Brian Ripp ~ Your Bay Area & Fremont Real Estate & Financial Agent » Bay Area http://brianripp.com Realty World - Viking Realty / Family owned since 1971 Sat, 12 May 2012 00:26:59 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Tips for hiring a Contractor http://brianripp.com/2010/03/31/tips-for-hiring-a-contractor/ http://brianripp.com/2010/03/31/tips-for-hiring-a-contractor/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:00:46 +0000 Brian Ripp http://bripp.blogs.rwnetwork.com/?p=355 One of the best ways to select a contractor is to ask friends or relatives for recommendations.  Make sure they have worker’s compensation insurance and general liability insurance in case of accidents on the job. 

Building codes set minimum safety standards for construction.  Generally, a building permit is required whenever structural work is involved.   The contractor should obtain all necessary building permits.

  • Hire only licensed contractors.
  • Contact the Contractors State License Board at www.cslb.com.gov or at 800-321-2752 to verify the contractor’s license.
  • Get three references and review past work.
  • Get at least three bids.
  • Get a written contract and don’t sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
  • Pay 10 percent down or $1,000 whichever is less.
  • Don’t let payments get ahead of the work.
  • Don’t pay cash.
  • Don’t make a final payment until you are satisfied with the job.
  • Don’t rush into repairs or be pressured into making an immediate decision.

Spring and summer projects are getting underway.  Good luck with your home improvements!

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]]> http://brianripp.com/2010/03/31/tips-for-hiring-a-contractor/feed/ 1 More Immigrants Choose to Live in Mid-Size Cities http://brianripp.com/2010/03/23/more-immigrants-choose-to-live-in-mid-size-cities/ http://brianripp.com/2010/03/23/more-immigrants-choose-to-live-in-mid-size-cities/#comments Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:53:47 +0000 Brian Ripp http://bripp.blogs.rwnetwork.com/?p=342  A new study by the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate finds that more immigrants are choosing to put down roots in mid-size cities rather than larger gateway areas, in part because many smaller metro areas feature established, growing neighborhoods of fellow immigrants and less competition for entry-level jobs. The study, “Immigrants and Housing Markets in Mid-Size Metropolitan Areas,” finds that mid-size markets, such as Nashville, Detroit, Colorado Springs, Colo., Minneapolis, Sarasota, Fla., and El Paso, Texas, had an average 27 percent increase in new immigrant population at a time when the major gateway cities are losing residents. The largest numbers of immigrants came from Mexico and China. The study estimates that immigrants and their descendents will make up 82 percent of U.S. population growth over the next 40 years. re Immigrants Choose to Live in Mid-Size Cities A new study by the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate finds that more immigrants are choosing to put down roots in mid-size cities rather than larger gateway areas, in part because many smaller metro areas feature established, growing neighborhoods of fellow immigrants and less competition for entry-level jobs. The study, “Immigrants and Housing Markets in Mid-Size Metropolitan Areas,” finds that mid-size markets, such as Nashville, Detroit, Colorado Springs, Colo., Minneapolis, Sarasota, Fla., and El Paso, Texas, had an average 27 percent increase in new immigrant population at a time when the major gateway cities are losing residents. The largest numbers of immigrants came from Mexico and China. The study estimates that immigrants and their descendents will make up 82 percent of U.S. population growth over the next 40 years.

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