The March/April edition of Realtor Magazine (yes, I read this, but don’t expect you to!) featured an article that I found to be quite entertaining and wanted to share it with you.
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1.  In an attempt to stem the problem of unwanted manure left in front of residential properties and businesses, Watertown NY is considering a law requiring horses to wear diapers.

2.  Residents of Illinois (excluding Chicago) are now permitted to pain their trees purple in order to keep trespassers off their property.

3.  Hedges that encroach on sidewalks must be kept trimmed in Plattsburgh, NY.  The new law allows the city to trim overgrown hedges and bill property owners.  Similar laws in Lockport, NY and Harlingen, TX allow the town to mow residents lawns when grass grows over one foot.

4.  Toy ranches in Pitkin County, CO, are no longer considered agricultural properties.  A property is considered a toy ranch if the property around the house is used for grazing but the house itself isn’t integral to the ranching operation.

5.  Home owners in South Carolina who want to recycle copper pipes must obtain a permit from their local sheriff’s office.  The goal is to curb illegal stripping of copper for cash sale to recyclers.

Here is a link to the original article, including sources for each law: http://realtormag.realtor.org/law-and-ethics/feature/article/2012/03/5-obscure-real-estate-laws

Spotted: funny salad bar located at a pizza joint

This morning I spotted a group of turkeys crossing Key Route and venturing from yard to yard.  Did you know a group of turkeys is called a “rafter” or a “gang?”  I didn’t.  Until today.

1) Zoom in, you will see the wooden dinosaur sticking his head out of the window (spotted in North Oakland)

2) Mobile Offices at their best! (spotted outside of Whole Foods in Berkeley)

3) Talk about vintage! (spotted on Euclid in Berkeley)

(Discovered yesterday while showing clients houses in Rockridge)

I love this!  Only in Berkeley would you find a pimped-out walker.  This was spotted at the official launch of Off-the-Grid in Berkeley.

(and yes!  this time we were there early enough to get some tasty food truck grub)

Last year two of my clients were told by their tax preparer that they needed to buy a house for tax purposes.  I guess if there is a good reason to buy a house, that is one!

Check out these companies, they didn’t pay their taxes!
http://front.moveon.org/d-which-corporations-are-the-biggest-freeloaders/?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dac7c525ef33dc1,0

Many agents send out this reminder in a post card and say “Spring is here, it is a good time to buy or sell.  Call me and I will help you!”  Aye aye aye.  Seriously?  I find that annoying because for some it isn’t a good time to buy or sell.  For some it is a terrible time to buy or sell! 

For me, my whole reasoning is that I don’t want you to be late for brunch because it closed an hour ago. 

So, remember to set your clocks ahead one hour on March 14th.  And enjoy your brunch with an extra shot of espresso since I know you will be tired.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM7oWKgCVo4