Last week, I began answering a reader’s questions about lease agreements, specifically about the minimum contract a landlord should consider, what should be included in the contract, and whether a contract is even worthwhile. I reviewed all the issues covered in our lease agreement. This week, I’ll get into the addendums we use—some we always use; … Read more
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 fisticuffs to recommend them, especially when the agreement involves an asset worth several hundred thousand dollars. This week’s column is dedicated to answering questions from a reader about how to … Read more
As I’ve mentioned before, to own real estate you must hold title, and the way you hold title affects how the ownership of a property can be transferred and how the property can be financed, improved or used as collateral or taxed. This week I’ll talk about joint tenancy, community property, community property with the … Read more
When I sold my last home, I hired a staging company to arrange furniture and furnishings to show off my home’s best features. I had moved out, so the company brought in furniture and made the place look great. Some estimates say sellers receive an average of $2 in increased sale price for every $1 … Read more
With the arrival of March, the Spring Cleaning bug takes hold of some of us. Might I suggest that while you’re cleaning out your junk drawer and organizing your closet that you also look around to make sure your home isn’t full of accidents waiting to happen. Big thanks to Realty World Selzer Realty Construction … Read more
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer on a budget, finding ways to get the most from your home is a fun, but constant challenge. Here are some tips, thanks to the folks at ThisOldHouse.com and Blog.RealEstateBook.com. 1. Turn a Closet into a Home Office. Simply remove the closet door, take out the closet’s hanging rods, and replace … Read more
Did you know that many real estate companies offer assistance with more than buying and selling property? They also help people buy or sell businesses. Before a transaction can take place, however, a value for the business must be established. The first step in valuing a business is quantifying the value of its assets, including … Read more
I’ve talked in the past about all the ways real estate agents can help you, but I thought it is time to revisit this, and to share the reason I’d choose a realtor over a real estate agent who chooses not to be a realtor. On the selling side, a real estate agent will assess … Read more
I’ve talked generally about saving money by retrofitting your home with energy efficient upgrades, but after reviewing previous columns, I realize I haven’t provided specific details about how to get money back from government entities or organizations like PG&E. So, here goes. The City of Ukiah is offering a rebate for upgrading to energy-efficient bulbs, … Read more