View from the Silicon Valley

It's getting harder and harder to sell homes today.  Buyers are getting more selective, and mortgage money, while available, is getting more elusive.  So how should you as a homeowner, prepare your home for sale?  If you're smart--and I know you are--you've read my previous blog "Important Tips t...

I'm proud to say that--except for a small period of approximately 15 years--I have been a life-long resident of Sunnyvale, California, and I love the town.  If you're planning to move here, here are some interesting and important facts about Sunnyvale.  (Portions of the following were based on in...

Planning to sell your home this year?  Take note, because the new economy requires changing marketing strategies to obtain the best and highest price for your property.  Follow these simple rules: Rule No. 1:  FIND A COMPETENT REAL ESTATE AGENT! Contrary to popular belief, all real estate agents ...

Okay, I'll admit it.  I may sit at the bar watching the game; and I may attend a Super Bowl party, but I'm generally not a fan of football.  Mostly, I'm at a party or bar for the company and good food, but if I'm watching the telly at all, it is to glance and laugh at the commercials.   THIS year...

Although the new year started over 20 days ago, it seems that Americans have waited until the Presidential Inauguration to really usher in the new year.  Even financial experts spoke of this new year as if it were an extension of 2008, and needed only a new President to really begin.  Well, our n...

It seems that whenever I meet a peer in this industry AND I should happen to mention that I also manage homeowners associations, inevitably the other person would say something like..."oh, goodness, I would NEVER do that! It seems like so much work and for such little pay, and no one really likes...

I spent this morning doing something I've never done in the past--I stayed home to watch the inauguration of the President of the United States.  It's not that I haven't had time to watch other inaugural events, but this was the first time that I WANTED to see it and not just because it marked a...

What we've covered so far...In Part 1, we defined the four (4) different types of homeowners associations or common interest developments and how homeowners are affected by the maintenance for each type of development.  In Part 2, we discussed the governing documents and paid special attention to...

What we've discussed so far...Part 1 covered the four different types of homeowners associations or common interest developments, and we've also discussed some of the important features about each type of community and what homeowners are typically expected to maintain at their cost.  This time, ...

I will admit it...I've lived in a very small real estate knowledge "bubble" for 20 years.  It was a bubble I created, enjoyed and, frankly, in California, I'm somewhat of an expert in the field, so it can be hard to leave the comfort of a well-appointed knowledge jail, but growing requires moving...