Brian Ripp's Blog

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Real Estate Broker/Owner - Legacy real estate - CA BRE#00886348
RECENT BLOG POSTS
The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced a simplified loan modification initiative that is intended to help troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.  Beginning July 1, 2013, lenders will offer eligible borrowers who are at least 90 days delinquent on their mortgage an eas...
07/03/2013
Making exterior improvements to your home before putting it on the market will draw more potential buyers once it is listed.  This is known as improving your home’s ‘curb appeal’, and because first impressions are important, it may help ensure a quick sale.  But the first thing you need to do is ...
05/15/2013
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If you’re wondering where all your money goes, you’re not alone.  Financial services company along with credit card management advisors surveyed more than 1,300 working people on their spending habits during the summer of 2012.  Here’s some of what they discovered: Rent/mortgage payments were cit...
03/29/2013
If you are carrying mortgage insurance on your home loan, you may be wondering how long you will need to maintain this policy.  Although you have some say in the matter, typically your lender determines how long you will be required to carry this coverage. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is desi...
03/23/2013
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Tile is a durable, versatile addition to any home.  But even the toughest tile can get spots and stains from time to time.  Here are some ways to clean your tile: Remove mildew and make tiles sparkle by sponging with a solution of ammonia and water. For stubborn stains, apply a paste of scouring ...
03/01/2013
Creating a household budgetis hardly a fun exercise, but it is a necessity, especially in these tough economic times.  Determining where monthly paychecks go can help rein in bad spending habits and create new, fiscally friendly ones. To start, financial planners suggest you gather a year’s worth...
01/25/2013
Congress reached a settlement in the “fiscal cliff” negotiations.  As a result, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act has been extended for another year.  The measure will continue to exempt from taxation mortgage debt that is forgiven when homeowners and their mortgage lenders negotiate a sho...
01/04/2013
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Pantries come in all shapes and sizes, from walk-in pantriesto slide-out drawers under your counters.  Some homes feature a built-in pantry, but for those that don’t, creating one can be easier than you think. For a makeshift pantry, consider converting a kitchen closet or cabinet into a pantry b...
12/29/2012
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Selling your home during the holidays is tricky for several reasons.  It’s not a popular home-buying time; homeowners often host out-of-town guests, which make it difficult to schedule showings; and agents and would-be buyers are busier than usual.  But it is possible to make a sale during the ho...
12/04/2012
1.  If you’ve owned and lived in your home for two of the five years prior to selling, you can generally exclude up to $250,000. of the gain from your income ($500,000. on a joint return, in most cases). 2.  You are not eligible for this exclusion if you sold another principal residence within th...
11/15/2012
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Brian Ripp

Brian Ripp
local_phone(510) 794-9922
smartphone(510) 710-4905
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