A new rule is on the books, and it improves transparency about who pays what to whom in real estate transactions. Previously, when a REALTOR listed a client’s property for sale, the listing agreement would include a commission, and the REALTOR would promise to give half of the fee to the buyer’s REALTOR. This ensured … Read more
As we look ahead to 2025, we see a number of new laws hitting the books, many of which expand tenant rights. On the face of it, these laws may seem innocuous, but each time a new regulation is enacted, there’s often a cost, though it may be hidden. If you own investment property, you … Read more
Any time two or more parties sign a legally binding contract, the need for conflict resolution may arise, which can be addressed via mediation, arbitration, or litigation. With mediation, a neutral third party, a mediator, attempts to bring the parties together, to find a way forward that everyone can agree to without assigning fault or … Read more
Many people, including some REALTORs, think winter is a terrible time to buy or sell a house (or any other property). Between the cold, wet weather and the holiday distractions, REALTORs sometimes recommend that their clients wait until spring to dive into the market. This is not necessarily good advice. I once knew a REALTOR … Read more
When it comes to negotiating, some people are under the misconception that it must be adversarial to the point where there is a clear winner and a clear loser. This isn’t the case. In real estate, if buyers and sellers are clear about their must-haves and willing to compromise a little on their would-likes, both … Read more
Recently, one of my REALTORs received a phone call from someone who lives in Spain but owns property in Ukiah. The caller wanted to sell his 800 acres of unimproved land and needed to do so somewhat quickly because he had some family medical expenses to cover. The seller seemed reasonable and motivated, so the … Read more
As the weather starts to cool, it’s a good time to prepare your home for winter. Gutters I usually start annual maintenance and upkeep before the rains come by cleaning out the gutters. It’s a lot easier to remove dead leaves and dry debris with a leaf blower before everything gets soggy and heavy. However, … Read more
With Halloween right around the corner, this seemed like a good time to discuss how to determine whether you’re about to buy a haunted house. Although I suppose any home could be haunted, the best ghost stories usually involve old mansions. As it happens, the Ukiah Valley has quite a few properties dating back to … Read more
Open houses are a great way for REALTORS to promote properties for sale, allowing prospective buyers to kick the tires, so to speak. It’s one thing to look at pictures of a home for sale. It’s a whole different experience to test whether the mirrored closet doors roll smoothly on their tracks. When you walk … Read more