One of the reasons I became a real estate agent, besides a tiny push from my dad, was because I felt too intimidated to ask a simple question, “How much is this going to cost?” My first time out of the gate I had been completely blindsided by the extra costs of closing. No one had warned me about the hidden fees, the last-minute expenses, [...]
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Real Estate 101: Right of Way Explainer
If I’m perfectly frank (not Frank), I write these explainers because I need a refresher. As a residential agent, you may never close a municipal property deal—but understanding how infrastructure is built, land acquired, and titles change matters. Real estate has moving parts and specialties few of [...]
THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2025 FOR INMAN SELECT: https://www.inman.com/author/america-foy/
Recently, I joined the ranks, 55 this year, of what some consider senior citizens. In addition to getting discounts at some major retailers and the chain where I get my haircut, I really started paying attention to [...]
THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2026 FOR INMAN SELECT: https://www.inman.com/author/america-foy/
The Housing Crisis Gets Political
Housing affordability isn't just a financial issue anymore. It's a political one that I’m predicting will motivate congressional races in ways our congressional representatives can't [...]
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FEB 2026 @REALTIMES.COM
The days of agents teasing writing offers "all cash, no contingencies, five days close" are, almost, officially over.
Starting March 1, 2026, every all-cash residential real estate purchase flowing through a legal entity (any type of corp) or trust will require reporting to the Financial Crimes [...]
The Significance of Infrastructure
As some of you may remember Piedmont, an Aquarius, just had its 119th birthday last month and the department of public works (DPW) has been quietly “glowing up” the infrastructure throughout 2025 for the celebration—like Rome in the lead up to Jubilee year but in Alameda [...]
The Long and Winding (Moraga Avenue) to Affordable Housing
Imagine if you will a middle school classroom, warm, smells of chalk, sunny. Young teacher, looks up from their desk, smiles, and says, “Affordable housing… Piedmont… hot button issue. [...]
Call the Landscaper or The Bear Gets Teeth
Every July 4th, Smokey Bear rides the fire truck down Highland telling us only we can prevent wildfires; last year, Piedmont started acting like it believes him. January 1, 2026, Smokey got [...]
Ringing in the New Year with Celebrations & Renovations
Happy New Year, Piedmont(ers). While the sounds firecrackers and nail guns ring in 2026, some homeowners have apparently decided the porta potties and white pickup trucks with (and without) racks, which sprouted like morels last year, qualify as festive decorations worth keeping [...]
Downsizing: Simpler, Not Smaller
Most downsizing conversations go off the rails in the first five minutes. Either someone starts selling you "lock and leave luxury" or you get buried in tax jargon and loan acronyms until your eyes glaze [...]
