[UCGal]

I heard a good description of what might be a factor in exec compensation.

Boards are made up of execs from other companies… so they have a vested interest in seeing exec pay go up, overall.

Plus there’s the ego thing. They do these compensation surveys that shows median and average exec comp for similar companies. They will never pay LESS than average because it stands to reason that *their* exec is exceptional… why else would they have hired them. So, that drives the median/average up since all companies want to pay extra for their exceptional execs. To pay less would be to admit that their execs are just average, and not exceptional.

Too bad that doesn’t work for engineering salaries.

[UCGal]

[quote=EconProf]The main question is whether you can get a permit for it. Lots of hurdles involved, but if you can, your cost will be reflected in the new value of the property. If not, then you are taking big risks and could be adding zero value, in some cases even negative value.
The plumbing will likely be your biggest expense, but also your biggest contributor to an increase in value and usefulness.
If it is the typical 10′ x 20′ single garage size, you can just squeeze a br and small ba in.[/quote]
This.

As many know – we built a detached granny flat for my in-laws. And it was a nightmare to get permits, and we had less than wonderful contractor experiences.

Assuming you’re in San Diego county – different municipalities have different rules. Will this be a separate address or just an additional space to your primary home? City of San Diego has started easing up on the requirements for granny flats. Wish they’d done this before we went through the process.

As far as hiring a contractor. Do your due diligence.
* Check them out on the cslb.ca.gov site – look for complaints, license status (probation, cancelled or suspended are BAD). Look at bonding history. Changes in bond history not on an anniversary date could suggest a bond was paid out (and cancelled) so they had to get a new bond company.
* Check out whether they are being sued, or suing. sdcourt.ca.gov. Look at their company name as well as their personal name.
* Check them out to see if they’re lien happy. http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/services/grantorgrantee/search.aspx – again do this on their personal name and the company name. If suppliers have liens against them this is a red flag. If they’ve issued a lot of mechanics liens – again a red flag.
* If they’re incorporated or an LLC, check their corporate status. This is very important if things fall apart. If their corporation or LLC is suspended when the contract is written – then the contract is invalid. (Assuming it’s written in the corporate name.) http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/

This doesn’t protect you entirely – but it will catch the worst of the worst.

FWIW – despite our bad experience… We found most tradespeople to be great. But GC’s seem to add to the cost without necessarily adding value. Consider going owner builder (hiring the subs yourself).

[UCGal]

[quote=afx114]Awesome Photoshop of fake landscaping + stucco/paint job: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2438-33rd-St-San-Diego-CA-92104/17075626_zpid/

Compare the 1st and 4th photos. The 4th photo is what it actually looks like.

But I suppose it’s better than the militia compound landscaping it used to have.[/quote]
In fairness – the listing says it needs remodeling and that these are the plans. In fact they give the existing floorplan and the proposed floorplans… Pics 3 and 2). They’re not trying to represent it as already remodeled.

I don’t have a problem with this.

[UCGal]

Dup

[UCGal]

[quote=bearishgurl][quote=sreeb][quote=bearishgurl]
UCGal, correct me if I’m wrong, but no permits will be required if all your remodeling is within the confines of the house. [/quote]

You are kidding right?

==================================================
When do I need a construction permit?
A construction permit is needed for all new construction. In many cases, a permit is needed for repair or replacement of existing fixtures, such as replacing windows. A plumbing, electrical or mechanical permit maybe needed for any addition or changes to a building’s existing system; for example, moving or adding an electrical outlet requires a permit.

To find out if your project needs a permit, call (619) 446-5000.

When don’t I need a permit?
A construction permit is not needed for items such as wallpapering, painting or similar finish work; fences six feet high or lower; platforms, decks and walks 30 inches high or less over grade or not over basement; and in several other cases. However, reviews may be required from other agencies; be sure to check before building.

For plumbing, mechanical and electrical work, replacement or repair of fixtures (such as changing water faucets or replacing switches) does not normally require a permit. Replacing a water heater or adding a permanently wired light fixture does, however, require a permit.

To determine if your project needs a permit, call (619) 446-5000.[/quote]

sreeb, I am aware that permits (for “inside” projects) should be drawn for rewiring; installing new elec panel/svc; removing, moving, repairing or replacing load-bearing walls and adding square footage. Since my experience has been primarily DIY, I was not aware that permits need to drawn for those other things, never did so for any of those projects and successfully sold the properties years ago. I’m quite certain I’m not alone.

I tried the phone number you posted here and it appears to be inoperable. Which jurisdiction are you referring to here that requires permits for all these (inside) projects?[/quote]
That’s the general info number for the development services department (building permits) for the city of San Diego.

[UCGal]

[quote=davelj][quote=UCGal]
Do you carry your passport with you everywhere you go? [/quote]

Yes. My wallet – if that’s what you would call it – consists of just four items: (1) US Passport Card, (2) drivers license, (3) ATM card, and (4) a credit card. It might be the thinnest wallet on record. If folks are required to carry a license to drive – and aren’t particularly put out by so doing – how difficult is it to carry a passport card? Just sayin’…[/quote]
Good for you.

My passport book does not fit in a wallet. But it does allow me to travel international by plane. Passport cards are limited to specific countries and specific modes of travel.

I’m too cheap to have both.

I’m sure you’re aware that US citizens are not required to have passports. Only one in three US citizens has a valid passport.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/stats/stats_890.html

[UCGal]

[quote=deadzone]Non-US citizens are required to carry documentation by law. I don’t need to prove that to you. Everyone is required to carry driver’s license while operating a vehicle.
[/quote]
Ok. I’ll try to make my point again.
US Citizens are *not* required to carry documentation of their citizenship.
Drivers licenses are not citizenship documents, btw.
So – a cop pulls over someone who they suspect is here illegally. That person, a citizen, cannot produce the required paperwork… so they get hauled into the police station. Perhaps they don’t have the appropriate paperwork… the percentage of US citizens with passports is very low. And how many people keep a certified copy of their birth certificate readily available. (e.g. not in a safe deposit box, at their parents house, etc.)

The problem is that it will effect people who “look” like they might be illegal more than those who “look” like citizens. We’re supposed to be a melting pot – but in this case hispanics will get asked for proof more than caucasians, blacks, and asians.

Alabama has had some bad luck with their papers please law. First they detained a german car exec. Then a japanese car exec. Not good for the local economy (car plants) when you’re harrassing the executives. Missouri is now advertising that they won’t harrass car execs if they move their plants to that state.
http://news.yahoo.com/alabamas-house-approves-changes-tough-immigration-law-015925894.html

[UCGal]

[quote=bearishgurl][quote=UCGal] . . . I think this will be good for folks with an entrepreneurial spirit. Even if they have a pre-existing condition, they can leave their corporate health insurance next week. They can go into business for themselves… spurring the economy, creating jobs. (Next week will be 18 months till 1/1/14… so Cobra can tide them over till the pre-existing condition part goes into effect.)
No longer will people be tied to employers *just* for healthcare. This is huge![/quote]

I agree, UCGal, but have you checked the price of COBRA lately? It is typically more per month than your employer even pays for your plan and can be VERY cost-prohibitive, depending on what kind of a plan you have at work. If you currently have a PPO, you may find that an HMO offered by your employer is all you afford at COBRA rates.

18 months at $600-$800 mo (for the ex-employee ONLY) is enough incentive to keep working, IMHO, at least until 2014.

Individual plans can cost less than COBRA, but until 2014, the carriers of these plans are allowed to underwrite them upon application and price them accordingly.[/quote]

It can only be a small percentage (2%) over what the full cost is.
If you had a large employer – they get cheaper rates through economy of scale. If you had a small employer – your overall rates were higher. In that case it might be cheaper to shop around. Assuming no pre-existing conditions.

Trust me – I pay attention not just to the employee rates (subsidized) but the cobra rates – it’s how I know my employer has been steadily increasing the employee paid percentage of the overall cost. With my large employer the cost of Kaiser Permanente (the cheapest option – even cheaper that the High Ded. plan… so the one I’m on) is about 20% via cobra than what KP quotes online. Assuming my family would even qualify… my husband has had knee surgery, is on a staten drug, etc… my son has an all all which might be considered a pre-existing condition.

My best friend is the poster child for a healthy person with a boatload of pre-existing conditions. She had scoleosis and a fused spine. She had a congenital condition with her kidney as a child. She’s got an auto-immune condition that flares up a bit – similar to lupis. She had to turn down a job with a start up because it did not offer insurance. (Small company – everyone else got insurance through their spouse.) When she was laid off – she had to take a job in a grocery store bakery for insurance, while consulting as a programmer to pay her mortgage. Pre existing conditions are a HUGE deal if you have them. They literally impact where you work in order to get insurance.

[UCGal]

[quote=livinincali]I just wish the supreme court wasn’t so polarized and becoming so liberal vs. conservative. It’s suppose to determine constitutionality not ideals of political minds (with 5-4 decisions based on the politics of the person you were appointed by).

The reality is now it’s not an individual mandate at all and instead it’s a tax on people for not buying something. I don’t like the prescience it sets where it’s giving taxing authority for something you don’t purchase.[/quote]

If you don’t purchase a house using a mortgage, you don’t get the tax breaks. So that’s a case where doing nothing /buying nothing means more tax.

Our tax code is full of moral decisions: Kids are good, mortgages are good, yada yada yada. In this case congress said “buying health insurance is good”.

And did you really mean prescience – are you saying the supreme court can see the future? That’s both scary and exciting at the same time.
(I assume you meant precedence.)

As far as the partisan nature of the court – in this case Roberts *didn’t* vote in a partisan fashion. Are you saying you wish he had? Or are you complaining about the 8’s predictable votes?

I think this will be good for folks with an entrepreneurial spirit. Even if they have a pre-existing condition, they can leave their corporate health insurance next week. They can go into business for themselves… spurring the economy, creating jobs. (Next week will be 18 months till 1/1/14… so Cobra can tide them over till the pre-existing condition part goes into effect.)
No longer will people be tied to employers *just* for healthcare. This is huge!

[UCGal]

I think a lot of the talking heads were completely wrong in their predictions of what the Supremes would do. I can state that now, since hindsight is 20-20.

I’m personally glad since I’ve been trying to figure out my healthcare options if I retire early in a few years. It’s good to know recision and pre-existing conditions won’t keep me from purchasing insurance.

For those who believe in market based solutions – hopefully the market will drive prices down. If a company charges too much, people will shop around… like they do for car insurance.

[UCGal]

And some criminal activity as well:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-scam-wall-street-learned-from-the-mafia-20120620?link=mostpopular1

Fraud – caught on tape… and no one paid attention when it was prosecuted.

[UCGal]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]I remember a spoof soap opera with Carol Burnett called “Fresno”, where the tagline was, “The Power. The Passion. The Produce!” [/quote]

That was an AWESOME mini-series spoof of falcon crest/dynasty/etc. It was totally hilarious.

[UCGal]

So – are you going to buy some of the google glasses? I read that attendees can pre-order them for $1500, and get delivery sometime next year.

Surprisingly, some of my coworkers were interested. (Too expensive for me.)

The closest I’ll get is a stupid free t-shirt they gave us last month.

[UCGal]

[quote=flu][quote=UCGal][quote=flu]Starts tomorrow![/quote]
You’ll have to let us know what swag you get. Rumored to be the new nexus tablet. Sweeeet.[/quote]

Galaxy nexus phone and nexus 7 tablet and nexus q[/quote]

Very nice!!!

[UCGal]

[quote=CDMA ENG]
Blame the Feds. If they had done what they were supposed to be doing and actually enforcing the laws they enacted then AZ would have never went down that path.
CE[/quote]

Little know fact – Obama doubled the number of deportations compared to Bush.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/obamas-record-high-deportations-draw-hispanic-scorn/

[Author]

Posts