Today's Current News, Opinion & Advice
We talked last month about the potential impact of new Chinese tariffs on the real estate industry, and now there’s another issue that could slow down an important associated industry. “New Chinese tariffs are about to make your home renovation more expensive,” said CNBC. Renovation demand has been growing as homeowners tap their home equity…
Moving is an overwhelming experience. It is difficult to say whether you are excited about the new place or melancholic about the one you are leaving behind. You are trying hard to handle all those jumbled up emotions, along with the stress of getting everything done on time. The last thing you need is the…
There can be some confusion in the minds of the average consumer about interest rates, especially as it relates to the Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, meetings. About every six weeks, the FOMC meets to discuss the current state of the economy with an eye toward the future. One important task is to monitor…
It’s called “The Sand Palace,” but it might as well be called “The Hurricane Miracle.” In a sea—or, actually on a coastline in Mexico Beach, FL—of incredible destruction in the wake of Hurricane Michael, one home stands alone. And it’s this one. “Hurricane Michael tossed cars into the canal, snapped trees in half and carved…
Finding adequate storage is a particularly challenging problem in bathrooms, and not just because they are usually the smallest rooms in the house. Bathrooms have increasingly become the place to store a large and diverse number of items, including bath towels, beauty supplies, toiletries, hair care products, medications, soaps, shampoo, and assorted cleansers. And if…
Finding adequate storage is a particularly challenging problem in bathrooms, and not just because they are usually the smallest rooms in the house. Bathrooms have increasingly become the place to store a large and diverse number of items, including bath towels, beauty supplies, toiletries, hair care products, medications, soaps, shampoo, and assorted cleansers. And if…
A seven-year legal battle about what data can be displayed on real estate agents’ websites has concluded. Now everyone from Zillow to your local sales rep is racing to create the listing site that will attract the most potential buyers. The race to build the best real estate listing website in Canada is now entering…
Q. We live in a homeowner association and I have just been appointed to the architectural control committee. Some of the homeowners do not want such a committee, and many owners just ignore the process when they make exterior changes. Our declaration of covenants requires advance approval before any such changes or additions can be…
A new study of the hottest real estate markets in the country from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Urban Land Institute is out, and it’s topped by Dallas Fort Worth, a region that has experienced extreme growth over the last several years. However, another city on the list caught our eye, and not just because we’re big…
Trees are stuck with you. They can’t run away when you make life tough for them. Trees have no voice and must suffer in silence. The worst thing is that many well-meaning, even tree-loving, property owners unwittingly torture their trees. Whether you inherited trees when you bought your current real estate or you’ve planted trees…
Want to know the hottest trend for home for fall and winter? Look to your fingers. And your wrists. And your neck. Yes, those gems—more specifically, those jewel tones—are inspiring all the looks for home today. “After years of taking our collective home decor in a more neutral direction (we’re looking at you, inoffensive beige,…
So you want to flip a home. Yeah, well, you and everybody else. “Just more than 207,000 homes were flipped in 2017, according to a new report from Attom Data Solutions, which defines a flip as a property bought and sold in the same 12-month period,” said CNBC. “That is the highest number of flips…
Question: How frequently should dryer vents in common wall HOAs be cleaned and repaired? Answer: Dryer vents are the source of fires and water damage (leaks in the ceiling) so should be checked and cleaned at least once a year or when alerted by residents. Surveying the exterior vent openings determines the scope of work…
Here in just a couple of weeks, some important economic data will be reviewed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA. This new data will then impact the new conforming loan limits for 2019. Mortgages are considered either a “conforming” or “jumbo” based upon the amount borrowed. Conforming loans that are underwritten to Fannie…
“What a difference a day makes.” That difference can mean a lot to tenants according to supporters of California Assembly Bill 2343. The bill, which was signed into law by Governor Brown on September 5 of this year, will not take effect until September 1, 2019. It modifies the way in which days are counted…
Small bathroom? It doesn’t have to be short on style. And it doesn’t have to feel like a cave either. Many of the same tips for creating a standout space will also help to make it feel bigger. Cover those walls The old-school wallcovering is back in a big way, and you don’t need a…
In real estate, nothing ever stays the same. In Toronto, the types of condo buyers are constantly changing, says real estate agent Cynthia Goodchild of Royal LePage Real Estate Services, Johnston and Daniel Division. Many buyers are now families or young couples with a baby on the way. They don’t want to rent but can’t…
Newer homes, especially those geared toward first-time buyers, are often devoid of the level of architectural detail you would find in older or more expensive homes. If you’re not a fan of the big, boring box look, you can easily add in some detail to up the charm factor. And, many of these projects can…
Extended warranties offer consumers longer terms of coverage on service, repair and replacement for their home’s appliances than the standard out-of-the-box warranty from the manufacturer. These warranties are highly profitable for retailers, as they can run up the total cost of your purchase by $100 or more, with very few claims being filed per year.…
Smart homes have become a scene straight out of The Jetsons—you can turn on your lights, set your thermostat, close the garage door, and start some music with a single voice command. But the world of smart homes can seem a little daunting if you haven’t set one up before. These simple steps will help…
Planning to deck your house out with ghosts and skeletons and every last one of the pumpkins and gourds in your supermarket’s produce department? If you’re also planning to sell your home, you might want to rethink that strategy. There are mixed opinions on how much to decorate for Halloween—or if you should at all—when…
Q. I am on the Board of Directors of our homeowner association, and as winter is around the corner, we know we will start getting calls from owners to make repairs to such things as the streets, our tot lot, and the community recreational facility. However, we often get requests to repair (or replace) such…
Fall is a popular time to repair or replace a roof because the summer rush is typically over. But selecting the right roofing company can be more challenging than you might think, and with an expense this large and a project this important, making the right choice is critical. “Installing a new roof is one…
Don’t have the resources to purchase real estate on your own? Do what I did, buy real estate with partners. I will have an entire series on this subject soon if there is an interest. We call it “Syndication” and it may be your key to financial freedom and a successful real estate business. Considerations When…
