As I put together my business plan for this year, I found myself thinking about how effectively we agents disseminate information about the intricacies of the real estate industry. I suspect the answer is often not very well, as many of us forget how much we’ve internalized in our years in the business. I’m going to change that.
One of my objectives this year is to make this industry more accessible, and my value as an agent less opaque to the general public; I will empower you to be more equipped in buying or selling by sharing helpful and lesser-known insights throughout the year.
Ask an Agent: Why do cities change their property taxes?
This fiscal year, the assessors decided to be generous, decreasing our property tax to 1.163%. What’s the logic? Property tax is not static. It can increase or decrease depending on economic and political circumstances. So, while we can’t be privy to the specific contributing factors for 2019, I’m guessing it has to do with our thriving local economy.
The tax assessor’s office base property taxes on the assessed value of your home, but did you know you can contest that? If you feel market value is less than what you initially paid, call me and I’ll share the process.
Speaking of taxes, remember that second installment is due by February 1 and considered delinquent if not paid by April 10. You can pay your property tax online here.
Have a question of your own you’ve been dying to sort out? I’m happy to expound.
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Fixin’ to Get a New Home, a New Home for Fixin’
Maybe we’re just ready to slough off the final reminders of a 2018 whose social climate left something to be desired, but we are seeing a widespread and marked desire to spring clean and start fresh. In keeping with Marie Kondo’s takeover of the cultural zeitgeist (and Netflix) via Tidying Up, here are some renewal and renovation stories that spark joy for us.
Mission-Based KQED Gets an Upgrade
KQED’s 219,000-member public broadcasting station and longtime community staple has hired architects EHDD to completely transform the concrete fortress into an open glass-front beauty with more interior space in an effort to “make themselves more visible to the community and open up about what public media does.”
Fixers to Buy Around San Francisco
As we enter into one of our industry’s two busy seasons, I’ve been seeing a lot of great fixers at reasonable prices. From Victorian gems with admirable backyards like the one above, to more modern models kept in a family for four decades, I’m seeing something for everyone. If transforming a house into something tailor-made sounds like fun to you, let me know and I’ll show you some favorites, and talk to you about what costs and timelines might look like!
Let’s discuss your next project »
The Return of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Great news for everyone who loves a Before and After, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is getting a revamp of its own! HGTV has ten new episodes coming out in 2020, and 100 episodes of the original ABC run to watch in the meantime
January Market Highlights: 2018 In Review
Comparing 2018 to 2017, the median house sales price jumped 13% or $185,000 to $1,600,000—the largest annual dollar increase ever (not adjusted for inflation)—and the median condo price increased by $60,000 to $1,210,000.
