Carla Cota Realtor

Only look at homes you feel confident you can comfortably afford -- it’s one of my top pieces of advice for homebuyers. Today’s FAQ tackles the question you’ll need the answer if you’re looking to buy: How do I know how much home I can afford? Most experts recommend using the 28/36 rule which means you shouldn't spend more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and 36% on total debt (including your mortgage, credit cards, and other loans like auto and stude...nt loans). For example, if your salary is $75,000 per year, your gross monthly income is $6,250 ($75,000 divided by 12). Your total housing costs (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) shouldn’t exceed $1,750 per month (28% of $6,250). Keep in mind the 28/36 rule is just a general guideline. Adjust the percentages to your own comfort level and financial goals. Playing around with your budget and ready to see some homes? Send me a message and let’s start your home search TODAY! Carla Cota DRE # 02092548 C: (619) 754-0190 E: [email protected] W: carlacotahomes.com

It's the question every homeowner asks at one point or another: Should I sell or should I remodel? Here are a few questions to ask as you make the king-size decision. First up, Team Remodeling: Do I love my current home's location? Do I have space (inside and out) for an addition?... Will remodeling address my biggest concerns about my home? Do I have a place to temporarily move during the remodel (or the patience of a saint to live in an "under construction" house)? A YES to most of the above means remodeling is probably in your future. Next up, Team Time-to-Move: Do you anticipate needing more space than a remodel can provide in the next 5 years? (more bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.) Will remodeling put your home above neighborhood value? Would you prefer a home that's closer to your everyday places (work, school, shopping) or do you desire a different school district or a larger lot? Resonate with these questions? Find a realtor and at the very least, take a look at what's on the market. Sometimes moving in one direction is just what you need to clarify your thinking. Whether you're leaning towards remodeling or moving, send me a message. I'd love to do a quick analysis on your neighborhood and give you the stats you need to go along with your intuition! Carla Cota DRE # 02092548 C: (619) 754-0190 E: [email protected] W: carlacotahomes.com

Should you make repairs to your home before you sell? A stat: According to the NAR (National Association of Realtors), around 37% of contracts fall through because of repair issues sellers could have addressed before listing their property. This alone shows that while your home doesn’t have to be perfectly flawless, you should invest time and money to get it in working order. Here are a few must-fix items. (And trust me, if you don’t fix these now, you’ll be doing it ...later, promise!): Faulty wiring Grading and drainage issues Roof leaks and shingle problems Foundation issues Heating and air-conditioning problems Plumbing and septic issues When in doubt, ask an agent what to address before listing. Chances are you’ll recoup some or all of the cost you put in when you sell. Thinking about listing your home? I’d love to listen to your plans for selling and offer my input -- no strings attached -- send me a message today! Carla Cota DRE#02092548 C: 619.754.0190

As you make your plans for the coming year, be sure to consider the equity benefits of home price appreciation as you weigh the financial advantages of buying over renting. When you do, you may find this is the perfect time to jump into homeownership!

Reduce your waste and turn up the cheer this holiday with these easy tips! Americans create 25% more trash during the holidays so let's try and get that number down this year

Move-in ready, two bedrooms, 1 bath, 971 sq feet townhome in the prime location of Rancho San Diego! View here and contact me with questions or to set up a show...ing appointment! https://s.paragonrels.com/goto/GVnGEC Fernando Cota C: 619.204.2088 E: [email protected] DRE# 01208320 Coldwell Banker West

Give the spankin’ new homeowners in your life a housewarming gift they’ll use from day one. To get the ideas flowing, here’s quick list of my top ten: 1. Gift cards to home improvement stores or local take-out spots (and a stack of paper plates to go with!) 2. A personalized welcome mat. 3. Custom items such as stationery, address labels, wall plaque, zip code pillow, or an engraved cutting board.... 4. A pizza baking stone (bonus if you present it with a pipin' hot pizza!). 5. A painting of their new home. 6. A wifi password display sign. 7. A wine caddy (with a bottle of wine, of course!). 8. State-themed gifts (perfect for new-to-the-area friends). 9. Hand wash and lotion set (a must with corona + flu + house guests). 10. A new home holiday ornament. New homeowners, we celebrate youenjoy your first holiday in your new home! Have you ever received an unforgettable housewarming gift? Share in the comments below! See more

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Is selling your home penciled-in as one of your 2021 resolutions? If so, take steps now to lighten the load before your home hits the MLS. Here’s how: Make a list of home repairs in order of importance. Been putting them off cause you're not so handy? No worries. Hire a friend to help you to knock ‘em out. Dinner afterward is always appreciated.... Help buyers find your home easily by replacing (or installing) modern address numbers or plaques. Unseasonably warm day? Take advantage of it by pressure washing your driveway and sidewalks. Got a few minutes here and there? Grab some trash bags or storage totes and one-by-one clean out drawers, closets, and bookshelves. The less stuff you have, the cleaner and more spacious your home will appear. What rooms need painting? Look at the days ahead and plan one weekend each month to tackle any painting projects. Research agents, check reviews, and ask family and friends for a referral. Go with an agent that others can’t quit talking about! If you're planning to sell in 2021, I’d love to meet you, see your home, and help you this spring. Send me a message and let's chat! Carla Cota DRE # 02092548 C: (619) 754-0190 E: [email protected] W: carlacotahomes.com See more

If homeownership is at the top of your 2021 to-dos, getting pre-approved is one of the first, and most important, steps. While prospective lenders will have plenty of questions for you, don’t be afraid to find the right lender and loan by asking a host of questions all your own. Here are a few to get you started: 1. What type of loan do you recommend for me? Why? There’s no one type of mortgage loan that’s superior to anotherbut whichever you choose, you need to know ...why it’s best and how it works. 2. Will my down payment vary based on the loan I choose? If you’re tight on cash or don’t want to be cash poor, let your lender know. Loans vary in their down payment requirements. 3. What is the interest rate and the annual percentage rate (APR)? Everyone talks about the interest rate, but the APR is just as important. It combines the interest rate with the fees a lender charges to originate your loan. 4. Can I lock-in an interest rate? If so, for how long? If you think rates will be moving up, ask if you can lock it in for a set period of time. 5. What will my closing costs be? Are they a part of my loan, or will I pay them in cash at closing? Remember, closing costs usually run 3-6% of your loan value so you need to know how they’ll be covered. Don’t understand something your lender says? Stop and ask for clarification. This is your home buying journey, and you deserve to understand the process every step of the way. Keep in mind that since a pre-approval is only valid for 30-90 days, depending on the lender, you’ll want to wait to meet with lenders until you’re ready to buy. Thinking about taking this first step to homeownership? Shoot me a message and let's chat! Carla Cota DRE # 02092548 C: (619) 754-0190

Anyone thinking of putting their home on the market should not wait! A seller will always negotiate the best deal when demand is high and supply is limited. That’s exactly the situation in the real estate market today. Next year, when the pandemic is hopefully behind us, there will be many more properties coming to the market. Don’t wait for that increase in competition in your neighborhood. Now is the time to sell. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me today to get your house on the market at this optimal time to sell!

Fall is here, and I, for one, have my scarves all lined up and ready at the slightest hint of a cool down. But fall isn’t just for cozy outfits and lattesit’s also a great time to sell your home! Here’s why: With your yard still summer green and the leaves beginning to change, fall is the perfect backdrop for your home to make a stunning first impression. After all, listing photos are a big deal95% of buyers look online before even talking with an agent.... Fewer homes on the market = less competition. Not to mention, buyers who are looking this time of year are serious about making a purchase. Have you seen interest rates lately? They’re lower than they’ve ever been which means buyers are eager to buy when the right home comes along. My sneaking suspicion? Your home is exactly what someone is looking for right now. If you’re thinking about selling but can’t decide between listing now and waiting until after the holidays, now is the time. Give me a call, and let’s tie the whole process up in a pretty red bow long before the new year! Carla Cota DRE # 02092548 C: (619) 754-0190 E: [email protected]

First Presidential debates are tonight! Who is watching?? While our country’s overall economic state may be slowly but surely returning, the presidential election may cause consumers to watch and wait in the weeks to come. However, as we saw with the pandemic, the reward of locking in record-low mortgage rates also may continue to outweigh any consumer caution and drive buyers and sellers to act. Plus, low inventory and high buyer demand puts sellers in a very powerful posit...ion. History suggests that a slowdown in the housing market is inevitable, but this is definitely not your typical presidential election and every real estate professional should keep a close eye on what’s happening. The best way I do this is by staying on top of the latest market news and insights and I can be a voice of reason to your clients during these turbulent times. See more

CUE THE CONFETTI: It's time for step FOUR of the Simply Selling process, which is, (simply) Sell It! All your preparation and marketing is finally paying off! You’ve got an offer on the table, and you’re in the nail-biting negotiations. This is the FUN part, am I right? Keep the negotiations humming along and the rest of the process on track with these three tips.... 1. Be transparent. It doesn’t help you, your buyer, or your realtor to hide or omit relevant info about your home’s condition. Disclose everything you know upfront to avoid hiccups and headaches. 2. Be clear. Your realtor is your advocate in the process, so let him or her know what you’re thinking and feeling. Don’t sit on your questions go ahead and ask! It’ll prevent regret and frustration later down the road. 3. Be confident. Your realtor has done the research and you have the appraisal to back it up. While you may need to negotiate a little, be confident in your listing price and don’t give up too much too soon. When you get an offer, sit back, relax, and let your realtor negotiate a deal that will have you hugging, high-fiving, and hip-hip-hooraying. Next thing you know, we'll be sitting at the closing table! That wraps up the Simply Selling series, so make sure to download my free guide -link in bio or message me! Carla Cota DRE # 02092548 C: (619) 754-0190 E: [email protected] W: carlacotahomes.com See more

San Diego-> Ensenada-> Mulege-> Loreto-> La Paz-> Cabo. We made it! Awesome weekend road trip to Baja Sur with @travellove360

New listing in the beautiful community of Ocean View Hills! This home features a 4 bedroom and 3 bathrooms, large living room with formal dining area, large family room with lots of light and a fireplace, kitchen has a breakfast nook with lots of island space great for entertaining. A very spacious open floor plan. Large backyard with stamped cement and patio cover. Home has a great location, close to schools, shopping, freeway access and international border. Third garage wa...s converted into a 5th bedroom with a full bathroom. Don't hesitate contact me for more details Carla Cota Coldwell Banker West DRE #02092548 619.754.0190

Ready for step 3 of the Simply Selling process? Show it. Once you’ve shared your home with the world, it’s time to face those showings like a boss. And here’s the thing. If you’ve cleaned, decluttered, and cleaned again, you’re well on your way to wowing buyers the second they step inside your home. ... When the showings come (and they totally will!), stay calm, cool, and collected with these six tips: Have a plan. In a perfect world, you’d have at least a full day’s notice to get ready. The reality is, you may only have minutes. Before your first showing, make a list of tasks in order of importance. Don’t be afraid to throw laundry, toys, or small appliances in the car to keep them out of sight. Short on time? Swish the toilets, run the vacuum, and take out the trash. Give buyers space. Buyers need to picture themselves living in your home. That’s kinda hard to do when you’re lingering nearby. Give them plenty of time and space. Think neutral. Get any room ready with a few neutral pillows, baskets for easy stowing, and slip-covers to cover outdated furniture. Clear the counters. Clear kitchen counters, store small appliances, and swap out family photos with less personal prints. Don’t forget Fido. While you love your furry family member, sadly, not every buyer will. Make sure your dog or cat has a place to go that’s out of sight and sound during showings. Take out the trash (yes, literally). Before a showing, make sure garbage is in its right place far away from buyers’ sensitive noses. If you'd like to download my free Simply Selling guide with all of this info and more, visit the link in bio or message me! I’m always available to help Carla Cota DRE # 02092548 C: (619) 754-0190 E: [email protected] W: carlacotahomes.com "Dedicated to Results" What's My Home Worth?

As a homeowner, you have a huge opportunity to move up right now. Whether you want to save more each month or get more home for your money based on your family’s changing needs. Buyers are actively looking for more homes to buy, and you can win big by making a move if the time is right for you. Please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your future home needs!

It’s time for step two of the Simply Selling process: Advertise It! You’ve worked your tail off getting your home ready to list it has never looked better, and you can’t wait to share it with the world. Curious how to advertise your home? Here are five ways to get it in front of potential buyers and make a great first impression:... Create a gallery of stunning photos. Your listing photos are your first showing. Get ‘em right the first time with a photographer who knows real estate and how to identify and highlight your home’s best features. Write an appealing description. A property description is more than a list of lifeless facts and stats. It’s an opportunity to tell a buyer what sets your home apart from the rest. Research listing price. Location, size, age, comparable sales, and upgrades all play a role in determining your home’s listing price. A realtor will analyze the latest market data to zero in on a listing price they feel confident in, and you feel great about. Choose a marketing strategy. Marketing your home is more than listing it on Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia. Your realtor should use every possible outlet to market your home Facebook, Instagram, virtual tours, flyers, email blasts, and open houses. Nothing is off-limits! When you’re ready, reach out to a realtor, "ME", who knows your neighborhood and can market it to the world. More questions? Shoot me a message and let me help out, and I’ll send you a copy of the Simply Selling Guide too! Carla Cota DRE # 02092548 C: (619) 754-0190 E: [email protected] W: carlacotahomes.com

So you applied for a mortgage, and your loan application was denied. Boo. But keep your chin up and don’t stress there’s hope yet for aspiring homeowners just like you. Here’s what you can do: 1. Find out why you were denied. Your loan officer should give you a definite answer as to why your application was turned down. Having this info will help you know what you need to do for next time.... 2. Check your credit report. Pull your free credit report and make sure there aren’t any errors. 3. Pay down your debt. Most lenders want to see a debt-to-income of less than 43 percent. Do what you can to come in under that number by paying off credit cards, student loans, and car payments. 4. Shop around. If you were denied a conventional loan, talk with your realtor or mortgage advisor about other loan products that may work with your financial profile. Don’t be afraid to speak with multiple lenders. If you’re looking to buy a home and have had trouble getting a loan, give me a call. I’d love to listen, encourage, and get you back on the path to homeownership. Carla Cota Realtor, DRE #02092548 See more

Happy Labor Day

Congratulations to my happy sellers! They listed their home last month, received multiple offers in the first few days, and sold over list price! At the same time, we were able to get them into their new dream home I am grateful for the owners to trust me with the sale of their property. If you’ve been thinking to sell, now is the time! There are a ton of buyers out there taking advantage of the incredibly low interests rates. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice on buying and selling