Homeowners’ Insurance Falls Victim to Regulation

Like most people, I don’t like paying high insurance premiums, but I do like being protected against catastrophic losses like those I would face if a wildfire tore through my neighborhood. In California, especially in rural areas like ours, the risk of wildfire has increased dramatically during the last several years; yet, the state limits … Read more


New Safety Law for Balconies

In June of 2015, a dozen or so UC Berkeley students were celebrating a friend’s twenty-first birthday out on the balcony of a fifth-floor apartment when the balcony gave way. Six people died and several others were injured. It was later determined that dry rot from improper construction led to the disaster. In response, then-Governor … Read more


How to Hire for Home Repairs

Are you considering a home remodel or building a new house? Here are some questions you should ask before you choose a contractor or other licensed professional. How long have you been in business? In a community as small as ours, word gets around if you don’t know what you’re doing. In big metropolitan areas, … Read more


Housing Affordability – Is Now the Time to Buy?

Every quarter, the California Association of Realtors publishes an update to the Housing Affordability Index, a measure of the percentage of households that can afford to purchase a median-priced home in their area. In Ukiah, the homes in the Oak Manor subdivision are usually median-priced homes. The median sales price is currently about $475,000, down … Read more


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 there are more options than you may realize. Consider the pros and cons of each option before finalizing your decision. Get Roommates While many people strictly recall their college days … Read more


School Impact Fees – A Tradition of Inaccurate Assessments

The State of California allows public school districts to impose impact fees (also called developer fees) on new residential and commercial construction, based on the idea that new homes and workplaces will translate into additional students—and thus, new demands on local schools. In December, the Ukiah Unified School District (UUSD) Board of Trustees approved developer … Read more


The Financial Benefits of Home Ownership

Last week, I wrote about some of the tax benefits that come with home ownership. Here are more ways to maximize the financial benefits of home ownership. Home Equity Line of Credit If the market value of your home is significantly greater than the amount you owe on your home loan, you may be able … Read more


The Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

Home ownership comes with many benefits, including tax advantages. Here are a few ways that owning a home can save you money. Mortgage Interest Deduction When you take out a loan to buy your house, you get a deed of trust (mortgage), requiring you to make monthly payments to a bank or other lender. Usually, … Read more


An Expensive Calamity

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