Like most people, I don’t like paying high insurance premiums, but I do like being protected against catastrophic losses like those I would face if a wildfire tore through my neighborhood. In California, especially in rural areas like ours, the risk of wildfire has increased dramatically during the last several years; yet, the state limits … Read more
In June of 2015, a dozen or so UC Berkeley students were celebrating a friend’s twenty-first birthday out on the balcony of a fifth-floor apartment when the balcony gave way. Six people died and several others were injured. It was later determined that dry rot from improper construction led to the disaster. In response, then-Governor … Read more
Are you considering a home remodel or building a new house? Here are some questions you should ask before you choose a contractor or other licensed professional. How long have you been in business? In a community as small as ours, word gets around if you don’t know what you’re doing. In big metropolitan areas, … Read more
Every quarter, the California Association of Realtors publishes an update to the Housing Affordability Index, a measure of the percentage of households that can afford to purchase a median-priced home in their area. In Ukiah, the homes in the Oak Manor subdivision are usually median-priced homes. The median sales price is currently about $475,000, down … Read more
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