Patty Takes The Plunge!

I think every Realtor should sell their house and move every couple of years. Before purchasing our current residence, my husband Tom and I moved every 2 to 4 years just for the change and adventure of it. Now, after 10 years in the same house, we are moving again. Going through the process gives me an added advantage in relating with my clients. I can appreciate what they go through with every showing; making beds, cleaning windows, yelling at the kids if they put their backpacks in the wrong place. If you've sold a home before, you know the drill.  I'm not going to sugar coat it, it's hard work. Moving doesn't make it to the top 10 stress causers for nothing. But once we finally made the decision to go through with the move, I am looking at it in a much more positive way, I can see the writing on the wall. There's no waiting this market out. Thinking we’ll come back to yester-years prices anytime soon is naive and unrealistic. So it was either bite the bullet and sell for a price that was lower than we ever thought possible, or wait... and wait... and wait. We decided to take the plunge! Now that we've made the decision, it's actually exciting to see what lies ahead. Change is difficult, but for us, the adventure of a new home, new neighbors and a new lifestyle is something we are looking forward to. 

Do you want to take the plunge? Begin another chapter of your life? Well, I'm here for you with all the empathy one can possess and enough experience to walk you through each step.
                                                                       -Patty


This post can also be found in "Patty's Perspective" Newsletter. If you would like to receive this digital newsletter, please email Patty at patty@pattykeck.com, subject line: Add to Email List.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Law

As of July 1, 2011, California homeowners are required to install carbon monoxide detectors in their home. This law impacts all existing single-family homeowners that have fossil-fuel burning appliances, fireplaces, and/or attached garage. You can purchase them at Home Depot for under $20.00 each.

Unlike fires, carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas and that is why it is so important to install a detector. Like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on high walls or ceilings and on every floor of your home.

If the carbon monoxide detector goes off, you will want to take the following steps:

1) Turn off detector and get everyone outside.

2) Check to see if anyone is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning (i.e. shortness of breath, nausea, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and/or loss of consciousness. It can often be mistaken for the flu).

3) Open windows in home to get fresh air circulating.

4) Turn off all appliances and heating systems.

5) Call an appliance or heating professional to check for a carbon monoxide leak.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers taken from the California Association of Realtor's Legal website.

Q: What is carbon monoxide?


A: Carbon monoxide is a gas produced whenever any fuel, such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal, is burned.  A person cannot see or smell carbon monoxide.  However, at high levels carbon monoxide can kill a person in minutes. In addition, there are well-documented chronic health effects of acute carbon monoxide poisoning from exposure to carbon monoxide, such as lethargy, headaches, concentration problems, amnesia, psychosis, Parkinson’s disease, memory impairment, and personality alterations.


(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 13261.)


Q: What is a carbon monoxide detector?

A:  It is a relatively inexpensive device similar to a smoke detector that signals detection of carbon monoxide in the air.  Under the law, a carbon monoxide device is “designed to detect carbon monoxide and produce a distinct audible alarm.”  It can be battery powered, a plug-in device with battery backup, or a device installed as recommended by Standard 720 of the National Fire Protection Association that is either wired into the alternating current power line of the dwelling unit with a secondary battery backup or connected to a system via a panel.


If the carbon monoxide device is combined with a smoke detector, it must emit an alarm or voice warning in a manner that clearly differentiates between a carbon monoxide alarm warning and a smoke detector warning.
The carbon monoxide device must have been tested and certified pursuant to the requirements of the American National standards Institute (ANSI) and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) as set forth in either ANSI/UL 2034 or ANSI/UL 2075, or successor standards, by a nationally recognized testing laboratory listed in the directory of approved testing laboratories established by the Building Materials Listing Program of the Fire Engineering Division of the Office of the State Fire Marshal of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.


(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 13262.)


Q: How many devices and where do I place them in the home?

A: This new law requires the owner “to install the devices in a manner consistent with building standards applicable to new construction for the relevant type of occupancy or with the manufacturer’s instructions, if it is technically feasible to do so” (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(b)).


The following language comes packaged with carbon monoxide (CO) detectors:

For minimum security, a CO Alarm should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.  The Alarm should be located at least 6 inches (152mm) from all exterior walls and at least 3 feet (0.9 meters) from supply or return vents.

Building standards applicable to new construction are as follows (overview summary only):

• Section R315 et seq. of the 2010 edition California Residential Code (CRC) [effective Jan. 1, 2011] (applicable to new one-to-two family dwellings and townhouses not more than 3 stories and also where work requiring a permit for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding one thousand dollars in existing dwellings units):

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

• Section 420 et seq of the 2010 edition California Building Code (CBC) [effective Jan. 1, 2011] (applicable to other new dwelling units and also where a permit is required for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding $1,000 in existing dwelling units):

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

Q: Are there any penalties for noncompliance with this law regarding installation of carbon monoxide detector devices?

A: Yes. A violation is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $200 for each offense. However, a property owner must receive a 30-day notice to correct first.  If an owner who receives such a notice fails to correct the problem within the 30-day period, then the owner may be assessed the fine. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(c).)


For the complete text of this law click here.

Letter to Buyers

Have you ever found yourself saying, “I wish I would have bought real estate in 1993, just before the market started to recover.” If I had a dollar for everyone who has made that comment to me over the years, I would be smiling all the way to the bank. Instead, I hear the regret and consequence of not acting on such great opportunities.

2011 is offering us the opportunity once again. In my 30 years in the real estate business, only a few times have the stars aligned to make buying real estate as an investment so potentially profitable. Let me give you some facts to support my opinion:

1)      Interest rates are artificially low and a 30 year, 20% down mortgage is still available to investors at a rate below 5%!

2)      Until September of this year, a borrower can obtain a loan up to $697,500, with as little as 3.5% down on an owner occupied property and 20% for non-owner occupied (This is called a conforming loan). After September of 2011, this loan amount will be considered a jumbo loan and the interest rate, credit score requirement and percentage of down payment will all increase.

3)      Prices have dropped to record levels going back almost 10 years.

4)      Construction of new homes has come to a near stand still since 2006. Yet, the need for housing has not slowed down. This deficiency in supply will create a demand in the not so far away future making both rental fees and real estate values increase dramatically, especially in the lower end of pricing.

5)      Are we at the bottom of the market? Probably, but does it really matter? It may drop another 5%, but if interest rates increase even one half of a percent, then your payment will be higher than if you purchased before the inevitable climb of current interest rates.

6)      The pendulum is already starting to swing. Many properties are currently being grabbed up by investors. Buyers who have been waiting to purchase for years are getting off the fence and starting to buy. Last year, my sellers that sold, averaged 16 days on the market and a list to sell ratio of 99.25%. This doesn’t sound like a lingering buyer’s market to me. The good homes are being purchased quickly and at or above list price. However, list price is still way below the value the home was 6 or 7 years ago.

I’m here to take care of all your real estate needs. Whether it’s selling, buying, taking care of your referrals, or simply wanting more information about today’s market, I’m only a phone call away: 760-681-6081.

It’s a good life and a good time to buy real estate.

Patty Keck