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Helpful real estate info from the pros.
Tax Facts for Sellers
Much like any business, there are expenses when selling a home. It’s important to know the various costs of selling your property namely the real estate agent commission, pre-inspections, home staging, etc. Today, we’re talking about the taxes that impact your home...
Can Neighbors Affect My Property Value?
In real estate, we use the term “external obsolescence”, meaning a depreciation in the value of a home due to factors that exist outside the property itself. And the neighborhood is one. Ideally, you’d want to have a community that has the following: Key businesses,...
How to Change the Size of a Room with Paint
We shared in a previous blog about the power of color and how it creates mood in a space. Now, we’ll talk about the power of paint on how it can create a visual impact on a room. The amazing people at Liven Design illustrate how you can seemingly change the physical...
Quick Morning Cleaning Routine
Busy moms, we hear you! Hate having to constantly catch up on cleaning every after work or on the weekends? A few minutes in the morning is all you need — seriously! You can achieve a clean and tidy home in a fraction of the time and here’s a cleaning plan you can...
The Difference Between Using the Bank and a Mortgage Broker
We get this question a lot from our first time buyers — are banks and mortgage brokers the same? The quick answer is no and here’s the definition and difference between the two. A bank offers you a home loan. They usually have a set rate and strict rules for approving...
Does Size Matter? Should I Buy a Big House or a Small House?
Not sure what size of home is the right one for you? We share the pros and cons of having a big house or a small house. Now, the size of a home depends on how you define it or relative to your current living situation. When we talk about small houses, we’re not...
Reasons To Speak With A Lender Even If You’re Not Ready To Buy Yet
Buyers usually start their house-hunting process just after having saved up for a downpayment. It makes perfect sense right? But did you know that you need not wait until you saved up for a downpayment before talking to a mortgage lender? The following are the...
Prepare Your Home for a Real Estate Photographer
A photogenic home makes a good first impression and attracts more potential buyers. So sellers, take note — the following are ways to prepare your home for the listing photos. Make it sparkle We clean up when guests come over, right? So much more when...
How to Know if You Can Really Afford to Buy a Home
If you’ve decided to buy a home and want to learn more about the financials, then you’re in the right place. You’re probably wondering how much you can afford. The following items are the most important money matters to consider. Know Your Debt-To-Income (DTI) Ratio...
Should You Talk to a Lender or Real Estate Agent First?
Buying a home entails more than just choosing a property from listings and settling in. It can be an enormous task, that’s why it’s wise to hire pros to help you along the way. But who do you turn to first: the lender or a real estate agent? The ideal sequence is...
Tax Season: Wrap Up the Year Neatly
It’s tax season! It’s time to start pulling together all of the documents that you will need in order to prepare your tax return on your personal property or your rental property in North San Diego County. Tax day isn’t until the 15th of April, but the time to start...
Down Payment Using My Tax Return?
Have you been seriously looking into buying a home this year but struggling to come up with a down payment? One thing you can consider is using your tax refund. It's actually common for many first-time homebuyers to use their tax refunds as a viable down payment...
Get the Most Out of Selling Real Estate
New year, new endeavors! If one on your list includes selling a home, you’re in the right place. Selling a property is no walk in the park but you can get the most out of the sale with strategic planning. Before you put the For Sale sign out, here are some tips to...
Features of an Old Home Worth Saving and Restoring
Old homes have charm and craftsmanship that can be rare these days. A well-maintained property in desirable neighborhoods can also appreciate in value over time. However, one must have the willingness to invest in maintenance and updates, and appreciation for...
Can I Use My 401K To Buy A House?
Achieving homeownership is an aspiration for many Americans, yet it can pose considerable challenges. If you find yourself lacking funds for a down payment, one alternative is to utilize your 401(k) for the purchase of a house. Yes, in certain situations, you can use...
Romantic Touches to Wow Buyers This Valentine’s Day
Chocolates and flowers may be classic Valentine’s Day gestures, but for San Diego homeowners planning to sell, there’s another way to embrace the season of love: staging your home to captivate potential buyers. By crafting warm, romantic spaces, you can create an...
Closing Costs Explained
Buying a home is like planning a big road trip—you’re excited about the destination, but you’ve got to prepare for the pit stops along the way. It may entail a few phantom costs such as homeowners’ insurance, moving costs, and home repairs. These are items that can...
These Underrated Tasks Are Your Home’s Secret to Cleanliness
Keeping your home clean and fresh isn’t just about vacuuming the carpets or wiping down countertops. Some tasks that seem minor, or get forgotten entirely, can actually have a big impact on how tidy and welcoming your home feels. Below are a few home maintenance tasks...