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In the End, it’s all about Family, Friends & Memories
With the race to always be better, to push and grind, to constantly make changes. JUST FOCUS ON BUSINESS; you will be where you want to be. Add in some social pressures, social media where “everyone is doing so well and is successful,” and then throw in aging, pandemics, and the unknown.
I am offering a newly reminded perspective and an exercise that is very valuable for those of any age.
This past weekend I attended a family funeral back east for our favorite uncle in Virginia. I am 47 and went with my brother, who is 44, and my parents, both now in their upper 70’s. This phase of our lives with my brother and I is right in the middle of it all with work, kids, businesses, aging parents, etc. And my parents, both in their upper 70s with successful careers behind them, and now friends and loved ones pass on and attend funerals more frequently.
At the funeral of our uncle, who passed away in their upper 80s, we were reminded of what is important at the end and what people remember you by. Our uncle Wendell started and owned a multi-million dollar business, was super successful, and has now passed that business along to his son Mark. The whole company was there to support, and family and friends from all across the country and other countries attended. It was a fantastic celebration of life.
At the event, a couple of things stood out for me, and my family and I discussed for the remainder of the trip.
First was that those things talked about at the funeral were of course, quickly recognizing the successes, but more so the people that Wendell and the business had helped over the 50+ years the company has been in business. It was the stories of how Wendell and his wife went to dinner almost every night as they did not like to cook. And how they picked a family out at each restaurant they ate at, maybe one that looked like they were celebrating something, or one that maybe looked tired and overwhelmed, or just ones that they connected with. They would ask the waiter for their bill and pay it, not asking to let them know who did this. Amazing as this is already to spread kindness, my favorite part was how sometimes they had friends with them or the people found out who did this, and now they also do this from
Be Prepared for the Possibility of Election By Acclamation
By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCALtime to time when out eating.
Something I am looking to do as well and again, its not about the recognition, but it’s about the thought and effort, in this day and age of posting every accolade or good deed on a social media platform. It was this more old school but amazing way of doing things to do them and truly out of the kindness of the heart.
The second was that everyone spoke about how Wendell would always make them laugh, how he always had a story. How he always made people feel special and gave them the time to be heard. Again, something that in this day of a million distractions, short attention spans, and wanting instant gratification. It was a great reminder to slow down, spend time with people, talk, make eye contact, and don’t rush. Things will still be there. Of course, Wendell had a knack for being memorable; some people have that in spades, and this was Wendell. But either way, you can always be more intentional and aware of trying and really seeing people and going beyond the surface level that is so easy to just to stay at that level and move on in day-to-day encounters.
Lastly was that life is all about memories created, the things you do and experience, and those around you doing life with you. No one talked about wow, he made this much money, he had this many followers, the company was this big, or really and truly anything material. But instead, the trips, the adventures, the stories, what brought Wendell and those around him joy.
I enjoyed this exercise they did at the funeral, and you can do this right now. Take a moment and close your eyes (Of course, at the end after reading the rest, haha). Think of yourself at 95 years old. Family and friends surround you and are on your last few breaths. What are the conversations you are talking about with your family, and what guidance would you give the younger generations of your family?
I always love being reminded of some basics and clarity on what matters most. I will leave you with a quote from Wendell.
“Everyman (person) is the maker of his own fortune, and fortune comes in many ways.”
–
Wendell PLast year HOAs received a very helpful new tool with the enactment of Civil Code Section 5103 – election by acclamation. This allows HOAs to cancel their balloting and declare the candidates to be elected to the board if certain qualifications are met. However, the acclamation procedure is not automatic, and the HOA must meet all of the requirements of this new statute.
Number of nominated candidates: The number of nominated candidates must be equal to or less than the number of open seats. So, for example, if 3 seats are up for election, and 1, 2, or 3 members are nominated, then acclamation could be used.
At least 1 successful election in prior 3 years: Per Civil Code Section 5103(a), there must have been one completed election during the three years prior to the voting in the current election process. If the HOA meeting has failed for lack of quorum three or more years in a row, acclamation will be unavailable until there is a successful election.
Two notifications to members (5103(b)): Two new notices must be given to the membership, each notice stating the number of open seats in the upcoming election, the nominations deadline, how nominations are submitted, and that the board might seat the candidates by acclamation if the number of candidates does not exceed the number of open seats. The second notice to members must also list any candidates already nominated at the time of the second notice. Both notices must be individually sent to all membersso preserving the acclamation option requires two additional postal mailings (except for members who have consented to electronic communications). The first notice must be sent at least 90 days be-
fore the nominations deadline, so if your HOA usually allows a 30 day nominations period, the first notice must go out at least 60 days prior to the opening of nominations. The second notice is a reminder notice that must be sent between 7 and 30 days before nominations close, so if the HOA uses a 30 day nominations period, this notice could be combined with the call for candidates.
Notifications to nominators and nominees: The HOA must respond by mail or email within 7 days with an acknowledgement to the nominator and an announcement to the nominee. If the nominee is ineligible, that must be explained to the nominee in the notification.
Acclamation is not automatic: Per Civil Code 5103(e), the board may vote to consider the candidates elected by acclamation. Acclamation still requires a board vote to complete the process, and the published agenda for that meeting must include the name of each qualified candidate who will be seated if acclamation is approved.
HOAs should plan their election calendar at least six months before the annual election date, to preserve the option of election by acclamation. Counting backwards, the HOA needs at least: 30 days for voting, 30 days for nominated candidates announcement, 30 days for call for candidates, and 60 more days before the call for candidates for the first election announcement under Section 5103(b) – that is a total of 5 months. So, plan ahead to preserve the potential benefits of election by acclamation.
HOAs may also want to consider updating their election rules to add the acclamation process and deadlines.
Todd Shea Specializing in Luxury Buyer & Seller RepresentationWhat to know about solar power purchase agreements
ceive the financial benefits from solar incentives. Solar developers profit from selling you solar energy, as well as claiming renewable energy credits and incentives — including the 30 percent federal solar tax credit.
Homeowner
As the homeowner, you provide a location for developers to install solar panels to power your home. You do not own the panels but you pay a fixed rate for the kWh of energy generated. The rates are usually lower than retail electricity rates, saving you money on energy costs. However, you are responsible for the the generated cost. If you use less energy than the system generates, you may be overpaying for electricity. Ask your installer how net metering benefits work in your PPA contract.
Utility grid
Many states require solar systems to stay connected to the grid. You will still have power when your solar panels produce less energy, like at night or in winter. Excess energy generated by the solar systems, without an optional battery, returns to the utility grid. The solar developer receives any energy credits from solar energy renewable credits (SRECs).
Benefits of a solar power purchase agreement (PPA)
Purchasing a solar system outright is not for every budget, and tax incentives are not beneficial to every homeowner. If you’re searching for another solar option, explore the benefits of a PPA.
By Faith Foushee BankrateInstalling solar panels provides many financial benefits and reduces your home’s carbon footprint, but the upfront costs of solar might turn you away. Fortunately, there are many solar financing options to choose from to work with any budget.
The entire solar installation process can be overwhelming. Picking a company, choosing solar panels, contacting installers and working through tax documents (on top of your everyday life) may cause stress. Power purchase agreements (PPA) are an alternative method for obtaining solar energy without much of the busy work.
What is a solar power purchase agreement?
A solar power purchase agreement is a contract between the user (you) and supplier (solar developer) for solar energy. Similar to a cell phone bill where you pay for the data used, and your provider installs and maintains phone lines. In a solar PPA, you pay the developer for the energy your panels generate. The solar developer is in charge of designing, installing and maintaining your solar panel system. The developer pays for the materials and you pay a monthly fixed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy used. Rather than relying on your local utility company to provide your power, you generate your own energy using solar panels and pay the developer for the green energy generated. PPAs can reduce the financial risks of solar because you are not the owner and not responsible for the upfront costs. Instead, you can enjoy lower energy bills while powering your home with green energy. PPAs may also be a good solar option if you do not have the ability to claim the lucrative incentives or tax credits.
How does a solar power purchase agreement work?
After deciding to go solar through a PPA, you will sign a contract with a developer. Solar panels can last beyond the standard 25-year warranty, so the contracts may extend up to 25 years, too. Similar to other solar processes, design approval, permitting and inspections are all necessary steps before the solar system can be installed. The whole solar installation process can take up to six months, depending on the installer
and your local utility.
Instead of relying solely on the traditional electricity grid for your energy, you will use energy generated by the solar system installed on your roof to power your home. A key point to remember is you will be charged for the energy generated, whether you use more or less. The rate usually is less than you would pay for traditional electricity, resulting in immediate savings on your energy bills.
While the solar company is responsible for solar panel upkeep and maintenance, you benefit from using clean energy and a reduced carbon footprint. At the end of your contract, you have the option to extend the PPA, purchase the solar panels at market value, or cancel and have the solar panels removed. Review your contract to evaluate all purchase options and terms.
Understanding your PPA
You need to be comfortable with the agreement term before you sign a PPA. The rate you pay for solar energy in a PPA may be the same or less than what you might pay for retail electricity. If the expected monthly rate in a PPA is higher than your typical electricity bill, a different solar panel financing option may be a better fit for you.
While contracts may include fixed rates, read the fine print about annual price increases, called elevators, are often part of PPAs. Rising inflation and utility operation costs can further impact your savings or break-even point. With fixed rates, you expect the rate to remain the same for the contract length, but agreement details will include information about potential rate increases. Consider asking solar developers or current PPA customers about their experience with rate increases before deciding whether a PPA fits your budget.
Three key entities are involved in a PPA: you (the homeowner), a solar developer and the utility grid. Everyone must agree to the terms of the PPA before solar can be installed and activated.
Solar developer
The solar developer is responsible for designing, coordinating, building and maintaining the solar panels. They pay the upfront costs and own the panels. The developer will also re-
and pay a monthly bill instead of paying for solar panels and other equipment like solar batteries. the duration of the contract. costs.
PPA considerations
There are additional factors to consider before entering a PPA. Review the following before signing a contract. your energy needs, you may end up paying two bills, one to the solar developer and another to your utility. may have to pay higher property taxes due to solar panel installation.
benefit from tax incentives or rebates.
Solar PPA FAQs
What’s the difference between a solar PPA and a solar lease?
PPAs and solar leases are similar, but the main difference is the monthly fee. In a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly payment to the solar developer. In a PPA, you pay a fixed rate per kWh of energy generated.
Am I eligible for solar incentives under a solar PPA?
No. In a solar PPA, you do not qualify for incentives because you do not own the panels.
What happens when my PPA contract ends?
When your PPA contract ends, you have three options. You can terminate the PPA and the solar developer will remove the panels. If you want to keep the panels, you can sign a new contract. The third option is to purchase the solar system at its current value, which is much less than typical upfront costs because of the system’s age. Some PPAs may offer a buyout after a certain period of time before the contract is over. Read over the contract to fully understand your options.
Heart to Heart ignites a fiery revival in caladiums
By Norman WinterThe last few years have been like a revival of the gardening spirit when it comes to The Gardening Guy and caladiums. In the ‘90s I went bonkers planting caladiums and impatiens as partners, and suddenly I stopped. I can’t even remember why. Now I am clowning around with caladiums.
That was a little tongue and cheek — the truth is that I have discovered Heart to Heart Clowning Around caladiums. When my bulbs came in, I repeated my process from last year. I got my Twist ‘n Plant auger attached to my cordless drill and planted 40 bulbs in just a couple of minutes. If you ever try this auger — not only with bulbs, but also with the pots most petunias and such are grown in — you will be hooked.
The old saying “a watched pot never boils” can also be reworked to “a watched caladium bulb never sprouts.” I said to myself, “Now I know
what they were named Clowning Around. They are down in my bed playing caladium games.”
The real reason is soil temperatures stayed cool for a lot longer than normal, which delayed the sprouting. They are now growing like they are on steroids.
Heart to Heart Clowning Around is considered a shade to part shade caladium. It is a fancy-leaf variety with clear bright rose-pink veins, cream orange areas surrounding and between veins with olive green, often raised areas on the edge giving the plant an interesting, textured appearance similar to one of its parents, Twist and Shout.
Producers will tell you caladiums are like Forrest Gump’s reference to how “life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” Over a long season of shifting light, temperatures and maturity, caladiums have a lot of looks to enjoy in the growing experience. That being said, my Heart to Heart Clowning Around
To view this weekend’s Open Home Guide and all other Real Estate for sale or rent go to: newspress.com – click on RESPONSES – click on OPEN HOMES
GOLETA NORTH
6141 La Goleta
3/2
2-4$1,549,000
This single-level residence offers 1,618 sq. ft. of living space. Situated on a generous 8,712 sq. ft. lot, this well maintained home presents a wonderful canvas awaiting your personal touch. You’ll appreciate the manicured front yard.
Mike Richardson, Realtors Kyle Richardson805-680-3131# 01902531
HOPE RANCH
To view this weekend’s Open Home Guide and all other Real Estate for sale or rent go to: newspress.com – click on RESPONSES – click on OPEN HOMES
HOPE RANCH
Market Ready Properties
4/2.5
1-4$5,575,000
700 Via Hierba Elegant Hope Ranch estate with pool, tennis-pickle ball, spa, updated kitchen, ready for summer entertainment.
Alden Fairbanks805-455-7416# 00952941
LA CUMBRE
4/2.5
1-4$5,575,000
700 Via Hierba Elegant Hope Ranch estate with pool, tennis-pickle ball, spa, updated kitchen, ready for summer entertainment.
Market Ready Properties Alden Fairbanks805-455-7416# 00952941
4152 Via Andorra #A
1-4$1,150,000
Remodeled townhouse style condo with large fenced yard. New Kitchen & Baths, Living room with fireplace, private laundry room and 1 car garage.
Coldwell Banker Realty
Lizette Pedroza323-500-7537# 02160420
S I Street
10-1$549,000
Zia Group | eXp Realty of California, Inc. Rafael Mora805-729-6912# 02080380
MONTECITO - LOWER VILLAGE
1560 N Jameson Lane
3/2
1-3$3,850,000
An enchanting San Ysidro Ranch style 3BR+office home awaits. Enter this lush, serene gated paradise, with an ample yard, a charming detached structure, plus a garden shed. Situated within the beloved Hedgerow, across from the Rosewood Miramar Resort.
Coldwell Banker Realty
Taylor & Tara Toner805-451-4999# 01957054
4152 Via Andorra #A
3/2
1-4$1,150,000
Remodeled townhouse style condo with large fenced yard. New Kitchen & Baths, Living room with fireplace, private laundry room and 1 car garage.
Coldwell Banker Realty
Lizette Pedroza323-500-7537# 02160420
LOMPOC
218 S I Street
3/2
11-2$549,000
Discover tranquility in this spacious, 1925 Spanish-style home!
Zia Group | eXp Realty of California, Inc.
Shamanta Cruz805-266-5001# 02131762
MONTECITO - LOWER VILLAGE
1560 N Jameson Lane
3/2
An enchanting San Ysidro Ranch style 3BR+office home awaits. Enter this lush, serene gated paradise, with an ample yard, a charming detached structure, plus a garden shed. Situated within the beloved Hedgerow, across from the Rosewood Miramar Resort.
1-3$3,850,000 Coldwell Banker Realty
Taylor & Tara Toner805-451-4999# 01957054
MONTECITO - UPPER VILLAGE
1439 Irvine Lane
4/6.5
12-3$11,250,000
Spectacular and tranquil ocean views from this classic Mediterranean estate designed by renowned architect Don Nulty. Newly refreshed and beautifully staged!
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties J.J. Gobbell805-403-5785 # 02063124
MONTECITO - UPPER
VILLAGE
839 & 841 Summit Road
4/4.5
1-4$8,500,000
Beautiful ranch-style ocean view home with the opportunity to create a magical estate.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Rick Sawyer805-680-7425# 00868222
OPEN HOUSE DIRECTORY
We no longer take submissions via e-mail, instead an easy-to-use form can be found at newspress.com Click on “RESOURCES” then click on “TO PLACE AN OPEN HOMES AD” Deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesdays for the following Friday & Weekend publications. If you have any questionsplease e-mail: openhomes@newspress.com
Santa Barbara County Sales
This is a partial list of all recorded residential sales in Santa Barbara County from June 5 thru June 9, 2023. While these recordings are public record, the News-Press receives this information from an outside source. This list does not represent all sales that occurred over this time period. Consult your REALTOR® for further information regarding home sales in your area of interest.
Santa Barbara County Sales
Real Estate Q&A:
Should I cosign home loan for boyfriend with lousy credit?
By Gary M. SingerQuestion:
My long-term boyfriend has lousy credit but makes a good living and wants to buy a house and stop renting. I make less money but have much better credit. We are being told that I will need to cosign the loan for it to be approved. I trust him, but should I be concerned?
– KellyAnswer:
In my law practice, I have seen the situation you describe go wrong many times. While it is true that no one consults with a lawyer to tell them that everything worked out OK, you are right to be concerned. While it is important to help the people you care about, whether a love interest or a family member, you should also treat such help with a critical eye and take reasonable precautions. Fortunately, you can do some specific things to protect yourself in this situation. Your best protection is having an ownership interest in anything you cosign a loan to buy. Make sure your name is put on the deed as a co-owner of the new home.
By owning part of the property, you have some control over it, and if things go wrong in your relationship, you can force its sale to pay off the mortgage.
When you own part of a home, it comes with the typical responsibilities of ownership. Taxes will need to be paid, landscaping performed, and repairs made. Whenever someone owns property with someone other than a spouse, they should have a written co-ownership agreement drawn up. This agreement, often called a “cohabitation agreement,” deals with a wide range of details, including designating who is responsible for maintenance, what happens if one of the co-owners wants to sell while the other does not, what happens if someone passes away, and how the equity is split when the property is sold.
The importance of drafting this agreement is two-fold: it makes you think through the ramifications of owning a home together and sets out solutions for everyday problems before the stress of dealing with those problems sets in.
Gary M. Singer is a Florida attorney and board-certified as an expert in real estate law by the Florida Bar. He practices real estate, business litigation and contract law from his office in Sunrise, Fla. He is the chairman of the Real Estate Section of the Broward County Bar Association and is a co-host of the weekly radio show Legal News and Review. He frequently consults on general real estate matters and trends in Florida with various companies across the nation. Send him questions online at www.sunsentinel.com/askpro or follow him on Twitter @GarySingerLaw.
©2023 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CALADIUMS continued from page 6
caladiums are in a little more sun, and they’re absolutely electrifying.
I have them partnered with Surefire
Cherry Cordial begonias, Royal Hawaiian Maui Gold elephant ears and Luminary Sunset Coral tall garden phlox. I referenced it on my Facebook post as “Good Laudy This is Getting Gaudy.” It is, and it is so fun and colorful.
I am also growing another one that’s new to me: Heart to Heart Raspberry Moon caladium. Right now, it is another that is not exactly what I had pictured — it’s better, and I think I have fallen head over heels for it.
It is another fancy-leaf type recommended for shade to part shade. By fancy-leaf I am talking elephant ear-shaped versus the other class, called strap-leaf. The strap-leaf types are beautiful but have more narrow leaves.
Heart to Heart Raspberry Moon leaves are described as light green with raspberry pink centers. Be still my heart. Mine are light or pale lime green with artist-like strokes of dark green and slightly more brush-like strokes of dark raspberry. These seem like random colors, as if unplanned and never to
be duplicated. I have mine paired with the award-winning Shadowland Coast to Coast host with chartreuse leaves, Shadowland Empress Wu with blue leaves and a 4-foottall golden leaf evergreen anise.
The Heart to Heart Collection now has 29 varieties. The breeders have already done more than I could have ever dreamed. The Heart to Heart Burning Heart with red foliage defies logic. It is breathtaking in the sun, where it looks on fire, or in the shady part of the day when the red darkens and looks like it was found in the jungle.
Next year, a new variety, Heart to Heart Rain or Shine, will debut with color that is indescribable. I was trying to figure out what I would write and then found the Proven Winners description. It reads: “large heartshaped leaves emerge in dramatic shades of deep bronze pink-red with soft pink speckles and black veining. In certain lights you might detect a hint of purple, too.” I can’t wait!
All I can say is, jump in and get your feet wet with Heart to Heart caladiums. The 29 varieties will take your breath away.
©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Photos courtesy Norman Winter/TNS
Previous page, upper right:
Heart to Heart, Rain or Shine caladium makes its debut in 2024. Look closely and see the colorful leaves are almost indescribable.
Previous page, center:
Heart to Heart, Clowning Around caladiums add sizzle to this colorful bed that also contains Surefire Cherry Cordial begonias, Royal Hawaiian Maui Gold elephant ears, and Luminary Sunset Coral tall garden phlox.
Upper left:
Heart to Heart, Raspberry Moon caladium looks hand-painted by an artist in this planting with Shadowland Coast to Coast hosta with chartreuse leaves, Shadowland Empress Wu with blue foliage and a golden leafed shrubby anise.
Upper right:
Heart to Heart, Burning Heart caladiums display their shady colors in an almost jungle-like look at The Garden Guy’s house. Each one shows their versatility growing in containers.
How should I handle major flood damage caused by neighbor?
By Gary M. SingerQuestion:
I read with interest your recent article about the condo-dweller damaged by his neighbor’s leaky toilet. In that situation, the damage was minor. We had a situation where our upstairs neighbor had a major flood that severely damaged our apartment. Should we address this differently?
- JanetAnswer:
Yes, addressing a small leak that causes minor damage can be different from dealing with more significant damage.
However, some parts of dealing with the problem remain the same.
When dealing with an issue such as this or any legal issue, ensure the damage is well documented. Write down what happened while it is still fresh in your mind. Take a lot of pictures. When helping people in my law practice, I want as much information as possible, and you never know which picture or data point will help me win your case. Keep taking detailed notes throughout the process, including who you speak with and when. Then discuss the problem with your neighbor and report it to your community association manager.
Your next step is to make a claim with your insurance company. While most condominium associations carry insurance, it usually only covers the building and common areas. Unit owners must get coverage for their units and their contents.
While many people forego this coverage to save money, I strongly recommend that every condo unit owner get an individual insurance policy. This insurance should cover the damage to your ceiling, walls, and floor, as well as your cabinets, fixtures and personal items.
As part of this process, your insurer will want you to be “subrogated” for the claims, meaning they will try to collect the money they paid you for the damage from your neighbor who caused the problem.
You may not be able to go after your neighbor for any damage the insurance did not pay you for, so speak with your insurance company about this if you think you may want to go this route.
Gary M. Singer is a Florida attorney and board-certified as an expert in real estate law by the Florida Bar. He practices real estate, business litigation and contract law from his office in Sunrise, Fla. He is the chairman of the Real Estate Section of the Broward County Bar Association and is a co-host of the weekly radio show Legal News and Review. He frequently consults on general real estate matters and trends in Florida with various companies across the nation. Send him questions online at www.sunsentinel.com/askpro or follow him on Twitter @GarySingerLaw.
©2023 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.