• Welcome / This Week's Special Offer
• Gary's Real Estate Seminars
• Homebuying Question
• Homeselling Question
• Investing or Financing Question
• Hot Properties: New Listings BEFORE They Hit The Market
• Thank You For Your Referrals

Welcome To The Latest Issue
Now you can follow me on Twitter. Find me as GaryKentTeam. My posts will become more frequent and relevant as I get my Twitter legs.

….Happy Mother’s Day. In honor of this very special day, here’s a you have GOT to watch. And be sure to grab anyone else who has ever had a mother to watch with you.

…Have you reserved your seat yet for my free seminar Saturday, May 30, 10AM to noon at UTC? "It’s How To Buy A Foreclosure in San Diego." Invite a friend. Seats are going fast, so hurry!

…HELP WANTED: Full time job opening for someone to work in my REO/foreclosure department. For more info, Click Here.

…Video Link: Why Don’t Banks Fix Up More Foreclosures?

…Term of the Week: "Homalucination"- Ever hear that the average person rates him/herself a “7” in the looks dept? (I’m sure YOU are really more of 9 or 10) “Homalucination”, coined by BeaconEcon economist Christopher Thornberg, describes when a homeowner believes all the other homes or neighborhoods have fallen in price except their own. I can vouch for him that this happens a LOT.

… New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rules allow them to buy loans up to $729,750 from lenders beginning this past Monday. Rates on “jumbo-conforming” loans (between $417,000 and $729,750) have been higher than rates on conforming loans (up to $417,000). The hope is that jumbo-conforming rates will be comparable to rates on conforming loans. Locally, our limits will be $697,500.

True Story: He Wasn’t Kidding
For my first 15 years in real estate, I "farmed" several thousand homes, getting to know neighbors by knocking on doors for up to 6 hours per day. One day I was standing on the sidewalk talking to a man in front of his home. He said, "Here comes my wife. You better move." I told him I should be fine as I was on the sidewalk. He responded, "No, really, you better move." So I did, and not a moment too soon. Sure enough, she tried to park and went over the curb, onto the sidewalk, right where I had been standing.

Find Out The Value Of Your Home Or Rental Property FREE — Right Over The Phone
Considering selling? Now you can quickly, easily find out today's value of your home or other San Diego County real estate, right over the phone. Call and tell me about your property. I’ll research the market and arrive at an honest, realistic price you can expect to get in today’s market. Need a more accurate figure? Ask me to come by. For your free over-the-phone or in person evaluation, just call me at (858)457-KENT. Please tell a friend…

Top 10 Most Popular Big U.S. Cities
You may remember hearing about this survey by the Pew Research Center. It’s the one with Denver #1 and San Diego #2. They’re ranked by the % of people who say they’d want to live in this city or it’s surrounding metropolitan area:

Join Our Preferred Client Group For The Best Values
I find great real estate deals every week. But too often we cant match a client in time and someone else scoops it up. (My bank-clients wont let me buy their properties, or I'd be my best client!)

So I developed my Private Client Group, a select group of people serious, qualified, and ready to grab a great deal on a home or investment when -- or before -- it hits the market.

If you'd like to be in the Preferred Client Group, you need to:

1. Pre-approve with our approved lender
2. Come in for a short sit-down counseling session
3. Commit to work with us

To join and get the jump on the best real estate values in town, call us at (858)457-KENT or email us at PCG@GaryKent.com.

Check Out Our Foreclosure Hot-List
Looking for a deal? 25+ of my REO (foreclosure) properties have discounts of 10% to a whopping 49% from their previous values. Click on www.Foreclosure-Hotlist.com to check  out my brand-new Foreclosure Hot-List website. We'll update the site regularly, so be sure to bookmark it and return frequently. And forward this link to a friend!

FREE MLS Online Search For A San Diego or Riverside Home
To search for a home right now, click here: Free MLS Homesearch.

This Week’s Free Offer:
Free Over-The-Phone Short Sale Consultation
Do you owe too much on your home to sell? Does this describe a friend or family member? A common solution many people are doing right now is a "short sale", where the bank agrees to receive less than the amount owed. And it’s all done typically at zero cost to you. To find out more and if you qualify, call me at (858)457-KENT.

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.

FREE Seminar @ UTC Mall – May 30th, 2009:
"How To Buy A Foreclosure In San Diego"
Fantasy vs. Reality: Discover the truth about foreclosures/REOs
-- Saturday, May 30th, 10AM-Noon --
Click for Seminar Flyer / Click to Reserve Your Free Seat

Dreamers Need Not Apply.
Sorry This isn't a phony get-rich-quick seminar on buying foreclosures (also called REOs) 50 on the dollar or buying zero down with bad credit and no job. That's NOT reality.

When you attend, you'll discover the truth about:

• NEW: I’ll be just back from the two biggest industry foreclosure conferences w/ the latest insider info!
• NEW: Bailouts, loan “mods”, foreclosure moratoriums...what’s REALLY going on right now w/ REOs?
• How homebuyers can put just 3% down & investors put 10% down on some REOs w/ no PMI or appraisal costs
• Top 10 San Diego neighborhoods with the best REO deals today
• How much banks negotiate off their price
• 5-step plan to getting a great value on a foreclosure in 90 days
• Wise, timely words millionaire Baron Rothschild said in the 1800s
• Traps in the small-print that banks make you sign
• The #1 mistake people make when offering on an REO
• How to get banks to pay EVERY PENNY of your closing costs
• Auction tricks, traps, and pitfalls that I swear will shock you
• Free email access to undervalued & foreclosure properties
• The ugly truth about short salesand it IS ugly
• What to watch out for in an REO
• Much more

"I don’t want to buy a foreclosure due to all the risks…"

Answer:
Not sure what risks you’re referring to.

It’s true that foreclosures are often in worse condition and banks are exempt from most disclosures.

But if you hire a good home inspector to thoroughly check out the home, you should be fine.

"Gary, my home has been on the market for 4 months and we haven't received an offer. We've had a lot of showings, averaging about 5 per week. We haven't dropped our price since we listed because the activity has been so good and we thought we'd get an offer. What do you think the problem is?"

Answer:
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says that if a home is priced correctly, you should get one offer for every 10 showings. Doing some math, you've had about 85 showings, but you haven't gotten 8.5 offers. NAR would say your price is too high.

Consult with your Realtor.

"I thought FHA allows you to borrow your down payment. Am I wrong?"

Answer:
FHA allows the down payment to be a "Gift" from a family member or from a loan against an asset. In fact the family member can pay for everything and the buyer does not have to have any of his/her own funds.

You may be thinking of some creative ways loan officers have gotten away with borrowing the money. The gift documentation is pretty simple: Gift letter, cashier’s check showing the donor as the remitter, deposit receipt and verification of balance in buyer’s account after the deposit.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PROPERTY!
	Stunning Townhome In Clairemont Open House Sun 1-4pm BR/BA: 3/2.5 Sqft: 1,562 Price: $490,000 - $530,000 Address: 3126 E. Fox Run Way. San Diego, CA 92111
New – Clairemont – Stunning, just-remodeled canyon view duplex-style townhome in quiet, pride-of-ownership Trails of "Foxrun"! You'll love this"Concord" model w/ granite kitchen w/ sunny breakfast nook, FPL, gorgeous BA's & 2-car gar. BRAND NEW upgrades include new lightfixtures, carpet, paint, crown molding. interior doors, travertine, most plumbing fixtures, vanities, cedar closet floors, switches, platecovers, & more! View Info

Coming Soon
(Click Contact Me to be contacted BEFORE these properties hit the market!)

– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Spacious home on large 9300sqft lot, 4BR/2BA, 1600 sqft, plus detached room/granny flat! Contact Me
Last sold @ 507K >>> Now 300s?
– Clairemont – Friendly home on quiet street offers family room, gas/wood FPL, newer carpet and exterior paint, more. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1566 sqft
Value range $360,000 to $400,000!
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! Cute 3BR house in rapidly upgrading neighborhood near Bay Park. Large 7000 sqft lot. Contact Me
3BR/1BA, 1168 sqft
Recently appraised @ 500K? >>> To be 300s?
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! Great starter home or investment on large lot w/ garage. Near 805 & 52 freeways. Contact Me
3BR/1BA, 940 sqft
Recently appraised @ 465K? >>> To be 300K?
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! Fixer-upper 4BR/2BA house needs lots of help. No garage, large lot. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1635 sqft
Last appraised @ 489K+ >>> Now low 300s?
– Del Mar – Enjoy panoramic views from this cared-for 1-story home. Upscale neighborhood of high end custom homes. Contact Me
2BR/2.5BA, 1783 sqft
Value Range $999,000 to $1,299,000
– Eastlake Area – Foreclosure! Stunning 3-year new single family home 2 blocks to new Otay Ranch Town Center. Contact Me
4BR/3BA, 2342 sqft
Last sold @ 625K >>> To be 300s?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Remodeled home w/ city views, 2-car garage, more. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1247sqft
Last sold @ 358K >>> To be 200s?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Four units w/ lots of parking. Near trolley, shopping, schools. Contact Me
Last sold @ 510K >>> Now low 300s?
– Lakeside – Foreclosure! Dirt-cheap condo ideal for investor or first-time homeowner. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 728 sqft
Appraised @ 131K+ >>> To be in the 80s?
– Logan Heights – Foreclosure! Cute little house w/ 2-car garage, nice yard, newer windows, large patio. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1050 sqft
Last sold @ 369K >>> To be in the high 100s?
– Mission Valley – Foreclosure! Affordable 1BR condo in west Mission Valley, 5 minutes to Fashion & Mission Valley malls. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 700 sqft
Recently appraised @ 175K? >>> To be low 100s?
– Mission Valley – Foreclosure! Cute "Mission Heights" starter condo or investment near Qualcomm & 24 Hr Fitness. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 667 sqft
Recently appraised @ 174K? >>> To be low 100s?
– Oceanside – Foreclosure! Remodeled 1987-built home w/ granite counters, FPL, spacious bkyd. Nice neighborhood. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1205 sqft
Last sold @ 505K >>> To be low 200s?
– Rancho Bernardo – Foreclosure! "Provencal" townhome in Carmel Mountain Ranch. 2-car garage, hardwood, granite, more. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1322 sqft
Last sold @ $450,000 >>> To be low 300s?
– Rancho Bernardo – Foreclosure! 1989-built single family house w/ dbl garage. South of Camino Del Norte & West of I-15. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1760 sqft
Recently appraised @ $602K+ >>> Now 300s?
– Santee – Foreclosure! Nice home on quiet street w/ pool, 2-car garage. No neighbor behind. Walk to Mission Trails Park. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1196 sqft
Recently appraised @ 493K+ >>> Now low 300s?
– University City – Foreclosure! Cute condo in “Verano” in the La Jolla Colony area. Quick access to I-5, La Jolla, UCSD, etc. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 704 sqft
Recently appraised @ 310K >>> To be very low 200s?

NEWLY LISTED (Your Property Here!)

Great starter home w/ spectacular ocean views & winning curb appeal. Quick 805 access.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,654 Sqft Price: $329,900 Last sold @ 509K

Mint, just-remodeled canyon view townhome in quiet “FoxRun”. 2-car garage, high-ceilings, FPL, backyard.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,562 Sqft Price: $490,000-$530,000

Great starter condo or investment in “Mission Heights” near Qualcomm & 24 Hr Fitness.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 667 Sqft Price: $114,900 Recently appraised @ 174K

Sharp townhome in great neighborhood. Offers 2-car garage, balcony. Walk to canyons.

2 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,068 Sqft Price: $259,900 Last sold @ 430K

Affordable house that needs some TLC. 3BR/1BA w/ garage converted to additional 1BR/1BA.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1,022 Sqft Price: $199,900 Recently appraised @ 334K+

Spacious manufactured home in Warner Springs Estates.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 2,037 Sqft Price: $148,400 Last sold @ 430K

MORE GREAT HOMES & INVESTMENTS (Your Home Here!)

Enjoy desert peace and quiet from this cute house. Ideal home or weekend retreat

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,380 Sqft Price: $127,200! Last sold @ 269K

Huge home on 1.31 acres w/ barn, + 2 additional buildings. 2 kitchens, ideal for 2 families.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 3,601 Sqft Price: $239,900 Last Sold @ 456K

Luxurious 4612 sqft "Tuscan Masterpiece" built on 2006 on .42 acres overlooking Tecolote Canyon. Immense bkyd.

5 Bed, 5.5 Bath 4,612 Sqft Price: Value Range $895,000 to $995,000!

Sunny & bright "Blossom Walk" condo w/ large balcony, granite, upgrades. Near parking.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 581 Sqft Price: $126,900 Last sold @ 273K

Affordable N. Clairemont home w/ 2-car garage. Quick access to 52 freeway.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1,176 Sqft Price: $295,900 Previously appraised @ 441K+

Features 2-car garage, quiet neighborhood. Walk to Clairemont Square shops, dining, movies.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,258 Sqft Price: $370,000! Last sold @ 520K

Gorgeous “Hard Rock” condo-hotel suite in the Gaslamp Quarter. “Rock Royalty” service & full hotel amenities.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 459 Sqft Price: $489,000! Last sold @ 589K

Stunning 10-year-new townhome w/ 2-car garage near Southwestern College.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,369 Sqft Price: $229,900 Last sold @ 356K

Sharp 3-year-new townhome w/ 2-car garage, many extras.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,586 Sqft Price: $250,000! Last sold @ ???

Nice home w/ garage, quick freeway access, more info to follow.

4 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,632 Sqft Price: $249,900 Appraised @ 595K+

2 Detached homes on .58 acres w/ 2 double garages. Ideal for extended family or ???

Home1: 4BR/4BA Home2: 2BR/1BA Price: $319,900 Last Sold @ $600,000

Upgraded home on 5.9 acres in gated, private, peaceful De Luz community.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,970 sqft Price: $260,000 appraised @ apx 655K

Charming older house on .24 acre lot. Needs some TLC.

3 Bed, 2 Bath apx 1,500 sqft Price: $149,900 Last sold @ 230K

9-year-new condo near I-5, UCSD, and Sharp Hospital. Quick freeway access. Great complex.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1,102 Sqft Price: $360,900 Last sold @ $528,500

Affordable home on quiet culdesac w/ 2-car garage.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,258 Sqft Price: $275,000 Last sold @ 450K

Three cashflow units: 3BR, 2BR, + unpermitted studio. Projected rent = $2400/mo.

3 Units Price: $149,500! Last sold @ 400K

Cozy 4BR house ideal as starter or investment. Offers brick FPL, large lot, spacious yard.

4 Bed, 1 Bath 968 sqft Price: $148,900 Last sold for 352K

Three bedroom house on huge 17,100 sqft lot. East of 805, south of E. Plaza.

3 Bed, 1 Bath 1,170sqft Price: $154,900! Appraised @ 378K+

CHEAP 3BR/2BA, 2-story condo. Ideal for first-time buyer or investor. Only $150/mo HOA fee.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,222 Sqft Price: $110K Last sold @ $220,000

Affordable 4BR home, ideal for 1st time buyer or investor. 2-car garage, large yard.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1,180 Sqft Price: $142,000 Last sold @ $280,000

Enormous house on 9200 sqft lot. Ideal for very large family.

6 Bed, 3 Bath 2,203 Sqft Price: $450,000 Prev appraised @ 504K+

Eclectic "Flamingo House" in Pacifica: bonus room w/ bay view, big private bkyd, pool, spa, 3 FPL, more.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 2,290 sqft Price: $900,000!

Pleasing home on quiet street w/ view deck and bonus 600 sqft of patio & exercise rooms.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,824 Sqft Price: $309,900 Last sold @ 465K

Sharp 1-story, ground floor end unit w/ in-unit laundry, FPL, and dual MBR. Quiet complex.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1,086 Sqft Price: $219,000

Stunning 12-year-old home w/ 3-car garage, large yard, 1BR/1BA downstairs.

4 Bed, 3 Bath 2,432 Sqft Price: $589,000! Recently appraised at ???

Private ranch home on 20,000 sqft lot w/ panoramic mountain/hill views, fruit trees, eat-in kitchen.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,464 Sqft Price: $259,900 Last sold @ 425K

Newer high-quality view home on 2.09 acres. Offers pool, 3-car garage, huge yard, orange groves.

4 Bed, 3 Bath 2,602 sqft Price: $529,000!

Giant .7 acre lot w/ cute house built in 1940. Incredible potential. Needs lots of TLC.

2 Bed, 1 Bath 898 sqft Price: $187,300! Last sold @ $472,500

Due to production and shipping expense, free items are available only to residents, owners, and people planning to purchase real estate in San Diego.

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.

Copyright 2009 Gary Kent, All Rights Reserved.