The Financial Benefits of Home Ownership

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…

An Expensive Calamity

Most folks in Mendocino County have heard of the Assessor’s Office, the Auditor’s Office, and the Tax Collector’s Office, but very few could tell you…

Spring Cleaning to Avoid Disaster

Spring cleaning is kind of like exercising—the benefits are great, but it’s hard to get yourself to do it. Here’s a little pep talk about…

Why should I care about the difference between a legal parcel and an APN?

If you’ve ever looked at a property tax statement, you’ll notice there’s at least one parcel number listed. This is your assessor’s parcel number (APN),…

10 Years Ago

Exactly 10 years ago this week, I started writing this weekly real estate column. Here was the inaugural column.By way of introduction, I’m Dick Selzer…

The Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

Home ownership comes with many benefits, including tax advantages. Here are a few ways that owning a home can save you money.Mortgage Interest DeductionWhen you…

Spring Cleaning to Avoid Disaster – Part II

As I mentioned last week, spring cleaning is kind of like exercising—the benefits are great, but it’s hard to get yourself to do it. Here’s…

Which Type of Mortgage is Right for you?

When you apply for mortgage to buy a home, the options can be confusing, even overwhelming. Figuring out which loan is right for you depends…

California Unveils Shared Loan Program for First-Time Buyers

My friend Ginny Richards, a senior loan officer at Kind Lending in Ukiah, was just telling me about a new loan program from the California…

Mold is Serious Business

In the past, I’ve addressed the risks posed by asbestos and lead. This week, I’ll tackle the dangers of mold. Not all mold is created…