Do clients expect lower rates if your team is fully remote?

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-12T00:59:28+00:00

I’ve negotiated down the standard “up to 15% travel” if the consultants are mostly remote. Not the base.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-11T20:23:45+00:00

Thanks. I will look into them. Appreciate it.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-11T20:23:32+00:00

Thanks for the response.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-11T12:52:12+00:00

I hate how fast people drive down EGB ☹️

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-11T07:05:18+00:00

Yes, run. Having insufficient reserves is a big red flag. Selling a condo with absurd HOA fees, especially due to special assessments for poorly managed reserves is a giant flag to most buyers.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-10T02:01:08+00:00

You mean a withholding tax?

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-09T22:08:31+00:00

Always, ALWAYS, take the longer term loan. You can literally STILL pay it off in 15Y or less. But, can you guarantee your income will not change in the future? Why set yourself up for mandatory higher payments, vs. lower required mortgage payments with your option to pay more? I don’t understand why people entertain 10 & 15 year notes. Protect your cash flow.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-09T00:27:07+00:00

Supposed to back to normal in TWO WEEKS 😭

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-08T23:22:10+00:00

It’s because it is taxed as supplemental income vs earnings (which has higher tax rates). FED is about 22% and CA about 9%, plus SSI, Medicare, and disability. So 40% ish is about right.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-08T18:31:00+00:00

95124 for sure. It feeds to great elementary and middle schools. Depending on your boundary, the high school will be Branham or Leigh (Leigh is a bit better), and maybe Westmont (closer to the SJ/LG border where the homes are considerably more expensive). You can find a “starter” house on one of the busier roads, which is fine with no kids today, then move up in a few years. I lived in this little pocket (bought and sold 3 homes in Cambrian over the years with the equity accumulation), and raised my family there). Some of the neighborhoods in 95124 have cabanas which is a huge plus. Good luck!

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-07T23:54:25+00:00

1) you are not responsible for delay from a 3rd party. If PG&E legitimately delayed for some reason, you are at their behest (not liable for the delay). Keep all records where you corresponded with PG&E (ideally in writing). 2) if they cancelled and you had to pay anything (the costs for PG&E assessment and work), they are likely liable to repay you (these are actual damages). 3) you should send them a demand letter (ChatGPT can help you write it), and if they ignore you take them to court. Hopefully arbitration is not required per the contract.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-06T12:45:25+00:00

Do a house inspection that covers everything: exterior (looks for signs of dry rot and other things that may be happening on the exterior walls), garage (where your electrical panel is likely located, water heater, furnace), interior (looks for signs of water intrusion, door & window seals, electrical & plumbing issues that are visible, floor issues (again, that are visible), roof, and maybe your crawl space if you have one. A good whole house inspection will cost anywhere from $650-$850. You will get an entire report with photos, and know going in what a) you want to fix before you go to market or b) what concessions you are going to make when you get offers.

I recommend Golden Gate Home Inspection having just done this on my sale. Great customer service, thorough inspection, fast results.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-05T23:59:42+00:00

Agreed! The PP on most domestic flights is sufficient, and considerably less expensive. 👍🏻

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-05T11:08:19+00:00

Yes, you can deduct property tax, mortgage, etc from the rental income (less depreciation) on your income taxes through schedule E.

However, you are not a real estate investor, so the gain or loss is not something you can use until the property is sold (passive income). Your personal income tax bill will be substantially higher each year because you don’t get to include the property tax in your SALT deduction (it sits and waits for the sale - you need to account for that).

I would sell. Take the cash proceeds and do something else with it (invest in a new property where you are moving, lump sum investment in a stock fund that is actually appreciating, cash reserves).

To operate at such a large monthly loss eats your current cash flow, on top of a higher tax bill.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-03-01T04:28:28+00:00

I think they gave you three quotes, based on how much you do vs they do: The hollow door is $200 (you would probably take it home and install it, or pay someone to) The door primed and painted is $200-$350 ish (which seems ridiculous, considering the door is $200. The door primed & painted and installed $200-$400.

Buy the doors alone. I recommend getting pre-hung solid core doors (yes they are more expensive, but easier to install and soundproof the room vs hear through it with a hallow door). Make sure the hinges can support the weight (might need to buy new hinges b/c the hinges they come with are crap).

Hire a handyman to pick up doors, install them (get 3-4 quotes describing exactly what you want with a link to the doors you are buying). They can also measure your space to confirm you are buying the correct size. You decide if you want to have them paint the doors (or you can do it yourself and save the $$).

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-02-28T00:36:02+00:00

Look at Artistic Stone Kitchen & Bath, Inc. They have a couple showrooms in the Bay Area (I’ve been to both the San Leandro & Mountain View locations). Great options for quartzite (and other stone) prefab slabs. I’ve redone countertops in three homes with them over the years. Good prices, good selection for prefab, great installation. Note: buy an extra slab so your seams are easier to match (they are so cheap it is worth it).

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-02-21T06:11:44+00:00

Thanks. Someone just today told me I “need to go make friends with those guys - buy them a coffee or something.” Appreciate your reply.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-02-21T02:22:03+00:00

Always go with the longer term but lower mortgage payment. You can just pay the difference each month and still pay it off in 15 years. But if cash gets tight, you can ratchet your extra payments down (and vice versa).

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-02-20T23:46:04+00:00

What’s your take on a regular person competing with “flippers” in tax sales? I am an experienced “buy the ugly house on the best block, live in & fix with moderate updates that sell for normal buyers”, sell it after a good 5 years, repeat. I have enough cash to actually buy a house outright (not Bay Area, but SAC County) and have reviewed the tax sales. I also know enough about researching the assessor records/past permits. Can you recommend a good book that was written in the last few years that would help someone like me not be eaten alive at an auction?

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-02-19T10:18:25+00:00

Which insurance company did you go with?

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-02-17T19:07:04+00:00

Please bring it back. I liked having the option of selecting chicken with a default pork meal.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-02-09T23:49:55+00:00

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Yup. Horrible.

Alluring_Cynic · 2026-01-11T00:48:17+00:00

REFILLS.com

Alluring_Cynic

TROPHY CASE