Chic vs. Geek: What’s keeping you home?

The pandemic has forced us to adjust to new ways of living – and working – in our homes. What’s one thing around the house that makes it easier?

CHIC (PEARL)

A lot can be said for the simple things like a solid WiFi connection and a good coffee maker, but give me my standing desk any day of the week and twice on Sunday. There’s nothing better for maintaining good posture and circulation while you’re busy staring at a computer screen for up to eight hours a day. These days, you don’t even need to buy the full desk. Most office supply companies sell toppers and attachments for the desk you already have in your home.

GEEK (KEVIN)

I’ll admit it. I’m addicted to soda and fizzy drinks of all flavors, colors, and styles. But I never truly embraced my addiction until the pandemic hit, and I realized we were spending tons of money on sodas and sparkling waters. So I bit the bullet and bought us a Soda Stream. And we will never go back. Not only can I have any kind of refreshing beverage anytime I want it, we’re also keeping thousands of aluminum cans and plastic bottles out of our landfills and oceans.

Chic vs. Geek: New Laws for 2022

A number of new regulations took effect in California as of January 1 that will impact the real estate industry.

CHIC (PEARL)

AB 1466 ensures that any discriminatory and/or racist language will be removed from all real estate covenants, as our industry continues to lead the way in building a more inclusive and respectful world.

Speaking of inclusion, SB 263 will require all real estate agents to complete implicit bias training as part of the license renewal process to help us recognize and take actions to address our unconscious prejudices. 

AB 44 allows real estate agents to use former legal surnames for their business. This is especially important for agents who get married after building their own brand.

GEEK (KEVIN)

You may have heard about SB 9, which streamlines the approval process for property owners to subdivide and create up to four housing units on a single family lot. What you’re not hearing is that the costs are fairly prohibitive for the average owner.

AB 948 requires every real estate contract to include a notice to buyers that the appraisal of their new home was unbiased and directs buyers to file complaints with the state Dept. of Real Estate (aka, DRE).

And AB 633 will prevent the abuse of partition actions in cases of related parties inheriting a property that one of them wants to sell.

Thanks to California Real Estate magazine for the assist with this breakdown. Read the original article here.

Chic vs. Geek: Underwater Properties

With climate change heating up and sea levels predicted to rise, are California buyers setting themselves up for trouble by investing in beachfront homes?

CHIC (PEARL)

As the old saying goes, location is the name of the game in real estate, and that’s especially true here in the Bay Area, with long stretches of ocean and bayfront property constantly in high demand and fetching high prices. But coastal properties selling today could be the victims of flooding and sea level rise related to climate change before the end of a 30-year mortgage agreement. It’s clear from this report that homebuyers understand the risk of going underwater — literally. The question is how you measure the risk against the reward.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Did you know that about 20,000 properties in California alone could face routine flooding within the next generation? You’d think that would be enough to scare buyers away. But we’ve come a long way with technology to mitigate the impacts, like reinforced seawalls and flood control systems, and banks are still willing to finance and insure homes at risk from sea level rise. So the market for coastal properties has remained relatively stable. That could change if floods, fires, and other natural disasters become more regular occurrences.

Chic vs. Geek: Year of the Water Tiger

Happy Lunar New Year! Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger, more specifically, the Water Tiger. So what can we expect from the year ahead?

CHIC (PEARL)

According to the Chinese zodiac, people born under one of the 12 signs tend to emulate the characteristics of that animal, which is why those born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be natural, assertive, and generous leaders. They’re thrillseekers with a courageous streak, but they’re also short tempered.

GEEK (KEVIN)

As you might expect, the tiger sign comes with great strength, and for the Water Tiger, this strength is grounded in their interpersonal relationships, especially among family. If you’re looking for a loyal friend who will stick with you no matter what, look no further than someone born in the Year of the Tiger!

Chic vs. Geek: What to avoid after you sign

So you’ve applied for a home mortgage loan. Want to know what to do – and what not to do – next? We’ve got a few tips to share.

CHIC (PEARL)

Consistency is the name of the game. Be sure to discuss any changes in income, assets, or credit with your lender so you don’t jeopardize your application. Don’t change your bank account, don’t apply for a new credit card or close any credit accounts, and definitely don’t co-sign any loans.

GEEK (KEVIN)

The banks are always watching because money never sleeps. So the best plan is full transparency. Avoid making any large purchases like a car or a major appliance. And if you receive a cash windfall, don’t deposit it into your bank account before contacting your bank or lender.