If you are a W2 wage earner, your income doesn’t fluctuate with the ups and downs of your employer’s profitability. As long as the business stays afloat, you get paid. Those of us who own businesses, on the other hand, have good years and bad years. We must shift income between years for tax savings, … Read more
Buying a house can be so exciting. Once you think you’re ready to make an offer, here are some ways to ensure the process goes smoothly. Are you sure this is right for you? Choosing a home requires a balance of intellectual reasoning and emotional attachment. If it’s a smart decision but your heart’s not … Read more
A new rule is on the books, and it improves transparency about who pays what to whom in real estate transactions. Previously, when a REALTOR listed a client’s property for sale, the listing agreement would include a commission, and the REALTOR would promise to give half of the fee to the buyer’s REALTOR. This ensured … Read more
As we look ahead to 2025, we see a number of new laws hitting the books, many of which expand tenant rights. On the face of it, these laws may seem innocuous, but each time a new regulation is enacted, there’s often a cost, though it may be hidden. If you own investment property, you … Read more
Any time two or more parties sign a legally binding contract, the need for conflict resolution may arise, which can be addressed via mediation, arbitration, or litigation. With mediation, a neutral third party, a mediator, attempts to bring the parties together, to find a way forward that everyone can agree to without assigning fault or … Read more
Many people, including some REALTORs, think winter is a terrible time to buy or sell a house (or any other property). Between the cold, wet weather and the holiday distractions, REALTORs sometimes recommend that their clients wait until spring to dive into the market. This is not necessarily good advice. I once knew a REALTOR … Read more
When it comes to negotiating, some people are under the misconception that it must be adversarial to the point where there is a clear winner and a clear loser. This isn’t the case. In real estate, if buyers and sellers are clear about their must-haves and willing to compromise a little on their would-likes, both … Read more
Recently, one of my REALTORs received a phone call from someone who lives in Spain but owns property in Ukiah. The caller wanted to sell his 800 acres of unimproved land and needed to do so somewhat quickly because he had some family medical expenses to cover. The seller seemed reasonable and motivated, so the … Read more
As the weather starts to cool, it’s a good time to prepare your home for winter. Gutters I usually start annual maintenance and upkeep before the rains come by cleaning out the gutters. It’s a lot easier to remove dead leaves and dry debris with a leaf blower before everything gets soggy and heavy. However, … Read more