6 Ways to Stay Cool This Summer in San Diego

Summertime in San Diego means long days of fun in the sun. But on weeks when the sun gets too intense, you will need to find ways to beat the heat. There are plenty of things to do besides just lazing in front of the air conditioner, so don’t let the summertime heat keep you from having a good time.

Whether you are looking for kid-friendly activities or solo adventures, there are plenty of ways to stay cool this summer in San Diego. Let’s take a look at our top six activities to do when the summer sun is just too a bit too much.

1. Head to the Cinema

The sun might make you feel like you are melting outside, but as soon as you enter the cinema a frosty blast cools you down right away. Movie theaters are notorious for keeping the A/C on blast, so if you are burnt out from sunburn and all you crave is spending a few hours in a dark, cold room watching the hottest summer flicks, then head to the nearest movie theater.

Check out Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas, Hillcrest Cinemas, or ArcLight Cinemas. Or for a slightly more unusual movie event, check out the South Bay Drive-in, which shows nostalgic favorites and the latest releases from the comfort of your car, old-fashioned style.

Or for an extra cozy, customizable option, set up your own home cinema. Turn up the A/C and watch your favorite movie on cable or Pay Per View, or stream it from your internet-synced TV. If you have surround sound and a big-screen TV, all the better. Get your candies and ice cream sandwiches, pop some popcorn in the microwave (or do it old-fashioned style in a pot), and settle in for a unique cinematic experience.

2. Glide On the Ice

Ice cream is everyone’s favorite frozen treat during the hot summer months. But ice is not just for eating this summer- you can also take a break from the heat by gliding on the ice. Put on some skates, tie up your laces, and spend the afternoon spinning and zooming across the ice in an indoor ice rink.

The San Diego Ice Arena is a great choice for an afternoon on the ice, or try UTC Ice Sports Center. The Kroc Center’s ice rink is another great choice for both amateur skaters and advanced ice skaters alike. For a sportier choice, check out the local hockey league. An ice hockey game is another way to stay active, have fun, and keep your temperature comfortable.

3. Swim, Swim, Swim

There is nothing like a splash and a swim to cool you down when the sun shines high in the sky. And in San Diego, there are plenty of options, from spacious indoor swimming pools, elegant outdoor pools, or even water parks.

San Diego has no shortage of water parks on offer: check out the fun at Aquatica San Diego, Splish Splash, Inflatable World, or The Wave Waterpark. From water slides to wave pools and beyond, friends and family can cool off while you float down the lazy river, swing on a zip line, or zoom down a thrilling slide.

4. Hit the Mall and Local Shops

If retail is your favorite thing, the shopping in San Diego is always fun. Discovering the local indie and trendy boutique-style shops in North Park, South Park, and many other neighborhoods is always fun. Or, head over to a mall. This is a safe bet for a cool indoor activity- and by cool, yes, we do mean cold. Whether you are searching for the latest summer styles, spending pennies at the shopping mall arcade, or getting an early head start on your back-to-school shopping, the mall is a great place to cool down.

Fashion Valley is a great option with plenty of shops and an extensive dining court, or try Point Loma Plaza, close to the ocean.

5. Stop By A Museum

San Diego is known worldwide for its huge variety of museums. Whether you are interested in exploring and learning about science, natural history, human culture, or art, there is a great institution to welcome you into its air-conditioned atmosphere. The San Diego Natural History Museum, also known as “The Nat”, offers endless interesting exhibits, including the Living Lab and Hidden Gems exhibitions.

Plus you can learn about the local flora, fauna, culture, transportation, and history of San Diego at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, the Maritime Museum of San Diego, the USS Midway Museum, and the Junipero Serra Museum. Or for a truly unique museum experience, you can check out the Museum of Us, which explores the entirety of the human experience from many different angles. It’s a great way to start a conversation that can last well into the night, once the sun has set.

6. Catch the Waves

No list of things to do during summer in San Diego can be complete without mentioning, of course, the beach. In fact, no list of things to do in San Diego at any time of year can be complete without mentioning the beach.

Although the beach is not out of the sun, once you slather on the sunscreen you will be ready to dive under the waves. And those Pacific Ocean waves provide an instant cool down, and one of the most beautiful ways to beat the heat. Spend the day diving under the swell, boogie boarding, or surfing and enjoy the best sunsets San Diego has to offer.

A Cool California Summer in San Diego

From movies to museums, from outdoor to indoor activities, there are tons of ways to stay entertained while staying cool this summer in San Diego. Don’t let the heat prevent you from enjoying all that San Diego has to offer.

Whether you are going out as a family, a single, or a group of friends, there is no end to the things you can do and enjoy here this year. Grab your sunscreen, wear a big floppy hat or baseball cap, and take advantage of the many options available for enjoying the summer season, even in spite of the heat.

9 Other Things To Do In San Diego

 

 

 

 

The Best Tips for Boosting Your Home’s Resale Value With DIY Projects

Are you ready to sell your home in San Diego? Before listing your property, take a hard look at making some home improvements. Sometimes, a little elbow grease can improve your home’s value and set you up for a successful sale. Check out these tips from the McT Real Estate Group to give your home the boosts it needs.

Set your price

Before making your improvements, you’ll want to establish a goal selling price. Speak with your real estate agent and come up with a price together. Check out this expert advice for more information on pricing.

This should be based on a number of things, like what similar homes are selling for. Knowing your market and how much you can get for your home will help you decide how much to invest in your improvements.

You can do a lot of research on your own but, your local Realtor, one who is very active in the Real Estate market will have a lot of information that you cannot find on these websites. Some of these things include the number of offers received; what are the buyer’s hot buttons?  Why one home received higher offers than another home right next door?  Why did a house fall out of escrow? Why did a smaller home sell for more than a larger home? These are just some of the things you cannot find if you are solely looking at data found online.

 

Make major repairs

Most home buyers are looking for properties that are move-in ready, meaning they prefer a home that doesn’t need any significant repairs. To give your home the appeal it needs, go through every nook and cranny and tend to the little issues that you typically overlook, like dings in your drywall, marks on the floor molding, and sticky door frames. Then once you’ve covered the smaller concerns, have your home’s major elements and systems checked out and make repairs as needed.

How do I know if my roof needs to be repaired or replaced?

Signs of foundation problems in my home

 

Curb appeal

We tend to turn a blind eye to things we look at on a daily basis, but your home’s exterior will make an all-important first impression to home shoppers. View your home with fresh eyes and think in terms of what someone seeing it for the first time will notice. Take note of any issues like hanging branches, dead plants, damaged gutters, worn paint, or clutter in your yard. Take on any little fixes that you see, then make sure your curb appeal looks stellar with these DIY projects.

Which plants to consider for instant curb appeal

How to make the front porch look nice for better curb appeal

 

Kitchen

It’s time to take down the refrigerator art, scrub the oven and wipe down your countertops! The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and potential buyers will be looking at it closely. Giving it a good tidying and cleaning is a great start to ensuring they will like what they see. However, even minor renovations can boost your resale value. Consider some DIY-friendly upgrades that won’t blow your budget, take minimal skill, and still leave you plenty of time to do a little house hunting of your own.

Does your kitchen lack workspace or storage? Boost both with a DIY kitchen island

How to redo my kitchen cabinets with a practical and beautiful DIY refresh

 

Bathroom

Like the kitchen, bathrooms get a lot of attention from potential home buyers. Clean and organize yours completely, both in the seen and unseen spaces — like inside your linen closet and vanity. Then replace your shower curtain and add new towels and a fresh bath mat. With the basics refreshed, consider making some upgrades, keeping in mind that even relatively small enhancements can also go a long way in the bathroom. These great projects are fodder for your inspiration:

How to add a bathroom vanity for an attractive and effective update

Is your faucet old, worn, or out of style? Here’s how to replace a bathroom faucet

 

Paint

Painting is a low-cost, efficient and effective way to give every room in your home a facelift. And the best part is, it’s beginner-friendly. Even if you never held a paint roller before, you can achieve attractive results with a little planning and good prep work. Keep in mind, though, that there are a few strategies for adding new paint when you’re trying to sell your home. These tips will help you choose the right colors and lay coat after coat like a pro.

Your front door will greet house hunters, so make sure it’s gorgeous

Wallpaper isn’t messy and boring anymore; explore trendy temporary wallpaper designs by artists that are easy to install

Making simple upgrades can greatly improve your home’s resale value. Before deciding on your projects, set a price and know your market. Make necessary repairs and upgrades, and get ready to move—your home will be sold before you know it.

 

5 Tips To Increase Your Home Value in San Diego

5 Reasons Why San Diego is Perfect For Remote Workers

The past year has seen thousands of businesses transition from in-person office and retail jobs to remote work formats. Plenty of new work-from-home employees have taken advantage of the lifestyle shift to try out life in a new locale.

working remotely
Photo by Steve Halama on Unsplash

Why stay in a cluttered urban center or a specific neighborhood in a rural part of the country when you now have the freedom to pack up and go, taking your remote office with you? With so many options suddenly available, remote workers are free to consider their preferences.

For lovers of beach, sun, and fun, San Diego is a clear winner. But remote workers drawn to “America’s Finest City” may find that there are still more than a few surprising attractions to discover here. Let’s take a look at 5 reasons why San Diego is the perfect new home base for remote workers.

1. Laptop-Friendly Cafes and Tons of Co-working Spaces

San Diego is particularly well-primed for welcoming remote workers. During the pandemic, almost 50% of businesses in San Diego County were able to offer their employees remote work options. Among the lasting effects of this jump in WFH and telecommuting employees is the vast number of alternative workspace available throughout the city.

Top choices among the official co-working spaces available include Downtown Works, Cross Campus San Diego, WeWork, and Novel Co-Working Gaslamp. Each of these options features thoughtful touches that any remote worker will appreciate, from the essentials, like super fast reliable Wi-fi connectivity, to the creative, like whiteboards, game rooms, and private phone booths for long business calls.

With nearly 190 laptop-friendly cafes and co-working spaces available in San Diego county, remote workers ready to take the remote office outside of the house have their fair share to choose from.

2. Sunshine By The Sea

It would be nearly impossible to talk about why someone might like to move to San Diego without mentioning the sun and the sea… or rather, the Pacific Ocean. Famous throughout the world for its miles of sandy white beaches and killer surf, San Diego is a beach lover’s paradise.

Things to do in San Diego
Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Whether you are interested in trying kite surfing, sailing, boogie boarding, or catching the waves on your surfboard, San Diego’s beaches offer a plenitude of options. Moving to a new location as a remote worker is all about taking advantage of the after-work benefits as well. And what could be better than shutting down the computer for the day and hitting the beach for a stunning sunset swim?

Plus, there is no better background for your Zoom meetings, and video chats than the serene beach vistas San Diego residents witness every day.

3. Culinary Scene

Most people may first think of Los Angeles or San Francisco as California’s culinary capital. But San Diego is a major player on the foodie scene. In fact, San Diego has got a competitive edge, thanks in part to its flourishing local craft beer scene.

Remote workers will love finishing off the day at the relaxing beer gardens of Stone Brewing Company or mingle with other locals at the breweries for those in the know, like Stumblefoot Brewing Company and Lost Abbey. Get a taster of San Diego’s famously hoppy locally brewed IPA’s and come back for more.

San Diego’s culinary offerings, meanwhile, skew more towards relaxed dining establishments with an emphasis on high quality over pretension. The combination of freshly caught fish and seafood with San Diego’s proximity to Mexico means that here you can find some of the best fish tacos in the world. Expand your palate by sampling the cuisine at a new restaurant each week, and be sure to stop by local favorites like Alexander’s on 30th , The Patio, and the world-famous Italian eatery, The Red Door. From street food to fine dining, you will never get tired of the mouthwatering options.

4. Museums and Attractions

There is never a shortage of things to do in San Diego. The city’s millions of museums, amusement parks, outdoor activities, events, and attractions make it a perfect destination for remote workers moving with their families. Spend the day at Legoland, Sea World, or the famous San Diego Zoo, or visit one of the many museums for an educational outing.

San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Art

For your pirate-obsessed child (or to satisfy your own inner pirate), visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego or the USS Midway Museum. Burgeoning astronauts will enjoy the San Diego Air and Space Museum, while the Fleet Science Center has something new to teach any visitor. One of the 17 museums in Balboa Park is the Museum of Us. Formerly known as the San Diego Museum of Man, this anthropological institution has been sharing new aspects of the story of humankind with visitors for over one hundred years.

5. Laidback Lifestyle

Perhaps you worked in an office for years, braving the lengthy commute each day in your starchy collar and dry cleaned suit. If you were one of those office workers who longed for “casual Fridays,” then San Diego is the perfect place for you to live and work.

Flip flops, boat shoes, and T-shirts can be considered the uniform around town, and no one will be the least bit surprised to see you wearing your casual Friday apparel every day of the week. Aside from a few of the most high-end clubs and restaurants, you can dress casual and show up relaxed at any joint in town. The laidback lifestyle is the name of the game in San Diego; it is the ideal town for you to slow down, focus on work, and enjoy your off-hours when you are no longer “on the clock.”

Living It Up in San Diego

Perhaps it is the year-round sunshine and breezy ocean climate that keeps people in San Diego so happy all the time. Or perhaps it is the friendly, relaxed nature of this city’s residents.

Whatever the reason, San Diego offers remote workers the perfect blend of tranquil landscapes, cozy familiarity, and quintessential California good vibes. Combined with access to plenty of co-working spaces, job opportunities, and weekend recreational activities, there is nothing not to like about life in America’s Finest City. And everything to love!

 

9-Things To Do In San Diego

Help Save Our Neighborhoods from SB-9 and SB-10

Have you heard of the two new bills (SB-9 and SB-10) trying to be passed through the assembly in California?

These two bills will change the footprint currently known as “single-family lots” in California.
What this means is If you own a single-family home currently zoned for a single-family residence, not only can someone build two ADU’s  (Accessory Dwelling Units) on the lot, SB9 and SB10 allow a single-family lot to be split into two equal sizes and someone can build up to 10 units on those lots. This bill has been proposed to the public as it “incorporates the option of creating intergenerational wealth for families”.

Construction costs are approximately $300 per square foot. Four units 800 s.f each typically cost about $960,000.This is not a simple or an affordable process for the typical homeowner. In reality, the only people creating wealth are “Developers”. These are the people who can afford to do this type of building in communities throughout California.

This type of building can easily take place on our commercial corridors where there is still plenty of land to build on.  But, SB-9 and SB-10 WAIVES DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES (DIFS) FOR DEVELOPERS. Those infrastructure fees can add up to more than $12,000 PER UNIT along main transit boulevards.

Why would an investor want to go that route? Instead, they are incentivized to skip all of the infrastructure fees that go with building in those areas, and destroy our single-family communities as we have known them to be. Infrastructure upgrades will be necessary to accommodate the influx of new density in our residential neighborhoods and guess who will be paying that bill? Yep, you, the tax-payer.

A similar bill must have passed during the 60″s and ’70s that created the demolition of beautiful single-family homes in San Diego. In their places, ugly “Huffman Style” buildings were built. Not only were they ugly back then, but they are also ugly today.  Besides not being very attractive they also bring down the value of the single-family homes that are located right next to them.

Hauffman Style building

Another thing to note, if you still have a mortgage balance on your home loan the bank holding that loan will require you to pay it off before you subdivide that lot and put up other units. You face the possibility of foreclosure from that lender if you don’t follow this protocol.

If SB-9 and SB-10 pass, this is a drawing of what a single-family residence will end up looking like.

drawings of multifamily houses in a neighborhood

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO NOW ALLOWS:

  • Green urban canopy to be replaced with concrete
  • Up-to 3 story backyard apartment buildings.
  • No limit on Bonus ADUs per lot
  • No parking required
  • Front yards can be replaced with parking lots
  • Zero setbacks on the rear and side yards

SB-9 and SB-10

WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!

OPPOSE these destructive changes and demand the city place a moratorium on this policy.

CALL OR WRITE the city government and demand the preservation of residential zoning:

MayorToddGloria@sandiego.gov  619-236-6330

Council District 1:  JoeLaCava@sandiego.gov  619-236-6611

Council District 2:  JenniferCampbell@sandiego.gov  619-236-6622

Council District 3:  StephenWhitburn@sandiego.gov  619-236-6633

Council District 4:  CD4News@sandiego.gov  619-236-6644

Council District 5:  MarnivonWilpert@sandiego.gov  619-236-6655

Council District 6:  ChrisCate@sandiego.gov  619-236-6616

Council District 7:  RaulCampillo@sandiego.gov  619-236-6677

Council District 8:  VivianMoreno@sandiego.gov  619-236-6688

Council District 9:  SeanEloRivera@sandiego.gov  619-236-6699

For more information on how these two bills work, and how they will affect our “single-family” communities, watch this short video produced by the United Neighbors, a California coalition to protect, single-family neighborhoods. https://www.unitedneighbors.net

Please sign the petition for a moratorium on these bills.

Tips for San Diego Homeowners on Enhancing Curb Appeal When Selling a House

When you are selling your home, you want to make it as attractive as possible. Enhancing the property’s curb appeal — the view visitors have of it from the street — is an essential first step to a successful sale.

Improving a property’s curb appeal means different things in different geographical locations. In cold climates, you have to take care of winter weather issues, such as shoveling snow and removing potentially dangerous ice patches from your front walk. In sunny spots like San Diego, however, you won’t have such worries.

Local experts McT Real Estate Group offer the following tips on what it takes to create an attractive property.

Get Your Lawn Lush and Green

Greet potential buyers to your property with a lush green carpet of lawn. If your grass is showing dead and brown patches, refresh your lawn by raking, watering, and reseeding it. Add fertilizer after seeding and once again a month later to nourish strong root growth. Choosing the right seed can help build a beautiful lawn. For example, Bermuda and fescue grasses are ideal for the San Diego region. If you want to add some color to your garden, it’s also important to choose flowers that do well when it heats up, like alyssum and sunflowers.

Use Landscaping to Enhance Privacy and Hide Unsightly Aspects

Landscaping isn’t just about aesthetic beauty; it also has functional purposes. While San Diego is fairly temperate, air-conditioning is still a must in the summer. Of course, a bulky AC unit is not attractive, but you can use strategically placed shrubbery to hide such unsightly items. Plant fast-growing and dense hedges like Chinese privet to get started.

Landscaping can also be used to enhance your privacy, for example, by creating a barrier between yourself and curious neighbors. Popular options include a privacy screen, a trellis with vines, or a DIY wooden slat wall that you hang flower pots on. You can even create sound barriers by installing tinkling fountains, which are perfect if you have an outdoor patio that people want to enjoy without disturbing neighbors. Homebuyers value privacy so taking these steps is a valuable part of enhancing curb appeal.

 Freshen Up Exterior Siding, Porch Railings, and Walkways

Curb appeal isn’t just about your garden. So, spruce up the exterior of the house by giving it a thorough deep clean. In warm and sunny areas, dust and pollen can create a grimy coating on the property’s exterior while sunshine can fade the paint. Use a power washer to make your siding sparkle. You can also clean windows yourself using a DIY vinegar-based solution (which allows for a streak-free finish) and a clean rag. If you have railings along a front step, porch, or walkway, check for peeling paint and apply a fresh coat if needed. The same goes for your mailbox. Also, make for a more welcoming exterior by adding some pops of color: You can coordinate the paint trim on the front door with the paint job on your mailbox, for example, or add a vibrant door decoration.

Lastly, do not forget to give your gutters some TLC. Nothing can turn off prospective buyers quicker than clogged, filthy gutters, as it could suggest there are problems with either your roof or foundation — or maybe both. Although you can clean the gutters yourself, hiring professionals will ensure that all debris is removed carefully and safely. Plus, these experts can also determine whether your gutters need repair or replacement. When budgeting, plan to set aside between $106 and $197 to hire professionals to handle the job, but definitely read reviews and get a few quotes first.

When preparing to sell a home in picturesque San Diego, you have to compete with other houses on the real estate market. Taking the above steps will improve your property’s curb appeal and help you get ahead of the competition. The effort will be worth your while when you finally sell your house.

When it comes to selling and buying, the McT Real Estate Group is prepared to help you get the best price or find the perfect home. Reach and connect with us today!

 

5 Tips to Increase the Value of Your Home

How Tech-Oriented Home Improvements Weigh into the Buying and Selling Process

smart house
Image courtesy of Pixabay

Are you considering adding smart home technology to your life but aren’t sure what your best choices are? There are many options available these days, and making the right selections can be overwhelming. If selling your property is on the horizon, not knowing how that weighs into the process can be part of the conundrum. Here is important advice from McT Real Estate Group so you can make informed decisions about automating your home.

Budgeting and ROI

When it comes to selecting automated home gadgets, ensuring your investment pays off is one piece of the puzzle. As Kim Komando points out, many smart home upgrades are available, but some are more apt to help with selling a house than others:

  • Smart thermostats are particularly attractive to buyers, offering the convenience of altering your home’s temperature when you’re away, as well as learning your habits and making adjustments to keep you comfortable. In this way, they cut energy use and, in turn, lower utility bills. Some integrate with other devices, such as household appliances, which can provide added energy savings.
  • Smart locks are another good choice for homeowners, especially if they want a good return on their investment. They provide peace of mind, as well as convenience and security. In order to keep costs down, one recommendation is to install a single smart lock at your main point of entry and stick with traditional locks on the other doors.
  • Smart doorbells are another appealing option, and as Digital Trends notes, they can make your property stand out from others on the housing market. Smart doorbells are a boon to home security and range in features somewhat with video and/or audio capability, alerts when someone is at your door, and real-time and recorded feed.

Keeping things simple

When researching tech choices for your home, keep in mind the complexity of the systems you’re considering. If you’re preparing a home for the housing market, it’s important to select options that are reasonably intuitive or you can scare off potential home buyers. There is also a great deal of fragmentation in the market, meaning the variety of options is so broad some of the best details can be lost in the shuffle.

If several devices are used in a single home, a hub within the home might not be able to mesh the various options effectively if they come from different manufacturers. In this way, sticking with major manufacturers and ensuring the gadgets can be integrated can make the most of your purchases. You might want to check recent reviews on various smart home equipment to see which products fared well in lab tests and which ones integrated well together. When it comes time to buy or sell a property, a checklist can help you prepare for the transition and organize your thoughts.

 Hitting the market

 When buying or selling a home with smart technology in place, there are a few things to keep in mind. USA Today explains if you don’t make the ownership transition properly, there can be inconveniences, or even security concerns, for both buyers and sellers. Resetting devices to their factory settings is vital. Otherwise, all sorts of issues can occur, from someone else controlling your home’s heating and cooling system to strangers being able to see you through your security cameras. It’s important to get the ownership transferred at each manufacturer’s support level along with any existing warranties. Also, ensure remote access, privacy, permissions, and data sharing are updated.

In addition, it’s important to become familiar with the market when deciding which improvements are best for you. Research trends and what is selling locally to help make informed choices. Furthermore, make sure to adapt your home-buying and/or selling efforts to accommodate pandemic restrictions and concerns.

Investing in smart home technology can feel pretty complicated. Select products which offer a good ROI and work together well and ensure you make your transition carefully. With these simple strategies, you can make informed decisions about buying or selling an automated home. Let the McT Real Estate Group help you navigate the process. Contact Mary at 619-736-7003 today.

11 Tips Selling A House In San Diego For Top Dollar

How To Sell A House And Buy Another

San Diego Market Activity - January 2021You keep hearing that the San Diego market is super hot right now. You would love to sell your house in North Park and buy another. We have sold houses with these types of contingencies many times, but we must warn you; going through the process of simultaneously selling your house and buying another is not for the light-hearted. You will need to have lined up many things properly and have a great team working on your behalf to make this process as streamlined as possible and happen on time. If you don’t have everything in place as it should be, things can get very hectic, and this is not a situation you would want to experience. This can be very stressful for you and your family, but it can definitely be accomplished.

Choosing A Realtor

Which Realtor you choose to work with is essential. If your Realtor is not experienced, this can turn out to a huge

Working with a Realtor
Working with a Realtor

financial mess for you. Many contingencies will occur during this type of sale, and knowing what to look for and what to avoid is crucial. As a Realtor, we typically suggest selling your house first, then buy your next house. Of course, this is the cleanest way to purchase a house, but this is not how it works for most people who currently own a house in the real world. There are many things to consider if you decide to buy another house, and you have to sell the one you are currently living in.

Writing A Contingent Offer

If you decide to sell your home and buy another house simultaneously, there are a few things your Realtor should suggest that will help you achieve your final goal. First, before you put your house on the market, ask your Realtor to add you to an MLS home search in your desired area. See how many homes are coming on the market for sale every day and ask yourself if you can see yourself living in any of them. Track how long it takes for those houses to go “pending” (under contract). Just because we are in a hot market in San Diego does not mean that every single house is selling quickly. Sellers who have overpriced their homes will be the ones that stay on the market for a longer than usual time. This will not work out well for them but can benefit you in the long run.

The House Is Overpriced

If you see a house you like and know that it is overpriced because it has been sitting on the market, ask your Realtor to find out a little more about it. Your Realtor can find out if the sellers have received any offers previously and if they would consider a contingent offer. You may want to go ahead and submit an offer on the house.  These are the homes you will have a better chance with the seller accepting your contingent offer. Remember, they priced their home way over what other houses are selling for. Potential buyers currently searching for homes know the house is overpriced. They are waiting on the sidelines to see when the seller drops their price.

Search for homes that have been on the market for over 30-45 days or longer. In San Diego, believe it or not, that is a long time in this market place. Remember, the sellers have been showing this house over and over. They have been keeping the house super tidy, making sure the kids keep their rooms clean and pick up after the dogs, cats, and any other pets they may have. When an appointment is made, they have to clean up and take the kids and dogs out for a walk every single time. Surely they are getting tired of the feedback saying, “we love the home, but it is overpriced.” They are exhausted right about now.

Time To Submit An Offer

If you like any of these houses, NOW is the time to put an offer in. Hurry, get that home before your competition does. The seller will be tired of the feedback, and your contingent offer will not look bad to them at this point. But, If you wait until the seller drops the price, all of the other interested buyers standing on the sidelines will come out of the woodwork, and your contingent offer will not look as desirable any longer. You are back to searching for other homes for sale.

How To Sell A House 

At this point, you will have to put your house on the market for sale.  Before a seller entertains your contingent offer, they want to see

best time to sell a house
Selling A Home in San Diego

that your home is on the market for sale. Their Realtor will check to see if your home is priced properly, where you will receive an offer quickly. If you already have an offer on your house, they will want to know how far along has the buyer on your house gotten with their inspections? Has the buyer already removed their inspection contingency? They will also want to check the purchase contract of the buyer who has an offer on your house. Do they have a house to sell as well, or is it a straightforward purchase?

If you’re Realtor is confident that your current home will receive offers and sell quickly, you can write an offer on your desired house with a longer closing date. Typically we see 30 days, but in your case, maybe you can ask to close in 45-50 days. If you offer the seller a higher dollar amount with the purchase price, they will typically accept the longer closing time, in our experience. At least this will give you a little extra time to sell your house and buy your new house with the equity proceeds that you have built-up from your current home.

My Offer Has Been Accepted

It is super exciting to get your offer accepted. Especially if you were able to put an offer in before the seller decided to lower the price. Not having to compete is always so much nicer than having to be involved in a bidding war. Bidding wars are always exciting when you are the seller, not necessarily when you are the buyer. Hopefully, you and your Realtor priced your home just right and were able to create multiple offers.

Now that your contingent offer has been accepted, you will have to move quickly and efficiently. Your lender should order the appraisal immediately; your inspections should be scheduled and completed right away. Hopefully, your negotiations after inspections go nicely; you are reasonable with the “request for repairs” that your Realtor submitted to the selling side. If so, the sellers will be ok if you have to come back and ask them for an extension. This, of course, may happen if the buyer on your side needs a little more time to remove all of their contingencies.

If you would like to learn more about selling your home and buying another one simultaneously, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003

Learn More About Contingent Home

 

See Homes for Sale in North Park

 

Welcome to San Diego

Best Place To Visit In San Diego

There are so many things to do in San Diego you will not be bored for even one day of your stay. Whether you are into water sports, hiking, window shopping, or a foodie. There is simply something to do for you and everyone in your family. Below are a few places you might find of interest while exploring the different places to visit in San Diego.

Old Town

~The birthplace of California is known to b Old Town. In the early-1800s, this was the site where the first Spanish settlement occurred. The historic architecture and charm remain the same from that era. A few places to visit while in Old Town is the most haunted house in America, rumored by many, the Whaley House Museum. The Junipero Serra Museum is one of the first permanent European settlement sites and one to visit while visiting Old Town. After spending some time here, you are going to have an appetite. Lucky for you, there are many places to eat in the area. Many restaurants such as  Casa Guadalajara, Fiesta de Reyes and others offer amazing Mexican food, including vegetarian options and gluten-free dishes.

San Diego Zoo

~The award-winning and world-famous San Diego Zoo is of interest to people from all walks of life. Whether you are a young child or up in age, your interest will peek when visiting the more than 700 species of animals that live at the zoo. The animals are not kept in cages like in many other zoos. There is plenty of room for them to enjoy their environment and live well for the rest of their lives. The San Diego zoo is quite large, so you may enjoy hopping on the tour bus if you get tired of walking.  You can also ride the Skyfari and take a look at the animals from a safe distance up above.

Sea Port Village

~The Seaport Village is a popular place to visit and has many things to do while visiting. Enjoy watching street performers throughout the day in different areas of the complex. The village is located Downtown, designed with Spanish Style and Victorian architecture with spectacular views of the San Diego Harbor, Coronado Island and the Coronado Bridge.  There are several nice restaurants and coffee shops with various types of cuisine that you will enjoy. After finishing up with your meal, sit out and enjoy the sound of different musicians that come out to perform for free.

Little Italy

~Italian were the original residents of this community that started as a fishing village. Now, the restaurants, art galleries, architecture and shops reflect the Italian heritage of its yesteryear. Little Italy is vibrant and lively, with many events and festivals that take place throughout the year. There is so much to see and do, including enjoying several hours of people watching and window shopping. The restaurants are amazing, so get ready to eat delicious authentic Italian dishes such as pasta, and pizza, to name a few.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

~Torrey Pines is located in one of the most ruff and rugged stretches of the coastal waters, located in La Jolla. The  Natural Landmark is on the hilly cliffs that look or the beach. The lagoon attracts Pleistocene vegetation, “the flora of southern California,” the fauna, and many migrating ocean birds. If you are an eager hiker, you will enjoy the eight trails that run through the reserve, appreciating the views and wildlife such as skunks, foxes, rabbits, coyotes, and several others. If you’re lucky, and it is migrating season, you’ll get to see whales in the water while standing at the top of the cliffs.

San Diego Museum of Man

~The Museum of Man is one of the most captivating and informational things to do in San Diego. If you are somewhat interested in anthropology or anything related to human beings, this is one place you don’t want to miss. There is complete and comprehensive information regarding a large selection of artifacts and photographs. The California Tower is extraordinary, and the architecture of the buildings dating back to the early 1900s is striking with attention to detail.

Of course, there are many other wonderful and interesting places to visit in San Diego. These are simply a few of our favorite places in San Diego.

San Diego Metro Neighborhoods

~San Diego Urban Neighborboods, also known as Metro Neigbhorhoods of San Diego, each have their own vibe, making them special in their own way. The one thing they all seem to have in common is the diversity and cultural attractions they offer. Some of the best metro neighborhoods in San Diego include North Park, South Park, University Heights, Mission Hills, Kensington, Normal Heights, Golden Hill, and  Sherman Heights, to name a few. There are many great restaurants, micro-breweries, wineries, bakeries and awesome shops in all of these different communities. The homes in these urban neigborhoods are mostly Spanish Style, Craftsman Houses and California Bungalows, with a few condos and apartments in between certain pockets. If you are considering moving to San Diego and would like help with finding the best home in your favorite neighborhood, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We are happy to help you with your journey and transition.

 

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Move, Launch, Learn: How to Simultaneously Tackle Big Life Events

Starting a business is an exciting venture, but many people find that when they launch an entrepreneurial endeavor — particularly one that’s based from home — there’s often no adequate space to effectively combine work and family life.

If you think your current home isn’t going to be large enough to accommodate your operations, working with a reputable realtor and timing a move to a larger house while simultaneously starting a business can be beneficial in many ways.

Assess Your Space Needs

All home-based businesses require different accommodations. For example, consultants or computer programmers may only need a dedicated office space for a computer and file storage. On the other hand, if you’re making, storing, and selling handmade soaps (for instance), you’re going to need a lot more room for inventory, taking photos for your website, and maybe even packing products for shipping.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, it’s wise to make a detailed assessment of how much space you’ll need to successfully operate your company while keeping it separate from “home.” Keep in mind that home-based business owners can deduct costs associated with home office space and business operations. This can help offset the cost of a new and larger home purchase if that’s what you ultimately decide you need.

Working With A Real Estate Professional

While you can certainly start or even conduct your entire house-hunting journey online, a seasoned real estate agent can be a good resource for helping you find properties that meet your very specific home-based business needs, as well as the needs of your family. This person should be an advocate with knowledge and experience in helping people who need to combine work and home. For example, they’ll know to look for properties with a casita or a separate private entrance or a home with a master bedroom or office space located in a secluded area of a home away from household traffic. If you decide to work with an agent, be very specific about your needs so they can help you find the perfect property.

Coordinating Your Business Launch And Move

If you ultimately end up moving to a new home and launching your business at the same time, you can reduce stress by carefully coordinating your logistics. Getting your office and workspace set up and operational should be a top priority. Keep all of your business-related materials in one place, and consider transporting them yourself, rather than handing them over to movers. This way, you’ll know where everything is and have easy access to it.
If possible, go with a soft launch rather than a grand opening, so you can successfully get settled into your new home. Ask for help as necessary during this period to ensure you can focus on your business.

Successful Business Operations

As you settle into your new home and get your business up and running, you’ll likely be focused on understanding your target demographic and learning how best to market and promote your product or services. You may find at some point that pursuing an advanced degree is beneficial to helping you grow, diversify, and expand your operations. This is particularly true if your business is related to internet technology, an industry where it’s critical to be well-versed in the most up-to-date technologies.

Consultants also benefit from advanced education, either in their field of focus or in business and marketing. Look into online programs that allow you to learn at your own pace in your own space. You’re also likely to find that you’re able to start incorporating what you’re learning into your everyday work right away.

Simultaneously starting a business, making the move, and staying educated on best practices in your industry can sound like a tall order. However, it’s also an ambitious and exciting undertaking that can pay big dividends. Plan accordingly and map out all of your needs before making any decisions, and don’t shy away from asking for outside help. For real estate advice and more, reach out to McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003.

Photo by Pixabay

Stage A House That Is Vacant

Deciding on whether to stage a house that is vacant or leaving it empty for selling can depend on several factors. In our Real Estate Experience of over 17 years, we have found that staging a home is better than not. Selling a house that is staged sells faster and for a higher dollar amount than a home that is vacant and has not been staged. The reason a staged house sells for a higher dollar amount is more buyers are attracted to it, and the home simply shows better. This ultimately creates competition amongst the buyers looking at the house.

Showing A Staged Home

Home staging has become extremely popular in the last several years. Approximately 79% of buyer’s agents say when showing a staged home to their clients, it makes it a lot easier for the potential buyer to see themselves living there. They tend to stay a little longer during the showing which is a definite plus. They also have an easier time visualizing their own furniture in the space and tend not to focus on the negative aspects of the property.

Virtual Staging

Oftentimes a seller may think of selling their vacant house without having to stage it. There are other sellers that have heard about virtual staging. Virtual staging may be more affordable and does look good in photos. But most times a buyer that sees a property online that shows beautifully staged, will be disappointed when they walk through the home in person. Every defect the property has will be on display. The buyers walking through will notice every scratch, stain and wear and tear the home has endured throughout the years

Lightly Staging A House

Even if sellers don’t want to stage a house, they should consider lightly staging their vacant property. It will make the home appear larger than it really is. It will feel inviting and people can then visualize living in the house. This especially holds true for smaller rooms. If you add furniture to a smaller room, it will magically make the room feel larger.

Staging A House Is Not Necessary

There is a time when we believe that staging a vacant home not necessary. This of course is when a property is a fixer. In other words, if your home has a lot of deferred maintenance, such as cracks in the walls, original electrical, foundation issues, plumbing issues, etc. we would recommend not staging the property. In these circumstances, these types of sales are better suited for savvy investor type buyers. They do not care about furniture. Instead, they are strictly looking at numbers. We have found if you stage these types of homes, a traditional buyer may fall in love with it because it looks cute. But, when you accept an offer and they do their inspections, 9 times out of 10 they get scared because of all of the repairs needed, and they eventually cancel the escrow. This is never fun for a seller.

Not Staging A Home

If you are still not convinced that you should stage a home before selling? No worries, nothing is set in stone. We are only letting you know what we have learned throughout our years of selling homes in North Park, South Park, and surrounding areas of San Diego. The one thing that we recommend you should always do; having the house deep cleaned before putting the house for sale on the market. A dirty house will turn many potential buyers away. They will automatically think the home has not been kept properly. It will show in their offer if they decide to make one.

Staging A House Before Selling

If you are thinking of selling your home, contact your local Realtor. Go on their website first and check out the photos of the homes they are selling and have sold in the past. There should be an area on their website that shows their “Featured Listings.” This will give you an idea of what they provide. Do you see a lot of photos of vacant properties? Or are most of the featured homes staged? Another important factor to look at is the quality of the photos. All photos should be professional. This is the first thing a prospective buyer sees online. If the photos do not showcase the property well, they will move on to the next property.

Below are a few photos of before and after staging photos of a home we just sold in San Diego. The owners of this house initially thought of not having it staged. But, after some discussion, they took our advice. We ended up with 14 offers and $35,000 over list price. The buyer loved how the furniture looked they wanted to buy it too. This of course belonged to our stager and was not part of the sale. My point is, the furniture simply creates an illusion of warmth and coziness.

Other Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Home Before Selling

 

 

How Much Value A Roof Adds To A House

Adding a new roof to a house in North Park or any area of San Diego can be costly. Many times home sellers like to add the complete cost to the buyer. Many sellers believe because they just did this upgrade the buyer will reimburse them for it. However, value does not always equal cost. Value is what something is worth and cost is what one pays for something. We may want to think they are the same thing but they are very different.

Needs vs Wants

A roof is one of those things that falls under home maintenance and not something like a newly remodeled kitchen, featuring top of the line appliances. It is one of those things that you need to do eventually for the maintenance of the home but you don’t necessarily want to do. When a buyer walks through a home they are not looking at the roof or the pipes under the house to determine the value. Instead, they are looking at the open floor plan, or the gorgeous wood floors, updated kitchen and top of the line accessories. These are the things they want in their next house.

Buyers Expectation of Value

When a buyer walks through a home, they expect the electrical to be up to current code and they expect the sewer line to be working properly. They don’t expect to have to pay extra for these items to be up to today’s standards. That is of course if you are trying to sell your house for the highest possible dollar amount with a traditional sale to a retail buyer. If your home is in original condition or has deferred maintenance, then this is a different type of sale. In this case, doing less is more. There is a buyer for houses in all types of condition. The home simply has to be priced accordingly.

Higher End vs Lower End Value

A buyer in a higher-end market is typically more demanding than in a lower-end market. I don’t mean demanding in a bad way. What I mean is they are much pickier. They expect the home to have more bells and whistles, depending on the price point. The lower end market may not be concerned about central air, or an energy-efficient green home. They are not looking for top of the line appliances.

What Is The Value Of My Home

Let’s say you add a new kitchen that cost $50,000 in a home where homes in that area are selling for $500,000. Imagine you add that same kitchen to a home where homes are selling for $1,500,000. The value of the remodeled kitchen would be a lot less in the $500,000 home because homebuyers in that area do not expect such a high-end kitchen. You would have over-built for the neighborhood. You could remodel a kitchen in that area for $25,000 and the home would still sell for the same selling price.

If you are thinking about remodeling your home but have concerns about the resale value, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We are happy to have a phone conversation and answer whatever questions you may have.

Have You Outgrown Your Home Office?

Working from home can be a dream come true for many small business owners — flexible schedule, no commute, casual dress code — but the McT Real Estate Group knows it has its drawbacks as well. Sometimes your office is merely a designated nook, a space in your kitchen, or an extra bedroom that is just too small.

Here are a few indications that you may have outgrown your current home office:

  • You’re constantly having to move things in order to get work done.
  • Business supplies or equipment are in other areas of the house.
  • Noise is a problem.
  • In-person meetings need to be held in the kitchen or living room.
  • You find it difficult to concentrate.
woman sitting at her desk working on the computer from home
working from home

Remove the Barriers to Productivity

For an optimal work environment, it’s not necessary to have a large home office, but it should be as self-contained as possible, with plenty of room for storage. Ideally, there is room for at least one additional chair, so you can meet with clients or vendors privately, or just to step away from your standard workspace to brainstorm or meditate. In addition, it’s preferable to have your office in a quiet part of the house with a solid door to muffle sounds.

Your desk or work surface should be conducive to your specific job, with the right amount of space and storage. A comfortable, supportive chair makes a huge difference if you spend hours at your desk. You may even want to have a mini-fridge and coffee maker in your office, so you don’t need to make trips to the kitchen throughout the day.

Consider whether your desktop computer or laptop is in need of an upgrade. As more services move to the Cloud and applications grow more powerful and demanding, older models can struggle to keep up. That doesn’t mean you have to shell out a ton of money, however. Discounts and online sales can net you good deals on many models and styles of electronic equipment.

Make the Move

If your office isn’t set up for the success of your business, it may be time to remodel your home or search for a new house that has the kind of office space you need. San Diego real estate is always in demand, so if you’re looking to make the move, it’s best to start the process early and give yourself time to find the best options available.

  • Use a mortgage calculator to factor in your household income, debt-to-income ratio, credit score and approximate down payment, so you can determine how much you can afford.
  • Apply for mortgage pre-approval before actively searching for a home, so you can jump quickly on the right house when it comes on the market.
  • Find a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about your desired area, price point and requirements as a home-based business owner.

Form an LLC

If you haven’t done so already, consider forming an LLC, or limited liability company. As SmartAsset notes, it provides legal protection for your personal assets and avoids double taxation, because your business income isn’t taxed before you draw personal income from it. An LLC has more flexibility and requires less paperwork than a corporation. Best of all, you don’t need a lawyer to facilitate the process. Skip an attorney’s fees by completing the process yourself online through a formation service. Rules for forming an LLC vary by state, so make sure you know the local regulations before proceeding.

Your home office is “command central” for your livelihood, so it should work as hard for you as you do for your business. If your current space is hampering your productivity or frustrating your efforts, it might be the right time to explore new options. Connect with McT Real Estate Group for help in finding the right space to help take your personal and professional life to the next level!

Ways to Increase Your Home Value in San Diego Before Listing It For Sale

When it comes time to sell your home in San Diego, you can take several steps before listing it with a Realtor to increase your property’s value. And, to also leave you with more money in the bank. Below, we’ll discuss a few of our favorite options.

Address its Curb Appeal

We all know that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to new home buyers, it’s hard not to! The exteriors should encourage prospective buyers to enter the home, so it’s a great idea to address the landscaping, paint coat, and ensure that the front door isn’t chipped. The driveway is also important, as a poorly maintained driveway won’t leave perspectives with a good first impression of the upkeep of the property. 

image of North Park Craftsman House located at 3051 Redwood Street
front of North Park Home for sale

 

Maintain the Roof and Siding

Replacing a roof can cost a pretty penny, but a roof that’s falling apart is going to turn homebuyers off. Thus, before you place your home on the market for sale, it’s important to repair the roof as necessary. Roof maintenance right before you sell your home will not only improve the resale value but will also prevent home inspection issues and avoid a point of negotiation with potential buyers. For the siding, ensure that stucco or rustic siding is also properly maintained to prevent the buyer from seeing it as a future cost.

Remodel the Kitchen or Bathroom

Kitchens and bathrooms can greatly increase the value of the home and are also essential spaces in a buyer’s first impression. You will want to weigh costs, but in most cases, minor renovations will pay off immediately. Especially if you have outdated appliances or old countertops, quick renovations will instantly upgrade the feel of the space and make your home more attractive to prospective buyers. You will also want to address the countertops, as they’re the focal point of the area. Consider quartz countertop colors that’ll complement your wall color nicely. 

Make your Home Low Maintenance

Buyers consider maintenance costs when looking at properties. If you have a roof, furnace, or HVAC unit that is nearing the end of its life, repairing or replacing it before selling can help soothe buyer’s fears about looming repairs. You can also invest in making your home more energy-efficient, as energy conservation features can make a home much more valuable. This investment could look like anything from solar panels to LED lighting or more efficient heating and cooling units. 

Aging in Place Renovations

Aging in place renovations are something to consider if you live in a neighborhood that is conducive to families and older living such as North Park and South Park. Additions such as a lowes handrail, or a shower with a seat can add great value.

Repair the Siding

If your siding is very damaged or is showing signs of wear, you’ll benefit from repairing it before you sell. Since the siding is what protects your home against the outdoors, buyers are likely to be put off from siding that’s clearly seen better days, as it’ll lead to costly repairs down the road. When it comes time to repair, a fiber siding, such as rustic siding, will add to the curb appeal as well as the functionality of your property. 

Whether you’re looking to sell your home in North Park, South Park or surrounding areas in the near future or further down the line, these renovations will absolutely help you increase your home’s value before it even hits the market!  But, before you do anything else, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003, the local Real Estate Experts. Together, they will come up with a plan of action that will help you receive the highest return on your investment.

Homes for Sale in North Park

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.

Living In California

A man riding a bike at the beach in california
Riding a bike at the beach

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Many people dream of living in California. This is especially true when the rest of the world is experiencing cold winters or sweltering summers. Yes, the cost of living in California is much higher than in most parts of the country. The beautiful sunshine and gorgeous weather in California come with a price. The cost of living is 43% higher here than the national average. The median sales price of a two-bedroom house in San Fransisco is approximately $1,440,000, while the median sales price in San Diego is approximately $621,000. If you are not ready to buy a house and instead decide you will rent, the average two-bedroom rental in San Diego is approximately $2,400. In San Fransisco, you will be looking at a studio for that price or more. But there is a reason why people continue to pack up their belongings and move to this sunny and temperate state loved by so many.

You may be thinking you will find a cheap place to rent and live on a budget when you first move to California, but this all depends. When people think of moving to California, they are looking to live in San Diego, LA or San Francisco. Although the West Coast is lovely, I am particularly biased toward San Diego. In 1998, I was living in NYC and getting tired of the sticky summers and freezing winters. I started searching for the perfect place and traveled along the West Coast.  That is when I fell in love with San Diego, specifically North Park, a metro neighborhood located 10 minutes from the beach. I made my move here and never looked back.

image of boats at the San Diego Harbor
San Diego Harbor

California is known to be laid back, has beautiful beaches, lots of things to do. There are great places for hiking and other wonderful outdoor activities. You will also find few bustling cities if that is what you are searching for. While known for its agriculture and tech economies, it is also a place of paradise for many that enjoy the sunshine year-round. The Southern California coastline enjoys 70-75’s, while inland can reach over 100 degrees. It will depend on how far away from the coast you live. In contrast, the Northern California Coastline hovers over the high 50’s.

Visit the beach and surf in the morning, then enjoy a hike in the desert or mountains in the afternoon, where you’ll occasionally experience a bit of snow now and then in the winter. There is so much to see and enjoy that most people that move to California never want to leave.

While Northern California and Southern California have completely different vibes, both are beautiful and have so much to offer. Northern California is known for the different varieties of foods. At the same time, Southern California has some of the best authentic Mexican food around. The craft beer industry has become very popular in the last several years, and the West Coast is on the top of the list, with Santa Rosa coming in as the US’s microbrew capital.

Whether you are a younger Millennium, a Baby Boomer, or anything in-between, you will love living in California. If you think of buying a house in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away at 619-736-7003. We would love to help you find your perfect home in San Diego County.

 

Things To Do In San Diego

 

 

What Seniors Should Look for in a Home in San Diego When Aging in Place

Looking for a home in San Diego as a senior comes with a lot to consider, and when you’ve decided to age in place, it can be challenging to find a house that meets all your needs. You might already have a checklist in your mind, starting with price, the number of modifications you’ll need to make, and how many updates have been made to costly maintenance items like the roof or flooring. However, when it comes to buying a home post-retirement, it’s essential to make sure you add safety features to that list to avoid any issues down the road.

Knowing what to look for in a new home will not only help you figure out your budget it will allow you to plan for the next several years. For instance, the right home for you may need to include sufficient lighting, handrails for stairs, or non-slip flooring so that accessibility and fall prevention are a priority.

Below Are Some Ideas On What to Look For When Buying a Home

 

Get to know the San Diego Market.

Before you make any decisions, it’s crucial to get to know the market in San Diego. Contact the McT Real Estate Group right away; we can help you with this. The size of your budget has many determining factors, and it’s not easy to bump up the amount you can spend if you’re unable to find a house in San Diego in your price range. If you know what to expect, you won’t be faced with many hard decisions or surprises. Keep in mind this week, the median list price for a single-family house in San Diego, CA, is $650,000.

Look For A Home Without Needs

Unless you can afford to build a brand-new home from scratch, chances are you’ll probably be faced with some difficult decisions when you’re searching for a house in San Diego. There may be many homes that come close to meeting your needs but don’t have everything you want, or homes within your budget that need more work than you’re willing to put in. Keep in mind that the point of finding a home in which to age in place is to make things easier on yourself, so if it needs a new water heater or some roof repairs, have your Realtor negotiate this during the buying process or keep looking for a home that best suits you. If it’s in good shape but doesn’t have all the things you want, you can always make some small modifications yourself. For example, if doorknobs are too difficult to turn, you can replace them with handles or levers (which Home Depot sells for under $20).

San Diego’s Friendly Communities Can Make a Difference

You may not realize it, but the neighborhood you choose can make a big difference in your health and well-being. This is because part of aging in place is retaining a sense of community and socializing, which can prevent isolation, a major source of depression in older adults. San Diego has lots of friendly communities and is a great place to retire. Get to know the neighborhood you’re interested in and talk to the neighbors before the move. This will help you feel more at home and may even facilitate new friendships, and it will allow you to find the nearest parks and fitness opportunities. Consider searching for a home in San Diego’s metro neighborhoods. North Park, South Park, University Heights, and several others have great walkability. Being close to food shopping, pharmacies, restaurants, and coffee shops makes it super convenient for people of all ages to call home.

Consider Keeping Up With Maintenance of a Home

Post-retirement should be a time of relaxing and doing the things you enjoy, not maintaining a house. Consider the upkeep factor when looking for a new place; the lawn should be small and have easy-to-care-for landscaping, and there should be no hard-to-clean areas inside (such as a fan high up on a vaulted ceiling). Your new home should work for you, not the other way around.

Make a checklist when you’re ready to start searching for a home for your golden years. If you’re moving in with someone, keep communication open with them so you’ll both be on the same page. Remember to keep your comfort and safety in mind when making decisions, and make sure your home is within your budget before committing.

If you would like help searching for a home in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003. We would love the opportunity of assisting you with this next step in your life.

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Living In North Park -Buying a House in North Park

Are you having a hard time choosing the best neighborhood in San Diego to move to? The McT Real Estate Group is ready to help you with your home search. We will find out what things you like best when considering a neighborhood to live in. Our favorite neighborhood happens to be North Park. Why? We initially bought our first house in North Park because it was an up and coming neighborhood at the time. Since then, it has become one of the most hipster Urban neighborhoods in San Diego with so many things to do. Living in North Park is fun and never boring. There are many neighborhoods in San Diego to choose from, but these are a few reasons to consider buying a house in North Park.

 

North Park Has Beautiful Real Estate To Live In And Invest In

2904 kalmia

Established in the early 1900s, North Park is considered one of San Diego’s older metro neighborhoods. Many of the historic Craftsman Style, Spanish Style and Victorian Style Tudor homes can be seen throughout the different neighborhoods. People have restored them to maintain their true Craftsmanship, and this is beautiful to see. There are also Bungalows and  Modern Style homes that have been remodeled and newly rebuilt as well. With all of the Historic Homes in North Park, the neighbourhood’s character and style attract people from all over the Country. 

 

North Park Best Restaurants

the modern vegan

Whether you are a foodie or a fussy eater, North Park living is full of excitement with fun exploring the best restaurants that North Park has to offer. Sit down at Tamarindo Latin Kitchen & Bar for some Latin Flavor, or head over to  Dunedin New Zealand Eats for some delicious New Zealand food. If you are Vegan, no worries, there is a newcomer in town, and it is a big hit. The Modern Vegan.  This place is on the cusp of North Park and University Heights and is fantastic for those who love comfort food. If you prefer to go out for snacks and a few beers or wine, there are plenty of hot spots for this as well. Thorn Street Brewery is a local favorite of craft beer where you can bring your dog and family to. They typically have different food trucks on the weekends, so you can grab a bite to eat while you enjoy the local beer. Check out URBN. They have coal-fired flat and New Haven-Style pizzas that are a favorite to many in the neighborhood, along with draught beer and craft cocktails. This loft-style restaurant is loud, so it is a great place if you have a group you are hanging out with. For a more intimate style environment, there is  Alexander’s for some great Italian food. There are so many different places to choose from. If you decide to live in North Park,  you will never have to leave the neighborhood to experience different types of cuisines. If you would like to skip the restaurants altogether, you can head out for some coffee and snacks at  Communal Coffee. There are different flavored coffee, drinks, books, and several trinkets you can pick up during your visit. Then there is the coffee-infused cocktail during happy hour at Caffe Calambra, along with pizza, desserts, and paninis.

North Park Breweries

Mike Hess Brewery

Whether you are a beer aficionado or you enjoy a nice beer occasionally, North Park is the place for you. It has become a hotspot for local craft breweries to flock to. Some of North Park’s local breweries include Mike Hess Brewing Company, Thorn Street Brewery, The North Park Beer Company, Belching  Beaver Brewery, and Pariah Brewing Company, to name a few. There are so many choices that you will never be bored with the same ole beer again.

North Park Local Shopping

Simply Local

North Park has many locally-owned shops for people to buy their gifts, knickknacks, bookstores, and all types of home decorations. Some local favorites include Simply Local. Here you will find homemade gifts, jewelry, souvenirs such as shirts, soaps, pictures, honey, oils created by amazing local artists. Pigment is another favorite for home decorations and gifts and, it is just a few blocks away. Nearby is Mimi & Red Boutique, a lovely gem in North Park where you can find designer clothing pieces, jewelry, and other great accessories.

Balboa Park Nearby

Alcazar Gardens Balboa Park

The acclaimed Balboa Park is located West of North Park, where visitors get to hike through miles of trails, visit 17 museums, walk through the beautiful gardens and sit by the gorgeous fountain to people watch. Feel like playing a game of golf? Sure, why not. Balboa Park Golf is the oldest public golf course in San Diego and one of the favorites. There are so many different types of events taking place year-round at Balboa Park. By living in North Park, you will always have something new to see every single day if you choose to. 

 

North Park Is San Diego’s Most Dog-Friendly Neighborhood

Dog Friendly

You will notice in North Park that there are lots of people out and about with their dogs. North Park is one of San Diego’s most dog-friendly neighborhoods.  Many of the restaurants and coffee shops are set up so you can bring your dog with you while you have a bite to eat. Many even provide treats for them.  There are several pet stores in the neighborhood, but one of my favorites is The Original Paw Pleasers. You can spoil your babies by ordering homemade doggie ice cream,fresh-baked Grain-Free cakes, and more for your pet. The dog park at Morley Field is one of our favorites. Here you get to meet many of your neighbors, and their pups get to make lots of friends.

 

North Park Is Perfect For All Age Groups

North Park is perfect for all age groups because of its walkability. Its ample amount of shopping, restaurants, wineries, breweries and things to do around town make it desirable for people of all ages. Younger and older aged people like not having to drive for everyday conveniences. Younger people such as Millennials love  North Park because there are so many things to do and a great place to meet new people.

Move To North Park

If you are thinking of moving to North Park or already living here but are currently renting and want to buy a house or condo, reach out to the McT Real Estate Group today at 619-736-7003. We moved to North Park in 2001 from N.Y.C and have never looked back. Our office is located in the hub of North Park. We will sit down and have a conversation with you and find out your wants and needs. Together, we will figure out the best strategy for you to buy a home in the North Park area.

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The Decisions Seniors Make When Downsizing Their Home in San Diego

 

3364-66 A Street

The decision to downsize is the ultimate decision. As you go through the process you’ll realize that decisions await you at every corner. Will you move into a house or an independent living community? What items come with you and what must go? Another important decision is what you’ll do with your current home. Below you’ll find helpful tips to help you navigate these decisions.

Deciding Where to Move

San Diego is home to a variety of unique home styles including one-story ranch properties, Spanish styles, townhomes, split levels, and post-modern homes. However, if you’re looking to live close to other seniors, independent living communities are a good option. They come with a variety of services like housekeeping and meal plans, so there’s no need to constantly manage household duties on your own. You’ll also maintain an independent lifestyle and will have access to in-home care on an as-needed basis. It’s worth taking a tour of nearby facilities to see what you think, but pay attention to the price tag. Costs of independent living facilities in San Diego range widely from $1,655 to $16,500 per month.

Deciding Whether to Sell Your House

One of the most common choices regarding your current home is to sell it and use that money to purchase your new home. To make things easy, hire a real estate agent. Agents have access to loads of information, including market trends, competing listings, and comps. Plus, if you’re wanting to sell your home quickly, you’ll need them to help you be aggressive about marketing. While your agent works their magic, get a head start on packing and decluttering. Your new home will have less square footage and storage space, so downsizing your items is a must. Start with the stuff that’s easy to get rid of first such as duplicate, broken, forgotten, and expired items, then go room by room. Decluttering is one of the important steps in staging your home as well so that buyers can focus on the home’s potential rather than your stuff.

Deciding Whether to Rent

If it looks like your home might be on the market for a while, you won’t be able to get the price you want, or you want to keep your home, renting is an option. However, this requires some investment on your end, including a renter’s insurance policy, permits, and repairs/updates. You must also decide if you want to be your own landlord or hire a property management company to help you find/screen tenants, collect rent, handle repairs, and communicate with tenants. You’ll be happy to learn that renting does have some tax benefits, including the ability to deduct rental-related expenses like mortgage interest, taxes, repairs/maintenance, cleaning, insurance, and even depreciation.

Deciding Whether to Keep the Home

For many seniors, the thought of selling the family home is difficult. Perhaps you want to pass the home on to children, or at least keep it in the family a little while longer. You may have this stipulated in your will, but how can you pass your home to children while you are still living? You may have heard about homes being sold for $1, which is a large gift. Nothing is stopping you from doing it, but if the home is worth $250,000, then you just gave a gift of $249,000. You get a $15,000 gift tax exclusion per person per year. You must then decide whether to pay the gift tax now or apply it to your lifetime exemption of $11.4 million. There are other ways to transfer the property including re-titling or deeding.

Downsizing is a decision that requires much thought, and the same can be said as to what you’ll do with your current home. You can go the traditional route and sell your house, or choose a completely different path and rent or keep it altogether. Other decisions like where to move and what to do with your belongings will also have to be made. Think them through and talk them over with family and friends (and professionals) to arrive at the decisions you’re happiest with.

If you do decide to sell your home in San Diego, The McT Real Estate Group can help you with the process of selling your house. Contact us at 619-736-7003 so we can set up a time to have a conversation.

 

 

 

 

How Bedroom Paint Colors Affect Your Mood

One-quarter of Americans will suffer from insomnia each year. If you’re one of them, you know how frustrating it can be to try to fall asleep, especially if you’ve taken several measures to help you relax and lull you into drowsiness.One thing you may want to consider is the color of your bedroom paint. Although it may sound like an insignificant detail, the color of your walls may be to blame for your lack of quality sleep. Red light, for example, has been found to make cattle more aroused than blue or green light.

The Psychology Of Color

The psychology of color shows us that color has the ability to influence our mood, appetite, and feelings more than we realize.

There are several colors that may prove soothing for your sleeping space, and there are many you may wish to avoid. Here’s a look at the best and worst paint colors for your bedroom.

Colors to Avoid

These are the hues that can increase energy or distract you from obtaining a full night’s sleep.

Anything Bright

Vibrant colors such as hot pink, Kelly green, and royal blue are definitely fun, but unfortunately, these paint shades won’t do much to help you get a good night’s rest. Anything bright tends to be overstimulating. Save these for the family entertainment area or home office where alertness is encouraged.

Red

As already mentioned, red is a very energizing color. While you may think the color of romance and passion is a match made in heaven for your bedroom, the truth is it may subconsciously keep you awake. Even dark brick reds and burgundy should be avoided. Red works well in the living room area or kitchen.

Very Dark Colors

Brown, black, dark gray, and deep purple can also come across as very intense and even intimidating in your bedroom space.

Colors That Encourage Relaxation

Instead of choosing the paint shades listed above, go for colors that soothe and encourage relaxation. Think of the colors you’ve seen in the waiting areas of spas, hair salons, and doctors’ offices—they probably were not of the intense variety. The following colors work very well in the bedroom.

Green

It’s the color of nature, and generally, lighter and more natural-looking greens such as sage and spearmint may help induce sleep. Green also improves concentration, so if you enjoy reading as part of your bedtime routine, being surrounded by green-colored walls may help you absorb information better. Avoid Kelly green and others on the brighter end of the green spectrum.

Blue

What do China, Great Britain, the U.S., and Indonesia all have in common? People in these countries—as well as several others—say blue is their favorite color. Maybe it’s because it’s a soothing and naturally occurring color on our planet—the sky and bodies of water are blue, and Earth itself is blue when viewed in space. One study found that blue light brought down stress levels three times faster than white light did. This is important to know, as stress can hinder sleep.

And it doesn’t have to be a light blue to help you relax. Try a navy or nautical blue in your bedroom.

Lilac and Lighter Purples

If you’re looking for something a little different, try a pastel-to-medium purple in your bedroom.

Neutrals

You can’t go wrong with any natural paint color or neutrals in the bedroom, particularly grey (as long as it’s a light grey) tan, and cream. A bonus of choosing these paint colors is that they also make it easy to find complementary bedding and furnishings.

Paint Your Way to Restful Sleep

If you’re having a hard time getting quality sleep, trying one of the suggested colors above and see if it makes a difference. The best part about using paint to help you fall asleep better? You can always paint over it and try another shade if one isn’t working out for you.

If you’re searching for your dream home in the North Park, South Park or other neighborhoods of San Diego, the McT Real Estate Group can help! Start your search by browsing what has just been listed in San Diego.

Does a Clean Home Sell Fast in San Diego? (The Answer is Yes!)

If it’s time to list your home for sale in San Diego, you should know there are many things you can do to get the best price without waiting months on end for the “perfect buyer.” First, you’ll want to partner with a realtor that knows the local market in your area. After that, the next most important thing you can do is to clean, repair things if needed and stage your home so that it looks its sparkling best.

But I have kids and pets! That’s impossible!

It’s true that having kids and/or pets does mean lots of extra work whether your home is on the market or not. However, your entire family will benefit by putting a routine into place that will keep your home clean now.

If it’s not realistic for your family to be able to keep your home in a constant state of clean, you could be the perfect candidate for a housekeeper. While it’s one thing to have someone come in and deep clean your home, a housekeeper can help you manage the clean and keep it that way. Plus, a lot of housekeepers provide additional help around the house, like changing bed linens, light yard work, and even minor food prep. If you can schedule your housekeeper for early in the day, even better.

Another professional service to consider is having the windows cleaned. Whether you realize it or not, house windows play a crucial role in its overall feel and appeal. Keep in mind that buyers are interested in turnkey properties that are move-in ready. Dirty windows, according to Philly.com, can make a home look uncared for. It’s not enough to simply wipe them down: a professional service can get into the nooks and crannies, especially on high windows that can’t easily be reached.  They will be able to eliminate cobwebs, dirt, and grime on both the interior and exterior of the glass. A window service might even be able to offer tips on how to prevent fingerprints, too!

Containment is the key

Once everything is deep cleaned, you’ll need to take some time to stage your home so that it looks open and inviting. This will necessitate getting rid of needless furniture and personal belongings. Unfortunately, kids might see this as a threat, and they will likely beg and plead to keep all of their stuff, which they will swear they love more than anything else and can’t possibly part with. If you want to avoid making the move a negative experience, you’re going to have to compromise, which is much easier if you learn how to contain the clutter – and messes – in the first place.

Start by evaluating your storage space. Look at your local hardware store for sturdy storage containers that will fit under the bed. Give your children a few each and let them know that their stuffed animals have their own special “secret hideaway,” and that they must be there at the end of each day. Avoid the urge to simply shove things in the closet. Instead, clear out half of your clothing and put items in storage containers under your own bed. Other ways to contain kid-created chaos is to eat outside as much as possible, forgo messy arts and crafts, and designate the main areas of your home as no-toy zones.

Regulate your routine

No matter how many times a housekeeper visits your home, you still have to live there, and that means that messes are going to happen. Home Storage Solutions asserts that creating a schedule is the most effective way to keep things neat and tidy. Make sure to give everyone a specific responsibility. Older children might, for instance, be in charge of folding blankets in the living room or sweeping the stairs at the end of each day.

If everything goes well, there is a good chance your home will only be on the market for about 30 days. Make this month count by keeping it as clean as possible.

If you are thinking of selling your house in North Park, South Park, University Heights, Normal Heights and surrounding metro neighborhoods, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away. Learn about our Hassle-Free Listing Agreement.

 

Other Must Do’s To Get Home Ready for Sale

 

Modeling Your Home for Better Accessibility

 

modeling your home

If you have parents who are getting up there in age or a loved one with mobility issues, you need to remodel your home for better accessibility. After all, you won’t be there to help them 24/7. A few simple adjustments can go a long way; from preventing falls, accidents, or even to help them regain their dignity and ensure they don’t feel like a burden to the rest of the family. There are numerous ways to design a home for people with mobility challenges, and you needn’t break the bank or move. See below for a few simple ways to model a home for better accessibility. 

Expand doors and entryways 

Expanding the doorways and hallways will make it easier for your loved ones who are bound to a wheelchair or a permanent crutch. It’s a simple fix to a big problem for many, and this ensures they don’t always have to maneuver the tight squeeze as they move from one room to the next.

Go for ramps rather than stairs 

There are many ramp solutions out there that will help people with mobility issues, particularly those in a wheelchair. You might consider opting for ramps instead of stairs, for example, to help ensure that all areas of the home are safely accessible.

Grab bars in the bathroom 

Metal grab bars will be handy for the elderly with mobility issues or the disabled. And this way, you don’t have to accompany your loved one every time they have to go to the toilet, which can help avoid a lot of embarrassment on their part. It’s probably one of the few areas where their privacy can remain sacred. 

Lower beds 

There are adjustable beds to make it easier for the disabled to move the height up and down. This makes it easier for them to transfer from their wheelchair to the bed as they don’t use too much energy. Of course, there are other ways to make the bedroom accessible, as well (See home accessibility guide, here). 

Non-slip flooring 

Slip-proof flooring is a good investment, particularly in the bathroom or the kitchen. However, it will depend on the inhabitant because some material might not be too friendly for people in the wheelchair. A cork-based floor is good for the elderly who can still walk on their own two feet. 

It is also a good idea to keep houses tidy and clutter-free when modeling for accessibility. Make sure cords are stowed away, there are clear walkways, and items are put in a specific place. This can help lower the risk of falls or tripping on loose items. 

Install smart technology to help perform daily functions 

New AI-based innovations are a godsend to the disabled. They can help them perform daily functions and chores without a family member always waiting on them. The good news is that it’s now more affordable to install smart assistants in your home at a wide array of price points. Smart technology can include tools to change the lights or central temperature within your home from your bed, lock or open doors, make phone calls without dialing, feed any pets,  and even ways to easily monitor health. 

While remodeling, keep in mind the limited mobility of your loved ones, as its purpose is to make their lives easier.  With a few simple renovations, your loved ones can grow old in their homes, stay safe and maintain their independence. 

If you decide that you prefer to sell the home instead of remodeling, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003 for help with making this an easy transaction for your loved ones.

What Time Is It In San Diego?

Lots of people that travel to San Diego are very curious about the time zone in the Southern California area. Here you will find out about that question “What Time Is It In San Diego” and we will provide other information about things to do in San Diego.

WHAT TIME IS IT IN SAN DIEGO?

12clocks

What Time is it in San Diego anyway?

San Diego is in the Pacific Time Zone, it is 3 hours behind the East Coast and 2 hours behind Central Time. San Diego participates in daylight savings time

During the winter, it gets dark around 4:30, and during the summer the skies are light until 8:00 pm.

Things To Do In San Diego

 

Search Homes for Sale Below

I Over Improved My House With Home Renovations

We all want to improve our home with home renovations, so that it looks like some of the homes you see on house- flipping shows on TV, right? While they make home renovations look amazing on television, we are all living in real life. Some things to consider before making any big remodeling decisions are:

1- How much will a home that has been renovated sell for in your neighborhood?
2- Are you planning on living in the house for more than just a few years?
3- Is it a buyers market or a seller’s market?

If you take on a massive renovation project with the plans of selling your house in a year or two, you should pay attention to what is going on in the market place. Contact your Realtor and ask them what they see happening in the market place in your neighbourhood. If most of the homes in the community are selling for $650,000 for houses that are less renovated; and $850,000 for homes that are fully renovated, you’ll want to make sure that you fall into this bracket after renovations. However, this is always not set in stone. What I am trying to convey is that you would not want to do such renovations where if you were to put the home on the market you would have to ask for $1,500,000-$2,000,000 in order to come out ahead. The buyer in that price range is not going to be looking in your neighbourhood. Instead, they will be looking in an area where other homes are selling in that price range.

The rule of thumb is to never buy the nicest house on the block. Instead, it is better to buy one on the block that is not as overly improved and has a better price tag on it. This way there is room to improve without over-improving.

Home Remodeling Tips and Ideas to Consider

If your goal is to simply make the home as nice as you can so that you can enjoy it while you live it, then do it. Just know that you should always think about resale. I know, I know, you are going to live there for the rest of your life right? Well, things happen, and the rest of your life sometimes changes. So, make smart choices. Here are some of the best remodelling tips to take into consideration. Consider renovating the kitchen and bathrooms. These are always a big hit for buyers. Also, your remodelling project may benefit from creating a spacious master bedroom. Buyers love seeing this. Instead of sinking a ton of money in the backyard that is bare right now, look at the inside and plan on doing these three rooms.

What Colors Should I Use

If you are into bright, loud colors, this is fine with walls. But, shy away from adding counters, tile or floors that have bright personal colors such as pink, purple, orange, red, etc. You get the point. Walls can be painted on a shoestring budget. But, redoing the bathroom tile, or kitchen counter can be costly redo. If you like dark colors, go for it but know if at some point you decide that you would want to sell your home, plan on painting it lighter. Our homes in North Park, South Park and the metro neighbourhoods of San Diego tend to be smaller than other parts of the Country. If you paint the rooms dark, they tend to look smaller. Homebuyers would then feel the home is too small for them. There are many different shades of light colors that we typically recommend when selling a house. Wall colors range from various shades of whites, greys, and very light pastels for accent walls. Exterior accent colors for front doors and garage doors range from oranges, reds, yellows, mints and several others. Even though we like to keep the home light, we also want to create a pop of color. Remember, you want to attract a large pool of buyers if and when you decide to sell your house.

How To Renovate Your House

There are lots of places to get ideas before starting a remodeling project. The best way to save money before taking on a renovation project is to do your research. Create a dream board of things you would like. Once completed, figure out what you absolutely must have and what you can do down the line in the future. Ask friends and neighbours for referrals. Your realtor should be an excellent resource for finding great handymen/women, painters, and other tradespeople. After talking to several of these referrals and getting proposals, talk to some of their past clients. See what they have to say about their work. Once your decision has been made, go for it.

The job has been completed. Now enjoy your remodeled home. If several years down the line you decide that you would like to sell your home, call the McT Real Estate Group for tips getting the highest dollar amount for your investment.

How To Sell A House In San Diego

The cost to sell a house in San Diego varies. There are the typical fees such as Title and Escrow Fees. Then “the Property County Tax.” Yes, you have to pay for that portion of the year if you have not already paid this along with your mortgage payments. There is also a sell a housecounty transfer tax (1.10 per $1,000 of value (exclusive of liens existing at the time of transfer), and a fee from your bank for paying off the loan. The natural disclosure fee is paid to a 3rd resource company.  This disclosure lets the buyer know if the property is in a hazard zone. A report is then completed and issued to the buyer once an offer is accepted. These fees are included in the cost to sell a house and add up to approximately 1% of the selling price.

What Are The Realtor Fees?

Now we come to the Realtor fees. This fee varies and is negotiable. Some people may think that if they hire a discount broker, they may save 1,2,3,4 percent or more. I can see how some people may think of this. For example, if you have an item in a store and you price it at a certain dollar amount, the consumer comes in and says, I would like to purchase that item. Great, they go to the cashier and pay the price that was on the price tag, and they are good to go. This is not how it works with Real Estate; there are many different fees involved.

When selling a house, it is not so cut and dry. This is especially so when selling homes in neighbourhoods such as North Park, South Park and metro neighborhoods in San Diego. Many of the houses in these communities are built in the early 1900s. Although many of them have been remodelled throughout the years and look very pretty, they are still older and have their quirks. Once a potential buyer has completed their inspection and receives the written report, the road gets a little bumpy from here on in.

We have found when a Realtor is not experienced ( whether new in the business or in for 20 years) with selling older homes, they have a tough time navigating and negotiating through this contingency period, and fallouts occur. Ultimately, the buyer walks, and they fall out of a contract. Many days or months of the valuable market time were lost, and now the home looks stale. Not only does it look stale, but now the seller has to provide all of the inspections the previous buyers did on your property to the new potential buyer. Whether the inspector was a good inspector or a bad one, this does not matter. The seller must provide these inspections (aka material facts) to a potential buyer.

In our experience throughout the years, we have found that buyers get scared when they see lots of inspection reports. They are handed these scary reports without receiving the verbal context in person from the inspector. With all this being said, that 1,2,3,4 or more percent that the seller thought they were saving costs them thousands of dollars in lost revenue when it is all said and done.

Do I Have to Pay for Repairs Before Selling My House?

Repairs before you sell a house

 

If there have been small things around the home that you have meant to take care of, this is the time to do. Things such as dead grass, hedges, trees can be cleaned up very inexpensively. If dirt or debris is lying around, now is the time to get rid of excess stuff lying around. 

Unsavoury odours in the house caused by pets should be taken care of. Cracks and chipped paint should be taken care of.  Painting is one of the easiest and most inexpensive things you can do before listing your home that will increase your return on investment exponentially. The McT Real Estate Group has people in place to step in and help you with this process. With all of this being said, if you want to sell your home as-is, we can definitely do this as well. We have several programs and plans in place for all types of sellers.

Do I Need to Stage My Home?

Suppose you live in your home while it will be on the market, yes, although we stage your home with your own furniture. There are staging when you sell a housesecrets to staging that we share with our home sellers that make all the difference. Home Staging is like magic; we are creating an illusion with the placement of furniture. For example, the conception of pushing all furniture to the walls so the rooms look larger, is not true. Instead, we suggest removing just a few excess pieces of furniture and then moving pieces away from the wall, so there is a little space. Create groups with your chairs and sofas. They will be more of a conversational area, and the rooms will appear larger by doing this small exercise.

If the home is vacant, we suggest staging most of the time. In fact, we work with a stager that customizes pieces around the flow of the rooms. Staging can cost anywhere from $1,000-$$5,000, depending on the home’s size and rooms that need staging. When the home is in original condition and/or has deferred maintenance, we do not suggest staging. The buyer looking at these types of homes are more of an investor buyer and are simply looking at the numbers of what it cost to buy, renovate, holding costs and return of investment.

If you have any questions regarding selling your home or would like to find out the current value of what a buyer would pay for it in today’s market, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003. Until the next time.

 

Who Pays The Closing Costs

 

Should I Accept A Contingent Offer On My House For Sale?

What Is A Contingent Offer?

There are different kinds of contingent offers when it comes to buying and/or selling a house.

  • One type of contingent offer is when a buyer puts an offer on a seller’s home but can only buy that house if the home that they currently own sells.
  • Another type of contingent offer is when a seller is making an offer on a house contingent on selling yours.

Both of these scenarios can be accomplished effectively. However, if this is the type of sale that you are getting ready to be part of, hold on to your hats because it can be a bumpy ride. There are many moving parts to a contingent offer. Hopefully, you are working with an experienced Realtor that has sold many homes and has been involved with contingent sales before. With this being said, even if your Realtor is experienced and on top of their game, they have to rely on other people to do their job properly for things to move along the way they should.

Choosing The Right Offer

Let’s say you own a home in San Diego. You just happened to receive 3 offers on your house. Two of them are about the same and are traditional buyers. The third one comes in $25,000 more than the other two. The only caveat is that they have to sell a house in Long Beach, California, first, to close on your house. Also, they are a week away from putting it on the market. Which offer is the best? Which offer would you pick?

This can be tricky. Twenty-five thousand over the other two offers sure sounds good. The only challenge is that you have no control over what is going on with that buyer’s house in Long Beach. Although your Realtor here in San Diego is amazing and has done great things to achieve receiving multiple offers, the Realtor in Long Beach is a mystery. You have no idea of what they are doing to sell that person’s home. Also, once they receive an offer, is it a traditional buyer or is it a buyer who has to sell their house to buy the one in Long Beach? This can then become a contingent 3-way offer, and this is not for the weak.

There are great risks, and there can also be great rewards. You will have to discuss the pros and cons with your Realtor, but ultimately, you will have to decide if you have the stomach for this. Is it worth the extra $25,000 that you may receive if everything works out? Maybe yes, maybe no. You will have to make that call. Sometimes the best offer is not always the highest offer.

How Often Do Contingent Offer Fall Through?

This is hard to know because it depends on many factors. Studies have shown that 3.9% percent of all sales fall through, but this is not necessarily because they are contingent. Yes, some have been contingent, but others have been because of the condition of the property—other times, low appraisals, buyers remorse, financing issues or simply because of bad representation. The McT Real Estate Group has closed all of the homes that were contingent. However, I wish I could say that they were all smooth sailing. They have not been, but they have all been successfully closed!

Contingent On Finding A Replacement Property

Then, there is the contingent offer when a seller wants to put their home on the market and only sell if they can find another home to buy. We have also sold many homes this way. However, we have found that many buyers don’t like to put offers on these types of homes. They feel that it may take too long for that seller to find a home. Depending on how picky that seller is, it can take several months. Buyers may lose out on other opportunities. This is not to say that it is not possible. It certainly is. What we suggest is, if you are a homeowner who is thinking of making an offer on a house contingent on selling yours, first contact your Realtor. Let them know what you would like to do. Together, go out and look at a few homes and neighbourhoods that you are thinking about. See if there are any homes that you would be interested in. It is best to look at homes that have been on the market for a long time. In San Diego, this would be more than 30 days.

This means that they are overpriced, and the longer they are on the market, the more motivated they would be to accept an offer from you that would be contingent upon your home selling. By looking at properties, we will then know if it is going to be easy to find a home or whether it is going to be a challenge. You will have a better idea of whether you will want to have this contingency on selling your home or whether you would sell it first, move into temporary rental and then buy.

If you are thinking of moving to a bigger home and have a house to sell in North Park, South Park or any of the surrounding areas in San Diego, call the McT Real Estate Group right now at 619-736-7003. Feel free to check our reviews of what people are saying about the McT Real Estate Group.

Selling a House With Solar Panels In San Diego

Having Solar Panels on your home is very popular these days in San Diego. I often see more and more homeowners in North Park , South Park, and other neighborhoods in San Diego with  Solar Panels in their homes. Before you think about having this done, ask yourself one question. Do you see yourself living in that house for more than ten years? If so then, maybe it makes sense to add solar to your house. But, if you don’t think you will be staying in that home for at least that long, this may not be the route to go. There are several things to consider with selling a house with solar panels.

selling a house with solar panels
Photo by Vivint Solar from Pexels

Do Solar Panels Add Value

When making improvements to your home, you should always think of resale. Will having Solar Panels add value to your house when it comes time to sell your home? This depends; if you were to buy the Solar System, how many years will it take you to break even? If you were to sell your home, the buyer would see value in having a $10.00 electric bill or, sometimes, none at all. However, even if you buy the system but you turn around and decide to sell in a few years, would you see a return on your investment? Also, what happens if you were to lease it? Someone buying your home would not only have to qualify for a mortgage. They would also have to be eligible for the assignment of the lease. With the high home prices in San Diego, this can sometimes be tricky. If the homebuyer is at their absolute top of qualifying for a loan, they don’t always like that they now have to qualify and take over the Solar’s lease.

Financing Solar Panels

There are options for selling a home with solar if you own the system. This depends on how you financed the Solar Panels when you purchased them. If you took out an equity line on your house to pay for the system, the total balance would have to be paid to close on the sale of your house. The Escrow company facilitating the sale would take the money directly out of your proceeds, and a check would be sent to the Solar company. This will need to happen to sell the house with a clear title.

Depending on where you live, selling a house with solar panels can have its own challenges. It all depends on what company you used to install and whether you bought the solar system or leased. If you are fortunate enough to have been someone who bought their system outright, we have seen buyers are more likely to pay more for a system that is owned versus one that is leased. With this being said, when the system has already been paid for when you decide to sell your house, the selling process will be a whole lot smoother than it would be if your system were leased.

Realtor Experience With Selling Homes With Solar Systems

Let’s say you have solar panels on your home and have decided to sell your house. Ensure the Realtor you are working with knows how to get everything aligned, so the sale goes through without a glitch. The first thing you should do is contact the Solar Company right away. Let them know you will be selling your home and need to have the necessary paperwork sent to you. This would include your original agreement, the transfer agreement, PUCC (Request for Temporary removal of the document from Title) and the document that requests to remove the UCC ( UCC Finance Termination). Once an offer is accepted, all of this paperwork must be filled out immediately and properly. It must be made part of your purchase agreement. If this is not done correctly, things could be delayed and/your transaction could fall apart. This would be a bummer.

Determining if having  Solar Panels installed in your house would be a good investment is the next step. I know that it is very popular these days and many people are doing so. Overall, I think it is because it can potentially increase the value of your house. But, this really all depends on your situation. Are you thinking of doing this because it will save on energy costs in the long run? Or, you may think having a Solar System in your house is good for the environment. This is a topic that some may argue.

Are Solar Panels A Waste?

Back in the early 2000s, Solar was becoming very popular, and they were installed in many homes. Now, in 2021 most of those Solar Panels are coming to the of their lifecycles. This creates a big problem for this industry because disposing of these panels is not friendly to the environment. Many claim the waste created by the production of these panels is more of an issue than the current fossil fuel they are looking to replace. Since it is much cheaper to discard the toxic metals inside the solar cells, the landfill is full of them. Those toxic metals leech out and possibly pose a health threat to the community if they get into the groundwater supply.

Solar Company Warranties

If you are thinking of having a Solar System installed in your house, do your homework first. How much money will you really be saving throughout the years? Does it make sense in your household.? Search for different companies and ask about their warranties. Panels typically and should come with a warranty. Ensure that the workmanship is warrantied as well should the installation cause a problem with solar power production. Ask your friends, neighbours and go online and check the better business bureau and yelp for reviews on different companies.

Lastly, if you are looking to sell your home in San Diego’s metro area, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We are local experts in the area and well versed with homes that have Solar Sytems.

View Homes For Sale With Solar Systems In Place

The Impact The Lack of Inventory Has On The Real Estate Market In San Diego

real estate market

Real Estate Market Recovery

As our real estate market moves slowly to a thorough recovery, we can see the housing crisis is indeed behind us. The values of homes are up in San Diego. Sales of homes are up, and foreclosures and short sales are at the lowest point in the past years. In 2018 we have seen the market continuing to strengthen. There is one thing that will slow the market up though. The shortage of inventory. During the summer, we typically see a buyer demand. However, with the low inventory, the demand is stronger than the supply.

Industry Experts Express Their Thoughts On The Subject

 

Here are the thoughts of a few industry experts on the Real Estate Market:

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at National Association of Realtors:
“The worsening inventory crunch through the first three months of the year inflicted even more upward pressure on home prices in a majority of markets. Following the same trend over the last couple of years, a strengthening job market and income gains are not being met by meaningful sales gains because of unrelenting supply and affordability headwinds.”

Sam Khater, Chief Economist for Freddie Mac
“As we head into late spring, the demand for purchase credit remains rock solid, which should set us up for another robust summer home sales season. While this year’s high rates – up 50 basic points from a year ago – have put pressure on the budgets of some home shoppers, weak inventory levels are what’s keeping the housing market from a stronger sales pace.”

Javier Vivas, Director of Economic Research for Realtor.com
“The dynamics of increased competition and buyer frustration are unlikely to change…In fact, the direction of the trend is pointing to a growing mismatch between the pool of prospective buyers and existing inventory.”

With our Real Estate markets inventory as low as it is, creating more inventory is crucial. For example, you may be a homeowner that has your home on the market or considering selling your home. Let’s say that you receive an offer from a buyer that asks the seller to pay their closing cost. Don’t shut down this request.

For starters, if a buyer is asking for closing cost, it is because buying a home in San Diego is not cheap. The potential home buyer has to have a big chunk of savings for a down payment. Although they may have a great income to pay the mortgage, having to pay another $8,000-$10,000 in closing costs could prevent them from buying a home. If this was the only offer that you received, by not accepting this offer, you are now not able to move on to your new house.

On the other hand, if a potential buyer puts in a contingent offer on your house and you accept it, you are creating more inventory. You are not only adding your home on the market, but that buyer has their home on the market for another buyer to buy, and you will be able to move into another home that is on the market. This will create more inventory in San Diego and other areas as well.

For more information on San Diego’s current Real Estate market, contact the McT Real Estate Group right now at 619-818-8122. We specialize in the North Park, South Park, University Heights, and the surrounding metro neighborhoods of San Diego.

4 Home Renovations That Will Max Your ROI

Home renovations do not have to break the bank. Here are some ideas that will help whether you are planning on staying in your house for a while or whether you are planning to sell your home in the near future. Knowing what type of home projects will net you the highest dollar amount and max your ROI is always a good thing. Potential homebuyers will deduct a lot of money for a bathroom that needs updating. Doing small bathroom remodels counts a lot when potential buyers see it. It will also make you feel great while you live in the home. Enjoy a nice bathroom!
home renovations
Freshening up the landscape will get more buyers to walk into the house. It is the first thing that potential buyers see before they step inside. As part of your home renovations, you should consider adding new sod or, better yet, in San Diego, drought-tolerant is much better for conserving our water. Don’t forget about the front door. If it looks dingy, freshen it up with a new stain or painting it a beautiful bright colour. If the exterior of the house looks drab, give it a lovely fresh coat.  You will receive a good return on your investment by doing a few of these items. You will also enjoy living in a renovated home.
If you have any questions regarding your best return on investment when selling your home, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003. We are happy to go over things you should consider if you are planning on selling in the near future.

More on Selling a House in San Diego

 

Are Mortgage Lending Standards Too Loose…or Too Tight These Days?

mortgage lending application

With home values in North Park and other neighbourhoods in San Diego appreciating at record rates, some people think we may be heading for an additional housing bubble; just like the one, we went through about 10 years ago. Some of the blame of that housing boom and bust was the loosening of standards of lending for mortgage credit.

In the University of North Carolina, there was a study done after the crisis that revealed the following:

“Lenders began originating massive numbers of high-risk mortgages from around 2004 to 2007, and loans from those vintage years exhibited higher default rates than loans created either before or after.”

A study completed by John V Duca, John Muellbauer and Anthony Murphy revealed those risky mortgages caused the housing crisis.

“Our findings indicate that swings in credit standards played a major, if not the major, role in driving the recent boom and bust in US house prices.”

How does mortgage lending from 2004 to 2007 compared to today’s lending for mortgages?

The Mortgage Bankers’ Association tracks mortgage Standards through appreciating at record rates(MCAI) The lending standards are tightening as shown in the decline indicated in the MCAI, although loosening of credit is also seen in the increases in the index. The chart below shows that we are nowhere near the standards that aided the housing bubble, although, you can see the index going back to the time between 2004 and 2007 when the loose standards caused the housing bubble.

Conclusion:

Mortgage standards today have become very tight in some areas. There are many qualified home buyers out there having a hard time getting a mortgage. If you have been thinking of buying a home but are not sure how this all works, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away. We will be able to sit down and go over a comprehensive plan of action with you that is in line with your goals. 

A Fixer-Upper For A First Time Home Buyer- What To Expect

Things to Expect When Buying a Fixer-Upper for Your First Home

If you are faint of heart, then buying a fixer-upper may not be for you. However, for many first-time homebuyers, it’s a great way to get into the market today. Make sure you are familiar with what it will take to renovate a house and what the buying process will be before jumping in with both feet. Here are some tips that will help you understand the process of what it takes when you buy a fixer-upper.

What to Expect When Buying A Fixer- Upper

In San Diego, the average list price on a fixer-upper home is approximately $729,000. If you search for a home in North Park or South Park, it is anywhere from $700,000- $850,00. Keep these things in mind when you start searching for a fixer-upper in your area.

Basics on Budgeting: Always think of resale when the home is all fixed up. Work backwards and factor in the cost of repairs that it will take for this project. When making an offer on a house, take into consideration how much it will cost to remodel the home and will you recoup your money and some. Renovation loans are something to look into. A single mortgage would cover the remodelling costs making it easier to fund the project.

Pick Your Projects Wisely: When finding a potential fixer-upper in need of home renovations, make sure that you are searching for projects that are more of cosmetics than structural. As a first time home buyer, dealing with structural projects can be overwhelming, and the costs of repairing will add up. Never waive a home inspection. It is essential to have a good home inspector on your side that will help you determine whether remodelling this home will pay off in the long run.

Tackling the Project

Getting in over your head is no fun. Make a list of things that must be done right away and things that you would like to do. Prioritizing will make it less stressful during the process.

Using the Right Tools: The most cost-effective way to tackle a fixer-upper is to do the work yourself, that is, of course, if you are handy and know how to do some of the work. If you’re starting from scratch, it will be well worth investing in the right power tools. Consult a list of essential tools for DIY, such as this one from Fine Homebuilding. A few essentials include a drill, sander, and jigsaw, along with a basic toolbox and ladder.
Start With Structural Changes: If you need to make any structural changes or the exterior needs work, prioritize those projects first. Otherwise, you may end up undoing some of the cosmetic work you’ve already done inside.
What Makes the Most Sense? Even if you have projects that you want to put on the top of your list, focus on what makes the most sense to do first. You may be tempted to rip down the ugly wallpaper that is on the walls, but it may make more sense to install the floors first since you will be moving furniture in; that is of course if you are planning on moving in. Then you can tackle the wallpaper.

Is Your Space Livable? If you are a person that likes to cook your meals, then, you may want to put the kitchen renovation on the top of the list. Then put the next most important project on the list that will make your home livable and less chaotic.

Stay or Sell?

After putting all your love, sweat and tears into this renovation, you may consider keeping this house instead of selling it for a profit. I have seen this happen on many occasions. But if you decide that you prefer to sell, by doing a lot of the work yourself, you have a better chance of making for a profit.

Think about your end goal when buying a house to flip. You must appeal to a big pool of buyers, so have this in mind when you renovate the home. Even though it is challenging to figure it all out before beforehand, make your list before you start. Work with an experienced Realtor that will be able to help you with this process. Buying a fixer-upper can be exciting if you are up to the task.

Photo credit: renovate

If you would like more information on fixer-upper homes for sale in North Park, South Park or any other neighbourhood in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away.

See Homes For Sale In North Park San Diego

5 Strategies For Pricing a Home For Sale In San Diego

Many home sellers think pricing their house to sell is based on the home across the street that sold last year for a high amount. Or, they figure they “need’ a certain Pricing Homeamount after the sale. Some sellers will pick a number that sounds like they would be pleased with instead of doing the proper research of similar properties and what they are selling for. They should then evaluate the difference of their property before coming up with a marketing price. Listening to a neighbour saying that their home is worth “x” amount is not a good idea for pricing your home. Neighbours are not actively selling homes, so don’t know the real value.  Selling a house in San Diego and knowing the foundation of pricing a house will go a very long way. Your realtor will be able to discuss the basics and strategy behind the numbers. Together they will come up with a price point that will make sense and work for everyone.

1- Appeal to the Vast Majority

Pricing a home to the vast majority is precisely what it sounds like. Not only must you price it for the potential buyer; the appraiser is one that will put a price on it as well as the lender/bank offering the buyer a loan on it.

2.- Avoiding Strange Pricing Figures

When a buyer is searching for homes for sale, we have all seen the different range of pricing. Some are $625,000, or $699,999, etc. Then there is the occasional $625,754. You wonder how someone comes up with this number. There is no rhyme or reason. Some sellers like the combination of these numbers. These scattered numbers will not help your home stand out or look better in the searches than any other home on the market. If anything, it may even hurt you.

3-Pricing To Stay Within The Range

One strategy to go over with your Realtor is pricing your home at the cutoff price. For example, instead of pricing your home at $655,000, or $660,000, it would be better priced at $650,000.  Buyers searching for properties are typically searching in 25-50 thousand increments. Any buyers searching up to $650,000 will not find your house if it is at $655 or $660. There are different strategies to consider, and they are not set in stone, but your Realtors should go over all of the ones to think of with a fine-tooth comb with you before putting your home on the market.

4- Different Pricing Strategy

Another strategy that does well is pricing right under the rounded number of where the market is. Many studies have shown that pricing a home just below a rounded number works on emotions. For example, let’s say that your home shows a value of $600,000. It would be advised to price it at $599,000. It is only $1,000.00, right? However, it looks and feels like such a better deal than a home that has a 6 in front of it. It is the same as going to a store such as Target or Staples. You never find something priced at $20.00 or 30.00 dollars. It will always be $19.99 or $29.99. The same holds for selling a house.

5- Price Your Home According To The Market

The market does not care how much you need or want. The market is and will be what the market is at that given time when you decide to sell your house. With this being said, markets change very quickly. You may be in a seller’s market today, but depending on what may happen in your city or town, this can quickly evolve into a Pricing Stategybuyers market. So, make sure that you and your Realtor stay on top of current events and price your home accordingly. Remember, not only do you have to sell it to a buyer, but you are also having to justify the price with the appraiser and the bank that the buyer is getting their mortgage from.

So this is a small look at how pricing a home works. It is more complicated than just picking a number out of the sky and throwing a “For Sale Sign” in front of your house. Our Listing Team does this every single day. Together we will be able to help you determine the right strategy to pricing your home so that it will appeal to buyers, appraisers, and banks. So you can get the absolute best amount in today’s market, call us anytime at 619-736-7003. We will sit down and go over the pricing strategy that will work for your home and current situation.

Tips for Getting Your Home Ready for Sale

4 Must Dos When Getting Your Home Ready For Sale

Is it time to sell your home in North Park or South Park? Here are the top 4 things your Realtor should speak with you about doing to make sure your home is ready to go on the market for sale.

1. Make the Minor Repairs Needed

Daily living in your home looks completely different than getting ready to sell a home. Many times people get used to normal wear and tear things. But, when you decide that you are going to sell your house, a homebuyer will look through a different set of lenses. They are getting ready to pay top dollar to buy a house so they want it to be in the very best condition as possible.

Getting Your Home Ready For Sale
Ready to paint

Determine what minor repairs are needed first. Start from the entrance of the home and work your way through the whole house. Take notes of things that are not working properly and things that look dingy. What does the landscape look like? Do you need to clean up the weeds and plant a few colorful flowers out front? If there is a fence, is it broken? If so, this is something that will need repairing. How does the front door look? Does it look faded and banged up? If so, a nice fresh coat of paint does wonders. Step inside and look at the light switches, doorknobs, leaky faucets, dirty grout, scuff marks on the floor and walls. If any of these things are broken or need to be repaired, this is something you should definitely do if you want to receive top dollar for the sale of your house.

Another idea is to have a pre-inspection completed on your house by a professional home inspector. They will look at your home with a fine-tooth comb and let you know what needs work. If you wish to you can repair the items that come up in the inspection that need the most attention prior to showing your house to a potential buyer. Your Realtor should have referrals for a few great inspectors that you can call.

2. Minor Renovations to Consider

Painting a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to give your home an immediate facelift. In order to appeal to the broadest selection of buyers, you should pick a neutral color and nothing too personal. If your house has old wallpaper, you may consider removing it and painting it. Anything with patterns or different colors that have not been brought up to date may deter a potential buyer. They may not be able to see themselves living in the home.

These are other minor repairs and small renovations that bring in a good return on investment:

  • Adding fresh sod, colorful flowering plants, fresh mulch, or drought-tolerant landscape here in San Diego is always a good idea
  • Adding pavers or a wood deck in the backyard-Creating an Indoor-Outdoor Space by adding furniture, showing an area for entertainment
  • Painting Kitchen Cabinets, changing out hardware fixtures and kitchen and bathroom fixtures, Changing out old light fixtures

 3. Remove All Clutter Before Putting Your House On the Market

  • Clear out closets. Get rid of clothes that you have not used in the last 3 yearsclutter
  • Remove excess chochkies from tables, fireplace mantel or any other counters
  • Minimize children’s toys and keep them in one room.
  • Minimize pets toys and keep them in one area of the home
  • Keep litter box spotless (if you have kitties)

4. Don’t Forget to Disclose All!

Gathering all of the records and documents for your home can be a big job, depending on how organized you are. However, this one is extremely important. There are many required disclosure forms that California has you fill out. Together with your Realtor, you will go through them to make sure that you do not forget to fill them out properly

Things You Will Need:

  • Receipts of repairs or recent remodeling that was done
  • Past Reports of the home that you may still have
  • Any leases (if rental), guarantees on previous work completed
  • Any transferable service agreements
  • Mortgage Loan payoff information
  • Permits applied for or finalized permits
  • Information on pool systems, Solar Panels, Water softeners
  • Any existing surveys

By following these 4 steps, this will help you with the upfront preparation of getting your home ready to sell in North Park, South Park and any neighborhood in San Diego. If you have any questions, contact our knowledgeable Real Estate Team. We are here to help you through the process and to make it as stress-free as possible for you.

If after reading all of these ideas you think your home would need way too much work and you would prefer to sell it “as-is”,  don’t. worry; we can do this as well. Our team has sold many houses in North Park, South Park and many other parts of San Diego in “as-is” condition.  We will go through the process with you of how this works. We want to make sure that you feel comfortable with what you decide on how to sell your house.

 

 

San Diego Things To Do in May

“Frozen” Presented by Disney on Ice

Ice skating has never been more fun to watch in San Diego with unbelievable special effects and fantastic music. Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse are the hosts, and there are special appearances by the stars of Finding Dory, The Lion King, and Toy Story. This is a special treat that you won’t want to miss. For showtimes visit website. Valley Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego CA ( Tickets Here)

The City Ballet presents “Carmina Burana” and “Mozart’s Concerto.”

Come and be part of The City Ballet with the last two programs of the season. Choreographed by Geoff Gonzalez. This takes place during the financial crisis at the end of the 1920s. The amazing 100 voice choir is providing the foundation along with the City Ballet orchestra. Inspired by Mozart’s score is the performance with Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp. For showtimes visit website Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown, 858.272.8663. (Tickets Here)

Cinco de Mayo in Balboa Park

May 5th.is a day not to forget. Filled with fun Mexican dance performances and music that the whole family will enjoy. There will be Booth filled with craft vendors, food trucks,

kids activity, and so much more. At 5 pm the SDSU School of Music Percussion Ensemble will accompany the crowd favorite, Jarabe Mexicano at the Spreckels Organ Pavillion. Free. Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego (Tickets Here)

Festival of the Arts North Park

On May 12tth take a stroll and view the paintings, pottery, photography, handmade jewelry and artwork of over 100 artists. There will also be a variety of genres of music on four performance stages as well as a craft beer block for the guests who attend that are 21+.  Free 30th St. and University Ave., North Park.   (Tickets Here)

Old House Fair

On May 19th South Park will open up five historic homes for its infamous tour. Each home features docent-led education and history, and you can visit them in any order you wish. Begin the tour at the Rose Wine Bar where there will be mimosa for those who would like to wet their whistle. Also, meet several historic home preservation specialists. Also included is a bike tour of modern and historic homes built by notable architects. (10 am- 4 pm- The Rose Wine Bar, 2219 30th Street, South Park  Tickets Here

Other Things to Do in San Diego

If you are thinking of buying a home in the North Park, South Park neighborhood, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away at 619-736-7003.

 

Selling a Home in North Park

Expect that selling a home in North Park these days can happen quickly if properly executed. We keep hearing about how low the inventory is and what a great seller’s market we are in. Yes, we are in a seller’s market. However, because of this, we sometimes run across homeowners that believe they can get much more than what their home is worth, even though there are no comps that would support that amount.

Selling a Home in North Park
Home for Sale in North Park

For a homeowner that is thinking of selling their home, there are lots of things to consider.  Choosing which Realtor to work with to help you with this process is one of those things. Although, there is the occasional home seller that may even think that in today’s market it doesn’t matter who you pick.

Which Realtor Should I Choose?

When selling a home, a homeowner may choose a Realtor because they charge a lower commission or work in what is called a discount brokerage. They may even pick a Realtor because the Realtor said they can get that seller a  $50,000- $100,000 more than what the current comps say; even though there are not any comps to support that price. Some Realtors will say anything to get a homeowner to sign a listing agreement. Unfortunately, the home will sit on the market for months with no offers in-sight. In the meantime, the Realtor will try to get the seller to reduce the price and continue to do so until they get to a price where they eventually get an offer. Expectations were not set upfront and you now have an aggravated and unhappy seller. 

With so much online information at our disposal, I can see where a homeowner may even think they can try to sell their home themselves or pick any Realtor whatsoever. You may think that this will save you lots of money. In reality, what it will end up doing is costing the seller thousands of dollars more in the long run.

Falling Out Of Escrow

What you are not able to find online is the track record of fallouts from many of these discount brokerages or individuals that will discount their commission for almost zero. What I mean by this is the number of times a buyer falls out of contract and the listing has to go on the market again. However, now you have a ton of scary inspections left behind from the previous buyer. You will now have to disclose all of this to the new potential buyer. If a possible seller knew how many times this Realtor/Real Estate company has fallen out of a contract because they were not able to negotiate through and complete a SOLD transaction, they may put more thought into who they hire to represent them with the sale of their home.

Selling a Home 

There is more to selling a home than just putting a sign in front of the house, taking photos and uploading your home into the MLS.(multiple listing services). Besides pricing the home right, picking the right buyers that are financially qualified to get a fully approved loan; there is also what happens after an offer is accepted and the buyer does their home inspection. This is where real negotiating skills come into play.

In North Park, South Park and the metro area in San Diego, our homes are over 100 years old. If a Realtor is not experienced with selling older homes things could get a little hectic, to say the least. An experienced Realtor working with their homebuyer is able to walk them through the process of what to expect to see when a home inspection is done on these types of older homes. Even the prettiest homes that have been remodeled will scare the faint of heart when the inspector takes pictures under the house and completes his/her inspection. Foundations are old, roofs are old, windows are old. These are not cookie-cutter tract homes. Knowing this upfront will save all parties front lots of headaches. New home construction is not the type of house that you are going to find in San Diego’s Metro communities.

If you live in North Park you probably have one of these older homes.  If you happen to accept an offer from what seems to be a motivated buyer working with a  Realtor who is not experienced with these types of homes, it is time to hold on to your hat because the ride is about to get bumpy right about now.

All kidding aside, I have seen it many times and just heard of another case this morning. A colleague of mine accepted an offer from the “motivated buyer/Realtor” mentioned above. The home happens to be a 1930’s Craftsman Bungalow in South Park right by the park. After the buyer did their home inspection they were shocked to find out the foundation was old, the plumbing was old and some of the electrical was old. They went back and asked the seller of the home to reduce the price by $100,000 because they said the house needed a new roof, new foundation, new electrical, etc.  I think they may have thought they were buying a new house that only had the charm of an older home.

The listing agent received this notice of the $100,000 request, she then had her preferred vendors go to the house and give a proposal on the higher ticket items that came up in the buyer’s inspection. The proposal came back at $35,000. The seller was then willing to credit the buyer as a reduction in price and was willing to negotiate. However, at that point, the buyer’s agent without further notice sent in a cancellation. There was no communication, no negotiations, just a cancellation. The realtor working with these buyers was not familiar with homes in South Park, North Park or any of the metro areas. They had only worked in North County where most of the homes in their neighborhood were track homes that were newly built.  Folks, it really is important to work with a Realtor who is experienced and will negotiate properly on your behalf. 

When To Negotiate

Buying and Selling Real Estate is about negotiations and properly executing contingency periods. When I hear that someone just sends in cancellation papers without a conversation it makes me shake my head in disbelief. The buyer’s agent had no clue about older homes or negotiating through a transaction. Nor were they able to speak on the phone. This is simply a disservice, in my humble opinion to everyone involved in that transaction.

Unfortunately, when you fall out of escrow, the buyer’s agent will typically send all inspection reports that have been completed by a buyer’s inspector. When this happens, the seller will now have to show all of these reports to a new potential buyer. This is what is known as “material facts”. However, this taints your property and now shows on the MLS that your home has fallen out of escrow. Whether these inspections were completed by a competent inspector or not, the new potential buyer will look at these inspections and decide that the place is falling apart; when in fact, this is not the case. It is just an older home.

If this home was priced right from the very beginning, and certain inspections were completed right up front, in today’s market it would have most likely received multiple offers. The buyer would not have been able to say that they did not know the condition of the home. Also, with multiple offers, the sellers would have then had other choices and would have a “JUST SOLD” sign in front of their house today.

Thinking of Selling A House in North Park?

If you are thinking of selling a home in North Park, South Park, or any area of San Diego and would like to speak to a local Real Estate Expert in the neighborhood, please call the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003 right now. We would be happy to speak with you about the process of selling and how we go about preparing your home to enter the marketplace. Feel free to search our online reviews and see what people are saying.

More Info About Selling A Home 

What Are Some Homebuyers Mistakes Made?

Mistakes Homebuyers Make

Buying a home is a big deal and requires a lot of thought and preparation. I have seen homebuyers mistakes many times so decided to share them with you so you can learn from them. Preparing your finances upfront is something that you should do before going out and searching for houses. In today’s competitive Real Estate Market homes are sold quickly. Being prepared will help you get the home you want without missing out on a great opportunity because you did not have your financials in order. I have seen buyers going around searching for homes, and they have not talked to a lender yet. Without speaking to a lender and going over your finances, you are not sure what your affordability is. You may be looking at houses that are way under or over your price range. Once speaking to a lender you will be able to find out exactly what you should be looking at.

Already Found A Realtor

If you already found a Realtor that you would like to work with but you have not found a lender, no worries. An experienced Realtor will have a few great lenders that they can refer you to. A lender will be able to pinpoint what price range to look at based on your budget, qualifications and your comfortability of a certain monthly payment. As a Realtor, we encourage you, the homebuyer, to do this so that we can understand what target price of homes to search for and focus on finding you and your family the best home in that price range.

Cleaning Up Your Credit

Another reason to speak to a lender before searching for a home is that there may be a few dings on your credit that you did not know about. This will increase the interest rate you will have to pay on a mortgage loan. By speaking with a lender before searching for a home, we may be able to take care of these things so that they come off your credit pretty quickly. This will increase your credit score which will make your payment lower on that possible dream home that you would like to buy.

Having a lower credit score could be ½-1or point more from someone with a higher credit score. What does this mean? It means that the person with a lower credit score will pay $200-$400.00 for the same house. So preparing yourself before you go out and look at houses is extremely important. Falling in love with a house to then find out at that very moment that you just can not afford the monthly payment with break your heart.

Getting New Credit Cards 

When buying a home, it is extremely important that you stop shopping. Seriously, Homebuyers mistakehomebuyers mistakes include shopping for things they really don’t need at that time. Do you need another pair of slacks or one more pair of shoes? Well, if you do, this is ok but when you get to the cash register and they ask you if you would like to save 10% on today’s purchase, “JUST SAY NO”! BTW, this also includes furniture that you may want for your new home or even a car. This is one of the worst things you can do if you have gotten your offer accepted and you are “In Escrow”. You will most likely get a call from your lender because now, your credit score would have dropped and you may not qualify for the loan that you were trying to get. This is a big deal, so DON’T DO IT!!

Hate Your Job?

You may not like your job anymore and may have been offered a new one. Another search workone of those homebuyers mistakes is quitting that job before you close escrow on your new home. Here is another bit of advice; DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB!!. No matter how much you hate it, stick it out. Once your loan has been approved and you are moved into your new home, you can then decide if changing jobs is what you want to do. Hopefully, you will have your next one in line because you now the proud owner of a new house and have a mortgage payment at the end of the month:-)

If you have not spoken to a lender yet or would like a referral to one, just email us or call us at 619-818-8122. We have several high-level professional lenders that we have been working with for years. They would be able to help you figure out what target market you should be looking at based on the information that you give them. Once that is done, we can get you on the road to homeownership.

How To Get Ready For a Mortgage Before You Need One

Getting Ready for a Mortgage?

Are you waiting until you are ready to move out of your current home to begin the process of getting financially prepared to buy a home? Most people don’t have a pile of cash lying around to buy a home outright. They depend on financing the loan through a bank and having a mortgage. Applying for a loan is not always very easy to do if your finances are not in order.

There are certain requirements that one must pass to secure a mortgage. Don’t wait until the last minute to get everything in order as it will be a bit frustrating if you do.

What Is The First Step To Prepare Your Credit To Buy A Home?

It is always a good thing to know what your credit score is before you start searching for a home. Checking your credit score is so easy these days. Download the “Credit Karma” app to your smartphone, and you will have instant access without taking a hit for pulling credit the traditional way. If your credit score comes back low, you will then have time to start working on raising it. You can also see if there are fraudulent activities showing up and work on getting them off immediately. This will take some time to remove so getting a head start is always a smart move on your end.

One way of raising your score is to set up payment reminders. You can set this up either on your google calendar or directly with your bank. Setting these up with text or emails is probably the easiest way and quickest to start seeing that score rise quickly.

Lowest Interest Rates Available

Everyone is always searching for who has the lowest interest rates available when buying a home. You’ll find that you will need a Fico Score of 760 or higher to take advantage of the lowest interest available. If your loan is less than this, don’t worry, most lenders require that your Fico is at least 620 or more for a conventional mortgage. The interest won’t be as low as if you had a 760 but it is still not bad because of how low our interest rates are these days.

Applying for A New Credit Card That You Don’t Need Is a NO NO

Every time that you apply for a new credit card your credit score decreases a little bit. So, if you don’t need one, just don’t do it. The only time I would recommend applying for a credit card is if you are one of those people that have paid everything in cash. Kudos to you but in the credit world, unfortunately, this is a bad thing.  If you don’t already have credit, lenders do not want to lend you money. Go figure.

Get Those Credit Cards Paid Down

I know that it is easier said than done but paying your credit cards down is one of the best ways to get ready to buy a home. If you find yourself with several credit cards, try paying the one with the smallest amount on them. Once that is paid off, you take that payment that would have gone into paying that card and roll it over to the next one with the smaller amount on it, and so on….

Your Report Shows Errors

When fraudulent activity has taken place behind the scenes, this can hurt your credit score in a big way. It is recommended that you check your credit score once a year. Go line by line and if something is not right, contact the Federal Trade Commission for tips on disputing and getting these things removed from your credit.

Old Accounts Are Old But Closing Them Could Harm Your Score

You may not have used a specific credit card for a long time. Now is not the time to close it. It would then show that you have less available credit and decrease the average length of time that you have had credit.

Save Money For Down Payment And Closing Costs

Alas, saving for the downpayment. When buying a house, you will have the down payment, and then the rest is what you will take out on a mortgage loan. Most people think that they can’t afford to save 20%, but they will be able to afford the monthly mortgage payment. This is when you have to go over the numbers with your Mortgage Broker/Lender. These days you don’t have to come in with 20% down. There are many loan options including a 3.5% down payment (FHA). If you have a military background, you don’t even have to have a down payment. Know that this comes with a price with an FHA loan. You will have to pay MI (mortgage insurance) until the equity in the house builds up to 20%. At that time you can have it removed with a little bit of back and forth with the bank that owns the loan. Know that the higher the down payment and credit score, the lower the interest rate that you will have.

5 Questions To Ask Your Lender

  1. Do you offer loan rate locks?
  2. What are your closing costs?
  3. What are the Origination Fees and Discount Points?
  4. What is the interest rate?
  5. Is the mortgage rate fixed or an ARM rate?
  6. What is the monthly mortgage payment?
  7. Does the monthly payment include PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance)?
  8. What is the minimum payment necessary for that monthly payment?

Buying A Home In San Diego?

 

Homes For Sale In San Diego

Should I Buy a Home Now Or Wait Until Next Year?

Buying a home in San Diego can be very exciting but can feel scary at the same time. If you think about it too long and listen to too many people who don’t own a home or even some that do, you may become paralyzed with fear and never jump in. It is ok to be careful and do your homework. But, over analyzing for too long can hurt you in the long run. Constantly asking yourself, “Should I buy a home now or wait until next year”? I can remember meeting people that came in through our Open Houses during 2012- 2016. Some of these people wanted to buy a home but kept saying that they would wait for the bubble to burst. It is 2018 as I am writing these words. I still see a few of these people around that still haven’t bought. They are kicking themselves for not buying back then. We also helped many people buy homes during that time period, and then they decided to move out of San Diego. We then sold their homes, and they left with a lot more money than they had when they initially bought their house. They were sure happy!  With this being said, yes, you do have to put much thought into it. It is a big financial decision. But no matter what time it is, it always seems like mortgages are high, and one wonders how they will pay their mortgage.

How Will I Pay The Mortgage?

So, you’re either going to pay your mortgage, or you are going to help your landlord pay theirs. Either way, you are paying a mortgage. Why not it be your own.

My parents bought houses back in the 1970s and 1980s. There were times when interest rates were way up at 18%. Sure, the purchase prices were lower. However, with interest rates as high as they were, so was their mortgage. They, too, asked themselves, “how are we going to pay this mortgage.” Today, they are sure happy they took those risks. This allowed them to have a large safety net to retire with and not have to work in their golden years.  should I buy now or wait until next year?

Should I Buy a Home Now?

So, are you asking yourself, “should I buy now or wait until next year”?

Buying a home today at $700,000 with interest rates at 4.3%, your mortgage will be approximately $3223.00. With projected interest rates for next year at 5.10% and the price going up to $735,000, your mortgage payment will be approximately $3,629.00. That is a difference of $406.00 a month.

If you are thinking of buying a home and would like to sit down and go over a plan of action, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003. Together we will look at your long-term goals and see if buying a house is the best thing for you today.

San Diego Homes for Sale Coming Soon

Homes for sale in San Diego are hard to find these days. With a limited inventory, finding a home and getting your offer accepted before someone else is getting more difficult these days.If you have been searching for “coming soon“ real estate listings but have not been successful at it, here is a good place to start. The McT Real Estate Group are real estate experts in the San Diego area. We always have a list of homes for sale in San Diego County that on other Real Estate Websites. Before we put homes on these other sites, we spend time with the seller preparing the home for sale, so they are the nicest homes in the area for their price range.

What Do I Mean By Preparing the Home For Sale?

How one lives in a place and how one sells a home is quite different. When we live in our home, we tend to fill it up with stuff we love and make us feel good. When we are getting ready to sell a home, there are certain things that one should do that a home buyer will look at before entering your house. It starts right when they drive up to your house. If the front is not tidy and cared for, they may not even want to step inside.

With this being said, when the McT Real Estate Group gets a listing, we work with our sellers and help them with this process of getting their home to look nicer than the competition.  Do make sure to check in with us to see what we have in the pipeline, what we will be putting on the market soon and how to be the first to see it. Call us at 619-818-8122 right away!

See Our Current List Of Homes Coming Soon for Sale

 

 

Myrtle Ave- San Diego-Coming Soon

Introducing Urban Sophistication with this North Park Contemporary home featuring magnificent views, day or night. Attention to detail was used when designing the fresh look this house offers. Enjoy Morley Field park, just one block away, where you can hike, spend time on the tennis courts, take the dog to the doggie park or just have a quiet stroll with nature.

Walk up a few steps and onto a small pad. Open the handsome modern front door and step into a spacious living room that is part of open concept living. The beautiful wide plank wood floors, recess lighting, and light colored walls add to the overall contemporary feel.

With multi-panel bifold windows in the living and large windows in the kitchen area, you will have fun entertaining friends and family while enjoying the sunset views afar. The gorgeous kitchen is adorned with attractive Silestone counters, custom cabinets, and modern black stainless steel appliances.

All rooms are spacious and airy with great closet space and solid wood interior doors throughout. Both bathrooms are beautifully designed with exquisite taste that you will enjoy for many years.

Take a walking tour here:

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For more information about this beauty on  Myrtle Avenue, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-818-8122 for accurate information of this home right away.

 

Which Realtor Should I Choose?

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When getting ready to buy or sell a house there are a lot of Realtors and/or Real Estate Agents to choose from. You are probably asking yourself, “which Realtor should I choose?Many have had their license for a long time but don’t necessarily sell many homes. Then, there are others who just received their license and although are motivated, they have not sold many homes. They simply don’t have that much experience yet. There is nothing wrong with this as we all have to start somewhere. However, teaming up with an experienced Realtor would probably be a good idea for them.

Which Realtor Should You Choose

When you hire the McT Real Estate Group, you are hiring an experienced real estate team to work for you. Although, if you are searching for a Realtor to sell your house you would only be speaking to myself and my partner Z. Together we have 25 years of experience and have been through a bad market and a few good markets. We have experienced all types of different situations and know how to keep a transaction from falling out.

Hiring An Experience Realtor    Hiring a Realtor

The benefits of hiring an established team like the McT Real Estate Group is we have been there when an awful inspection takes place. We have sold many homes where terrible foundations have been discovered, both before and after getting into contract. We have also been around long enough to see lots of lender problems occur. With experiencing these things throughout the years, we know what to do when things go sideways. We have overcome a lot of these different situations and are well versed in all kinds of things that take place when selling a home. There is not much that we have not seen and we are able to work through them. This comes with years of day in and day out of working with people with the sale of their most prized possession, their homes.

Selling A Home

These days with all of the online data at our fingertips one may think that buying and selling a home is very easy. However, selling a home is more than just putting a sign in front of the house and accepting someone’s offer. There are a lot of moving parts that take place with lots of people behind the scenes and lots of on-going negotiations. Things will which realtor should I choose?always come up when a seller accepts a buyers offer. After the buyer does their inspection, trust me, things come up and this is when an experience is extremely important. Which Realtor you choose becomes apparent if you don’t choose the right one. Recently, I have seen far too many newer agents that have just gotten their license not able to negotiate repairs after their inspection has taken place. They simply throw their hands in the air and cancel the contract. Without realizing it, they are not working in their clients best interest. We just experienced this on a home we sold a few months ago in North Park. Right after the first buyer’s agent canceled, we were able to immediately get another buyer and simply negotiate a very small credit. The first buyer’s agent did not understand older homes or negotiating through small hiccups that come up. Most everything is negotiable in Real Estate. Because of this, their client lost a beautiful home in a great neighborhood for what was negotiated off the price with the second buyer at $3,300.00. With the current low inventory in San Diego, I do wonder if that buyer ever found a home in the neighborhood or any other one.

The Benefits Of Hiring an Experienced Real Estate Team

The benefits of working with the McT Real Estate Group is that we have a small team of people working on your behalf. Z and I are your listing agents. You will be in constant communication with us throughout the process. We are the ones that are out marketing your home to the public and negotiating contracts. Our job is finding out ways to sell your home for the most amount of money in your pocket and negotiating contracts. We then have 2 Buyer Specialists and 1 showing agent. They work strictly with the buyers and are answering sign calls and advertisement calls all day long. We also have a Transaction Manager who takes care of all of the paperwork, crossing the “T’s and dotting the “I’s so we can do what we do best which is marketing your home and negotiating on your behalf.

If you are thinking of buying or selling your home in the near or distant future and wondering which Realtor you should work with, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-818-8122  right away. We are here to answer your questions and hopefully, have a chance of working together.

How To Check Your Credit Score

You may be thinking of buying a house in San Diego but are not sure what your credit score is. There are several sites such as www.creditkarma.com or www.freecreditreport.com that you can go to that will run your credit score yearly and for free. The great thing is that you won’t take a hit to your score by using these sites and you can keep an eye on it to make sure that everything that is on it is legit. Although, if you are buying a house, the lender that you decide to work with will require running their own credit report. This will be good for up to 90 days for the purchase. Once you are sure that you would like to start the process of buying a home, have a conversation with your lender. Provide him/her with the necessary documents they ask for so you can have your pre-approval ready to go.

Typically, the better your credit score is the better interest rate you will receive for your loan when buying a house.

Credit Score

How Credit Scores Affect Interest Rates

The lower your credit score the higher the interest rate you will receive on a loan program. Lenders will see you as a higher risk borrower. However, they are still willing to risk it by giving you a loan. It will just cost you a little more than someone with stellar credit.

How To Increase Your Credit Score

* Paying bills on time
* Keep balances as low as possible
* Pay off a credit card instead of transferring to another credit card
* Don’t open new credit cards and don’t close any unused credit cards for now

Depending on what the score is, there are different loan programs for you. Although your interest rate may be a little higher, you will still be able to get a loan if your income is good and can show that you can afford the monthly payments.

Can Credit Score of 580 Get a Mortgage?

You can still get a loan with as little as 3.5% down if your credit score is 580. Even if your credit score is poor or fair, it’s not as hard as you may think in some cases to increase your score. We can set you up with an experienced lender that can help you raise your score very quickly so that buying a house is in your near future.

The McT Real Estate Group would love to help you with your next home purchase when the time comes. Please know that we have incredible lender recommendations for you when you are ready. It’s important that you get prequalified prior to viewing homes so we know what your budget is and so that you will be ready to write an offer when we find the home you wish to buy.

If you like we can have one of our lenders contact you and go over different options for you. Just let us know! If you have any questions and please do not hesitate to reach out to us right away.

More on Buying a Home in San Diego

Affordable Homes for Sale in North Park

North Park, like other neighborhoods in the San Diego Metro Communities, has gotten expensive throughout the years. However, with today’s low-interest rates and the cost of renting a house, it may be better to search for an affordable home for sale in North Park in the long run.

Check out the most affordable homes in North Park today!

3382Redwood
North Park Bungalow

 

7 Tips for Decorating Your Home

Have you have been thinking of decorating your home for quite a while, but you don’t have a large budget and don’t know where to start? There are many things that you can do that won’t break the bank. First, one of the least expensive things that can completely transform your home is paint. Paint is your friend:-).

1-Decorate Your Home by Painting the Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen cabinets are in good shape, but the maple color looks dated. Before you go tearing these cabinets out, take a look at a few color swatches. You can either paint them yourself or hire someone to do them for you. Done properly, they will look like completely new cabinets and cos7 Tips for Decorating Your Homet a fraction of what new cabinets would cost. Have fun with the color. Who says they have to be brown, grey or white? Just remember, always think of resale when doing this kind of project.

 

 

 

 

2-Paint the Front Door

The first thing that you see when you or someone goes to your house is the front door. Replacing the front door can be pricey, depending on the door you buy. Remember, you’re not only paying for the door. You have to pay for the installation, which sometimes can be the same price as the door. Before doing this, consider painting the door that you already have in another color. When the exterior of your house is a plain subdued color, go bold with the front door. Have fun with it.

7468 ohio place
front door

3-Paint the Walls

Painting can brighten up a room and create an illusion of space in rooms that seem small, dark and dingy. Move away from darker walls this year. Bring in the new year with lighter and brighter. There are hundreds of different white, grey and pale colors to use on walls to brighten up space.

4-Fun Wallpaper

I am not talking about old grandmas wallpaper from the ’70s that takes an army to remove when they tire of it. I am talking about fun and new textured wallpaper that adds dimension and charm to a space. You can add bold colors if you wish or subtle design texture. Best of all, when you are tired of the look, it can easily be removed, and the walls remain unharmed.

mdernwallpaper

5- Paint the Furniture

You may have pieces of furniture that you are tired of and would love to replace. However, doing so will take a large portion of your budget. Forget that; bring some new life to the old furniture by painting it. You will have immediate new furniture at minimal cost and add a whole new look to your space.

6-Slip Covers

You love your sofa but are tired of the color, and if you paint the walls, the tables and console, your sofa will look out of place. No worries, you can ask your local upholsterer and price out what it would cost to upholster your sofa. They can also make slipcovers that look as if though the sofa was upholstered. This is a great way to go because you can often switch them out if you like, depending on your mood.

7-Paint Garage Doors

Don’t forget about the garage doors. They may be worn and beat up but replacing garage doors is definitely not cheap. If they still work, add a little color and viola’, brand new again with a whole different look that can be fun and add character to that part of the house.

paint garage doors

If you live in San Diego and are thinking of selling your home but wondering what you have to do to get it ready for sale, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We know exactly what to do with minimal investment that will help you receive maximum results. If you think of buying a home but don’t where to start, contact us right away. We will walk you through the home buying process, step by step, ensuring that you understand the whole process and feel happy and comfortable with the final result.

Thinking Of Buying A House In San Diego?

6 Home Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Home Looking Good

Below are several home maintenance tips and tricks you can follow that will help you keep your house looking great for many years to come. These ideas will help maintain your home for years to come and save you money in the long run.

1-Hose Down Your Home hose down the deck

While living in San Diego, one does enjoy the perfect year-round weather that most people from other parts of the Country only dream of. However, homes become very dusty and accumulate a layer of soot. If you don’t get rid of this, your home will look dull and dirty before its time. A home maintenance tip that will help combat this is to either use a blower to blow the dust off or hose it down with the garden hose. You will be surprised at how this will brighten up the home’s exterior. In most cases, it will look like you just gave the home a fresh coat of paint.

2-Replace AC/Heating Filters

If you have central ac, a good way of making sure that your HVAC system lasts a long time without experiencing a glitch is to make sure the filters are replaced every couple of months. Again, San Diego is dusty and if you use your AC or even the heat occasionally,  then make sure to put an alert on your calendar that will remind you to do this. This will ensure the longevity of the heating and air system.

3-Touchup Paint

If the exterior of your home is stucco, you will notice deterioration or cracks after several years. This is typical of our homes in San Diego. In the North Park, South Park and other parts of the urban neighborhoods, our homes are 100+years old.  Even though many of the houses have been remodeled, there is still settling that occurs. If you keep on top of making sure to patch up the stucco chips( as soon as you see it), this will ensure your home’s exterior maintains a fresh look for years to come.

home renovations
Woman ready to paint

Yes, the weather in San Diego is amazing, but with this being said, the exterior of your home will take a beating sometimes. Whether you have a stuccoed house or wood slats, you must touch up paint as soon as you see it deteriorating. Otherwise, the exterior of your home will need a full exterior paint job sooner than had you stayed on top of it by an occasional touch-up.

4-Caulking Skylights and Bathrooms

Skylights will add lots of charm and light to a home. However, roofs can be very costly when leaks occur. Even a new roof can have leaks when skylights are present. To prevent leaks from happening, it is wise to caulk around the skylights every two years. Another area where caulking is a must in the bathroom. The caulking around the tub gets mucky after several months of daily usage. This carries bacteria and overall looks gross. Recaulking at least once a year will keep your bathroom looking it’s absolute best without having to worry about what lives in your tub.

5-Keep the Drains Clean

The bathroom is a heavily used room, and you should make it a point to maintain the drains every couple of months. Whether you use something such as Drano or use something more holistic such as Vinegar and Baking Soda, your drains will thank you in the long run, and it will keep things running smoothly.

clean home

6-Regrouting

Having a nice clean kitchen to cook in makes all the difference when preparing meals. The one area that most people forget to keep up with is the grout between where the counter meets the wall right behind the faucet. Many times the grout in this area will crack and start to look old quickly. The last home maintenance tip is touching this up with a little regrouting is easy and effective. This will give your kitchen a little facelift with minimal effort.

For information on homes for sale in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003. If you are thinking of selling your home in the distant future, we would love to speak with you and help you with the process of not only selling your home; helping you prepare it for sale so that you receive the highest dollar amount for one of your biggest investments.

Ideas On How To Make A Room Look Bigger

How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

Below are a few simple ideas you can use to make rooms in your house appear larger than they actually are without having to break the bank. These are some of the things we do when selling houses in the North Park, South Park and other urban neighborhoods of San Diego. Many of our houses in these neighborhoods are very small. To show potential buyers they can live in these homes; we use many of these techniques.

Colors To Use To Make a Room Look Bigger?

smallroomlookbigger

Lighter colors are always best when trying to make a small room look larger than it is. There are nice soft creamy whites and very light greys that do this well. Painting the walls and ceiling the same color also adds volumes. It will create an illusion and make small places look much bigger than they are.

How Do You Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger?

headboard
Placing a large bed in a small bedroom will make a room look much larger than putting in it. However, one with a low headboard or no headboard at all works best. Adding translucent furniture will also add dimension to a room and give a nice modern touch. Hanging a large piece of artwork above the bed works as a headboard and creates the illusion of more space. Less is more, so having one night table instead of two works great.
Floors

How To Make a Room Look Bigger With Curtains?

Ceiling to floor Sheer Curtains will make a room will overall make a room look taller. However, don’t let the curtains touch the floor as this will defeat the purpose and make the room look short. Read up on the “Curtain Do’s and Don’ts” found in an article from Apartment Therapy. Because a room is small, you may tend to push the furniture up against a wall. Do not do this!  By pulling the furniture away from the wall just a tad, it creates the illusion of more space.

If you are planning on hanging shelves, make sure to do so near the ceiling.

Mirrorsmakeaspacebigger

Mirrors Make a Room Look Bigger

Floor-length mirrors are always a great addition to make a small room feel taller. The eyes are automatically drawn up and create a lighter and brightness around the room. If you don’t have a floor-length mirror, a smaller size will do, as shown in this photograph. Creating a focal point and tilting the mirror up will create depth and reflect natural and artificial light, which bounces off, making the room appear lighter and larger than its actual size.

 

How to Make a Room Look Bigger With Wallpaper

mdernwallpaperWallpaper is back with a big bang. We are not talking about grandma’s wallpaper from back in the ’60s that is difficult to remove. Nowadays, wallpaper is clean, modern and super easy to remove when you get tired of it. With many designs that make a small space appear much bigger than it is.

 

 

What Kind of Accessories Will Make A Room Look Bigger?

Always use the “Cantaloupe Rule” when adding accent pieces in a small room. What this means is that you should use items that are larger than a cantaloupe when adding accessories. Decorating accents that are smaller than a cantaloupe is known to cramp a room and collect dust. So remember, nothing smaller than a cantaloupe when bringing in accent pieces. The effects are amazing.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away at 619-736-7003. We help homeowners prepare their homes to look; it’s very best before going on the market so that they can receive the highest dollar amount.

If you are searching for a home to buy, we can help you through all of the steps it takes to navigate through the home buying process and make sure that every “I” is dotted and every “T” is crossed. Our Buyer Specialists will make sure you understand exactly what you are buying and what to expect so there are no surprises and make sure that you are protected.

Below Are Homes For Sale Just Listed

Halloween in San Diego 2017

Halloween in San Diego in 2017 is full of Haunted Tales and Spooky Zombies. If you love Halloween and happen to live in San Diego or be on vacation, you will be in for some Tricks along with some Treats.

Scary Places to Visit During Halloween in San Diego:

• The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
From Sept. 29th- October 31, 2017, you can buy tickets that will allow you to walk the scary trail that you will not forget. Get ready to have the hairs on your neck to rise as you hear the sounds and see the sights that are around you.

• The Scream Zone
From Sept. 29th- October 31, 2017, the Haunted Hayride, the House of Horror and KarnEvil will be open and is one of the largest and scariest attractions around. Buy tickets on their website and be ready to have the “bejeezus” scared out of you.

• The Haunted Hotel
From Sept. 22nd – Oct. 31, 2017
Not for the faint of heart. Buy tickets and plan on being spooked with the scariest of all screaming that will take place and have you thinking that this is too real for comfort.

• The Savage House
From Sept. 28-Oct. 31, 2017
This Halloween Event may be too scary for some. This is a real Sanitarium that was originally built for some of the most dangerous and violent offenders. The horror storyline will have you shaking in your boots. It is located the at the Westfield Mission Valley Mall in the Target Parking lot.

Not So Scary but Lots of Fun Places to Visit in San Diego during Halloween

• Nightmare on Normal Street
Oct. 28th, 2017
Enjoy the dance party celebration along with costume competition and late night entertainment.

• San Diego Monster Bash
Oct. 28th, 2017
You will have access to 4 themed parties located in the Gaslamp District and the East Village. Buy Tickets Here and be prepared to experience scary souls having fun on Halloween.

Halloween for Kids in San Diego

Let’s not forget about the little kids on Halloween. Here are a few places where you can take the family for some not so scary but great fun.

• Trick-or-Treat on India Street
Oct.27th, 2017
Bring the kids to Little Italy and enjoy trick-or-treating along the historic India Street as most all the businesses participate in handing out Halloween treats to the kids

• Boomont Park Fall Festival and Haunt
Celebrate all of October with riding the spooky roller coaster, pumpkin patch painting, and costume contest. Free trick or treating from 6:30-7:30 pm at Belmont Park at 3190 Mission Blvd.

• Legoland Brick-or-Treat Party Nights
Sept.30th-Oct.28th 2017
Halloween excitement is going on with the extended Park open hours. Buy your tickets here and plan to have some fun.

Halloween is a great time of the year. It is fun simply walking around the different neighborhoods of San Diego and seeing all of the Halloween decorations. Lots of people get into creating haunted mansions out of their homes so it is always fun to drive through different neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods to explore are North Park, South Park, University Heights, and several surrounding.

Here is a link to other things to do in San Diego

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Selling Your House in San Diego the Fall

 

Selling Your House Fall
Selling Your House in the Fall

The McT Real Estate Group would like to share our Fall Guide to Selling your House in San Diego in the Fall. It is full of great information about the current San Diego Real Estate market that we are in right now. We have all heard about the Real Estate Inventory Nationally being at an all-time low. This news has been everywhere, but here you can get into the nitty-gritty.

In this Sellers Book, we talk about why buyer demand continues to outpace the inventory and what you, the seller, can do with this. We go over “Supply and Demand” and what this means for a seller. We also talk about the benefits of prices still rising.

Typically when inventory is low, interest rates tend to go up, but this is not the case as of today. With this being said, this benefits both the buyer and the seller. It means that the buyers’ purchasing power is still relatively high. Download your “Free Sellers Book” here. Once you read it and have any questions, feel free to email us or call us right away at(619) 940-1554.

Download Book Here!

Top Reasons for Buying a Duplex as a First Home

buying a duplex
3 units in North Park

You have decided to buy your first home in San Diego. This is great news! The first thing that comes to mind is, should you buy a Single Family Home, a Condo, or a Townhouse? These are all great options but let’s not forget about another great option. What about buying a Duplex or a Triplex? These are great investment strategies to think of.

There are a lot of advantages in homeownership with buying a Duplex for Sale in San Diego. Having someone else help pay for your mortgage is one of these advantages that owning a Single-Family Home does not have.

Below are some of the reasons and advantages and why you should consider buying a Duplex instead of a Condo, Townhouse or even a Single-Family Home:

Mortgage Relief

When you apply for a mortgage, banks will have lower interest rates if you will be occupying the home as opposed to someone who is buying a home to rent out. Also known as a non-occupied loan. When you apply for a loan to buy a Duplex or a Triplex, they still consider this an owner-occupied loan since you will live in one of the units. You will also qualify for a larger loan because the other units will be helping you pay the mortgage loan.

Tax Write-Off

One of the beauties of homeownership is writing off the mortgage interest when having an owner-occupied property. However, if you own a Duplex or a Triplex, you cannot write that off on the units that you don’t live in. Still, you can write off other things such as the cost of any repair done to the other units, the cost of managing the other units and the costs that it takes to get those units rented out. Other costs would include if you share the electric, cable/internet, and water.

Short Term Rental Vacation Rental

vacation
Back view of happy young friends standing with raised hands near the car

You may not want to be a long-term lease landlord. Being a landlord is not for everyone. You may not want to live in such close quarters with a tenant. Another option is to use the other unit/units as Vacation Rentals. This side business can bring in a lot more money than a regular long lease tenant would. It would also give you the flexibility of not having the same tenant for such a long period. You can even open it up to family and friends who would like to visit town and visit on occasions. You may also want to keep it as a  home office. This, of course, takes you back to tax savings and something to discuss with your accountant.

Duplex Investment Strategy

Ok, so you’ve lived in your home for 2 years, and you feel good about being a landlord. You can now go out and buy another duplex or triplex home and use the rental income from the other units to qualify for the loan. As long as you will move into the new property, you can get another owner-occupied loan and benefit from the lower interest rates. This is a great way of creating and building wealth for your future with residual income.

Buying a Duplex with 3.5% Down Payment

You can buy a Duplex Home with as little as a 3.5% down payment. As long as you are going to live in the home, you can apply for an FHA loan, which is a great way of getting into the market. Yes, they have MI (mortgage insurance)that you have to pay, but this is the cost of doing business. Once you can prove that you have 80% equity in the property, you can speak to your lender and re-fi out of the FHA and eliminate the MI insurance.

For more information on how to get started with buying your first Duplex or Triplex home in North Park, South Park or any other neighborhood in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group right now.

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Selling a home in San Diego while Leasing Solar Panels

Many companies offer their Solar Panels for Homes and show you how much money you will save in “x” amount of years with renewable energy. Saving money on your electric bill is great. However, do you have plans on staying in your home for 10-20 years? Do you think you may have a job opportunity somewhere else or want to move somewhere else? Do you think of selling your house in the near future? If so, you have to decide whether Solar is the right way to go.

With so many Solar Power Companies to choose from these days, including companies with Solar Roof Shingles. Do your homework and ask lots of questions.

Are Residential Solar Panels Worth It?

  •  Will you be buying them? If so, again, I ask; how long do you plan on living in your house? If you plan on selling your home in a few years, it may not pay to get them. A buyer may not see the value if they only plan to live in the home for a few years.
  • Will you lease the Solar Panels? If so, you should take your time and read the fine print. One thing to consider is you will decide to sell the home in a few years. Typically, would-be buyers are not always too excited to pay extra for these solar panels. Many potential buyers are unwilling to take over your lease and be on the hook for another 16-18 years. They not only have to qualify for a mortgage to buy your home, but they will also now have to qualify to lease these panels, which can affect how much how they can now afford.  They were not budgeting for this extra cost. Because of this, you may lose a great, qualified buyer unless you offer to pay for the rest of the lease.  This can be $15,000 to $20,000, depending on the number of panels and years left on the lease.

Home Appraisal Value

Is this starting to make sense? This is currently going on in San Diego and other parts of the country, where home sales are affected. You may also think an appraiser will add value to a home because of the home’s solar power system. This may be true. We see appraisers in San Diego adding 10-15% value to homes when the Panels are owned. This is not the case when they are leased, as stated by Fannie Mae.

With all of this being said, if you do decide to lease Solar Panels, do your homework. Ask them to go over the part of the contract that talks about transferring the lease if you were to sell your home. Make sure that you know what your obligations are before signing on the dotted line.

If you have any Real Estate related questions about selling a house in North Park, South Park, or any other neighborhood in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We would love to help you with your real estate needs.

See More Info On How to sell a house in San Diego.

 

Homes Just Listed for Sale In San Diego Seen Here

Renting Your House in North Park vs Selling

Renting your house in North Park can be easy if you are the owner of the home. However, are you ready to be a landlord? There are certain things to consider if you are planning to turn your home into a rental. Here are a few tips that will help you decide whether this is the best thing to do.

North Park Rental
North Park Rental

Hiring a Property Manager?

Will you be the one responsible for finding the tenant, running the credit check, checking their references, etc.? Will you be the one they call when something goes wrong with the plumbing, electric, roof, etc.? Do you have a handyman, electrician, roofer, plumber and these types of tradesman ready to tend to you if you get one of these distressed calls from your tenant. Having a relationship with these people is very important, especially when you need them in a hurry.

Will You Have Enough Cash Reserves for Maintenance and Repairs?

If you own a house in North Park, South Park, or any of the Metro neighborhoods in San Diego, you will most likely have a one-hundred-year-old house or close to it. Even if it has been upgraded, it most likely has older plumbing and some older electric, to name a few things. You will need to have a rainy day bucket for this. It is not “if things break” but more like “when things break.” It would be best if you planned on having an account with at least $3,000-5,000 dollars in it for emergencies.

Create Home Rules for the Renter

Rules are essential to have. This should be in writing and signed by the tenants at the time they are signing the lease. This brings me to the lease part. Make sure you have a written lease. There are many places you can pick one up. If you are in San Diego, you should have one that is specifically for Southern California. You can pick them up at any Staples or take a look at wiki downloads. Everything should be in writing. If you want something to happen or not happen, you better put it in black and white. Otherwise, a year later, it will be like it was never agreed upon.

Will You Live Local Or Out Of State?

If you are going to live locally while renting your home, this may be a little easier to do yourself. If you are out of state, this may be a bit more challenging to do since you won’t be around to check on how your investment is doing with a simple driveby. Remember, this is no longer your home sweet home. This is a true investment, and you will want to make sure that it is being maintained, so your investment continues to grow.

What Are the Benefits Of Selling A House While You Have Lived In The House 2 out of 5 Years?

Everything has gone well with your rental, but you realize that the Real Estate Market is doing well. You heard about this thing called “Capital Gains.” Is it getting close to when you will have to pay capital gains if you don’t sell now? Take a look at the rules on the IRS website. It will give you an idea of where you stand. The best thing to do is to speak to your certified public accountant about this. Find out the taxes and capital gains on the house if you make money on the sale. Not knowing what this is about can cost you thousands of dollars.

Selling A Home While a Tenant Is Living In It

So you decided that you are done with being a landlord and you would like to sell the home while the tenant is still living there and paying rent. You may think that you will save money this way. In reality, it will cost you a lot more by doing this. Think about it; the tenant is not happy that you are not renewing the lease. They now have to look for another place to move to. They are not motivated to keep the home tidy and in mint condition for showings. Nor are they happy to let strangers into their space while they are not home. They also do not want to have to leave if they are home while showing.  Nor do they like to permit us to do an open house. You, the seller, will ultimately receive a lot less in proceeds if you choose to keep the tenant in the house while you put it on the market for sale. This, of course, stands true if it is a single-family house. If it is a multi-family house, different rules apply. The buyer of a multi-unit house may want to have the tenants in place if the rents are good and the tenants are all paying their rent on time.

Work With A Local Experienced Realtor

Stay tuned with the local realtor in the area. Are you receiving marketing pieces from a local realtor showing their sales in the area? Are they keeping you informed? If you have been using a property manager to manage your rental, this is not always the best choice for selling. These are two completely different aspects of the Real Estate Business. Do your homework first. Google “North Park San Diego Real Estate.” Find out who is selling most of the homes in the area. Go on their website, yelp and google reviews to see what people are saying about the experience of working with them are. Have a conversation with them, and you will immediately know if you make a good fit to sell your house in North Park.

If you have any questions about buying a home or selling a home in North Park, South Park or any other metro area of San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group at (619) 736-7003. We are happy to speak with you.

 

More Information About Selling A House in San Diego

 

 

3020 Bancroft Street, San Diego, CA

This Spanish Style Home is located at 3020 Bancroft Street in North Park, close to restaurants, cafes, and nearby Balboa Park. We will have a pre-sneak preview before it goes on the public market next week.

The barrel ceilings in the living room, along with beautiful arched picture window and dark wood floors throughout give a nice warm feeling of yesteryear. The open concept kitchen featuring custom designed cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and Morocco tiled backsplash adds a nice modern touch.

The master bedroom is spacious featuring a wall-to-wall closet, a master ensuite with stand up glass shower. The French Door from the master leads out to a nice private deck that looks out to the mature landscaping in the nice size backyard.

Off to the back of the lot is a detached office/granny flat that makes a great place to put the family and friends on their visits to San Diego.

For more information about this beautiful home located at 3020 Bancroft in North Park, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away. This North Park home will be going on the public market next week so now is your chance to beat the crowd.

4681 Pomona Avenue, La Mesa CA

We are getting ready to put this lovely two bedroom bungalow on the market in the next couple of days. It is located in La Mesa close to restaurants, shopping and easy access to the freeways. Drive up to the front house and you will be delighted with the curb appeal that the home offers.

The open concept kitchen has been designed meticulously for the savvy cook who likes to entertain. The wood floors and the tray inset ceilings add lots of charm to this San Diego bungalow. The French Door off of the kitchen leads to the gorgeous back yard featuring a large pergola for shade, custom seating, a bocci court with plenty of open space.

The detached bonus structure makes a great home office, art studio, play room, etc…. The detached one car garage is spacious and where the washer and dryer hook ups are located.

We will have it open during open houses this weekend. For more information on this home, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away at 619-818-8122.
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If you see any other home below that you would like more information on, let us know and we will get that to you as well.

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Buying a House in San Diego

You have reached a point in your life where you know it is the right time to buy a house but not sure exactly where to start. There is so much information out there you would think making a decision would be easy. But in fact, it sometimes is more confusing. This holds even if you have bought a home in San Diego in the past.
The first thing you should consider is how much money you can afford to put out every month to pay for this house. This means that just because you spoke to a Bank/Mortgage Broker/Lender and they told you that you could afford” X” amount does not mean that you will feel comfortable doing so once it is said and done. You are the only one that knows what you will feel comfortable with.
A good rule of thumb to determine how much of a mortgage you can afford determines what 30 percent or less of your income is. This is what should go into paying your mortgage. I know it is not easy based on the purchase price of what San Diego homes sell for, but this is a general guideline. This is not to say that Banks will not lend you their money if you go over this number.

 

You can start to figure this out by finding out what your new utility bills will look like based on the house square footage and the home area. Contacting the utility departments in that area and asking them would be a good idea. Other new bills would include new home insurance and property taxes. You can contact the San Diego accessors office and speak to someone in the Realty Division. As for home insurance quotes, ask your Realtor for a few referrals. They should have a few people who can recommend who would help you figure out the numbers.

What Kind Of Down Payment Do You Need?

You have most of the numbers for buying a house in place. Now you must determine how much of a down payment you can afford to put down or are willing to put down. Remember to keep in mind that you have to set aside money for closing costs, appraisals, and home inspections. In some cases, it behooves you to do several specific inspections, and they do come with a price. You are better safe than sorry, so listen to your Realtor when they recommend such inspections. Another cost to consider is the cost of moving and the cost of gas to go to and from work (if further away), we must not forget this one.
Having 20% down to buy a house in San Diego is great and more attractive to lenders lending you the rest of the money. However, there are other loan programs that you can use with 0% down (VA loan), 3.5% (FHA), 5% Conventional and several others.
These other loan options come at a higher price, but it is the cost of doing business with the banks willing to loan their money to you. You will have to pay private mortgage insurance with loans below 20% down.

What Is Private Mortgage Insurance?

PMI, aka private mortgage insurance, is the fee that the bank charges you for the risk they take to lend their money to you. If someone puts down less than 20% to buy a home, they should know all about PMI. With FHA loans, you will have this payment for the life of the loan. With other loan programs, you will cancel the PMI once you have 20% equity in the home.  Speak to your lender about this. Make sure that you understand this thoroughly before choosing a loan option.

How Much Difference Does Interest Rates Make?

With the prices of homes for sale in San Diego, this can be the difference in costing thousands of dollars more over the loan period. Even a slightly higher increase in interest rate can cause the lender not to lend you the funds because it will increase your monthly payment to the point that your debt to income ratio is out of balance.

Tips for Buying Your First House

First, figure out what neighborhood you would like to live in. Then, have all of the numbers in front of you; this is the time to have a serious conversation with your Realtor. Based on the numbers that you and your lender have come up with, your lender should be able to provide you with a DU approval instead of just a pre-qualification. Once you are confirmed with the price of the home that you can buy, you will then start touring homes with your Realtor.

What is a DU approval?

Having a DU approval from your lender will make you a stronger buyer, especially if you are in a multiple offer situation. If a typical buyer provides a pre-qualification letter with their offer, they still have not filled out a loan application, and the lender does not know if they truly qualify for the loan. If you have a DU approval, this means that you have already provided the lender with your employment history, assets and income and debts and they become “Approve Eligible.” You will most likely receive final approval unless something with the title or appraisal comes back with something negative.

Continue reading…

Drought Tolerant Landscaping Ideas In San Diego

Living in San Diego is amazing. We have the best weather in the world. For those of you who like putzing around in the garden, you will be able to do so year-round. If you own your home, there are many drought-tolerant landscaping ideas that you can find by either searching online or by simply walking around different neighborhoods in San Diego. More and more people are turning to maintenance-free yards because of the water shortage that has been going on in Southern California for several years.
 drought tolerant landscaping

Backyard Grass Alternatives

“Fake grass” aka synthetic grass is an alternative. Although, it can be very expensive to install, depending on the size of your backyard. It is marketed as kid-friendly and pet-friendly. Although, I would not recommend it if you have dogs. I tried it once and eventually had to remove it because the odor of the urine became unbearable. Even though we hosed it down after our dogs relieved themselves on it, the smell always lingered. Another low water landscape idea would be to either add river rocks throughout, DG and or pavers. This would help with the creation of your indoor-outdoor living that Southern California is known for. You can then add some outdoor furniture and create your own little oasis.

What To Plant Instead Of Grass

Once you’ve decided on whether to do DG, river rocks or pavers, it is now time to plant a few things as to add some greenery. It is always nice to have a few organic fruit trees around. Here are a few of my favorite trees that I have planted in my backyard that are easy to grow and go with your maintenance-free yard. Although they are not drought tolerant in the beginning stages of their lives, if planted correctly, they will develop quickly and you won’t have to water as much once they mature. Keep in mind that all of these trees can be dwarfed so they don’t take up all of your front or backyard.organic fruit trees

  • Lemon Tree
  • Orange Tree
  • Peach Tree
  • Avocado Tree- not drought by a must-have for me:-)

Hydroponics

hydropicsFor those of you with smaller spaces, there is another great alternative. Having a hydroponic garden in a small area of the yard is always a great thing to have. With minimum effort, you can harvest, kale, chard, basil, peppers, tomatoes and so many more vegetables that will be right at your fingertips.
For more information on Hydroponic Gardening, this is a good place to start. They are located in Leucadia CA and they are great guys.
The initial idea of tearing out the grass in your back or front yard may make you tired but don’t let stop you from the endeavour. There are different approaches you can take for doing this task. Of course, you can always do it yourself but why not get help. Maybe you can get the family involved. It is a nice way to spend quality time. Or, how about inviting friends over and having several shovels ready to start digging. You can have a catering service come by a few hours later and feed everyone. Or, you can completely hire it out. However you decide to do it, just do it. You will be happy when you receive your water bill every two months,  You will also be doing your part with using less water.
If you need help finding a home in North Park, South Park, or any other neighborhood in San Diego so that you can put your drought-tolerant ideas to work, the McT Real Estate Group is here to help you find that very home. Contact us right away.

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7145 Belden Street, San Diego, CA Open House

Come Visit our New Listing in Clairemont. We will be open today and tomorrow.

OPEN HOUSE
July 22, Saturday 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
July 23, Sunday 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

$ Click for current price
3 BEDROOMS | 2 (2 full ) BATHROOMS | 1434 SQUARE FEET

Welcome to this Lovely Clairemont Home in a quiet neighborhood and nice curb appeal. Walk in the front door and immediately notice the sparkling hardwood floors throughout. Walk into the living room and you are greeted with beautiful French Doors that lead out to the private backyard that you can set up for indoor outdoor living and also have a place to grow your organic vegetable garden.
 
The master bedroom is spacious and features a master ensuite bathroom. The attached two car garage is spacious with room for storage and there is also a large driveway.
There is easy access to the freeway, close to Mesa College and nearby parks.
Offered at $575,000-$600,000

Presented By:

McT Real Estate Group

Realtor
McT Real Estate Group-Big Block Realty
619-985-0963
Licensed In: California
License #: 01408605

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Dog Etiquette: How To Keep Your Pup In Line When Buying Or Selling A Home In San Diego

 

dog playing with ballBuying or selling a home is serious business, and it can be overwhelming at times due to all the details and stress that come along with the process. Figuring out how to stage your home to get the maximum price, keeping things clean for buyers, looking for the perfect house to accommodate your family…it’s pretty labor intensive. When you have a pet, several more tasks get added to your to-do list, including keeping the yard clean and making sure there are no pet odors that might turn away a prospective buyer. You also have to figure out a way to keep your pet safe and happy–and out of the way–during the process of buying or selling a home, which is sometimes easier said than done.

Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to make sure your dog minds his manners and keeps your home ready to sell. Having a plan is half the battle, so recruit some friends or family members to help you get through this time and ensure your pet is well taken care of.

Here are some of the best ways to get started.

Train Your Dog

A well-trained dog will know not to jump up on visitors or use the carpet as his personal toilet. Even if your dog is fairly well behaved, it’s not a bad idea to brush up on some simple commands and go over the potty rules, because animals know when there are changes happening, and sometimes it can make them anxious or change their behavior. Having strangers come into your home can also take a toll on your dog.

Consider what’s best for your pet; would he do well with a private trainer, or is he a good enough listener that you can feel confident teaching him yourself? There are many simple things you can teach your dog with a little guidance. For additional tips on training your dog, check out this guide.

Keep Him Away From Strangers

When selling your home, you’ll likely have a lot of strangers coming through to take a look at it. It’s a good idea to have a kennel or crate for your dog to rest in–preferably in a backroom or in the yard–during these times or have a friend or family member take him for a long walk. Sometimes, the realtor might not be able to give you much notice when a prospective buyer is ready to make a call; if this is the case, having a well-trained pet who knows not to jump up on guests, nip at their fingers, or bark excessively will be a wonderful thing. If he’s not quite there yet, put his collar and leash on so you can keep him at bay, or ask the realtor to go ahead and give the tour while you take the dog outside.

If you’re looking to buy a home, ensuring your pet has good manners is still a good idea. Sometimes, you may be out with your dog when you spot an open house. Taking him home before going in is the best idea, but if that’s not possible, be sure the owners know you have a pet with you and ask to make a private appointment if they aren’t comfortable with you bringing him into the home.

Find The Right Movers

Moving day involves a lot of potential risks – your stuff getting lost or broken, for example. Add your pup to the mix, and it’s easy to see why choosing the right movers is so important. It’s vital that you choose your moving company carefully with the factors most important to you in mind: scour options online to find the company with positive reviews, fair prices and that are dog-friendly. Some websites offer side-by-side comparisons for local moving companies, but it may be best to pick up the phone and make some calls to ensure you get all the answers you’re looking for.

You’ll also want to make sure that, on the big day, your dog is kept safe in his cage for a little while so he doesn’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of the move, or you could even hire someone to take him for a long walk (Click here to find dog walkers in your area). Let your helpers meet your dog so he won’t be upset at their presence, and also so they know what he looks like in case he does get out accidentally.

Moving can be an ordeal, but if you have a plan and are prepared, it will go smoothly. Just remember to take your dog’s feelings into consideration where the move is concerned, and give him lots of love and attention during this time.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group(true dog lovers and moms to several) at 619-736-7003.

Other Ideas On How To Sell A House In San Diego

1827-1829 Granada Avenue – South Park- San Diego for Sale

1829-1827 Granada Avenue is a duplex property located in one of the best areas in South Park, just one block from the park.

The top floor is a two bedroom one bathroom home that is approximately 950 square feet. The bottom studio is approximately 400 square feet. This makes a great place for a vacation rental, traditional rental, or live in the main house and rent the studio out for extra income.

Balboa Golf Course is nearby as well as the Naval Medical Center,  a short ride to Downtown San Diego, San Diego Airport, and Coronado Beach.

We will be on the public market on or about June 15th so if you have any questions, feel free to shoot us an email, text or the old fashion way, give us a call at 619-818-8122:-). If you are looking to buy another type of home in the South Park, North Park or any metro area of San Diego, let us know. We would love to help you.

 

Closing Costs When Selling a Home in San Diego

There are several fees that take place when selling a home in San Diego known as “Closing Costs” and can get a bit confusing. Both Home Buyers and Home Sellers have their own closing costs and some fees are negotiable and some are not. Having an experienced and savvy Realtor on your side will save you money and aggravation throughout this process. So, make sure to contact us right away so we can go over how we can help.

Who Pays Closing Costs When Selling a House?

Both the seller and the buyer have their own closing costs. However, the buyer has fees associated with their loan, while the seller has fees associated with their house, and their mortgage, and home equity lines if one has been taken out,

Typical Closing Costs When Selling a House

In California, there is a Property Transfer Fee that comes out to $1.10 per thousand dollars of the purchase price. This gets split between the City and the County and is typically paid by the seller. However, in a Seller’s market, this is a good negotiating tool that we have used and has saved our sellers money. While working with buyers, we have used this item to get our offer accepted in a tough multiple offer situation. There are also fees that your bank will charge you, the seller to close your loan and release the lender’s interest in the property. Yep, you heard it right. There is a fee to loan you money when you bought your home and there is a fee to stop loaning you money:-). This is what we call a “Demand Statement Fee and Reconveyance Release Fee”. Of course, your Real Estate Taxes must also be paid off during the sale.
Sellers are the one’s who pay the Realtors commissions as well as 50% of Escrow Fees and Title Insurance. Of course, this is not set in stone but in Southern California, this is usually how it looks financially.

List of Closing Costs When Buying a House

As a homebuyer, there are lots of fees that you will have upfront. Make sure that you have teamed up with a great Realtor and Lender that will go over all of the fees involved when buying a home so that there are no surprises. Below is a breakdown of closing costs when buying a house in San Diego.costs of buying a home
  • Title Insurance-(Lenders title fee on the loan)
  • Escrow Fee
  • Homeowner’s Insurance
  • Wire and Courier Services
  • Credit Check
  • Appraisal Fee
  • Loan Origination Fees
  • Loan Processing Fees
  • Underwriting Fees
  • City Recording Fees
The final dollar amount on fees paid out depends on the cost of the home that you are either buying or selling and what you and your Realtor have negotiated in the sales contract. In Real Estate, nothing is set in stone and most everything is negotiable. All of the fees mentioned above are simply what it cost to buy or sell a home. Besides this, there are costs that come with negotiating repairs and with termite clearance. Having an experienced Real Estate team on your side will make the process a lot smoother and keep more money in your pocket.
If you are thinking of selling a house or buying a house in North Park, South Park or any area in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We are highly experienced Real Estate negotiators that will work hard on your behalf and are committed to making it a fun and great experience through the process.

How To Sell a House in San Diego

What to know when buying a for Sale by Owner in San Diego

As you search for homes for sale in San Diego’s hot market, you may come across a “For Sale by Owner”. You may be tempted to knock on the door or call the number advertised. You may think that going directly to the seller, may save you a lot of money. Well, the complete opposite may be true. home for sale by owner

Most Home Sellers Will Work With Your Agent

Just because the seller has put their home up for sale by owner does not mean that they will not work with your Realtor. They are well aware that most homebuyers are working with agents so they will agree to pay the buyer’s agent a commission, so do get your agent involved. This will only help you in the long run. A great buyer’s agent is priceless and will not cost you a thing. The seller is the one that will pay for this service that will save you thousands of dollars and aggravation in the long run.
Once you do your inspections, a lot of things will most likely come up that you will want to take a second look at, and may want to renegotiate because of certain repairs needed. Your agent will serve as a buffer and be able to know exactly how to get this negotiated where it makes more sense to your financial pocket. The buying process is an emotional one for both the buyer and seller. Having your agent as your buffer will give you an advantage; you can discuss things over with them before making a decision on certain things the seller is asking for.

Is The Home Priced Right?

Many times a seller who has decided to put their home on the market as a “For Sale by Owner” is doing so because they feel the Real Estate market is so good for sellers right now that they may not need a Realtor. They may have spoken to a few Realtors but have not liked the price that was recommended for their home so they figured they would be able to go at it themselves at a higher price and save the commission.
Your Agent will be able to show you the comps and help you determine what price you should offer if you decide to put an offer on this home. An experienced Realtor will be actively visiting properties in the area and will be well versed with the comps in the neighborhood.

What questions to ask when buying a for sale by owner?

With this being said, when selling a home in San Diego, there are certain disclosures that a seller is supposed to provide to a buyer with the sale of a home. Because the seller of a For Sale by Owner is typically not experienced with these documents, they will not have filled them out and ultimately not realize that they are supposed to disclose certain things about the property.
Your agent will know exactly what questions to ask so that the seller will have to disclose everything they possibly know about the property (the good, the bad and the ugly) without leaving anything out.
If you were to buy this house and all of a sudden you run into a problem with it, you can then re-examine the seller’s disclosures. You may discover that the problem was ongoing and the seller did not disclose it. At this point, you will be able to go back and address the issue and most likely get compensated because the seller did not disclose a “material fact.”
If you are in need of an expert buyer’s agent in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group right now. We will go over the process of buying a home and together come up with a game plan to get you the right home that you desire.

Just Bought the Home- Now What?

 

 

3765 Boundary Street, San Diego Condo for Sale

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We are getting ready to list this gorgeously remodeled two bedroom condo located on the top floor of a quaint Spanish Style complex in North Park. Attention to detail in every nook and cranny has been skilfully tailored when designing this warm and modern space.

If you love cooking then the kitchen will be a place that you will never want to leave. The custom cabinets are plentiful, there are beautiful granite countertops, nice stainless steel appliances and a washer-dryer combo that makes doing the laundry a pleasure.

Your car can be left in the one car garage as you talk a short walk to all of North Park’s restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, the farmer’s markets on Thursdays or just hop in the car and you are just about 10 minutes away from the Coronado Beach, Downtown San Diego, San Diego Airport, the Navy Medical Center, Balboa Park and so much more. Come see why people are flocking to North Park’s Urban Neighborhood.

For more information about this condo and others in North Park, South Park and other Metro areas of San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We are here to help you with your real estate needs.

 

Buying a Home From Across the Country

Fun Things to do In North Park

North Park is one of San Diego’s most entertaining neighborhoods.  There is something here for everyone between micro-breweries, art academies, funky coffee shops, and chic clothing boutiques.  To make it even better, many of these great shops are within walking distance of each other.  With a seemingly endless amount of fun things to do in North Park, you’ll have to make an effort to leave!  

Where is North Park, San Diego?

North Park is an urban neighborhood in the Metro area of San Diego, just South East of Downtown San Diego. North Park has several sub-neighborhoods, such as Morley Field, Altadena, Burlingame, and others. These neighborhoods are sought after by people searching to buy a home in a walkable neighborhood of San Diego. Most of the homes in these neighborhoods are Craftsman Style Homes, Spanish Style Homes, Tudor Style homes, California Bungalows, and a few Modern Style homes are now being introduced by investor-builders that turn around and sell for a profit.

north park shopping
Cool Accessories

North Park Shops

There are tons of places to shop in North Park that are as diverse and unique as the neighborhood. Whether you are looking to get a new tattoo, a haircut, camera equipment, graphic design work, a real estate office or vintage clothing, North Park has this and a lot more.  There is no need to go to the mall anymore when you can find everything you need in North Park. Hunt and Gather is an exciting shop with all kinds of vibrant clothes, funky sunglasses, and funky accessories.  Pick up a few items, and you’ll feel like a million bucks!  Also, cross the street is Rae Boutique, if you’re feeling a little shopping spree. Located at the corner of University Ave and Granada, It’s within walking distance of Pigment, a fantastic shop with everything you can think of to turn your home into a warm, welcoming sanctuary.   Indoor and outdoor furniture, pretty planter boxes, candles, planter boxes, and the list go on.  They even have a fun photo booth to snapshots near the cool wrap-around white couch.

North Park Art Festival

It is a great local North Park tradition that takes place every year. Come and enjoy live music along with local food and live street art demonstrations. Some of the best things in life are FREE, which is one of them, so don’t miss out. San Diego’s hippest neighborhood brings you entertainment day and night on May 11th from 11 am through 10 pm. If you want to engage in the Beer Block Tasting, get your tickets here.

festival of the arts

 

Pigment Gift Store
View from Pigment Gift Store

North Park Farmer’s Market

From 3-7:30 pm, every Thursday is the farmers market on North Park Way, beginning at 30th Street and extending as far as Utah Street.  There you’ll find vendor booths ranging from Hawaiian Food to locally produced honey.  The Mediterranean food great, as well as the organic coffee tent.  I like to do a bit of shopping here, getting some avocados and grapefruit. The produce is simply amazing.  With 80 tents of vendors and farmers, you’re bound to stumble across something that catches your eye or your nose!

North Park Farmers Market
Over 80 tents of local restaurants, farmers, and vendors line North Park Way.

Enjoy the music coming from the booths set up by local musicians while you shop for your produce and amazing cooked food displayed throughout the vendors.

Don’t worry about parking, as there is a multi-story, 340 parking spot garage right next to the market!

Also, you have a chance to meet the talented Chefs from Waypoint Public, Cardamom Cafe, the West Coast Tavern and many more right in person.

 

 

Book Stores in North Park

Verbatim Books 

Verbatim Books is a fantastic bookstore in North Park.  The owner has a huge selection of used and rare books organized very well and priced to sell.  On the shelves, you’ll find books from over 60 different local writers. I recently purchased “Old Gods Almost Dead,” a very interesting biography on the Rolling Stones, for just 8 dollars. In the back, there is a mini-library with small tables for your kids to read and play while you’re browsing or trading in your old books for new ones.

Coffee Shops in North Park and South Park

Communal Coffee is based out of a vintage trailer in South Park on Fern Street. It’s a haven for people of all walks of life and has quickly become one of South Park’s hot spots for a quick bite and a cup of espresso coffee. communal coffee

Cafe Madeline

Not too far from Rebecca’s is Cafe Madeleine, a French Cafe with scrumptious crepes and classic European espresso.  There are ham, apple, and bleu cheese crepe to die for!  Both indoor and outdoor and a good wifi connection gives you plenty of choices whether you want to relax and chat or focus and work.  They also have a location on El Cajon Blvd.

Dark Horse Coffee is a fresh coffee shop in North Park that roasts its coffee beans in-house daily.  It’s definitely on the cozier side, with only 4 small tables inside, but more than enough room for a date!  Their cold brew coffee is delicious, so grab a cup to go to keep you cool in the beautiful sunshine.  I’m more of a tea drinker, so I like to go for the Irish Cream tea.

Young Hickory

Young Hickory is great if you’re looking for more space to spread out and get some work done.  Located on 30th Street north of University Avenue, Young Hickory has plenty of table benches to set up your laptop, with a sufficient amount of outlets to keep you charged up.  The huge windows are open to a street to let in the lovely California breeze.  With refreshing breakfast choices, yummy bagels, delicious lunch sandwiches, and good coffee, tons of craft beer, you can’t go wrong at Young Hickory.  

Best Breweries in North Park

In the last several years, craft beer has become the hot new thing in every part of the country and breweries in North Park have been popping up everywhere. Local brews can be found throughout some of the best local restaurants and watering holes in the neighborhood. Some restaurants with great choices include the Waypoint Public, URBN Coal Fired Pizza; The Brewers Association has data which recently shows an increase of 18% in volume with small and independent craft brewing and 22% in sales. It seems like more and more people are learning and searching for places that provide an array of craft beer selection. If you prefer to go out for some craft beer tasting, check out Mike Hess Brewing–North Park or Thorn Street Brewery for a great local neighborhood experience with high-quality beer that is innovative.

 

More Things to Do in North Park and South Park

 

Search Homes for Sale in North Park

2416 Vancouver Avenue, San Diego CA

Take a peek at this beautiful Spanish Influenced Home located in a quiet pocket of North Park, in San Diego located at 2416 Vancouver Ave. Walk up to the front and open the door to a very spacious living room which features a wood-burning fireplace, privacy shutters, and handsome molding. The kitchen has open views to the dining and family room with sliding doors that lead out to the quaint backyard setting.

All of the bedrooms are on the second floor. The master bedroom features a bathroom en-suite and a Romeo and Juliet balcony. One of the other bedrooms features sliding doors that lead out to a nice size deck where you can sit out at night and stargaze.
There is a detached bonus studio with its own entrance which makes a great place for family and friends to stay when they visit.

For more information about this wonderful home, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away at 619-818-8122.

 

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4205 Ohio Street, San Diego, CA- Coming Soon!

We have a top floor two bedroom condo coming up “For Sale” in North Park within the next couple of weeks that you will love.It is located at 4205 Ohio Street, San Diego and is a must see.

Freshly updated with two master suites on each wing of the unit. The updated kitchen has open views of the dining and living room and a sliding glass door that opens up to the balcony.

4205 Ohio Street
4205 Ohio Street-Coming Soon!

 

Enjoy living in a very walkable neighborhood with a walk score of 95. There are tons of Restaurants, Grocery Shopping, Coffee Shops and lots of unique boutique shopping. Leave your car parked in the parking garage underneath the complex.

With easy access to the 805 and 15 freeways, this location is super convenient for anyone that has to travel for work.

For more information on this unit and others in the neighborhood, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We are here to help you with your Real Estate needs.

Selling A Home Fast In San Diego

Selling a home fast does not mean you have to sell it under market value. The McT Real Estate Group can sell your house quickly and for top dollar – and have done this for many years in San Diego.  A well-prepared house that is properly marketed and appropriately priced will typically sell in our urban neighborhood of San Diego within the first 30 to 60 days.

The San Diego market is great for sellers right now because of low inventory. It is one of the most desirable places in the country, so many people want to live here. This is a good thing for homeowners thinking of selling their home, especially in today’s seller’s market.  You, as the seller, will have more negotiating power because of this.  This does not mean that you can pick a selling price out of the sky. We still see homes that are having a hard time selling. There are several reasons for this happening in this market. Some of these homes have been thrown on the market without preparation and have been overpriced. These are the homes that will sit on the market and eventually sell for less. As buyers continue to ignore these houses, the seller’s agents continue reducing the price. Once a home sits on the market for a long time, buyers think there is something is wrong with the house.

 

Selling a Home Fast With a Limited Budget

If your goal is to sell a home fast and have a limited budget, talk to a local and experienced Listing Agent.  They can refer you to several qualified home inspectors so a pre-inspection can be done for you.  You and your Realtor can focus on the things that should be repaired that are not too costly but would be important to a home buyer.

Don’t think that spending money on a home you’re trying to sell is wasted money.  Some things should be addressed as they may be minimal to fix, but a buyer may make a big deal once they do their inspection. A homebuyer will pay a premium for a house that is in good condition.  You wouldn’t want them to walk away because the air conditioning system doesn’t work or because the sewer line is cracked.  To sell quickly, take immediate action, but be sure your house is in suitable condition for the market.  Don’t list the house until it’s ready.

First Impressions – Curb Appeal

San Diego is great for many reasons – one of them being the creative-expressiveness you have when decorating than more traditional settings are bound by.  You might think of white as boring, but you can easily and inexpensively add some flair; off-white with a tropical trim looks stunning and is very welcomed in San Diego’s Urban Communities.

Spanish Style Home With accent color
Spanish Style Home with a Splash of Color

You won’t want to paint the entire house too loud of color as this will ward off some buyers.  Stick with neutral colors and get creative with accent features like the front door, windows, and shutters.  The outside of the house is the first thing buyers will see, so start there.

A cluttered, messy front yard will give buyers the impression the interior is also neglected.  An immaculate interior won’t matter if a buyer never bothers to go inside.  Consider a rock garden – they are a great, low-maintenance way to give the house great curb appeal without working hard to keep it looking good.

Interior Decorating

So, here’s a scenario: the appealing exterior of your house has attracted a potential buyer – great! They open the gate with a smile, excitedly walk through the front yard. They open the front door, step inside, and are then confronted with a strong, musty smell. Things went from good to bad rather quickly!  Nothing says “neglect” like a smelly house.  Avoid this harmful scenario by getting the house professionally cleaned.

Decluttered Home
Decluttered Living Room and Dining Room

 

Less is More -cluttered rooms will make them look small.  You want to open up space and accentuate the attractive features of the home.  This room isn’t massive but works well because it has the right amount of furniture.

A Kitchen Facelift

Kitchen and bathrooms – these are the focal points most buyers have in houses.  A dingy kitchen with outdated appliances is an immediate turn-off for buyers.  A good listing agent will know how to prioritize what to spruce up to remain within your budget.If your kitchen has a set-up like this photo on the left side, you can remove the overhead cabinets to open up space, such as the kitchen on the right-hand side. It creates a room that feels much larger than it is.

 

Out dated Kitchen
Outdated Kitchen
Open Concept Kitchen
Open Concept Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The same is true for a dated bathroom. Jazz it up with new door handles and fixtures.  Paint the bathroom a lighter color and replace the caulking. For more tips on sprucing up your house, Check out this article on Catering to Millennials.

San Diego Sunshine

San Diego is known for its abundant sunshine, and the best part is: it’s free!  Use it to your advantage.  Pull back the curtains and make sure there’s nothing blocking sources of light like an overgrown bush in front of a window. A bright living space can make it obvious what to fix first, like a dirty carpet that didn’t look so bad when it was dark inside.

Amplify this phenomenon by painting the room white.  You may love your burgundy colored office – but selling fast means you’ve got to open up the door to as many buyers as possible.  White will make space look bigger and brighter. Additionally, use bright light bulbs to illuminate the inside of your house at night.  In your backyard, adding lights to your porch and fence will create an alluring ambiance.

Ask Tenants To Move Out

If the home that you are selling is a rental, you will be faced with a difficult conversation.  You are most likely going to have to ask the occupants to move out.  In our experience, trying to sell a home in which renters occupy has proved challenging.  Tenants have no incentive to make sure the house is clean and tidy. They are not too eager to show the property to a potential buyer.  No matter how nice or easy-going they are, they won’t be excited that you’re getting ready to sell the house that they live in. If a buyer has a hard time trying to get in to see your home that is for sale, they will move on to another one that easy to show.

The bottom line is when the home is not occupied with tenants, a well-maintained living space is proven to be the most marketable.  Keep in mind that if the tenants have lived in the home for over a year, they must receive a 60-day notice. Under a year gets 30 days, so plan if you’re goal is selling your home quickly.

If you are thinking of selling your home in San Diego and would like to speak to an experienced listing agent/Realtor, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We would love to be able to help you with the process.

 

 

Things to do in San Diego

San Diego is such a beautiful place to visit. Whether you live here or are planning a trip to our beautiful city, these are a few places to visit. There are different neighborhoods to visit that are not necessarily touristy. With so many things to do in San Diego, these are just a few places that come to mind.

Things To Do In San Diego

San Diego is the City that has something to do for everyone. It is the one city I know of where you can enjoy the beach for a few hours, then head to the mountains to the ski slopes and off to the desert, all in one day. There is tons of nightlife and great dining Downtown, North Park, South Park, University Heights and many other urban areas close to Balboa Park.  Visit the different museums, the famous San Diego Zoo and so many other family attractions nearby. You will also find a ton of things to do in the North County suburban areas and the San Diego Coastal areas. San Diego is known for its fantastic beach life and laid-back communities with lots of arts and culture to embrace. This is what has made San Diego one of the most sought out places to live in not only in the United States but in the world.

Where Should I Stay in San Diego

Depending on where you choose to stay, San Diego hotels can be reasonable. The further North you go from Downtown, the less expensive it tends to be. That is of course with the exception of LaJolla, it will definitely cost you a bit more there. If you stay at least 5-10 miles in from the Coast, there are many great hotels with rates as low as $150* per night. If for any reason you decide that you don’t want the “Hotel Life” you may want to search for Airbnb properties. You can easily find great condo units or single-family houses. You will be able to experience what local residents enjoy every day of their lives while living in San Diego. It will be great to be able to go to all of the local restaurants and coffee shops where neighborhood people go every day. San Diego Then you can go hit all of the tourist attractions as well.  If you are not a Comic-Con person, you may want to avoid traveling to San Diego in July, during the time this is taking place.. All of the hotel rooms and Airbnb spots are booked and the prices are quadrupled during those times, even if you book accommodations early.

What Beaches Are Open in San Diego

San Diego has the best climate in the U.S. While the rest of the country is dealing with the harshness of winter, driving in slush and dressing in layers; living in San Diego will have you spoiled real fast. Below you can discover the most popular beaches in Southern California.

Top 4 Beaches in San Diego

 

Coronado Beach

~ Coronado Beach is one of my favorite beaches to go to when a visitor comes to town. It starts at the infamous “Hotel del Coronado” and continues to Sunset Park. If you have your dog with you, this is where you can walk your dog freely in an area named “Dog Run Beach.”

La Jolla Cove Beach

~La Jolla Cove beach is very popular to many because the waves are blocked by a rocky point in the west portion making the water a bit calmer than at other beaches. Although, since it is not a large beach you will have to get there early so you end up with a nice spot

Pacific Beach

~ A younger crowd hangs out Pacific beach. There are lots of surfers in the water and you can see them all when standing on Crystal Pier. This is a public fishing pier that houses several Cape Cottages, known as the Crystal Pier Hotel. Restaurants and shops line the bike path at Pacific Beach making it a fun place to spend the day.

Ocean Beach

~This beach is very wide and located on the Southside of the San Diego River mouth. Gorgeous views can be seen from the Ocean Beach Pier which extends about ½ mile into the ocean. Dog Beach is located on the North End and is full of people that bring their pups to the beach to have fun.

Butterflies and Jungle monarch butterfly

Take a ride in Safari Park and head over to Butterflies and Jungle. Wear colorful clothing and enjoy thousands of butterflies flying around you. They may think that you are a flower and land all over you while you

North Park

The neighborhood of North Park has so many things to do; such as, wonderful galleries, musical shows and live theater for those that live to engage in cultural entertainment. For people who love to go out to restaurants, there is not a shortage in North Park. There is lots to choose from and different varieties. Known as the best beer neighborhood in the nation. You can judge for yourself by heading down to the interaction of 30th and University Avenue. You’ll find Modern Times Flavordome, Mike Hess Brewing, just to name a few. For more of a local neighborhood environment, visit Thorn Street Brewery. It is located on Thorn Street and 32nd.  Whatever type of beer you are searching for, Thorn Street will most likely have.

South Park

South Park is very quaint and known for its eclectic shops and one of a kind fashions. Treasures can be found in the small shops in the neighborhood. There is a quarterly event that takes place called the “Walkabout”. This is when the local restaurants, boutiques, and shops stay open late and offer special deals. The local community as well as people from other neighborhoods come by and participate in the diversity and culture that South Park has to offer.

Hillcrest

Hillcrest is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood where people watching and engaging in conversation is one of the things to do in San Diego that it so fun. The neighborhood of Hillcrest is filled with a delightful mix of diverse shops, wine bars, nightclubs, restaurants and coffee shops. The San Diego LGBT Pride annual parade is held here every July, and the streets are filled with more people than any other parade in San Diego. The farmer’s market takes place every Sunday, and it is a great place to pick up local gourmet food as well as arts and crafts created by local artists.

 Point Loma

Enjoy the stunning views of San Diego’s skyline that Point Loma has to offer. It is located West of Downtown. Some of the best tide pooling takes place when low tides reveal all of the sea inhabitants that live on the reefs. You can get an up-close look at this from the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Harbor Island is located on a strip just South of the airport with several great restaurants and places where you can sit out on the grass and watch the sailboats go by while watching the gorgeous sunset that San Diego displays. Shelter Island is also a part of Point Loma that has an aquatic and a sea-loving atmosphere. Many fishing trips depart from this location. There are also several great restaurants and concerts by the bay for one to enjoy.

San Diego is beautiful whether you are walking through different neighborhoods or whether you are driving through. However, in order to have a real idea of the landscape that this city offers, take a look from overhead. Whether you are looking for things to do in San Diego on vacation or whether you are thinking of moving here, this is a great video that shows how beautiful San Diego is.

I just found this video called “Fly by San Diego” created by Mugsy Mahonney. He has captured the beauty that San Diego is by shooting a video from up above. Taking a look at the coastline, the sandy beaches, including Coronado Beach where you can see the famous Hotel Del. Here you will see the San Diego Harbor and views of the Coronado Bridge. Also captured are surfers as they ride the waves in Ocean Beach, views of Point Loma, La Jolla Cove, and a detailed look at Downtown San Diego where you can almost touch the top of the buildings.

Balboa park is large and when you walk through the park you can enjoy the beauty but seeing it from above really gives you an idea of how large it really is. He also takes you through Sea World, Mission Bay, Oldtown, Qualcomm Stadium and the infamous USS Midway.

For those Golfers out there, take a look at how pristine Torrey Pines Grounds are. I do not golf but looking at this makes me want to hit a golf ball. Also captured are the Seals and Sea Lions off of Sunset Cliffs. Belmont Park has never looked so good. Here you can see how colorful and close to the water the roller coaster is as well as the fun shops and restaurants are located.

This is a wonderful short clip of what to see and things to do in San Diego, whether you are coming here on vacation or whether you live here.

If you are thinking of moving to San Diego and would like to speak to someone about the Real Estate Market, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We are here to help and would love the opportunity to earn your business.

More Things To Do in San Diego

Top 9 Things to do in San Diego

San Diego is one of the best places to visit and live in the Country. In my opinion, it is the best place to live in the World. To put it simply, it is gorgeous. The weather is beautiful year-round and the sunshine’s most of the year. It is easy to find yourself smiling for no apparent reason. Below are the top 9 things to do in San Diego that we hope you will go check out whether you live here or are coming to visit.

Good Morning, San Diego! from Eladio Arvelo 

Whether you are into water sports, hiking, skiing, or other activities and sports, San Diego offers the opportunity to do all. If you visit or live in the coastal areas, you will enjoy 70-75-degree year-round except in the winter. This is when we get down to the ’60s which happens to feel cold to people who have lived in San Diego for a while.

There are many attractions that you can enjoy doing on your own here. However, we have included a list of things to do in San Diego with kids as well as things that everyone else would enjoy.

Balboa Park

#1-Balboa Park is a place where you will discover a bit of San Diego’s culture and history. Here you can visit several museums and well as the theatre. There is always something interesting playing that one can enjoy. Or, take a walk through the beautiful gardens, or have a picnic by the fountain or the magnificent pond. Here is a place where you can take the time to people-watch or spark a conversation with others that are enjoying their surroundings as well. The Spanish architecture is amazing to see so make sure to stroll down to the Spanish Village Art Center.

Coronado Beach

#2-Coronado Beach is one of the favorites to many people that visit San Diego. It is where Marilyn Monroe’s, “Some Like it Hot” was filmed and also known as “Crown City”. Coronado means “crowned one” in Spanish. This beach is a little different than other beaches in San Diego. Here you will not find a bustling boardwalk like in Mission Beach or Ocean Beach. Coronado’s scenery is simply picturesque. You can ride bikes through the meticulous neighborhoods and admire all of the gorgeous mansions sprawled throughout.

Gaslamp Quarter District

#3-Gaslamp Quarter District will take a full day on its own. This is the most walkable neighborhood in San Diego with lots to do. Enjoy all of the amazing restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, and shopping. Also, mix it up by visiting some of the best art galleries, symphony halls, museums, and concert venues. This is also where you will find the Convention Center and Petco-Park, all with-in 16 blocks of Downtown San Diego.

Mission Beach

#4-Mission Beach is a 2 mile stretch of white sandy beach. Here you’ll find it to be an attraction to a younger crowd. There are lots o Board Walkf people skating and riding their bikes on the boardwalk while tons of people are laying out on the beach watching the surfer ride the waves. For a different pace, head on over towards the northern part of the beach where you’ll find Belmont Park and the Giant Dipper. This is a rollercoaster which is a favorite to many kids and adults alike.

Cabrillo National Monument

#5-Cabrillo National Monument is located in Point Loma, just 10 miles from Downtown San Diego. The statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stands 422 feet above sea level. He was the first European explorer to journey the coast of California in 1542. Here you will see spectacular views of the Ocean and the activity that takes place below the Naval Base. If you are lucky, you may catch the Pacific Grey Whales that migrate between December and February. Also, nearby is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse which is open to the public as a museum.

Sunset Cliffs

#6-Sunset Cliffs are located in Ocean Beach and are a huge attraction for locals and tourists as well. Watch Dolphins and Whales migrate up and down the coast, while capturing the most amazing sunset views. You cannot help but be hypnotized by the ocean’s magic. When you get hungry, head on over to Oceans People Organic Market. This is a local neighborhood market that is owned by its customers. There is a deli upstairs with amazing home-cooked meals that will knock your socks off. Well, that is if you are wearing any. You will most likely be wearing flip-flops like everyone else.

North Park

#7- North Park is a hip urban neighborhood that is full of charm and has great walkability. It is home to many local microbreweries, fantastic restaurants, and unique boutique shopping. Within the past 10 years, North Park has become one of the most sought neighborhoods to live in because of its diversity and so many things that it offers. The homes in North Park are mostly Craftsman Homes, Spanish Style homes, and a few newer Modern Style Homes that have been recently built by home investors that have bought up fixer-uppers and added their touch to them. North Park is approximately 10 minutes from Coronado Beach, as well as Ocean Beach has easy access to all freeways.

Sea World

#8- Sea World is located on Mission Bay and is one of the favorite marine life adventure parks in the Country.  If you are into water activities, then you will love being able to sail, stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing and everything else that you can imagine that has to do with water can be done here. For those who prefer to stay on land, you can also have picnics, ride bikes or enjoy bonfires very close to the water. During the winter season, there are boat tours that make multi-day trips and take people out to Whale watch up close. This is a favorite activity for many people.

La Jolla

#9-La Jolla, nicknamed “the jewel” is one of the most popular beaches in California and the World. Kayakers, snorkelers, and scuba divers are drawn to this beach because of its spectacular beauty and golden sands. From this location, you can also watch the whales that migrate up and down the coast. There is an abundance of sea lions that congregate on La Jolla Shores while sunbathing throughout the day. Please note that you should not get close to them or try to feed them. They may become frightened and will bite.  There are lots of cultural attractions to see in La Jolla such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, the La Jolla Playhouse, and the Birch Aquarium which is located at Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

If you are thinking of moving to San Diego and would like to speak to someone about the different areas and homes for sale, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We would love to help.

 

More Things to do in San Diego

Buying a Home in San Diego from Across the Country

Know What You Want in a House

Knowing what you want in a house will enable your Realtor to help you find a neighborhood that suits your lifestyle. Buying a home in San Diego from across the country can be scary. But, if you are teamed up with a great Realtor and have created a list of what’s important to you, it is possible.  Do you like yoga? You might want to live near a park or in a neighborhood with a few yoga studios.  If you work remotely from your computer, a place with plenty of coffee shops give you plenty of options to operate your business.  If nightlife is your thing, a place like North Park will be right up your alley with tons of restaurants and bars.  Whether or not you have children, the proximity to good schools will affect the resale value of homes in some neighborhoods. So, when buying a home in San Diego, make sure that you have a sharp agent aware of this.

Buying a home in San Diego
Cold Winter Storm

The Lifestyle in San Diego is different than in other parts of the country.  Have you experienced year-round outdoor living before? If you’re moving from New England, as an example, the house prices will seem high, based on the value and square footage that you are accustomed to. That’s because in Connecticut, for example, you have to be inside your house for the whole winter.

Here in San Diego, you can sit in the sun and relax in your garden on a January morning.  “But I Love the Skiing,” you say. Not to worry!  Bear Mountain is less than a three-hour drive from San Diego, and there are several more nearby.  Wouldn’t you love to be able to have fun in the snow and have a short drive back to the year-round sunshine? You don’t have to worry about digging your car out of the snow before work the next morning.

With a lot of cash buyers present, the San Diego market is quite rapid and competitive.  If you are buying a home in San Diego, you’ll have to be comfortable with making an offer on a property the first day you see it.  That might seem extreme, but it’s the nature of the current market.  You’ll see homes for sale that come and go off the market quickly. If you take too long to think about it, you’ll miss out on many great properties.  Knowing what you want will give you the confidence you need to move with the fast-paced market that we are experiencing. This leads us to our next key aspect of buying a home in San Diego from across the Country.

Find the Right Real Estate Agent

If you are buying a home in San Diego, you’ll want a local Realtor who’s an expert in the neighborhoods you’re looking at.  If you don’t know what neighborhood you want, a good Real Estate Agent will help you with this based on your interests. With this being said, good communication is key.

Depending on whether you are buying a property to invest in or to move for work or retirement, your search for a house will be very different. You’ll want a Realtor that has experience with the type of property you are searching for. If you’re looking at an investment property, find a Realtor that owns investment properties themselves. They will have better insight than a Real Estate Agent that has never purchased an investment property before, or any house at all. They will be able to point out important things to look for and consider and things to be aware of.

Is Your Realtor Tech Savvy?

Today’s technology makes it easy for a tech-savvy Real Estate Agent to use several tools to convey a property from wherever you are accurately. Video walkthroughs, 3D rotating cameras, and video calls can accurately convey much more than still photos.

Video taping buying a home
Video Tour

Make sure your Realtor is familiar with these tools. Also, make sure that you’ll feel confident buying a house that you’ve never physically been inside of. Even though you will see walking video tours, it is still slightly different from being at the property in person. If you are comfortable with this, then you’ll be swinging in your hammock on your back porch in no time. You will be thinking about all those times you were jumping over puddles of ice-water on your way to work.

Get Your Ducks in a Row and Pre-Approved

As previously mentioned, it’s a high-speed Real Estate market that we are experiencing.  Have patience; you could lose out on a property you like if you’re not 100% ready to go. Have your ducks in a row before you start your home search.  One thing to keep in mind is to make sure no obstacles are holding you back.

You’ll need to be pre-approved for a loan, and not just with any lender.  An experienced Realtor will have many great referrals for you if you don’t already have someone you are working with. You may have a local Lender where you currently live. Speak to your Realtor about this. We find that working with a local lender near the home you are trying to buy typically works best. They know the timeframes and things to look out for that are not always the same in other parts of the Country. If you think of buying an investment property and not planning to live in it, you will need to get approved for a loan as a non-occupied-owner-investor. Typically, this type of loan requires that you put down at least twenty-five percent when buying a home.  On the other hand, if it is not an investment property that you are looking for, but instead, you are planning on moving into the home, you’ll be able to look into an FHA loan. With this type of government loan, you only have to put as low as 3.5 percent, whether it’s a single-family house or a duplex/multi-unit house.

Buying And Selling A Home

You may currently own a home you would need to sell before buying a home in San Diego. Before a homeowner considers accepting your offer and taking their home off the market, they would want to see that your present home is under contract. This can all be very stressful. You may not feel 100% comfortable buying a home without seeing it in person. If so, another option will be to plan on moving to San Diego first. Renting an apartment or home for a couple of months or even a year might make you feel more at ease. There are a lot of short-term rentals available if you decide that this would work better for you. Yearly rentals are available, but they are also competitive. If you find one that you think you want, you will have to move quickly.

For more information on buying a home in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group We would love to help you with the buying process.

More About Buying a House in San Diego

Best Time to Sell A House in San Diego

When is the best time to sell a house in San Diego?” This depends on, of course, what part of San Diego you live in and what your reason for selling is. The San Diego, real estate market is unlike other parts of the Country. The sun shines most of the year, so worrying about when the snowy season may come is not on the horizon. In other parts of the country, most would say that the best time to sell a house would be in the spring or summer. This is not the case when you sell a house in San Diego.

sell a house in San Diego
Sell A House In San Diego

San Diego’s Metro Communities

Most of the homes we sell are in San Diego’s urban communities, such as North Park, South Park, Normal Heights, University Heights, Hillcrest, Mission Hills and a few others. People searching for a house in these communities are not necessarily looking to move to these neighborhoods because of the schools. We find that people want to be part of the lifestyle that comes with living in an urban type of neighborhood, which these communities offer. For them, buying a house in San Diego and being able to walk to restaurants, shopping, cafe’s and so much more are very attractive to many people.

Because of this, the best time to sell a house in San Diego depends on whether it is a good time for you (the seller) to sell your house. Does it make sense for you because of a job transfer, or you would like to move closer to the rest of your family? Whatever your situation is,  I would say that is “the best time to sell a house.”

You may hear from some people that Thanksgiving or Christmas are not good times to put your home on the market. Again, this may be true in some parts of the country. All I can say is that our team has helped many buyers and sellers buy homes and sell their houses on both occasions. Although the one thing that we have noticed is during the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas, home showings do get a little slower.

With this being said, serious home buyers are out looking year-round. If it happens to be during the holiday season, this has not stopped them from submitting an offer on a home. As a matter of fact, they may have less competition as a homebuyer. But, the same is to be said for the home seller. Some sellers will hold off on putting their home on the market until after the Holiday has passed. They believe that they will have more buyers if they wait. What they forget is they will also have more competition from all of the other sellers that decided to wait as well.

What is the Average Time to Sell a House in San Diego?

If you and your Realtor have done all of the upfront steps with preparing your house to come on the market and have priced your home correctly, you should receive an offer within the first 30 days. When our listings hit the market in the San Diego Metro area, again, if priced correctly, we are receiving offers within the first 7 days. With this being said, no matter what type of market we are in, if you overprice your home, you will end up sitting on the market longer than other homes, and this will ultimately end up hurting you in the long run.

Contact the McT Real Estate Group if you would like more information on today’s real estate market in San Diego.

Contact Us

Mary McTernan
2875 University Avenue Ste 8
San Diego, CA 92104

619-736-7003

info@mctrealestategroup.com