List of questions to ask "Buyer's Agent" for the potential home buyer

Consumer help...Finding the right Realtor

     

It is extremely important to know and trust the real estate professional that will be representing a client in a real estate transaction. When a potential buyer does locate a buyer's specialist in the area where they are interested in purchasing a home, it is important to spend time with and interview them to ensure a good fit.   Listed below are a few interview questions to help determine if this is the right agent:

• What designations have you earned and why?
• Are you a Realtor?
• Can you explain the terms REO, Short Sale, Escrow, and Title Insurance?
• What inspections are required and why? 
• How do I find a home inspector?
• How well do you know area xyz?
• Are you familiar with tax rates and special assessments in this particular area?  
• Do I need to be pre-approved for a loan?
•  How do I find a lender?
• What are the different types of loans?
• How will you generally communicate with me?
• What if I can’t reach you?
• When are you available to work with me?
• How will you help me determine what is the right price to offer?
• How to help me get my offer accepted?

Spectacular view of Temecula

We all meet great people in the real estate industry and often forge lifelong friendships with our clients.  One of awesome clients recently emailed a few photos from their hot air balloon ride with California Dreamin' in Temecula, where they also purchased some property.  One picture really stood out from all the rest so I decided to share with everyone.             Make it a great day!!

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For your Real Estate needs in North San Diego or Southwest Riverside County........
Make the Call to Hankins and Hall
Lela 760-591-0020 DRE#01407710
Steve 760-809-1637 DRE#01764446

Lela Hankins and Steve Hall are full time real estate professionals providing full service in real estate to Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido,Fallbrook, Bonsall, Rancho Bernardo, Valley Center, Temecula, Red Hawk, and Murrieta


If you are in the market for a great lender that understands all loan types including FHA and VA, contact Brian Skaar at Brian Skaar.com

Lake Hodges

Sikes Adobe and Lake Hodges

This Saturday we chaperoned a trip for the Young Adventurers to the 1870 Sikes Adobe Farmhouse and hike at Lake Hodges.  The Original home was recently restored after being completely destroyed in the 2007 San Diego Wild Fires.  Of course the adobe walls resisted the fire storm and still stood, waiting to be repaired.

One item of interest to our young adventurers was an old Gately Automatic Organ seen, and heard, in the video below.



Preserved adobe wall behind the white plaster



Docent Anne Cooper speaking to the Young Adventurers in front of the Sikes Adobe.



Original exterior wall of the Sikes Adobe Farmhouse.  Much thicker than a typical house wall.



Listening the decent Anne Cooper talk about water usage and agriculture.

It could not have been a more perfect day to get the youngsters out on a hike at Lake Hodges after learning about the old abode farmhouse.

For More information on the Sikes Adobe Farmhouse and surrounding area, visit the San Dieguito River Park website.  Better yet, call me and lets go on a hike.  There are many miles of trails to explore!

Investment opportunity in North San Diego County

There are some great opportunities in North San Diego County at the moment for investors to take advantage of lower valued properties that offer good rental income.
An Oceanside condo complex offers CAP rates of above 8%.
With as little as 25% down these units can return a positive cash flow.
Due to the location, these unit typically rent very quickly so there are often little to no vacancy issues.

Investment opportunity in North San Diego County

Investment opportunity in North San Diego County

There are currently many great opportunities in North San Diego County at for investors to take advantage of lower valued properties that offer nice rental income. Several San Marcos condo complexes have available properties that can be purchased and offer CAP rates of above 8%. Although there are some lenders that have attractive loan programs for investors that only require 20% down, these units will not cash flow without at least 25% down. Due to the location, these units typically rent very quickly so there are often little to no vacancy issues.

Community comes together to help paint San Marcos Middle School

Community comes together to help paint

San Marcos Middle School

Our Kiwanis One Day event this year was a great success.  Our project this year was to help out one of our local middle schools by painting the exterior of their very bland gym with the school colors.  The awesome organizer of this year's Kiwanis One Day was San Marcos Club member Anna Fleming.  Anna made sure that there were coffee and donuts in the morning as well as pizza and water for lunch. The coffee came from Ryan Bros Coffee in San Marcos and the pizza was donated by Rossi's Pizza, also in San Marcos.

There were many people involved with the project including children from age 5 to adults in the 70's.   All had a wonderful time giving back to the community of San Marcos.

Groups in attendance were the Kiwanis Club of San Marcos, the Circle K Club from Cal State University San Marcos, the Key Club from High Tech High in San Marcos and youngsters from The Young Adventurers in San Marcos/Escondido. It was a pleasure to meet three of the board members from the San Marcos Unified School District assisting with the painting job.  The school board members in attandance were Beckie Garrett, Sharon Jenkins and Jay Petrek.  Everyone worked hard and did a GREAT job.

Take a look at the slide show below and see the incredible transformation of the old gray block building.