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
Oftentimes, I share real estate information from the perspective of either the buyer or the seller, but what if you’re both? Unless you’re a first-time homebuyer, chances are you’ll need to sell your current home to fund the purchase of your next one, and that complicates things. My first piece of advice is to forget … Read more
Some people think being a Realtor means ordering business cards, plunking a sign in someone’s front yard, and waiting for a buyer to make an offer—then picking up a commission check 30 days later. That, my friends, is not how this works. Get Licensed To be a real estate agent, you must be licensed by … Read more
Most of us look forward to retiring someday. If you own a home, it can be an important part of your financial future. Leverage Your Home Equity If you purchased a home 20 or 30 years ago, chances are it has appreciated during that time, making it worth more now than it was when you … Read more
While it can be exciting to buy a home, it can also be stressful. For most people, this is the single biggest purchase they will ever make. The only way to completely eliminate stress is not to buy, but if you are committed, here are some tips to make the process go more smoothly. Prepare … Read more
Let me begin by saying this is more of an investment article than a real estate article, but I hope you’ll find it useful, nonetheless. If someone offers you a risk-free investment, be suspicious because by its very nature, financial investing is risky. The foundation upon which investing is based is the risk-return trade-off, which … Read more
When choosing the person who will guide you through one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, it’s important to know what to look for. Last week, I shared some ideas on how to spot a good Realtor. Here are a few more. Find Someone Willing to Give It to You Straight Once you … Read more
The Ukiah Valley has plenty of Realtors, so it can be hard to know who to choose. Here are some ways to figure out which Realtors can help you buy a home for the best price in the shortest time with the least inconvenience. Start with Recommendations The first thing I suggest when choosing a … Read more