By Don Dunning | March 25, 2010
This has been a good day for real estate. First, Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, declared that current, near-zero, interest rates need to be maintained in order to stimulate the economy. That was followed by an announcement that the governor had signed AB 183, providing an additional 200 million dollars in tax credit to California […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | March 21, 2010
Microwaving sponges instead of throwing them away because they contain bacteria and are no longer pristine? Spraying a dry mop with wood cleaner to pick up dust bunnies from your hardwood floors? Creating a home-made disinfectant? These are some ideas from a short San Francisco Chronicle article, “Germ Warfare on the Home Front.” Also see […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | March 17, 2010
Yesterday, while at an inspection of a home I just sold in Alameda, I was told about a “spite house” only a few doors away. Built to “spite” a neighbor, at only ten feet wide, it is the narrowest house I have ever seen. Online research reveals that there are other spite houses around the […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | March 14, 2010
Two years ago, my wife, Sonia, brought home a packet of Pimiento de Padrón seeds from The Spanish Table in Berkeley, my first experience with planting anything from seed. I guess I did something wrong because only two seedlings made it. From those first peppers, we were able to save lots of seeds. With (some) […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | March 12, 2010
After a long career in real estate, I can personally attest to how ineffective and feckless lenders can be in handling their business. But this one takes the cake! An article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal described how a contractor hired by Bank of America mistakenly entered the home of a woman who lived near […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | March 6, 2010
President Obama’s most recent budget proposal, from February, would decrease tax deductions for interest on mortgages, real estate taxes and charitable deductions for married couples earning over $250,000 and singles over $200,000. The tax incentive to own a home began in the U.S. in 1913, at the time the federal income tax was first instituted. […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | March 3, 2010
Want an eco-friendly way to clean countertops? Use half a lemon to scrub and create a paste from lemon juice and soda. How about a green disinfectant? One spray bottle filled with three per cent hydrogen peroxide and another filled with distilled white vinegar will do the trick. Spray either one first and wipe, then […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | February 28, 2010
According to a survey by the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) of 2009 home sales in the state, “nearly three-quarters…sold as a result of financial difficulties.” These included “trouble making mortgage payments, job losses and increases in monthly mortgage payments.” Interestingly, almost half of all sellers owned their homes for two years or less, up […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | February 26, 2010
In November 2009, to pump more life into the housing market, the federal government extended the $8000 tax credit for first time home buyers to April 30th, 2010. In addition, those who have previously owned a home can apply for a $6500 credit. Check the IRS website for answers to questions about the program and […]
Read MoreBy Don Dunning | February 21, 2010
Looking to buy a house is like trying to find a mate; you have to be willing to go through a lot of frogs before you find your prince or princess. Despite numerous changes in the business, one thing has remained constant – too many buyers in this area, either out of frustration or pressure to purchase, settle for much less house than they could have had, or buy a good house, but at too high a price.
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