California is a state which allows personal residences and other real estate up to $1 million to be transferred to family members without having the property taxes increase. The IRS is petitioning to review tax-free California tax-free property transfers in the State Board of Equalization’s database from 2005-2010. Why you ask? Because even though these […]
How to Avoid the California IRS Gift Tax Read More »
Our trusty San Diego Home inspector, Russel Ray, has come up with a baker’s dozen of his most common electrical recommendations His two most recent posts about electricity (“What’s the #1 thing you would do?” and “What color are YOUR circuit breakers?”), several people are interested in common electrical problems around the home. Below are
Common Electrical Problems in your Los Angeles Home Read More »
If you are looking for the ultimate in green roofing for your Los Angeles home, KB Home and Irvine-based Boral roofing are introducing smog-eating tiles. For those Los Angeles homeowners who are concerned about the environment, installing these concrete tiles will help neutralize the smog-forming nitrogen oxides emitted by automobiles and other burning processes. It
Los Angeles Homes Going Green With Smog-Eating Roof Tiles Read More »
If you own Los Angeles rental property the IRS are going to want their share. Even if you are a casual investor in Los Angeles rental property as of the beginning of 2011 any payment made to vendors over $600 must be followed with a 1099. Owners of larger Los Angeles properties have had to
Do You Own Los Angeles Rental Property? The IRS are Interested Read More »
Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector, had a client in March 2010 who called him with an insurance problem related to his water heater. It had been many years since he worked in the insurance industry, but he learned all their secrets. So he told his Clients at the home inspection that if they ever
What Your Los Angeles Homeowners Insurance Does Not Pay For Read More »
You can’t open your windows. A common complaint when the cool fall weather arrives. As cool as Los Angeles fall weather can get! When the complaint arrives in an email or via a phone call, the homeowner is usually concerned about the home having settled, causing things to be out of plumb now. After pulling
Your Windows Won’t Open – A Home Inspector’s Tips Read More »
If you are thinking about buying a home in Los Angeles or you are already a Los Angeles homeowner, there is a way for you to lower your monthly mortgage payments without going the refinance route. Lowering your monthly mortgage payments can be accomplished by recasting or re-amortizing your loan. What is recasting your loan?
Los Angeles Homeowners – Lower Your Monthly Mortgage Payments Read More »
You need to separate what should, must and shall be done as they relate to a manufacturer’s installation instructions. For those of us who actually read manufacturer’s installation instructions for fun, it’s important that we have a legal mind and understand the difference. As an example, the installation guide for Rheem (the manufacturer under discussion)
Do You Need to Follow the Manufacturer’s Installation Instructions to the Letter? Read More »
The attic is not exactly one of the places people frequent often. If they go up once or twice a year that is a lot. That’s why you need someone like a your home inspector to get up there occasionally and really look around. In the picture, you can see some insulation and a metal
Is Your Attic a Fire Hazard? Read More »
Los Angeles homeowners need to take note of the following new law. The danger of Carbon Monoxide , the silent killer, has finally been addressed by the passing of a new law SB183, which will go into effect on January 1st. This law requires that a carbon monoxide detector be put into every Los Angeles
Carbon Monoxide – New Law Comes into Effect January 1, 2011 Read More »
