What a difference two weeks can make. When I wrote this column, our valley hadn’t burned, so let me begin by sending my condolences to all those who’ve lost so much. For those of us in the fortunate position of still having a house that is standing, now is the time to prepare it … Read more
When you decide you’re in the market to buy a house, you can: 1. Do this the smart way, and maximize the likelihood that you’ll end up with a house you like and can afford; or 2. Do this the dumb way, and rush headlong into a complicated process without the support or information you … Read more
If you’ve been waiting for home prices to fall before you jump into the market, you might have a long wait. It still costs less to buy a house than it does to build one, and with recent changes to rules covering many conventional loan programs, now could be a great time to embark on … Read more
When it comes time to sell your house, you want to get top dollar. With some simple, inexpensive updates, you can significantly improve how people perceive your home’s value. Wash Siding If your exterior paint is in good condition, washing the exterior can almost make it seem like you’ve just repainted your house. You can … Read more
I’ve been promising my children we’d do our Christmas shopping at Costco in Ukiah since about 2013, so when I tell them Costco plans to open in April, I can hardly blame them if they don’t rush to put it on their calendars. However, this time, it’s the real deal. Escrow is scheduled to close … Read more
Last week, I reviewed a few tips about how to minimize potential problems that come along with moving. I recommended ways to carefully manage the packing process; I provided information on choosing a reputable moving company, and I shared advice from Rob McAsey at Mark Davis Insurance about reviewing your homeowner’s policy to be sure … Read more
You’ve sold your house and you need to be out by 5:00 pm today, but the movers don’t show up as promised. You call to inquire why and they let you know they’re running a couple days behind. You call your Realtor to see if the buyers can wait a couple days, but find out … Read more
When you purchase a property, the Mendocino County Assessor’s Office determines the property’s assessed (or market) value for the purpose of establishing future property taxes. The initial assessment is critical because it establishes the basis for all future payments. Property taxes are calculated on the base year (first year) and cannot increase by more … Read more
With interest rates remaining low and nice weather making it easy for people to get out and see new properties, the housing market is likely to remain hot. This is often when we see multiple offers on a single property. A seller’s first reaction to multiple offers is usually, “Yay! Lots of offers.” The reaction … Read more