Recently, a Ukiah homeowner reached out to me, concerned about a letter he received offering insurance to protect against scam artists who might want to steal his house with forged documents. Here’s how the purported scam goes: You’ve done everything right, faithfully paid your mortgage, property taxes, and homeowners insurance in full and on time. … Read more
When you purchase a home, lenders almost always require you to acquire homeowners’ insurance. What they don’t tell you is that they are primarily looking out for their interests, not yours. Lenders typically require you to protect against structural damage to the property up to the value of the loan they’ve provided. After that, they … Read more
When you’re ready to downsize, figuring out what to do with your existing home is often the most difficult decision. The good news is that there are more options than you may realize. Consider the pros and cons of each option before finalizing your decision. Get Roommates While many people strictly recall their college days … Read more
The State of California allows public school districts to impose impact fees (also called developer fees) on new residential and commercial construction, based on the idea that new homes and workplaces will translate into additional students—and thus, new demands on local schools. In December, the Ukiah Unified School District (UUSD) Board of Trustees approved developer … Read more
Last week, I wrote about some of the tax benefits that come with home ownership. Here are more ways to maximize the financial benefits of home ownership. Home Equity Line of Credit If the market value of your home is significantly greater than the amount you owe on your home loan, you may be able … Read more
Home ownership comes with many benefits, including tax advantages. Here are a few ways that owning a home can save you money. Mortgage Interest Deduction When you take out a loan to buy your house, you get a deed of trust (mortgage), requiring you to make monthly payments to a bank or other lender. Usually, … Read more
Most folks in Mendocino County have heard of the Assessor’s Office, the Auditor’s Office, and the Tax Collector’s Office, but very few could tell you exactly what they do. As thousands of Mendocino County residents begin receiving notices about back property taxes, knowing who to turn to could become of great interest. It all started … Read more
As I mentioned last week, spring cleaning is kind of like exercising—the benefits are great, but it’s hard to get yourself to do it. Here’s are a few more recommendations to keep your house in peak condition. HVAC Filters Like most appliances, heating and air conditioning systems run more efficiently when their filters aren’t covered … Read more
Spring cleaning is kind of like exercising—the benefits are great, but it’s hard to get yourself to do it. Here’s a little pep talk about why spring cleaning is worth the effort (and hey, I believe cleaning can count as exercise, so you can feel twice as good about your efforts). Refrigerator Coils If you … Read more