You may have heard you can save a bundle of money by paying off your mortgage early. Have you ever asked yourself, “If I’m saving money, who is losing money?” Well, the answer is: your lender. Sometimes, especially with big commercial properties, lenders protect themselves against early payoffs by including pre-payment penalty clauses in their … Read more
Opinions about marijuana are all over the map in Mendocino County, and people can get pretty fired up about their respective positions. Whether you’re pro or con, whether you think legalizing marijuana will help or hurt the local economy, whether you think people who smoke a single joint are drug addicts or no different from … Read more
Every weekend, Realtors hold open houses so prospective buyers can walk through properties and imagine themselves in a new space. Some open houses are more successful than others, because the sellers plan ahead. If you’d like to get the most out of your open house, consider these recommendations. 4 WEEKS BEFORE Several weeks before your … Read more
I debated about tackling this issue because water rights are a little like politics or religion around here: if you want to remain on good terms with friends and family, don’t discuss them. However, I’m not one to shrink away from an important topic, so while I expect many knowledgeable people to hold differing opinions, … Read more
As awareness increases about building safety, environmental concerns, and equality for people with disabilities, construction regulations evolve. Initially, new rules only apply to new construction or major renovations, but eventually existing structures must come up to code. Such is the case with water-conserving plumbing. As of January 1, 2017, we must all have replaced high … Read more
When buyers and sellers sign a purchase agreement to transfer a piece of property, they typically do so in good faith. But what happens when buyers get cold feet? What happens if there’s a misunderstanding and the parties cannot come to an agreement? Before I continue, here’s my disclaimer: I’m about to cover a … Read more
Once we make up our minds, many of us are slow to change them. I am certainly included in this, but I have to tell you, it’s time to correct some outdated ideas about our county. During the last 25 years, many developers in Mendocino County have left town with a sour taste in … Read more
Once you’ve purchased a new home, it’s time to make it yours. Creating a welcoming entrance is a lovely way to start: it will be something you and all your visitors can enjoy for years to come. Chances are, having just closed escrow, you’re not in the mood to spend a whole bunch of money. … Read more
An appraisal is a professional assessment of a property’s value, and it is a critical part of the home-buying (and refinancing) process. Before lenders will agree to finance a home loan, they want to be sure they can recoup their money, should the need arise. If you find a cute little house on the Westside … Read more