If you’ve dreamed of a sparkling new kitchen and finally open the wallet and make it happen, enjoy it! But if you’re hoping it will add major dollars to the sale of your home, well, time to think again. Buyers want all the goodies, for sure, but remember the adage “the best we can get…
Whether to buy a home or rent one is a pressing question that does not have an easy answer. It is complex, ever changing and one to ponder again and again. The answer will be different for every questioner, as it is dependent on such variables as personal preferences and priorities, availability of different housing…
Last week, we took a look at the most gay-friendly places to live in the U.S. Today we are zooming in to have a look at California, assuredly a great place for gay people to call home. We reviewed The Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) “Equality Index” which evaluated 137 U.S. cities from all 50 states…
In celebration of Pride Month, I’m taking a little excursion around the U.S., breezing through some old and new gay friendly places. This week, a general look-see at the country as a whole and then next, a close-up on our fair state of California. Let’s start with the criteria. What does it mean, exactly, to…
The weather begins to turn warm, there are flowers in the air and millions of people begin to … yes, think about moving. In most states, the real estate market lies dormant for the most part in the cold winter months from November to February, and then – poof – it awakens. The count on…
Many people have an interest in real estate; the ups and downs of the business are matters of general discussion at tables around the country. But how about real estate as a career? What kinds of jobs are out there and how do they measure up against other vocational choices? In this two part article,…
“Go West!” That was the mantra of millions who flocked to California seeking sunshine and the good life. For decades after World War II the population of the state was continually increasing, some 137 percent between 1960 and 2010. But in the last 20 years, the migration has reversed, and more people are now deciding…
Writers love comparisons; if fact we all do. I thought I’d have some fun this week comparing two pieces of property on the real estate market right now: the most affordable and the most stratospheric in price. Of course, there’s a lot in the middle, and a house for every budget. If you thought San…
Amenities, we’ve all heard the word, and we know we want them. But what exactly is an amenity? Amenities are benefits that increase the value of a property. They can be tangible, like a swimming pool, garage and tennis court; or intangible, like a good location perhaps, a great mountain view or proximity to a…
I had a chance this week to sit down with Matt Young and talk about financing. Matt is a loan officer at MDC Financial Services Group and was recognized in 2012 and 2013 as a member of the elite class of the top 1 percent of mortgage originators in the U.S. He knows his stuff….
