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Looking for a house in Oakland? There are surely a lot of Oakland homes for sale. But let’s understand a bit about Oakland before deciding to choose a house in certain area. Oakland has more than 50 distinct neighborhoods across land running from the San Francisco Bay up into the East Bay hills, many of which are not “official” enough to be named on a map. Oaklanders most broadly refer to their city’s terrain as “the flatlands” and “the hills,” which up until recent waves of gentrification have also been a reference to Oakland’s deep economic divide, with “the hills” being more affluent communities. About two-thirds of Oakland lies within the flat plain of the San Francisco Bay, with one-third rising into the foothills and hills of the East Bay range. Which are and what sort of house do you want to choose?

For house styles, it seems that the trend today is toward the more natural styles. We can see that there are more and more houses that use elements such as woods, bamboos, rattan, and any other natural materials, that make them look really cozy with some touches of tropical and rustic feelings. There are surely reasons of course of why the most luxury resorts seem to adopt those natural styles. The most favorite item is wood flooring that is made of real solid hardwood. We can easily imagine that when we see wood flooring we are reminded of nature and its forest. The next favorite items are something like bamboo blinds, rattan furniture, wooden beds, and so on.

I’m thinking about replacing my parent’s home windows since they all look so drafty and shabby. Who would have thought that replacing windows are not as simple as it should be? Here are a few things that we need to consider based on some historical commission that I get from my window installation contractor.

First, we need to consider and reconsider between repair and replacement; there are some historical standard and some conservation issues that we need to consider and consult with the authority. The second one is that we are, fortunately, allowed to put some newer storm windows, as long as the shape and color are still in harmony with overall theme. The third is that, if we really have to replace the windows, we need to decide whether we are replacing with single or double-glazed window sash. Well, the double-glazed is of course much better since it is insulated and has much greater energy efficiency.

Well, anyway, it is quite complicated, considering the fact that there are so many things with so many technical terms that we need to consider. Thus, a very good and reliable window installation contractor can help us a lot with some decisions and the best solution for those decisions.

Everyone knows of St Martin as luxury vacation destination in the world, at least from the magazines, since this is the place where celebrities spend their vacation. Saint Martin is a tropical island in the northeast Caribbean and is divided roughly in half between France and the Dutch. Sint Maarten, the Dutch side, is known for its festive nightlife, beaches, jewelry, exotic drinks made with native rum-based guavaberry liquors, and plentiful casinos, while Saint-Martin, the French side, is known more for its nude beaches, clothes, shopping(including outdoor markets), and rich French and Indian Caribbean cuisine.

It is home to several world-class accommodations, including hotels, villas, and timeshares, many of which are privately available for rent or sale. Many are located directly on beaches and in upscale shopping districts. To find some St. Martin villa rentals is not difficult. Villas pepper the coast, boasting private beaches. Great idea, right! It’s always good to be rich and famous.

Unlike residential real estate which mostly is for residential purpose of the property owners, commercial real estate is property which mostly is used for business purposes or anything that will generate income or revenue. This purpose can be for office, industrial, medical, retail shops, or any other workplaces or business centers.

Like any other property, this commercial real estate can also be in the shape of land, workspaces, industrial buildings, office buildings, or even executive suites, and also can be rented as well as for sale. For some people, this type of property is a much better investment than residential property, since it involves much higher value property and corporate. However, the first installment is also not cheap that not all people can afford to do this kind of investment without further planning.

Are you buying a home? Have you ever bought any other homes before? Here are some tips for the first time home buyer.

1. The first thing you should do is talk to a real estate agent about the home buying process. It should not be a sales meeting and you should be able to find an agent that will agree to meet with you about the basics without having to sign a sales agreement with them.
2. An equally important tip is to get your finances in order before you apply for a mortgage. Order a copy of your credit report so you can check it for accuracy.
3. Next, you should really study the mortgage industry. You need to be able to find the right loan and lender most suitable for your needs. Familiarize yourself with industry terms like debt to income ratio and adjustable rate mortgage.
4. Also, you need to figure out what your wants and needs are. What kinds of amenities are you looking for? How many bedrooms? One story or two story home? You also need to consider the size of the down payment and figure out what you need to do to come up with the money for it.
5. Before you even think about making an offer, you need to consider the resale value. You might plan on being there for a long time, but you just never know. You want to pick a good location that will be attractive to others as well.
6. Finally, make sure you stay on top of things. Any number of problems can crop up at the last minute and delay the purchase of your home. If you aren’t sure about something with the paperwork, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You might think of something that everyone else has overlooked. Purchasing a home is a time consuming task, but it is worth it when you have your backyard barbeques.

Good luck!

Taking into consideration the latest turn over of the housing market there are many consumers that have been left without a home. This is not need to happen to all consumers because with a little assistance and subprime mortgage aid this situation could be avoided. Obviously, it is not easy to get rid of a stressful mortgage, but now there being designed around the country some subprime mortgage assistance programs to help homeowners. There are many such programs which offers assistance especially in the United States. You need to make your own judgment when it comes to dealing such matters.

Finding subprime mortgage assistance is frequently as easy as calling your lender. Due to the costs that are involved when being in foreclosure, your lender will certainly agree to help and avoid this process. If you do not want to get in touch with them they are not able to provide borrowers the needed help for subprime mortgage holders. However, if you decide and contact a representative of your lender they should help you and get you in contact with specialized agencies who can deal with your type of loan. Another option is the lender possibility to offer you his own subprime mortgage assistance program.

There are some consumers which look for help in their local governments, but the programs offered are rare. Because many areas do not have necessary amount of money to solve the problems of all borrowers it is hard to believe that some really sustain these programs. Although the federal government is trying to create some programs to solve the problems with subprime mortgage, because of the government necessities their help is often delivered to late. For this reason, for many consumers there are not many options left.

Therefore, the best solution to find help when dealing with a subprime mortgage is to get in touch with your lender who is taking care of your mortgage. Plus, it is in their benefit that the payments stay firm, and often they are interested in making arrangements and to help you. But if you find yourself trapped in huge problems but still wanting to preserve your home, you could get assistance from your lender as a temporary deferment, or you could divide your missed payments in small amounts and add them in the fallowing payments.

It is important to start and look for help no matter the sort of subprime mortgage you have. This requires some phones to make and to sacrifice some of your time, but in this way you can find the best subprime mortgage assistance programs and which are specially designed for specific features you need . There may be some who have requirements as length in loan, the loan amount, the interest rate paid, that have to be met so that they could give you the help needed. The most important objective is to preserve your home safe and, that is why a little bit of your time in deciding how to get the appropriate subprime mortgage assistance it is worth the trouble.

Learn more about community reinvestment act subprime mortgage crisis and get free tips and techniques on qualifying mortgage subprime plan when you visit Internet’s premier subprime mortgage plan & resources at http://www.subprimemortgageplan.com

When renting out property, there are many different laws that apply to how you manage that property and your tenats. Many of these laws vary from state to state, although they are often very similar. Here are some common questions and answers, specific to California, that you may have as a Landlord.

Under What Circumstances Can a Landlord Utilize a Tenant’s Security Deposit?

The security deposit, determined at the time the unit is rented, may be utilized for several different circumstances. The funds can be utilized to compensate for rent which remains unpaid; damages to the property caused by the tenant may be covered with the deposit money, as long as it does not include ordinary wear and tear; the cleaning of the unit may be deducted from the security deposit upon termination of the tenancy, but this may only be done to the extent of returning the unit to the same condition as when it was rented; and the deposit may also be used to replace any property belonging in the unit which was damaged or the tenant may have taken with them upon moving.

It is also important to note that with the exception of a few local ordinances, the landlord is not required under California law to pay interest on the security deposit when it is returned to the tenant.

When May a Landlord Enter a Unit?

Generally, a landlord must give the tenant proper notice before entering the unit unannounced, attempting to set up a convenient time for a repairs or inspection. However, there are some situations where this rule does not apply. According to the California Civil Code Section 1951.3, if the rent remains unpaid for 14 consecutive days and the landlord believes the unit to be abandoned, a Notice of Belief of Abandonment must be sent to the tenant. If the tenant does not respond, the landlord has every right to inspect the property. Upon entering the unit, the landlord should make note if there are still personal belongings there, if food appears to be fresh, if the electricity and/or telephone services remain active, or if the unit appears to have been vacated. If the unit indeed appears to be abandoned, the landlord has the right to prepare it for a new tenant Additionally, if the tenant remains unresponsive to repeated entry requests, a landlord may enter the unit at any reasonable time (in California during normal business hours) and in a peaceful manner to handle suspected issues within the unit. The landlord may also enter at any time during an emergency situation, such as a gas leak, fire or damage occurring in the unit like a leaking sink or water heater unattended. However, at no time should a landlord enter a unit if the tenant is home and stating the landlord is to stay out. If the landlord suspects foul play or immediate danger, he or she should immediately contact the proper authorities to gain entry.

How Should a Landlord Legally Evict a Tenant?

Tenants may be evicted for a number of reasons, but the property procedures must be followed. Some events, which may cause an eviction, are: nonpayment of rent, lease violations, obvious and purposeful damage, unlawful acts within or upon the premises, and interference with other tenants. Under any of these situations, a three-day notice is all that is necessary to remove the tenants from the unit. The notice must give complete contact information for paying overdue rent; times in which the landlord may be contacted to receive the rent in person; or another location and hours where the rent may be dropped off. If other circumstances apply, such as unlawful acts or severe damage, the problems should be listed in writing within the notice. Any notice must be given to the tenant personally at home or work, or if the tenant cannot be located, mailed to the home address. Notice may also be personally given to anyone at the residence or place of business over the age of eighteen. The notice may also be tacked on the front door of the rental unit as well as mailed as detailed in the Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1161(2)-(4).

Should an eviction be necessary under a month-to-month rental agreement, the landlord only has to serve a written 30 or 60-day notice. This notice does not have to state the eviction reasons. However, an eviction can never be for discriminatory reasons or in retaliation of some sort. A tenant who has been in the unit for only a year or less does not require more than a 30-day notice, but tenants who have resided there longer need to receive a 60-day notice.

If the tenant refuses to move after these proper procedures for eviction have been followed, the landlord should file an unlawful detainer lawsuit in superior court. As a landlord, this process must be followed, as lockout and physically attempting to remove the tenant without proper court guidance, is not legal.

As a Landlord, How Much Notice Do I Have to Give to Raise the Rent?

If you wish to raise your tenant(s)’ rent less than 10% of their current rent, a 30-day notice is sufficient. If the rent is to be raised by 10% or more, then a 60-day notice is required. Before making any type of rent increase, be certain that the building you own is not in a rent-controlled area. If the building is not rent controlled, then theoretically, you can raise the rent to any amount you like, but it is wise to keep in mind that raising it to outrageous amounts for the area may cause you to lose tenants and income. Also, you may not violate conditions of a signed lease during the leasing period regarding rental payments unless a notification of increase provision was included. These provisions are set forth in Civil Code Section 8.27.

In some cities in California where rent control is in effect, the landlord is not allowed to raise the rent more than 5% per year with an additional 1% for electric costs and 1% for gas costs if those are included in the rent payment.

Can I, as a Landlord, Limit or Restrict Pets?

Generally, a no pets rule is perfectly legal. However, as a landlord, you should be careful about service animals. If a disabled person is fully capable of renting one of your units and the layout of the unit does not restrict their use of the same, a service animal should be permitted or you may find a discrimination issue if refusing to rent to them. Also, usually fish or contained pets not hampering or damaging the premises can be allowed, even in the event of a no pets rule. This does not include contained exotic pets. If you do allow pets in your units, the lease or rental agreement should list each pet, and no new or replacement pets should be allowed without your approval. All tenants should be responsible for cleaning up after their pets and accepting responsibility for any damage their pets might cause, or the problems should be noted and the tenant charged for the same.

As a Landlord, How Much Discretion Can I Use in Deciding Who to Rent To?

Naturally, you may use your own personal judgment in choosing a tenant, but you cannot discriminate in any way against religion, group affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, gender, nationality, race, color, medical issues or suspected connections to persons within these groups. Additionally, once you do rent to various individuals, you are not allowed to hold up rules for one tenant that other tenants do not have to comply with based on any of these discriminatory areas.

You are always within your rights to select tenants based on their reference checks, work history, and even credit report. It is always a good idea to perform a credit check on potential tenants to avoid non-payment problems in the future. You may also refuse to rent to someone who insists on having animals if none are allowed in the building and the lease/agreement states the same.

James Mattox is the founder and CEO of WhatsTheRent.com, a completely free roommate search and rental listing website. Find Roommates, apartments, houses, condos and more. Very easy to use, no limits on the number of listings, and packed with renter friendly search features.

It is very important before renting a property to be aware of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Laws vary from state to state, although they are generally very similar. The following guidelines, specific to California, will help you have a successful renting experience.

How Much of a Security Deposit Can a Landlord Charge, and Can They Refuse to Return it When the Tenant Moves Out?

A landlord, under California Civil Code Section 1950.5, is not allowed to charge any more than two months’ rent as a deposit for an unfurnished unit, and three months’ rent for a completely furnished one. If you have paid your rent for each month that you have resided in the property and you wish to move without breaking a lease agreement, you should furnish the landlord with a thirty-day notice as a courtesy. The landlord has to advise you of your right to a preliminary inspection of the unit during the last two weeks before you move out. You should be present for this inspection and the landlord should give you a written list with repairs and expected costs if any are found. You, as the tenant, have the right to make any repairs yourself and clean the unit before you leave. In turn, if the landlord is attempting to charge you with damages or cleaning issues which you did not cause, or which were there when you moved in, you should inform the landlord of such, get any statements from witnesses who know this was not your responsibility, and take pictures before you move out.

You may leave the keys in the unit when you vacate. Also, the landlord must return your security deposit within twenty-one days after the last day in which you resided on their property. Any legitimate repair deductions must be itemized and sent with your refund. If your landlord does not adhere to these rules regarding your security deposit, you may sue in small claims court.

As a Tenant, Can I Be Evicted Without Notice or Cause?

The eviction process is rather complicated and varies from state to state. However, the landlord may evict a tenant for nearly any reason if the proper procedures are followed. Some reasons which may cause you to be evicted even with a lease are: nonpayment of rent, lease violations, obvious and purposeful damage, unlawful acts within or upon the premises, noise complaints, and interference with other tenants. Under any of these situations, a three-day notice is all that is necessary to remove a tenant from the unit. After notice is given, the landlord is required to give you an opportunity to correct the non-payment or the problem, and also give you complete contact information and hours in which to do so. It really does not help to attempt to hide from the landlord so that notice cannot be served, as it can be tacked to the door, dropped off at your place of work, or given to anyone at the residence over the age of 18. If you do not answer the notice and request a hearing to show just cause why you should not be evicted, the eviction will commence and you will be removed from the property. Your landlord must follow proper procedures, but it is possible that if you truly are not complying with the terms of your lease, not paying the rent, or conducting dangerous or illegal activities at the unit, you could face a lockout and removal by the sheriff’s department.

If you are renting without a lease on a month-to-month basis, the notice does not have to state the eviction reasons. It could range from anything to updating the property to a real estate sale, or wanting your unit vacant for another tenant. However, an eviction can never be for discriminatory reasons or in retaliation of some sort. If you have resided in the unit for less than a year, a 30-day notice is sufficient. However, tenants who have resided there longer need to receive a 60-day notice.

If you refuse to move after these proper procedures for eviction have been followed, the landlord will file an unlawful detainer lawsuit in superior court. If you, as the tenant, cannot show that the landlord is discriminating or that the claims are false, you will more than likely face immediate eviction.

Can My Landlord Enter My Home Whenever They Wish?

In a word, no. Landlords to not have the right to simply drop in unannounced without a purpose, or even with one if the situation is not an emergency. Your landlord must make an appointment with you for a convenient time to perform repairs or an inspection of the premises. You do, however, need to comply with this request or after a reasonable period of time, the landlord has the right to enter anyway without your permission. The landlord also has the right to make an appointment with you to show potential buyers the property or potential renters if you are leaving or being evicted. The landlord must provide you with a twenty-four hour notice before entering to conduct normal business, and it must be during normal business hours, not in the middle of the night.

If a landlord is repeatedly violating the set standards and codes for proper entry, you should first confront the situation and ask that this behavior not continue. This may also give you the right to simply move without notice if the landlord repeatedly violates your privacy after being told to stop. Lastly, a lawsuit may be the only remedy in some cases to terminate this type of repeated invasion.

What Can I Do if My Landlord Won’t Make Repairs to My Unit?

In California, Civil Code 1941.1 gives general guidelines as to what a landlord is required to repair. For example, paint colors which you do not like or worn out carpeting is not a reason to demand a repair. You can request a change of these items, but the landlord is under no obligation to do so unless they are clearly damaged. A landlord is required, however, to repair anything that interferes with your daily living capabilities and also items which may endanger your health. A landlord is also obligated to ensure your safety outside of the unit if certain unlawful practices are taking place on the property, such as gang activity or the dangerous and illegal actions of other tenants. Landlords are required to repair or update lighting, structure, appliances (if they come with the unit), any foul odors or pests, trash around the unit which does not belong to you, broken locks, even noise issues.

You should make a list of anything and everything which you feel is the landlord’s responsibility to correct and present it to them. If the repairs do not take place, you should write a letter according to the guidelines of Civil Code 1942 stating that you are moving out due to unhealthy conditions. Make sure to take pictures of anything which you feel should not be left unattended. Take good notes in case you have to appear in court regarding these issues. Also, if you feel the unit violates health and building codes, call an inspector to come out and view the damages. Generally, if you are correct in that items need attention, the landlord will be given a citation for repairs to be made within 30 days or face severe penalties and fines. You can also make some repairs yourself, but be certain to keep a valid repair list noting what the issue was, where it was located, when it started, how it impaired your living conditions, and what you paid to fix it. You may not immediately withhold rent for repairs, but if the situation becomes bad enough and is considered not habitable and illegal due to the infractions, you may then do so. At times, it may be necessary to sue your landlord or ban together with other tenants suffering the same circumstances and file a joint lawsuit to force the necessary repairs and upgrade of living conditions.

Can the Landlord Raise the Rent Anytime They Wish?

If your lease doesn’t give provisions for rent increases and states a monthly rental rate for the period of the lease, the landlord cannot usually alter that arrangement. However, if you rent on a month-to-month basis, your landlord can raise your rent less than 10% with a 30-day notice or 10% and up with a 60-day notice. When a landlord does not give proper notice for a rent increase, the tenant usually doesn’t have to pay it right away until proper notice is given, but it is very important to continue paying your old rental amount on time.

The landlord cannot raise your rent to force you out for discriminatory reasons or in retaliation against you for asking for repairs or making legitimate complaints about the unit or other tenants. You can refuse to pay the increase if you are certain that it has occurred in this manner. You should also contact the housing authority and file a report detailing the situation before your landlord takes action, such as an eviction notice, against you for non-compliance.

If you live in a rent-controlled area, then the landlord must abide by the control guidelines before raising rental fees. Several cities and areas have different rules, so it is always wise to contact your local housing authority when you are presented with this type of notice.

James Mattox is the founder and CEO of WhatsTheRent.com, a completely free roommate search and rental listing website. Find Roommates, apartments, houses, condos and more. Very easy to use, no limits on the number of listings, and packed with renter friendly search features.

Seniors real estate listings, through duly licensed real estate agents are the best way to go if you are selling or buying property! After making this statement, let’s paint a real life picture and see why this is the best path to follow.

It’s amazing the variety of free advice you’ll get when you announce you’re going to sell your house in the open real estate market.

Your next door neighbor will tell you to stick up a for sale sign, and in time a buyer will stumble onto your door step. The flip side of this sage advice is to throw an ad in the local shoppers newspaper and your phone will ring off the hook

The rationale behind all of such counsel is really sincerely given and altruisitic in nature! Accompanying this advice are tales of miraculous profits made by legendary senior sellers who went agentless.

Your neighbor had heard about these Robin Hoods down at the barber shop. Seniors who actually sold their property this way.

Don’t scoff at them! Your would be advisors are simply trying to save you a few percentage points off the sale price that would go to a real estate agent.

And you know what real estate agents are like, they say with a wink and a nod. An agent will drag your real estate listing out until Rip Van Winkle goes back to sleep.

Okay, let’s identify real estate agents!

1. They are men and women in good legal standing in the local community. If they had a criminal record of even a minor nature they would never receive an agent’s license.

2. They had to attend a legally specified number of hours of real estate training at an accredited real estate school.

3. They had to pass a state administered test and investigation to acquire a real estate license. This enables them to practice their profession within the state.

4. They had to then work under the administration of a licensed real estate broker.

A very wise man once said that it only takes an hour to learn how to operate an automobile and get a drivers license. But it takes a life time of experience to learn how to drive a car safely and live through it.

A real estate agent, newly minted license in hand, is authorized to practice the business. But he/she will spend countless more hours and days studying. They will need hands on understanding of the intricacies of marketing the transfer of property within their areas.

First they must grasp the world of real estate marketing. They will then immerse themselves in the details of legally transferring the ownership of property under their direction.

There is much more to buying and selling property, than just being a senior, and putting up a sign or placing an ad in a newspaper.

A licensed real estate agent will give you the entry into the wonderful world of the MLS. The Multiple Listing Service. Your property, once it’s listed on the MLS will be seen by the eyes of thousands of real estate agents and brokers.

A prospective buyer for your listing may already exist and be represented by another agent. Your agent will be contacted and a sale may be in the offing. Don’t concern yourself with tales of taking a long time to make a sale.

Be an informed senior, and understand that your real estate agent won’t be paid until your property sells and clears escrow.

Your agent wants to sell your seniors real estate listing just as much, and as fast as you do. They will do everything possible to make the sale happen quickly.

Raymond Angus is a widely read author of articles and books. He writes about fellow seniors and their world. To read more of his writing visit: http://www.theseniorslife.com