Cutting-edge technology was once a de rigueur residential amenity for any eight-figure listing, along with elaborate home gyms, zero-edge swimming pools and 12-car garages. It’s becoming nearly impossible to find a fridge, toaster or LED light that isn’t Wi-Fi-enabled...
Tips, Advice & Links
Check Occupancy Before Closing
Hat tip to Susie for sending this in! A real estate transaction fell apart just one hour before closing after a shocking discovery involving an alleged squatter at the property. The potential buyers, who had been under contract since March 1, chose to walk away from...
How To Win A Bidding War
Typically, buyers will bid up to 10% over the list price to win. If you really want it, go higher!
Compass And The Future 2
In the post-settlement world where agents are expected to prove their value, Compass will soon unveil a new client-facing portal that it says will streamline the transaction process for buyers and sellers while also helping its agents build more business. The new...
Flood Talk
It never occurs to the experts that higher prices have something to do with the locked-in effect, and that home sellers have to move to where it's much cheaper to make it worth moving. For those who pay cash for their next home, having a 3% mortgage didn't keep them...
Bedroom Closet Myth
Somehow I got on email list of this Bay Area appraiser - and he has good tips: Debunking the Bedroom Closet Myth There’s a widespread belief that a room must have a closet to be called a bedroom. Let me clear that up: in 99% of cases, that’s simply not true. So, let’s...
Lithium-Battery Fires
This is the third garage fire I've seen that was started by lithium batteries! Why are lithium-ion batteries flammable? Lithium-ion batteries store a lot of energy in a small amount of space. When that energy is released in an uncontrolled manner, it generates heat,...
Kitchen Ideas
Newer Agents
It's going to be tough on the newer agents going forward. The commission lawsuit stuff isn't the big concern. Sales are likely to keep dropping, and at the same time the better agents are picking up market share. There aren't enough sales to go around for every...
More Pets Than Children
It was International Cat Day last week! Did you know there are more households with pets than children? These beloved pets are a driver of a major facet of economic activity: home buying. About one-fifth of recent home buyers considered their pet in their neighborhood...