Lisa's Blog

It's incredible how much this market changes every week!  I have seen over the past couple of months several changes in the market.  First, the buyers came out in groves--it became a feeding frenzy!  It wasn't unusal for me to show up at a property a little early, and as I'm waiting for my client...

How did I sell a home through a short sale in less than three months and for full price?  Were the planets all aligned perfectly?  No!  It wasn't easy, but there were some critical things both my seller and I did to get it done as smooth as possible. 1.  Cooperative Sellers.  My sellers were extr...

There are some wacky and wild stories with this market--especially with foreclosures.  I really can't see what I could have done different in this situation.  I worked quickly, did my homework, got my buyer on board, and yet I still missed it. A few months ago, I was working with my friend who is...

I have had the privilege to work with many first time homebuyers.  In this market, with short sales, foreclosures and mulitple offers on properties, I often spend months working with my clients to get them into their first home.  One area of the real estate transaction that I emphasize to my clie...

I have heard over and over again from buyers and sellers that it isn't worth pursuing short sales.  Though there are many challenges in doing a short sale--whether your a buyer or a seller--the short sales can be done successfully with everyone walking away happy.  I know this because I have work...

I'm sure that many of you have heard about some of the crazy foreclosure scams.  It's unbelievable to me that anyone can even think of these scams!  The most prevalent scam here in San Diego is people breaking into the foreclosed homes, changing the locks, advertising them for rent on Craig's Lis...

I've been a Realtor for almost 5 years.  Prior to that, I had a career in legal.  After my experience with purchasing a home with an unethical agent, I decided to become a Realtor and if I could help one person have a great experience purchasing their home, then it would be worth it.  Since becom...

I have often heard from agent that they are afraid to ask for their buyers' closing costs to be paid by the banks.  The agents believe that if they ask for closing costs, their clients' offer will never be reviewed, let alone accepted.  Let me tell you about my experience.  Over the last year, al...

Well, if you have been watching the news or reading the paper, you probably feel as though the real estate market is busted.  While there are a lot of struggles with this market, it's not all doom and gloom.  Although the reports say the "sky is falling," now is the time to buy!  We are seeing mo...