- Tom Brezsny

Find Out About the Fire Insurance Crisis

January 30, 2023I know I’ve been barraging you with mundane topics like septic tanks lately - heavy on the business end of homeownership and light on the warm and fuzzy of “home” itself.  But hey, homes are our largest assets so it makes sense to pay attention even when it’s about things you’d  rather not think about.   I’m constantly struck by the amount of detail the average homeowner has to keep track of in order to be a “responsible homeowner.” The influx of new rules and...

- Daniel Wolford

Why is it important to have a complete disclosure package when going on market?

January 28, 2023Why is it impossible as a seller to have a complete disclosure package before putting your home on the market? It’s important because as the seller you want to control the information and leaving out important inspections or not looking ahead at what a buyer could find during their contingency period leaves yourself vulnerable to a buyer getting an inspection and using that inspection as leverage to negotiate the price down. As a seller, the goal is to get a non-contingent offer and having a...

- Daniel Wolford

What is a disclosure package?

January 25, 2023Are you selling your home and wondering what a disclosure package is? A disclosure package is a set of documents that provides information about the condition of your property and any known issues or defects. These documents are typically provided by the seller to the buyer as part of the home-buying process. The specific contents of a disclosure package may vary from seller to seller, but common items included are information about the property's history, any repairs or upgrades that have been made, and any...

- Daniel Wolford

How to create competition

January 24, 2023How do you create competition to get the highest possible price when you’re selling your home? With the right realtor by your side they’ll help you prepare your house so it is the shiniest house on the block, they’ll strategically help you price your home and they’ll use the latest technology to market your property. You only get one opportunity as a new listing and capturing that momentum is crucial to your outcome. And I’m Daniel, your friend in real estate. Continue reading How to...

- Tom Brezsny

REOM Speaker Series ADUs

January 23, 2023I know I’ve been barraging you with mundane topics like septic tanks lately - heavy on the business end of homeownership and light on the warm and fuzzy of “home” itself.  But hey, homes are our largest assets so it makes sense to pay attention even when it’s about things you’d  rather not think about.   I’m constantly struck by the amount of detail the average homeowner has to keep track of in order to be a “responsible homeowner.” The influx of new rules and...

- Dax Nollenberger

Dax’s Data: Was 2022 the Year of Doom & Gloom?

January 23, 2023Much can change in 12 months, can’t it? 2022 was a wild year. From a global (news) perspective, this year brought much pain. From a war in Ukraine to financial strains to record-breaking heat waves and a continuation of a global pandemic. The impacts of COVID and the fiscal policy that followed it were felt in the form of inflation surges throughout the world. Nationally, tightening interest rates by the Federal Reserve has slammed the breaks on a previously overheated economy and resulted in continuous...

- Daniel Wolford

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a Kelley Blue Book for your homes value?

January 19, 2023Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a Kelley Blue Book to tell us what your home is worth? That’s the million dollar question. Realtors will use comps to help determine a baseline price of your house but it’s not REALLY about the comps, it’s about the COMPETITION! When buyers have to compete for a house, that’s when the magic happens and you’ll get the highest possible price. And I’m Daniel, your friend in real estate. Follow @livinginsantacruz for more home ownership and real estate...

- Daniel Wolford

Have you seen all those Cash Buyer Quick Close Ads?

January 19, 2023Have you seen all those all cash quick close Buyer ads? Sounds intriguing right? But not so fast! Here are 3 reasons why it's not in YOUR best interest to accept that offer! 1. They will advertise it’s convenient for YOU because you won’t have to deal with getting the house prepared, hold open houses, or pay realtor fees. But what’s the catch? The catch is those people want to buy your home for less, and THEY make the money when you could have made...

- Tom Brezsny

About Septic Systems

January 18, 2023Time for a quick show of hands...how many rural homeowners out there have the faintest idea what shape their septic system is in? If you didn’t raise your hand you should read on… Septic tanks aren’t exactly the kind of warm and fuzzy faire you look forward to reading about over coffee on Saturday morning. Most of us would prefer they stay out of sight and out of mind forever.  As long as we can flip a switch, turn on a faucet or flush a...

- Daniel Wolford

Why don’t more neighbors buy their neighbors house?

January 18, 2023Are you a homeowner and told your neighbors you’re thinking about selling and they showed interest in purchasing your home? I’ve heard this countless times but why doesn’t the neighbor end up buying your home? 1. The neighbor fantasies about getting a deal. Without other people (the market) knowing the house might be sold they can fantasize about owning the home right next to theirs, take the fence down in the backyard and have a “bigger lot” size, and have a family compound. 2. The...

- Tom Brezsny

Homeowner Education Series

January 17, 2023Thinking back over the years, there’s probably one question that I’ve been asked more often than any other question - by a wide margin. It usually comes out of the blue, when a homeowner or a homebuyer quietly sidles over and innocently asks: “Do you mind if I ask you a stupid real estate question?” That’s code of course, shorthand for: “Hey, I’m a little uncomfortable asking but you do this for a living and I’m hoping you’ll share a little bit of your expertise.”...

- Terry Brezsny Ballantyne

Appliance Check-ups!

January 9, 2023This holiday season I impressed my very non mechanical self with DEEP cleaning my dryer filter. One quick YouTube video for my Electro Luxe brand and I was off and running with a phillips head screwdriver. My clothes were just taking too long to dry! I felt so proud! And my dryer is performing great now! Simply changing the lift out lint filter is not enough. From there I tackled my Shark small hand vacuum that was not staying on. Turns out it has an...