On Your Mark, Get Ready, Close! You’re almost there. You’ve found the home you want to buy. You’ve made an offer. The seller has accepted. Now you’re on the home stretch. Be sure to do the following tasks for a smooth close of escrow. Clear contingencies When you and the seller signed the sales agreement, … Read more
With interest rates higher than they’ve been in years, those who want to buy a home are looking for ways to make it more affordable. According to Zillow, younger generations are willing to get creative when it comes to home ownership. One of the most common housing hacks among Millennials (ages 29-43) and Gen Z … Read more
Many renters are under the impression that they can’t afford to buy a house. Some think they need to save a bunch of cash for a down payment. Others believe the monthly expenses are too high. While these assumptions may be true, loan programs for first-time homebuyers can make it much easier to become a … Read more
When it comes to home loans, many lenders offer special programs for those who have never owned a home or who haven’t owned one for years. By offering loans with little or no down payment, lenders support people who can afford the monthly expenses of home ownership, but who have struggled to save significant cash … Read more
As a rule, homeowners want low utility bills and high home values. So, it stands to reason that if you are selling your house, your property will be more valuable if it contains new, energy-efficient upgrades such as added insulation, new windows, and electric appliances that keep it comfortable year-round without high utility costs. If … Read more
Last week, I shared some of the changes that have disrupted the real estate market. Here are a few more. Natural Disasters Although there have always been natural disasters, the pace and intensity have certainly increased in recent years. For example, when I was growing up in the Ukiah Valley, we didn’t expect wildfires every … Read more
Here we are at the end of another year, a good time to reflect on how things have gone and to look ahead at what’s coming. With regard to the real estate market, it’s interesting to see what has (and may continue to) affect housing prices and availability. Construction If you have been to the … Read more
In 2017, the State of California passed a law preventing local governments from unreasonably restricting homeowners from adding a second unit to their property, commonly referred to as mother-in-law units. Officially, they are called Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs. An ADU must be big enough to include a kitchen, a bathroom, and living space—and it … Read more
The Department of Justice is suing the National Association of Realtors for price fixing and restraint of trade. Several major real estate franchises have settled out of court, but I think the DOJ may end up losing this case. Here’s the situation. As the law stands today, when a Realtor lists a property for sale, … Read more