Selling your house can be both exciting and stressful. Knowing what to expect can reduce tension and allow you to have the best experience possible. Here’s what you’ll need to do and need to know. Select a REALTOR. Step one in selling your house is signing a listing agreement that grants your REALTOR the exclusive … Read more
A recent antitrust lawsuit against the National Association of REALTORs has been getting some media attention, so although I reviewed this issue briefly in a prior column, I thought I’d dedicate a little more attention to it. I’ll be commenting on the Minnesota case, not the copycat cases that are starting to follow, because the … Read more
Many do-it-yourself homeowners enjoy upgrading their own home rather than hiring a licensed contractor to do so. As long as you do the work in accordance with current building standards and acquire all the necessary permits, this is perfectly fine—with one caveat. In California, if the work requires a building permit and you want to … Read more
Last week, I began deciphering acronyms and vocabulary commonly used in real estate transactions. Here are a few more that can be helpful, especially if things go sideways and a foreclosure is involved. Notice to Perform – This is the document used when the buyer and seller have a signed purchase and sale agreement (PSA) … Read more
If you are contemplating a real estate transaction in the near future (or if you’re involved in one right now), it can be difficult to translate all the acronyms and vocabulary used in the industry. Here’s a guide to the terms you need to know. DRE (Department of Real Estate) – The California Department of … Read more
When it comes to home loans, many lenders offer special programs for those who have never owned a home or who haven’t owned one for years. By offering loans with little or no down payment, lenders support people who can afford the monthly expenses of home ownership, but who have struggled to save significant cash … Read more
Last week, I shared some of the changes that have disrupted the real estate market. Here are a few more. Natural Disasters Although there have always been natural disasters, the pace and intensity have certainly increased in recent years. For example, when I was growing up in the Ukiah Valley, we didn’t expect wildfires every … Read more
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 exactly what they do. As thousands of Mendocino County residents begin receiving notices about back property taxes, knowing who to turn to could become of great interest. It all started … Read more
When it comes to buying a home, it’s important to know exactly what you’re buying, its condition, and all the expenses you’ll be expected to cover. Real estate transactions can be complex and often require the expertise of many different people, from lenders to licensed contractors. Realtors can help you navigate the whole experience, providing … Read more