Deborah Engel, San Diego, California Real Estate

September San Diego Home News

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:41:14 -0500

Market News
Market trends for detached and attached home sales in San Diego. Read the current Prudential 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 July 2009).

Beyond the Headlines. The California Association of Realtors (CAR) compiles news headlines throughout the country on market issues of interest.

US Home Sales: Home prices declined 14.9 percent during the second quarter of 2009 compared to a year ago, down from the 19.1 percent annual decline in the first quarter, according to the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Report.

Mortgage Delinquencies Hit Record High Nationally: More than 13 percent of homeowners in June were late with at least one mortgage payment, according to a report by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

New Credit Scoring Model May Help Improve Some Credit Scores With the new "FICO 08" credit scoring changes, one late payment may not have the same effect on your credit score as it previously had.

Household Hints
Protect against Wild Fires: As hot, dry weather continues, it's important to consider things you can do to protect your threat against fires. The Institute for Business & Home Safety has a nine-region-specific wildfire property protection guide.

Save Water and Reduce Your Water Bill: Read these ways to save water (and money) outdoors during California's water challenges.

September San Diego Events See what's happening in San Diego County in September! You can also look at the upcoming Chargers season schedule.

September Internet Tips Check out some of these internet sites and tips. Time listed its Top 50 websites. Find some great sites you may not know about.

If you need any information or have any questions or feedback please email me (Deb@PropertyByDeb.com) or call (858-829-1989).

August San Diego Home News

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:28:20 -0500

Market News

Market trends for Home Sales in San Diego. Read the current market analysis.

Local home sales statistics: The San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR) publishes sales statistics for homes throughout the County. Check out the most recent statistics (latest available is for June 2009).

NAR/SDAR Economic Report for San Diego and other Counties.

Beyond the Headlines. The California Association of Realtors (CAR) compiles news headlines throughout the country on market issues of interest.

Pending Home Sales up for fifth consecutive month.

August San Diego Events See what's happening in San Diego County in August!

Go Bolts! Football season is coming up. Here is the Chargers' game schedule!

August Internet Tips Here are this month's internet tips.

If you need any information or have any questions or feedback please email me (Deb@PropertyByDeb.com) or call (858-829-1989).

5 Reasons for Firing A Client

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:07:16 -0500

Thank you to Larry Easto (Toronto) for allowing me to re-post his blog.

Deb

Via Larry Easto (Real Estate Marketing Link):

In challenging markets...like the one we currently face...it's difficult to find new clients.

Why would you even consider firing a client?

Purely and simply, even the best client relationships can turn bad...and when they do, it's time to end them by firing the client.

Most of us are too busy to allow deteriorating client relationships to drain time and energy from attracting new clients and serving existing clients. With that in mind, here are 5 reasons for firing a client.

1. Perfection Obsession

These are the buyers who are obsessed with finding a perfect home, in a perfect location and at a perfect purchase price.

Or they are sellers who insist on selling their homes terms and conditions that they consider perfect.

Perfection rarely exists in our world, and besides, your responsibility is to give clients the best possible service, helping them find the best possible deal...not the perfect one.

2. Lack of Trust

This can cut both ways.

For whatever reason, you no longer trust your client or vice versa.

Since trust is a key element of all client relationships, once the trust is gone for either party, the relationship is essentially over.

3. Miscommunication

Sometimes miscommunication is inadvertent or accidental.

Others times it is deliberate.

In either case, when miscommunication becomes a common element it represents a problem to be addressed.

If the problem of miscommunication itself cannot be resolved, it's time to end the relationship.

4. Conflicting Advice

We all have advisors who offer opinions and suggestions on our decisions.

Some of these people are professionally trained, qualified and well informed. Others are well intentioned but otherwise poorly informed and mis-directed friends relatives and acquaintances.

It is the second group of advice-givers that have the most potential for causing problems in client relationships.

When clients start to be guided more by this group than by your professional advice, it's best to reserve your time, energy and expertise for clients who value it.

If clients do not value what you offer them...fire them.

5. Indecision

Certainly changed circumstances result in changes in clients needs and wants.

However, when clients continually change their minds for no obvious reason, it's hard to be sure of what they really want.

If they don't know what they really want...how can you help them?

Is it not better to devote your resources to helping clients achieve what they know they want?

What other reasons might there be for firing clients?

What stories do have abut firing clients?

If I Were a Listing Agent (or 8 things to remember when listing property)

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:21:26 -0500

Actually I am a listing agent. I also work with many buyers. When representing buyers it baffles me when basic professionalism is lost on listing agents. Some listing agents do a disservice to their clients and waste a lot of their own and buyer's agent's time. So, here are 8 reminders for some of the listing agents out there to improve their representation.

1. All available information in the MLS should be included and be correct.
This sounds so obvious yet there are so many mistakes, missing data, and unprofessional presentation of the listed property. First, spelling should be checked and double checked. If you're not good at spelling, ask someone else to look over the listing. It really isn't difficult to see that "pols" should really be "pools." Second, don't have conflicting information. If you say that the property is vacant and I should just go, it confuses me if another area says that there is a tenant living there and I must make an appointment. Which one is it? Third, include what type of financing will be considered. Several buyers right now have FHA or VA financing, and some sellers don't want to consider those types of financing. When the financing isn't listed I have to call and/or email to get the information from you. If it's already there it would save all of us a lot of time. Fourth, please update the listing as needed. I enjoy reading that an open house is scheduled for "this Sunday" four months ago. One of my favorites is, "This home will go fast," and the listing has been on the market for 200 days.

2. Numerous, quality photos should be included in the listing.
As we all know buyers love photos. Why not include as many as your MLS will allow? Our MLS just began allowing us to include up to 20 photos. Buyers lose interest if there are only a couple photos.  Worse, buyers become suspicious that the home must really be in bad shape since photos aren't there. In addition, please use quality photos. If the television is on while taking pictures, turn it off for the photo. Dirty dishes can be removed from the kitchen sink for the few minutes the kitchen is being photographed. Underwear and socks thrown around a bedroom probably doesn't make for the most impressive picture. Turn on lights and open blinds for more lighting. Because there are so many bad photos included in listings, the website Lovely Listings, was created to document some of them.

3. Be available to talk to agents about your listing.
If I have a question about your listing, returning my phone calls or email would be most helpful.  In San Diego many listings are selling quickly with multiple offers, well over list price. Sometimes there are so many offers that a seller no longer will accept offer submission. If I knew that in advance, I wouldn't need to show my client the home and write up an offer. With many listing agents handling numerous foreclosure listings, the ability to reach anyone is sometimes impossible. If you're too busy to actually talk to the buyers' agents, maybe it's time to hire an assistant.

4. Make it easy to show your listing.
Before even listing the home, counsel your client about the importance of making the home available to show, and look for ways to help them understand that it may not always be possible for a prospective buyer to see the home only on Tuesday and Thursday between 4 and 6 pm. If my client wants to see a home and the small window of time allowed by the seller isn't workable they'll probably skip the home altogether. Sometimes a seller is very insistent on when a home can be shown, and no amount of counseling or recommendations by you can change their mind, or a tenant living in the home requires 24 hour notice, or other types of issues exist. I'm not talking about those instances. I get the sense, however, that many sellers just haven't been educated on some basic concepts of home showing.

5. If I send in an offer please let me know the status.
This goes back to communication. Most agents are great about letting me know that they received my offer. Other agents won't return a call or email just to let me know that they received the offer. I want to make sure the offer was received. Next, let me know the status of my offer. If you won't be presenting the offer to the seller until after the expiration date just let me know so I can tell my client what is going on. If the seller has accepted another offer I would like to know that my client's offer is rejected. Who likes to get a call from a client that they saw that the home they made the offer on went into escrow when I didn't even hear anything back from the listing agent?

6. Read the purchase agreement and understand it.
It shocks me whenever I meet an agent who has never read the entire contract, or doesn't have an understanding of it. These are the terms that the clients are agreeing to. Changes to the terms really do need to be discussed, agreed-to, and put in writing.

7. Remember that buyers have the right to do the inspections that they want.
Some buyers opt for a physical inspection only. Others want ten more done. Guess what? If they have the right to inspect, then the home needs to made available to them. I've known agents who are upset if my client's physical inspection runs longer than they think it should. Sellers will sometimes get irritated if they have to open their home for more than a couple inspections. It doesn't help the transaction if buyers can't do what they need to and what they have the right to do, if the seller and seller's agent gets upset. Counsel sellers early on that the buyer can do inspections they need. While this may be inconvenient, it is all part of the process of selling their home.

8. Remind the sellers that they must provide disclosures.
Not only those specifically listed in forms, but more. Disclosing the good and the bad helps the seller to possibly avoid future lawsuits for non-disclosure, and, besides, it is required. Even if a disclosure form doesn't have a space for a specific disclosure have the seller put it in writing and give it the buyer. If the buyer asks questions, have the seller answer them, even if they seem trivial to the seller. In addition to discussing the disclosure requirements when talking with a seller I tell them that if they don't want to disclose something because it may "ruin the deal," they better disclose it. Seller disclosure requirements can be expansive. Recently a California appellate court ruled that where a seller of a condo disclosed previous water intrusion and repairs but didn't disclose the previously settled lawsuits by the condo association over the water intrusion, he may be held liable for the non-disclosure of the lawsuits. (Calemine v. Samuelson (171 Cal.App. 4th 153)).

Whew! There are more, but this is a good place to start!

July San Diego Home News

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:10:44 -0500

Market News

Entry level and median priced homes continue to sell in San Diego County. See report.

Market trends for detached and attached home in San Diego.

Making Home Affordable loan modifications. What if loan servicers aren't following the Making Home Affordable guidelines to help modify or refinance current loans? The National Association of Realtors provides some tips.

Thinking about buying? Yield spread helps buyers now. Appraisal issues. Problems with the new appraisal process of the HVCC (Home Valuation Code of Conduct) have led California Congressman Gary Miller to introduce H.R. 3044, which would place an 18-month moratorium on the recently imposed HVCC. The HVCC was worked out through an agreement between Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the New York Attorney General's Office (NYAG) in response to an investigation by the NYAG into Fannie and Freddie. The purpose of the HVCC was to try and insulate the appraisal process from undue influences. The HVCC attempted to do this by placing tight controls and restrictions on the ordering of the appraiser, as well as purposes for communicating with the appraiser during the process. However, the implementation of the HVCC has resulted in appraisals that cost more, take longer to perform, and are inaccurate.

San Diego home prices. San Diego home prices inching up.

Are San Diego homes undervalued? Some say San Diego homes are now undervalued.

Household Hints/Safety

What hazard zone are you in? The California Emergency Management Agency has a mapping program that lets you input your address to see your local earthquake, flood and fire hazards. Results also include a checklist of things you can do to reduce damage to your home. The Seismic Hazard Zonation Maps are prepared by the California Geological Survey and are state-mandated regulatory maps that show "Zones of Required Investigation" for surface fault rupture, liquefaction and landslide hazards.

Test your Earthquake knowledge. Do you know what to do in case of an earthquake? Take a test and get information here.

July San Diego Events See what's happening in San Diego County in July!

Here are 50 fun and free things to do in San Diego this summer.

July Cybertips Here are some internet resources for July.

Add your Business Info to my NEWEST San Diego website www.BreakingSanDiegoNews.com I developed a new website, www.BreakingSanDiegoNews.com. It uses www.Twitter.com feeds to give you the latest information. Even if you don't use Twitter, stop by to read the latest on San Diego News, Events, Local Restaurants, Sports, Shopping, Real Estate, Weddings, Jobs/Career, and Classifieds. Posts are updated each minute! If you use Twitter, you can add information to any category on the website when you post something on Twitter. Share your information or come by to see what's happening right now! Also, add your business to my new Business Directory.

Have Investment Property? Get FREE basic investment property management software through my association with T-ReX Global. The free property management software allows you to track up to four investment homes.

San Carlos 4 bedroom home!

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:16:32 -0500

Deborah Engel | Prudential California Realty | 858-829-1989

7714 Volclay Drive, San Diego, CA

4BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $517,000

Year Built	1973
Sq Footage	1,876
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	6,800 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Walk-in closet	Tile floor	Family room
Living room	Office/Den	Dining room
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Granite countertop	Washer
Dryer	Laundry area - garage	Yard
Swimming pool	Jacuzzi/Whirlpool

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact info:

Deborah Engel

Prudential California Realty

858-829-1989

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jun 18, 2009, 11:11pm PDT

June San Diego Home News

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:56:00 -0500

Market News
Housing Prices Up: Although the San Diego housing market continues to fluctuate, housing prices went up $5000 in April. Throughout California, this trend is also showing. Existing home sales are also increasing nationwide. One unknown factor which can change the housing inventory, however, is the number of bank-owned homes that haven't been put on the market yet.

Economic forecast: According to the UCLA Anderson Forecast a recession in San Diego will exist for most of 2009, with the residential home market recovering this year. Nationwide, most economists agree. 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 April 2009).

It's not a "Buyer's Market" everywhere. In many areas of San Diego it is impossible for a buyer to buy a home without fighting against many other buyers for the same home. Oftentimes, the home gets sold quickly and for substantially higher than the list price. Because the media inundates us with information that deals are to be found everywhere right now, it is disappointing to many buyers experiencing the market first-hand. This is happening in many areas, not just in San Diego, as this LA Times article discusses.

$8000 Tax Credit can be used for closing cost. Most people have heard that first time home buyers are being given an $8000 tax credit when buying a home. The credit is being extended to allow the $8000 to be used toward closing costs and to go toward additional down payment (over the 3.5% required by HUD).

San Diego's Mandatory Water Use Restrictions begin June 1! Because San Diego is experiencing a water crisis, mandatory water use restrictions go in effect on June 1, 2009. These restrictions include landscape watering for no more than three days per week during specified days and times. For all mandatory restrictions go to the City's Water Department website.

Credit Report Errors? If you see errors on your credit report make sure to get them corrected. Here are some steps to take when disputing a credit report error.

Check out and add your voice to my NEWEST San Diego website www.BreakingSanDiegoNews.com I developed a new website, www.BreakingSanDiegoNews.com. It uses www.Twitter.com feeds to give you the latest information. Even if you don't use Twitter, stop by to read the latest on San Diego News, Events, Local Restaurants, Sports, Shopping, Real Estate, Weddings, Jobs/Career, and Classifieds. Posts are updated each minute! If you use Twitter, you can add information to any category on the website when you post something on Twitter (just see the directions on the home page of the www.BreakingSanDiegoNews.com site). Share your information or come by to see what's happening right now!

June San Diego Events See what's happening in San Diego County in June!

Helpful Home & Safety Tips
Read about 8 household uses for vinegar, which include using vinegar to clean windows and laundry, and to clean produce.

According to the California Association of Realtors (CAR), planting a layer of mulch around trees and plants, such as chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel slows down evaporation. By doing so, 750-1,500 gallons of water can be saved per month. Check out more water-saving tips and information. If you're a San Diego resident, you can get FREE or low-cost mulch and compost. See the information at the City's Environmental Services website.

On May 17 an earthquake hit the Los Angeles area. Some San Diego County residents felt the quake. It's a good time to remember earthquake safety guidelines so you're ready when an earthquake hits San Diego. Check out Ready San Diego's Disaster Preparedness Plan to help you develop your own plan.

June's Cybertips Here are some fun and helpful websites for you to check out. If you have any questions about your home or the real estate market give me a call or email me!
Deborah

Donate that old Equipment

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:10:21 -0500

The Hoover High School senior class is sponsoring a community event for e-cycling on May 16th, Saturday, in the front parking lot of the school:

4474 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115

They will take your used electronic equipment and recycle it for you securely and at no charge.

Here's what you can and cannot bring:

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

Acceptable Electronics Equipment:

Most electronics powered by a plug or battery, including, but not limited to:
Answering machines
Batteries
Camcorders
CD players
Cell (Mobile) phones
CPUs/Computer towers
Copiers
Duplicators
DVD players
Electric typewriters
Electronic games
Fax machines
Hard drives
Laptops
Mainframe computers
Microwave ovens
Modems
Monitors (CRT, Plasma, LCD)
Pagers
PDAs
Personal Computers (CPUs, monitors, keyboards, mouse, speakers, peripherals)
PBXs
Printers
Printed circuit board
Radios
Remote controls
Scanners
Stereos
Tape players
Telephones and telephone equipment
Televisions (CRT, Plasma, LCD)
Testing equipment
Transparency makers
Two-way radios
Uninterruptible power supplies
UPSs
VCRs
Word processors
And much more
Also: Any separated component from devices (Circuit boards, Mother boards, cords, etc.)

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

Non-acceptable Products:

Mercury
Florescent bulbs
Refrigerators/Freezers
Washers/Dryers
White goods
Household hazardous waste (paints, oils, solvents, fertilizers, chemicals)

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

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) from Hoover High:

What happens to my information?
All hard drives are sanitized and/or shredded at our facility. Nothing will ever leave our facility with client information.

Why do you need my ID?
The State of California requires this information for recycling specific devices (CRTs and LCDs) at no cost. The information gathered is for E-World Recyclers, our host sponsor, and the State of California only. It is not distributed or sold for any other purpose. The State of California requires verification of California sources under the SB20 regulations in order to reimburse recyclers for their costs involved with proper
disposal. The state program is intended to benefit Californians and address verification helps ensure that California's tax dollars benefit its residents.

What happens to my electronic waste?
All electronics received by E-World Recyclers, a certified collector/recycler, are broken down and separated into raw materials. These raw materials are sorted into streams such as plastic, glass, precious metals, ferrous metals and high and low grade circuit boards, and will be used as new feed stock for
equipment manufacturers.

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

For more information or if you have further questions please contact the
following:

Vicky Banks, AOIT Teacher
Hoover High School
4474 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 283-6281 x4152
vbanks@sandi.net

Tierrasanta Culdesac Home

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:48:13 -0500

Deborah Engel | Prudential California Realty | deb@propertybydeb.com | 858-829-1989

13360 Corte Playa Cancun, San Diego, CA

Quiet culdesac in Tierrasanta!

4BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $579,000

Year Built	1990
Sq Footage	2,104
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	5,009 sqft
HOA/Maint	$32 per month

DESCRIPTION

NOT a short sale or bank owned! Quiet culdesac, clean, bright, spacious home on large lot. Move-in ready. Upgraded kitchen counters, refrigerator, porcelain tile, paint, blinds, electric panel. Double oven, lots of cabinets in kitchen. Central A/C & indoor laundry. Bonus workshop space in garage. X-large walk-in master bedroom closet. New, low profile, fire resistant roof vents. Low water landscaping w/fruit trees/garden. NO MELLO-ROOS. Close to shopping, transportation, Mission Trails Park, schools.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Tile floor
Family room	Living room	Dining room
Breakfast nook	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Washer
Dryer	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

front	family room
living room	Master bedroom
kitchen	backyard

Contact info:

Deborah Engel

Prudential California Realty

deb@propertybydeb.com

858-829-1989

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 29, 2009, 8:25pm PDT

May San Diego Home News

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:45:20 -0500

Just Listed in Tierrasanta! Beautiful culdesac home in Tierrasanta-4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2104 square feet. $579,000. Check out the online brochure for this home. Let me know if you'd like to schedule a time to see it.

Property Tax Reassessment-May 30th Deadline Apply to have your San Diego County property reassessed and lower your taxes. The tax assessor is reviewing applications for reassessment. Fill out the application and indicate your opinion of your home's value, along with area sales to support the value. If you need supporting sales information please contact me and I'll email them to you. You can apply for the reassessment yourself. Be careful of the tax reassessment scams that have started surfacing.

Market Information and Statistics The San Diego Association of Realtors publishes sales statistics for homes throughout the County. Check out the most recent statistics. See also Market Updates and MLS trends for several areas of Southern California.

Although it's too early to say the market has bottomed out, there are some indicators that prices may be stabilizing. The median price for existing, single-family homes rose 2.2 percent in March in California, according to the California Association of Realtors (CAR). March marked the first month since August 2007 that the state's median sales price rose in month-to-month comparisons. According to the CAR sales and price report, the median price of existing, single-family homes stood at $253,040 in March. Sales in California have risen in recent months, with existing, single-family home sales increasing 63.8 percent in March. Read the full story.

Foreclosure Prevention Plan Additional efforts to stem foreclosures have started by offering lenders and homeowners incentives to cut payments on second mortgages, write down balances on first mortgages that are underwater, and repay loans in a timely fashion. The U.S. Treasury Dept. wants lenders and their customer-service agents to agree to modify both first and second mortgages as part of a comprehensive solution.

Details of the foreclosure prevention plan include:
     -Decreasing second-mortgage interest rates to as low as 1 percent for five years for some borrowers.
     -Reviving a Federal Housing Administration effort to persuade lenders to reduce loan balances so that borrowers again have equity in their homes
     -Funding for the program will come from a previously authorized $50 billion allocation from the $700-billion Treasury Dept. rescue fund established by Congress last year.
     -The plan would provide cash incentives to both loan officers and borrowers for successful second-mortgage modifications. A loan officer would receive $500 upfront, plus $250 annually for up to three years as long as the loan remains current. Borrowers who make payments on time will receive $250 a year for up to five years. Read the full story.

Postage Goes up to 44 cents on May 11
Yes, another postage increase. Although not necessarily good news, especially since I use the postal service often, I'd still rather pay 44 cents to the post office to get my letter to New York (or even get it across town) than having to get it there myself.

First Time Home Buyers

$8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Get all the details about the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, including IRS filing guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions.

CAR Mortgage Protection Program California's Housing Affordability Fund launched a program designed to help first-time buyers who are hesitant to enter the housing market due to concerns about potential job loss (and being unable to meet their mortgage payment). To qualify for the program, applicants must 1) Be a first-time home buyer (someone who hasn't owned a home in the last 3 years); 2) Open escrow on a California property April 2, 2009, or later, and close on or before December 31, 2009; 3) Use a California Realtor in the transaction, who submits the application; 4) Be a W-2 employee (not self-employed).
For Frequently Asked Question, Click Here.
For a copy of the Application, Click Here.

Events and Information

Get SDHome Magazine free online. SDHome Magazine, published by the Union-Tribune, is now available online for free. Check it out-you "turn" pages online. It takes a little to get used to but it's great that it is now online.

May events in San Diego. See many of the events that are taking place around San Diego County in May. The San Diego Air & Space Museum is holding "A Day Without Air, Just Space!" festival on May 9th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Check out all the details for this fun event. (Thanks Brent B for letting me know and inviting me!)

May Cybertips. Here are some fun websites and resources on the web.

And finally, I received the 2009 San Diego Magazine's Best in Client Satisfaction Award (nope, I didn't nominate myself or have to pay anything to get it. ;-) ).
See the anouncement here (Page 3).
See the video announcement here.

Thank you to everyone for your business and referrals. If I can ever answer questions or provide information please let me know!

April San Diego Home News

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:15:54 -0500

Happy April!
Hopefully you won't be the receiver of an April Fool's Day joke. Here's the history for this crazy day!

Get Your Free Credit Report
Whether you buy a home or are planning to refinance (or for any other credit applications) your credit score plays a huge role in whether you qualify. Sometimes, due to your credit score, or other factors, your application for a loan can be rejected. Make sure you know what is in your credit report. Each year, you can request, for free, a copy of your credit report incorporating all three major reporting bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Review your report for accuracy and contest any mistake on the report.

San Diego Home and MLS Market Update
The Obama Administration's Stimulus package, including first time home buyer incentives, has the ability to influence the future of the market through several economic sectors. Within the housing market, homes under $500,000 have been more in demand. For reports on the market and MLS data statistics, click here.

First Time Home buyer Tax Credit
Under the stimulus package, a first time home buyer purchasing a primary home during 2009 can get up to $8000 tax credit. Any unused amount will be refunded to the Buyer.

Home Affordable Refinancing
Are you making mortgage payments on time but can't refinance to today's low rates due to a decrease in your home's value? The Obama Administration announced a new program to help those homeowners refinance or modify their loans. The "Making Home Affordable" plan helps some homeowners to refinance or modify their existing Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac-owned loans. The Making Home Affordable website can help you determine your eligibility for the program.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have set up websites and toll-free hotlines to help borrowers determine whether their existing loan is owned or guaranteed by Fannie or Freddie. Fannie Mae can be contacted through its website or by phone, (800) 732-6643. Freddie Mac can be contacted through its website or by phone, (800) 373-3343. Homeowners can also apply for help from their mortgage company by providing details about their financial situation by visiting HopeNow.com or by calling Hope Now at (888) 995-4673.

San Diego Firefighters and You
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has a community-based program called Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), where San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel train and empower citizens in neighborhood CERT teams. CERT San Diego instructors teach citizens to take life-saving action to help families, neighbors, businesses and communities get through the first few hours or days when emergency services are overwhelmed. Become a part of of this program by attending the information and training sessions.

Go Padres!
April also means that the Padres season begins. Here's the Padres' season's schedule.

April Internet Tips
Here are some helpful internet tips and websites for you.

How do I know if Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac has my loan????

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:52:26 -0600

In my recent blog I explained that there was a new refinancing option for "responsible" mortgage payers. Most of the new refinance programs depend on who actually has your loan, and specifically whether Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac has it. Well, Winston Westbrook in California gave some great inform about finding out where your loan is located. I included his blog. Thanks Winston!

Via Winston Westbrook Victorville Real Estate Broker/Notary:

This seems to be the question of the hour.

How do I find out if Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae has my loan??

To find out if either of these two giants have your loan you need to first call your lender or loan servicer (the one who sends you a mortgage statement every month) and ask them if one of the two have your loan. If they do not want to tell you because some might not or if you do not feel comfortable with the customer service reps answer then you can find out directly from Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae by clicking the direct links below or calling the toll free numbers:

Does Freddie Mac have my mortgage online request form

1-800-FREDDIE (8am to 8pm EST)

Does Fannie Mae have my mortgage online request form

1-800-7FANNIE (8am to 8pm EST)

Once you know who has your loan you can then see if you qualify for the new refinance program that begins today for homeowners throughout America that are current with their mortgage payments but have not been able to qualify for a refinance due to the loss of value in their home.

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

March in San Diego-Newsletter

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:21:31 -0600

Don't Forget to "Spring Forward" This Sunday at 2:00 am, because of Daylight Saving Time, remember to set your clocks one hour ahead.

Best Housing Market

Did you know that Forbes.com recently ranked San Diego as the fifth best housing market now, based on the slowing rate of market declines? True!

Mortgage Relief for Homeowners

Have you been on time with your mortgage payments but are upside down? Recognizing that responsible homeowners shouldn't suffer, the Obama administration announced the Home Affordable Refinance program. The program would help homeowners who live in their home, have made their mortgage payments on time, owe $729,750 or less on their home and can document their income, refinance without traditional equity requirements.

Planning on Buying a Home Soon?

Low interest rates have helped move homes in San Diego, along with the $8000 first time homebuyer credit.

If you're planning to buy a home soon, make sure to consider the following:

1. Make sure your credit report is accurate. Your credit score will help determine what kind of loan and interest rate you can get. If there are mistakes on your report get them cleared up now. You can get a free credit report once each year so you can review what is in it.

2. Save for a down payment. Generally, the best interest rates will be based on a 20% down payment. Most loan programs, including FHA, will require that you have some money to put toward the home.

3. Look into loan options and programs. In addition to conventional loan programs you may be eligible for VA loans (which will allow you 100% financing) or FHA loans (which require you to have at least 3.5% down payment). Speak with a loan broker to find out what types of loans you are eligible for.

4. Make sure you know how much you can afford. Loan officers can let you know what you can afford based on your information, but make sure the numbers make sense for your situation. Find out your monthly payment (which would include loan principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, and, if applicable, HOA fees) to be sure that the amount you can qualify for is really the amount that you can afford.

March CyberTips

Here are some helpful links for you:
March CyberTips

If you need any information or have any questions or feedback please email me (Deb@PropertyByDeb.com) or call (858-829-1989).

Who Gives You the Best Property Information?

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:25:00 -0600

We all want information. We can't get enough of it.

The internet has given us the incredible ability to find information efficiently and quickly. Sometimes, though, we don't get quality or complete information. It's important to be critical of the information that we receive, whatever the source. There is some quality about getting information from the internet that creates a belief that it is flawless.

Buyers and sellers, of course, want all the available information about the market. The internet is a natural resource to get information and as everyone knows, most buyers and sellers use the internet to review home prices and available homes even before becoming serious and motivated to buy or sell.

There is a wealth of information out there, but how dependable is it? I have numerous buyers that I send listing to, show them available homes and help them make sense of the market before they make an offer. Something that frequently happens, however, is that my clients will go to sites such as Trulia, Redfin, Zillow, and others, and will send me homes that the site shows as being currently for sale. Without fail, the homes that they send are not currently available. They will be homes that previously transferred through foreclosure, have been cancelled or are already in escrow. The sites show them as still being available but they aren't.

Licensed real estate agents have access to the official Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and one of the greatest reasons to only allow licensed agents to access and change data in the MLS is for data integrity. Like any other profession where reliability of information is imperative, the more people who have the unrestricted ability to change the information the greater the likelihood of poor data being included.

Whether a buyer a seller, working with a Realtor has incredible benefits. One of those benefits is being able to get the most up to date and accurate information available. Sites outside of the MLS have some great information, but only a licensed agent can provide the best data available.

I Invested in a Bolivian Cow

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:15:59 -0600

True. Today I provided a $25 loan toward the needed $1000 to help a Bolivian man, Juan, buy a cow. Juan needed the cow for his growing business.

Through "microloans" qualified poor people from around the world receive small
amounts of money to help them achieve their goals and create a better life.
These loans are given to people for various needs and are expected to be paid back by them over a period of several months.

Last year I was watching The Colbert Report and saw an interview with a person who had helped create a microloan program. I found the idea fascinating but
didn't remember it until my husband looked at Time's Top 50 Websites for 2008. He told me that Kiva, one of the included websites, was an organization where we could provide money for these microloans.

In addition to helping Juan buy a cow I provided loans for:

*A group in Cambodia that sells clothing in a local village
*A husband and wife in Cambodia to help them repair their home
*A Nicaraguan single mom who needs a new roof on her home
*A Vietnamese woman to expand her livestock business
*A group in Bolivia who make and sell goods

Check out Kiva. It's a great way to help out others.

If it's a Bedroom, it MUST have a Closet

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:34:28 -0500

No, not so. When looking at homes, I have clients tell me, matter-of-factly that a bedroom must have a closet if it is to be considered a bedroom. Without a closet, they say, it is just an office or den. I hear the same thing from my fellow local Realtors.

I'm not sure when or how this became the accepted definition, but I did my own research to find out if there is a legal definition of what a bedroom must include. First, I checked our local MLS rules to see if there was any authority. The rules are silent on the definition of a bedroom and how bedrooms are listed in the MLS. So, I went to have a look at the San Diego Municipal Code. Under the section containing definitions (section 113.0103), a "Bedroom" means:

             an enclosed space within a dwelling unit
             that is designed or could be used for sleeping and has a
             permanent door permitting complete closure and
             separation from all kitchen, living room and hallway areas.
             A room or other enclosed space is not considered a bedroom
             if it is the sole access to another bedroom.

No closet is needed in order for a room to be a bedroom. Now this definition is only applicable within the City of San Diego (section 11.0104). In other areas, a closet may be necessary.

It actually makes sense that a closet is not required in order to be considered a bedroom. Older homes didn't always include a built-in closet. Instead, the occupants used an armoire or other type of free-standing closet. Ikea carries a bunch of different stand-alone closets/wardrobes just for this purpose.

Go San Diego Chargers! Practice sessions!

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 01:39:20 -0500

My husband and I went to a recent San Diego Chargers practice. It was interesting to watch the different groups of players that worked on particular exercises. After separate group practice, the team had practice plays. For the crowd, L.T. gave a run on the first play, which is always impressive to watch. But, we never saw him again. In addition to L.T., Philip Rivers, Billy Volek, Nate Kaeding, Darren Sproles, Luis Castillo, Shawne Merriman, Antonio Cromartie, and more great Chargers players were all there. It was a lot of fun to watch them practice and added to the great excitement and anticipation of the upcoming football season. Could the Chargers make the Super Bowl!!!???

There are only THREE public practices left:

Monday, August 11, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 12, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Thurday, August 14, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Practices are held at:

Chargers Park (Map)
4020 Murphy Canyon Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123

Parking is very limited and not great, so make sure you get there early enough. Don't park on Murphy Canyon Road. We saw every car parked there have a parking ticket on it. According to the Chargers' website, parking for the training is available on the street behind (east of) the Holiday Inn located at 3805 Murphy Canyon Rd.

Go San Diego Chargers!

10 Things a Buyer MUST Know (Part 2 of 2)

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:20:15 -0500

(Numbers 1-5 were included in Part 1)

6. Don't try timing the market. We know what the market is like today, but can only give an educated guess what it will be in the future. There are so many variables that go into home prices and interest rates that no one can give you a definitive answer as to what will happen in the future. Sure, you can make predictions based on information but there is really no way to know. Many buyers decide that the home prices will continue to go down and that they should wait to buy. This can certainly happen and maybe that's a risk worth taking. But thinking too narrowly can cause disappointment and frustration later.

For example, if the recent Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 helps reduce the number of foreclosures and short sales, isn't it possible that the number of homes available will be reduced, directly changing the supply of housing? Further, even if home prices go down more but interest rates go up, you will have less buying power. The amount you will pay in interest may not be worth the amount you believe you saved by waiting for the prices to go down.

7. Work with one agent. If you can't commit to working with one agent, you will lose the benefit of having that one agent help you find the best home based on the relationship that is built. Trying to work with several agents wastes everyone's time and usually backfires because you don't always get the best possible service. If you need to change agents, be sure to communicate this with your current agent to see if any issue can be worked out.

8. Understand short sales and bank-owned sales. Get an understanding of what it means to put in an offer on a bank-owned home or a short sale. Both sales can be very different from a "regular" sale. Short sales occur when a homeowner owes more to a bank than what they can sell the home for. They have to have the bank approve any sale because the bank will end up losing money rightfully owed to it. This process can take a very long time. Even getting a response from the bank can take several weeks.

During this time you may lose the opportunity to move forward on other homes, or you may spend weeks waiting for an answer only to have another buyer come in with a better offer that the bank wants to work with. Either way short sales can be disappointing and time consuming and you need to be educated so you know what to expect. Buying a bank owned home can also be frustrating. Signatures on documents are very slow to be returned by the bank and most banks have a "take it or leave it" attitude with terms of the sale.

9. There's no magic formula for offering the proper amount for a home. I can't tell you the number of buyers who tell me that you ALWAYS offer a certain percentage below the asking price. This kind of thinking can only lead to frustration and doesn't really help you. List prices on homes can be below, at, or above market value. Understanding home prices and the market in the area you are interested in is imperative in knowing whether a home is priced well.

Often I have a buyer who doesn't review the information provided and insists on offering, for example, 10% below asking price. This may work if a home is already overpriced but if it's not you may not be successful. For example, I am seeing more and more bank owned homes being priced substantially below market value. Of course this produces a frenzy of multiple offers and the home sells for more than if it had been priced at or above market value. If you don't understand how pricing works and have a rigid rule in coming up with a price you will probably be extremely disappointed after losing several homes to realistic buyers.

10. Don't forget that owning a home costs money. As a renter you are used to calling your landlord when the home needs something fixed. You pay your monthly rent, and costs associated with maintaining a home are not your responsibility. When you own your own home you have costs that you never had before. Regular maintainance, necessary repairs, certain utilities, property taxes, insurance, home owner association fees, and home improvements, will all now be your responsibility. Once you own your own home, you must keep enough money available to cover these costs.

There are great opportunities for buyers. Understandng these 10 key points will help you become a smart buyer and to find the greatest home opportunities that meet your needs.

10 Things a Buyer MUST Know (Part 1 of 2)

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:49:28 -0500

In today's market, where daily changes are normal and expected, it is necessary for buyers to understand what it takes to buy a home. There are at least ten things you must know in order to be a knowledgeable buyer. Here are the first five of those ten things. The next five will be included in my next post.

1. Admit you don't know everything. Sure, this sounds harsh, but just because you read daily articles about the market or look everyday online at the interest rates, it doesn't mean you know more than the professionals who are working in this market each day. Loan requirements, for example, have dramatically changed from where they were even six months ago (or for that matter, six days ago). The housing market can be completely different from one area of the city to another so articles that deal with the general market are often not helpful. Many buyers have some idea of what the market is doing, read several articles about the subject and use the ones that support their opinion to show that they are experts. But if you aren't actually working in this business you probably don't understand all of the rules, changes and nuances.

2. Understand that you must have a down payment. Gone are the days of 100% financing. Unless you can obtain a VA loan, which still supports 100% financing, you'll have to have a down payment in order to buy a home. If you can qualify for an FHA loan, you'll need at least 3% of the purchase price. If you get a conventional mortgage, you'll need more money for a down payment. Many buyers insist that they can get a loan with no money down and get frustrated when they are told that they can't. Buyers should start saving immediately so they'll have enough money for a down payment.

3. Know that you need money for closing costs. Like having a down payment, buyers don't realize that they will need to have money to cover closing costs. Sometimes sellers are willing to pay closing costs, but buyers cannot count on that. Buyers should save money for closing costs while also saving for a down payment. If a seller ends up paying the closing costs then the money intended to cover those costs can continue to be saved or can be used to make improvements to the home.

4. Credit scores will impact your ability to get a loan. Credit scores are more important than ever. Lenders are taking a much stricter approach to credit scores. Do your homework in advance. Have your credit report run and review it carefully. If there are items that are incorrect try to get them modified or removed. If you have excessive debt or a seriously delinquent debt, have a plan to pay those down and stick with the plan.

5. Get preapproved for a loan. All of the desire to buy a home will be worthless if you can't get a loan. Don't even think about looking at homes without getting preapproved for a loan first. Underwriting guidelines are so strict these days and change so often that you cannot overlook this vital step. Speak with a bank or loan broker and submit a loan application. Be completely honest on the application about your assets and debts. All of the information you include will have to be verified. When you submit an application, your credit will be run and the information on the application will be used to figure out if you can obtain a mortgage. If you cannot you'll be able to figure out what you need to do in order to buy a home in the future (like improve your credit score, pay down debt, etc). If you can get a loan, you'll be able to understand how much you can afford and what your monthly payment will be so that you're looking at homes in the correct price range.

Stay tuned for the next five things you must know....

Beta or VHS?

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:55:54 -0500

There are so many ways to socially network these days. Plaxo, Linked In, Facebook, My Space, hi5, Twitter, Real Town, Active Rain, Localism, Squidoo, and many many more. There are also thousands of interest-specific and local ways to network with people from around the world. Which do you choose? Which one has the ability to stick around long-term.

I want to be a part of a VHS site. One that sticks around. One where you can add value to the group and receive value in return. No one wants to buy into a social network that goes the way of the Beta tape.

There are so many different sites to network on that it is impossible to really know which one will be worth giving your opinion on, asking questions and interacting with other like-minded folks. I suppose that there are some signs of staying power of certain sites, depending on what you're looking for. I could spend all day visiting social networking sites, trying to connect with other people, but who wants to add to a site that won't be around for long? We all want to join, and add to the discussion on the most popular sites so that our questions and opinions have meaning.

I answered and asked questions on Trulia and Yahoo, but I found that the discussions weren't as interesting as some of the local boards that I frequent.

In the end, however, VHS was replaced by DVD. I have to wonder what's around the corner just waiting to be the Google of social networking.

My New Pen Pal

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:52:29 -0500

As a child we would learn about writing to pen pals from all over the world. In school we were given an address of a child about the same age from somewhere in another part of the world. We would enthusiastically and carefully write a letter to our very own pen pal, address an envelope, close it and put a stamp on. About 3 weeks after sending it, we would get a letter back from our very own pen pal. It was written to answer all of the questions that we had asked in our letter. I couldn't even remember what I had asked. Some people wrote back again to their pen pal. Sometimes I did, but not usually. It got boring to me.

A couple years ago I met a local couple from an online lead. They were interested in buying a home. The husband was in the military and had just returned from Afghanistan. They had two children and wanted to buy a home in the area because they thought highly of the area. They couldn't pursue it at the time because the husband then got deployed to Iraq. Twice.

A couple months ago, the husband located me again while still in Iraq. He emailed me explaining that he was hoping to buy a home when he got back from Iraq in a couple months and had several questions. We exchanged emails a few times and his wife called me this week to see a home that had just come on the market. The husband left a message for me from Iraq wanting to talk with me about the home and asked to talk to me online, via "chat" (real-time communication).

We chatted about the home for awhile. It was a short sale so I explained what a short sale meant. After a bit, we started "talking" about the area, the market, his wife and his kids. The next day we talked more about education, movies, exercize, and of course his job in Iraq. I now look forward to having rich and conversations with him as time permits.

I realized that he has become my new pen pal. The problem with pen pals when I was a child was that there was no real way to have a conversation that maintained my interest and enthusiasm. The amazing ability to "speak" with someone anywhere in the world via computer has made so many things possible. Certainly as a Realtor the ability to reach people all over is a wonderful way to connect with so many people. Who knew that this wonderful technology that I have used since 1994 could make me finally understand how fun it can be to have a real pen pal? Maybe I'll just call him my "ePal."

A Primer: San Diego Schools

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:45:25 -0500

San Diego County has over 40 public school districts and numerous private schools. The San Diego Unified School District is San Diego County's largest school district and is the second largest school district in California. School districts serve a specific geographic area; Where you live generally determines which public school is available for your child. Many school districts allow requests for intra-district school transfers (same school district but different school than the assigned one) or inter-district transfers (different school district) to allow children assigned to one school to go to a different school. If you want to apply for a transfer you must start at the school that your child is assigned. There is no guarantee that your request will be granted as there is specific criteria for allowing a transfer.

Many people choose where to live based on the reputation of a particular school or school district. Oftentimes, factors that parents consider when researching schools include: test scores, teacher-to-student ratios, diversity, and curriculum. The California Department of Education maintains scores on school performance and data about different schools and school districts. It also administers the California School Recognition Program which honors some of the State's most exemplary and inspiring public schools. Schools selected for School Recognition Awards are considered by the California Department of Education as strong, well-rounded community schools. In addition, the San Diego County Office of Education provides local school district information and includes websites for all of the County's school districts and Charter Schools.

One way that schools are scored is through the San Diego County API (Academic Performance Index), which measures the academic performance and growth of schools on a variety of academic measures. Another tool used in scoring schools is the California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) system, which compiles three different testing reports for each school or district. Other information about schools can be found through the Education Data Partnership, School Wise Press, and Great Schools.

As school boundaries often change, if a specific school or school district is desired be sure to call that school or district to confirm that the home you want is within its boundaries.

Information about Private schools can be located through the California Association of Independent Schools and the Catholic Diocese of San Diego websites.

The Sky is Falling!

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:31:11 -0500

All around us businesses are failing. With the shocking federal government take-over of IndyMac and reports of instability at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, it's easy to see how buyers, sellers and homeowners are nervous and unsure.

Still, the real estate market hasn't stopped. People are buying and selling homes and are relocating to new areas. How does a buyer or seller know what to do?

1. Get the help of a full-time, knowledgeable Realtor. Many people gravitate to discount brokerages. I can't blame them: the perception of saving money always seems like a good idea. But like many other businesses, we're seeing some discount brokerages shutting their doors, leaving buyers and sellers stranded. Most recently we've heard that the discount brokerage Iggy's House is having problems and buyers and sellers can't contact them to find out what to do. The Iggy's House website is down, directing clients to email them. By trying to save a bit of money, you may cost yourself in lost time, expertise, and the ability to successfully wade through this ever-changing market.

2. Get the help of a full-time, knowledgeable Loan Officer. With daily changes in the loan market, you'll need the help of someone who keeps up with the rapid changes. If you have a family member who does loans on the side, or an unknown internet lender, you can't be sure that they know and understand the current loan guidelines and standards.

Armed with these two important resources a buyer or seller can be confident during this challenging time.

Why is Doing it Right Doing it Wrong?

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:30:54 -0500

Sometimes how things are done doesn't really matter. Other times there really is a correct way of doing things. Why do so many people resist doing things correctly?

Laziness, uncaring, not realizing, not understanding....I don't know why.

In my business, I frequently run across agents, transaction coordinators, escrow officers and others who want to take the "easy way" by not doing something correctly. Today I spoke with an escrow officer who insisted that his escrow instructions were correct, even though there were two directly conflicting provisions in them. I pointed them out to him and he explained that the information on the first page would "supersede" the information on the second page and the instructions didn't need to be amended. I said to him that nothing on the first page contains language that it supersedes the information on the second page, and that this could lead to a potential conflict. He chuckled and said he could redo it "if you want." What? If I want?

Why is this standard generally acceptable? Why is it that he thinks it's MY problem? Why does he make me feel that I am being difficult because I want something to be clear and accurate and to avoid a potential issue? How many times have you been on the receiving end of wanting someone to do something correctly, only for the other person to think you're demanding and gossiping about how demanding you are. How many times do you ask for something to be done correctly, the other person blows it off saying it's "no big deal," and later it becomes a big deal?

I am on the receiving end of this too many times. I'm not talking about whether there is cheese on my hamburger; I'm talking about things like escrow instructions, bank balances, signing/initialing a contract, putting agreements in writing, etc.

As a society we let so many things slide and either don't care or don't understand when something needs to be done correctly. How many serious mistakes could be avoided if people cared about doing something correctly? What about those people who point out an issue, only to be mocked or made to feel that they shouldn't have said anything in the first place?

C'Mon Buyer, Trust Me or Don't!

Deborah Engel, San Diego Homes & Property (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:18 -0500

Seriously, if you don't trust me, why waste both our time?

Every agent that I know has the same story: you work with a buyer for a long, long time, and then all of a sudden, out of the blue, you get the "Dear John" letter that they've bought a home with someone else.

I've been on the positive and the negative side of that, but either way, I just don't get it.

I educate my buyers up front about how I work. Do I use a Buyer Broker agreement? No, not usually. Most of the time I trust my buyers and they trust me. I am a licensed attorney and practiced 10 years before becoming a full time Realtor. I understand the need for contractual commitments. Still, Buyer Broker agreements don't settle well for me. If someone doesn't want to work with me and I don't want to work with them, why bother?

Still, I get burned every once in awhile and I always question why I didn't use a Buyer Broker Agreement.

Case in point: I worked with this couple who could afford very little, for about a year. The husband wanted north San Diego County but the wife wanted south San Diego County (about a 45 minute distance difference). I patiently showed them properties in both areas, always meeting them whenever convenient for them. I listened to the wife complain how her husband wants to keep her in the suburbs while she wanted to be closer to the City. I worked really hard for the both of them while they figued out what they should do.

I worked with them for a long time until they finally told me that they would wait to figure out where they wanted to be. Then, they said, they would start looking again.

Agents, you know the rest....I got an "unsubscribe" email from them from the property listings that I had been sending them. I contacted them since I just knew this had to be a mistake. Apparantly it wasn't. They found something they liked and bought it with another agent. Of course they "appreciated my help" when I asked what happened.

This kind of situation makes me rethink my "trust" issue when it comes to buyers and a Buyer-Broker agreement. My problem is that I don't really want to work with someone who doesn't respect the time and commitment that I give them. I have learned to educate my buyers up front, and I rarely have an issue with a buyer just throwing me aside, but it certainly doesn't make it easier when it happens.

So....buyers:

If you work with an agent, realize that the time and energy they give you is all theirs. They don't get paid for it. We could be focusing on clients who understand and appreciate what we have to offer. Or maybe, instead of showing property to you, we could instead relax and spend time with our families.

If you know that you don't want to work with the agent, let them know immediately so they don't use their valuable time helping you when they could help someone who values their work.

Have the decency to discuss any issues you may have with the agent to see if they can be worked out.

And....if this doesn't work....either communicate with them that you don't want to work with them OR ask to sign a Buyer-Broker agreement to commit both of you.

Thanks!

Deb