Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

More and more homeowners are employing smart home technology within their homes.  It may start with a video doorbell or lights and progress to other devices.  The smart-home device market is rapidly growing and Forbes research expects it to grow from $55 billion in 2016 to $174 billion in 2025. The popularity of these high-tech features will require a few additional steps to consider when selling a home.  The seller should determine which items will and will not stay with the sale of the home and identify them in the listing agreement. Confusion can arise when a home's marketing mentions its smart-home technology and is unclear if a piece like the hub, which is easily considered personal property but is integral to the working of the system.  Some might consider it an accessory and others a component. A smart home can contain multiple technology devices connected to the Internet that allow them to be controlled or accessed from computers, tablets or most common...

In a recent article, The Wall Street Journal reported that investors have rarely been this flush with cash.    The economic uncertainty due to the pandemic and the volatility of the stock market has caused assets in money-market funds to increase to approximately $4.6 trillion, the highest level on record according to Refinitv Lipper. The question becomes should an investor be "out of the market" until things settle down or should they seek to find alternative investments to produce satisfactory results.    Even in the middle of this uncertainty, residential rental property has been a stable performer. Rents are continuing to increase along with values.    Investor mortgages are available at 80% loan-to-value at fixed interest rates for 30-year terms.    Most other investments must be purchased for cash or at best, are limited to low loan-to-value loans, at floating interest rates for relatively short time frames. The use of borrowed funds, especi...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties How to Spot Foundation Problems The foundation provides support for your entire house, so keeping it level and in good condition is critical to the protection of the entire structure and the safety of your family. A foundation can become damaged by a variety of problems and natural occurrences. If you notice any of these warning signs, you should have your foundation inspected as soon as possible. Cracks The most glaring sign of a foundation problem is cracking in the foundation, walls or floors. This can be a result of movement in the soil that causes the house to sink. Even if a crack appears small, it can indicate that there is a serious problem. This should be addressed as soon as possible. Settling or Heaving You may notice that the house is settling or sinking on one side. This indicates a significant foundation problem that can result in safety issues. Ignoring even a small ...

 

 

 

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Maintaining Your Kitchen Appliances Being a homeowner can be costly, but some expenses can be trimmed with regular maintenance. Since so many appliances run in the kitchen, it’s one of the best places to start. Here are some of the best ways to keep your kitchen appliances running well so that they last through their normal lifetime, and hopefully beyond: Refrigerator Refrigerators have a life expectancy of 13 years, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Mold should be the main thing to try to prevent the spread of in a refrigerator. This requires regularly removing all food from it and cleaning every corner. Check each week if expiration dates on food have passed, and toss out anything that’s old. On the exterior, clean dust and any debris from the condenser coils on the back, and check and maintain the seals on the fridge. Stove or Oven Gas ranges should ...