How To
Consistent Contact Pays Off
Have you ever wondered how many contacts it takes with the same prospect before they might do business with you? Many say seven. Actually, research has shown that the number ranges from five to twelve, but seven is aRead more
Making the Follow-up Phone Call
You have decided that today is the day you will start making your follow-up phone calls to your farm and sphere of influence. Great! This will certainly lead to additional business opportunities. It might seem like common sense, butRead more
Different Ways to Conduct a 1031 Exchange
Investors have the ability to structure 1031 exchanges in several ways. Depending on the investor's situation any of the four exchange types listed below could be a viable option: Simultaneous Exchange In a simultaneous exchange the relinquished property isRead more
How to Find the Lowest Interest Rate
Interest rates are the lowest in decades, enticing many borrowers to shop around for a loan. Mortgage lenders adjust their rates based on perceptions of risk, so unless the borrower can show they’re a low-risk individual, the borrower isRead more
Real Estate Blogging on WordPress
Real Estate Blogging This video has been developed to assist San Diego Connection Real Estate Agents with blogging on wordpress websites. Our local San Diego Real Estate agents are dedicated to providing the local community with the most upRead more
Why Is My San Diego Rent Going Up?
Rents all over San Diego are increasing. The average San Diego rent went from $900 in 2001 to $1,400 in 2011 and it’s got a lot of San Diegans frustrated. It doesn’t matter where or how long you’ve livedRead more
Top 5 tax breaks for homeowners
The Internal Revenue Service reports, in Publication 530, "You cannot deduct transfer taxes and charges on the sale of a personal home." Q: We bought a house this year! We put $33,000 down and the bank financed $28,000. CanRead more
Quiz: Are You Ready for a Roommate?
Time to leave your parents' house? Looking for an apartment? Now comes an even bigger question ... can you live with a roommate? Take our quiz and see if you can handle sharing your living space with someone else.Read more
Additional Apartment Fees Can Add-Up Fast
When you move in to a new apartment, the landlord may charge you more than the first month's rent. Before you sign the lease, make sure you understand exactly what fees you're going to be charged, and get itRead more
What to Do if You Can’t Pay Rent on Time
Although being unable to make a payment can be embarrassing, do not feel that you should avoid the landlord until you have the money. This is immature, and more than likely, ill feelings will rise between the two ofRead more
Apartment Finance and Budget Help
A Budget for First-Time Renters - Financial advice on budgeting for renters Are you thinking about moving into your first apartment? Are you worried you won't have enough money? Try setting up a budget which will help you save moneyRead more
Apartments and Living with Roommates
Your First Apartment - What you need for your first place. Whether you plan on living alone or with roommates, be prepared -- your first apartment will most likely be a small one. That's why it pays to plan ahead.Read more
Apartment Search Tips
Important Tips for Finding an Apartment Apartment hunting tips for that will give you the edge Be prepared. You'll be making dozens of phone calls a day as you search for your apartment. Photo by Jason Stitt You needRead more
Don’t Overlook a Home’s Potential
Home shopping for first-time homebuyers it's an exciting, albeit nerve-wracking, experience. If you're like others in the market for their first home, you probably have in mind exactly how your soon-to-be home will look. But it's important not toRead more
Closing Costs – What Are They
Following are definitions of typical closing costs faced by sellers: Escrow/attorney fees: Some states require third-party escrow companies handle real estate closings, while others dictate attorneys perform the function. Title companies, title agents, lenders, brokers and even real estateRead more
Title Insurance: Who Needs It?
You do, but make sure you know your options During the real estate transaction (especially if you're a first-time buyer), you're hit with so many foreign terms, fees and requirements your head spins. One of those strange and unfamiliarRead more
14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home
Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment When buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality, or get sudden amnesia about factors that may make a difference. Sometimes we want something so badly,Read more
Five Key Areas to Pay Attention to When Buying a Home
You may save money in the long run Looking for a new home can be exciting and frustrating. You can help alleviate the frustration by paying close attention to five key areas of the homes you're considering buying; itRead more
Find the Perfect Neighborhood
How to scout out the best place to call home Once you've become pre-qualified for a loan, you should be ready to put your house-hunting efforts into full gear. But don't skip the important step of scouting out neighborhoodsRead more
Getting the Best Mortgage
What did you do? You went hunting and not fishing. What is meant by that? You have to decide up front, at the very beginning which loan program works best for you. Cross your heart and hope to die.Read more
Should You Pay Discount Points?
It depends on how long you plan to keep the mortgage "Points" are mortgage loan costs typically in association with an interest rate. One point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount, so one point on aRead more
Credit Report Guide
Learn how your credit can affect loan prospects Step 1: Get a copy of your credit report. Errors in credit reports are often difficult and time-consuming to correct, even when they're not your fault. That's why it's wise to reviewRead more
How to Repair your Credit
Take the steps to make bad credit repair a reality Achieving bad credit repair--whether bad credit is the result of unpaid credit card balances, a home foreclosure or a bankruptcy filing--is not an easy task, but it is notRead more
Down Payment
Size doesn't always matter The down payment presents the biggest obstacle to homeownership for most buyers, especially first-time buyers and those in lower income brackets. Fortunately for those people, lenders have become more willing to underwrite mortgages with smallRead more
How Much Can I Afford?
Look at your income to get an idea As you think about applying for a home loan, you need to consider your personal finances. How much you earn versus how much you owe will likely determine how much aRead more
Be Careful When Pre-qualifying Online
Signing with too many lenders can hurt your credit While shopping for the best loan terms, you may be tempted to pre-qualify with more than one lender. If so, be careful. Too many pre-qualifications could affect your ability toRead more
Five Terrible Mortgage Mistakes
Make sure you're making the right choices before you sign Stay clear of the following pitfalls and you'll likely fare well in your mortgage search. Mistake 1: Not doing your homework. Don't assume that all 30-year fixed loans are theRead more
Ten Questions to Ask Your Lender
The answer to these queries will help you find the best mortgage Here are the 10 key questions to ask at application time to help you find the best overall mortgage loan. If you have already selected a lenderRead more
Mortgage Nightmares to Avoid
Here are a few mortgage nightmares to avoid Nightmare One: Pile on those debts. Henry was a successful stock trader and a newlywed in his late-20s. He had no problem qualifying for a mortgage loan—his credit was excellent and heRead more
Renting to Own
A good option for first-time homebuyers? Renting to own, otherwise known as a lease-option, provides a way for those not in a position to make an immediate purchase to settle on something that is right for them — andRead more
Making the Transition from Renting to Buying
Here are a few points to consider as you weigh the pros and cons of home ownership. No doubt you've thought of how nice it would be not to write a rent check every month, but have you doneRead more
Should You Buy or Rent?
It's not just about the numbers Emotions, family and personal reasons all come into play in any home-buying decision. No one knows what the future holds for you, your family, your job or your finances. But we can help youRead more
House-Hunting Tips
Buying a home? These eight tips can help make your house-hunting experience positive and rewarding. Location counts. You've probably heard the old real estate joke about "location, location, location," but the point still bears repeating. Location is crucial. HowRead more
Borrowing From Family and Friends to Buy a House
Parents, other relatives, or even friends who lend you money for a house can benefit too Bob Hope once said, “A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it.”Read more
Ten Mistakes You Can’t Afford
Save time and money by following these rules Buying a home is complex enough but when it comes to financing, you need to make sure you are as prepared as possible in order to get a loan. There are aRead more
Take Charge When Buying A Home
Let's face it. Approaching the task of buying your next home can be overwhelming. I mean, there's so much to consider. How much house can I afford, and how can I find the best loan? Where will I comeRead more
Trouble Pulling the Trigger on Your First Home?
Tips on making the move to homeowner You’ve made up your mind to buy a place of your own. You’ve saved for a down payment and have poured over the local listings for months. Touring open houses is partRead more
Do You Have Buyer’s Paralysis?
Many issues can be at root of indecision You've looked at dozens of homes. Your SDHomeMap REALTOR® is about to tear her hair out with frustration. You are paralyzed, letting one great home after another pass you by. WhyRead more
Debating Between a Condo or a House
Which is right for you? Buying a home is one of the biggest and most important decisions you’ll ever make. Whether you are a first-time buyer, or a veteran homeowner looking to trade up or make a new start,Read more
New House or an Old One?
Consider the pros and cons to each As you embark on your venture to buy a home, one of the first decisions to make is whether to buy new or purchase an existing home. Each choice has its advantages,Read more
How to Choose a Home
Here are some tips to help determine which house is best for you. Once you've settled on a couple of neighborhoods for your search, it's time to pick out a few homes to view. Your wish list can remindRead more
Signs That You’re Ready to Buy
Six tips that tell you it's time Figuring out whether you're ready to buy a house -- whether you're a renter or are aiming to move up or size down -- can be a daunting task. But there areRead more
Can You Afford to Buy a House?
Be sure to factor in all the costs Although the thought of paying a mortgage is more enticing than paying rent, it's important to understand all the costs involved in buying and owning a home as you determine whetherRead more
Are You Ready?
10 Steps to Home Ownership Knowledge and experience are the keys to successful real estate transactions. SDHomeMap.com contains an enormous amount of valuable information, and such data -- combined with the expertise, experience and training of local SDHomeMap REALTORS®Read more
Coming Soon!
This section is currently under development. Check back soon!
How To Pick The Ideal Rental Property Investment “The Sweet Spot”
If you’re looking to buy an investment rental property, it pays to keep in mind who you’re trying to attract as a tenant. If you buy rental property at the bottom of the price point for a given area,Read more
Ten Things To Do After You Sell
There's plenty to do after escrow closes Once escrow has closed without a hitch and you've handed the keys over to the new owners, you've probably written the selling process off as over. But don't change your state ofRead more
How to Negotiate the Best Real Estate Deal
These five tips will give you an advantage Whether you're a buyer or a seller you want to succeed in the realty marketplace. That's natural and reasonable, but what are the steps you need to triumph? Negotiation is a complexRead more
Breaking Down the Offer
The truth is in the details After all the preparation and waiting you finally get the call you’ve been waiting for: Someone is writing an offer. First, you experience a rush of adrenaline, followed by the thought it couldRead more
A House That Looks Good Will Sell
How to attain curb appeal A house should have curb appeal, they say, but what exactly does that mean? What it means is that, if a buyer drives past a house at 5 or 10 m.p.h., the front ofRead more
What to Expect After Listing
Signs, Locks and Strangers! Selling a house can be a lot like remodeling –- it takes longer, costs more and is more emotionally draining than you thought but in the end was worth doing. Knowing what to expect whenRead more
Set Your List Price
Setting the list price involves evaluating various market conditions and financial factors. During this phase of the home selling process, your SDHomeMap REALTOR® will help you set your list price based on: Pricing considerations Comparable sales Market conditions OfferingRead more
Secrets of Professional Home Stagers
Cost-effective ways to spruce up your home for a quick sale An investment of a few hundred or maybe a few thousand dollars in a home headed for the market — a sprucing up the pros call "home staging"Read more
Punch Up Your Porch
Five Ways to Say "Welcome" for Under $100 With spring having arrived, it’s a good time to put out the welcome mat with a little flair. Your front door and porch area is an invitation to guests and itRead more
Don’t Neglect the Garage
This Important Space Needs to be as Clutter Free as the Home Your yard is in perfect order, the front door is freshly painted, the interior is sparkling, and soft music plays lightly in the background. Your house isRead more
Want to Sell Quickly? Think Paint
A good first impression helps sell your home It can't be overstated—when it comes to buying a house, the first impression is everything. If you're selling or getting ready to sell in the coming months, one of the easiestRead more
Make a Grand Entrance
Selling? Don't Underestimate Your Entryway If you're selling your house, you've probably heard all about curb appeal. Once that first impression passes the test, the next thing that meets the eyes of potential buyers is the entryway -- soRead more
Update Your Bathroom for Under $100
Five Ways to Give Your Bath a Makeover without Breaking the Bank Whether a bathroom facelift succeeds or fails will likely come down to one item — color. The warmer the better because let’s face it... on some mornings,Read more
Focus On Your Kitchen
This Room's Condition is a Major Consideration in a Sale If you're selling your home, your best chance at cooking up a sale is in the kitchen. For today's home buyer, the kitchen is typically the most important room inRead more
Make a Great First Impression
Inexpensive ways to make your home shine Once your home is listed and the for-sale sign is firmly implanted in your front lawn, all is ready for would-be buyers to tour your home. Or is it? As anyone inRead more
Moving Musts in the Garden
9 Things Homeowners Should Do In the Garden Before a Move Everyone knows that first impressions count and a visitor's first impression of a home is generally made when they view the home's faade and surrounding lawn. So don'tRead more
Show Your House in the Right Light
Proper Lighting Can Accentuate the Possitives If you're getting ready to put your house on the market you're probably busy painting some of the dingy walls, shampooing your carpet, and clearing the clutter. But be sure you add somethingRead more
Home Staging Helps Bring Top Dollar Sale
Learn the 5 C's to help you get multiple offers If your house could be sold looking the way a model home does, do you think it might bring in more money? Chances are it would. That's why homeRead more
Who Represents You?
One of the topics constantly facing the world of real estate is the issue of agency. Some would have you believe that it really doesn't affect you and that nothing much has changed. But they are wrong. The topicRead more
Why Use a SDHomeMap REALTOR® When Selling
We Help You Understand Everything You Need to Know About Selling The selling process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. We can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and theRead more
How to Choose a San Diego REALTOR®
Using Our Agents and the Obligations That Are Owed to You Our agents are bound by certain legal obligations. These common-law obligations are to: Put the client's interests above anyone else's; Keep the client's information confidential; Obey the client'sRead more
Get a REALTOR®
7 Steps to House-Selling Success Before placing a home on the market you should also identify REALTORS® in your community who can assist with the sale. Because SDHomeMap.com focuses on building teams of community experts, it's a perfect placeRead more
Want to Sell Your House This Fall?
Tips for Showing Your Home in Autumn Fall often signals a slowing down in the real estate business. While steady home sales are expected to continue through the year, many regions will likely slowly shift from a sellers marketRead more
Putting Your House on the Market This Winter?
Tips for showing your home during the holidays Although the holiday season is a hectic time to show and sell your house, there are distinct advantages to staging and showing your home during the holidays—you have a chance toRead more
The Significance Of The Cluttered Home To Buyers
A Chaotic House May Lower its Value While those of us who live in cluttered environments may have developed some numbness, meaning that we no longer consciously notice or see the chaos of clutter, we are still affected atRead more
Which Repairs Should You Make?
Slight Improvements Are OK, But Don't Go Too Far If you're preparing to place your home on the market, it's inevitable that you'll need a couple of minor repairs and slight improvements before your broker can drive a "ForRead more
Five Tips for Getting Your Home Appraised Before You Sell
An Appraisal Can Put You Ahead of the Curve Price your home incorrectly and it could mean a long stay on the market, a final selling price lower than what the house is worth or both. That's why some homeownersRead more
Home Inspections Avert Future Headaches
Suppose you bought a house and later discovered that the stucco exterior concealed a nasty case of dry rot. Or suppose that in winter when you fired up the furnace, you discovered a cracked heat exchanger leaking gas intoRead more
Trading Up: Tips for Selling Your Home and Buying Another
How not to get stuck paying two mortgages If you plan to sell your home and buy another, which should you do first? If you sell first, you’ll be under time pressure to find another house quickly -- andRead more
What Does Properly Priced Mean?
Even in a seller's market, the price must still be right In a market where demand is strong and it has become more difficult to figure out how much buyers are willing to spend, how do real estate agentsRead more
Resale Home Competition Against New Homes
Sellers, get serious about the trends in your market place As you place your home on the market, don't forget to look at the competition in your community to help determine a price for your house. Some home sellersRead more
Seven Costly Mistakes Sellers Make
There are plenty of pitfalls before you seal the deal There are always appropriate steps to investing in real estate and hopefully, you've garnered many of them right on these pages. However, there are also inappropriate steps sellers canRead more
What Is Your Home Worth?
A Comparative Market Analysis is the Key to Your Answer When you are interviewing REALTORS® to sell your home, you'll be introduced right away to a priceless document—the Comparative Market Analysis (CMA.) This is one of the areas inRead more
How to Set Your Selling Price
Being overpriced is a bad start If you're selling your house, one of the first steps you'll take is setting an asking price, a maneuver that requires the ability to find the perfect balance between attracting solid offers andRead moreSan Diego Connection Team
Unlike Traditional Real Estate Brokerages that hire everyone that has a license, the San Diego Connection Team is hand picked to provide expert “hyper-local” service to specific neighborhoods throughout San Diego County. Every Real Estate Professional on our team specializes in a specific community that they know everything about, so you will always get the right answers about the community you are looking to buy, sell invest or rent your next home in.
