Technology requires a human touch

When people become interested in the real estate market, they often start online, perusing one of the myriad digital sites—from databases like Zillow, Trulia, and…

The Pros and Cons of Renting to Friends and Family

If you’re a landlord or property manager, you know how important it is to screen tenants properly. This becomes more complicated when you consider renting…

Avoid Scams

Most of us think we won’t be duped by a scammer, but these people are good at what they do and desperation sometimes causes us…

Real Estate Investing – Part IV: Commercial Property

This summer I’ve written three “Real Estate Investing” columns covering single family residential properties; duplexes, four-plexes and apartment complexes with fewer than five units; and…

Who Pays for What: Renters v. Landlords?

Before I jump into the topic of who pays for what on a rental property, let me say that contracts trump all. If you sign…

Senior Living: How and When to Downsize

When you’re ready to downsize, figuring out what to do with your existing home is often the most difficult decision. The good news is that…

Why Buy?

 If you’ve been looking for a house to rent, then you know how hard it is. Almost nothing’s available in Ukiah, and the houses that…

Why Rental Agreements Beat Handshakes

While I like the idea of confirming an agreement with a handshake rather than a contract, I’ve seen a few too many handshakes turn into…

Real Estate Investing – What Are My Options?

When it comes to real estate, you can invest in several types of properties. The question is, why would you? Well, because it can pay…

Real Estate Investing – Part II

Last week I shared information about investing in real estate, specifically purchasing a single-family home for use as a rental. This week, I’ll share why…