Issue #262

In This Issue

Welcome / This Week's Special Offer

Welcome To The Latest Issue
Hello once again. …I was just interviewed by Dow Jones’ MarketWatch.com site for a real estate story, but I was so misquoted in their resulting article that it’s not worth linking to. Do you have Sub-Prime Loan? A newspaper reporter I know is looking to interview some folks who have sub-prime loans. Who knows, this maybe a chance at part of your 15 minutes of fame. If you would like to have him interview you, call my office at 858-457-KENT (5368) and I'll pass your name along.…Know anyone else who might enjoy this newsletter? Subscribe them by emailing TellAFriend@GaryKent.com with their email address in the subject line.

Looking For A Home In San Diego?
You can search the MLS for free right now by clicking here: Free MLS Homesearch

True Story: What A Pig!
At the foreclosure conference I attended, a woman told of a home her bank sold in the Midwest. The owner who’d lost her home had an indoor pet pig. Apparently she was a tad too generous with the Pig Chow. When the ex-owner moved out, this little piggie couldn’t fit through the door. They had to take a sledge hammer and widen two doorways just so this beast could leave the building. That is one big pig.

U.S. Cities Ranked: Top 10 Cities With Highest % of Foreign Born Residents
Per city-data.com, here are the cities (population 5,000+) with the highest % of foreign-born residents:
1. 74.9% Sweetwater, FL
2. 73.0% Fountainbleau, FL
3. 72.1% Hialeah, FL
4. 69.9% Hialeah Gardens, FL
5. 69.0% Westchester, FL
6. 68.9% West Miami, FL
7. 66.5% University Park, FL
8. 66.1% Chamblere, GA
9. 66.1% Coral Terrace, FL
10. 65.4% Tamiami, FL
…I don’t know about you, but I get the impression Florida has a lot of people born outside the U.S.!
Next week: Cities with the oldest houses…

You Know You’re In San Diego When…
…you refer to everything north of Oceanside as “L.A.” ~
(Got one of your own? Email it to me.)

Get On Our San Diego “Foreclosure Hot-List”
Five major lenders have asked me to handle their foreclosures, and I’m looking for a short list of investors or people wanting to buy a home or investment up to 5-10% below market. If you’d like to be the first to find out about them, click here.

This Week’s Free Offer:
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 recipe for disaster. Discover 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 learn:
- 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 trap in the small print most people overlook
- 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 this sent to you FREE via mail. Call 24 hours / 7 days a week; free recorded message. It should arrive at your home within 72 hours.

Remember to email your questions, comments, compliments, corrections, critiques, & rebuttals to Questions@GaryKent.com.

Gary's Real Estate Seminars

(None currently scheduled. Please check back.)

HomeBUYING Question

"If a house is advertised ‘as is’, does that mean that the house has problems? And can you still inspect it and ask for something to be fixed?"

***ANSWER:
Great questions. Homes are typically advertised “As Is” for three different but related reasons:

First, indeed the home may have problems, ranging from ugly cosmetics to a damaged foundation. The seller typically makes the problems known (or they’re obvious) and doesn’t want to discount the price, then after inspections discount again or make repairs for the same issue.

Second, the home may have no serious known problems. But the seller thinks that merely saying “As Is” magically means the buyer will be OK with any defects they later discover. This unwise approach usually results in a lower price and/or the buyer asking for repairs anyway.

Third, the seller may be an estate, or a bank selling a foreclosure. Such sellers almost never make repairs, no matter the issue, so they’re letting you know up front.

Regarding whether you can still ask for repairs on a home sold “As Is”, you should be able to do so. I’ve never heard of a contract that prohibits you from at least asking.

HomeSELLING Question

"Hi Gary. Our kids have finally moved out on their own. We love our four bedroom home, but we only need two bedrooms plus a den. Do you know of homes for sale like that in our neighborhood?”

***ANSWER:
Want my best advice?

Shut the door of your fourth bedroom and forget about it. Then use your third bedroom as a den.

While I do sell homes for a living, I also like sleeping at night. I’d hate to see you pay me (or someone else!) to sell a home you love when it sounds like your current home would work fine.

Investing or Financing Question

"What are interest rates today?"

***ANSWER:
That used to be a simple question with a simple answer. But now, even if you’re just asking about today’s fixed rate, you have to answer these questions:

1. Fixed for 3,5,7,10,15, or 30 years?
2. Interest only or amortized?
3. Amortized for 15 or 30 years?
4. No doc or full doc?
5. Conforming or jumbo
6. The rate to close today or if you lock in?
7. How long do you need to lock in: 15, 30, 45, or 60 days?
8. How many points: 0, .5, 1, 1.5, 2, more?
9. What’s your FICO score?

And because I’m not a lender, I’m probably even missing a few more variables.

If you’re looking for a home loan, I know a great lender. Just call me at (858)457-KENT and we’ll put you in touch with them.

Hot Properties: Call Now On These Hot New
Listings & Not-Yet-On-The-Market Properties

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PROPERTY!

Handsome Western University City Home

BR/BA: 3/2

Sqft:1,385

Price:660,000

For more information on this Delightful Home Click Here

"COMING SOON"
(Click Contact Me to be contacted BEFORE these properties hit the market!)

- Bay Park – Gorgeously fully remodeled 5BR/3BA view home on quiet street in great neighborhood. Dbl garage. $800s. Contact Me

– Chula Vista – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 5BR, 2019sqft house on culdesac w/ pool, many upgrades! Price TBD. Contact Me
- Chula Vista – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Cute remodeled 3BR house w/ white picket fence. $300s? Contact Me

- Clairemont – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 4BR/3BA 1614 sqft home in quiet neighborhood. Lo $400s? Contact Me

- Clairemont – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 3BR house w/ garage. Quiet street. More info to follow. Lo $400s. Contact Me
- Downtown – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Tenth-floor 1BR condo in Acqua Vista. Very low 300s.. Contact Me

- Downtown – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 1BR/1.5BA ground-floor condo with direct street entrance.Price TBD Contact Me

– Downtown – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Luxury 2BR/2BA 1684sqft vu condo in “The Grande.” Lo800s? Contact Me

– East San Diego – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 2BR condo in gated community w/ security guard, pool. Low $200s Contact Me

– East San Diego – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Redone 3BR/2BA condo w/ granite, some ocean vu! Hi 200s? Contact Me

– El Cajon – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 2 Units on .56 acres: 3BR house + 1BR cottage. Low 500s? Contact Me

- El Cajon – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 4BR/2BA house on large 11,300sqft lot w/ pool & garage. Price TBD. Contact Me

– Escondido – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Remodeled 3BR/2BA end-unit condo w/ gas FPL. Price TBD. Contact Me

- La Jolla – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Stunning 3BR view home 1.5 blocks to the beach. $1.3M??? Contact Me

- La Jolla – Highly upgraded ocean vu home w/ granite, hardwood, marble, new roof, new windows, new MBA. 2M+? Contact Me

- La Jolla – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Spectacular 2-yr-new 5541sqft 6BR mansion w/ sweeping views. 2.5M? Contact Me

- La Mesa – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Remodeled 5BR/3BA 2537sqft view home on .41 acres. $500s? Contact Me
- Lakeside – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Cheap, cheap, cheap 1BR condo in nice complex. Low 100s!! Contact Me

– Linda Vista – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 1646sqft 3BR house. Remod kitchen: granite, cherry cabinets. 400s! Contact Me
– Mission Valley – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 2-year-new “Escala” 2BR 1611sqft townhome, DBL garage. 600K? Contact Me

- National City – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Triplex / 3-unit building: two 2BR + one 1BR. Updated. Hi500s? Contact Me

- North Park – Upgraded 2BR/2BA townhome w/ garage, hardwood floors, large bedrooms. Very high $300’s? Contact Me

- Oak Park – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Cute, upgraded 2BR cottage w/ garage & large yard $300’s? Contact Me
- Oceanside – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Handsome 3BR/2.5BA detached home w/ dbl garage. Low $400’s? Contact Me

- Oceanside – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Stunning 2-yr-new 3210sqft home w/ spectacular views! Price TBD. Contact Me

– Paradise Hills – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA on spacious 9,000 sqft lot. Large BRs & kitchen. Price TBD Contact Me

- Pt Loma – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Cute 2BR, 1227sqft house w/ garage, 6500sqft lot. High $600’s? Contact Me

- Ramona – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 2181sqft 3BR house on 6 full acres of horse property. $700s? Contact Me

– San Carlos – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 5BR/3.5BA, 2300sqft home w/ fam room, solar pool. Hi $500s? Contact Me
- Scripps Ranch – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Stunning newer 4BR 2536sf home, many upgrades. $700? Contact Me

- Spring Valley – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Sunny 2BR top-floor condo, large deck, laundry in unit. Lo-200s? Contact Me

- Temecula – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA house on corner lot. More info to follow. 300s? Contact Me
- University City – Fully redone luxury 3BR home w/ large private backyard. Great neighborhood. Lo/mid-$600s? Contact Me

- University City – Cute 3BR home w/ big kitchen. Offers secluded oversize backyard w/ large pool. Lo-600s? Contact Me

New – Vista – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 3 Units. Price TBD. Contact Me

- Vista – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 4BR culdesac home w/ gleaming hardwood flrs + oversize backyard. Mid-400s Contact Me
- Vista – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Cute 2BR cottage w/ white picket fence, 2-car garage, big yard. 400-ish? Contact Me

NEWLY LISTED (Your Property Here!)

Too New For Photo	- La Jolla - Spectacular 400K remodel w/ hdwd flrs, granite, travertine, spectacular views, pool, more. 1.275-1.375M! Contact Me
	- Pacific Beach – Dramatic rebuild by owner/designer. Offers turret entry, ocean views, hardwood flrs, more. 1.25-1.35M! More Information
	New - University City – Handsome 3BR house on oversize 7100 sqft lot w/ large private backyard & pool; red tile roof. 660-680K! View Details

MORE GREAT HOMES & INVESTMENTS (Your Home Here!)

	- Chula Vista – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Newer 3BR, 2.5BA, 1452sqft townhome w/ garage. $389,900. More Info
	- Chula Vista – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA house in Pepper Tree area on huge .7 acre lot! $499,900 View Pictures and Features
	- Chula Vista – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 8yr-new Rancho Del Rey townhome w/ dbl garage, gated community. $416,900! Take A Look
	- Clairemont – Remodeled light & airy 3BR house w/ granite, travertine, large grassy bkyd, quiet street & more! 429-470K See For Your Self
	- Clairemont – Low-priced fixer-upper 3BR/2BA house on quiet street. 2-car garage and grassy backyard! 430-465K Property Features
	- Downtown – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 2BR 2nd-floor condo in historical & famous CORTEZ HILL. Reduced to $495,000 Check It Out
	- Downtown – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 2-year-new 2BR/1BA high-rise condo w/ views in hip “Acqua Vista”. Reduced: $539,900. See The View
	– East San Diego – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Cute, upgraded 2BR house w/ garage and huge backyard. $364,900 View Details
	- La Costa – 200K Reduction! Remodeled luxury Mediterranean 4,800 sqft estate on huge lot, on La Costa Golf Course. $1.299M Find Others Like It
	- La Jolla – Enjoy wonderful ocean & city views from this Hidden Valley area 4BR/3BA house w/ 3-car garage. $1.75-1.9M Look For Yourself
	- Lakeside – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! VERY affordable 1BR condo. Starter home or great investment! Just $134,900! Take A Look
	- Logan Heights – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 2800sqft HEAVY fixer-upper house w/ garage, curb appeal, big lot. $510,000 View Pictures and Features
	- Mira Mesa – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 4BR/2.5BA 1804sqft house w/ spa. Reduced to $529,900. Look For Yourself
	- Mission Valley – Short Sale! Oversize 2BR/2BA condo near USD, YMCA. Security parking for 2 cars. A great value at just 358K. Find Out More
	- Mission Valley – CHEAP 1BR end-unit condo w/ golf course vu in gated community! Ideal starter investment or 1st home. 185K! View All Listings
	- National City – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Vintage Victorian home built 1864! 4BR/3BA, 1852sqft. Just $424,900! Contact Me
	- Nestor – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA house: family room, dbl garage, tile throughout. Reduced to $444,900. Take A Look For Your Self
	- Nestor – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA, 1224 sqft condo w/ large patio, near pool & playground. Reduced: 295K! More Info
	- North Park – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Charming 2BR Spanish house, hardwood floors, garage. $439,900. This Could Be Your Home
	- Oceanside – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! 2BR/1.5BA 1280 sqft condo w/ garage (rare @ this price!). Reduced $237,900 Property Information
	- Oceanside – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Immaculate 3-yr-new 3BR/2BA + xtra room, 2069sqft house on culdesac. $514,900 Property Info
	- Oceanside – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Sunny & bright 4BR/2.5BA home w/ sweeping views & large bkyd. $524,900 This Could Be Your Home
	- Paradise Hills – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA 1183sqft condo w/ large covered patio. Price Cut: $296,900! Check It Out
	- Paradise Hills – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Sharp 3BR/2BA 1373sqft condo w/ 2-car garage. Just $364,900. See For Yourself
	– Poway – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Spectacular Green Valley home on huge lot & tree-lined street. $839,900. Free MLS Search
Too New For Photo	- Rancho Bernardo – Smart 2BR/2.5BA, 1458sqft townhome w/ garage, central a/c, golf course view! 345-405K Contact Me
	– Rancho Bernardo – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Newer beautiful 3BR/2BA manufactured home. Live in RB for $374,900! Contact Me
	- Rancho Penasquitos – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 4BR/2.5BA house on corner lot in desirable neighborhood. 595K See For Yourself
	- San Marcos / San Elijo Hills – Stunning, sunny & open 4/2.5 home w/ bonus room. Built 2004 w/ all the upgrades. 612K. See For Yourself
	- San Marcos – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Stunning near-new 3BR/3BA, 2259sqft view house, gated community. Reduced: $564,900. Find Others Like It
	- Scripps Ranch – Bank-Owned Foreclosure! Sharp 4-yr-new 3BR/2.5BA condo w/ nice yard, patio, dbl garage. $454,900! More Info
	- Tierrasanta – Bank Owned Foreclosure! 4BR/2.5BA 2592 sqft fixer house on quiet street. Reduced to $614,900! Free Info About the Home

Call me at (858)457-KENT to find out more or for a private showing. To find other homes, go to Free MLS Homesearch.

Clicked on a property, but there’s no info? It may be sold. Call me to double-check or discover other similar properties we have for you.

Thank You For Your Referrals

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...

GARY KENT

"The Agent You See EVERYWHERE"

All-Time #1 Agent/Team In San Diego County for RE/MAX

22 Years Experience -- 3,100+ Homes Sold

Gary Kent Team --- RE/MAX Associates

(858)457-KENT --- (858)457-5368

GaryK@GaryKent.com -- http://www.garykent.com/

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This free e-newsletter tells you how to be more successful with your real estate transactions. You receive it because you subscribed, entered your email address at my site(s), or were referred. By reading it, you agree you: 1) understand this is opinion & not advice; 2) will seek professional tax, legal, and real estate advice; 3) are solely responsible for use of content, 4) hold Gary Kent, Gary Kent Homes & Estates, Kent & Associates Inc., and RE/MAX Associates harmless. Questions may be paraphrased for clarity/brevity. Disregard this email if you have a listing or buyer-broker agreement. (c) 2007 Gary Kent, All Rights Reserved.