All Forum Posts by: Jenifer Levini

I'm curious how @Russell Brazil can manipulate the zestimate?

Thank you for all this information. I definitely want to connect with you, share your resources and use your services!

Here's my next question. Being a California I am a weather wimp! (I admit its just one of my many flaws.) Since i will wither if I am exposed to weather below 60 degrees,  extreme humidity or swarms of bugs, when are the best times to visit Detroit? Please feel free to point out the sheer fragility and jelloey dispositions of us spoiled Ca-ians. (I used to live in Upstate NY, so I have paid my dues.)

I noticed that all the people who say you should never accept cash are not in California. Things are different here. The rest of the states are a few years behind California. It used to be that transactions happened by check, credit card, some sort of online transfers such as paypal, venmo and the like. But now our economy is largely cash driven.

If you have a good tenant who pays on time, takes care of the property, doesnt complain or upset the neighbors, it's nice to find a way to accommodate her. More and more we will be seeing cash transactions as the Cannabis economy grows and banks will not grant these businesses accounts. 

Rumor is that the State of California is working out how to open our own banking system. The State of Colorado tried it a few years ago and it didnt work out.

I'm interested in checking out investment opportunities in Detroit. I live in the San Francisco bay area surrounded by tech companies: Google, Tesla... Many of these companies are betting big time on building autonomous cars. Theyre building factories in CA & NV. It seems like only a matter of time until they figure out that we already have a national infrastructure to manufacture cars in Detroit. Why reinvent the wheel? Pun intended. What do you think about this logic?

Thanks @Cody Malone, I just visited Arlington, Texas, for the Tiny Home Jamboree in October. I loved Texas! The roads are about a zillion times better than California. And I got to eat tacos for breakfast in Austin. What's not to like about that?

Currently, it's illegal to have homes in shipping containers in California. We have  so many laws here. Another thing that makes Texas seem awesome!

Yes, I know that people are living in containers here. My response is that people sometimes park next to red curbs, too...

Hi @Andrew Erickson, Ive been working on the tiny home issue in California for 2 years. There may be a few misconceptions in your model that I think I can explain.

First, the State of California has stepped into this space, big time, with laws and definitions of what is a tiny home. They issued an official memo that define  a legal tiny home and says that anyone who sells a tiny home that does not meet the State standards can be prosecuted. Basically, their standards align with RVIA standards. They are very specific design standards. If you think  about it, an architect designs stationary buildings. Tiny homes have to be able to travel down the road at 65 MPH. That's way beyond architectural or building standards. Our State doesnt want these things exploding,catching on fire, water or waste to  come shooting out, or pieces to fall off as it travels.

Second, what is the difference between a tiny home and an RV? RVs are built out of cheap & light materials like plastic & aluminum. RVs are built to be lived in short term, like for a week or weekend here and there. Tiny homes are built out of wood, glass, tiles, granite, porcelain and the materials stick-built homes use. They are built to be lived in everyday, day in and day out, for at least 30 years.

Third, how does a person manufacture to RVIA standards, so that their tiny homes can be legally sold in California? RVIA certification is both granted to individual  tiny homes and to the factory where they are built. That is, part of the certification process is that the RVIA organization goes to the factory a few times per year and inspects the manufacturing process. This makes sense because, in order to certify a tiny home they cannot go in and rip the walls apart. They have to do the inspections while they are being manufactured. Once the factory is certified,  and the individual tiny homes are inspected, they are allowed to bear the RVIA insignia and be sold in California (and other states with this standard).

Hi All, We have a Santa Cruz real estate investor meetup. It was meeting monthly until the weather got too cold for our usual haunt at Discretion Brewery. Last month I combined it with another group at Brunos in Scotts Valley. 

Its great to see energy for having more frequent meetings. I know I have been preoccupied with my real job as a real estate lawyer, and havent been organizing meetings. If some of you want to be added as administrators on this group, that will save duplicating all the efforts that have already been spent growing this group to 300 people.

Here is the link to our group. Make yourself  a member, then let me know if you want to be an organizer too. The more help the better this will turn out. All for one...

Thanks, Jen

https://www.meetup.com/Santa-Cruz-Real-Estate-Investment-Group/

@JD Martin If I remember correctly, the landmark case that established ghosts (or haunting reports) as something the seller must disclose to buyer, as a form of buyer protection, was in Connecticut. From there it could become law in each and every state that has buyer protections, anytime either it comes up in court because someone sues another person, or when the legislature adds it.

Hi, I am the attorney that @Ori Skloot mentioned. I am working with many investors here on BP.  Please feel free to PM me and we can connect to see if I can assist with whatever you need.

Hi Johathan,  As you already know we have a Santa Cruz real estate investor meetup group. I think it's awesome that you want to lead a group. Our group already has 300 members. Would you like to help coordinate our group. Here's the link. But you know this since youve already been to our meetings. Both Shane and I have been super busy. And the place where we normally meet is too cold in the winter. If you want to coordinate and find places, just let me know, and I think I an add you as an administrator of the group.

https://www.meetup.com/Santa-Cruz-Real-Estate-Investment-Group/