Daily Archives: October 26, 2006

Real Estate and Computers, OSx and Windows, Long Beach

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I use a PowerBook G4 for simple reasons, it works, it works and it works.  Did I make my point?  I never reboot unless there is a critical patch (rare).  I an antivirus but use it every three months when I remember.  I will scan my Document folders and some system files.  I run a firewall in its most basic configuration.  I have external hard drives and DVD burners where I do my back ups.  That is it.

I primarily use Firefox for obvious reasons, functionality, security and tweaks.  Tab browsing is a old love affair with Firefox.  I use many extensions, FasterFox to tweak the speed, AllPeers to share between here and work, VideoDownloader, NoScript and AddBlock to block or add whichever website and pages I want.  I go to Bloglines to get my news.

I use Mail which does a fair job and will pay for a stronger junk mail filter functionality.  The built in one is correct.  You see when you work in Real Estate people think your email is an excuse to dump just about anything in, from other agent all the sudden playing nice with you out of desperation, to enlarging private parts, etc.  My email sits wide open on the Department of Real Estate, Realtor organization and the local MLS guys.

I blog through Typepad because it offers fairly easy to use functions at a normal price.  I use open source web editing tools for my site and ftp transfers.  I use VoodPad for my blogging.  A neat little utility that is basically, a notepad or TextEdit under steroids, it adds the great function of hyperlinks, so that it can be used as a basic webpage.

However, I still cannot go to an MLS site even using the quirky anti-dated Internet Explorer for Mac.  The reason is Microsoft has long stopped updating it, MLS are Windows-centric only.  My work around are open source emulators and using my wife’s laptop.  That bis the biggest inconvenience with this industry that forces you to tie your resources up with Microsoft.  My next solution will be to buy a new G5, with an Intel chip, I will be able to run Parallel, an emulator that lets you start Windows will staying in Mac OSx.

All in all, that last inconvenience does not outweigh the reliability, stress free (compared to Windows) environment and robust security my Mac offers.  I have spent ten years of my life working with Windows to the point where disgusted enough with its never ending cycles of updating expensive software, promises of better iterations, patching security issues and just plain old poor reliability, I left it behind figuring out Mac would be better.  Three years later, I can say it is 100% better.  I do not stress anymore.  I know my Mac is working, will work and I will have no problem.  It’s just something I have never seen with Windows.

New Real Estate Laws, Long Beach

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Tax alternative to 3.33 percent California withholding: Effective Jan. 1, 2007, sellers required to have 3.33 percent of the sales price withheld for income tax purposes may elect an alternative withholding. The alternative withholding is an estimate of the seller’s tax liability calculated by multiplying the recognized capital gain by the highest state tax rate for individual taxpayers (or the corporate tax rate for corporations), regardless of the taxpayer’s actual tax bracket. Under existing California law, a buyer must withhold 3.33 percent of the sales price from the seller’s proceeds unless an exemption applies, such as when the property is the seller’s principal residence, the property is in a 1031 exchange, or the seller will not realize any capital gains. The new law applies to non-exempt sellers who may now elect to have less than 3.33 percent withheld. A seller opting for this tax alternative withholding must certify the amount to be withheld in writing under penalty of perjury.

60-day notice to terminate revived: Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, a residential landlord must generally give a 60-day notice to terminate a month-to-month tenant. However, a 30-day notice to terminate is permissible if any tenant or resident has lived in the property for less than one year, or if the landlord has sold the property in the manner specified by law. The 60-day notice does not apply to fixed-term leases (e.g., a one-year lease). It also does not apply if it is the tenant, not the landlord, who terminates a month-to-month agreement, in which case the tenant may give a 30-day notice. To comport with this new law, C.A.R. will release a new standard form 60-day notice of termination, which will also set forth the requirements for the 30-day exception when landlords sell their properties. This law will sunset on Dec. 31, 2009.

License revocation for advertising false credentials: Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, the real estate commissioner may revoke, suspend, or deny the license of anyone who falsely advertises his or her credentials, including special certifications or membership in a trade organization. This law aims to protect consumers from unscrupulous and fraudulent lending practices.

Data from CAR