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Marilyn's Real Estate Blog

Encinitas Local Realtor
  • Home Ownership Offers Plenty of Tax Benefits
    While renting offers zero tax breaks, buying a home offers several tax benefits that can make home ownership more affordable.  Here are some of the benefits of home ownership: Home mortgage interest deduction: Home owners can take an itemized deduction on interest paid on a mortgage or mortgages of up to $1 million for a principal [...]
  • How To Make Your Offer Stand Out
    Now is such a good time to buy a home. Historically low mortgage rates couples with lower home prices are sometimes even sparking bidding competition in markets around the country. Here are some tips to make your offer stand out from the rest if you are in a multiple-offer situation: Get Pre-Approved, not just Pre-Qualified with a [...]
  • Million-Dollar Market Heading Upwards
    Sales of million-dollar homes in San Diego County rose 15 percent in 2010, the first year-over-year increase since 2005, according to DataQuick Information Systems. Last year, the county saw 1814 sales in that price range, up from 1,578 in 2009, a possible sign the high-end market may be picking up, real estate experts say. That upward motion [...]
  • 5 Questions to Ask When Booking a Vacation Rental
    Vacation rentals offer a travel lifestyle unlike any other, providing unmatched space, amenities, services, and privacy. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the millions of vacation rental choices online. Here are 5 important questions to consider when planning a vacation rental trip: Is there a rental agreement? Review the terms and conditions of the rental agreement carefully. [...]
  • Keeping Closing Costs Down
    Borrowers have some weapons for keeping closing costs down as a result of recent guidelines requiring lenders to disclose certain fees, but perhaps the most underutilized consumer tool simply involves old-fashioned haggling. Good-faith estimate rules mean that lenders must provide a clear picture of the costs involved in buying or refinancing a home. Yet consumers may [...]
  • “Shadow” real estate inventory may take 4 years to clear
    It may take more than four years to clear the “shadow inventory” of distressed homes on the sidelines in the U.S., a factor that’s likely to undermine real estate inventory, analysts at Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services say. At 49 months, the estimated time needed to clear shadow inventory at the end of the 4th quarter [...]
  • Nearly Half of Americans BelieveTheir Savings are Insufficient
    This month’s study, released by Bankrate Inc., shows that Americans are nearly split when it comes to gauging their financial security.  Despite the gradual economic rebound, many Americans still feel less comfortable with their finances now than they did 12 months ago. Among the findings: Twice as many people feel less comfortable about their sasvings level than [...]
  • FHA “Anti-Flipping” Rule Extended
    The Federal HousingAdministration (FHA) has extended its 90-day “no flip” rule on recently rehabbed properties for another year. The ruling, which allows investors who acquire foreclosed properties at below-market value to be exempt from waiting the customary 90 days before reselling them, was set to expire at the end of January 2011. Vicki Bott, deputy [...]
  • Tips for Buying Foreclosures
    These foreclosure tips were created by a group in Florida but the tips apply to virtually all markets in the U.S. While many buyers have heard that there are many foreclosures on the market, most don’t understand these practical rules they can follow to save money: Here are some tips to consider if you want to [...]
  • Pre-Sale Renovation: Home Sellers Do’s and Don’ts
    In today’s market, expensive, pre-sale renovations, for the most part, aren’t worth it. In general, a home remodel will cost quite a bit more than you’ll get back when you sell. Two of the areas that potential buyers are often more pressured to remodel before selling are the kitchen and the bathroom. Here are some tips [...]