No matter how astute you may be, the home-buying process is often a complicated tangle of nerves and emotions filled with expectations, compromise, negotiations, highs, and lows. After all, this is likely the largest investment in someone’s life, both emotionally and financially. Even investors have trouble separating emotion from business when it comes to real estate. That’s why you need an experienced agent who understands the oh-so-critical secondary hat they must wear—glorified therapist. Here are four ways your agent helps …
Month: September 2021
In California, Governor Newsom went from a recall election to signing three of the biggest housing bills in years. It’s action spurred by the housing affordability crisis that has long been the norm in the Golden State. Here’s a rundown on the new laws and my take on them. The New Laws Beginning January 1, Senate Bill 9 gives most homeowners the option to build two homes or a duplex on plots zoned for single homes. In some cases, those …
If you’re buying a home, property taxes have to be on your radar. Even once you’ve paid off your mortgage or never began with one, you’re on the hook for yearly property taxes and the rates vary greatly from state to state. But where do people pay the most? What do property taxes average in your city? Let’s get to it. What’s a Property Tax, Again? These are the fees real estate owners pay to the county (or other local …
Since spring of 2020, we’ve seen five major market movers in San Francisco. Let’s get to it. Unusually High Household Movement Chalk it up to population density, housing and living costs, family and quality of life concerns, or new wealth, but whether the pandemic was the catalyst or not, the work-from-home movement exploded over the last year and a half and many people are betting it’s here to stay. The number of buyers for first homes, bigger homes, and luxury …
Wondering what you need to earn to buy a median-priced, single-family home in San Francisco or its neighboring counties? A new report from Compass looks at that figure, breaks down the median monthly expenditures, and touches on affordability issues in the Bay Area. An Annual Income of $300,000+ Residents in San Francisco need to earn an annual income of $350,000. In San Mateo county, it’s close to $400,000. Compare that to the California average of $150,800. The numbers are up …
Social Profiles