When it comes to renting a place to live, there are plenty of gray areas regarding who is responsible for what. Here are some points of clarification Condition of the property Legally, the landlord is responsible for assuring the property is livable (legally known as the implied warranty of habitability, which is...
While each rental agreement is unique, the questions landlords ask are often similar. Here are some of the most common questions answered. How can I get the most for my rental? The market will determine the range of what you can charge for your rental. Prices are influenced by the type of...
While each rental agreement is unique, the questions renters ask are often similar. Here are some of the most common questions answered. Are utilities included in the lease agreement? Typically, tenants pay for utilities. While some utility rates are fixed, many are dependent upon use. Having tenants pay for their own utilities...
Most of us have heard the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s true. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are our first line of defense against these kinds of tragedies. With carbon monoxide, they are sometimes our only defense. Carbon monoxide is odorless and...
While each real estate transaction is unique, the questions sellers ask are often the same. Here are some of the most common questions answered. What should I do to prepare my house for sale? First, remove a third of the contents from your house, from furniture to artwork to clothes in your...
While each real estate transaction is unique, the questions buyers ask are often the same. Here are some of the most common questions answered. What credit score do I need to buy a home? Generally, your credit score will not determine whether you can get a loan; rather, it will determine how...
As we look ahead to 2025, we see a number of new laws hitting the books, many of which expand tenant rights. On the face of it, these laws may seem innocuous, but each time a new regulation is enacted, there’s often a cost, though it may be hidden. If...
As of this writing on January 14, fires in the Los Angeles Basin have destroyed more than 10,000 structures (threatening another 52,000+) and burned more than 48,000 acres—and that’s just the Eaton and Palisades fires. As a result, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a moratorium preventing insurance companies from...
This is one of my favorite quotes from my all-time favorite president: “Inflation is as violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber, and as deadly as a hit man.” ~Ronald Reagan Ain’t it the truth?! As the Federal Reserve tries to limit inflation by raising interest rates for banks, homebuyers...
Many renters are under the impression that they can’t afford to buy a house. Some think they need to save a bunch of cash for a down payment. Others believe the monthly expenses are too high. While these assumptions may be true, loan programs for first-time homebuyers can make it...
