Home
Date

Touch, smell help achieve real estate goals

By Bernice Ross, Wednesday, November 24, 2004.

We're closing in on the end of 2004. Have you achieved the goals you set back in January? Did you write down your goals, put them away somewhere and forget about them? If you're not hitting the goals you set, perhaps it's time to try a completely different approach to goal setting.

Numerous research studies have demonstrated the power of putting your goals in writing. Some people believe visualizing your goals will help make them a reality. While each of these approaches has merit, perhaps what you really need is to set some stinky goals instead.

What is a stinky goal?  more...

Property owners fight feds over railroad easement

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, November 24, 2004.

In 1891, the San Joaquin Valley Railroad acquired easements for its railroad right of way. The Southern Pacific Railway later acquired these easements. Later, the Union Pacific Railroad merged with the Southern Pacific.

Menno and Evelyn Toews now own property adjoining one of these railroad easements. In 1994, the railroad abandoned its easement over their property.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...

New tax timeline for real estate exchanges

By Tom Kelly, Wednesday, November 24, 2004.

Deep in the folds of the recently signed American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 – the same law that will allow residents of the seven states that don't levy a state income tax to deduct sales taxes from their federal income tax in 2004 and 2005 – is a subtle yet important change for homeowners who have acquired their principal residence via a tax-deferred exchange.  more...

What happens when minors inherit real estate?

By Robert Bruss, Wednesday, November 24, 2004.

DEAR BOB: My neighbor recently died. She told me her will leaves her assets to her nephews, now ages 14 and 17. They are great boys who looked after her when her husband died a few years ago. I know their parents slightly as they often dropped off the boys who helped with chores around the house and enjoyed spending weekends with their aunt, especially because she was a great cook and had a swimming pool. My question is what happens when minor children inherit real estate? I would like to buy the house from them at market value, just to control who lives next door – Lucy T.  more...

The perfect match for redwood siding

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, November 24, 2004.

Q: I recently had redwood siding replaced on one side of my house. The three other sides are also redwood, which has weathered and grayed. Eventually, they will also need new siding. How do I get the new siding to look like the old siding? What do I use to protect the siding from sun and rain?

A: Unless you want to use paint, it's virtually impossible to match old and new siding.

Redwood, like all woods, changes color as it ages because of ultraviolet rays, the rate at which the wood loses moisture and exposure to weather.  more...