Minimize Identity Theft
April 10, 2010 by Gary Harmon · 1 Comment
No longer do thieves have to break into you Escondido home to steal from you. They can just steal your identity or steal through your computer if you are careless. Below are some things you can do to help minimize the chance of electronic theft or identity theft. —If you bank online, frequently check your […]
New California First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
April 6, 2010 by Gary Harmon · Leave a Comment
With the Federal Tax Credit expiring on April 30, 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger saves the day by signing AB 183 into law. The new first-time homebuyer tax credit becomes effetive on May 1, 2010. It will be on a first come, first serve basis and when the $200 million runs out the credit is over. Unlike […]
North County Homes for Over 55 – Escondido Homes
April 1, 2010 by Gary Harmon · 1 Comment
The Escondido real estate area does not have any large over 55 (55+) retirement areas. The nearest such communities are south across Lake Hodges in Rancho Bernardo. These North County homes for over 55 are the communities of Oaks North homes and Seven Oaks Homes. To the west of Escondido in Oceanside are the North County homes for […]
Short Sale – Escondido Real Estate
March 26, 2010 by Gary Harmon · Leave a Comment
What is the difference in a short sale of an Escondido home and a foreclosure? What is an REO and a bank owned property? Escondido home buyers often lump all of these distressed sales together, but they are very different and must be approached in different ways. Foreclosure, REO, or Bank Owned Property Let’s start […]
FREE iPad offered by North County Realtor
March 14, 2010 by Gary Harmon · Leave a Comment
Offer no longer available. Gary Harmon, your North County Realtor, is offering a FREE iPad to any North County buyer or North County seller that closes a transaction with Gary in March through May. Since it takes time to sell your North County real estate, this free offer also applies to anyone that list their […]
Escondido Homes – Life of an Escrow
March 12, 2010 by Gary Harmon · Leave a Comment
Once you have written a contract on your Escondido real estate purchase and it has been accepted by the Escondido seller, your escrow should start. Hopefully you have chosen to work with a full service escrow company like Pickford Escrow. The following will describe what takes place during the four week escrow period based on a […]
Expansion of Home Improvement Tax Credit
March 7, 2010 by Gary Harmon · 1 Comment
Tax credits for making energy efficient Escondido home improvements are now 30% of the cost of the improvements. The maximum amount you can receive is $1,500. So for example, if you added qualified improvements to your Escondido house of $4,000 the credit you would receive a tax refund of $1,200 when you file your tax returns. […]
Disaster Supply Kit for Your Escondido Home
March 5, 2010 by Gary Harmon · 1 Comment
If you live in the Escondido real estate area, you should be prepared for at least two major kinds of natural disasters. In a previous post, I shared with you the “7 Steps to Earthquake Safety.” The other major potential disaster in the Escondido real estate area is fire. Not just wildfires, but more often […]