• Welcome / This Week's Special Offer
• Gary's Real Estate Seminars
• Homebuying Question
• Homeselling Question
• Investing or Financing Question
• Hot Properties: New Listings BEFORE They Hit The Market
• Thank You For Your Referrals

Welcome To The Latest Issue
Hello again. Heartfelt thanks to you for all the referrals this week. I deeply appreciate your trust and taking the time to refer a friend or family member to me.

…SHORT SALE ANNOUNCEMENT: We are now actively handling short sales for clients again. If you or someone you know is “upside down” and can’t sell due to owing too much on your home or rental, we can probably sell it for you. Just call me at 858-457-KENT or email me at Gary@GaryKent.com.

...Reminder about my free seminar "How To Buy A Foreclosure In San Diego" coming up Saturday, March 28, 10AM to noon. Seats are still available for you and a friend or family member. Click her to reserve your seat.

…Would you like to buy newly re-signed Dodger Manny Ramirez’s Boston penthouse condo for 8.5M?

…HELP WANTED: Job opening for someone to work in my REO/foreclosure department. For more info, Click Here.

FTC Warning On Economic Stimulus Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning that you could get stung by web or email economic stimulus scams. They ask for bank account info to either drain your accounts or commit identity theft. And websites ask you to click links that download identity-stealing spyware, or they ask you to pay a small fee to help you get stimulus money, only to capture and use or sell your credit card info. Many of the websites use deceptive names or images of President Obama and VP Biden to suggest they are legitimate. Don’t get ripped off.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do You Use A Spam Blocker Or Filter?
Be sure to add "garykent@garykent.com" to your “safe”, “permitted”, or "friends" list so that you consistently get your Q&A.

Alan Greenspan Quotes He’d Like To Take Back, 1 of 5:
"I believe that the general growth in large [financial] institutions have occurred in the context of an underlying structure of markets in which many of the larger risks are dramatically -- I should say, fully -- hedged." -- 2000

True Story: Dig It
A couple listed their home with a very nice, respected, and successful agent. One of this agent's strategies was actually to bury a St. Joseph's statue upside down in the yard. (You may have heard this is supposed to bring good luck to a home sale.) But the home didn't sell, and when the agents' contract was up, the agent actually came back to dig up the statue out of the yard and take it back. The only problem was she couldn't find it and kept digging hole after hole after hole in their front yard!

Top 10 Least Happy Countries On The Planet
According to the “World Values Survey”, people in these countries (and territories) are the most unhappy people on earth:

Join Our Preferred Client Group For The Best Values
I find great real estate deals every week. But too often we cant match a client in time and someone else scoops it up. (My bank-clients wont let me buy their properties, or I'd be my best client!)

So I developed my Private Client Group, a select group of people serious, qualified, and ready to grab a great deal on a home or investment when -- or before -- it hits the market.

If you'd like to be in the Preferred Client Group, you need to:

1. Pre-approve with our approved lender
2. Come in for a short sit-down counseling session
3. Commit to work with us

To join and get the jump on the best real estate values in town, call us at (858)457-KENT or email us at PCG@GaryKent.com.

Check Out Our Foreclosure Hot-List
Looking for a deal? 25+ of my REO (foreclosure) properties have discounts of 10% to a whopping 49% from their previous values. Click on www.Foreclosure-Hotlist.com to check  out my brand-new Foreclosure Hot-List website. We'll update the site regularly, so be sure to bookmark it and return frequently. And forward this link to a friend!

FREE MLS Online Search For A San Diego or Riverside Home
To search for a home right now, click here: Free MLS Homesearch.

Find Out The Value Of Your Home Or Rental Property FREE — Right Over The Phone
If you’re considering selling, now you can quickly and easily find out today's value of your home or other real estate, right over the phone. Call and tell me about your home or other real estate. I’ll research recent sales, compare them to yours, and arrive at an honest, realistic value you can expect to receive in today’s changing market. If you’d like a more accurate figure, just ask me to come by. For your free over-the-phone (or in person) evaluation, just call me at (858)457-KENT.

This Week’s Free Offer:
FREE DVD: How To Sell Your Home & Buy Another
There's 5 ways to coordinate buying a home while selling your old one. One is best. Another's a recipe for disaster. Discover the pro's and con's of each + smart buying & selling tips. This DVD is a must if you're making a move in the next 12 months. You'll learn:

- Which of the 5 strategies works best for YOUR needs
- Don't be forced to give your home away for a quick sale
- The $5,000-$50,000 trap in the small print most people overlook
- Pricing to get top $$ for your home (it’s not what you think!)
- The HUGE MISTAKE agents make when juggling 2 closings
- Find out what your home will REALLY sell for in today's market
- How NOT to get stuck paying mortgages on 2 homes
- When is the very best time to list your home?
- Avoid being the "contingent buyer" sellers hate to sell to

Call (800)748-1340 to have this sent to you FREE via mail. Call 24 hours / 7 days a week; free recorded message. It should arrive at your home within 72 hours.

Send This Free Newsletter To A Friend
Subscribe them with a quick email to TellAFriend@GaryKent.com with their email address in the subject line.

Remember to email your questions, comments, compliments, corrections, critiques, &
rebuttals to Questions@GaryKent.com.

FREE Seminar @ UTC Mall – March 28th, 2009:
"How To Buy A Foreclosure In San Diego"
Fantasy vs. Reality: Discover the truth about foreclosures/REOs
-- Saturday, March 28th, 10AM-Noon --
Click for Seminar Flyer / Click to Reserve Your Free Seat

Dreamers Need Not Apply.
Sorry This isn't a phony get-rich-quick seminar on buying foreclosures (also called REOs) 50 on the dollar or buying zero down with bad credit and no job. That's NOT reality.

When you attend, you'll discover the truth about:

• NEW: How homebuyers can put just 3% down & investors put 10% down on some REOs w/ no PMI or appraisal costs
• Top 10 San Diego neighborhoods with the best REO deals today
• How much banks negotiate off their price
• 5-step plan to getting a great value on a foreclosure in 90 days
• Wise, timely words millionaire Baron Rothschild said in the 1800s
• Traps in the small-print that banks make you sign
• The #1 mistake people make when offering on an REO
• How to get banks to pay EVERY PENNY of your closing costs
• Auction tricks, traps, and pitfalls that I swear will shock you
• Free email access to undervalued & foreclosure properties
• The ugly truth about short salesand it IS ugly
• What to watch out for in an REO
• Much more

"What defects and problems should I watch out for when I buy a home?"

Answer:
Here’s a list of common things to look for in a home that a home inspector once told me:

Watch out for:
1. Aluminum Branch Wiring (single strand) - used 1965 to 1978
2. Polybutylene Water Lines - 1982 to 1995
3. Consolidated Furnaces (horizontal furnaces mostly in attics; they go by a variety of names in addition to Consolidated) - 1983 to 1994

Ideally the home has: 1. Three-wire electrical outlets - Required Throughout - Required 1964+
2. Garage door openers - Mandatory Pressure Reverse - 1982+
3. Garage door openers- Light Beam Reverse - 1993+
4. Anchor bolts - 1933+ (state law); early 1950’s+ (Uniform Building Code)
5. Chimney liners - approx. 1936. Not required if chimney walls 8" thick.
6. Anti-tip brackets for freestanding ranges - June 1991+
7. Smoke alarms in bedrooms - 1991+ Uniform Building Code*

Be aware that the seller is NOT required to replace or install any of these items. Many are still very common, such as having 2-prong instead of 3-prong outlets in homes built before 1964.

"I just read an article in Time magazine about house swapping, where you trade your house for someone else’s. How doable is that?"

Answer:
Time magazine’s job is to sell magazines. And one way they do that is by writing interesting articles.

In 25 years, I know of a small # of investment properties traded. But I’ve never seen or heard of a true one-for-one trade for a residence.

"I called a mortgage broker the other day to get pre-qualified to buy a home. We talked for 10 minutes and 2 minutes later he faxed me a letter saying I was approved for a home up to $600,000. That was so fast I have my doubts that it’s for real. Can he approve me that fast? What do you think?"

Answer:
In the good old days, if you were pre-qualified for a loan, you were good as gold.

Then some lenders started processing and “underwriting” (by a real person or via “desk-top underwriting” computer programs using artificial intelligence) loans for homebuyers before they found a home. And voila: Pre-APPROVAL became the rage.

And since homebuyers and agents want pre-approvals, some lenders now "cheat" and, with no authority to do so, they’ll issue worthless pre-approval letters that are truly just pre-qualifications.

So I sum it up this way:

There are three types of qualification for a home loan:
1. Pre-qualification
2. Bogus pre-approval
3. REAL pre-approval

#1 & #2 are really the same. And it sounds like you got #2, the “bogus pre-approval”, from that lender.

In case you’re interested, I work with a great loan officer. He can actually give you a REAL pre-approval signed by a REAL underwriter in just days or sometimes even hours.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PROPERTY!
	Spacious Oceanside Home BR/BA: 6/3 Sqft: 2,203 Price: $472,500
– Oceanside – Spacious home on a large lot at the end of a culdesac. Offers 6 bedrooms, 3 baths - ideal for large or extended family. 2 bedrooms & 1 bath upstairs plus a large "extra" room w/ balcony. Nice backyard with fruit trees, pool & spa. View Details

Coming Soon
(Click Contact Me to be contacted BEFORE these properties hit the market!)

– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Spacious home on large 9300sqft lot, 4BR/2BA, 1600 sqft, plus detached room/granny flat! Contact Me
Last sold @ 507K >>> Now 300s?
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! Great starter home or investment on large lot w/ garage. Near 805 & 52 freeways. Contact Me
3BR/1BA, 940 sqft
Recently appraised @ 465K? >>> To be 300K?
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! Features 2-car garage, quiet neighborhood. Walk to Clairemont Square shops, dining, movies. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1258 sqft
Last sold @ 520K >>> To be in the 300s?
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! Affordable N. Clairemont home w/ 2-car garage. Quick access to 52 freeway. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1176 sqft
Previously appraised @ 441K+ >>> Now $209,900!
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! Fixer-upper 4BR/2BA house needs lots of help. No garage, large lot. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1635 sqft
Last appraised @ 489K+ >>> Now low 300s?
– Downtown – Foreclosure! 5-year-new condo in hip “Acqua Vista” w/ spectacular views, pool, spa, sauna, more. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 938 sqft
Last sold @ 604K >>> To be low/mid 300s?
– Downtown – Foreclosure! Corner 3-year-new “Park Blvd East” condo near Petco Park w/ no common walls, views, granite. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 980 sqft
Recently appraised @ 486K+ >>> 300s?
– Eastlake Area – Foreclosure! Stunning 10-year-new townhome w/ 2-car garage near Southwestern College. Contact Me
3BR/2.5BA, 1369 sqft
Last sold @ 356K >>> To be low 200s?
– Eastlake Area – Foreclosure! 7-year-new attached home w/ garage, patio, sunset views, and backs to open space. Contact Me
3BR/2.5BA, 1525 sqft
Recently appraised @ 617K >>> To be 200K?
– Eastlake Area – Foreclosure! Sharp 3-year-new townhome w/ 2-car garage, many extras. Contact Me
3BR/2.5BA, 1586 sqft
Last sold @ ? >>> To be low/mid-200s?
– El Cajon – Foreclosure! Handsome 1990-built 1-level detached condo w/ 2-car garage. Feels just like a house. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1298sqft
Last sold @ 387K >>> To be high 100s?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Remodeled home w/ city views, 2-car garage, more. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1247sqft
Last sold @ 358K >>> To be 200s?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Four units w/ lots of parking. Near trolley, shopping, schools. Contact Me
Last sold @ 510K >>> Now low 300s?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Handsome, 70’s built 4BR/2BA, 1582 sqft house on huge 9500 sqft lot. Nice street. Contact Me
Last sold @ $467,500 >>> Now 300s?
– Escondido – Foreclosure! Very roomy end-unit “Villa Espanas” condo w/ FPL and quick access to 15 and 78 freeways. Contact Me
2BR/1.5BA, 1152sqft
Last sold @ 325K >>> To be 100s?
– La Jolla – Foreclosure! 9-year-new condo near I-5, UCSD, and Sharp Hospital. More info to follow. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 1102 sqft
Last sold @ $528,500 >>> To be 300s?
– Lakeside – Foreclosure! Cute condo conversion @ bargain price for first time buyer or investor. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 749sqft
Last sold @ $260,000 >>> To be 60K?
– Lakeside – Foreclosure! Dirt-cheap condo ideal for investor or first-time homeowner. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 728 sqft
Appraised @ 131K+ >>> To be in the 80s?
– Linda Vista – Foreclosure! Affordable home on quiet culdesac w/ 2-car garage. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1258 sqft
Last sold @ 450K >>> To be in the 200s
– Logan Heights – Foreclosure! Cute little house w/ 2-car garage, nice yard, newer windows, large patio. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1050 sqft
Last sold @ 369K >>> To be in the high 100s?
– Mission Valley – Foreclosure! Affordable 1BR condo in west Mission Valley, 5 minutes to Fashion & Mission Valley malls. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 700 sqft
Recently appraised @ 175K? >>> To be low 100s?
– Mission Valley – Foreclosure! Great starter condo or investment in "Mission Heights" near Qualcomm & 24 Hr Fitness. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 667 sqft
Recently appraised @ 174K? >>> To be low 100s?
– Mission Valley – Foreclosure! Cute "Mission Heights" starter condo or investment near Qualcomm & 24 Hr Fitness. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 667 sqft
Recently appraised @ 174K? >>> To be low 100s?
– Nestor – Foreclosure! Sharp 6-year-new home w/ open views in quiet neighborhood. Large backyard. Contact Me
4BR/3BA, 2190 sqft
Last sold @ 489K >>> To be low 300s?
– Oceanside – Foreclosure! Affordable 4BR home, ideal for 1st time buyer or investor. 2-car garage, large yard. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1180 sqft
Last sold @ $280,000 >>> To be high 100s?
– Pacific Beach – Foreclosure! Updated home w/ detached art studio/office, FPL, spa oversize dbl garage, RV parking. Contact Me
5BR/3BA, 2218 sqft
Last sold @ 1.075M >>> To be 800K?
– Poway – Foreclosure! Affordable lower-unit condo in quiet complex w/ pool. Great Poway school district. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 737 sqft
Last sold @ 310K >>> Now mid 100s?
– Rancho Bernardo – Foreclosure! "Provencal" townhome in Carmel Mountain Ranch. 2-car garage, hardwood, granite, more. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1322 sqft
Last sold @ $450,000 >>> To be low 300s?
– Rancho Bernardo – Foreclosure! 1989-built single family house w/ dbl garage. South of Camino Del Norte & West of I-15. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1760 sqft
Recently appraised @ $602K+ >>> Now 300s?
New – San Ysidro – Foreclosure! Sharp, clean, just-renovated home w/ new kitchen, new paint, carpet, more. Move right in! Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1103 sqft
Last sold @ 460K >>> Now low 200s?
– Sorrento Mesa – Foreclosure! Stunning 12-year-old home w/ 3-car garage, large yard, 1BR/1BA downstairs. Contact Me
4BR/3BA, 2432 sqft
Recently appraised at ??? >>> To be low $600s?
– Tierrasanta – Foreclosure! Sharp townhome in great neighborhood. Offers 2-car garage, balcony. Walk to canyons. Contact Me
2BR/2.5BA, 1068 sqft
Last sold @ 430K >>> To be mid $200s?
– University City – Foreclosure! Cute condo, fully renovated 5 years ago. Quiet complex near UTC mall. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 597 sqft
Recently appraised @ 334K >>> To be high 100s?
– University City – Foreclosure! Cute condo in “Verano” in the La Jolla Colony area. Quick access to I-5, La Jolla, UCSD, etc. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 704 sqft
Recently appraised @ 310K >>> To be very low 200s?

NEWLY LISTED (Your Property Here!)

Attractive 80’s built home w/ pool, spa, tri-level patio, granite kitchen, 2-car garage, more.

4 Bed, 3 Bath 1,907 Sqft Price: $240,000 Last sold @ 560K

Newer luxury home on .59 acres. Granite counters, 3-car garage, more.

4 Bed, 3.5 Bath 3,310 sqft Price: $445,000 Last sold @ ???

MORE GREAT HOMES & INVESTMENTS (Your Home Here!)

Huge home on 1.31 acres w/ barn, + 2 additional buildings. 2 kitchens, ideal for 2 families.

4 Bed, 2 Bath 3,601 Sqft Price: $349,000 Last Sold @ 456K

Luxurious 4612 sqft "Tuscan Masterpiece" built on 2006 on .42 acres overlooking Tecolote Canyon. Immense bkyd.

5 Bed, 5.5 Bath 4,612 Sqft Price: $997,500!

Sunny & bright "Blossom Walk" condo w/ large balcony, granite, upgrades. Near parking.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 581 Sqft Price: $126,900 Last sold @ 273K

5-year-new home w/ 2-car garage. More info to follow.

4 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,756 Sqft Price: $320,000 Prev Appraised @ 617K

Newer model-like house w/ designer décor, granite, rich dark wood cabinets, more. Short sale.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,651 Sqft Price: $275,000 to $285,000 Last Sold @ $408,500

Lovely house w/ 2-car garage. 6100 sqft lot.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,144 sqft Price: $195,500! Prev appraised @ 561K+

2 Detached homes on .58 acres w/ 2 double garages. Ideal for extended family or ???

Home1: 4BR/4BA Home2: 2BR/1BA Price: $349,900 Last Sold @ $600,000

Spacious, upgraded condo in “Vermont Villas” w/ basketball & tennis. Quick freeway access.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1,204 sqft Price: $119,900! Last Sold @ 295K

Upgraded home on 5.9 acres in gated, private, peaceful De Luz community.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 1,970 sqft Price: $290,000 appraised @ apx 655K

Charming older house on .24 acre lot. Needs some TLC.

3 Bed, 2 Bath apx 1,500 sqft Price: $169,900 Last sold @ 230K

Beautiful newer condo near UCSD & Sharp Hospital.

2 Bed, 2 Bath 1,102 Sqft Price: $386,900 Last sold @ 583K

Spacious single family home on .28 acre lot with 2-car garage.

3 Bed, 1 Bath 1,719 sqft Price: $315,900! Appraised at ???

Cozy 4BR house ideal as starter or investment. Offers brick FPL, large lot, spacious yard.

4 Bed, 1 Bath 968 sqft Price: $148,900 Last sold for 352K

Three bedroom house on huge 17,100 sqft lot. East of 805, south of E. Plaza.

3 Bed, 1 Bath 1,170sqft Price: $160,000! Appraised @ 378K+

Enormous house on 9200 sqft lot. Ideal for very large family.

6 Bed, 3 Bath 2,203 Sqft Price: $472,500 Prev appraised @ 504K+

Eclectic "Flamingo House" in Pacifica: bonus room w/ bay view, big private bkyd, pool, spa, 3 FPL, more.

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath 2,290 sqft Price: $900,000!

Affordable large 3BR townhome. Perfect for first-time buyer or investor.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,373 Sqft Price: $185,000 Last sold @ $390,000

Vintage 3BR/2BA house on large 6969 sqft lot. More info to follow.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,544 sqft Price: $199,900 Appraised @ 425K+

Affordable, updated “Riderwood Gardens” condo w/ garage.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,144 sqft Price: $149,900 Appraised @ ???

Convenient bottom-floor unit near I-8 and La Mesa. Granite countertops.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,112 sqft Price: $127,900 Appraised @ 325K+

3.3 acres! Gorgeous house w/ 2-car garage & panoramic views.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,761 sqft Price: $304,000 Last sold @ $595,000

Private ranch home on 20,000 sqft lot w/ panoramic mountain/hill views, fruit trees, eat-in kitchen.

3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,464 Sqft Price: $286,000 Last sold @ 425K

Newer high-quality view home on 2.09 acres. Offers pool, 3-car garage, huge yard, orange groves.

4 Bed, 3 Bath 2,602 sqft Price: $529,000!

Giant .7 acre lot w/ cute house built in 1940. Incredible potential. Needs lots of TLC.

2 Bed, 1 Bath 898 sqft Price: $187,300! Last sold @ $472,500

Due to production and shipping expense, free items are available only to residents, owners, and people planning to purchase real estate in San Diego.

This free e-newsletter tells you how to be more successful with your real estate transactions. You receive it because you subscribed, entered your email address at my site(s), or were referred. By reading it, you agree you: 1) understand this is opinion & not advice; 2) will seek professional tax, legal, and real estate advice; 3) are solely responsible for use of content, 4) hold Gary Kent, Gary Kent Homes & Estates, Kent & Associates Inc., and RE/MAX Associates harmless. Questions may be paraphrased for clarity/brevity. Disregard this email if you have a listing or buyer-broker agreement.

Copyright 2009 Gary Kent, All Rights Reserved.