• 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
Hello again and thanks for reading. If you haven’t done so, please sign up for my two free upcoming seminars if they interest you.

…You think the U.S. has a bit of a debt problem? Then sit down, take a deep breath, and click on http://usdebtclock.org/. Try not to fall out of your chair or make plans to move to another country. It’s pretty scary.

…How would you like to have your home foreclose on…BY MISTAKE. That’s exactly what happened to one woman who was current on her mortgage.

…Follow me on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

Quick Real Estate Tip #4
Buying with FHA financing? Be ready to write 10-25 offers before you land a home. Sellers prefer conventional financing or cash because FHA appraisers often come in low and require repairs.

Top 10 States With The Lowest Cost Of Living
The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center averaged the indices of six categories: groceries, health care, housing, transportation, utilities, and “miscellaneous”. Here’s their list, with a baseline average of 100:

1.--- 88.1 ---Tennessee
2.--- 88.8--- Oklahoma
3.--- 89.4--- Arkansas
4.--- 90.1--- Nebraska
5.--- 90.9--- Georgia
6.--- 90.9--- Texas
7. ---91.0--- Missouri
8.--- 91.4--- Kentucky
9.--- 91.7--- Alabama
10. --92.2-- Kansas

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…

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? Many of my REO (foreclosure) properties have discounts of 10% to a whopping 49% from their previous values. Click on 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:
5 Hours Of Free Handyman Repairs
List your home or rental with me by September 15th and I’ll pay for my handyman to do 5 hours of free repairs, painting, hauling… whatever you need. You pay materials and must mention this prior to listing. To take me up on this offer, 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
“How To Short Sale Your Home Or Rental”
UTC Mall – Saturday, Sept 26th, 10AM-Noon
Click for Seminar Flyer / Click to Reserve Your Free Seat

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

• Short sales, clearly & simply explained!
• Are YOU likely to qualify for a short sale?
• Can you really do short sale with -0- out of YOUR pocket?
• How long short sales take...& how to cut the time in HALF**
• Tax impacts of short sale vs. foreclosure (verify w/ your CPA!)
• The document your attorney must read closely to avoid problems
• Your 7 options if you owe too much. Most agents only tell you 3.
• Which “hardships” qualify you for a short sale? Which don’t?
• The specific clause you need in your contract with the buyer
• Do you need to be CURRENT on HOA dues? Property taxes?
• Do you need to be BEHIND on your mortgage payments?
• If an agent does THIS, they likely don’t know short sales
• 5 reasons a short sale is usually better than foreclosure
• THE most important thing to have to do a short sale
• Impact & how long is a short sale be on your credit?
• How soon can you buy a home after a short sale?
• Will a short sale delay or prevent foreclosure?
• Can your lender go after you for their loss?
• Should you spend $ to fix up your home?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FREE Seminar
"How To Buy A Foreclosure In San Diego"
UTC Mall – Saturday, October 24th, 10AM-Noon
Click for Seminar Flyer / Click to Reserve Your Free Seat

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

• Are San Diego prices rising?
• Should you buy before home prices climb out of your reach?
• With 12% of U.S. mortgages are behind, is there a new wave of Alt-A, Option ARM, & Prime foreclosures coming?
• When Homebuyers can put 3% down and investors 10% down
• Bailouts, loan “mods”, moratoriums...what’s REALLY going on?
• 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 truth about a home that’s a “short sale”
• What to watch out for in an REO
• Much more

"I just looked at a house with a cracked slab. My friend tells me not to buy it, but it’s a beautiful home and priced right. What do you think?"

Answer:
There are two kinds of cracked slabs.

First, there are those that are a problem and damage a home. Minor fixes can run in the low four figures, say to fill a crack to prevent moisture intrusion. Or it can run in the tens or hundreds of thousands to repair a significant and perhaps unstable and still moving structural problem.

Or, there are those that are basically a cosmetic crack, often occurring when the newly poured cement slab dries. I’ve heard that 99% of slabs have such cracks. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t sweat it.

To know which one you’re dealing with, have an engineer inspect the home. Such inspections start at $500 for a visual inspection.

"Our home is for sale. We’ve had 30 showings in 5 weeks and just one offer at the bottom of our range, which we refused. What do you make of that?"

Answer:
The National Association of Realtors reports that a home priced correctly should receive one offer for every 10 showings, on average.

Based on that and my own experience, you probably need to lower your price. You might even want to track down the person who made the offer and see if they still want to buy it.

Good luck.

"We have our rental house managed and the contract is up soon. The manager takes an 8% fee, so we’re thinking about managing the property ourselves. What would you do?"

Answer:
We’re different people.

I’m not a good property manager, so I’d prefer to hire a professional to take care of it. In the long run, because they’d do a better job for me, they’ll probably not really cost me anything.

But if you live near the home and are familiar with property management, you might want to give it a try on your own.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PROPERTY!
	Beautiful Home In Chula Vista BR/BA: 5/2.5 Sqft: 2,138 Price: $350,000
– Chula Vista – Brand New carpet & paint throughout! NOT REO and NOT Short Sale! Get answer in 24 hours! Beautiful 5BR 2-story home across from lovely park! Offers 2-car garage, family room w/ FPL & "wood" laminate flooring, spacious kitchen w/ cooking island & ceramic tile counters, high ceilings in living room, MBA w/ dual sinks, separate shower and tub, covered patio & more! 4BR upstairs & 1BR down. Contact Me

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

New– Carmel Valley – Foreclosure! Upper end “East Bluff” condo overlooking greenbelt. 2-car garage, interior laundry, FPL. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 942 sqft
Loaned to 390K >>> To be 200s?
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Cute house w/ hardwood floors, 2-car garage, nice yard, in great Hilltop neighborhood. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1444 sqft
Last sold @ 516K >>> To be low/mid 200s?
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Cute single-level home with pool. Great starter home. Contact Me
3BR/1BA, 1536 sqft
Recently appraised @ 510K >>> Price TBD
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Gorgeous Otay Ranch home with mountain views. Entertainer’s backyard, stunning kitchen. Contact Me
4BR/3BA, 2462 sqft
Last sold @ 593K >>> Price TBD
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Enjoy southerly views, designer pool/spa, & more from this spacious 2-story home. Contact Me
4BR/2.5BA, 2394 sqft
Last sold @ 665K >>> To be 400s?
– 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 – 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?
– Downtown – Foreclosure! Beautiful & spacious 1BR “Treo” condo built in 2003. Gas FPL, washer/dryer in unit, more. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 707 sqft
Recently appraised apx 423K+ >>> To be low 200s.
– Downtown – Foreclosure! Enjoy downtown living at “Symphony Terrace”. Complex has pool/spa, fitness, sauna. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 673 sqft
Last sold @ 292K >>> Price TBD 8th St.
– Downtown – Foreclosure! "Palermo" studio/1BR loft w/ private patio. Complex has pool/spa, fitness, business ctr. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 860 sqft
Last sold @ 354K >>> Very low 200s?
– East San Diego– Foreclosure! Charming craftsman home w/ addition, huge master suite, updated kitchen, private backyard. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1568 sqft
Last sold @ 500K >>> Price TBD
– Eastlake Area – Foreclosure! Spacious newer home w/ panoramic Otay Lake & mtn view, granite, hardwood, 3-car garage. Contact Me
5BR/3BA, 2578 sqft
Last sold @ 725K >>> To be 400s?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Spacious 2-story 1984-built home on quiet street. 2-car garage, nice yard. Contact Me
4BR/3BA, 2088 sqft
Recently loaned to 510K >>> To be high 200s?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Light & bright 1-story w/ FPL, bay window, 2-car garage, large 1/4-acre lot. Built 1980. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1438 sqft
Recently appraised @ 325K? >>> To be 200K?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Remodeled home w/ city views, 2-car garage, more. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1247sqft
Last sold @ 358K >>> To be 200s?
– Escondido – Foreclosure! Fantastic custom home w/ front courtyard, private & secluded area, pool + covered patio, views! Contact Me
3BR/3.5BA, 2317 sqft
Last sold @ 663K >>> To be 400s?
– La Jolla – Foreclosure! Breathtaking ocean views from this one-level oceanfront condo @ 333 Coast Bl. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 1342 sqft
Last sold @ 915K >>> To be 700s/800s?
– La Jolla – Foreclosure! Delightful single-level home, sweeping ocean views from most rooms, large lot. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 2107 sqft
Previously appraised @ 1.44M >>> Price TBD
– 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?
– Mission Hills – Foreclosure! Modern yet quaint 1923-built home on a quiet lush canyon. Many upgrades, hdwd floors, FPL. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 1848 sqft
Loaned to over $1M >>> To be in 800s?
– Mission Valley – Foreclosure! Upgraded condo in desirable “River Colony” in the heart of Mission Valley. Community pool/spa, fitness center, patio balcony, cozy fireplace. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 977 sqft
Last sold @ 395K >>> To be in 200s?
– Nestor – Foreclosure! Ranch-style home w/ 2-car garage, fireplace, good-size backyard. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1152 sqft
Last sold @ 395K >>> Price TBD
– Nestor – Foreclosure! Gorgeous 2-story “Ocean Hills” home w/ views, 3-car garage, vaulted ceilings. Contact Me
5BR/2.5BA, 2353 sqft
Last sold @ 585K >>> Price TBD
– Ocean Beach – Foreclosure! Beach cottage w/ 2-car garage, partial ocean view, small yard, quiet street. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 758 sqft
Recent appraisal 644K+ >>> To be low 400s?
– Oceanside – Foreclosure! Single-level family home w/ 2-car garage, open floorplan, remodeled kitchen, A/C. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1460 sqft
Previously appraised @ 285K >>> To be low 200s?
– Pacific Beach – Foreclosure! Mission Beach view condo w/ 2-car garage, walk to beach/bay, quaint 4-unit complex. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 955 sqft
Last sold @ 420,862 >>> Price TBD
– Pacific Beach – Foreclosure! Beach house w/ private backyard, California room, 2-car garage. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 1400 sqft
Last sold @ 700K >>> To be high 500s?
– Paradise Hills – Foreclosure! Cute townhome in “Bay Terraces”. Open floorplan, 1-car garage, laundry. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 840 sqft
Previously valued @ 281K >>> To be high 100s?
– Rancho Bernardo – Foreclosure! Sharp house on culdesac w/ red tile roof, 8494 sqft lot, big yard, views, a/c. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1727 sqft
Last sold @ $575,000>>> To be low 400s?
– Rancho Bernardo – Foreclosure! Handsome 2-story home in Chateau Bernardo. Breathtaking panoramic views, 3-car garage. Contact Me
5BR/3BA, 3179 sqft
Last sold @ $789,000 >>> Price TBD
New– Rancho Penasquitos – Foreclosure! 1983-built 1-level home in Trailwood w/ tile roof, a/c, covered patio. Near park. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1571 sqft
Appraised @ 525K+ >>> To be mid 400s?
– San Marcos – Foreclosure! Affordable "Lake Park Villas" townhome. Near Restaurant Row & multiplex. Contact Me
2BR/1.5BA, 957 sqft
Last sold @ $221,500 >>> To be very low 100s?
– San Marcos – Foreclosure! 6-year-new home near Cal State San Marcos. More info to follow. Contact Me
4BR/3BA, 2358 sqft
Last sold @ 615K >>> To be low 400s?
New– Spring Valley – Foreclosure! Great 1st-time home or rental w/ garage, a/c, mountain view from backyard. Contact Me
3BR/1BA, 1020 sqft
Last sold @ 312K >>> To be 200K?
– Spring Valley – Foreclosure! Large home on private culdesac w/ open view, oversize backyard, 2-car garage. Contact Me
5BR/3BA, 2115 sqft
Recently appraised apx 650K >>> To be 300s.
New– University City – Foreclosure! Beautiful, open & bright condo w/ many new upgrades. Walk to shopping, bus, banks, etc. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 692 sqft
Last sold @ 293K >>> To be 100s?
– Vista – Foreclosure! 2-story mountain view home on large lot. pool. Sparkling pool, 2-car garage. Contact Me
3BR/1.5BA, 2424 sqft
Last sold @ $600,000 >>> Price TBD

NEWLY LISTED (Your Property Here!)

Panoramic, unobstructable views of bay, ocean, sunset, fireworks, nightlights. 2-story w/ RV garage.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 2,223 Sqft Price: $785,000!

7-yr-new 2-story house across from huge park w/ playground. New paint & flooring.

4 Bed, 2.5 Bath 2138 Sqft Price: $350,000! Last sold @ 640K

Spectacular home on .98 acres w/ FPL, travertine, hardwood, granite. Panoramic mountain views.

4-5 Bed, 2 Bath 3,046 Sqft Price: $419,900 Last sold @ $690,000

Mint, upgraded 2005-built top-floor “Lido” condo in security building, inside laundry, more.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,538 Sqft Price: $475,000 Last sold @ 707K

2BR+loft condo w/ 2-car garage, mountain views, FPL, in “Provencal” gated community.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1,322 Sqft Price: $329,900 Last sold @ $475,000

Single-level home on .5 acre lot! 1000sqft detached workshop, huge covered patio.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1,644 Sqft Price: $387,000 Last sold @ $502,500

Immaculate, sunny canyon-view home—shows like a model! 3-yr-nu kitchen w/ granite & maple. FPL, a/c.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 2,038 Sqft Price: $599,000 - $640,000!

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: $110,000! Last sold @ 269K

Ugly fixer-upper 4BR/2BA house needs lots of help. No garage, large lot. May require cash only.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1635 Sqft Price: $302,400 Last appraised @ 489K+

Upgraded home w/ expanded maple/ granite/ stainless kitchen, hdwd floors, a/c, large rooms, quiet str.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1445 Sqft Price: $395,000 to $430,000

Enjoy panoramic views from this cared-for 1-story home. Upscale neighborhood of high end custom homes.

2 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,983 Sqft Price: $999,000 to $1,299,000

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 5-year-new fully-upgraded Esplanade/Spectrum townhome w/ 2-car garage.

4 Bed, 3.5 Bath 1675 Sqft Price: $379,900 Last sold @ 587K

2-story family home in “Miller Ranch” community, 2-car garage.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1615 Sqft Price: $285,000 Previously appraised @ 467,500

Lovely home w/ upgraded kitchen & baths, new paint, a/c, large yard, near community pool. Short Sale.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1179 Sqft Price: $375,000

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: $850,000 to $900,000!

Great starter home w/ 2-car garage on spacious 9000 sqft lot. 2-car garage, big yard.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,099 Sqft Price: $319,900 Last sold @ $430,000

Mid-century 1-level home w/ back-country views, 10 minutes to I-5, 3 acres, great street.

5 Bed, 4.5 Bath 3,375 Sqft Price: 1.55M-1.75M

Upstairs condo w/ shared garage, patio balcony, end-unit, great starter home.

2 Bed, 1 Bath 882 Sqft Price: $84,900! Last sold @ $140,000

Spacious manufactured home in Warner Springs Estates.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 2,037 Sqft Price: $89,900 Last sold @ 430K

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.