Debbie Brodie’s Chico Real Estate Blog

Title companies have long provided information of public record to Realtors and homeowners at no charge. No more, according to this update from the California Association of Realtors. 

My concern: without easy access to this information at the time of listing a property, buyers and sellers will find more errors and surprises after a price is negotiated.

A Preliminary Title Report will still be  generated during escrow, at a cost. Now there may be a cost for the information generated prior to an escrow.

Effective immediately, title companies may be eliminating much of the information they provide on property profiles.  The California Department of Insurance recently issued a letter taking the position that title companies may only give the following information on property profiles:

• Names of owners of record of a specified real property;
• Description of real property; and
• Property characteristics as defined under section 408.3 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, which means year of construction of improvements, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, number of units, acreage, and other attributes or amenities (such as swimming pools, views, zoning classification or restrictions, and use code designations).

REALTORS® will likely encounter a title company’s refusal to provide free of charge any other information, such as recorded documents, sales comps, tax bills, or demographics.  This type of information is still available through other sources, such as county recorder’s offices, tax assessor’s offices, and governmental and public record websites and private services for a fee.  

Clients may also have their own copies of some of the documents. 

It seems everyday I drive to work one more roundabout shows up on the route. Yesterday, an older gentleman attempted a left turn in a roundabout by driving the shortest distance. He went left. Makes sense, right?  But no, in a roundabout, you would go right to go left. Well, right, then curve left, then go right onto your destination street.

It will take some gettting used to.  I have seen a few extra car parts on the road to prove that not everyone is getting the hang of it yet.

Tips for motorists navigating roundabouts
Taken from the Department of Motor Vehicles’ California Driver Handbook

When you approach a roundabout:

• Slow down as you approach the intersection.
• Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the roadway.
• Watch for signs and pavement markings that guide you or prohibit certain movements.
• Enter the roundabout when there is a big enough gap in traffic.
• Drive in a counterclockwise direction. Do not stop or pass other vehicles.
• Use your turn signals when you change lanes or exit the roundabout.
• If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to your exit.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wondering if a Short Sale might be an option for you? You are not alone. With the changes in real estate values over the last few years, many people want to know what options are available if they need to sell their home.

Even in Chico, where values have decreased far less than other areas in California, homeowners are underwater.

The California Association of Realtors has a question and answer page that is well worth printing out and reading if you are in this situation.

The good news-short sales are going to be getting easier over time. The banks are getting incentives from the Obama administration to work with homeowners and avoid foreclosures.