• 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 and welcome back. Remember, if you’re planning to use the Homebuyer Tax Credit, the deadline to have a signed contract is 4/30/10 and to close is 6/30/10.

…Why the $6,500/$8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit is a boondoggle!: Like “cash for clunkers”, only about 1 in 5 homebuyers are buying due to the credit. If you do the math, it’s costing you and me as taxpayers about $35,000 per extra home sold. Does that make sense to you? But the National Association of Realtors (I’m a member) pushed hard for this, as did the House and Senate. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

…This Week’s Crazy Building: “Wooden Gangster House” in Archangelsk, Russia. In case you’re wondering, it’s called the “gangster house” because it was built by a gangster.

…Upcoming seminars:

• Saturday, March 27th, 10am-noon
  “How to Short Sale Your Home or Rental”



• Saturday, April 10th, 10am-noon
  “How to Buy A Foreclosure Or Short Sale In San Diego”



• Saturday, April 24th, 10am-noon
  “How to Sell Your Home For Top Dollar in 2010”

…Follow me on Twitter or become a Facebook Fan.

True Story: The Naked Truth
Years ago a man contacted me who was planning to sell his home. I determined what price he should get, but several days later his home came up for sale with another agent, at a MUCH higher price. Later I was amazed to see it had sold 10% over fair market value. I happened to bump into the man at a seminar two years later and asked him, "I just have to know, how in the world did you get that price?" He smiled and said, "Well, I showed a couple the backyard and commented it was so private you could walk around naked. Their faces lit up and they said 'we're nudists!'...and bought the home immediately for full price!"

Quick Real Estate Tip #32
Are you over-pricing your home because "all it takes is one buyer"? There are millions of homesellers across the U.S. looking for that same "one buyer" too. What if he doesn’t show up?

Top 10 Cities: MONTHLY Price Change- Biggest Drop / Smallest Increase (Nov-Dec 09)
The S&P Case-Schiller Home Price Index Levels look at 20 U.S. cities to find the change in value of residential housing. Here are the 10 cities with the largest price drop from November to December 2009.

% change----- City
-1.6% -----------Chicago
-0.9%------------Dallas
-0.8% -----------Cleveland
-0.8% -----------Denver
-0.7% -----------Atlanta
-0.7% -----------Charlotte
-0.7% -----------New York
-0.7% -----------Seattle
-0.6% -----------Tampa
-0.5% -----------Phoenix

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!
Want to buy a foreclosure, but can’t find a website to search for them? Finally…check out our 100% BRAND-NEW website: www.Foreclosure-Hotlist.com. It’s 2.5 years in the making (OK, so we were a little slow), but it’s well worth it. Let me know what you think.

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 Live Seminar CD: How To Buy A Home In San Diego
Hear three experts share the inside scoop to buying a home. You’ll learn from yours truly, plus our home loan expert and a professional home inspector. Note: this was taped a few years ago in a hot market, but 90% of what’s on the CD should still apply.

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 e-newsletter to a friend. Just 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.

Three different free seminars for you, family, &/or a friend to attend:

“How to Short Sale Your Home or Rental”

“How to Buy a Foreclosure or Short Sale in San Diego”

“How to Sell Your Home For Top Dollar in 2010”

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FREE Seminar
“How To Short Sale Your Home Or Rental”
UTC Mall – Saturday: March 27th 2010, 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?

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FREE Seminar
"HOW TO BUY A FORECLOSURE OR SHORT SALE IN SAN DIEGO"
UTC Mall – Saturday, April 10th, 10am-Noon
Click for Seminar Flyer / Click to Reserve Your Free Seat

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

• - With 12% of U.S. mortgages are behind, is there a new wave of Alt-A, Option ARM, & Prime foreclosures coming?
• - Bailouts, loan “mods”, shadow inventory...what’s really going on?
• - How to beat multiple offers & get the bank to accept YOUR offer
• - When homebuyers can put 3% down and investors 10% down
• - Top San Diego neighborhoods with the best REO deals today
• - How to get banks to pay EVERY PENNY of your closing costs
• - Should you buy before home prices climb out of your reach?
• - Auction tricks, traps, and pitfalls that I swear will shock you
• - How to cut in half the time it takes to close your short sale
• - Seller doesn’t have THIS? Don’t even offer on a short sale
• - Free email access to undervalued & foreclosed properties
• - Short sales...5 things to know before you make an offer
• - The #1 mistake people make when offering on an REO
• - Traps in the small-print that banks make you sign
• - New website where you can find foreclosures
• - The truth about a home that’s a “short sale”
• - How much banks negotiate off their price
• - What to watch out for in an REO
• - Much more

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FREE Seminar
"HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME FOR TOP DOLLAR IN 2010"
UTC Mall – Saturday, April 27th, 10am-Noon
Click for Seminar Flyer / Click to Reserve Your Free Seat

When you attend, you'll discover:

• - Market forecast: What’s you can expect in 2010
• - “Value Range Pricing” explained...can it get you a higher price?
• - How to tell if a broker is honest…or B.S.ing you to sign a listing
• - Find out how much higher your buyer will pay—this only works half the time, but when it does…!
• - This one document can protect you & make your sale smoother …and why 99% of agents don’t use it
• - Price your home to get more offers & more money in less time (it’s the opposite of what people think)
• - The oldest real estate agent trick in the book—don’t be fooled
• - How some agents sabotage their clients & cost them $1,000's
• - Avoid the common trap of paying 3 times for the same repair!
• - 3 likely reasons your sale may fall thru & how to avoid them
• - The truth: why it’s 100% irrelevant which company you hire
• - Creatively turn your home’s biggest drawback into a benefit
• - Sell your home tax-free after 2 years using IRS Code 121
• - 10 Interview questions so you choose the best Realtor
• - How to handle multiple offers so you get the most $$
• - Spend peanuts & boost your home value by $1,000s
• - Should you—and CAN you—sell your home “as is”?
• - How to REALLY know if your buyer is qualified
• - 5 dumb avoidable mistakes sellers make
• - When is the best time to list your home?
• - How to stay out of court & not get sued

"What items are included with a home?"

Answer:
Free-standing appliances (refrigerator, washer, dryer) only go with the home if the seller agrees in the contract. Even if the marketing materials call them “included”, they must be in the contract or you have no right to them. That’s because marketing materials are not part of the contract.

Built-in appliances and attached items go with a home unless the contract excludes them. Attached property includes light fixtures, window coverings, ceiling fans, some satellite dishes, shelves, in-ground plants, etc.

"What repairs are required to sell a home?"

Answer:
By law, your water heater must be correctly strapped and smoke detectors up in all “sleeping areas” (bedrooms or the hall outside). The City of San Diego requires low flow toilets, showerhead, and faucets, but you may “transfer responsibility” to a buyer, who will likely expect a dollar credit.

While not legally required, you'll probably need to provide a pest control clearance, meaning termites, damaged wood, and related items are taken care of.

"Hi Gary. I have 24 apartments in City Heights. They've been a headache lately and I'd like to get out of them into something else. Is it true that you have to buy up to do a 1031 exchange?"

Answer:
Almost. While you do have to buy up to do a full tax deferral, just buying up isn't necessarily going to work. The rule is you have to reinvest all your proceeds (or more) AND have the same size loan (or more) to have a FULL tax deferral.

Two comments on this.

First, due to closing costs, you can actually buy down a little bit. For example, if you sell for $1M but net $930K (before paying off your loan), you can buy for $930K for a full tax deferral provided you move all your cash and have the same size loan.

Second, you can buy down and pay a partial tax. It's not all or nothing. So if you sell for $1,000,000 and net $930,000 and buy for $800,000, you'll pay taxes on the difference (called "boot").

Remember, I'm a real estate broker, not a tax professional. So while I know this topic, there's always something I may miss when I comment on taxes. CONSULT YOUR TAX PROFESSIONAL.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PROPERTY!
	Beautiful Home In Nestor BR/BA: 5/3 Sqft: 2,353 Price: $369,000
– Nestor – Foreclosure! TOP 10 REASONS YOU'LL LOVE THIS HOME: #1- Lush views of hills & mountains! #2- Beautiful 2-story family home in "Ocean Hills" community! #3- Grand living room w/ high ceilings! #4- Quiet street! #5- Upgraded kitchen w/ granite & breakfast area! #6- Entertainer's bkyd w/ cov'd patio, firepit & built-in BBQ set-up! (no BBQ) #7- Family room w/ FPL! #8- 3-car garage! #9- Dual sinks in MBA! #10- No neighbors behind! Contact Me

Coming Soon
(Be first to know when these come available!)

– Bankers Hill / Uptown – Foreclosure! Dramatic 1-level condo w/ great views in prestigious “Brittany Towers” on Laurel. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1866 sqft
Loaned to 820K >>> To be hi 600s?
New– Bay Park – Foreclosure! Nicely upgraded & private home w/ brick FPL, spacious living room. Great location near Mission Bay. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1275 sqft
Last sold @ 575K >>> To be 400s?
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Upgraded condo w/ 1BR downstairs. Ideal first home or cashflow rental. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1296 sqft
Last sold @ 354K >>> To be mid-100s?
– 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! 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?
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! Great starter home w/ garage. Walk to shopping. Contact Me
3BR/1BA, 1018 sqft
Last sold @ 460K >>> To be 300s?
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! West Clairemont next to Bay Ho. Handsome mid-century home w/ big yard and 2-car garage. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1144sqft
Loans to 535K >>> To be 400K?
– Downtown – Foreclosure! 2005-built 1BR condo in Metrome. One block from Petco and two blocks from the Gaslamp. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 703sqft
Last sold @ 411K >>> To be 200K?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Great townhome on culdesac in Meadow Run. Offers 2-car garage, bright kitchen, nice backyard. Contact Me
4BR/2.5BA, 1771 sqft
Recently loaned to 465K >>> To be low 200s?
– Lakeside – Foreclosure! Spacious 2BR view home on 1.14 acres. Needs some fixup. Built 1974. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 1351 sqft
Loaned to 360K >>>To be 200s?
– 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! Affordable 1-story home in urban area, 5 minutes to Petco Park. Great rental or 1st home. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 1011 sqft
Foreclosed at 398K >>> To be high 100s?
– Logan Heights – Foreclosure! Two units on a 7000 sqft lot w/ alley access, just east of downtown. Contact Me
3/1 + 2/1 duplex
Last sold @ 635K >>> To be mid 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
– Oceanside – Foreclosure! 2004-built Summit Village condo. Minutes to beach, pier, & village. Gated + security garage. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1416 sqft
Last sold @ 515K >>> To be high 300s?
– Oceanside – Foreclosure! Luxury end unit townhome w/ attached 2-car garage, vaulted ceilings, many extras. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1837 sqft
Loaned to 427,5K >>> To be very high 200s?
– 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
– San Carlos – Foreclosure! Affordable “Carefree” condo w/ only one common wall. Walk to Mission Trails Park! Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 880 sqft
Last sold @ 253,500 >>> To be 100s?
– University City – Foreclosure! Very affordable 1-level home in prime UC area w/ great schools. Quick 805 & 52 access. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1476 sqft
Loans to 547K >>> Around 500K?
– 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!)

Stunning home: 120K gourmet granite/cherry kitchen w/ huge island, big “great room”, views.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1566 sqft Price: 549K-599K

Gorgeous townhome in gated “Trilogy”. 2-car garage, FPL, granite, travertine, more.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1628 sqft Price: 599,900

Nicely upgraded home with sweeping valley views. Quiet street near SDSU.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1455 sqft Price: $399,000 Last sold @ 520K

1984-built 1-story home w/ 2-car garage. Oversize 7578 sqft lot.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1341 sqft Price: $195,900 Recently loaned to 459K

1975-built 1-level home on .326 acres near Espola Road. Some updating, large yard.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1785 sqft Price: $452,900 Loaned to 565K

Just redone culdesac home w/ new kitchen, new baths, new carpet, new paint, new flooring, new landscaping, more

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1846 sqft Price: $429,000 Previously appraised @ 644K

Santa Fe Hills home backing to San Elijo Lagoon w/ sweeping nature & water views. 3-car garage, more

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1876 sqft Price: $790,000 to $840,000 Previously appraised @ 644K

Private remodel home w/ canyon vu, vaulted ceilings, new a/c & heater, open floorplan, granite, more!

4 Bed, 2 Bath 2053 sqft Price: $649,900

Remodeled townhome w/ new kitchen, new flooring, FPL, garage. Near UCSD and UTC. Dead-end street.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1245 sqft Price: $380,000

MORE GREAT HOMES & INVESTMENTS (Your Home Here!)

Stunning recent-remodel bay view home w/ travertine, granite, MBR suite w/ huge walkin closet & Jacuzzi tub.

4 Bed, 3.5 Bath 2587 sqft Price: $775,000 to $825,000

Upper end “East Bluff” condo overlooking greenbelt. 2-car garage, interior laundry, FPL.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 942 sqft Price: $399,900

Light/bright, well-maintained townhome in quiet complex. Walk to shopping. Quick 805, 163 access.

2 Bed, 1.5 Bath 960 Sqft Price: $239,000

Penthouse unit w/ sweeping city & bay views. Offers extensive patio, stainless steel appliances, more.

1 Bed, 2 Bath 1199 Sqft Price: $675,000 Sold @ $1,550,000

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

1 Bed, 1 Bath 459 Sqft Price: $259,000! Last sold @ 589K

Well-maintained “Olive Hills” home on quiet street. Offers mountain views, sharp kitchen, FPL, big family room.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1,904 Sqft Price: $335,000-$365,000

Spacious 2-story 1984-built home on quiet street. 2-car garage, nice yard.

4 Bed, 3 Bath 2088 sqft Price: $285,000 Recently loaned to 510K

Custom home w/ front courtyard, private & secluded area, pool + covered patio, views!

3 Bed, 3.5 Bath 2317 Sqft Price: $399,900 Last sold @ 663K

Remodeled condo perfect for 1st time buyer, investor, or anyone wanting tiny monthly payment.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 614 sqft Price: $60,000 Last sold @ $100,000

High-end remodeled luxury home w/ spectacular ocean and coastline views! Granite, marble, hardwood bamboo, etc

3 Bed, 2 Bath 2188 Sqft Price: $1.75M

Upgraded bright & sunny corner unit 1-level condo in established complex. Pool & garden view.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 713 sqft Price: $309,900 Loaned to 420K

Spacious 2BR view home on 1.14 acres. Needs some fixup. Built 1974.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1351 sqft Price: Now $220,000 Loaned to 360K

Unique, secluded, woodsy custom home. Fully redone w/ gourmet kitchen, hardwood, more.

7 Bed, 3 Bath 3056 Sqft Price: $649,000

Fully remodeled Crown Point 1-level upper corner condo. Granite, stainless steel appliances, new carpet/paint.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1400 Sqft Price: Now 300K Last sold @ 439K

View condo w/ 2-car garage, walk to beach/bay, quaint 4-unit complex.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 955 Sqft Price: $599,900

Upgraded condo w/ granite, plantation shutters. 60’ to toddler playground.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1218 sqft Price: $274,000 Last sold @ 438K

Over-55 community 1-level condo in security building. Garage, patio.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1016 sqft Price: $199,900 Loaned to 390K

Affordable “Lake Park Villas” townhome. Near Restaurant Row & multiplex.

2 Bed, 1.5 Bath 957 sqft Price: $129,900 Last sold @ $221,500

Lovely home on quiet street w/ pool, FPL, vaulted ceilings, 2-car garage, big backyard, & more.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1483 sqft Price: $385,000!

Brand new 2009 construction, re-built virtually from the ground up. Extreme high quality: granite, etc.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1680 Sqft Price: $368,000

Attractive 1-story 1970s home on quiet street near Vista High. 2-car garage, nice yard.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1400 sqft Price: $225,000 Loaned to $337,500

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 2010 Gary Kent, All Rights Reserved.