• 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

I'm trying something new. Look for my new TV commercial if you have Time Warner Cable and live in central/coastal San Diego. It's on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News weekdays between 4pm and 8pm.

...Who do you know who needs to do a short sale? Have them call me or go to www.ShortSaleYourHomeNow.com for info.

...This Week’s Crazy Building: The Kids' Hill Hut in Stockholm, Sweden. It even has a cave
for the kids to play in.

Fed “Monetizing U.S. Debt”: Low Rates Now, Inflation Later?
Last week the Federal Reserve announced they were doing “QE2,” another round of “quantitative easing,” aka “monetizing the debt.” That’s all fancy language for the Fed printing money and buying U.S. debt. (Fed chairman Ben Bernanke previously testified to Congress that he’d never do that, but that’s another story.) The short-term impact will be lower mortgage rates and other interest rates. However, long term it causes inflation and a devalued dollar. That’s one reason gold has been shooting up in price.

Quick San Diego Real Estate Tip #67~ Buying a home? Make sure your agent knows all about what banks want when selling their foreclosures.

Top 10 U.S. Cities w/ Best (& Worst) Job Markets
In February, Forbes.com looked at the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S. to see which had the best and worst job markets. The criteria they used were unemployment rate (Unemp.) and number of job seekers per opening (JSPO). Here are the cities with the best job markets: (read more)

And the worst ones:

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 can’t match a client in time and someone else scoops it up. (My bank-clients won’t let me buy their properties, or I’d be my best client!)

So I developed my “Preferred 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.

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 great real estate values, call us at (858)457-KENT or email us at PCG@GaryKent.com.

Check Out Our Foreclosure Hot-List!
Looking for a deal? 50+ of my REO (foreclosure) properties have discounts of 10% to a whopping 52% from their previous values. Click on www.Foreclosure-Hotlist.com to check out my brand-new Foreclosure HotList 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 Home
To search for a home right now, click here: Free MLS Homesearch.

This Week's Free Offer:
Sell Your Home Faster & Easier With My “Coming Soon” Program

Would you like to sell your home quicker and easier…perhaps even BEFORE you ever put it on the market? Then you might like my special “Coming Soon” Program where I work to find a buyer for your home before you put it on the market. Call me for more info: (858)457-KENT...that's 858-457-5368.

Send This Free Newsletter To A Friend
Do you find my newsletter useful? Forward this email to a friend or tell them to subscribe at www.garykentteam.com.

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

FREE Seminar Coming in 2011 - Back by Popular Demand:
"BUYING A DUPLEX/TRIPLEX/FOURPLEX AS A HOME OR INVESTMENT"
UTC Mall - 2011: Date/Time TBA
Click to Reserve Your Seats - We’ll contact you when we know the time and date. Remember to check your inbox and the website regularly for updates.

I’ve closed on three fourplexes and am buying another. Discover step-by-step exactly what I’m doing right now to find the ideal properties and get the best possible deal. You’ll be amazed how simple it is.

Whether you’re looking for a home with rent income to help pay the mortgage or a straight cashflow investment, investing in “2-4 units” may be the smartest move you can make.

I’ll share my experience as a real estate investor and broker for 26 years. And lender Robert Geiler and a property manager will share all you need to know about loans and property management.

When you attend, you'll discover:

• Why I'm buying right now...& why I'm buying 2-4 unit properties
• Why this may be the best S.D. cash flow opportunity in decades
• Which neighborhoods have 2-4 unit properties and which don't?
• Simple step-by-step plan to buy your dream 2-4 unit in 90 days
• How to determine the quality of neighborhood you should buy in
• Foreclosures are HOT. How to get the bank to accept YOUR offer
• How to get the seller to pay EVERY PENNY of your closing costs
• Smart ways to add value and boost rents to multiply your profit
• 9 ways to make your offer more attractive & beat other offers
• How much down payment you'll need-you may be surprised!
• 2 common reasons purchases fall thru...& how to avoid them
• Discover my "daytime/nighttime" rule to buying properties
• What you need to know to get the best loan on a 2-4 unit
• Why 2-4 units are superior to single family or apartments
• Basics to quickly & easily understand income & expenses
• How loans for 2-4 units differ from house/condo loans
• Absurdly easy, quick & dirty way I screen properties
  
• 5 ways real estate investing makes you money
• Free access to deals & foreclosed properties
• What's the best loan for buying 2-4 units?
• Simple, long-term investment strategies
• 3 questions to find a seller's bottom line
• Easy-to-read how-to book for landlords
• Please bring your questions!

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FREE Seminar Coming in 2011 - Back by Popular Demand:
"HOMESELLING 101: For 1st-Time Sellers Or Anyone Needing A Quick Refresher…"
Pricing Your Home Correctly - Tips/Traps - Staging
UTC Mall - 2011: Date/Time TBA
Click to Reserve Your Seats - We’ll contact you when we know the time and date. Remember to check your inbox and the website regularly for updates.

I’ll share my strategies that sell clients’ homes faster and for more money. You’ll learn my 7 steps to sell your home for the highest price, in the shortest time, with the least hassle and legal risk. Plus a professional home stager explains smart, easy, inexpensive ways to make your home “show ready” and sell for top dollar.

You'll discover:

• Market Forecast: What to expect the next 6 months
• How to correctly price your home and get top $$ in 30 days
• What are the costs to sell your home? Which are negotiable?
• This document gives you the upper hand, but few agents use it
• Boost your home value: profitable fix-ups vs. big money-losers
• How long it takes to sell your home + when you have to move
• Best time to put your home on the market-you’ll be surprised
• “Value Range Pricing” explained: nonsense or smart strategy?
• How some agents sabotage their sellers & cost them $1,000s
• Tell if an agent is honest or conning you into signing a listing
• How to attract and negotiate multiple offers to get top dollar
• 10 best interview questions to choose the right Realtor®- How to find out your home value...is it on the internet?
• A simple way to find out what price your buyer will pay
• Harnessing the power of the internet to sell your home
• Should you have your home professionally “staged”?
• Sell your home 100% tax-free using IRS Code 121
• How to REALLY know if your buyer is qualified
• The TRUTH: Why Realtors overprice homes
• How to stay out of court & not get sued
• Should you-and CAN you-sell “as is”?
• Options for distressed homesellers
• Will open houses sell your home?
• Should you take the first offer?

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FREE Seminar Coming in 2011 - Back by Popular Demand!:
"HOMEBUYING 101: For 1st-Time Buyers Or Anyone Needing A Refresher…"
Tips/Traps ? Special Loan Programs ? Foreclosures ? Short Sales ? Your Home Inspection ? How Credit Scores Work ? More
UTC Mall - 2011: Date/Time TBA
Click to Reserve Your Free Seat - We’ll contact you when we know the time and date. Remember to check your inbox and the website regularly for updates.

There’s SO much you need to know about buying a home, be it your 1st or 10th. So either educate yourself or depend on luck and the goodwill of strangers. Learn, or be in the dark: “I don’t understand-I hope it works out for me.” If you’ve bought a car from a dealer, it’s that same vulnerable, confused feeling...

Wouldn’t you rather know what real estate insiders and savvy investors know and use every day? Now you can hear from four experts free: 26-year Realtor Gary Kent, loan expert Robert Geiler, “Mr. Credit” Derrick Evens, and home inspector Richard Zack.

When you attend, you'll discover:

• What you can buy for 200/300/400/500K in S.D. neighborhoods
• I’m buying now-learn my easy 5-step system to find good deals
• How to get the seller to pay EVERY PENNY of your closing costs
• What home inspectors DO & DON'T inspect-you’ll be surprised!
• How to raise your FICO 40 points & help get your offer accepted
• Short sales: nightmare or opportunity? Which are easy to buy
• “Closing costs”...what it costs you out of pocket to buy a home
• 9 ways to make your offer more attractive & beat other offers
• Simple step-by-step plan to buy your dream home in 90 days
• What should you do if you’re NOT finding your dream home?
• Hidden home defects that cost you a BUNDLE in repair bills
• What you need to know before you buy a bank foreclosure
• Get pre-qualified FREE, on the spot w/ a free credit report
• Find out your price range, payments, & down payment
• #1 dumb mistake when making an offer
• Free access to deals & foreclosed homes
• Understand & improve your FICO score
• Why you should buy an UGLY home…?
• How to avoid OVERpaying for a home
• The 3 best, most popular home loans
• CRITICAL pros & cons of condos
• How much should you offer?

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"We’re trying to buy our first home, but just can’t find anything we can afford in a safe area. Any ideas?"

Answer:

Here are a few ideas for you:

1. Buy a small, basic, inexpensive condo in an ugly complex

2. Buy a duplex with friend or family, each living on one side

3. Buy a duplex with friend or family who wouldn't live there

4. Buy a duplex on your own and rent out the other side

5. Buy a mobile home

6. Talk with a smart lender to see if it would help to restructure your finances, such as by selling a car with a high payment or consolidating other debt.

"I could have sold my home in 2005 for $600,000, but now it’s only worth $475,000. I don’t want to take such a big loss."

Answer:

(Question from reader who paid $290,000 for his home in 1998.)

You need to have a short memory.

What you could have gotten was an unrealized number that existed for a moment in time. You can’t let that “fantasy” figure drive your decision now.

You should do whatever is best for you given your goals, circumstances, and your current
home value.

That may mean keeping your home. It may mean selling it.

By the way, you can’t say you lost money if you can sell your home for $185,000 more than you paid for it.

"I have been receiving your newsletter via email for some time, and have received some really good information, very informative – Thank you. I was approved for a modification and they’re asking me to sign something agreeing that MERS has all rights to foreclose, etc. I want to ensure I am not signing my life away if I agree to this."

Answer:

(MERS stands for “Mortgage Electronic Registration System” and is a company that operates an electronic registry to track servicing and ownership of U.S. mortgages.)

Thanks for your email. Yours is a legal question, so I suggest you consult with an attorney.
Nevertheless, I'll offer you my opinion.

MERS is most likely 100% legal, as I believe are foreclosures involving MERS. It is unlikely that the scores of highly paid attorneys hired by banks and investors would create MERS without being sure it could legally do what they intended.

If somehow they did miss a technicality that invalidated the ability of MERS to collect mortgage payments or to foreclose, the government would surely enact a law to "fix" the technicality. To not do so would allow most homeowners, to stop paying their mortgage without penalty. And this would be catastrophic to the financial system and likely cause our economy to collapse.

The bottom line is I believe that MERS foreclosures are or at least will be legal.

So if I were you I'd sign and take the loan modification asap.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PROPERTY!
	Desirable "Cape La Jolla" top floor condo w/ 2-car garage! 4BR / 3.5BA Sqft: 2587 Price: $735,000 - $770,000 - Property Features - This lovely & spacious unit has lots of natural light w/ skylights & vaulted ceilings throughout, marble entry, community w/ lush gardens & waterfalls, eat-in kitchen, huge master bath w/ oval tub & separate shower, plantation shutters, dual-pane sliders, fireplace, wired for internet & AC! Close to UCSD & LJ beaches, walk to Trader Joes shopping center & AMC Theater! View Details

Coming Soon - Hot New Properties
(Be first to know when these come available!)

- Bay Ho - Foreclosure! 1-level bay view home on quiet street in upscale area. Offers 2-car garage, family room, FPL. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1912 sqft
Loaned to 745K >>> To be 600s?
- Chula Vista - Foreclosure! Cute home on oversize 9147 sqft lot. Offers dual-pane vinyl windows, 2-car garage, more. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 772 sqft
Last sold @ 333K >>> To be high 100s?
- Chula Vista - Foreclosure! Twinhome: feels like a house, priced like a condo. FPL, 1-car garage, dual-pane windows. Contact Me
2BR/1.5BA, 897 sqft
Last sold @ 255K >>> To be high 100s?
- Chula Vista - Foreclosure! Great 1-story house w/ large yard, sunny eat-in kitchen, spacious bedrooms, FPL, 2-car garage. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 963 sqft
Last sold @ 468K >>> To be 200s?
- Chula Vista / Eastlake - Foreclosure! Handsome 5-year-new detached home w/ 2-car garage. Short hop to 125 freeway. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1559 sqft
Loaned to 517K >>> To be low 300s?
- Clairemont - Short sale! Cute, affordable 1-level ground floor condo. Ideal for first time buyer or investor. Big living room. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 909 sqft
Last sold @ $292,500 >>> Now $135,000
- Encanto - Foreclosure! 1987-built "Meadowbrook Village" townhome w/ 2-car attached garage, private patio, low HOAs. Contact Me
3BR/2.5BA, 1450 sqft
Last sold @ 322K >>> To be high 100s?
- La Jolla - Foreclosure! Stunning condo w/ dual MBR, central a/c, walk-in closets. Gated community near UTC. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 1102 sqft
Last sold @ 565K >>> To be 400K?
- La Jolla - Foreclosure! Classic, fully renovated building a short stroll to ocean. Granite, travertine, wood flrs, crown molding. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 1088 sqft
Last sold @ 725K >>> To be low 600s?
- Lakeside - Foreclosure! Two duplexes on one property, total four units 600 sqft each. Great rental area. Contact Me
4 2BR Units
Last sold @ 685K >>> To be low 300s?
- Lemon Grove - Foreclosure! Updated mid-century home w/ FPL, a/c, newer windows, remodeled baths, hardwood floors. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1532 sqft
Last sold @ 455K >>> To be low 200s?
- Lemon Grove - Foreclosure! Cute home on oversize lot w/ garage, big yard, more. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 768 sqft
Loaned to 366K >>> To be low 200s?
- Pacific Beach - Foreclosure! Cute "Pacific Shores" condo in security building 2 blocks to the beach. Remodeled. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 642 sqft
>>> To be mid 200s?
- San Carlos - Foreclosure! Remodeled, expanded home in great neighborhood. Double-pane windows, 2-car garage, more. Contact Me
5BR/3.5BA, 2438 sqft
Loaned to 687K >>> To be 500s?
- Santee - Foreclosure! Handsome, 1971-built, 5BR home w/ dual-pane windows, a/c, more. Walk to Woodglen Vista Park. Contact Me
5BR/2BA, 1638 sqft
Loaned to 550K >>> To be 300s?
- Serra Mesa - Foreclosure! Large home in quiet neighborhood. More info to follow. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1620 sqft
Loaned to 429K >>> To be 300s?
- Vista - Foreclosure! 2-story mountain view home on large lot, sparkling pool, 2-car garage. Contact Me
3BR/1.5BA, 2424 sqft
Last sold @ $600,000 >>> Price Mid 300s?

NEWLY LISTED (Your Home or Property Here!)

Very affordable, fully remodeled Oak Park condo w/ low HOA fees, a/c, private patio, large bedroom, more.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 576 sqft Price: $65,000

MORE GREAT HOMES & INVESTMENTS (Your Home Here!)

Stunning 220K remodel home w/ spacious MBR view suite, granite, travertine, hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen.

4 Bed, 3.5 Bath 2587 sqft Price: $735,000 to $770,000

Sharp "Cambria" townhome w/ 2-car garage, community pool.

2 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1203 sqft Price: $499,900 Last sold @ 528K

Beautiful 90's built former "Stone Canyon" model w/ 2-car garage. Great school district!

4 Bed, 2.5 Bath 2080 sqft Price: $629,900 Loaned to 678K

Lovely home w/ wood floors, updated baths, newer kitchen, sunken family room, huge bkyard.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1530 sqft Price: $249,900 Loaned to 470K

Prestigious Parkwest home across from park w/ tennis, basketball, playground. Walk to movies, shopping.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1553 sqft Price: $479,000

Build your dream home on this .45 acre canyon lot w/ bay view. Near $1M homes, Bay Park, Bay Ho.

19,732 sqft lot Price: $499,000

Canyon home on quiet street. Offers upgraded kitchen, large backyard. Needs some TLC.

3 Bed, 1 Bath 1044 sqft Price: $399,000

Nice home on a full lot in quiet neighborhood. More info to follow.

3 Bed, 1 Bath 1514 sqft Price: $235,000 Loaned to 544K

Spacious top-floor condo w/ 2-car garage, lots of natural light, huge MBA w/ oval tub, lush view w/ waterfall.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1513 sqft Price: $470,000

Private, quiet, recently remodel in premium location w/ panoramic parklike views! Granite kitchen & baths.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 691 sqft Price: $249,900 Last sold @ $335,000

Cute 1BR condo in "2510 La Jolla Estates", 5-10 minute walk to La Jolla Shores beach. Big balcony.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 751 sqft Price: $239,900 Last sold @ 350K

Remodeled home with immense backyard. Offers granite kitchen, large bedrooms, updated bath, much more!

2 Bed, 1 Bath 828 sqft Price: $259,000 to $289,000

1971-built 1-level home on large 7000 sqft lot w/ 2-car garage.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1174 sqft Price: $269,900 Loaned to 328K

Exquisite, new luxury La Playa rebuild/remodel, incredible downtown/Coronado/Mexico views, .25 acres.

5 Bed, 4.5 Bath 4000 sqft Price: $2.399M to 2.699M

Spacious, newly updated house in quiet area. Access to pool, tennis, great schools!

4 Bed, 3 Bath 2251 sqft Price: $488,900 Last sold @ 570K

Large top-of-the-hill home: culdesac, large rooms, big yard, RV parking, guest suite/office, FPL, more.

4 Bed, 3 Bath 2543 sqft Price: $645,000 - $685,000

Spacious & private "Wateridge" end unit townhome. 11 years new w/ 2-car garage.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1553 sqft Price: $429,900 Last sold @ 565K

Fixer house ready to be rebuilt. Have plans, permits, & fees paid. Ideal for contractor or fix/flip investor.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 1680 sqft Price: $189,000

70's-built home on oversize culdesac lot. Offers 2-car garage, big yard, good neighborhood.

3 Bed, 1 Bath 1404 sqft Price: $299,900 Loaned to 324K

Cute condo in gated complex: FPL, big BRs, new appliances, paint, hdwd floors. Stacked wshr/dryr.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 630 sqft Price: $169,000 to $199,000

Thank you Joe R. for referring a friend to sell his home...
Thank you Ben S. for referring your son to sell his home...

Have a great week,

GARY KENT "The Agent You See EVERYWHERE"
All-Time #1 Agent/Team In San Diego County for RE/MAX
26 Years Experience -- 4,000+ Homes Sold

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.