Questions people actually ask

Money

What does this cost me?

Commission, and it is negotiable — by law, and in practice. There is no standard rate, no rate set by any association, and anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong. What you pay depends on the property, the work involved and what we agree, in writing, before we start.

For buyers: since 2024 you sign a written agreement with your agent covering compensation before touring homes. We'll discuss the number before you're committed to anything.

Didn't the rules change in 2024? What actually changed?

Two practical things. Offers of compensation to a buyer's agent are no longer communicated through the MLS. And buyers now sign a written representation agreement, specifying compensation, before touring.

What this means for a seller: whether you contribute toward the buyer's agent is now genuinely your decision, including deciding not to. It's negotiable, it's strategic, and it varies. Model it both ways in the net proceeds calculator and see what it's worth.

What it means for a buyer: you'll have a clearer conversation about what your representation costs, earlier, which is an improvement on how it used to work.

Are your fees lower because you're solo?

Sometimes, because I have no franchise fee, no desk fee, and no brokerage split — which gives me room a franchised agent doesn't have. But I'd rather compete on the work than on being cheapest, and if price is your only criterion there will always be someone below me. What I'll promise is that the number is negotiable and I'll explain what it buys.

The licence

Broker or salesperson — does it actually matter?

California has two licences. A salesperson must work under a broker, who is responsible for their conduct. A broker has met higher requirements — more experience, more examination — and can operate independently.

What it means practically: there is no layer between you and the person handling your transaction. No team member you get passed to, no manager whose policy overrides the advice I'd give you, no franchise script. When you call, the person who answers is the person responsible.

Does it guarantee better service? No — there are excellent salespeople and mediocre brokers. It guarantees accountability sits in one place, and that place is me.

How do I check you're real?

Please do. The California DRE public lookup — search licence 01188294. It shows status, expiry and any disciplinary history, for me and for anyone else you're considering. It takes thirty seconds and you should run it on every agent you interview.

Buying

Should I get pre-approved before looking?

Yes, and before you look at a single house in person. Three reasons: you'll know your real number rather than a guess; sellers won't take an offer seriously without it; and if there's a problem in your credit or documentation, you want to find it now rather than in escrow.

It's free, it takes a few days, and it doesn't commit you to that lender. Get two.

Meanwhile, this tool will tell you roughly where you'd land — but a pre-approval is the number that counts.

What actually is Mello-Roos, and why does everyone here mention it?

A special tax levied inside a Community Facilities District to pay off bonds that funded infrastructure — roads, schools, parks — in newer developments. It appears on the property tax bill as a fixed charge, separate from the 1% general levy.

It matters because it's a fixed dollar amount, not a percentage, so no national mortgage calculator will ever show it to you. In Del Sur, 4S Ranch and parts of Torrey Highlands it can be thousands of dollars a year. It's also finite — these taxes are programmed to end once the bonds are repaid.

Put a real figure into the estimator · County Assessor on Mello-Roos

How long does buying take?

From accepted offer to keys, commonly 30 to 45 days with a loan; faster with cash. Finding the house is the unpredictable part — some clients write on their third viewing, others look for eight months. Neither is wrong.

Selling

What's my house worth?

Ask me and I'll tell you, properly, based on actual comparable sales — no obligation, no follow-up campaign. What I won't do is give you a number over the phone without seeing the house, because that number would be worthless and you'd make decisions with it.

Should I sell before I buy, or buy before I sell?

Depends on your equity, your income, your risk tolerance and the market — and if you're 55 or over, on Proposition 19, which can make the sequence consequential. There's no universal right answer. There is a right answer for you, and working it out is a conversation, not a formula.

What should I fix before listing?

Less than you think. Here's the specific list, including what not to bother with.

Working together

Do you actually answer your own phone?

Yes. It's the same number on every page of this site and it reaches me, not an assistant and not a call centre. If I'm with clients I'll call back — usually the same day, and I'll tell you when I can't.

What if I just have a question and I'm not buying or selling?

Ask it. Genuinely. A lot of what I do is answer questions from people who turn out not to transact for two years, or ever. No obligation, and you will not be added to a mailing list — I don't run one.

What areas do you work?

San Diego County. I've written up 16 communities in detail, in two groups.

The I-15 corridor: Rancho Peñasquitos, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, Del Sur, 4S Ranch, Sabre Springs and Torrey Highlands.

The coast and North County: Carmel Valley, Del Mar, La Jolla, Encinitas, Carlsbad and San Marcos.

All of them, with what the assessments actually are →

Outside that, ask. If I'm not the right person I'll say so, and I'd rather refer you well than take on something I'd do badly.

Something's gone wrong and I think it's your fault. Then what?

Tell me and I'll fix it. If we can't resolve it, the Department of Real Estate takes consumer complaints about licensees, including me. I'd rather you knew that than didn't.