Working with a GC 11/18/2017 Based on my (and other friends') experience working with General Contractors (GC's) here's what I'd recommend: Paying the contractor only after milestone are met: In our case, we made sure that the % of the work paid for was always less than the work created I heard too many horror stories of contractors running away with money and an unfinished project Micromanaging the contractor on a weekly and daily basis: Unfortunately, GC's are stretched thin and need close management to keep your project
Based on my (and other friends') experience working with General Contractors (GC's) here's what I'd recommend: Paying the contractor only after milestone are met: In our case, we made sure that the % of the work paid for was always less than the work created I heard too many horror stories of contractors running away with money and an unfinished project Micromanaging the contractor on a weekly and daily basis: Unfortunately, GC's are stretched thin and need close management to keep your project
What you need before you start your remodel 11/05/2016 Most homeowners and contracts prepare to work on a remodel together - but from firsthand experience, I have to say that there are a few items that homeowners should have before the renovation begins. Some sound advice on a successful remodel Tips for maintaining a good cadence on a remodel Pick your fixtures. Pick your what? That's right, fixtures can change everything! Most folks who start on a remodel already know to work on the overall design of the house/bathroom/kitchen, etc. They
Most homeowners and contracts prepare to work on a remodel together - but from firsthand experience, I have to say that there are a few items that homeowners should have before the renovation begins. Some sound advice on a successful remodel Tips for maintaining a good cadence on a remodel Pick your fixtures. Pick your what? That's right, fixtures can change everything! Most folks who start on a remodel already know to work on the overall design of the house/bathroom/kitchen, etc. They
Prepping to buy a house 11/20/2017 Thinking about buying a home? Here are a few financial things to get in order Get Pre-approved by a lender: Usually W-2s, Last two paystubs are enough to get pre-approved Note 1: It doesn't matter which lender you get pre-approved with. You can get your mortgage with another lender Note 2: You can ask the lender to give you a pre-approval letter with the amount that you plan to make an offer with. That way you aren't' sharing with the seller the maximum you can afford and have that used against
Thinking about buying a home? Here are a few financial things to get in order Get Pre-approved by a lender: Usually W-2s, Last two paystubs are enough to get pre-approved Note 1: It doesn't matter which lender you get pre-approved with. You can get your mortgage with another lender Note 2: You can ask the lender to give you a pre-approval letter with the amount that you plan to make an offer with. That way you aren't' sharing with the seller the maximum you can afford and have that used against
How to find a fantastic general contractor 11/20/2017 How do you find a good contractor to work with for a remodel? Unfortunately for remodeling projects which start in the six figure range and can last up to a few years, it's a long and drawn out process. Here are the steps we took: Step 1: I gathered as many leads as possible: Most helpful sources of leads: Golden Mothers Group, where over 4,000 moms in SF share advice, and tips about anything. As they say: "Mom knows best" :) Co-workers & friends who have done remodel projects Walking
How do you find a good contractor to work with for a remodel? Unfortunately for remodeling projects which start in the six figure range and can last up to a few years, it's a long and drawn out process. Here are the steps we took: Step 1: I gathered as many leads as possible: Most helpful sources of leads: Golden Mothers Group, where over 4,000 moms in SF share advice, and tips about anything. As they say: "Mom knows best" :) Co-workers & friends who have done remodel projects Walking
SF Housing Market Trends October 2017 11/20/2017 If you've been tracking the news at all, you've likely gleaned that SF Prices are at a historical high: The market: The median price in SF of a Single-Family Home is now $1.38MM (Oct 2017), up 10%Y/Y Only 13% of households can afford the median house price Prices are up 74% over the last five years Key drivers: Unemployment is near all-time lows The S & P 500 index continues to roar, giving more tech buyers the cash to buy Mortgage Rates remain near historical lows Supply is the lowest that
If you've been tracking the news at all, you've likely gleaned that SF Prices are at a historical high: The market: The median price in SF of a Single-Family Home is now $1.38MM (Oct 2017), up 10%Y/Y Only 13% of households can afford the median house price Prices are up 74% over the last five years Key drivers: Unemployment is near all-time lows The S & P 500 index continues to roar, giving more tech buyers the cash to buy Mortgage Rates remain near historical lows Supply is the lowest that
Cash-Out Refinance vs HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan ? 11/20/2017 How do you tap into your existing home's equity to pay for a home remodel, purchase another home, consolidate debt or save up cash for a rainy day? This is valuable for many Bay Area home buyers who have been fortunate enough to own a home during the recent economic boom. There are three common ways that banks offer buyers - or a cash-out refinance, a HELOC(Home Equity Line of Credit), or Home Equity Loan. Cash-Out Refinance: What is it? This is an entirely new mortgage loan where you
How do you tap into your existing home's equity to pay for a home remodel, purchase another home, consolidate debt or save up cash for a rainy day? This is valuable for many Bay Area home buyers who have been fortunate enough to own a home during the recent economic boom. There are three common ways that banks offer buyers - or a cash-out refinance, a HELOC(Home Equity Line of Credit), or Home Equity Loan. Cash-Out Refinance: What is it? This is an entirely new mortgage loan where you
