Issue #264
In This Issue
Welcome / This Week's Special Offer
Welcome To The Latest Issue
Hello and happy Friday to you. Got some great questions this week for you.
…Need an employee? Go to HireAHero.com, where you
can hire a current or past member of our military. …Just installed a terabyte
server at my office. It’s got 8,000,000,000 (that’s 8 billion!) times more
storage than my first computer, a Mac 128K. …I’ve got a proposition for you. See
“True Story”.
Thank You For Your Kind Words!
“I read your newsletter from the first to the last word. It’s like taking a real
estate course without having to go anywhere. When someone does something well
they should be commended. And I always recommend you to everyone I know.” …Thank
you K.R. for your kind words!
True Story: A Proposition
For You…
I scour my memory every week for another true story to shock you, make you
laugh, or be interesting enough to tell a friend. Now I’d like to tap YOUR
experiences. So here’s the deal:
Send me a shocking, funny, or interesting true story (it’s gotta be true!) that
happened to you or someone you know. If I print it, I’ll send you a $10
Starbucks card. Email your stories to me at
TrueStory@GaryKent.com. Let’s see
what we get!!
You Know You’re In San
Diego When…
…You make 300K and live in an apartment ~
(Thanks Jake for that one. Got one of your own?
Email it to me.)
U.S. Cities Ranked: Top 10
Cities With The Newest Houses
Per city-data.com, here are the cities (population 5,000+) with the newest
houses:
1. 2.4 yrs Las Flores, CA
2. 2.8 yrs Laguna West-Lakeside, CA
3. 3.8 yrs The Villages, FL
4. 4.1 yrs Superior, CO
5. 4.5 yrs Wyndham, VA
6. 4.6 yrs Cinco Ranch, TX
7. 5.0 yrs Linton Hall, VA
8. 5.2 yrs Greatwood, TX
9. 5.3 yrs Wesley Chapel, FL
10. 5.7 yrs Westchase, FL
26. 7.4 yrs Coto De Caza, CA (just north of us in O.C.)
38. 8.0 yrs Aliso Viejo, CA (ditto)
42. 8.8 yrs Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (ditto)
88. 10.8 yrs Temecula, CA
93. 10.9 yrs Murrieta, CA
Next week: Cities with highest median household income…
Another Real Estate Myth
Debunked
Myth: I’m working with PruMax 21 to buy/sell my home.
Reality: While the firm’s name may be on the sign, they have little to do
with selling your home or finding another. It’s the agent you hire that matters.
That’s why you need to hire the best agent, no matter what company they work
for, big or small. Never assume an agent has a clue just because he or she works
at a known firm.
FREE MLS Online Search For A San Diego or Riverside Home
To search for a home right now, click here: Free MLS Homesearch
Help Wanted: Full-Time
Front Desk Assistant
The Gary Kent Team of RE/MAX Associates needs to add a new team member to
help us. This assistant
position will help handle phones, filing, lead management, & various projects.
Real estate experience is helpful, but not required.
We are looking for:
1. Very computer/internet literate, able to work with standard Microsoft
programs (Word, Excel, etc)
2. Detail oriented, capable of multi-tasking.
3. Able to work independently (self-starter/self-manager) along with working
within our team system
4. Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
Call (858)535-7435 or fax info/resume to Stephanie @ (858)550-3410 or email stephanie@GaryKent.com.
This Week’s Free Offer:
FREE Guide: Pricing Your Home For Top Dollar
Discover the truth about how to price your home right and get top dollar
with this FREE GUIDE: "Pricing Your Home For Top Dollar".
It covers:
- Avoiding the 13 dangerous pricing myths
- The #1 mistake owners make when pricing a home
- "Value range pricing" explained…and when YOU should use it
- The dirty little pricing trick many agents pull & how to avoid it
- Secrets to pricing your home so you get more money in less time
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.
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.
(None currently scheduled. Please check back.)
"Hi Gary. I talked to a lender
and they said I’m qualified to buy, but I need help with costs. How do I put in
the contract that seller pays all my escrow costs?"
***ANSWER:
First, let’s get the words right. You want help with CLOSING costs, not just
escrow costs.
In April, I represented a homeseller and got an offer where the agent wrote
“seller to pay buyer’s escrow costs.” After everyone agreed, the sale fell apart
when we found out she meant “closing costs”, not “escrow costs”.
Here’s how you want to say it:
“Seller to credit buyer $10,000 for recurring and non-recurring closing costs.”
…Or…
“Seller to credit buyer 3% of the purchase price towards buyer’s closing costs.”
More importantly, be sure you work with a good agent so YOU don’t have to tell
them how to write a contract!
"Last year I had a plumbing leak that led to mold in my laundry room. A mold
remediation company handled everything and the mold test came out 100% clear. Do
I still need to disclose it when I sell my home?”
***ANSWER:
Definitely.
The law says you must disclose anything that could “materially affect the value
or desirability of the property.”
It’s possible that even the fact that you HAD mold meets that standard. But
there’s a bigger reason.
If the remediation company didn’t get all the mold or fix the cause and the
buyer later has mold problems, you’d likely be liable for damages due to
non-disclosure.
So just remember: When in doubt, disclose!
Quick aside:
Every decade or so, there’s a new issue that causes a panic and lots of money to
be spent. First there was lead paint, then asbestos, now mold.
My PERSONAL opinion is that there’s much more smoke than fire with this whole
mold issue. Yes, mold surely makes a small % of people sick (I know one very
nice woman who got sick from mold) and should definitely get taken care of.
There’s just no need to panic about it…
Investing or Financing Question
"What do you think
of buying at a real estate auction?"
***ANSWER:
There are different kinds of real estate auctions, including foreclosure sale
auctions, probate “auctions” (called overbids), and auctions put on by private
auction firms.
We’re actually involved in one of the latter that’s happening tomorrow.
Here are six things you should know in general about auctions:
#1: Most or all by private firms have a “buyer premium”, often 5%. So if your
price is $500,000, add 5% to make it $525,000.
#2: Some have a reserve price. That means the seller may advertise starting bids
at temptingly low prices. The only catch is you can’t actually by them at those
prices. It’s a generally accepted practice. I think it’s misleading.
#3: In almost all auctions, if you don’t close, you lose your deposit. So even
if you cancel due to loan problems or defects you find in the home, you can kiss
your deposit goodbye.
#4: In some, such as foreclosure sale auctions, you must pay all cash in the
form of a cashier’s check.
#5: In some cases you cannot view the property before you buy it.
#6: In some cases the property may be occupied. And if those occupants are the
previous owner or anyone unhappy about the situation, you’ll have the fun and
expense of evicting them.
I’ve been a real estate investor for 20 years and I’ve never bought a property
at an auction. I’ve bid before, but only after doing my due diligence and
factoring in what I call the “likely worst case”.
Hot Properties: Call Now On These Hot New
Listings & Not-Yet-On-The-Market Properties
|
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PROPERTY! | |
 |
Spectacular
BR/BA:
3/2.5 Sqft:
2,134 Price:
$1,295,00 |
|
For more information on this Delightful Home Click Here | |
"COMING SOON"
(Click
Contact Me to be contacted BEFORE these properties hit the market!)
- Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Cute
remodeled 3BR house w/ white picket fence. $300s?
Contact Me
- Clairemont – Foreclosure! 4BR/3BA 1614 sqft home in quiet neighborhood. Lo $400s? Contact Me
- Clairemont – Foreclosure! 3BR house w/ garage. Quiet street. More info to follow.
Lo $400s.
Contact Me
- Downtown –
Foreclosure! Tenth-floor 1BR condo
in Acqua Vista. Very low 300s..
Contact Me
- Downtown – Foreclosure! 1BR/1.5BA ground-floor condo with direct street entrance.Price TBD Contact Me
– Downtown – Foreclosure! Luxury 2BR/2BA 1684sqft vu condo in “The Grande.” Lo800s? Contact Me
– East San Diego – Foreclosure! 2BR condo in gated community w/ security guard, pool. Low $200s Contact Me
– East San Diego – Foreclosure! Redone 3BR/2BA condo w/ granite, some ocean vu! Hi 200s? Contact Me
– El Cajon – Foreclosure! Spacious 2297sqft 4BR home on 1/2 acre w/ pool, cov’d patio, many extras. Price TBD. Contact Me
– El Cajon – Foreclosure! 2 Units on .56 acres: 3BR house + 1BR cottage. Low 500s? Contact Me
- Encanto – Foreclosure! Lovely 1-year-new 3BR/2.5BA 1628sqft house, dbl garage. Lo/mid 400s? Contact Me
– Escondido – Foreclosure! Remodeled 3BR/2BA end-unit condo w/ gas FPL. Price TBD. Contact Me
– La Mesa – Foreclosure! 1572sqft 3BR/2BA home on almost 1/4 acre. Panoramic views! Mid 400s? Contact Me
- La Jolla – Highly upgraded ocean vu home w/ granite, hardwood, marble, new roof, new windows, new MBA. 2M+? Contact Me
- La Jolla – 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 –
Foreclosure! Cheap, cheap, cheap 1BR condo in nice
complex. Low 100s!!
Contact Me
New – Lemon Grove – Foreclosure! Newly converted 1008sqft 3BR/2BA condo in attractive complex! Contact Me
– Linda Vista –
Foreclosure! 1646sqft 3BR house.
Remod kitchen: granite, cherry cabinets. 400s!
Contact Me
– Mission Valley –
Foreclosure! 2-year-new “Escala” 2BR 1611sqft townhome,
DBL garage. 600K?
Contact Me
– Normal Heights – Foreclosure! 2-yr-new 3BR/3.5BA 1765sqft condo w/ dbl garage. Hi 500s? Contact Me
- North Park – Upgraded 2BR/2BA townhome w/ garage, hardwood floors, large bedrooms. Very high $300’s? Contact Me
- Oak Park – Foreclosure! Cute, upgraded 2BR cottage w/ garage & large yard
$300’s?
Contact Me
- Oceanside – Foreclosure!
Handsome 3BR/2.5BA detached home w/ dbl garage. Low $400’s?
Contact Me
- Oceanside – Foreclosure! Stunning 2-yr-new 3210sqft home w/ spectacular views! Price TBD. Contact Me
– Paradise Hills – Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA on spacious 9,000 sqft lot. Large BRs & kitchen. Price TBD Contact Me
- Pt Loma – Foreclosure! Cute 2BR, 1227sqft house w/ garage, 6500sqft lot. High $600’s? Contact Me
- Ramona – Foreclosure! 2181sqft 3BR house on 6 full acres of horse property. $700s? Contact Me
– Rancho Penasquitos – Foreclosure! 4BR/2.5BA home w/ family room, 2-car garage, quiet culdesac. Lo 500s? Contact Me
– San Carlos – Foreclosure! 5BR/3.5BA, 2300sqft home w/ fam room, solar pool. Hi $500s? Contact Me
– San Ysidro –
Foreclosure! 3BR 1323 sqft townhouse w/ 2-car
garage. Low 300s?
Contact Me
- Scripps Ranch – Mint La Merida
3-4BR/2.5BA “model home” w/ travertine &
cherrywood floors! Low 700s.
Contact Me
- Scripps Ranch – Foreclosure!
Stunning newer 4BR 2536sf home, many upgrades. $700?
Contact Me
New - Spring Valley – Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA home on large lot. 2-car garage. 300s? Contact Me
- Spring Valley – Foreclosure! Sunny 2BR top-floor condo, large deck, laundry in unit. Lo-200s? Contact Me
- Temecula – Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA house on corner lot. More info to follow. 300s? Contact Me
New – University City –
Foreclosure! Newer 1BR condo conv in The
Venetian. Granite, travertine. Lo/mid 200s?
Contact Me
– Vista –
Foreclosure! 3 Units. Price TBD.
Contact Me
- Vista – Foreclosure! Cute 2BR cottage w/ white picket fence, 2-car garage,
big yard. 400-ish?
Contact Me
NEWLY LISTED (Your Property Here!)
 |
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! 4BR, 2019sqft house on culdesac w/ pool, many upgrades! $559,000 Check It Out |
 |
New - Ramona – Foreclosure! Spacious 3077sqft home on a full acre! Vintage home, built 1938. 2-car garage. $509,900! See For Yourself |
MORE GREAT HOMES & INVESTMENTS (Your Home Here!)
 |
- Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Newer 3BR, 2.5BA, 1452sqft townhome w/ garage. $389,900. More Info |
 |
- Chula Vista – Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA house in Pepper Tree area on huge .7 acre lot! $499,900 View Pictures and Features |
 |
- Chula Vista – Foreclosure! 8yr-new Rancho Del Rey townhome w/ dbl garage, gated community. $416,900! Take A Look |
 |
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! 2-yr-new 4BR/3BA, 2335 sqft Eastlake Trails house, 3-car garage. $649,900 Find The Answers To Your Questions |
 |
- Downtown – Foreclosure! 2BR 2nd-floor condo in historical & famous CORTEZ HILL. Reduced to $495,000 Check It Out |
 |
- Downtown – Foreclosure! 2-year-new 2BR/1BA high-rise condo w/ views in hip “Acqua Vista”. Reduced again: $514,900. See The View |
 |
– East San Diego – Foreclosure! Cute, upgraded 2BR house w/ garage and huge backyard. $359,900 View Details |
 |
- El Cajon – Foreclosure! 4BR/2BA house on oversize 11,300sqft lot w/ pool, garage, big yard. $479,900. See For Yourself |
|
|
– Escondido – Foreclosure! 5BR/3BA house on large corner lot, 2-car garage, newer paint. $449,900 Take A Look |
 |
- La Costa – 200K Reduction! Remodeled luxury Mediterranean 4,800 sqft estate on huge lot, on La Costa Golf Course. $1.299M Property Features |
 |
Sold - La Jolla – Enjoy wonderful ocean & city views from this Hidden Valley area 4BR/3BA house w/ 3-car garage. $1.65-1.75M MLS Search |
|
|
- La Jolla - Spectacular 400K remodel w/ hdwd flrs, granite, travertine, spectacular views, pool, more. 1.295-1.395M! Virtual Tour |
 |
- Lakeside – Foreclosure! VERY affordable 1BR condo. Starter home or great investment! Just $134,900! Take A Look |
 |
- Logan Heights – Foreclosure! 2800sqft HEAVY fixer-upper house w/ garage, curb appeal, big lot. $510,000 View Pictures and Features |
 |
- Mira Mesa – 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 |
|
|
- National City –
Foreclosure! Vintage Victorian home
built 1864! 4BR/3BA, 1852sqft. Just $418,900!
Contact Me |
 |
- Nestor – Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA house: family room, dbl garage, tile throughout. Reduced to $444,900. Take A Look For Your Self |
 |
- Nestor – Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA, 1224 sqft condo w/ large patio, near pool & playground. Reduced: 295K! More Info |
 |
- North Park – Foreclosure! Charming 2BR Spanish house, hardwood floors, garage. $439,900. This Could Be Your Home |
 |
- Oceanside – Foreclosure! 2BR/1.5BA 1280 sqft condo w/ garage (rare @ this price!). Reduced $237,900 Property Information |
 |
- Oceanside – Foreclosure! Immaculate 3-yr-new 3BR/2BA + xtra room, 2069sqft house on culdesac. $514,900 Property Info |
 |
- Oceanside – Foreclosure! Sunny & bright 4BR/2.5BA home w/ sweeping views & large bkyd. $524,900 This Could Be Your Home |
 |
- Pacific Beach – Dramatic rebuild by owner/designer. Offers turret entry, ocean views, hardwood flrs, more. 1.25-1.35M! More Information |
 |
– Paradise Hills – Foreclosure! 3BR/2.5BA townhome w/ nice patio. Priced under market @ $269,900! Property Features |
 |
- Paradise Hills – Foreclosure! 3BR/2BA 1183sqft condo w/ large covered patio. Price Cut: $296,900! Check It Out |
 |
- Paradise Hills – Foreclosure! Sharp 3BR/2BA 1373sqft condo w/ 2-car garage. Just $364,900. See For Yourself |
 |
– Poway – 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 – Foreclosure! Newer beautiful 3BR/2BA manufactured home. Live in RB for $374,900! Contact Me |
 |
- Rancho Penasquitos – Foreclosure! 4BR/2.5BA house on corner lot in desirable
neighborhood. 595K See For Yourself |
 |
- San Marcos – Bank Owned Foreclosure! Stunning near-new 3BR/3BA, 2259sqft view house, gated community. Slashed 50k to $514,900!! Find Out More |
 |
- 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 |
 |
- Scripps Ranch – Foreclosure! Sharp 4-yr-new 3BR/2.5BA condo w/ nice yard, patio, dbl garage. $454,900! More Info |
 |
- Scripps Ranch – Foreclosure! Stunning newer 4BR 2536sf home on quiet street, many upgrades. $793,900! See What This Home Has To Offer You |
 |
– South Park – Two units: cute detached 2BR/1BA cottages with garages on 5,000sqft lot. Can add 1 unit: 485-525K! Find Out More |
 |
- Tierrasanta – Foreclosure! 4BR/2.5BA 2592 sqft fixer house on quiet street. Reduced again...a bargain @ $604,900! Free Info About the Home |
 |
- University City – Handsome 3BR house on oversize 7100 sqft lot w/ large private backyard & pool; red tile roof. 660-680K! View Details |
 |
- Vista – Foreclosure! 4BR culdesac home w/ gleaming hardwood flrs + oversize backyard. $470,800 Check It Out |
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 Cathy W. for referring someone to buy a home…
Thank you Alan K. for recommending me to several people…
Have a great week...
"The Agent You See EVERYWHERE"
All-Time #1 Agent/Team In San Diego County for RE/MAX
Gary Kent Team --- RE/MAX Associates
(858)457-KENT --- (858)457-5368
GaryK@GaryKent.com -- http://www.garykent.com/
If a friend would enjoy this enewsletter, forward it to them. To subscribe, email Subscribe@GaryKent.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
Due to production and shipping expense, free items are available only to residents, owners, and people planning to purchase real estate in San Diego.
