All Forum Posts by: Gayle Eisner

Please Help!  I am a home owner of an 1932 "cabin" in the Santa Cruz Mountains, (Los Gatos) and I just received a letter from the county of Santa Clara.  This letter said that they were inquiring about "possible violations of Zoning Section 4.20.020(h), illegal occupancy, at my property.  Well,I have downstairs "granny" unit that was in the house when I bought it. For years, my kids lived there but when they moved out, I rented it out.    It is probably not a "legal" unit, I don't think.  I suspect a neighbor turned me in???  What do you think they will do?  They want me to contact them within 15 days.  Thank you, thank you!   I'm not sure what to do or if there is anything?  Gaylene

 what is the best way can I contact you?

$1500 appraisal fee? Gouged.. can u recommend some lenders? What is your phone number? I could use a bit of guidance here...thank you!

Hi Egan:  Thanks for your input.   $1200 for a property appraisal???!

Hi Mark:

I just posted regarding Gardiner, MT.  You have any recommendations?  See my post. Gayle Eisner

Hi Nathan: I just posted another post regarding Gardiner, MT.  Thank you so much for responding to my last one. Can someone please tell me why the area is so booming?  I would like to retire (maybe) there and rent out my California homes but the market is crazy!  Prices jumped $100k from last year to this year? Why is everyone investing in Bozeman and Gardiner? Please see my post, I would really appreciate your thoughts on the subject of my post. thanks kindly, Gayle

I am seriously thinking about buying a property SFR, in Gardiner MT. Over the last year, the prices have absolute skyrocketed! I am not sure why?? Last year I was looking at a house for $180 and now the lowest downtown is $340 for a 2 br that could possibly become a 3 br. I think because I am from out of state I may be taken advantage of. The bank told me $1200 for an appraisal! What is the standard commission for a RE agent? I was told they do 50/50 split (like CA) but then I was told usually seller pays all commission? Im looking for an honest RE agent.... Gardiner has not many building restrictions, so it is risky. I find it a charming town & I believe I would like to rent it out long term for a year or so, then move in when I retire.

Thoughts?  I am getting a loan from a Bank in Livingston but interest rates have gone up as well.  Any precautions, advice about buying out of state?  I am putting an offer in and then going to MT to see the property, if I get it.  There is a feeding frenzy, for whatever reason, here and in Bozeman.  Can someone help me clarify whats going on in this area and why everything is so crazy in the RE market?  I don't want to be taken advantage of....but it is beautiful....

Thanks kindly to all!  Gayle

Thank you! The house I'm considering adding on a third br is in LG, but the ADU is in Moss Landing.... so.... Im not sure where to invest the money.

I love Montana, Gardiner, especially & am contemplating purchasing a house near the YS river and in town.  This town is surrounded by Yellowstone Natl Park and forest service lands, so I predict real estate will always be at a premium ...  I see that homes in that area rent out for $350 night for a 2br 1 bath (pristine condition). The season runs roughly May-Sept and there is no housing in the area for Park employees and others to live...It is crazy... I would love to make it work so I could at least break even and stay there some times.  I calculated roughly that if I get 19 nites / 5 months of tourist season I could do that? OW, I can just rent the property out to employees at a profit. It is right on the Yellowstone River.   I am just thinking about it and was wondering if anyone has experience with vacation rentals, esp in the greater yellowstone area? Or dealing with this kind of thing.  I would have to have a property mgr for AirBNB, so it might not even be worth it.  I see on VRBO.com and airb&b, they are pretty booked right now from June-Aug and it is only February.... thoughts, suggestions?  Housing in that area is very expensive because the Park is right across the street! thanks!

What about Merced? No one has talked about Merced, it has a UC and is 1 hour from Yosemite.  Prices are affordable & not all the town is for cows.  :)