Selecting a REALTOR

     Many first-time homebuyers are in their late 20s or early 30s. I started writing this column back in 2013, when these folks were…

Should A First-Time Homebuyer Choose a Fixer-Upper?

     If you’re a first-time homebuyer trying to stretch a limited budget to get as much house as possible, you may be tempted to…

Buyer Interest Letters

     In Mendocino County along the Highway 101 corridor, the number of offers to buy homes went way up in June and July. When…

Prepayment Penalties

     A prepayment penalty is a fee lenders charge when a borrower pays off a loan early based on a predetermined timeframe. While this…

Preparing to Host a wedding

     If you decide to host a wedding this summer, allow me to share what I learned a few years ago when I hosted…

Making Sure You Record The Reconveyance

     In California we have deeds of trust rather than mortgages. When we get real estate loans, our lenders are typically the trustees who…

Communication Is Key

     When people are unhappy with their real estate agent, they sometimes call the California Department of Real Estate. Do you know what their…

Is your offer getting through

     When you’re ready to buy a home, your REALTOR can write up a purchase offer for you and present it to the seller’s…

Budget for the Unexpected

     When trying to figure out how much you can afford to spend when buying a home, it’s easy to overlook some of the…

Who to Hire for Home Repairs

     Summer is a great time to take on home repairs, from building a deck to adding the extra room you’ve always wanted. If…