When you sell a house, you are legally obligated to disclose anything that would negatively affect the value of the property or a buyer’s interest in owning it. So, if you’re selling your home, you probably have quite a list to compile. In Mendocino County, real estate agents typically use an 11-page document that covers … Read more
If you’re interested in investing, 1031 Exchanges are a wonderful, legal way to defer tax liability almost indefinitely. Sound good? Read on. As always, when I write about investing or 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
If you are in the fortunate position of having a little money to invest, or if you are just curious about investing, here’s a bit on real estate as an investment. Before I get started, I’ll remind you that I am neither a financial advisor nor a tax professional. I am not advising any action; … Read more
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 demand for business borrowing, the pressure to raise interest rates increases. In addition the federal government has spent $17,000,000,000,000 more than they had. They therefore borrowed the money. This results … Read more
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 love living in Ukiah but wonder how you can support yourself financially, especially if you don’t have a college degree, a career in the real estate industry might be a … Read more
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. For some, a career in the real estate industry might be a good fit. Jobs range from sales agent to property manager to loan officer, and more. They all require … Read more
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 wind and cold can seep in could add hundreds of dollars to your heating bills. Have your furnace inspected and cleaned. Annual maintenance is a lot cheaper than having … Read more
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 as you hope or you can’t find the home of your dreams, whose fault is it? If your house sells in a day or the first house you view is … Read more
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors is reviewing a program called PACE – an acronym for Property Assessed Clean Energy. While I am a fan of clean energy, I’m not a fan of this program and here’s why: the way the program is funded threatens lenders, and if lenders don’t lend, the housing market tumbles. … Read more