Many people believe spring is the best time to sell a house, so they take their property off the market during winter. It is precisely this behavior that could make your property a hot commodity during the coldest months. As I compare housing statistics from April 2015 to statistics in October 2015, I see some … Read more
Finding a way to support yourself financially in Ukiah can be tough, especially without a college degree, but if you have the right personality and work ethic, a career in real estate might be just what you’re looking for. Jobs range from sales agent to property manager to loan officer, and more. They all require … Read more
A couple years ago, I wrote about homeowners and renters insurance and I strongly recommend investing in it. I sure hope those who live in Lake County happened to read and heed that advice. If you live in an area that has not been devastated by fire recently, and you don’t have insurance, this is … Read more
When it comes to real estate contracts, I always suggest that people involved in the transaction do three things: read and understand the contract, make sure the contract accurately reflects their intentions, and be sure they can abide by its terms. This applies to buyers and sellers, but it is usually buyers who change their … Read more
When you make an offer on a property, your Realtor will recommend you go to the county to review records that relate to the property you are purchasing. And by the way, any offer you make should be contingent upon this county record review. While your Realtor will likely advise you to go to the … Read more
No one likes paying property taxes, but if you own a home (or real estate of any sort), property taxes are part of the deal. While many of us pay property taxes, few of us seem to have a good grasp on how those taxes are calculated, where the money goes, and what happens … Read more
In light of the recent Lake County fires, I’ve been thinking about how important it is to plan for an emergency. While taking the time to do this is usually right up there with having my teeth cleaned and doing my taxes, it’s worth the trouble. Before you begin packing an emergency kit to … Read more
As many of us approach retirement, we look forward to the free time but worry about the lack of income. If you’re at least 62 years old, there’s cause for celebration: if you own your house outright, you can borrow against it and never have to pay back the loan. It’s called a reverse mortgage. … Read more
In June, I was talking with Ukiah Police Chief, Chris Dewey. We were reminiscing over the success of the Safe Ukiah contest, and we started talking about whether a Safe Mendocino County contest could produce even more good ideas on ways to keep our local communities safe. The next thing you know, we’re having lunch … Read more