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When mortgage underwriters approve a residential loan application, they do so based on various financial factors, and the most important is the applicant’s ability to repay the loan. Other factors, such as collateral, credit record, and property values, are also considered, but lenders focus more on what they perceive as the applicant’s likelihood of being  Continue…

When housing market conditions favor sellers because of strong demand, the Multiple Listing System (MLS) starts getting flooded with properties prospective buyers would normally skip over if they were just looking at photographs of the homes. During speculative real estate bubbles, it’s not uncommon to come across MLS entries for properties that aren’t only in  Continue…

In March 2020, the San Diego housing market entered a period of uncertainty. Although the year started off with strong sales activity and rising home prices, lower mortgage interest rates and concerns about the future of the American economy caused the market to cool down. Economists at the California Association of Realtors expected a shift  Continue…

When you browse through listings of condos for sale in downtown San Diego, you’ll invariably come across descriptions of common areas, such as swimming pools, parking garages, fitness centers, conference rooms, lounges, and even panoramic terraces complete with fire pits. In condominium towers, apartment buildings, gated communities, and all residential communities governed by homeowners associations,  Continue…

Property taxes are assessed on real estate and real property. It’s a common misconception that condo owners don’t pay property taxes because they don’t own the land on which the buildings sit or the buildings themselves, but condo owners do own their individual units. In California, condominiums are considered real property, so they’re subject to  Continue…

When you move into a new loft in downtown San Diego, you may find the kitchen space a bit underwhelming. Depending on the developer, that may be intentional. A traditional loft conversion that starts with a former commercial space involves creating as much open space as possible, and this may include a kitchen with minimal  Continue…

Spring is the ideal time for venturing outdoors and experiencing San Diego. Spring break provides the opportunity to visit the many local attractions and attend festivals held during the season. There are many activities to enjoy in or near downtown San Diego, whether you’re a college student on break, a family visiting with school-aged youngsters,  Continue…

When you think about moving into a downtown San Diego condo, you’ll invariably hear about benefits such as great year-round weather, vibrant neighborhoods, very low crime rates, and high quality of life. These are all positive aspects many people take for granted, but the advantages of living in this part of Southern California don’t stop  Continue…

If you’re thinking about buying a home, it can be helpful to understand just how long the process will take, as this will allow you to plan accordingly and start the buying process at the right time. Though the average time is a few months, each case is different. Follow this timeline to see how  Continue…

For most people, owning a condo is a convenient way to get luxury amenities, avoid lawn care, and live in a secure community. However, this doesn’t mean condo owners avoid responsibilities entirely. Condo owners might not have to perform as much maintenance as single-family homeowners do, but they still need to handle some issues. If  Continue…