Selling Your House

Selling a home in San Diego County? Here are ways to sell your home quickly, and to maximize your net proceeds.

California Landlord Laws

California Landlord Laws – What’s New in 2025

California Residential Landlords: here are some new laws for 2025. AB 2493 – Tenant Screening Fees & Credit Reports AB 2493 applies to all residential tenancies of more than 30 days. Tenant Screening Fees Landlords can only charge an application fee when a unit either is available, or will be available within a reasonable period of time. Waiting list fees are no longer allowed. When it comes to charging fees for rental applications, landlords now

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San Diego Property Tax e-Billing

San Diego Property Tax – e-Billing now available!

San Diego County homeowners – here’s a new way to keep track of your property tax bills. The San Diego County Assessor’s Office has set up an e-billing notification system. Homeowners can sign up to receive electronic bills, with a link to pay online. I have paid my property tax online before – so what’s new? In the past, we have been able to pay our property tax bills online, but until now, we have

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1633-35 Mackinnon Avenue in Cardiff is FOR SALE

Welcome to Cardiff-by-the-Sea! 1633-35 Mackinnon Avenue is a duplex. With two residences in one building, here’s an opportunity to live in one unit and rent out the other, or go full investor mode and rent out both. Each residence has 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Both units offer peek ocean views from the bedroom balconies. The owners have just completed renovations, and everything is move-in ready. Upgrades include new kitchens, new flooring throughout, mini-splits for

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trust inheritance

Trust Inheritance – Inheriting and Selling Real Estate through a Trust

When a loved one passes away, they may leave their real estate as a trust inheritance. Here’s how it works: A property owner sets up a trust, and names a beneficiary for their property. While the property owner is alive, the property is held in the name of a trust. When the owner passes away, the property then belongs to the beneficiary. At that point, the beneficiary can choose to either:  transfer the property into

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4910 1/2 Old Cliffs Road in Allied Gardens is IN ESCROW

Welcome to the best of Allied Gardens! This immaculate Cavco West manufactured home offers three bedrooms and two full baths, in an open 1307 square foot floor plan. It was built in 2020, and first occupied in 2022. 4910 1/2 Old Cliffs Road is in a quiet location within the park. There are upgrades throughout, including ceiling fans, recessed lighting, and upgraded kitchen and baths. The kitchen features a large island, wood cabinetry, subway tile

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How Home Staging Works – Before and After Photos

Is home staging really worth it? Why do so many people recommend staging when selling your home? Does it really make that big of a difference? Here are some examples of before and after photos, so you can decide for yourself. Is Home Staging Really Worth It? Staging isn’t cheap. Many home sellers pay between $2,500 – $10,000 to professionally stage their home. Why are they willing to front that considerable expense? Is it really

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Seller Escrow Timeline

What to Expect When Selling Your Home – Seller Escrow Timeline

Seller Escrow Timeline Congratulations! You have accepted an offer for the sale of your home, and opened escrow. So what’s next? How long should everything take? Is there a general escrow timeline to follow? It usually takes between 30 to 60 days for an escrow to close. Sometimes the escrow timeline is shorter. Sometimes it’s longer. You and the Buyers agree to a timeline during the contract negotiation. Here’s a general escrow timeline for home

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Property Tax

Property Tax Calculation for San Diego Real Estate – Tips for Homeowners

Property Tax is Boring. Read This Anyway. Why am I writing about property tax calculation? Because I’m not just your real estate broker, I’m your real estate advisor. I want you to have the freedom to make informed choices throughout your entire real estate experience: when you buy a home, while you live in it, and when you sell it. Almost everyone thinks that since real estate property tax is inevitable, there’s no good reason to

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Pre Listing Checklist -Steps to Selling Your Home

6 Steps to Preparing Your Home for Listing in the MLS

Congratulations! You have signed a Residential Listing Agreement to list your home for sale. What’s next? Here’s my Listing Checklist for preparing your home for listing in the MLS. 6 Steps to Preparing Your Home for Listing in the MLS Property Details Seller Disclosures Cleaning & Staging Photography Appointment Schedule Open Houses For Sale Sign Property Details My first step in preparing your home for listing is gathering Property Details. As your listing agent, I want the

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4806 Old Cliffs Road

4806 1/2 Old Cliffs Road in Allied Gardens – SOLD!

Welcome to The Cliffs Mobile Home Park in Allied Gardens! UPDATE: We closed escrow in March, for $312,000! Built in 2017, this newer Golden West home offers three bedrooms and two full baths in a double-wide, 1325 square foot floor plan. 4806 1/2 Old Cliffs Road is located in a quiet area of the park. There are no neighbors directly behind. You can just enjoy the shade of lovely oak trees for your backyard. The

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home seller disclosures

Home Seller Disclosures – What to Report When Selling Your Home

When it comes to home seller disclosures, what do you need to provide? When you sell your home, you are required by law to disclose to the Buyers all material facts about your property, and about the surrounding area. A material fact is any condition that can affect the value of the property. Here’s a list of some home seller disclosures that we use when selling property in San Diego County. Property-Specific Home Seller Disclosures Your

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Selling with solar

Selling with Solar – Selling Your Home with a Solar Lease or Loan

Selling with Solar – What You Should Know More and more homes in California have solar systems. If you have solar panels on a house you’re selling, what should you know? Will the solar panels help you sell the house, or will they make the house harder to sell? This article answers some common questions about selling with solar: How will a solar system affect the sale? Can a Buyer assume a solar lease or

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1031-exchange

1031 Exchange – How Real Estate Investors Defer Capital Gains Tax

Do you want to sell investment property, and then defer capital gains tax through a 1031 Exchange? Thanks to Internal Revenue Code Section 1031, you are allowed to postpone capital gains taxes, if you reinvest the proceeds in a similar property. Here’s what you need to know about 1031 Exchanges: Qualifying Property Sale Prices Timeline Qualified Intermediary How to use a personal residence in a 1031 Exchange Qualifying Property The replacement property must be like-kind: if you sell investment real

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Proposition 19 – Property Tax Reassessment Exemption

Proposition 19 – Property Tax Reassessment Exemption UPDATE: This article now includes SB 539 information. SB 539, signed into law on September 29, 2021, helps to clarify the implementation of Proposition 19. Proposition 19 changes tax basis portability for certain California homeowners. These changes were made effective April 1, 2021. Certain homeowners may transfer the taxable value of their primary residence to a replacement primary residence. This can happen anywhere in California (no County restrictions),

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2956 Canyon Road in South Escondido – SOLD in 1 Day!

2956 Canyon Road in South Escondido – SOLD UPDATE: After only ONE DAY on the market, the Seller accepted an excellent offer at asking price! Congratulations to the Buyers! Welcome to South Escondido! Here’s your opportunity to own a five bedroom home on a half acre property, with NO HOA or Mello-Roos fees. This newer construction home features a massive 882 square foot, 4 car garage with 12 foot ceilings, 8 foot garage doors, and

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Concurrent Closing

Concurrent Closing – Selling and Buying a Home at the Same Time

What is a Concurrent Closing? A concurrent closing is used for selling and buying homes at the same time. If you need to sell your home in order to buy another home, the fastest way is with a concurrent closing. Concurrent closing does not mean simultaneous closing. The sale and the purchase can’t happen at exactly the same time. A concurrent closing usually happens within two days. Often, a concurrent closing means that the sale of

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Home Appraisal

Home Appraisal – Buying and Selling a Home

If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance that congratulations are in order! If you’re a home seller, you have accepted an offer on your property. Or, if you’re a home buyer, you have successfully submitted an offer, and opened escrow. In the next week or so, you probably need a home appraisal. Here’s what you should know about home appraisals, and how they can affect a real estate transaction. Home Appraisal vs. Home

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5004 Los Morros

5004 Los Morros Way #2 in Oceanside – SOLD above asking!

5004 Los Morros Way #2 – Stonemark at Los Morros, Oceanside UPDATE: After one open house, and multiple offers, 5004 Los Morros Way #2 closed escrow on April 15, setting a new record for the neighborhood at $500,000! Welcome to Stonemark at Los Morros! Stonemark is a private gated community in Oceanside.  This 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo has a 900 square foot floor plan, plus a patio with a laundry closet. It is a

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Home Seller Closing Costs

What are Home Seller Closing Costs in California?

[widget id=”youtube_responsive-3″]How much does it cost to sell a house, besides agent commissions? Ever wonder how they calculate title fees, escrow fees, and other home seller closing costs? The cost to sell a house depends on a number of factors, including the final sales price, the type of property, and the terms of the purchase agreement. It’s impossible to know exactly how much you will need to pay ahead of time. The final closing costs aren’t

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12640 Springbrook Drive #A in San Tropico, Sabre Springs – SOLD

12640 Springbrook Drive #A in San Tropico, Sabre Springs UPDATE: After only 4 days on the market and 12 offers, this property SOLD for $56,000 above asking price! Congratulations to the lucky Buyer and happy Sellers. Welcome to San Tropico in Sabre Springs! 12640 Springbrook Drive #A is a single-level upstairs townhome, with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths in a 1,082 ft2 floor plan. The townhome features an attached one-car garage and private one-car driveway. Check out

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6828 Camino de Amigos

6828 Camino de Amigos in Meadowood, Carlsbad – SOLD

6828 Camino de Amigos – Meadowood, Carlsbad [widget id=”youtube_responsive-4″]Welcome to Meadowood, in the La Costa region of Carlsbad – only 5 miles inland! 6828 Camino de Amigos has 4 bedrooms upstairs, plus an office/optional bedroom downstairs, and 3 full baths, in a 2,569 ft2 floor plan. The floor plan also includes separate family and living rooms, and a separate laundry room with plenty of cabinet storage. The main suite features dual walk-in closets, an in-wall safe,

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9570 Sunset Avenue

9570 Sunset Avenue in Grossmont, La Mesa – SOLD

9570 Sunset Avenue – Grossmont, La Mesa 9570 Sunset Avenue is a mid-century home, located in the Grossmont neighborhood of La Mesa, near Mt. Helix. Enjoy mountain views and privacy from this hilltop estate. 9570 Sunset Avenue has 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths, in a 1,712 ft2 floorplan. This classic 1953 home is nestled in the center of a half-acre lot, at the end of a long, private driveway. The location offers privacy and panoramic

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2005 Estero Street in Fire Mountain Oceanside – SOLD in Only 4 Days!

2005 Estero Street – Fire Mountain, Oceanside   UPDATE: After only 4 days on the market and an open house, 2005 Estero Street SOLD for $80,000 above asking price! Welcome to Fire Mountain! 2005 Estero Street is a mid-century modern pool home on a 1/4 acre lot. Enjoy ocean breezes when you live less than 2 miles inland! 2005 Estero Street has 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, in a 2,066 ft2 floorplan. On the main

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515 Lands End Way #175 in Oceanside – SOLD in 4 Days!

515 Lands End Way #175 – Avalon at Eagles Crossing, Oceanside UPDATE: After 3 days of showings and one open house, 515 Lands End Way #175 SOLD for $60,000 ABOVE asking price, all-cash! Congratulations to the lucky Buyers and happy Sellers! Welcome to Avalon at Eagles Crossing! 515 Lands End Way #175 is a single story, ground floor condo – there are no stairs. The 1,115 square foot floor plan includes 3 bedrooms and 2

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