Interest Rates and the New Dodd-Frank and Federal Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Regulations

Most people in real estate don’t expect interest rates to stay down much longer. As unemployment drops and the economic recovery gains momentum and therefore…

Career Opportunities in the Real Estate Industry – Part I

Many young people love living in Ukiah but wonder how they can support themselves financially in such a small town, especially without a college degree.…

Who’s Responsible for What?

In a real estate transaction, as in most transactions, it’s important to know who is responsible for what. If your house doesn’t sell as quickly…

Property Taxes: What’s the Deal?

A reader recently asked if I’d write a column explaining how property taxes are assessed, how they can change, and how Proposition 13 affects the…

How to Hire Contractors, Inspectors, and Others – Part I

I’ve talked about how to hire a realtor and a lender, but they probably won’t be the only professionals you need during your real estate…

Career Opportunities in the Real Estate Industry – Part II

Last week, I reviewed the job qualifications of selling real estate, but there are many more careers available in the real estate industry. If you…

Avoiding Scams and Winterizing Your Home

With winter approaching, I thought I’d start with a few home maintenance reminders:Caulk exterior joints around your windows and doors. Not sealing gaps where the…

Don’t Pick Up The PACE

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors is reviewing a program called PACE – an acronym for Property Assessed Clean Energy. While I am a fan…

How to Hire Contractors, Inspectors, and Others – Part II

I’ve talked about how to hire a realtor and a lender, but they probably won’t be the only professionals you need during your real estate…

Why Water Matters in Real Estate

I was recently asked how important water is when deciding whether to buy a rural property. My answer? It’s about as important as water is…