I recently received an email from a reader asking about how to deal with a big, corporate landlord in another state giving smaller, more responsive landlords a bad name. Unfortunately, there are bad apples in every profession, be they police officers, teachers, lawyers, politicians, and even real estate agents. Having...
The pandemic has put many people in the mood to renovate their homes. Between spending way more time at home and not being able to spend money on traditional entertainment such as travel, sports, shows, and fine dining, homeowners are wondering whether now is the time for that new pool,...
As if historic droughts, seasonal wildfires, and a pandemic aren’t enough, pests have decided to join the fray. Rodents have come in from the less inhabited parts of Mendocino County to take advantage of all the food, water, and shelter humans have to offer. I know this because until recently, my...
I recently ran across an interesting article about some of the challenges millennials face when it comes to buying their first homes; one of the biggest challenges is their own misconceptions about what it takes. Millennials were born in the 1980s and early ‘90s, so they are mostly in their 30s...
If you’re thinking of buying a house (or a car, or a business, or anything else that requires a loan), be aware that lenders will use your credit score to determine whether to make the loan, how much to lend, and cost of the loan. Because credit scores consider so many...
Once people decide to sell their house, they usually don’t want the experience to drag on too long. Here are some tips to sell your house quickly. Some may surprise you. Choose a Good Realtor Although it may seem self-serving to suggest hiring a Realtor as the first order of business, I...
I cannot tell you the number of times people have made agreements with their neighbors sealed with a handshake rather than a contract, only to discover the legal value of a signed agreement. I know it can be awkward to ask a neighbor to put your friendly agreement in writing,...
For years, Mendocino County Realtors have had to explain to clients why their pricing recommendations don’t match the ones on Zillow. Countless sellers have said, "Wait, Zillow says my home is worth $500,000. Why are you only saying $450,000?!” The answer is simple. Zillow uses an algorithm. No one from Zillow...
Last week, I shared a few important factors to consider when buying a home for the first time, including getting your finances in shape and saving for the down payment. Home ownership isn’t for everyone, but there are some big upsides, including getting to live in a comfortable home that...
Jumping into home ownership isn’t for everyone, but there are some big upsides, including getting to live in a place that you can make your own, a comfortable home that reflects your style and meets your needs—not to mention the amazing tax benefits. Here are some factors to consider as...
