What to blog about? Here's 20 ideas from my Local Radio Show

The Redevelopment Director for the City of Santa Rosa or YOUR town. Conversation on how the City can add to the housing stock with affordability as the key point. Reducing overall permit and impact fees.

Here in the greatest state of California we now have a ADU ordinance which local cities and counties are grappling with—Auxiliary Dwelling Unit or “grannies” as we call them. One way to assist in affordable housing—but the city and counties need to NOT be obstructionists. Your area?

Trust, Estates and Probate—we chop up the hour and speak 1st segment on why you need a trust, life estates, then talk about stepped-up basis and which say to take title. Lastly probate

We have also just had attorneys on to discuss how to take title and which is the best way to make sure all parties are getting their just share.

Alternative lifestyles need representation on purchasing home. Boy and girls friends are buying more than ever, Gay couples, Gay couples with children. Complicated. Pre-nuptials

We have a few guests on regularly—Tom Havstad a great Permit Consultant monitors the shenanigans of the local PRMD (Permit Resource Management Division—the building department!). How to wind your way through that building department maze!

County Assessor’s office just came on to discuss how the tax roll is trending. California has Propositions 60 and 90 which allows inter and intra transfer of your old, cheap Proposition 13 tax base. Certain tricks and requirements to do it correctly. Save’s your seller thousands—great “drop-by” item.

Cannabis the “M” word is not used very much! (Marijuana)—cultivation, where in the county, which land will allow it. Impact on disclosures to home buyers in areas. We have our Megan’s List of child molesters—another now for cultivation? Is it legit yet in your state? Stirrrings of a movement to legalize!?

Disclosures, THE biggest issue in real estate. We have attorneys who come on to explain when and how and what to disclose. Neighborhood hearsay? What counts as an item to disclose

Sr. Living and aging in place. BIG time issue in our County of Sonoma. Biggest demographic 55+. Our lack of inventory can be chalked up to the boomers hunkering down. We’ve had carpenters come on who specialize in installing safety “bars” plus lowering counters to wheelchair height, etc.

Since we are in a primarily agricultural area we also talk about surveying properties, what to do with the neighbor who insists his barn is NOT on your property line. Water rights, tasting rooms, event centers, etc.

Septic System installation, repair and percolation testing for a new home. State of California just instituted a standardized (one wag stated bastardized!) on HOW to repair an aging system. If you are in an area with a high water area table repair is no longer viable and what would have been a $5,000 bill is now $40,0000 to $50,000 for a new “mound system”. Just what IS a Mound System is also discussed.

First week of the month I do a thorough market study of Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties; Solds, Median Price, Under Contracts, Inventory, New Inventory, Days on Market, Month’s Supply of Inventory.

2nd week of the Month—the $1,000,000 report—same three counties but homes in excess of 1 Mil. I break it down into segments $1-2Mil, 2-$3, etc. Ultra luxury is over $5,000,000.

Vacation Rentals, VRBO, AirBNB—what cities allow in the County. Where does the County allow them. Cost to build, income potential. Always a big favorite.

During the big REO market I had the VP of West Coast REO from BofA discussing this crazy market and short-sales approvals and procedure. Also had Ivan Choi when he was at BofA/Countrywide—great guest!

I’ve looked at the Mexico market from the stand point of retiring, how to live there, buying a property, living within the culture. What areas are attractive or nearby your state for those expats!?

Also, have had investment shows highlighting a much more affordable area in the states. We have property in Georgia. Cash flow heaven!

I’ve had County Supervisors on the show discussing the need for more affordable housing and what the community can do about it.

1031 Exchanges—I had an absolutely superb 1031 expert on my show many times. One of the few times I had the show professional videotaped. We broke it down into 4 segments and it is STILL on you-tube. I liked it so much 5 years later I taped it again—both shows on still on You Tube. My expert with OREXCO retired though. Need to bring her assistant who took her place onto the show.

 Whew! I’ve been doing my radio show for 20+ years and I could go on with another Also, last thing—as a Bee Keeper I explain those wasps and yellow jackets are NOT bees!