When I see people, especially older folks, selling their real estate holdings so they can give the revenues to their children, it makes me sad because I know that by selling, they are inadvertently giving much of their money to Uncle Sam. If you own a property, it is best to bequeath it to your … Read more
As if historic droughts, seasonal wildfires, and a pandemic aren’t enough, pests have decided to join the fray. Rodents have come in from the less inhabited parts of Mendocino County to take advantage of all the food, water, and shelter humans have to offer. I know this because until recently, my home was providing far … Read more
Anyone in the market to buy a house right now knows how competitive the market is. People are offering tens of thousands of dollars over the asking price and still getting outbid. The California Association of Realtors recently reported that the median price for single-family homes in the state is $720,500 and rising. The median … Read more
When the pandemic was in full swing, we didn’t have access to the entertainment we’re used to—no restaurant dining, no sports, no live theater, no concerts, no big gatherings of any kind. Neighborhood kids weren’t even allowed to throw together a game of street baseball. Obviously, this had many impacts, not least of which was … Read more
When my son and future daughter-in-law asked to use my home as their wedding venue, I was thrilled. COVID has delayed a lot of celebrations and I, for one, am ready to celebrate again (safely outdoors with plenty of vaccinated guests, of course). As the planning began, I realized how similar preparing a home for … Read more
The pandemic has caused a fair number of people to reconsider their career options, either out of necessity after a layoff or because the disruption of COVID-19 has given them a new perspective and their current job just isn’t doing it for them anymore. Although the published unemployment rates suggest there are not many jobs … Read more
Before real estate can change hands, many details must come together so both buyers and sellers feel they are engaging in a fair exchange. Before buyers agree to hand over their hard-earned money or sellers give up their property, they want assurances that everything will be fair and square. One way to provide assurances is … Read more
The pandemic has put many people in the mood to renovate their homes. Between spending way more time at home and not being able to spend money on traditional entertainment such as travel, sports, shows, and fine dining, homeowners are wondering whether now is the time for that new pool, deck, kitchen remodel, or home-office … Read more
As you might suspect, coming up with material for these columns every week can be challenging. This week, as I reviewed industry newsletters, emails from readers, and conversations with my Realtors, it got me thinking about how much has changed since I started in this business and that if I had to do it all … Read more