One of the benefits to home ownership is being able to sell your home without paying any capital gains tax. To be eligible for this tax exemption, you must have owned and lived in your home as your primary residence for a total of at least two of the last five years. Single people (or … Read more
The North Coast Builders Exchange magazine recently shared an infographic with some great reminders about hiring a contractor. I thought I’d expand on the subject. Whether you need someone to replace a plug outlet or build a whole new house, I strongly encourage you to go through the time and effort to select the right … Read more
While each rental agreement is unique, the questions renters ask are often similar. Here are some of the most common questions answered. Are utilities included in the lease agreement? Typically, tenants pay for utilities. While some utility rates are fixed, many are dependent upon use. Having tenants pay for their own utilities gives them some … Read more
While each rental agreement is unique, the questions landlords ask are often similar. Here are some of the most common questions answered. How can I get the most for my rental? The market will determine the range of what you can charge for your rental. Prices are influenced by the type of structure (single-family house, … Read more
When it comes to renting a place to live, there are plenty of gray areas regarding who is responsible for what. Here are some points of clarification Condition of the property Legally, the landlord is responsible for assuring the property is livable (legally known as the implied warranty of habitability, which is governed by California … Read more
While each real estate transaction is unique, the questions buyers ask are often the same. Here are some of the most common questions answered. What credit score do I need to buy a home? Generally, your credit score will not determine whether you can get a loan; rather, it will determine how much you can … Read more
While each real estate transaction is unique, the questions sellers ask are often the same. Here are some of the most common questions answered. What should I do to prepare my house for sale? First, remove a third of the contents from your house, from furniture to artwork to clothes in your closet. If you … Read more
Recently, PG&E announced a planned 65% rate hike over the next three years, inspiring me to get a quote on installing solar panels. These days, there are a couple of ways to benefit from a solar installation. One is to install a system with no out-of-pocket expenses and then pay the solar company for your … Read more
If you own an investment property, I’ve got good news for you. The IRS has a regulation called a partial disposition election. It allows you to immediately benefit from any undepreciated value when you replace a depreciable structural component on your office building or rental property. It also provides tax benefits when you sell the … Read more