Past Stories
Q: We want to add an outdoor kitchen to our new home. What tips can you give us on this project?
A: Outdoor kitchens make dining al fresco at home more appealing than ever.
Great for gatherings and socializing, having a kitchen and dining area outdoors also eliminates some of the indoor mess and hassle of food preparation ...
Q: We just bought a new house for the first time. What should be our first priorities in updating it?
A: Unless it’s newly built, a new home typically requires a few DIY projects, and really, that’s part of the fun.
Create more space in your garage. Install suspended shelving in that spot between the garage door and the cei...
Q: How can we save money trying to keep cool this summer?
A: When the mercury creeps higher it’s natural to want to ratchet up the air conditioner. But with cooling costs accounting for up to 40% of the average summer energy bill, that’s not the most economic or eco-sensitive solu...
Q: We are considering adding on a patio to our backyard. Will this add any value to our home when we sell it?
A: Depending on where you live, a patio might not be the kind of thing you think about during the cold, and maybe snowy, winter months. But a patio is what many people enjoy on a sunny warm afternoon. It…
Q: When selling a house, when does the tax for “Obamacare” go into effect? How will it be calculated?
A: Always, when considering any real estate move, from buying to selling, refinancing or even planning to rent for a number of years, get your own tax professional and get their advice.
Unfortunately, the mechanics of this tax ...
Q: What is the status of buyer purchasing power now?
A: The buyer purchasing power index (BPI) increased to 6.36 in April 2013. This score is up from 5.05 in March. However, BPI is down from the high scores experienced throughout 2012.
The April 2013 BPI represents a 6.36% year...
Q: We are desperate to buy a new home. Should we lower our standards in this low-inventory market?
A: In low-inventory markets that are now common in many areas of the country, buyers might be prone to jump at a listing they wouldn’t even consider if there were a lot of homes for sale.
This desperate approach to…
Q: As a new real estate agent, what’s the best way to set up a home office?
A: When you first decided to become a real estate agent, were you attracted by the flexible hours and the fact that you wouldn’t be chained to a desk? You, like many others before you, may have decided that working…
Q: Why is a property title search so important?
A: A title search (preliminary report) is important because it reveals if there are any defects in the title to the property. The title search includes any property when a preliminary report is requested. With the preliminary r...
Q: Are prices for homes increasing this year?
Once again, Southern California saw strong home price increases in February as the percentage of absentee buyers hit a six-year record high, and cash buyers remained a dominant force. The six-county Southland saw the median...
