Back in the day, when someone talked about home security, they were referring to an alarm system, and maybe trimming bushes and other landscaping to make sure bad guys had nowhere to hide. Now? Things are completely different, and a little unnerving for those of us who are not computer geeks. Now we have to … Read more
After years of drought, many of us are pleased to hear that it is supposed to be a wet winter; however, some of us get a little nervous when we hear meteorologists predicting an especially strong El Nino year, because that can mean flooding. If you buy a home in a federally designated flood zone … Read more
Many people believe spring is the best time to sell a house, so they take their property off the market during winter. It is precisely this behavior that could make your property a hot commodity during the coldest months. As I compare housing statistics from April 2015 to statistics in October 2015, I see some … Read more
Finding a way to support yourself financially in Ukiah can be tough, especially without a college degree, but if you have the right personality and work ethic, a career in real estate might be just what you’re looking for. Jobs range from sales agent to property manager to loan officer, and more. They all require … Read more
A couple years ago, I wrote about homeowners and renters insurance and I strongly recommend investing in it. I sure hope those who live in Lake County happened to read and heed that advice. If you live in an area that has not been devastated by fire recently, and you don’t have insurance, this is … Read more
When it comes to real estate contracts, I always suggest that people involved in the transaction do three things: read and understand the contract, make sure the contract accurately reflects their intentions, and be sure they can abide by its terms. This applies to buyers and sellers, but it is usually buyers who change their … Read more
When you make an offer on a property, your Realtor will recommend you go to the county to review records that relate to the property you are purchasing. And by the way, any offer you make should be contingent upon this county record review. While your Realtor will likely advise you to go to the … Read more
No one likes paying property taxes, but if you own a home (or real estate of any sort), property taxes are part of the deal. While many of us pay property taxes, few of us seem to have a good grasp on how those taxes are calculated, where the money goes, and what happens … Read more
In light of the recent Lake County fires, I’ve been thinking about how important it is to plan for an emergency. While taking the time to do this is usually right up there with having my teeth cleaned and doing my taxes, it’s worth the trouble. Before you begin packing an emergency kit to … Read more