In county government, the Planning and Building Department has the biggest impact on real estate. This is why I’m so pleased to introduce Brent Schultz, the new department director. Brent has spent the last 33 years working in city and county government, so you’d think he and I wouldn’t have much in common since one … Read more
Many of us can hardly imagine going a full week without electricity, but that is precisely what Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is telling us to prepare for. In the wake of devastating wildfire seasons, PG&E has warned local residents that if weather conditions meet certain criteria, PG&E will shut off power to the electrical … Read more
Landlords and tenants often see things from very different perspectives. Our property management service has dealt with all sorts of disagreements. Sometimes the landlords are right. Sometimes the tenants are right. Here are a few interesting cases. What Happens to the Lease Once the Property Sells? Imagine you own an investment property, a single-family home … Read more
After 45 years as a property manager, I’ve collected quite a few stories about what can happen when you rent your property to others—and some wisdom about what to expect. If you own a rental property, or are thinking about it, here are some things to consider. Raising the Rent Let’s say you find out … Read more
Having been in the property management business for more than 45 years, I’ve seen all sorts of strange things and I’ve learned some interesting tidbits along the way. If you own a rental property, or are thinking about it, here are some things to consider. Normal Wear and Tear As a landlord, I expect normal … Read more
As I’ve said before, landlords and tenants often see things from very different perspectives. Having been in the property management business for decades, I have seen all sorts of crazy things. Sometimes the landlords are right. Sometimes the tenants are right. Many times, it comes down to the details of the lease agreement. Even though … Read more
Last week, I began sharing information about the process people must go through to determine whether a property has environmental contamination, and if it does, what to do about it. Decades ago, people used materials that were toxic to people and the planet on a somewhat regular basis and even regulations are now in place … Read more
Decades ago, health and safety regulations and environmental protections didn’t really exist, so people used materials that were toxic to people and the planet on a somewhat regular basis. Thankfully, this is no longer the case, but once in a while when a property changes hands, the buyer discovers an old problem that was never … Read more
If you’re at least 62 years old and you own your home outright, you can borrow against it and never have to pay back the loan. It’s called a reverse mortgage and it allows you to convert some of your home’s equity into cash. Unlike traditional mortgages, the loan does not have to be repaid … Read more