Green Real Estate Appraiser

What to remember when considering an HOA property

Posted on November 2, 2016 | Leave a comment

With a homeowner association, people tend to over look the fact that a lot of home maintenance issues are not their problem, in most cases. The HOA is often responsible for all the big items that single family home owners fret about: the roof, foundation, outside of the home, landscaping.

The drawback is that you pay a monthly fee. If you consider how much they take off your hands in terms of responsibility, the fee is a good thing. Another possible drawback is that you will be involved with the HOA to review projects and plans and vote on decisions.

Buyers should review with their agents the reserves in the building as well as the projections for when major systems will need replacement. In conjunction with this, buyers should read all past meetings to see what’s being discussed in the HOA and how they handle issues. Is it a smooth-running HOA or are there issues?

Another item to review is their policies on rentals. These policies are subject to change, and if you plan on renting the place out while you go on a long trip, that may not be possible.

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San Diego-Housing price climb lukewarm

Posted on November 1, 2016 | Leave a comment

Prices grew modestly in San Diego County’s housing market in August, capping a slow summer, said the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices released Tuesday.

Adjusted for seasonal variation, the regional index of home prices was 5.8 percent higher in August compared to a year ago. However, compared to July, the market appreciated by .21 percent, or an annual rate of just 2.5 percent, continuing a pattern that began in June.

Most of the year’s price increases came early in the year, beginning with an annual rate of growth of 12.9 percent in January.

The housing markets of Los Angeles and Orange counties followed a similar path, with prices also increasing 5.8 percent year-over-year in August. San Francisco’s market was strongest in California, increasing 6.7 percent in the same time period.

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San Diego – Soon it will be easier to add granny flats

Posted on October 31, 2016 | Leave a comment

Lawmakers in Sacramento just made it a lot easier for homeowners to build a granny flat in their backyard, which some San Diego leaders think could help ease housing woes.

The legislation from state Sen. Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont, takes effect in January. It was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last week.

“SB 1069 returns more power to homeowners and reins in some of the enormous fees and requirements levied by local agencies,” Wieckowski said in a statement.

Although building secondary units on property for elderly parents coined the term “granny flats,” real estate agents and lawmakers say rent is so high that just about everyone is trying to get in one nowadays.

The legislation says that as long as the granny flat meets current zoning guidelines, the homeowners can avoid having to get a conditional use permit.

Homeowners can get out of providing parking for granny units, which cannot exceed 1,200-square-feet, as long as it is within a half mile of public transit, if they are part of an existing primary residence or in an architecturally and historically significant district.

Local agencies would be blocked from charging connection fees for the granny flats for water and sewer service. Other requirements, such as adding fire sprinklers for small accessory dwelling units even if the primary residence doesn’t need them, are eliminated under the legislation.

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

What to remember when considering an HOA property

San Diego-Housing price climb lukewarm

San Diego – Soon it will be easier to add granny flats

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