A very important message from Carlos, Bella & Jeannete Gutierrez

The holiday season is finally here. We wanted to take a moment to wish you and your family the best. We are grateful to have you in our lives, especially this time of year.

Happy holidays everyone! I am here today with my daughter, Bella, and my wife, Jeanette. We wanted to take this time to wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous holiday. From our family to yours, we wanted to wish you the best this season.

“

Have fun spending time with your loved ones this holiday season.

”

We are very lucky to have you in our lives, so we also want to say thank you. We appreciate you. Our mantra in 2017 is the attitude of gratitude. We are so thankful for so much and we hope that you take some time this holiday season to think about what you are thankful for too. It’s a great exercise, and it really puts things into perspective.

Have fun spending time with your friends, family, and coworkers this holiday season and know that we are grateful for all of you. Happy holidays, Feliz Navidad, and merry Christmas. We look forward to seeing you in 2017.

Why I Always Put Community Before Self

I love helping people write their own real estate success stories and I’m passionate about giving back to the community here in San Diego. As I learned from my mentors, putting your community before yourself is key.

Recently, I helped beautify a San Diego neighborhood out in Grant Hill. Check out the video above and you’ll see a clip from NBC7 about our latest clean up effort. I got permission from the city to clean up the area, so I donated $10,000 to the project, got some volunteers together, and we got to work.

You have to be the change that you want to see in the world. Watch for my next videos that show how you can start a community clean up in your own neighborhood. Getting organized to help your community does not cost as much as you think.

Remember, if you put time and energy into helping your community, people will see that you care. If you have any questions in the meantime, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

How You Can Increase Your Home's Value

So you want to be the change in your neighborhood, but you don’t know where to start. It’s okay—I know the feeling, and I’m here to help. In my last video, I gave you some tips on how to organize your own community beautification project. Today, I want to share with you three great tips on how to continue this community outreach:

1. Contact your local city council member or local area representative. These people are committed to helping improve neighborhoods. Set up a time to sit down and talk with them or just call them and parlay over the phone. 
2. Create a list of specific goals you hope to achieve. This project can become overwhelming if you don’t break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, you might just write down “clear all trash off west side of Main Street.” Make it that specific so you have an attainable goal to share with the rest of the team. 
3. Get out there and talk to your neighbors. Start knocking on doors and letting people know what’s happening. If you don’t know your neighbors, introduce yourself. If you really want to start beautifying a neighborhood, you want support in numbers. 

“

  Beautifying a neighborhood is an 
initiative everyone can get behind.

”

Everyone wins when you clean up a neighborhood. Not only is it nice to see a clean, well-maintained area, but home values will go up, crime will go down, and it’s something everyone can get behind.

In my next video, we’ll talk about how you can get the materials to get this job done. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the community beautification process or anything real estate-related, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email. I'd be happy to help you!

3 Ways to Find the Right Realtor for You

Have you ever met a bad Realtor? They can change the way you view this profession.

When you need a real estate professional, it can be hard to find someone you can trust. When the market is hot like it's been lately, a lot of people think they can make a quick buck selling real estate, and these people can be hard to spot. To help you differentiate between a good Realtor and a bad one, I want to share the three things you should ask a Realtor before you decide to work with them.

“

 Is real estate a hobby
 or a profession for them?

”

1. How long have you been selling real estate full-time, and how many homes are you selling? This will show you if real estate is a profession for them or just a hobby. People who think they can use real estate to make a quick buck don't last long in this market.   
2. How do you determine the price of a property? Listing your home at the right price can be the difference between selling or lingering on the market with no offers. Pricing a home is more than checking the comps—a true professional will have a comprehensive strategy for pricing.
3. What is your marketing plan? Sticking a sign in the yard and listing your house on the MLS is not a marketing plan. There are more than 30 different ways a professional agent can market your home, so make sure your agent is maximizing their network and has a strategy to help you achieve your real estate goals.

I really hope these tips help you find the right Realtor when the time comes. If you have any more questions about finding the right agent, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I hope to hear from you soon!

Is The Market On The Decline?

I just returned from a week-long seminar with 4,000 of the top real estate agents in the world. We've noticed that the market in America has been great coming out of the recession, and that cycles in the last 50 years have been five to seven-year cycles where the market goes up, peaks, and comes back down.

We're likely on the back end of the peak in the seventh year of the cycle coming out of the worst real estate recession ever.

“

The market is good, but it
 probably won't go up anymore.

”

The market is good, but it's probably not going up anymore. If you're considering trying to take advantage of the market, know the stats! We have more properties coming on the market, as well as more properties expiring and canceling because they weren't priced properly.

If you're thinking about selling, look at those properties that have recently come on the market, are pending, or have sold. Find out where they are right now - how many times have they been listed? Look at where they started price-wise, and where they sold at.

If you have any questions about the market, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to help you out.

How Can You Avoid Overpricing Your Home?

When the market is hot and agents are fighting over listings, it’s easy to get caught up in the crossfire, which can cost you the sale of the home. One of the worst things that I see agents do all too often is overprice homes. Lucky for you, I have three easy ways to ensure this doesn’t happen to you.

1. Use a trusted home valuation tool. Don’t rely on sites like Zillow and Trulia. Their home values can be off by as much as 25%!
2. Get a professional opinion. Once you get an online valuation, call a professional to come see your home. Each home is unique, and there are many factors that can make your home worth more than your neighbors'. I love to give homeowners this information because it empowers them to make the best decisions.
3. Keep current. Home values in markets like San Diego can change quickly and your information can become outdated pretty quick. Don’t hesitate to subscribe to monthly emails or newsletters to stay in the loop.

“

Home values change all the time in
San Diego, so it’s important to stay updated.

”

If you have any questions about how I can help and empower you in your real estate journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!

3 Simple Ways to Increase Your Home Value

  Buying a home? Click Here to Perform a Full Home Search
Selling a home? Click Here for a Free Home Evaluation 
For any other questions about San Diego real estate,  reach out to me anytime at (858) 864-8741

Have you ever heard the saying "You have to spend money to make money?" It's so true when you're getting ready to refinance or sell your home in San Diego's real estate market.

“

Landscaping, kitchens and baths 
will always give you a better return.

”

If you've been watching the real estate market, you know that inventory is still very low, and there are a lot of buyers out there who are very selective. So what can you do to either enjoy your home more, prepare for a sale, or prepare for a refinance?

1. Have a professional walk through your home or hire an inspector who will give you an honest evaluation of your home. Sometimes it's even worth paying a few hundred dollars to have an appraisal on your home, which will give you an idea if you have more square footage than you thought, and what the value is.
2. Focus on the money-makers. Landscaping, kitchens and baths will always give you a better return. Look at those areas first both for your own enjoyment or if you're thinking about selling and want to increase your home's value.
3. Focus on curb appeal. Landscaping and security, too. Security and fencing are a sure way to get a quicker sale, which usually means a full-price offer and sometimes, offers above list price.

If you need a professional to come look at your home and find ways to make the most of it, please give me a call! I'm more than happy to help you and your friends through the process.

3 Things to Consider If Your Nest Isn’t Empty

  Buying a home? Click Here to Perform a Full Home Search
Selling a home? Click Here for a Free Home Evaluation 
For any other questions about San Diego real estate,  reach out to me anytime at (858) 864-8741

Do you have young adults living with you in your household? If so, you’re not alone.

In 2000, only 23% of young adults were living with their parents. In 2014, that same number increased to 34%. According to researchers, the rate continues to rise. Right now, more than 36% of young adults live in the household they grew up in.

Maybe you thought you’d have an empty nest sooner and thought you had to downsize, but of course, aren’t in that situation. However, there are a few alternatives to consider.

1. Location is important. You know you still need space, but maybe you can consider a new location to better fit your current lifestyle.

2. Purchase a home with a better floor plan. If you’re living with a young adult, you might need a little bit more privacy. Maybe you can invest in a basement suite.

“

Purchase a home with a better 
floor plan.

”

3. Rent a home to your children. Let them get roommates! Become a landlord if your budget allows for it.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a San Diego home, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to serve your local real estate needs and answer any questions you might have.

How the Internet Impacts San Diego Real Estate

Buying a home? Click Here to Perform a Full Home Search
Selling a home? Click Here for a Free Home Evaluation
For any other questions about San Diego real estate,  reach out to me anytime at (858) 864-8741

The Internet is a great place to start a home search or find information on what your home is worth, but take that information with a grain of salt. I hear every day how frustrating it is to sort out all the information buyers and sellers find online. 

Popular sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia are all excellent starting points. However, studies show in cities like San Diego, their prices can be off by 10% to 20%. In our market, that means these estimates are anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000 off the price. What can you do? 

Start by finding a trusted real estate guide. If you’re a buyer, don’t believe anything you read online. Make sure you’re looking at multiple sites, including local sites like mine that pull information directly from the multiple listing service. These sites are up to date and accurate.  

“

Find a trusted real estate agent to be your guide.

”

For buyers, it’s also important to get pre-approved. You will save time on your search because you know how much your loan limit is. In our tight market, a pre-approval means you have negotiating power that will help you edge out other buyers. Having a pre-approval shows that you’re serious and ready to buy today. 

Also, stay calm and don’t fall in love with houses you see online right away. Not only are homes inaccurately priced, but Zillow sometimes keeps listings up that actually sold months ago. An experienced agent will guide you to the right home. 

If you’re selling a home, don’t get caught up in Zestimates. Look for accurate information. Your home is unique and if you’ve made improvements in the last few years, you need a proper appraisal so that you get every single dollar. Trust a professional for accurate numbers.

Finally, when you’re selling your home, conduct your research. Check out multiple search tools to see what your home is worth today. Check out the comparable sales, or homes that have recently sold in your area. This is the most accurate way to determine what you can get for your home.

If you have any questions, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

What Does the San Diego Market Look Like?

Buying a home? Click Here to Perform a Full Home Search 
Selling a home? Click Here for a Free Home Valuation. 
For any other questions about San Diego real estate,  reach out to me anytime at (858) 864-8741

By now, you’ve heard we’re in a drought here in California when it comes to our water supply. However, did you know we’re also in a seller’s drought in the surrounding San Diego area? Today, I’ll discuss local market conditions.

If you’ve been considering buying or selling a home, there’s no better time to sell than right now. A seller’s drought means housing inventory is at an all-time low. Since last August, we’ve seen inventory drop to the floor, as well as interest rates and unemployment. That’s why it’s an opportune time to list your home for sale. Who knows how long it will last!

What does this mean for you as a real estate consumer? It means three things.

• You can earn top dollar and the maximum value of your home.
• Choose a strong negotiator to fight in bidding wars.
• I serve as your local guide in today’s shifting market at your disposal.

If you’re interested in buying or selling a home, contact me by phone or email! I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have and serve your real estate needs!

San Diego Downsizing 101

Buying a home? Click Here to Perform a Full Home Search 
Selling a home? Click Here for a Free Home Valuation. 
For any other questions about San Diego real estate,  reach out to me anytime at (858) 864-8741

I’ve helped hundreds of clients downsize in the surrounding San Diego area. Today, I want to share my experience through three simple steps.

• Stop and take a deep breath. It might seem like a daunting task, but the right strategy will make everything stress-free. The right team will make the process easy and manageable
• Create three piles. Create one pile for donations, one pile for trash, and one pile for the things you want to keep. These represent what you’ll do with items inside your home. Break down your home into rooms and schedule two hours towards clearing out one room each day. Divide items into those three piles. Possibly enlist a friend to help you out.
• Write down what is most important to you. Is it lifestyle, location, or the people you love? Understand your priorities. Communicate your needs to me after you create that list!

Let me be your local real estate guide. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to serve your local real estate needs and answer any questions you might have!

How Our Good Communication Helped Arvin Sell His Home

"He was excellent! He sold my home within 21 days, and we got an offer within the first two hours of it being listed! He is always available whenever I have questions, which made everything less stressful."
-Arvin Budomo, Home Seller 

Why Hire a Professional San Diego Real Estate Agent?

Buying a home? Click Here to Perform a Full Home Search 
Selling a home? Click Here for a Free Home Valuation. 
For any other questions about San Diego real estate,  reach out to me anytime at (858) 864-8741

You need a professional by your side when you’re ready to buy or sell in the San Diego housing market. Not just any agent, either; you need a top producing agent who can get the job done for you and your family with the best results. Here are three reasons why.

1. Avoid being sued. You definitely want to stay out of court, and it seems like there’s always someone looking for a reason to sue. The real estate contract is one of the most complicated contracts you’ll probably ever sign. Unless you’re an expert in real estate law, you need an agent to help you navigate the ins and outs of the contract.

2. Maintain professional connections. A sign in your yard and a listing on the MLS isn’t enough in today’s competitive market. You need someone with professional connections who is effective and active in the real estate market.

3. Hire experience.  We all have our special skills. We trust our doctors to heal us; by the same token, a professional Realtor has necessary skills to sell your home for top dollar, or negotiate the best possible price and terms for buyers.

If you have any questions about today’s video, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!