it by removing most or all
family photos. This helps people imagine it as their home instead of yours. I
once saw a home for sale that all throughout the house boasted painting after
painting after painting of various styles and sizes, with multiples on every
wall. Oh, did I mention that EVERY SINGLE ONE was a portrait of the owner?
Walking through, you got the creepy feeling you were being watched!
---Got your own décor or remodeling NIGHTMARE? Email it to me at
Nightmares@GaryKent.com.
FREE MLS Online Search
For A San Diego or Riverside Home
To search for a home right now, click on:
Free MLS
Homesearch
FREE Guide: "WARNING: Hire No Agent Until
You Read This Guide"
The #1 decision when selling a property is which agent to hire. The agent
impacts your bottom line, legal liability, timing, and your sanity! And most
people have NO CLUE how to choose the right one. Now you can discover costly
traps people fall into when choosing an agent & how to find the best one. It
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- Who promises to market your home-- & who really delivers?
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Send This Free Newsletter To A Friend
Subscribe them with a quick email to
TellAFriend@GaryKent.com
with their email address in the subject line.
Remember to email your questions, comments, compliments, corrections,
critiques, & rebuttals to
Questions@GaryKent.com.
Gary's Real Estate
Seminars
FREE SEMINAR October 7 / Saturday 10AM-NOON
At "Forum Hall" at the UTC Mall in University City
"Can You Guess Where I'm Buying Real Estate In 2006?"
Positive Cash Flow Apartments With Appreciation & ZERO Management
- Want to build wealth through real estate?
- Want to buy real estate 10% below market value?
- Want an easy, hands-off investment you don’t have to manage?
- Want to enjoy a consistent positive cashflow?
- Want real estate that will appreciate?
- Want your only responsibility to be cashing your monthly check?
This is the best real estate opportunity I’ve found in 22 years in the business.
I believe in it so much that my wife and I are investing a bundle of our own
money. Over 2 years, 25 of my clients have invested and every one I talk with
reports profits equal or better than promised. And 8 more are investing this
month.
If you have 100K to 3M to invest and want to find out more about this
opportunity… CLICK HERE for flyer, more info, & free sign-up
Sandwiches & drinks provided + free dinner drawing. No obligation. Come, listen,
ask questions, then you decide…
To RESERVE YOUR SEAT at this free presentation now,
click here or call
(858)457-KENT!
"We’re in east
county and to move west, probably University City or P.B. We know homes there
are a little out of our reach and we'll end up with a fixer-upper house. What
should we be looking for in a fixer-upper?"
***ANSWER:
You want a home with “the right things wrong with it.”
The ideal fixer upper home is in need of cosmetics like cleaning, paint, carpet,
landscaping, etc. And homes with strong unpleasant odors are often passed over
by homebuyers and can be good values.
Be careful about major issues like structural problems, as these can cost you
big bucks. If you do buy one, be sure the price reflects the cost to fix, plus a
little more because you must disclose any such problems when you sell, even if
you’ve fixed them. And it may impact the price you get down the line.
"My home just went off the market after 6 months. I have to say my agent worked at it, but he suggested value range pricing and it didn’t work. All the offers were in the low end of the range. Why do people think value pricing works?”
***ANSWER:
Studies have shown that homes marketed with value range pricing sell for slightly more money and sell a few days faster. (I don’t know the precise figures.)
Most people searching for a home to live in are willing to pay what a home is worth. Sure there are exceptions and everyone would love a “good deal”.
So even though they may start at the low end of the range, most will ultimately pay the fair market value, regardless of the range.
Why does it work?
Value range marketing is really a stroke of genius. You get the benefit of an attractive low price that gets more people in the door, and a high price that gives you plenty of negotiating room.
By the way, it’s interesting that you refer to “all the offers” you received. There are many homes out there that aren’t seeing any offers at all. So all those offers tells me not that value range pricing didn’t work, but that you weren’t willing to sell at a price that the market was bringing you.
Am I married to value range pricing?
No. And that’s because I have some clients who refuse it. And that’s OK. For those clients, we use traditional pricing.
Also, if a home isn’t selling, we keep trying new approaches. And sometimes that new approach is to switch to good old one-price pricing.
Investing or Financing Question
"Is it true that you can buy investment real estate with your IRA?"
***ANSWER:
Yes. In fact, twice I've done it twice myself. You need to have your funds with
an IRA Custodian who allows you to buy real estate. Most don’t.
And you’ll want to read up on the rules. They’re definitely not hard to follow,
but if you don’t you could unravel your IRA and get slammed with a huge tax
bill.
For more information, consult with your tax professional. And you also might
pick up a book about the topic, such as,
“How to Invest in Real Estate With Your
IRA and 401K & Pay Little or No Taxes” by Hubert Bromma.
By the way, several people have invested in our Phoenix Apartment Investments
using the IRA money. Call me or come to our October 7 seminar for more info…
Hot Properties: Call Now On These Hot New
Listings & Not-Yet-On-The-Market Properties
|
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PROPERTY! | |
 |
Great townhome in the heart of Mission Valley!
Offers vaulted ceilings, sunny living room w/ FPL, and a balcony over-looking a
beautiful waterfall |
|
For more information on this Wonderful Home Click Here | |
"COMING SOON"
(Click Contact Me to be contacted BEFORE these properties hit the market!)
- Chula Vista – Hilltop area 4BR/2BA house w/ 2-car garage on oversize 8,500 square foot lot! Contact Me
- Clairemont – Remodeled 4BR/2BA house + granny flat. 2-car garage. Mid/high 500’s. Contact Me
- Poway – BANK-OWNED FORECLOSURE! 3BR/2BA home w/ views. Quiet street. To be around 500K! Contact Me
- San Marcos - Cute Condo - 2BR Close to Restaurant Row and much more in San Marcos, not far from CSU San Marcos Contact Me
- Serra Mesa – Very affordable 2BR condo. More info to follow. Contact Me
- Tierrasanta – BANK-OWNED FORECLOSURE! 1584sqft 3BR/2BA townhome, 2-car garage. Near pool, canyon. Contact Me
NEWLY LISTED (Your Property Here!)
- La Mesa/Mt. Helix – BANK-OWNED FORECLOSURE! Mega-fixer “contractor’s special” 3BR/2.5BA house w/ amazing views! Quick sale price: $429,900 - Details
Check out the great views and more photos here:
- Sold/El Cajon – Remodeled duplex, both 3BR/2BA w/ garage & yard! Ideal for live-in-one-rent-the-other or investor. Value range 500-550K! Search the MLS Here
- Mission Valley – Spacious 2BR/2BA condo in the low $300’s! Contact Me
- North Park – Cosmetic Fixer with tons of upside potential For only $460K- Possible to build 3 units??? Contact my office for more info and Click Here to see more now
- SOLD/Pacific Beach – Cute updated 3BR/2BA north P.B. house. Priced @ just 600-650K in a neighborhood of $1M homes! Find More On The Market
- Pacific Beach – Custom 4BR north P.B. house w/ spectacular oversize rebuilt kitchen, canyon vu, more. 750-825K!
Photos and Info
- Pacific Beach – Enjoy dazzling bay/city/nightlight views from this north P.B. home w/ large rooms! 900K-1M! Contact Me
- Pacific Beach – Pacifica Home...Priced Right! City Views, 3BR/2BA High on the hill in PB with extra room. Over 1800 s.f. For More Photos Click Here
MORE GREAT HOMES & INVESTMENTS (Your Home Here!)
- Clairemont – Near-2000 sqft home w/ huge 24x21 family room, hardwood floors, RV parking, more. Very private. 575-625K! Check out the photos!
- Clairemont – Sought-after Palisades neighborhood! 3-4 BR house w/ HUGE 23x18 sunny California room. 625-650K! Click here for information
- Clairemont – 2BR/2BA house w/ oversize backyard, brand-new eat-in kitchen, FPL, vinyl windows, quiet street. 470K Great Value
- SOLD / Clairemont – 4BR/2BA “Parkwest” home w/ family room across from Gershwin Park tennis, basketball. Well-priced @ 500-550K! Search the MLS Here
- SOLD / Clairemont – Cute, clean 3BR/2BA home w/ 2-car garage, FPL, dbl-pane windows, lots of upgrades, nice yard: 475K-525K Search the San Diego MLS Here
- Clairemont/Kearney Mesa – 1BR condo w/ GARAGE! Offers new carpet & paint, vaulted ceiling. Just
190-205K Just listed!
- Encanto – ESTATE SALE: Priced below market! 3BR “fixer” house w/ family room, dbl garage, large lot. 415K! More Details and Photos here
-
SOLD/Escondido – ESTATE SALE: Bargain Hunter’s Dream. 3BR house w/ garage on full lot on quiet street. Reduced to 369K!
Find More On The Market
- Jamul –3BR/2BA house w/ brand-new kitchen & country views. FULL ACRE w/ lovely pool, RV parking, large garden: 620K Look at this beauty
- SOLD/La Mesa – Lovely 4BR home nestled in the foothills of Mount Helix on a peaceful, quiet, low-traffic street. 495-540K! Contact Me
- Lemon Grove – Remodeled 1700sqft home on over 1/4 acre. Quiet street, 2-car garage, stunning kitchen. 460-500K Great Value
- Linda Vista – 3BR/2BA fixer-upper house w/ spectacular valley & city views! Beautiful street. Priced to sell @ 459K! Hidden Opportunities
- SOLD/Pacific Beach – Upgraded 2BR/2BA townhome 1 block to Tourmaline Surf Park & Beach. Garage, quiet complex. 500-550K! Click here to see more
- Phoenix, AZ - Cashflow apartments, zero management, 15% under-market!. 1031 exchange OK. $100K to $2M down. Click here to request more information
- Santee – Beautifully upgraded 4BR home w/ panoramic views! Dual pane windows, custom kitchen w/ oak & granite: 450-465K A Must See
Call me at (858)457-KENT to find out
more or arrange a private
showing...
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"
All-Time #1 Agent/Team In San Diego County for RE/MAX
22 Years Experience -- 3,000+ Homes Sold
Gary Kent Team --- RE/MAX Associates
(858)457-KENT --- (858)457-5368
GaryK@GaryKent.com
-- http://www.garykent.com/
Due to production and shipping expense, free items are available only to residents, owners, and people planning to purchase real estate in San Diego.
