Welcome to Buying Home Tips

Elena Yu, Ph.D., created this website just for you. She is a multi-lingual and super diligent licensed Broker Associate at Coldwell Banker Realty -a full-service real estate company. The company has a mortgage loan department that can assist with new loans or refinance. She also knows other mortgage loan companies if you prefer to use independent direct lenders or private lenders.

Elena is an ethical, knowledgeable and experienced realtor with astute business acumen and deep insight into local neighborhoods. Whether you are buying your first home, second home, or an investment property, Elena can help you find the home that best fits your needs and wants. And if you are listing your home for sale, Elena’s marketing strategy and negotiation skills will get you the highest offer. Every market is different. Elena knows how to work for your best interest in different market conditions.

What is a Short Sale?

Homeowners who missed payments trigger the foreclosure clock and starts the pre-foreclosure process. Banks or lenders send out a Notice of Default (also called an N.O.D.) to the financially distressed homeowner every month for three months. Late fees pile up. This is followed by three more months of Notices of Trustee’s sale (also called N.O.T.) […]
San Diego Association of Realtors

Not every real estate licensee is a member of the San Diego Association of Realtors® (SDAR). The organization changed its name in 2013 to The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors. Those who are members of the association are required to follow the Code of Ethics for Realtors in their business conduct. They are subject to disciplinary […]
What is the difference between a realtor and a broker?

A realtor is a real estate licensee who is at least 18 years old, has a high-school diploma, completed at least three college-level real estate courses and passed the State of California real estate salesperson licensing exam. To be a Broker, one has to have worked full-time (or equivalent) as a licensed salesperson a minimum of two years […]
How Can Buyers Identify a Good REALTOR®?

They know their license number and their business card should show their California real estate license number–required by law. They are members of a real estate trade association. Membership does not guarantee that they will be the best realtors to work with, but hopefully they follow the minimum standard of practice in the industry. A […]
What is the difference between a realtor and a REALTOR®?

To be a REALTOR®, a real estate licensee has to be a member of one of several professional trade associations in San Diego that has established a Realtor’s Code of Ethics. The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors® (SDAR) is one of a handful of trade associations in San Diego and it has the largest membership […]
REOs or Bank-owned

When no one bids at the Trustee’s sale on the courthouse-step auction, or the bid is too low, the property reverts back to the bank or lender. These properties are now generally called REOs, which means “Real Estate Owned” by the banks. Banks then subcontract with certain real estate companies to let them market these homes […]
Trustee’s Sale at Courthouse Steps

After at least 3+ months of missed payments, the homeowner will receive a Notice of Default (N.O.D.) and keep receiving it for the next three months. The financially distressed homeowner’s reinstatement period expires. Missing payments give the bank the right to start the foreclosure process. They do so by recording a Notice of Trustee’s (N.O.T.) Sale. The date […]
Foreclosure

Foreclosure is the ultimate outcome for homeowners who have exhausted all pre-foreclosure options, including a short sale. There are two types of foreclosures: judicial versus non-judicial. How the home mortgage loan was first financed and whether it was subsequently refinanced often determine the type of foreclosures. When someone buys a home to live in (not for investment) and finance […]
Home Loans and Multiple Mortgages

Banks and sellers nowadays require buyers to submit purchase offers with a pre-approval letter. Hence, buyers can save considerable time if they go through a pre-qualification process and obtain a pre-approval letter from a direct lender or a mortgage loan broker/officer before starting to look for homes. I work only with qualified loan officers who are up to speed […]
What is a 1031 Exchange?

Done properly, 1031 exchange is a legally powerful strategy to build wealth with investment properties. It has enabled many investors to improve their net worth over a 10-year to 20-year time frame. The basic concept underlying a 1031 exchange is to defer the taxes that otherwise would be due upon the sale of an investment […]
Can real property be sold to someone who is not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. we have sold homes to so many international buyers in the past several years. However, foreign buyers should be aware of certain reporting requirements: 1. Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act requires reporting to the Farm Service Agency of the Secretary of Agriculture within 90 days of a transfer to a foreign person if the […]
10 Most Common Reasons Why Buyers are Unable to Buy

Lack of Urgency. Buyer does not have a deadline by which they must buy a home. Lack of Funds. Buyer has insufficient fund to cover down payment, closing costs and at least 2 months’ reserve. Lack of Time to View Homes. Buyer delays in viewing homes, leading to other buyers making offers on the property […]
Should you buy now? Move up or continue to rent?

For many people, buying a home is probably one of the biggest investments they make. If you are using a huge sum of your lifetime savings to buy a home, don’t you want a well-educated real estate professional to find you a house in the shortest time possible and at the best price? In some neighborhoods […]

Top Buying Home Tips

Should you buy now? Move up or continue to rent? For many people, buying a home is probably one of the biggest investments they make. If you are using a huge sum of your lifetime savings to buy a home, don’t you want a well-educated real estate professional to find you a house in the shortest time possible and at the best price? In some neighborhoods […]

10 Most Common Reasons Why Buyers are Unable to Buy Lack of Urgency. Buyer does not have a deadline by which they must buy a home. Lack of Funds. Buyer has insufficient fund to cover down payment, closing costs and at least 2 months’ reserve. Lack of Time to View Homes. Buyer delays in viewing homes, leading to other buyers making offers on the property […]

Can real property be sold to someone who is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. we have sold homes to so many international buyers in the past several years. However, foreign buyers should be aware of certain reporting requirements: 1. Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act requires reporting to the Farm Service Agency of the Secretary of Agriculture within 90 days of a transfer to a foreign person if the […]

What is a 1031 Exchange? Done properly, 1031 exchange is a legally powerful strategy to build wealth with investment properties. It has enabled many investors to improve their net worth over a 10-year to 20-year time frame. The basic concept underlying a 1031 exchange is to defer the taxes that otherwise would be due upon the sale of an investment […]

Have you been pre-approved for a home loan? What price range of homes are you interested in? Do you need to sell a house before you can buy? Are you a first-time home buyer? Or have you bought and sold many homes already? Are you an investor? Do you want to to do a 1031 Exchange? Or are you looking for a second home or vacation property in San Diego? Do you want to buy near UCSD, Mesa College or Mirama College? Elena Yu is the best person to help you.

When you are ready to start viewing and buying homes OR when you are ready to sell your home--however big or small, please contact her. 858-405-5175 (text) or e-mail Elena@ElenaYu.com.

Testimonials

David T Joseph P Jia L

David T

As a first-time home buyer, I thought purchasing a home would be difficult. Elena Yu, my realtor, made it simple by guiding me in every step towards owning my first home. Her guidance provided me with an in-depth understanding of the housing market and allowed me to make informed decisions.

Elena's professionalism, knowledge, and experience truly made a difference. Not once did I feel like she was going to be unable to find me a home. I can't speak any more highly of Elena and recommend her to prospective home buyers. What Elena brings to the table is more than just a real estate agent, but a turnkey solution to real estate services. She brings customer care to the forefront of any business she conducts, is honest, trustworthy, and responsive to the needs of her clients--things you can't teach. My experience was so gratifying that I'm sure the next home I purchase or sell, will be with Elena.

Joseph P

We first met when I contacted her regarding a property she was selling. She generously took the time to show my fiance and me a powerpoint presentation she had made while showing us the property, as this was my first real estate purchase. I had worked with two other real estate agents in the area but chose Elena to represent me as a buyer because she was the first realtor who actually listened to my interests and concerns.

Elena formulated a MLS search which was accurate and did not waste time showing me homes in which I had no interest. When I finally saw the home of my dreams, Elena worked aggressively on my behalf to barter with the seller for a lower price. Elena worked around the clock (literally sending me emails with changes and concessions from the seller late evenings) during escrow to insure that my interests, above all else, were represented. We closed escrow within three weeks of viewing the property without any unnecessary stress or disagreements with the seller or escrow agent and now I have an amazing home which I love, thanks to Elena.

I cannot emphasize enough how hard Elena worked on my behalf. One example comes to mind. Somehow, she managed to convince the seller to fix plumbing issues after I had already signed a contract with the seller on an "AS IS" basis. Another example is how she suggested a home inspection engineer and mold inspector, both of which were reasonably priced, did the inspections immediately and presented us with meticulous and informative reports.

She diligently followed up every one of my requests in a timely manner and even helped me after we closed escrow when I had questions, even something as simple as a good locksmith. Because of how hard she worked on my behalf and how well she listened to every one of my requests, I am proud to call Elena Yu my realtor.

Jia L

Elena (also called Dr. Yu) often serves us in a behind-the-scenes capacity. She represents the epitome of integrity, professional intelligence in real estate business, sharp insight into potential problems with the buying-selling-renting issues, common sense and reason in doing the business. Her broad logistical repair networking provided us affordable and quality works in a timely manner. She also provided us clear guidance and timely communications through emails and phones, which often cleared my confusions and reduced our anxiety. In a summer evening before 10:00 pm when I was really tired of the whole day clean-up work, she appeared in my house, helped us check out things important…She indeed commits herself to her customers in superb fashion with resilience and integrity.