In June, I wrote about Opportunity Zones, a new program that looked to be the best investment opportunity since Google. It turns out, things are less promising than they originally appeared unless you fit into a very narrow band of real estate investors. Please! This is one investment opportunity where you MUST talk to your … Read more
Last week, I wrote about 1031 exchanges, which help real estate investors defer paying capital gains tax when buying and selling properties. Now I’m going to share something even more esoteric—a reverse deferred exchange. While 90 percent of real estate investors will never have reason to be involved in one, it’s still fun to learn … Read more
I attended a party recently where the topic of real estate exchanges came up. Before I say more, I must remind you that when I write about investing or the tax implications of owning real estate, I am simply sharing my opinion. If you are thinking of investing or have questions about taxes with regard … Read more
When it comes to making a decision as important as purchasing a home, be sure to base your decision on facts—not myths. Here are a few myths debunked. Myth #1: It’s always better to own than to rent. Not necessarily. When people say owning a home is an investment while renting just throws your money … Read more
As exciting as it can be to buy or sell a property, it can also be a little stressful, even when things are going just fine. There are a lot of details to manage and many different people involved in the transaction, from buyers and sellers and their agents to lenders, inspectors, insurance agents, and … Read more
Having a good relationship with your neighbors can make life far more peaceful and enjoyable, so whenever you contemplate outdoor home projects—whether you’re installing a new deck or hiring someone to install a sprinkler system—it’s wise to consider how those projects will affect the people around you, not only while the project is underway, but … Read more
In 1995, the California State Legislature enacted the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, preventing local governments from enacting rent controls on single-family homes and on housing built after 1995. Rent controls limit how much landlords can charge their tenants. Proposition 10 would repeal the Costa-Hawkins legislation, thereby allowing local governments to adopt rent control ordinances without … Read more
As I was driving into town to come to work this morning, I noticed the weeds growing up in the median strip on Perkins Street near the Hwy 101 onramp and offramp. I’ve noticed these weed for weeks and they irritate me. If you checked the median near Hwy 101 on Gobbi Street, I expect … Read more
In my office, we have a list of individuals and organizations we won’t do business with—most are vendors, others are past clients who behaved so poorly we won’t work with them again. The reasons vendors get put on the list can include things like doing substandard work, having no liability insurance or workers’ comp insurance, … Read more