Buying San Diego Real Estate

When it comes to buying your 1st dream home or your next one, you can't be successful if you don't try. I can't guarantee there will not be obstacles but I can guarantee that I will apply my experience and knowledge to help you reach your goals.

I feel strongly that your agent relationship be chosen carefully. Because of this, I prefer to make myself available for an in-person interview. You can ask any questions you like and see if we would have a comfortable working relationship. There is never any obligation and I promise there will be no "hard sell". Assuming we establish a compatible relationship, we will begin by first determining your needs and designing a plan.

Here are just a few of the many services you can expect:

• Tailored plan to determine and achieve your goals
• Assistance with pre-qualification and pre-approval for financing
• Market overview including neighborhood introductions
• Regular notice of available property including by e-mail
• Personal tours of available property
• Property value assessment
• Working carefully with you through stressful moments
• Skillful negotiation and contract presentation
• Transaction management to get the deal closed
• Help with locating inspectors and contractors

Terms and Conditions

There's a lot to consider before you sign a real estate purchase agreement. If the terms and conditions of the deal aren't acceptable, you might want to pause and think twice, even if the purchase price is more than satisfactory. After all, the price will be moot if the transaction never closes. The typical residential real estate purchase contract is complicated, densely written and packed with legal jargon, but don't use that fact as an excuse for not reading the entire contract. Take your time and read slowly. Ask questions about anything you don't understand. Be flexible and willing to negotiate.

The following five points are among the many items that merit attention:

1. What are the cutoff dates for inspections and approvals of the inspection reports? A typical contract provides an opportunity for the buyer to hire all manner of experts to check out the condition of the home. From the buyer's perspective, the more time that's allowed for these once-overs, the better. Sellers, on the other hand, usually want the inspections to be completed and signed off as soon as possible.

2. Who is responsible for making repairs, if any, as a result of the inspections? The fact that the buyer orders one of more inspections of the home for informational purposes doesn't obligate the seller to make repairs or modifications as a result of those inspections. In practice, however, inspection reports often are used to negotiate repairs of major problems or safety or environmental hazards that may be noted. The purchase contract should provide some guidance for these negotiations.

3. Is the seller making any representations or warranties regarding the condition of the property? In some contracts, the seller warrants that specified major components of the home (e.g., the roof or central heating or cooling system) are in good repair and working order at the close of escrow. Buyers should understand which components of the home are guaranteed and which are being sold "as-is."

4. Will a home warranty plan be purchased? A home warranty plan is a sort of limited insurance policy covering the basic major systems and appliances in the home. It may seem like a prize for the buyers, but it's equally important for the sellers and the real estate broker representing the sellers.

5. When is escrow scheduled to close? Pay attention to this date! If you're selling your home, you'll be expected to move out completely before the property changes hands. You'll want to make sure the closing date doesn't fall before you're able to move into your next residence. If you're buying a home, you'll be able to pick up the keys on the day escrow closes. You'll want to make sure you don't give up your prior residence too soon. Don't cut the dates too close. Many escrows end up closing a day or two later than the contract states--but that can happen only with the mutual agreement of the buyer and seller.

Negotiating to Yes

These tips can help you turn a negotiation into a win-win agreement.

Negotiating a purchase agreement is perhaps the trickiest aspect of any real estate transaction. Most home buyers and home sellers want to arrive at a win-win agreement, but that's not to say either side would regret getting a bigger "win" than the other. Successful negotiating is more than a matter of luck or natural talent. It also encompasses the learned ability to use certain skills and techniques to bring about those coveted win-win results.

Here are six tips and suggestions to turn negotiation into agreement:

1. Start with a fair price and a fair offer. There's no question that significantly overpricing your home will turn off potential buyers. Likewise, making an offer that's far lower than the asking price is practically guaranteed to alienate the sellers. Asking and offering prices should be based on recent sales prices of comparable homes.

2. Respect the other side's priorities. Knowing what's most important to the person on the other side of the negotiating table can help you avoid pushing too hard on hot or sensitive issues. For example, a seller who won't budge on the sales price, might be willing to pay more of the transaction costs or make more repairs to the home, while a buyer with an urgent move-in date might be willing to pay a higher portion of the transaction costs or forgo some major repairs.

3. Be prepared to compromise. "Win-win" doesn't mean both the buyer and the seller will get everything they want. It means both sides will win some and give some. Rather than approaching negotiations from an adversarial winner-take-all perspective, focus on your top priorities and don't let your emotions overrule your better judgment.

4. Meet in the middle. Can't decide who will pay the recording fee? Can't agree on a close-of-escrow date? Arguing over cosmetic repairs? Splitting the difference is a time-honored and often successful negotiation strategy. Pay half the fee. Count off half the days. Fix half the blemishes.

5. Leave it aside. Politicians and corporate executives are famous for their "for future discussion" agreements. If you have a major sticking point that's not material to the overall contract (e.g., the purchase of furniture or fixtures), finish the main agreement, then resolve the other difficulties in a side agreement or amendment. This technique allows both sides to recognize and solidify basic areas of agreement, then move ahead toward a fair compromise on other terms and conditions. Summarizing the points of agreement in writing is another helpful strategy.

6. Ask for advice. Successful REALTORS® tend to be experienced negotiators. They've seen what works and what doesn't in countless real estate transactions, and they've established a track-record of bringing buyers and sellers together. Consult your REALTOR® about negotiating strategies, win-win compromises and creative alternatives.

Hiring a Home Inspector

Finding the right person isn't as easy as it may seem.

Most real estate purchase contracts give the buyer fairly broad rights to order one or more professional inspections of the home before completing the purchase.

The right to have inspections comes with the challenge of hiring diligent and competent inspectors. Special training is required to perform home inspections or remediation work for such potentially hazardous materials as asbestos and lead-based paint.

A good real estate agent should be willing and able to recommend several well-qualified home inspectors. The tricky part is selecting the best candidates among the group. Here are six of the many factors to consider:

1. Qualifications. Ask open-ended questions about the inspector's training and experience as it relates to home inspections. The inspector should have some training in construction and building maintenance standards and a track-record of experience in the home inspection business. Depending on the location and age of the home, you may need to hire an inspector who's qualified to deal with asbestos, lead-based paint or other potentially hazardous substances. You may also need to hire a geologist or structural engineer.

2. Scope. Ask the inspector which components of the property are -- and are not -- included in his or her inspection. Will the inspector check out the roof? How about the swimming pool? The built-in appliances?

3. Sample report. Ask the inspector to provide a sample of his or her checklist or inspection report. Does the report include a narrative description or just check-off boxes? Is the information presented and explained clearly and completely? Does the report highlight any problems that could present a safety hazard?

4. References. Ask the inspector for the names and telephone numbers of several homeowners who have used his or her services. Call those people and ask them whether they were satisfied with the report and other services they received. Be sure to talk to some people who have owned their home for a few months or longer. Some problems overlooked by an inspection can take a while to surface.

5. Memberships. Many good inspectors do belong to a national or state association of home inspectors. These groups provide their members with training and certification programs and up-to-date information about industry practices and inspection standards.

6. Errors and omissions. Even top-notch inspectors are only human and can make errors or overlook problems they probably should have noticed. Ask about the company's policy in such situations. Does the company have insurance for errors and omissions? Does the company or individual inspector stand behind the report? Many companies ask customers to sign a waiver limiting the company's liability to the cost of the inspection.