Home For Sale – Make it Easier

As a home seller, you may feel challenged in trying to anticipate what you can do to make your home more inviting and attractive to a prospective buyer.  However, the following easy steps can welcome your buyer instantly and help them to feel as though they are “coming home” when they enter your property, so read on.

First, look out your windows.  Are they clean and inviting?  Do you have a pleasant view or can you camouflage it with some temporary plants just outside the window?  Whenever you leave or anticipate a home showing, remember to leave the window coverings open so natural lighting can show off your property.  The more light the better, so evaluate whether additional room lighting should be left on,  as well.  If the weather is nice and the outside noise quiet, consider leaving a window open to create a slight breeze.

Is your home comfortable looking?  Is the temperature moderate and the ambiance set without being overdone?  Soft music, flowing water from a fountain, or fresh flowers can leave a lasting impression about the “feel” of a home.

Using Your Senses To Promote Your Home For Sale

Your goal is to intrigue the senses throughout your home.  Whether it’s a soft blanket or an antique desk; if you have an unusual and beautiful showpiece, show it off.  Creating a lasting impression through touch or evoking a memory, since these are often reasons later given for why a particular home was chosen.  The sense of smell is very powerful, too, so keep in mind that baking cookies REALLY can help in the sale of your home.  If you do have the smell of baked good lingering in your home, please make sure the cookies are available for potential buyers so disappointment does not cloud their view of your property.

Lastly, leave the house.  That’s right – let the potential buyer have a chance to feel that the house is theirs – if even for 15 minutes.  Your home buyer needs to feel as if they are in their new home.  For this reason, many professional home stagers recommend eliminating personal effects and photos when a home is being shown.  Remember, your main job as a home seller is to prepare your home so potential home buyers feel a sense of ownership and an urgency to make it theirs before they leave.

Home For Sale – Get Prepared Before You Sell

If you want buyers to fall in love with your home, and make them want to buy, then you should start by talking to us.  Below you can ask a question, and we’ll get you an answer….an answer that will help you sell your home for the best price.

Buying a Home in the San Diego Housing Market

The last five weeks have brought mortgage rates to historic lows according to Freddie Mac, with many averaging below 4%. That means more buying and bargaining power for you, the home buyer. In fact, according to last Thursday’s Primary Mortgage Market survey by Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 15 year mortgage was 3.16% with fees and points averaging .8 and the average rate for a 30 year mortgage was 3.89% with fees and points of .7.

Keeping those stats in mind, it’s always wise to do your homework and ask your lender (here’s contact information on Curtis Fox, a great lender) for a list of current rates and determine if those are lowest for that day or week and if the rate is fixed or adjustable, as that answer will affect your payment significantly. Keep in mind that the APR (annual percentage rate) considers all fees, including points and other charges such as origination, underwriting, or closing costs fees, so it may be advantageous to use in comparisons. In a constantly evolving real estate market, it’s always wise to educate yourself and shop around, listen up, and be ready to make the best deal you can on your home purchase and your lending costs.

Save Money When Buying One of These Homes in San Diego

Showing properties 1 - 10 of 500+. See more city of San Diego real estate.
(all data current as of 2/6/2012)

1. $4,375,000 : 8242 Run Of The Knolls, San Diego
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 7,659 sq ft

   Year built: 2010

   Days on market: 1
2. $760,000 : 12289 Avenida Consentido, San Diego
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,043 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,087 sq ft

   Year built: 1986

   Days on market: 1
3. $699,000 : 575 6th Ave 2104, San Diego
   
   1 bed, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,144 sq ft

   Year built: 2007

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 1
4. $599,000 : 12905 CANDELA Pl, San Diego
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,668 sq ft

   Year built: 1986

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 1
5. $659,000 : 3155 Redwood St, San Diego
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,552 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,400 sq ft

   Year built: 1991

   Days on market: 1
6. $549,000 : 9950 Dichondra Pl, San Diego
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,384 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,300 sq ft

   Year built: 1972

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 1
7. $419,900 : 12703 War Horse St, San Diego
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,636 sq ft

   Year built: 1976

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 1
8. $399,900 : 8491 Borealis Rd, San Diego
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,541 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,000 sq ft

   Year built: 1971

   Days on market: 1
9. $259,000 : 5061 La Cuenta Dr, San Diego
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,450 sq ft

   Year built: 1974

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 1
10. $260,000 : 7424 Gayneswood Wy, San Diego
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,278 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,005 sq ft

    Year built: 1984

    Parking spots: 4

    Days on market: 1

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

 Welcome to Brookside Escondido

If you want you can skip to the bottom and look at some of the most recent sales of homes at Brookside Escondido.  Or, stay around for a bit and learn some more about this luxury home community in beautiful Escondido, CA.

Brookside Escondido is a community of 262 homes. Built in two stages, the Pine Valley and Oakmont divisions offer lots of alternatives. Located north of San Diego in the upscale rural area of Escondido (Hidden Valley), this enclave of homes might just be your ticket to a real living lifestyle you’ll want to call your own….and here’s why.

•  Newer upscale luxury homes in a gated community.
• Live on or near one of the nicest executive golf courses anywhere.
• Quiet, local community with easy access to Interstate 15.
• Excellent price points (that is….great values for great amenities).

Introducing Elegant Homes International’s Don Reedy

We know that when you want to sell your luxury home, or if you’re searching for just the perfect estate or land for your own, having the right marketing plan, and working with someone who understands not only real estate, but every aspect of luxury living in the San Diego area is a must.  Fortunately, the Elegant Homes Division of Real Living Lifestyles in San Diego has attracted some of the best and brightest luxury home specialists in the country, and we’d like to introduce you to one of North County San Diego’s most articulate and innovative elegant homes specialists, Don Reedy.

“I have been fortunate to live in the San Diego area for many years, experiencing the best of beach life along the coast from Coronado to Oceanside.  Some of the most elegant areas and homes anywhere in the world drew me to North San Diego County, and now I specialize in luxury homes in areas from the coast of Carlsbad and Oceanside, inland to Vista, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Escondido and Valley Center, and of course the varied offerings and estates in Encinitas, La Costa and San Marcos. “

Elegant Homes International Network of Professionals

We work as a finely knit team of professionals, knowing that luxury comes from understanding and experiencing a wide variety of trades, interests and passions.  Our Luxury Homes Vice President, Brian Gooding, participates with and oversees most of the luxury home sales and purchases in Southern California.  In the picture above, long-time Realtor Kim Carlson, also an Elegant Homes International professional, highlights one of her most recent estates in the Bonsall area.  Kim, Brian, Don and others work side by side, keeping abreast of the latest trends, the oldest trends, and how to best communicate with and provide you with the highest quality real estate representation in the luxury home market.

Want to learn more about how we’ll out market the competition…getting you the best outcome from the sale of your luxury home or estate?  Here’s an outline of what we do….but once you’ve read it, give me a call so I can fill in the blanks, answer your more specific questions, or just hobnob about various opportunities to position your home in this very interesting real estate market.

And if you’re thinking of living anywhere in North County San Diego, how about stopping by my office in Carlsbad to chat about what kind of home and area would best suit your exclusive needs?

Christmas at the speed of life…
Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie’s Christmas stories

What to Get Someone for Christmas If You Love Them

My friend Greg Swann has a special gift for you this year.  A series of stories that pull together some of the oddest and most memorable stories about Christmas you’re ever likely to read.

These are the stories, all of which have been published here in various versions over the years:

The Season’s Greetings
A Dumpster Diver’s Christmas
A Canticle for Kathleen Sullivan
A Future More Vivid
A Father for Christmas
Merry Christmas, Princess Peach
A Costco Family Christmas
How to Slay Dragons
Courtney at the Speed of Life

Give Yourself a Gift – And Amazon Has It for Immediate Delivery!

By

Brian Brady “GOOGLE calls me “America’s #… (San Diego) – See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Christmas at the speed of life… (Kindle Edition)

I’m pretty lucky because I’ve know Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie for five years now. He’s an underground hero, a champion of reason, and a shining example of Man pursuing greatness. You normally couldn’t find Willie in a “straight” place, like Amazon.com. Willie graces the interwebs, sharing parables, fables, and real-life fiction…all written with two purposes: to educate and to entertain. Today, right here, right now, you have a chance to meet Willie, in all of his best tales, in this one anthology.

I know Willie but I’ve never met him. I’ve never met him but I SEE him every day, week, and month. Willie the Jesuit sits next to me at Church, and badgers me at brunch about my sins. Willie the Humanist invites me speak to little kids like adults: teaching them, coaching them, and helping them to understand how special they truly are. Willie the Philosopher chides me for selling myself short, encourages me when I’m down, and reminds me that Splendor starts in the space between my ears.

William F.X. O’Connell (Willie’s straight name) will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think…oh how he makes you think… when you read his stories. Willie will take you dumpster diving, have you confront slothful hedonists, dance with Princesses in the backyard, wrestle with former Presidents, bring redemption to repentant killers, and never leave you satisfied. When you finish one of Willie’s stories, you’ll be yearning for more.

This may be the best dollar you spend this Christmas. Buy it for everyone you love.

Merry Christmas Willie! (I can’t bring myself to address you formally)

During the process of purchasing a home the home buyer will have a physical inspection of the home and property, and then make a Request for Repairs to the home seller.  In this article I wrote about the benefits of doing a good home inspection I pointed out that this inspection can benefit both the buyer and seller, and that understanding how to use the Request for Repairs work to your advantage is simply a matter of understanding the way the home inspection is intended to work.

California Purchase Agreement – Request for Repairs (Buyer requesting repairs from Seller)

• Above is the current standard form used by Realtors representing a home buyer.  Let’s first review how the form is filled out, and why, and then discuss how both the home buyer and home seller can benefit by understanding how this form is generally used to help negotiate one of the most important parts of a home purchase.

 The Request for Repairs

• The top of the Request for Repairs is used to describe the purchase contract and property address, as well as who the buyer and seller are.
• Section 1 is the BUYER’S REQUEST section.  In this section the buyer will provide a list of the repairs he/she wants the seller to make.  The buyer may also (Section 1(A)2, ask for money in lieu of the repairs.
• In Section 1(B) the Buyer provides the Seller with the inspection report and any other documents they feel would be helpful in having the seller understand what repairs are needed, and why..
• In Section 2 the Seller (after having reviewed the Request for Repairs by the Buyer) responds with either an acceptance of the Buyer’s requests, a partial acceptance, a modification of the cash they are willing to pay, or a rejection of the Buyer’s request.
• In Section 3 (if the Seller has countered the Buyer’s request), the buyer has a last opportunity to agree or disagree with the seller.

Time frames for the Request for Repairs

Once the purchase agreement is signed by both the home seller and the home buyer, the “clock” begins to run on various time frames.  During the course of a typical real estate purchase agreement the buyer will typically have a certain number of days to get loan approvals, examine HOA documents and disclosures, and of course to do inspections of the property.  In California the time frame under which the buyer generally operates is 17 days.  That is, from the time the purchase agreement is signed until the seller wants the buyer to move forward (remove contingencies), is generally 17 days.  (Note:  If the seller is a bank – REO sale – then the time frame often is reduced to 10 days to remove the inspection contingencies.)

What Requests for Repairs Are Reasonable?  {For the Buyer}

That’s right.  They key word here is REASONABLE.  Let’s start with some basics, any of which you are free to disagree with by the way.  Remember, these are my ideas, based on my experience with sellers and buyers, and not necessarily yours if you’re sitting in the home buyer’s seat.

Homes have problems.  All of them.  Even brand new homes have issues.  While they may not have cracked slabs or rotting decks, most will have flaws in some part of the home.  If you’re buying a resale home, which most of us do, then the problems are going to be a lot more extensive.  But the question is, what’s a problem?  Or more specifically, what problems are reasonable for you to ask the seller to repair?

In my experience the buyer gains in this transaction by walking in the shoes of the seller, perhaps more than in any other area of the purchase.  Do you have some rooms painted 10 years ago?  Are your wood floors scratched in some places by your dogs?  Are your bathrooms outdated?  Well…..perhaps they are, and you’re still quite happy to live with those small issues in your daily life.  These, my friends, are not usually items that you’re going to ask the seller to repair.  You saw the home, and when you made your offer you factored in the fact that the floor might have to be replaced, or the sinks changed out.  You probably want to repaint, and you’re most certainly going to want to redecorate.  So just because the inspector noted that there were scratches or tears, or perhaps some molding pulled away, you’re not going to win any points by trying to point them out to the seller.

Instead, focus on real issues…issues that your home inspection uncovered that will make living in your new home either unsafe or unhealthy.  That’s where your power lies, and where you can maximize the request for repairs to your benefit.  Here are some examples:

• You uncover a leak, or apparent damage from a leak, and the seller did not disclose that to you.  No one likes the word mold, and although in my experience mold is found in very few inspections, unrepaired water damage can be a danger should mold develop, and this is an area where the seller will almost always cooperate.
• You find that electrical wiring has been run in a manner that’s not to code.  Again, this is a safety issue, and the seller should cooperate to repair.
• You see that the decking is damaged from either water or perhaps termites.  I’ll give you a primer on termites in another article, but usually damage that may result in falls or other safety issues will need to be repaired by the seller.  (Banks often want you to buy “as-is”, so if they refuse to make these repairs make sure you consult with your Realtor and other repair specialists to discover the true cost of making those repairs.
• The home has no Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) plugs.  These protect you and your family from shock and other electrical damage including the potential for fire, and should always be addressed and repaired or paid for by the seller.

So what about all the other repairs you see that need done?  My suggestion is that you be “reasonable.”  If you really want something done, ask.  But if you understand that the issue is normal “wear and tear” then temper your request so that you get the seller on your side.  If there are a lot of issues that you uncovered during your inspection, perhaps asking the seller to compromise by paying you at close of escrow, and you’ll do the repairs yourself.

What Requests for Repairs Are Reasonable?  {For the Seller}

“It’s the economy, stupid.”  Yep, like all things that are obvious, agreeing to pay for repairs for the buyer is mostly about two things; money and pride.

Your Realtor should have discussed the Request for Repairs with your at the time you listed your home.  No matter how nice your home is the chances are that some maintenance is overdo.  Think of this as simply one of the factors in pricing your home for sale.  If you do a good inventory of the state of your home before you begin marketing it, then when the buyer requests repairs you’ll be prepared for most of his or her objections.

Next, and just as important as factoring in the cost, is your pride.  This isn’t just a house you’re selling, is it?  No, it’s your home, the place you lived in, painted, decorated, maintained, improved and loved.  An inspection and request for repairs can seem like a slap in the face if you’re emotional about the above.  Don’t be.  Again, try to remember how you felt when you purchased your home.  Walk in the buyer’s shoes.  Be reasonable.

]]> http://sandiegoequityfacts.com/requesting-repairs-from-the-seller/feed/ 0 http://sandiegoequityfacts.com/prudential-real-estate-sells-to-real-living-brookfield-asset-management/ http://sandiegoequityfacts.com/prudential-real-estate-sells-to-real-living-brookfield-asset-management/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:45:23 +0000 Don Reedy http://donreedy.virtualresults.net/?p=5082 Read More »]]>

Brookfield Residential Property Services Announces Acquisition of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services

Today, Brookfield Residential Property Services (“Brookfield”), a Brookfield Asset Management Inc. affiliate, announced that it has purchased Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services (“PRERS”), a recognized leader in employee relocation and real estate franchising, from Prudential Financial, Inc. Prudential Relocation Services operates as Pricoa Relocation in Asia and Europe.

“We’re excited to become part of a company that is focused on and deeply immersed in the real estate sector and is in the business for the long-term.”

The addition of PRERS to Brookfield’s existing residential real estate franchising and employee relocation services businesses establishes Brookfield as the world’s second largest employee relocation services provider and the third largest residential real estate franchising business.

Under a licensing agreement, Prudential Real Estate brokerage affiliates will be able to continue to use the Prudential brand based on the terms of their franchise agreements.

“This transaction creates a global employee relocation services and real estate franchising leader,” explained Graham Badun, CEO, Brookfield Residential Property Services. “We have now increased the breadth and depth of our service offering, keeping pace with the evolving needs of our clients around the world.”

Real Living Lifestyles, Brookfield Asset Management’s San Diego, Orange and Riverside County’s franchise, is pleased to be a pivotal part of this momentous announcement.   Don Reedy, Realtor and real estate specialist for North County San Diego, and a member of the Real Living Lifestyles network of experienced professionals, says that today’s announcement emphasizes the importance of leading and looking forward in today’s real estate market.  “Real Living Lifestyles wants to lead, not follow, and our home buyers and home sellers know that the desire and ability to be the best in today’s changing and challenging market means success for them.”

A North American & Global Leader

Through its various brands, Brookfield’s residential real estate franchisees are now present in all 50 U.S. states, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and Portugal, with a network of approximately 80,000 real estate agents, 2,800 real estate brokerage locations and more than $150 billion in annual residential real estate transactions.

U.S.-based Brookfield Global Relocation Services moves nearly 85,000 families in and out of over 125 countries around the world each year. With the acquisition, more than one-third of Fortune 100 companies are its clients. In addition, Brookfield is now the largest provider of relocation services to governments, with long term relationships with the U.S. and Canadian governments.

The acquisition greatly strengthens Brookfield’s existing U.S. business and results in the expansion of its operations in nine countries, with a rapidly growing presence in China, Brazil and India.

“Today, Prudential’s real estate and relocation services businesses join a global company with a track record of over 100 years of success,” said Earl Lee, President of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services. “We’re excited to become part of a company that is focused on and deeply immersed in the real estate sector and is in the business for the long-term.”

Earl Lee will continue to lead the U.S. real estate business, and Rick Schwartz, President, Brookfield Global Relocation Services, will assume responsibility for the combined global relocation services business.

Brookfield’s parent company, Brookfield Asset Management, is a global asset manager with approximately $150 billion in assets under management. Brookfield is co-listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbol BAM and on NYSE Euronext under the symbol BAMA.

About Brookfield Residential Property Services

Brookfield Residential Property Services is a leading global provider of real estate and relocation services, analytics and knowledge. The company’s portfolio consists of leading brands, including Brookfield Global Relocation Services, the second largest provider of global relocation services, Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Brookfield Real Estate Services, Royal LePage, Real Living, Via Capitale and Centract. Through its real estate brands, it has nearly 80,000 real estate professionals in more than 2,800 locations, who transact over $150 billion annually. Its global footprint spans North America, the United Kingdom, France, China, Singapore, India, Brazil and Australia, and includes more than 2,500 employees worldwide. It is a division of Brookfield Asset Management, a global asset manager with approximately $150 billion of assets under management.

While you are in the process of buying your San Diego area home, one of the most important items you’ll have to understand and work with is the Home Inspection.  After all, your home is going to be an investment as well as your “castle”, and you’ll want to know as much about the home’s condition as possible before making the decision to move forward with the purchase.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Yes, I realize we don’t have snow here, so if you’re tired of the snow remember that San Diego homes are among the world’s finest…in the most beautiful place on the planet.

Why Do A Home Inspection?

A home inspection is primarily for YOUR PROTECTION.  All through the home buying process the buyer is given numerous opportunities to inspect the home, the grounds, the surrounding area, schools, parks, etc.  Most homes (no really ALL homes) have defects.  These defects range from the smallest scratches or torn screens up to damaged plumbing, rotting wood, electrical problems, and possibly even radon or mold problems.  Even new homes have defects.  It’s up to the inspector to find every single defect and bring that information to your attention.  So the home inspection acts as a buffer between what you know, the seller knows, the seller has told you, and what really is happening today with the home you are about to buy.

Home Inspections Aren’t Just for Buyers – Seller’s Benefit As Well

Although the buyer initiates the inspection, paying his inspector out of his own funds for the service and the report, the seller also benefits.  Here are some of the benefits of a home inspection for both the buyer and the seller:

• Buyer – Detect major issues with the home BEFORE committing to purchase.
• Buyer – Ask for repairs on items of most concern (both safety and financial).
• Buyer – Talk with a professional (hopefully CREA) credentialed inspector in depth about the home and potential cost for repairs.
• Buyer – Build a solid foundation with your Realtor about the issues most concerning to you, and allow the Realtor to offer advice as to generally accepted repairs the buyer might expect the seller to make.
• Seller – Since most sellers are not electrical, plumbing, building or safety issues, the inspection will bring forward any potential areas in their home that affect the value and marketability.
• Seller – In California the seller has the duty to disclose, disclose, disclose.  The inspection report eliminates some of the worry about later being blamed for not disclosing something the seller might never have known about if not for the inspection.
• Seller – When or if the buyer asks for repairs or money in lieu of repairs, a third party report from the inspector acts as a tempering rod so that both buyer and seller can negotiate with the facts….not feelings.

Details of  a Home Inspection Report

Your Realtor will likely recommend and insist that you have a home inspection.  He or she will also provide some companies or individuals who perform home inspection services, and you can choose to work with one of these, or someone that you know and trust.  { I continue to recommend Glen Schwartz and Associates, Tim Rohrbeck of Royal Inspection Services , and Steve Roseberry of Safe Keeping Home Inspections. } The home inspection is one of the few items that is paid for directly by the buyer, and out of escrow.   This means that whatever the appraiser charges will be due and payable by the buyer on the day that the inspection is done.  This fee is not refundable for any reason, and if the buyer decides at some point not to move forward with the purchase, the buyer will have born the cost of the home inspection report.  Fees in San Diego run between $300 to $600 for most homes.

The home inspection itself usually takes 2-4 hours.  During the inspection the buyer and his real estate agent are usually present.  Good inspectors not only check and report, but they can educate the buyer on the location of valves, shutoffs, electrical panels, sprinkler heads, clean-outs, etc.  This information is invaluable to the new buyer.

During the home inspection the inspector can point out significant issues, and also point out issues that are common and probably not of great concern.  Since buyers have varied degrees of expertise in this area, this session with a good home inspector is often some of the most helpful in determining if the home is suitable for the buyer.  As I indicate above, select the best home inspector you can.  Choosing a friend or even a General Contractor who doesn’t regularly do home inspections can be a disaster.

After the home inspection is completed, a copy of the inspection will be reviewed by the buyer and the real estate agent.  If the buyer decides there are repairs that he or she thinks should be made by the seller, then a Request for Repairs will be made asking the seller to either make those repairs or pay a certain amount of money instead of making those repairs.  It is important that the buyer rely on the Realtor’s experience and advice when making requests, but ultimately the decision is up to the buyer.

What happens after the Home Inspection?

With the home inspection in hand, a meeting will take place between the buyer and his Realtor.  During this meeting the findings made by the home inspector will be noted, discussed, and then those items that the buyer wants the seller to repair or pay for will be documented in the Request For Repairs.  The Request for Repairs is a California real estate document that puts into writing what the buyer is asking the seller to do or pay for.  As you’ll see, choosing which items to include in a Request for Repair is part art and part science.  Similarly, the Request for Repair is an item that the seller and his Realtor should discuss and understand prior to receiving one from the buyer.

Yes, we’re a society where someone has to constantly brag, exercise bravado, or simply try to shout louder than the next guy.  I’ve never seen the worth of that myself.  It’s true that some are stronger, more educated, wealthier, or taller than others….but almost all the claims about being #1, #1 Realtor, #1 Real Estate Agent, or #1 Real Estate company…..are just marketing brouhaha.

And so when I see a claim staked out for #1 anything I usually pay attention.  And if it’s a claim about being the #1 Realtor in San Diego, I pay even more attention.  So……

Who’s the #1 Realtor in North San Diego County?

Here’s a candidate that’s announced (bad election pun)….

Or, at least he’s willing to put it in writing.  By the way, this is a REAL ad by a REAL person, but I’m writing for a broader idea, so let’s not trample on any single person.  So now, ask yourself, is this person the #1 Realtor in North San Diego County?    He or she might be a very successful real estate agent.  He or she and their team might sell a lot of homes and represent a lot of clients.  But is he/she or any other Realtor, #1?  Let’s think out loud for a while.

• Who’s the #1 restaurant in San Diego….?
• Who’s the #1 physician in San Diego….?
• Who’s the #1 teacher in San Diego…..?
• Who’s the #1 pastor in San Diego….?
• Who’s the #1 public servant in San Diego…?
• Who’s the #1 Marine, Sailor, Soldier, Airman or Coast Guardsman in San Diego…?

You get my point, don’t you?  As with the above, the real estate profession is a pretty difficult one for most folks to completely understand.  Agents and companies of all sizes service a wide variety of clients in a wide variety of ways….and lots of them….lots of them….perform as the #1 Realtor in North San Diego County every single day.

Want to Work with the #1 Realtor in North San Diego County?

You bet you do!  So as you approach interviewing and investigating the real estate agent who will best represent you in the sale or purchase of your home, ask yourself….and your potential Realtor….questions you’d ask to find out not just how many homes he/she has sold, but how and why they’ll earn the right to call themselves the #1 Realtor in North San Diego County, and more importantly YOUR #1 choice for the best real estate representation you can get.  Here’s a short list of questions to ask so that your selection results in the #1 Realtor in North San Diego County….best suited for you.  (It may be the real/mythical real estate agent in the ad above by the way).

• Are you the #1 Realtor in San Diego?
• Then…follow up on whatever the answer is to the question above.  (Be polite, but be aggressive.  Task this person with the same interrogation you’d do if your daughter was going on a weekend trip with “friends.”   Look for signs of egoism or passivity.  There is NO #1 Realtor in San Diego, so expect the best agents to summarize their best traits, not an imaginary scoreboard).
• How passionate will you be in your representation of me?
• How will that passion be damaged if I decide not to follow your advice?  (Look for a considered and responsible answer.  You don’t want a “yes-man”, and you don’t want your brother-in-law.  You want quality).
• And then ask the Realtor for his social sites.  (Realtors are real people, after all.  Their interests, beliefs, talents, intellect and blemishes are all there to look at and think about.  All real estate is “local” they say, and the Realtor you choose to work with is going to be perhaps a friend, perhaps simply an advocate, but certainly a very large dog in the game.)

 Find the #1 Realtor for Your Needs

There are lots of really fine Realtors in the San Diego area, just like the other professionals I alluded to above.  For example, I recently read a fine article on this same topic by Kris Berg, who along with her husband uphold and exemplify the best of what real estate agents should be.  She may not be the #1 Realtor in San Diego, but if you follow my list of questions above, she’s darn well going to make you comfortable with either hiring her or not.  And I’m going to do the same.  And even Mr. #1 Realtor above, might do the same.  This article is a little cold water in your face.  Be the best consumer you can be, and all the #1 Realtors in San Diego will rise to the task…your tasks.

Where is Elevado Hills?

Click on the map above.  You’ll see that the community of Elevado Hills, which is one of the most elegant and prestigious areas in North County San Diego, is located in an easily accessible, yet rural setting in the northeast section of Vista, CA.  Easily reached from East Vista Way and Hwy 76, this enclave of luxury homes is bounded by the Vista Valley Country Club on the east, and with views from rural Vista, Oceanside all the way to the Pacific Ocean on the west.

Elevado Hills Homes

+Don Reedy