In November, California voters approved Proposition 19, the Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment (2020) to take effect April 1, 2021. Presumably, they did so because they believed disadvantaged homeowners should be able to transfer their tax base when they purchase a new primary residence—like those who are disabled, … Read more
When heaters and other appliances that use combustible fuel such as propane or natural gas aren’t installed properly, or when they have cracks or blocked vents, a toxic gas called carbon monoxide can seep into your home. Carbon monoxide results from incomplete combustion, and while safe appliances vent trace amounts of carbon monoxide outside, if … Read more
Years ago, the only service animal most of us knew about was a seeing-eye dog, and no one could deny the legitimacy of that essential service. Then things evolved. Service animals began to help people with both physical and emotional issues, and it became much harder to define which animals should receive the “service animal” … Read more
Recently, I received questions about owning property via a partnership; specifically, how to bequeath a vacation home to two children. Admirably, the property owners wanted to minimize any chances of hard feelings between their grown children. My advice to them? Encourage their children to treat joint ownership of a property like any other business relationship. … Read more
A reader recently expressed surprise and dismay about what she called a “deed exclusion clause” that restricted what she could do on her property. Likely, she was referring to the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs), a set of rules that govern how a group of properties will be used and maintained. The goal of CC&Rs … Read more
When selling residential real estate, there’s no escaping all sorts of inspections—home inspections, pest and fungus, septic, well, soil, roof, and more. Streamlining this process not only speeds up the sale, it can be the difference between a sale that closes and one the falls apart. When you get inspections up front, you get two … Read more
I received a letter recently asking if Mendocino County has “local traditions” around what is revealed when selling real estate. This gentleman sold his house in the Bay Area, where he disclosed everything he was supposed to. He then bought a property locally where the seller failed to mention some rather important details, not least … Read more
Water heaters are one of those appliances most of us don’t think much about until a cold shower reminds us that it is, in fact, our favorite appliance. When your water heater goes out, or when its warranty is coming to its end (guaranteeing it will soon go out), it is wise to review your … Read more
Like almost everything else in 2020, the housing market has provided some surprises. One would think that during a pandemic, people would hunker down, delay any plans to relocate, and wait out the storm. Instead, the housing market is red hot. Record-low interest rates combined with COVID-related changes have spurred people to buy and sell … Read more