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Wednesday, February 26, 2025Own Your Own Second Home through the CalHome Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Loan Program
Friday, January 31, 2025What the Eaton and Palisades Fires Reveal About Wildfire Risk in Marin’s Housing Stock
For construction professionals in Marin County, wildfire risk may not always be a primary concern—but it should be. Recent fires in Southern California provide critical lessons on how homes ignite and the importance of wildfire-resistant construction. The Eaton Fire in Pasadena spread into a neighborhood of older homes, exposing the vulnerabilities of aging structures that predate modern wildfire codes. Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire ignited multiple homes in a newer development, proving that even recent
Monday, December 23, 2024California Employers, Get Ready! Wide Range of Employment-Related Laws Will Take Effect January 1, 2025 + 4 Essential California Employee Handbook Updates for 2025
New California employment laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025. These laws address a variety of issues, including the state minimum wage, discrimination protections, paid time off, and employers’ messages about unionization. Quick HitsCalifornia’s minimum wage will increase from $16.00 to $16.50 per hour.New legislation clarifies that employers may not discriminate against workers because they have a combination of protected characteristics or do not have a driver’s license.California
Monday, December 23, 2024New Law Changes in 2025 Affecting Licensees, Applicants and Stakeholders
Sacramento, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is advising licensees, applicants, and other stakeholders of key legislative updates following the implementation ofSenate Bill 1455 (Ashby, 2024). This bill, effective January 1, 2025, extends the Board’s “sunset” date from 2025 to 2029 and makes other changes to the law, which are described below. Key Provisions of SB 1455 1. Public Works Project LicensingWhat’s New? Awarding authorities must now ensure that public works project bidders
Wednesday, November 13, 2024Home Hardening in Action
When wildfire swept through Camarillo, California, Steven Snyder’s fire-hardened home emerged unscathed amid widespread destruction in his neighborhood. By choosing to build with fire-resistant materials—Class A roofing, fireproof siding, ember-resistant vents, and a fully cleared defensible space—Snyder’s home stood resilient against the flames. His story underscores the critical role of wildfire-ready construction as California’s seasons grow more intense, especially in high-risk areas like Marin
Tuesday, October 29, 2024ALERT! New Regulation, File before 12/31/2024 to avoid potential jail time and files of $591/day!
On January 1, 2024, the new requirement to file a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) went into effect. More than 32 million entities – mostly small businesses – have to file this report, which is required by a federal law called the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Violations of this law can result in a civil penalty of up to $591 per day, the violation continues and criminal penalties of up to $10,000 and two years in prison. If your
Wednesday, August 07, 2024The Future of Home Insurance May Rely on Fire Smart Building
Earlier in July 2024, the New York Times published an article highlighting the collaboration of researchers at the Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and insurance agencies, who are grappling with escalating losses due to the magnitude of wildfires across the West. The research emphasizes the role of a home's design features to withstand wildfire by focusing on key areas of home ignition risk: near-home landscaping, and the building’s materials and design often referred to as home