What are the often overlooked costs of purchasing a home? How much is a comfortable cash reserve?

Here are some ideas/guest I've had on my Terrestrial radio show heard every Sunday, 9 to 10am pst, KSRO, 1350AM, 103.5FM, www.KSRO.com or video streaming at Facebook Live--"The Real Estate Hour with Mike Kelly and Allison Norman":

1. The Redevelopment Director for the City of Santa Rosa. Conversation on how the City can add to the housing stock with affordability as the key point. Reducing overall permit and impact fees.

2. Here in the greatest state of California we now have a ADU ordinance which local cities and counties are grappling with—Auxiliary Dwelling Unit or “grannies” as we call them. One way to assist in affordable housing—but the city and counties need to NOT be obstructionists.

3. Trust, Estates and Probate—we chop up the hour and speak 1^st segment on why you need a trust, life estates, then talk about stepped-up basis and which say to take title. Lastly probate

4. We have also just had attorneys on to discuss how to take title and which is the best way to make sure all parties are getting their just share.

5. Alternative lifestyles need representation on purchasing home. Boy and girls friends are buying more than ever, Gay couples, Gay couples with children. Complicated. Pre-nuptials

6. We have a few guests on regularly—Tom Havstad a great Permit Consultant monitors the shenanigans of the local PRMD (Permit Resource Management Division—the building department!). How to wind your way through that maze!

7. County Assessor’s office just came on to discuss how the rent roll is trending. California has Propositions 60 and 90 which allows inter and intra transfer of your old, cheap Proposition 13 tax base. Certain tricks and requirements to do it correctly. Save’s your seller thousands—great “drop-by” item.

8. Cannabis the “M” word is not used very much! (Marijuana)—cultivation, where in the county, which land will allow it. Impact on disclosures to home buyers in areas. We have our Megan’s List of child molesters—another now for cultivation?

9. Disclosures, THE biggest issue in real estate. We have attorneys who come on to explain when and how and what to disclose. Neighborhood hearsay? What counts as an item to disclose

10. Sr. Living and aging in place. BIG time issue in our County of Sonoma. Biggest demographic 55+. Our lack of inventory can be chalked up to the boomers hunkering down. We’ve had carpenters come on who specialize in installing safety “bars” plus lowering counters to wheelchair height, etc.

11. Since we are in a primarily agricultural area we also talk about surveying properties, what to do with the neighbor who insists his barn is NOT on your property line. Water rights, tasting rooms, event centers, etc.

12. Septic System installation, repair and percolation testing for a new home. State of California just instituted a standardized (one wag stated bastardized!) on HOW to repair an aging system. If you are in an area with a high water area table repair is no longer viable and what would have been a $5,000 bill is now $40,0000 to $50,000 for a new “mound system”. Just what IS a Mound System is also discussed.

13. First week of the month I do a thorough market study of Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties; Solds, Median Price, Under Contracts, Inventory, New Inventory, Days on Market, Month’s Supply of Inventory.

14. 2^nd week of the Month—the $1,000,000 report—same three counties but homes in excess of 1 Mil. I break it down into segments $1-2Mil, 2-$3, etc. Ultra luxury is over $5,000,000.

15. Vacation Rentals, VRBO, AirBNB—what cities allow in the County. Where does the County allow them.  Cost to build, income potential. Always a big favorite.

16. During the big REO market I had the VP of West Coast REO from BofA discussing this crazy market and short-sales approvals and procedure. Also had Ivan Choi when he was at BofA/Countrywide—great guest!

17. I’ve looked at the Mexico market from the stand point of retiring, how to live there, buying a property, living within the culture

18. Also, have had investment shows highlighting a much more affordable area in the states. We have property in Georgia. Cash flow heaven!

19. I’ve had County Supervisors on the show discussing the need for more affordable housing and what the community can do about it.

20. 1031 Exchanges—I had an absolutely superb 1031 expert on my show many times. One of the few times I had the show professional videotaped. We broke it down into 4 segments and it is STILL on you-tube. I liked it so much 5 years later I taped it again—both shows on still on You Tube. My expert with OREXCO retired though. Need to bring her assistant who took her place onto the show.

    Whew! I’ve been doing my radio show for 20+ years and I could go on with another 20. Also, last thing—as a Bee Keeper I explain those wasps and yellow jackets are NOT bees!

    How accurate are those "Reality TV" real estate shows?

 Zillow vs. Realtor dot com:  how can you as a consumer take advantage of it?

Some economist and the nature of the current economy as a whole but also how that directly impacts consumers and the real estate market.

Perhaps a lender and economist to discuss whether loosening of lending guidelines is good for the real estate market or a slippery slope to where we have come back from.

A conversation on market cycles and a historical look over the years.

How HGTV affects people's perception vs reality of buying homes, selling homes, investing in homes, fixing and flipping homes.

-Kasey

The answer to the meaning of life.

Yoda would make a good guest, and if you cant get him then fly Bob Crane out there for an interview.

Dual agency always gets juices flowing....

Oh, I love Kasey & John Boles and Wayne Martin's suggestions - I know economists are subject to their own opinions but, I still enjoy hearing their perspective on future markets. 

The importance of civil code 4525 and seller disclosure duties. 

I think Wayne Martin has a great suggestion.  A

I will think about it and get back to you.

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor,CRS,ePro - love the 'fourth'.....

Anything specific you can talk about 'D'eleting clients? People still want to hang on to it...

Should you buy even if you can?

Home staging and some simple tricks

Home improvements with the best ROI

ASklenders it they are worried about a crash again with all the low to no down loans given out.

Alternatives to the traditional real estate commission compensation system.

Who is the target?  (it's pique, BTW).

I do like Wayne Martin 's suggestion.

The hows & whys of Real Estate. Its short term and long term plus & minus. The importance of using professionals for all Real Estate needs & services

1031 exchange expert

Any effort to educate and ween the public from using popular websites for home valuations and RE advice.

I'm sure any topic you decide upon will be interesting....

No requests from me. Enjoy the holiday and have an outstanding week.

I like Wayne Martin's suggestion. How about something about why surveys are important and how the lack of one could impact title insurance.

Mike Kelly gave you LOTS of great ideas.

Mike Kelly nailed this one!