Chic vs. Geek: Non-Contingent Offers

Contingent offers have been on the rise of late, indicating an increase of buyer power. But sellers still have the leverage to accept non-contingent offers. So what do buyers and sellers need to know?

CHIC (PEARL)

First and foremost with a non-contingent offer, a buyer may risk losing their deposit or paying other damages if they decide not to purchase after the offer is accepted. The buyer also loses their right to an inspection contingency, which could uncover issues that need correcting but become the buyer’s problem. The good news is that even with non-contingent offers, buyers have the right to cancel an offer if the seller does not provide a Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) beforehand or the TDS is updated or modified during the transaction.

GEEK (KEVIN)

It may be tempting for a seller to accept a non-contingent offer in order to have a quick turnaround, but there are plenty of snags that can get in the way. For example, it’s wise to verify if the buyer has the funds to make the down payment or buy the property outright. There’s no guarantee the buyer can get a loan or that an all-cash buyer can come through. And buyers who feel powerless in the purchase process are more likely to file claims and disputes that could hold up a sale for months, or worse, force you to take the property off the market entirely.

Chic vs. Geek: Homeowner’s Title Insurance

When you buy a home, Santa Clara County and most jurisdictions require you to purchase an insurance policy on your title, aka homeowner’s title insurance. While it may seem like an additional burden, you never know when you’re going to need it, and it’s important to know what it covers — and what it doesn’t!

CHIC (PEARL)

Even after your real estate company conducts a title search and explores all the publicly available details about a property, there is still a risk that new problems will arise. Title insurance can provide you with security against things like ownership claims from other parties including undisclosed heirs, flawed public records, false signatures on documents, including fraud and forgery, outstanding liens and lawsuits, judgments or encumbrances, and unrecorded easements or other restrictive covenants that reduce a property’s value.

GEEK (KEVIN)

As you can see from Pearl’s take, title insurance covers a lot, but it isn’t cheap, so it’s good to know where it comes up short. You won’t get any protection against infestations from termites and other pests, mold and mildew, fire or weather damage, underground fuel tanks (this comes up more often than you’d think), or any issues not caused by the previous homeowners. Depending on your location and the insurer, fire and storm coverage may be included in your homeowner’s insurance policy or offered as an add-on.

Have you updated your iPhone lately?

Last week, Apple went public with a warning to iOS and macOS users that a security flaw uncovered by an anonymous researcher could let hackers take control of their devices. Mashable looks at what Apple is doing to fix the bug.

Chic vs. Geek: What’s on your summertime bucket list?

It’s less than two weeks until Labor Day, and that means we only have a few fleeting moments left to savor the hot sunny days and abundance of opportunities for summer fun. So what’s on your agenda for this weekend?

CHIC (PEARL)

Since we’ve been stuck at home the past two years, I’ve become obsessed with bringing the great outdoors to our own backyard, and this list of “glamping” essentials from the Skimm really hit home. Maybe the Geek will invest in an insulated blanket if I get him the campfire beer caramelizer!

GEEK (KEVIN)

I’m all for a backyard camping adventure, as long as I can bring my grill. Give me a charbroiled burger, a seared steak, a crispy chicken breast, a blistered bratwurst… But it doesn’t stop with meats. Did you know you can grill dips and salads? Bon Appetit has those and 90 other recipes.

Geek's Number Talk: ADUs raise property values

According to a new analysis by Porch.com, ADUs are becoming a trendy response to the housing affordability crisis in California and the Bay Area. As of 2019, there were 1.4 million homes with an ADU nationwide, and that number is growing by 100,000 per year.

One reason for the rise is the impact that ADUs have on property values. Across America’s largest cities, homes with ADUs averaged 35% higher prices than those without. But with the average cost of an ADU in the range of $180,000 — and as much as $400,000 in the Bay Area — it may not make dollars and sense for you.

Learn more from the National Association of Realtors and contact us for a consultation.