As we hinted about in the previous installment of this series, our client at 440 Meadowlark owned a property that had a value of around $360,000 if it were sold in its present, as-is condition. As you saw from Part One of the “Shabby to Showplace” series, the house was suffering from deferred maintenance, it needed a new roof, and seemed to be the victim of shoddy workmanship from “upgrades” previous owners had made through the years. Our seller was… read more →
A common question in real estate is, “when is the best time to sell my home?” If you’ve ever asked this, there’s a good chance you’ve gotten a variety of answers. For example, some experts suggest that spring is the best season to put your house on the market, since families will want to move during the summer (when school is out of session). Others believe that the winter months are better because there are fewer houses on the market,… read more →
Homebuyers are certainly still feeling the heat as they compete to purchase property in the Richmond Waterfront area — as of April, Richmond waterfront homes continue to sell at a remarkable speed, with condos and townhouses spending an average of only a week and a half on the market. In many cases, these homes receive multiple offers from competitive buyers and close for the price the homeowner wants (if not more). There’s a silver lining for homebuyers interested in Point… read more →
I’m a sucker for “pretty/shiny” things. The Nest Thermostat is both, and I’ve wanted one for a while. I know they’ve been out for a few years, but the first generation wouldn’t work in my home because I have a heat pump instead of a traditional furnace. Lo and behold, v2.0 supports heat pumps and since its introduction last year I’ve been really tempted to get one. Part of the reason I’ve held off is because of an experience I… read more →
Have you heard? Part of California’s Low-Flow Toilet Law took affect January 1, 2014. But does everyone have to swap their old toilet for a new one? The short answer is “not yet.” For now, the law (SB 407 Padilla) only affects those who are doing an addition that increases the square footage of a home by 10% or more, those who spend $150,000 or more on retrofits or improvements, or those who are building a new home. If you… read more →
It’s that time of the year when we all get introspective about our lives, the year that has passed, and the year that is to come. It’s the time most of us make new commitments to things we want, and make “resolutions” to get them. I’m always struck by how many cars are in the parking lot at the gym right after the New Year. I laugh about it, but I also get frustrated by the limited access to equipment… read more →
