San Diego Real Estate Bloghttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/blogSan Diego real estate market news provided by In Association with Keller Williams RealtyTue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT3446 28th Street, North Park Open House Designed and built in 1916 by master builder David Owen Dryden, this historically designated John Carman Thurston House is located on one of North Park's most sought out streets within the Dryden Historic District.

Do not miss this rare opportunity to view a spectacular historic home at this awesome open house!

Saturday & Sunday, February 11th & 12th, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

3446 28th Street, San Diego CA 92104

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3446-28th-Street-North-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3446-28th-Street-North-Park-Open-HouseTue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT4211 Alabama Street, North Park Open House  

Do not miss this Awesome Open House!

Saturday & Sunday, February 4th & 5th, 1 to 3 pm

4211 Alabama Street, San Diego CA 92104

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/4211-Alabama-Street-North-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/4211-Alabama-Street-North-Park-Open-HouseTue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT3221 Gregory Street, North Park Open House  

Do not miss this Awesome Open House!

Saturday & Sunday, January 28th & 29th, 1 to 3 pm

3221 Gregory Street, San Diego CA 92104

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3221-Gregory-Street-North-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3221-Gregory-Street-North-Park-Open-HouseMon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT4433 Bancroft Street, Normal Heights Open House  

​Do not miss this Awesome Open House!

Saturday & Sunday, January 14th & 15th, 1 to 3 pm

4433 Bancroft Street, San Diego CA 92116

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/4433-Bancroft-Street-Normal-Heights-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/4433-Bancroft-Street-Normal-Heights-Open-HouseWed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT1221 Essex Street #9, Hillcrest Open House  

​Do not miss this Awesome Open House!

Saturday January 14th, 1 to 3 pm

1221 Essex Street #9, San Diego CA 92103

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/1221-Essex-Street-9-Hillcrest-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/1221-Essex-Street-9-Hillcrest-Open-HouseTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTBuying a home in San Diego!  

A few things to know before buying a home in San Diego

 

  • Find a great realtor( preferably referred).
  • Find a great Mortgage Broker (preferably referred)
  • Find the home that suits you best (location, amenities,location).
  • Write down your must haves and your wants.
  • Don't try to be such a hardball negotiator upfront.  Be negotiable with the seller, otherwise they my want to go with another offer.
  • Factor in repairs and maintenance cost.
]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Buying-a-home-in-San-Diego-2http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Buying-a-home-in-San-Diego-2Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTBuying a Short Sale in San Diego
Helpful hints when buying a Short Sale in San Diego

1-Get pre-approved first (Make sure you speak with a lender and go through the full pre-approval process before going out and seeing homes. If you are paying cash, then all you will need to submit with your offer is your bank statement showing proof of funds)

2-Find a buyers agent that understands the short sale process ( some agents do not understand them or do not want to show them because they can take anywhere from 3-5 months to get approved in some cases.  In reality,  you could pass up on a great deal if you end up working with an agent that does not want to show you the best deals in town, some of which are Short Sales).

3-Qualify the listing agent. (There are ways that your agent can check and see if the listing agent is experienced with Short Sales. If they are not, you could very well be wasting your time by putting an offer on one of these Short Sales. After many months of waiting around on a Short Sale that is being negotiated by an inexperienced listing agent, the  bank will not approve it and you will have lost many other opportunities by waiting on the wrong one).

4-Be prepared to pay for items that the bank will not pay for ( Banks typically will not pay for termite work, other type of repairs, home warranty or hoa fees on a condo. If termite work needs to be done on the property and you don't have the money to do that and have funds to pay for your closing costs, there are other strategies that can be used to pay for it).

5- Give the seller the choice of services such as Escrow and Title.( The listing agent will typically have their group of people in place that they work with it will avoid a counter back from the listing agent if you just go ahead and agree to using their services).


6-Be ready to put a deposit into escrow( The listing agent will typically require this. This is showing that you as a buyer are committed to this property and are willing to wait 90-120 days for it)

7-Closing cost- Banks will typically credit buyers for closing cost.  Your buyers agent must include this in the offer and know that the bank may negotiate a smaller amount.

8-Be prepared to get a counter offer back from the bank (Although the seller has accepted your offer, the bank will do their own appraisal and sometimes will counter back with a price that is higher then the price that has already been accepted.  If this happens, your buyer agent and yourself must do a comparable analysis, you will then have to figure out if you believe the price that the bank countered at is still market value or something that you feel is still a good price)


9- Be ready to do inspection within 10 days of seller acceptance. (Experienced Short Sale listing agents will typically have put in their counter that buyers must do inspections up front and not wait until the bank approves the short sale to do so).

10-If you have any questions regarding the Short Sale process or would like to work with someone from our team, feel free to shoot us over an email or give us a call so that we can set up an appointment.

 

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Buying-a-Short-Sale-in-San-Diegohttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Buying-a-Short-Sale-in-San-DiegoTue, 27 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMTThe Cost of Living in San Diego
The cost of living in San Diego can be a huge concern for people thinking of moving to this beautiful city.  Let's say you are thinking of relocating from Phoenix Arizona.  You are looking at on overall  increase of approximately 27.7% more to live in San Diego. What about if moving from Houston (30.7% more),  Miami (17.2% more),  Indianapolis (32.4 more),  Charleston (25.3 more),  Atlanta (24.5 more). So why do so many people still continue to relocate to Americas Finest City, the City of San Diego?

Maybe because San Diego is known for its mild year-round climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has mild, mostly dry weather, with an average of 201 days above 70 °F.

So although on paper it seems as if though it is rather expensive to live in this beautiful city, it really isn't if you consider all of the things that there are to do outdoors that do not cost anything. Unlike in other parts of the Country, you can do things outdoors here year round that do not require you to wear heavy coats, sweaters, gloves and hats.

1-Consider a walk  down La Jolla Cove, considered the most spectacular natural setting in the world.

2-Get on your Roller-blades , skateboard or bicycle along the Mission Beach Boardwalk, a beautiful  three mile boardwalk along picturesque Mission and Pacific Beaches.

3-If you are into scuba diving or snorkeling, then you just hit jackpot.  Some of the clearest waters lie on La Jolla Cove coast , with miles of protected underwater preserves to explore.

4-Visit Museums around town that offer  free days. On the third Thursday of each month from 5-7pm, both the downtown and La Jolla locations of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego are free.

5-Free daily park tours, public concerts (Sundays), and beautiful gardens (seven are free daily) can be enjoyed while you stroll through Balboa Park and take in the beauty of it's spectacular Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

6-One of the largest attractions in San Diego is considered to be "The Big Bay".  Take a nice walk along 27 miles of waterfront featuring a multitude of shops, restaurants, bayside parks, marinas and miles of promenades and bikeways.

7-Free organ concerts at 2:00 pm on Sundays at the Spreckels Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park.  A San Diego landmark since 1914, where organists play traditional favorites, waltzes and show tunes on enormous 32-foot pipes are featured at the Organ Pavillion.

These are just a few things that San Diego has to offer year round.  So if you are someone who loves the outdoors, then price per square minute, the cost of living is pretty low because you truly get to enjoy the city year round.  It is very rare that you have to stay indoors because the weather is bad.

If San Diego is a city that you are considering to relocating to, go through our website and and do a little research.  If you find a home or a neighborhood of interest, shoot us an email and we will gladly send you more information

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/The-Cost-of-Living-in-San-Diegohttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/The-Cost-of-Living-in-San-DiegoMon, 26 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMTBuying a Home in San Diego I know, I know; when have you heard a Real Estate agent say that it was not a good time to buy a home?  Not too often I'm sure.  Here are some interesting facts though.

The interest rates are pretty amazing right now, if you can qualify for a loan.

Conventional loans:
3.875% on 30 year fixed
3.25% on 15 year fixed
4.125% loans $417,000 - $546,750

Or 3.875% FHA loans with just 3.5% down on loans up to $697,500

5/1 ARMs are at 2.625% but should only be taken by the borrower who expects to be out of that house in less than 5 years.  This loan can go to 7.265% in year six and all the savings of the first 5 years will be wiped out, so this one is not my favorite and in my opinion should not even be considered based what has happened with our market in the last 5-7 years.


So, if you are renting right now because you are scared of all the media about the housing market, just look at what is happening in the rental market right now.  Prices are high and getting higher. Landlords are happy that renters are helping them pay off their mortgage.

If you would like to find out how you can buy your first home or an investment property for the price of a rental, shoot us an email or a call. Let us know that you are interested in knowing more and we will be able to help you with that.

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Buying-a-Home-in-San-Diegohttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Buying-a-Home-in-San-DiegoSun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT4383 Swift Avenue, North Park Open House  

​Do not miss this Awesome Open House!

Sat & Sun, December 3rd & 4th, 1 to 3 pm

4383 Swift Avenue, San Diego CA 92104

 

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/4383-Swift-Avenue-North-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/4383-Swift-Avenue-North-Park-Open-HouseSat, 03 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT1436 Bancroft Street, South Park Open House  

​Do not miss this Awesome Open House!

Sat & Sun, Nov. 19th & 20th, 1 to 3 pm

​1436 Bancroft Street, San Diego CA 92102

 

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/1436-Bancroft-Street-South-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/1436-Bancroft-Street-South-Park-Open-HouseFri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT3681 32nd Street, North Park Open House  

​Do not miss this Awesome Open House!

Sat & Sun, Nov. 19th & 20th, 1 to 3 pm

3681 32nd Street, San Diego CA 92104

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3681-32nd-Street-North-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3681-32nd-Street-North-Park-Open-HouseFri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT3145 Gregory Street, North Park Open House  

​Do not miss this Awesome Open House!

Open House, Tues, Nov. 8th, 10 to 1 pm

Sat & Sun, Nov. 12th & 13th, 1 to 3 pm

​3145 Gregory Street, San Diego CA 92104

 

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3145-Gregory-Street-North-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3145-Gregory-Street-North-Park-Open-HouseSun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT3702 Utah Street, North Park Open House Do not miss this Awesome Open House on Tuesday November 8th from 10 am to 1 pm at 3702 Utah Street, San Diego CA 92104 

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3702-Utah-Street-North-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3702-Utah-Street-North-Park-Open-HouseThu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT4030 Hamilton Street, North Park Open House Do not miss this Awesome Open House on Sunday October 30th from 1-3 pm at 4030 Hamilton Street, San Diego CA 92104 

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/4030-Hamilton-Street-North-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/4030-Hamilton-Street-North-Park-Open-HouseThu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT3612 Texas Street, North Park Open House Do not miss this Awesome Open House on Sat. and Sun. October 22nd and 23rd from 1-3 pm at 3612 Texas Street, San Diego CA 92104 

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3612-Texas-Street-North-Park-Open-Househttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/3612-Texas-Street-North-Park-Open-HouseFri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMTThinking of Selling My Home..Should I Stage it? Should I Stage my Home or Not?

Beauty Pageant Crown

Several years ago the San Diego Real Estate Market was a little different.  You would put a "For Sale Sign" in front of the home and Viola, several offers would come in.  Today is a different day and we are in another type of market.  Buyers are very slow to move right now and very cautious.  They want to make sure that they are making the right decision.

With all of the bad media regarding our economic status, they are scared to make the decision of whether to buy a home or not because of their job security.  

With this in mind, you can not just put a sign in the front lawn any longer and expect to have offers lined up. 

Now-a-days you must be the prettiest home in your market place for the best price. It is definitely a "Price war and a Beauty Contest." Will you make it to the finals and be crowned the winner?  This is up to you and the Real Estate Group that you decide to work with.  Here at the Mary McT Real Estate Group we have a Professional Stager on our team.  Once you meet us, look at our track record and decide that we are the Realtors that you would like to work with, we would then send in our Stager and begin the  process of getting your home ready for the Beauty Contest where you will ultimately win first prize.

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Thinking-of-Selling-My-HomeShould-I-Stage-ithttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Thinking-of-Selling-My-HomeShould-I-Stage-itSun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMTCity Heights or shall we say East North Park City Heights, a little area east of the I-805.  It used to be that not many people west of the I-805 wanted to move to this area because it was considered to be dangerous. Times have changed and so has City Heights name. It is now being called East North Park by people these days.  Rents are still lower than west of the I-805 and great deals can be found with Condos, Single Family Homes and Multi-family homes. If you are looking for areas to invest in, this is definitely an area you may want to look at.

Writer John Brizzolara, a fellow New Yorker from the San Diego Reader just wrote an article on this which I found very interesting. The story can be read here.

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/City-Heights-or-shall-we-say-East-North-Parkhttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/City-Heights-or-shall-we-say-East-North-ParkWed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMTShort Sales in San Diego These are tough times for some families right now.  Upside down on their house and not able to pay their mortgage.  Here in San Diego we have been able to help some of these people by successfully Short Selling their homes.  Our team negotiates with the bank to take less then what the current seller owes. Once the lender accepts, the seller can then start all over again with out the fear of going into Foreclosure. 

We just heard that some lenders are selecting several homeowners in San Diego that are behind on their payments and promising cash back at the close of escrow.  This can be a huge relief and extremely helpful after going through such tough time. More on this story can be read in the article that I found on SignonSandiego.com

]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Short-Sales-in-San-Diegohttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/Short-Sales-in-San-DiegoSat, 08 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT8801 Jonas Court]]>http://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/8801-Jonas-Courthttp://www.marymctsoldme.com/Blog/8801-Jonas-CourtThu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT