Buying a Condo? Don't Forget Insurance - 02/27/10 12:24 AM
While insurance isn't the most glamorous topics, it's a vital part of home ownership. 
Generally, when buying a condo or townhome, your HOA dues pay for a master insurance policy to cover the structure.  You, or the interior of your condo, isn't covered under the master policy, so if your home is burglarized, damaged by fire/flood, or if someone hurts themselves inside your home, you have no insurance protection.  

To protect yourself you can purchase a special policy, called an "HO-6" policy.  This type of policy will generally cover you in case someone gets hurt, your condo is damaged … (4 comments)

7 Truths About Buying a Short Sale - 02/25/10 10:12 PM
With so many short sales on the market it's hard to ignore them. A short sale is where the seller owes more on the home loan than he can sell it for.  So, he'll come up "short" on paying back the full loan amount.  If the seller has cash to make up the difference he can pay the short fall.  If not then he will need to pursue a short sale, where the bank agrees to take less than the amount owed. This presents problems for the seller and buyer because both are at the mercy of the bank's decision whether to allow the … (6 comments)

Um...I Changed My Mind...Sorry - 02/23/10 12:00 AM
"I've Changed My Mind."  
On Friday at 3:00 pm I put a new home listing on the San Diego market.  By Sunday, we had multiple offers and were over asking price.  Out of the offers, two were particularly strong and the sellers accepted one of them. Before letting the other agents know, I confirmed with the buyers' agent to make sure they wanted the home (yes, they did and even visited the home a second time and "loved" it).  
This morning the buyers' agent let me know that the buyers had "changed their mind."  
While I understand buyers canceling escrow for … (5 comments)

Don't Get Caught Running a Red Light in San Diego - 02/21/10 12:21 AM
Run a red light in San Diego and a camera may catch you. 
State law allows cameras to be set up at different intersections, and if you run a red light you'll get a ticket.  When you run a red light at an intersection with a camera, it takes several pictures of the driver committing the violation. If you're the car's registered owner you'll get a ticket, with a minimum of a $426 fine.
Because drivers who run red lights contribute to accidents, the law was designed to help reduce the number of accidents. According to the City of San Diego, studies … (7 comments)

Knock Knock! It's Your Neighbor! - 02/17/10 11:52 PM
I was staging a home that I am selling in San Diego when I heard a knock on the door.  I opened it and a neighbor, sensing that I was a Realtor, asked if the home was being sold.  He asked for my business card because he had a friend who wanted to live in the neighborhood and may be interested. About a half hour later I got a call from the neighbor's friend's Realtor asking me about the home and when they could see it.  
Many sellers believe that "Just Listed" cards or other marketing to the neighborhood only benefits … (7 comments)

Lower Your Mortgage Debt Quicker Yourself - 02/14/10 11:53 PM
If you have a mortgage your lender has probably offered you enrollment in its biweekly mortgage payment program. When you enroll, you pay set up fees and then make payments every other week.  Over time, making payments this way decreases the principal quicker than paying the mortgage amount each month.  Instead of making 12 payments per year, you'll make 26 payments. In effect this equals making one extra month's mortgage payment each year, which is how the principal debt is decreased.
Instead of enrolling in a special service and paying fees you can easily do this yourself.  Here's how.  First, divide … (5 comments)

What's in YOUR San Diego Neighborhood? - 02/13/10 11:35 PM
With more people becoming more energy efficient, health conscious, and fiscally conservative, being able to walk to stores, coffee shops and entertainment has become a priority in buying a home.  One tool to help you decide whether a home has "walkability" is WalkScore. 
The website reports the walkability of a home's particular neighborhood, on a scale of 1-100.  It factors in roads, accessibility, schools, restaurants, entertainment, parks, and more.   It provides interesting and helpful information and is easy to use. It is a great tool when buying a home or if marketing your home for sale. 
However, like any tool that … (0 comments)

Solana Beach's Fun & Funky Cedros Avenue Design District - 02/10/10 07:43 PM
While showing an out of town client different areas and homes in San Diego, we decided to stop for lunch in Solana Beach.  If you haven't been to Solana Beach lately, make sure to visit the Cedros Avenue Design District, located at Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach.  It's a cool, modern, and fun street filled with the popular Belly Up Tavern, a couple restaurants, spas, art galleries, antique stores, a pet boutique, and many other great businesses. 
   
There are over 85 shops and businesses worth visiting along Cedros Avenue.  Special events include a  farmer's market and 3rd Thursday. The farmer's market is held every Sunday from … (0 comments)

Carmel Valley, San Diego (92130) Home Market Update - 02/06/10 02:00 AM
Carmel Valley, San Diego (92130) Home Market Update  
Total Number of Homes For Sale:  155  (25 are short sales)          Detached:  108  (8 are short sales)          Townhomes:  23 (5 are short sales)          Condos: 24  (12 are short sales)  
Price Range:  $199,000-$6,980,000  (median $997,550)          Detached: $599,000-$6,980,000  (median: $1,372,500)          Townhomes: $275,000-$714,900  (median: $489,000)          Condos:  $199,000-$588,000  (median: $369,950)  
Homes Currently in Escrow (Pending Status):  81          Detached:  42          Townhomes:  19          Condos:  20  
Total Closed Escrows Last Month - January 2010:  39         Detached:  27          Townhomes:  5          Condos:  7
Detached Homes for Sale:
 
… (0 comments)

February San Diego Home News - 02/02/10 12:32 AM
Market News  
Market trends for detached and attached homes in San Diego.  Read the current San Diego market analysis.  
Local home sales statistics: The San Diego Association of Realtors publishes sales statistics for homes throughout the County.  Check out the most recent statistics (latest available is for December 2009).
Beyond the Headlines.  The California Association of Realtors (CAR) compiles news headlines throughout the country on market issues.  
FHA Loans to Change   FHA loans are undergoing many significant changes.  Those changes will have significant impact on buyers' ability to buy a home and will increase costs. When a buyer … (0 comments)

 
Deborah-hires

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property

San Diego, CA

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Prudential California Realty

Cell Phone: (858) 829-1989

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San Diego real estate discussion. MLS updates, property and market analysis. First time homebuyers, relocating homeowners, selling and buying homes.


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