buyers: We’re Having a Short Sale Party
- 01/26/13 09:50 AM
We’re Having a Short Sale Party
I was out showing properties today in Oceanside and Vista, most of them short sales, and you would have thought homeowners were having a short sale party by the number of people in and outside the homes, and the cars lined up and down the streets.
Of course these are not happy situations for these homeowners, for a variety of reasons, but the volume of activity was like a neighborhood party.
All of these homes just hit the market late yesterday, and are priced well in the mid $300,000s, and buyers and … (37 comments)
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buyers: The Question is Not What Does it Cost, But What is it Worth?!
- 01/11/13 06:56 AM
The Question is Not What Does it Cost, But What is it Worth?!
We enjoyed a couple relaxing days in the California desert for New Year’s. And on New Year’s Day, in addition to the Rose Bowl Parade I watched a older movie, “You Have Mail” (remember AOL??) with Tom Hanks (a fave actor of mine) and Meg Ryan.
Whether you remember it or not, one of the lines in the movie that really caught my attention…and I am paraphrasing, although I think I am close…was “the question is not what does it cost, but what is it worth?!”
… (43 comments)
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buyers: Congratulations on Your New Home
- 01/03/13 12:08 PM
Congratulations on Your New Home
These are some of my favorite words to share with clients. They rank right up there with “congratulations your offer was accepted” (especially when you are one of multiple offers).
The goal from the beginning is to assist our buyer clients and enable them to move into the home of their dreams.
Being a significant part of that process, and having the opportunity to call with the good news (here in California we don’t sit around a table for closing or settlement) is especially rewarding.
Even more so when all … (8 comments)
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buyers: Carlsbad Homebuyers’ Information Packet for the First Time Meeting
- 12/27/12 11:50 PM
Carlsbad Homebuyers’ Information Packet for the First Time Meeting
I have always provided information I consider useful when meeting with Carlsbad buyers for the first time, even when it is not entirely clear that a committed working relationship has been established.
Some are just starting the process and want to talk with me before we make a commitment. I, of course, want to do the same.
Others are referrals or are otherwise ready to go.
The information is generally the same, as a way to give them something useful that they can take away and which will … (5 comments)
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buyers: 8 Home Buying Secrets Your Real Estate Agent Will (Probably) Tell You
- 12/19/12 01:15 PM
8 Home Buying Secrets Your Real Estate Agent Will (Probably) Tell You
Are there secrets to buying a home in today’s market?
Perhaps.
But if you want to get the edge as a buyer you really don’t want secrets.
Some secrets, like problems with the home that weren’t disclosed, are definitely not something you want to find out about after closing.
This is about 8 buying secrets your real estate agent (a responsible, ethical one – probably the majority) will tell you. And just to be clear, this post is a rebuttal to the 8 points … (18 comments)
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buyers: The Beauty of Living in Carlsbad, Southern California
- 12/19/12 07:55 AM
One of the things I really enjoy about living in Carlsbad, after having spent many years on the East Coast, particularly New England, and a couple of years in Minnesota, is a snowless winter.
And just about everyone else I talk to who has moved here says the same thing.
Oh, it can get pretty chilly, by our standards (perhaps even the low 30s at night in the winter along the coast) but certainly nothing to compare to other areas.
Want snow?
Well it's not that far way.
Indeed, on a clear day, like today, I can see the snow-covered … (3 comments)
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buyers: Carlsbad Sellers, Oh By The Way We ARE Selling Your House, Too!
- 12/05/12 02:26 PM
Carlsbad Sellers, Oh By The Way We ARE Selling Your House, Too!
This is, perhaps, a slight round-a-bout way of talking about selling your Carlsbad home.
For many, if not most, buyers, the neighborhood is key.
It will depend in some cases on their budget, but buyers are looking for a neighborhood that meets their lifestyle needs and wants – schools, amenities, proximity to shopping, dining, recreational activities, the beaches (here in SoCal), services, major commuting routes, and more.
There actually may be a number of homes that may fit their needs (price, size, bedrooms), … (1 comments)
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buyers: I Know Your Dogs are Well Behaved but it Doesn’t Matter
- 11/30/12 08:56 AM
I know your dogs are well behaved but it doesn’t matter Dogs are a tough issue for tenants, buyers and homeowners selling their homes. And not everyone agrees about Fido.
Tenants with Dogs Looking for Homes to Rent Many landlords will not rent to a tenant with one or more dogs. Yes, Fido may be the most well behaved canine around, having graduated from obedience school with honors. But dogs aren’t a protected class and a landlord can elect to not rent to you and your well-behaved 4-legged darling if they choose. Or they may allow one, or … (7 comments)
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buyers: Would You Buy a Carlsbad CA Home Before it was Built?
- 11/17/12 09:29 AM
Would You Buy a Carlsbad CA Home Before it was Built?
One advantage of buying a resale home is that you can walk through it, experience the space inside and out, and decide if you want to buy it.
Would you buy a home before it was built?
If you want to purchase a new construction single family detached home or a condo/town house for sale in Carlsbad CA you may very well have to. It’s not for the faint of heart, but with the new home market moving pretty briskly and the number of people who prefer … (4 comments)
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buyers: What is Your Home Buying Strategy?
- 11/15/12 03:21 PM
What is Your Home Buying Strategy?
Seriously considering buying a home, or are already immersed in the process? You need to have a strategy, especially in this competitive market.
What IS your buying strategy?
Do you have one? Or are you going about the process haphazardly?
Consider the following:
INTEREST RATES
Interest rates remain historically low. Check into the programs you may qualify for and what this means financially vis-à-vis your monthly budget. It’s essential to create your own personal budget, because what you may qualify for and what you are willing or … (23 comments)
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buyers: Local Housing Market Conditions for Carlsbad CA and Nearby Communities (September 2012)
- 11/03/12 08:35 AM
Local Housing Market Conditions for Carlsbad CA and Nearby Communities (September 2012)
There’s a lot of confusion out there about what is going on in the housing market. And that can lead to indecision about homes for sale in Carlsbad, and nearby.
The media is a big part of that.
It’s no wonder, since there are all sorts of media reports and headlines, sometimes conflicting, plus they focus on the general market rather than the specifics of the local communities.
Buyers and sellers need to hear and understand what really is happening in their local markets where … (3 comments)
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buyers: Do You Want to Sell this Home or Not?
- 10/19/12 01:07 AM
Do You Want to Sell this Home or Not?
This may sound like a rant, given the title, but it’s not. Any sarcasm you might feel is purely your imagination.
It IS a host of suggestions for sellers, and their listing agents, to help demonstrate to the buying public, and buyer agents, that they do, in fact, WANT to sell. And some thoughts on those actions that send the wrong message.
PRICING
The message you send by pricing is a big one in today’s market, and it’s obvious. Most agents have a good handle on what is selling … (39 comments)
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buyers: When Are My San Diego County Property Taxes Due?
- 10/15/12 09:46 AM
When Are My San Diego County Property Taxes Due?
I have often been asked by buyers looking for Carlsbad homes for sale about property taxes.
Initially it’s about what the taxes are for a particular house. Property taxes can vary quite a bit depending on current assessed value and when the home was purchased by the current homeowner.
Later it’s “when are my San Diego County property taxes due?” As I tell everyone, I am NOT a tax professional and cannot advise regarding tax questions and that a CPA should be consulted
But there are some important things to know about … (9 comments)
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buyers: Accurate Information about the Real Estate Market in Carlsbad – An Update for August 2012
- 10/02/12 01:45 PM
Accurate Information about the Real Estate Market in Carlsbad – An Update for August 2012
I wrote a recent post about the importance of having accurate information about the local real estate market in order to make your important decisions about buying a new home, or selling your current home. In that post I talked about the amount of inventory, what prices are doing, how quickly homes are selling, and so on.
If you missed that first post, which provide some details on the state of the Carlsbad and area real estate market with regard to single family detached … (7 comments)
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buyers: I Think Accurate Information about the Real Estate Market in Carlsbad is Pretty Important, Don’t You?
- 09/26/12 03:07 PM
I Think Accurate Information about the Real Estate Market in Carlsbad is Pretty Important, Don’t You?
You want to make some important decisions about buying a new home, or selling your current home and need information – How much inventory is there? What are prices doing? How quickly are homes selling? and so on.
I really think having accurate information about the real estate earket in Carlsbad is pretty important, don’t you agree?
You really have to pardon the media.
They don’t make an effort to report on local real estate information. Or won’t. It means nothing … (9 comments)
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buyers: Are You Relying on Zillow for Your Numbers? Well, Don’t!
- 09/21/12 10:44 AM
Are You Relying on Zillow for Your Numbers? Well, Don’t!
This is a caution for buyers and sellers who are consulting the Internet to gather information about pricing in order to make decisions about buying and selling.
Are you relying on Zillow for your numbers?
Well, don’t!
Notice I didn’t say to avoid Zillow, or not use it at all.
Just don’t rely on it solely for accurate information OR use it as your only source of data.
I shudder whenever I hear someone say “Zillow says my home is worth $xxx,” or “We’ve been … (14 comments)
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buyers: Using Docusign Electronic Signatures – A Tutorial for My Clients
- 07/18/12 04:34 PM
Using Docusign Electronic Signatures – A Tutorial for My Clients
Like many agents these days, I am using Docusign electronic signatures more and more with buyers and sellers, except where they are not accepted (e.g., REOs and short sales, and a few conventional lenders will still not accept electronic signing…how archaic) or if people are not yet comfortable and prefer wet signatures, or do not use email.
Our MLS has an electronic signature application but it is not nearly as easy to use nor does it offer the functionality (as yet) of Docusign. So Docusign it is for my … (9 comments)
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buyers: When You Snooze, You Lose! And Even if You Don’t Snooze, You May Still Lose!
- 07/03/12 10:19 AM
When You Snooze, You Lose! And Even if You Don’t Snooze, You May Still Lose!
The shift in the market in our area has taken many by surprise.
It brings to mind the popular axiom “when you snooze you lose.” Wait too long to look at a great, well-priced property, or to make a strong offer, and you’ve lost your opportunity.
And with dwindling, or at best stable, inventory, it’s not easy to walk away from a lost opportunity and feel comfort that there is lots to look at and more coming on the market…because there really isn’t. … (38 comments)
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buyers: Sometimes “I Don’t Know” IS the Right Answer!
- 06/23/12 02:21 AM
Sometimes “I Don’t Know” IS the Right Answer!
As real estate professionals we get asked a lot of questions.
And it’s part of our jon, within the scope of our expertise and knowledge, to provide answers to those questions, and necessary information, so buyers and sellers can make an informed decision.
No doubt there are questions we get asked that we don’t know the answer to. True in life and in real estate!
So what do you say?
I believe that saying “I Don’t Know” IS the right answer and perfectly acceptable, even though it may … (74 comments)
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buyers: Front Porches – Are They a Must Have in Your New Carlsbad Home?
- 06/22/12 09:51 AM
Front Porches – Are They a Must Have in Your New Carlsbad Home?
Front porches have been around for a long time, a significant part of the architectural history of a number of classic home styles…at least in my humble opinion. I’m no architectural historian.
Southern plantations (at least the ones I have seen), New England farmhouses and colonials, and other home styles offered front porches as a welcoming spot for guests, a place to entertain, a gathering spot to watch the world go by and socialize with neighbors, protection for company standing at the door while waiting … (7 comments)
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We’re Having a Short Sale Party 
;)
;)
;)
