Keeping It REAL - by Bettsy Tyler

  20 Unique Home Gifts for Every Person on Your List   Every year, it seems the holidays sneak up on us—and every year, that brings with it the dreaded last-minute gift panic. Finding a present that hits all the right notes can be surprisingly stressful, even when it comes to people you’ve known for years.   But have no fear! We’ve lined up a list of unique gifts for every “type” on your list. And since we work in real estate, they’re all centered around home life. From the coffee snob to the sports enthusiast, these presents are the perfect way to bring beauty, function or a touch of whimsy to your loved one’s home this holiday season.    FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN  We all know someone whose kitchen is their happy place—but once all the basics are covered, it can be hard to find the perfect present. These gifts will be a treat for the chef, baker, or food lover on your list, no matter how well equipped they are. 1. The Coffee...

                                                                                The term, supplemental taxes, is confusing. We pay property taxes each month, wouldn’t the supplemental taxes be included in this? No, unfortunately. Supplemental taxes are a single tax on your property when it changes ownership, or has a significant reassessment. It is calculated by taking the difference of the previous appraised value, and the current appraised value. So, if your home was previously appraised at $200,000, you purchase it for $800,000, the difference would be $600,000 and that is what is taxed.     Supplemental taxes never used to be much of a big deal. Houses changed ownership often, and supplemental taxes were minimal. We’re talking, a couple ...

The mid 1950’s was a time of development in California. The small farms and rural communities were fast becoming suburban tracks of the American dream. A family making the median income could afford to buy a brand-new home in a mass-produced suburb on the outskirts of cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The single-family home and suburban dream of 65 years ago became the American housing system. Year after year developments were built with basically similar homes with similar lots sizes surrounded by fences and sidewalks. Yet California has had a housing shortage for decades. Fast forward to 2021. It is not news that California home prices are some of the highest in the nation. Those same suburban homes today require two times the median income to even think about purchasing. They are no longer on the outskirts as cities and businesses sprawled outward. Since the mid 1970’s, when housing began out-pacing wages, many warned that the housing problems would remain...

  Selling your home when you still need to shop for a new one can feel daunting to even the most seasoned homeowner––especially when the demand for new homes keeps rising, but the supply feels like it's dwindling.¹ You're not alone either if you're already feeling drained by the complex logistics of trying to sell and buy a new home all at once.   Searching for a new home can be exciting, but many home buyers admit that it can also be stressful, especially if you live in an unpredictable market with plenty of competitors. Unfortunately, waiting out a competitive housing market isn’t always the best idea either since listings are expected to remain limited in the most coveted neighborhoods for some time.²   That doesn't mean, though, that you should just throw up your hands and give up on moving altogether. In fact, as a current homeowner, you could be in a better position than most to capitalize on a seller’s market and make a smooth transition from your old h...