WE NEED TO KEEP OPEN MEETING RULES
Reprinted with permission from Voice of San Diego: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/opinion/article_ff320244-d065-11e1-9a2e-001a4bcf887a.html By Donna Frye July 17, 2012 (San Diego)–The Brown Act is the state’s open meeting law that requires local governments to prepare and post agendas for public meetings and disclose decisions made in closed meetings. The state will reimburse the entities required to comply with the Brown Act for the costs associated with these requirements because they are considered to be a state mandate. When the state budget was adopted, the money to reimburse those costs was cut from the budget. Since the requirement to post meeting agendas is considered a mandate, and the mandate was suspended, so was the requirement to continue posting public meeting agendas. Open meetings would mean little without public notice of where and when they are scheduled and what business is to be addressed, or if actions taken after deliberation in closed session were never to be revealed. The fact that many, if not most, local agencies pledge to continue complying with the agenda and disclosure requirements voluntarily is heartening, but will be of no consolation if and when an agency decides, for whatever reason, not to provide meaningful disclosures on an agenda or after a closed session. In such cases the public will have no basis for challenging the secrecy and no remedy for correcting it. If agendas are not required to be posted, how can people even know what’s going on? And even if cities and counties say they will comply, without a legal remedy it’s meaningless. This issue can be solved by taking some simple actions. On a local level, City Councilwoman Marti Emerald is working to have the matter docketed at city council on July 24 to ensure that in the city of San Diego, the Brown Act noticing requirements and all legal remedies will be enforced. Send her an email letting her know that you support her action to have the Brown Act issue placed on the City Council docket for July 24 to ensure that the city will continue its compliance with the current Brown Act posting and action disclosure requirements and their enforceability by any of the judicial remedies provided in the Brown Act. On a state level, there is legislation available to permanently correct this problem. Sen. Leland Yee’s Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 7 would place on the statewide ballot a simple constitutional requirement: “Each public body shall provide public notice of its meetings and shall publicly disclose any action taken.” If approved by the voters, it becomes the law and could not be “suspended” again without a vote of the public. The bill is stuck in the Appropriations Committee, but that committee, by a majority vote, can pass it and send it to the Assembly floor. It seems like some kind of political influence has stopped Sen. Yee’s bill from moving forward for a vote, but you can help apply public pressure to change that. You can send Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes, chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and Speaker of the Assembly John Perez an email asking that they free SCA 7 (Yee) from the Appropriations Committee suspense file and allow the bill to go to the full Assembly for a vote. SCA 7 is the only means of providing a permanent, express mandate for public notice of the meetings of public bodies and public disclosure of actions taken in their closed sessions — a mandate that will not be subject to suspension with the vagaries of state finances. Donna Frye is a former San Diego City Councilwoman, and vice president of Californians Aware.
DOG TEAMS SEARCH FOR NATIVE AMERICAN REMAINS IN MCCAIN VALLEY , OCOTILLO AND JACUMBA
Canines identify dozens of sites in path of wind and power line projects Wind developers “cooperate” with tribes on searches– but SDG&E refuses to allow dogs on its ECO-Substation site Story by Miriam Raftery Photos by Tom and Nadin Abbott, Miriam Raftery, and Jim Pelley July 18, 2012 (McCain Valley) – Weaving across cactus-studded terrain in McCain Valley, Piper, a border collie trained to find ancient human remains, pauses to sniff the ground. Ears erect, he sits, alerting handler Lynne Engelbert, who records the GPS coordinates. (Click video to view.) Minutes later, Piper’s find is independently confirmed by a second search dog. “For their certification exam, these dogs have to find each bone and be within a foot,” said John Grebenkemper with the Institute for Canine Forensics. The dogs are trained using ancient bones 5,000 to 8,000 years old. After several visits to the sites, working in limited hours due to high temperatures, the dogs have located some 50 sites with probable human remains in Ocotillo, on federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property. “There is a reason why they call this the Valley of the Dead,” Manzanita tribal consultant Jeff Riolo told ECM. “How many burial sites does it take to call this a cemetery?” ECM has contacted the BLM to request comment, but has not yet received a response. Dozens more ancient human remains have been identified by the dog teams in McCain Valley on BLM land, as well as at Jacumba. Nearly all have been confirmed by a second dog. (Fatigue from intense heat prevented confirmation at the handful of sites where a single dog alerted.) Those findings occurred in just just a small portion of each of the three project areas searched: Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Express wind, Iberdrola Renewables’ Tule Wind site in McCain Valley (where both turbines and an underground transmission line are proposed) and land adjacent to SDG&E’s ECO-Substation in Jacumba. Riolo praised two of the energy companies for respecting tribal efforts to project their ancestors, but leveled sharp criticism at a third. “Iberdrola is actually cooperating with us,” Riolo said, adding that the company has even indicated a willingness to pay for future dog searches after tribes funded the initial round. By contrast , he added “whereas in Jacumba, SDG&E is trying to make it as difficult as possible.” Iberdrola spokesperson Harley McDonald told ECM that the company is “absolutely sensitive to cultural resources” and had previously done surveys that found hundreds of archaeological sites, resulting in moving turbines, transmission lines and access roads. The company is “still trying to do our own investigation to find out what these dogs are finding,” McDonald said, adding that she is waiting on a report from the ASM archaeology consultants and from the dog handlers. “We are looking at having a potential second round of investigations later this fall and we are looking at contributing to that cost.” By contrast, Riolo noted, “SDG&E would not allow us access to their ECO Substation site and since it is private property, we could not trespass…Manzanita has reached out to SDG&E at various levels to dialogue on how to work together to minimize the impact to the cultural property, only to be turned away. SDG&E’s project manager refused to meet with us to discuss mitigation measures, proper tribal monitoring and forensic dog team searches to local cremation sites prior to construction/destruction.” ECM contacted SDG&E to ask why tribes have been denied access to identify and protect cultural resources at the ECO Substation, potentially including burial sites, but the company has not responded. Pattern Energy has struck a middle ground with tribes at its Ocotillo Express site. “Pattern had said that they would avoid these sites,” said Riolo, adding that thus far, the company has done so. However, he noted, “Pattern won’t acknowledge them as cremation sites; they are willing to call them environmentally sensitive sites…We don’t care what you call them, as long as you avoid them.” In a statement provided to ECM news partner 10 News, Pattern insisted that “To our knowledge, there have been no verified discoveries of cremation sites from these canine searches at this point. We have reserved judgment on the results because we are not aware of research that supports canine searches as a reliable and proven method for identifying ancient cremation sites, nor are we aware of the scientific standards being applied in these searches.” The company added that Pattern will “continue to be reasonable and flexible in how we built this project to minimize the ground disturbances from the construction of the project.” Tribes have thus far not sought independent confirmation of the dogs’ finds through a coroner’s analysis or carbon dating, because the Native American tradition is to leave ancestors’ remains undisturbed and not dig them up. But if Pattern should decline to protect ancestral remains at its project site, Riolo confirmed, “Then we’ll shovel test it.” Initially used in police work, forensic dogs were noted to alert on old cemeteries. So the Institute of Canine Forensics, formed in 1997, began training working breeds—herding and hunting dogs—to locate ancient remains. Just How accurate are the dogs? Extremely accurate, according to their handlers—who provide some impressive examples. “On an archaeological site in Vacaville in June, the dogs identified burials that were 3,000 years old,” Grebenkemper said. The dogs have been used by California’s State Parks Service at Body State Park, an unrestored ghost town, where a team including Engelbert and her dog found 296 unmarked graves, as Animal Planet documented in a video. The dogs also helped locate ancient remains at the University of California, San Diego Chancellor’s home. Tribes want to see a full search conducted of each site. Locating remains, however, can prove problematic for energy companies. Options range from moving turbines or power lines to potentially abandoning projects if avoiding numerous cultural resource sites is not feasible. There is good reason to believe that many more ancient remains may lie beneath the earth
TEACHER’S AIDE ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN LA MESA
July 17, 2012 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police yesterday arrested Chrystina Delrosario, a teacher’s aide at Reflections Central School, for unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old male student. Officials at the school notified the police department after receiving information that the student may have had sex with the teacher’s aide. The patrol officer was assisted by detectives, who conducted the preliminary investigation. The sexual acts reportedly occurred on school property on or about June 27, 2012. The suspect was later booked into Las Colinas Jail. Reflections Central School is an educational program for young offenders run by the San Diego County Office of Education in affiliation with the San Diego County Probation Department. Delrosario is charged with lewd act on a child, intent to commit a sexual offense with a minor, and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. The investigation is on going. If you have any information on this case, please call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400. You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case
READER’S EDITORIAL: SOHO SUES TO SAVE BALBOA PARK – PUBLIC HELP IS NEEDED
By Helen Ofield, President Lemon Grove Historical Society On July 9, in shocking disregard for 100 years of citizens’ efforts to preserve Balboa Park and for their constituents’ pleas to reject the Jacobs Plan — pleas made over more than six hours of testimony — the San Diego City Council voted 6 – 1 in favor of the costly, destructive Jacobs Plan. The lone holdout and sole voice for the people was Sherri Lightner (sherrilightner@sandiego.gov), who showed leadership in her elected duty to protect and serve the public. By contrast, her colleagues on the council caved to Jacobs/Sanders machine in an embarrassing display of forelock-tugging toadyism. The Union-Tribune’s editorial two days later termed anyone who opposed Jacobs "idiotic." The adolescent, vengeful tone of the editorial was not remotely up to journalistic standards. All who love Balboa Park seek to rid the Plaza de Panama of cars. But not with Jacobs "my way or the highway" approach. And highway it is. His plan will bring more cars than ever before in history into the heart of the park via the ill-designed, elevated road that will carve a hole in the historic Cabrillo Bridge. The battle may be lost, but the war is not over. Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) will legally challenge the council’s approval of the proposal that will irreparably damage Balboa Park and jeopardize its status as a National Historic Landmark District. The lawsuit will be based on the City’s violations of a) the San Diego Municipal Code; b) the 1870 Trust Dedication of the park as "free" in perpetuity, i.e. no paid parking; and c) the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). SOHO successfully challenged the council’s 2011 illegal Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Jacobs’ committee. Thousands of community leaders and local, state and federal authorities on planning, design, transportation, sustainability, economics and historic resources joined SOHO in arguing for the alternatives to the Jacobs plan that will protect and enhance parklands. Bruce Coons, the indomitable executive director of SOHO, said, "Balboa Park, a national treasure established by state statute in 1870, to be held in trust forever as a free and public park and for no other and different purpose, deserves all of the protections of local and state law." Please act now and send your tax deductible donation in any amount to: SOHO, Balboa Park Legal Defense Fund, 2476 San Diego Avenue, San Diego, CA 92110. Emailsohosandiego@aol.com. The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
FRONT AND CENTER: ANOTHER ASSAULT LOOMING FOR COMBAT VETS
By Rick Rogers DefenseTracker.com July 18, 2012 (San Diego) — One war is over while another winds down. A more important fight looms at home. I’m not talking about troops wrestling with Post-Traumatic Stress, but battling unscrupulous predators mining GI Bill gold while delivering nothing but penniless pockets and sour futures. Soon combat veterans by the hundreds of thousands will join 600,000 comrades already using the GI Bill to forge new lives. And as these vets return home, sound decisions on education and employment will matter like never before. Decisions no less important to our national interest than the outcomes in Iraq and Afghanistan — arguably more so. Education is the key to driving down veteran unemployment – anywhere from 9.5 percent to 30 percent depending on whom you ask – and changing public perceptions. While Americans respect veterans, a national poll in June also showed half believe most veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress and are also prone to abusing drugs and alcohol than civilians. Both opinions are factually incorrect. Maybe more importantly, the public views Iraq and Afghanistan veterans as a particularly uneducated lot. With commendable foresight, Congress anticipated the weight a generation of fighting men and women would place on the GI Bill and updated the education package stunning in its generosity. Unfortunately, the applause most heard when the Post 9/11 GI Bill was signed into law in 2008 sounded like a dinner bell to others. To give you an idea of the kind of money we are talking about, consider San Diego County. Every year 30,000 service men and women leave the service here. Most leave with about $50,000 in educational benefits. That means veterans with roughly $1.5 billion in GI Bill spending power pass through San Diego each and every year. Don’t think for a minute that sketchy schools with high-costs and low-graduation rates haven’t noticed. San Diego is filthy with predatory educational institutions focused on exploiting our most vulnerable veterans with snake-oil offerings. They prey on those with PTS and brain injury knowing they shy away from interaction with others and would rather sit at a computer screen instead of in a classroom. It’s the equivalent of giving an alcoholic a drink and charging him for therapy. A few weeks ago the Supreme Court drew the ire of some veteran advocates by shooting down the Stolen Valor Act, a 2006 law that made it a crime to lie about receiving military decorations. The Supreme Court – correctly in my mind – ruled that while those who claim medals never earned engage in contemptible speech, it is also unfortunately protected speech. To criminalize lying could lead to unintended consequences worse then the offense. If only the same advocates would back a law making it a crime to rip-off veterans. That would be a law we could all support. Rick Rogers has covered defense and veterans issues for nearly 30 years. He hosts Front & Center: Military Talk Radio Sundays, 11 to noon, Pacific Time, on KCBQ AM 1170 (www.kcbq.com). Podcasts at www.DefenseTracker.com. Contact him at (760) 445-3882 or Rick.Rogers@defensetracker.com
SDG&E AND FOREST SERVICE PRESERVE SENSITIVE WATERSHED HABITAT
July 18, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and the U.S. Forest Service have collaborated to preserve and protect 266 acres of sensitive habitat immediately adjacent to Cedar Creek Falls in the San Diego River watershed. The land is now National Forest System land donated by SDG&E. This critical watershed habitat is home to 26 sensitive or endangered wildlife species and twice as many sensitive to endangered plant species. Species include the endangered arroyo toad which relies on sandy streambeds and chaparral as well as the Least Bell’s vireo, a migratory songbird that nests in the poison oak and other brush that grows in the San Diego River watershed. “We are pleased to have worked with the U.S. Forest Service to preserve this vital watershed property that is home to such a wide variety of native plants and wildlife,” said Pam Fair, SDG&E vice president, environmental and support services and chief environmental officer. "This is an integral part of our land conservation efforts that will forever preserve more than 10,800 acres of vital ecosystems for several threatened and endangered species; and create beautiful open space preserves for the people of San Diego and Imperial County to enjoy for generations to come." “With the inclusion of these 266 acres into the Cleveland National Forest today, we are able to further resource protection and public use, as well as help to meet the present and future needs of the American people,” said Will Metz, supervisor of the Cleveland National Forest. Land donations are an important tool for the Forest Service to meet its mission of protecting and preserving natural resources. These donations optimize National Forest System landownership patterns and are consistent with the Cleveland National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. “SDG&E worked closely with us to identify and acquire this piece of previously privately owned land, and we are pleased it is now public land,” added Metz. This donation is the first of more than a dozen environmentally-significant properties that SDG&E will be preserving forever to offset impacts on sensitive vegetation and listed species as set forth by the approved Sunrise Powerlink Habitat Acquisition Plan and Habitat Management Plan. Ultimately, SDG&E will preserve more than 10,800 acres, having impacted fewer than 800 acres constructing the new transmission line. The project’s close to 500 acres of temporary impacts will be fully restored to pre-impact conditions.
AP and Chelsea Football Club in photo distribution agreement
The Associated Press and Press Association today announced a worldwide photo distribution agreement with Chelsea Football Club (CFC). The Associated Press, a leading global news agency, and the UK’s national news agency Press Association (PA) will ensure global distribution of the club’s photography via their unparalleled distribution networks. Under the terms of agreement, AP will have exclusive rights to licence CFC-produced and owned imagery for global distribution. PA will have the same rights for UK distribution. Photography will include live action shots as well as images from the training ground and behind the scenes at the club. Emma Wilkinson, Chelsea Football Club’s head of Communications and Community Affairs, said: “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to be working alongside two of the frontrunners of the sport photography business. We are delighted to be able to share our images with a wider audience than ever before thanks to this new joint partnership with PA and AP, who are the obvious choices due to their superb quality and extensive networks in the UK and around the world." Fernando Ferre, vice president of AP Images, the AP’s commercial photo unit, said: “AP is delighted to be working with the Champions League and FA Cup winners – Chelsea Football Club. The club is synonymous with the highest caliber of football and this partnership will contribute to the continued growth of its brand around the world. Exclusive rights to worldwide distribution of Chelsea FC’s images will provide customers with access to an even broader range of AP’s award-winning sports photography.” Martin Stephens, PA Images managing director of photos, said: “We are excited to be working with Chelsea Football Club and look forward to bringing to the UK market exclusive and exciting images which will complement our own extensive sports photography service with an archive dating back to before the formation of the club.” James Claydon, AP director of International Business Development, said: “AP is dedicated to assisting our clients not only in imagery distribution into traditional and new media outlets but also in brand development and recognition on a global basis. And we look forward to the opportunity to working with such a high-profile organisation as Chelsea Football Club.” This July Chelsea FC is touring the U.S., with matches in Seattle, New York, Philadelphia and Miami. AP Images has a network of world-class media partners in news, sport and entertainment. They include the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of professional football in the United States. AP is committed to growing its partners’ sports business by entering into key partnerships and developing the commercial marketplace. About the AP The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world’s population sees news from AP. On the Web: www.ap.org. About the Press Association The Press Association is the national news agency for the UK and Ireland, providing a continuous feed of text, pictures, video and data into newsrooms around the country. At the heart of the media industry, the Press Association supplies services to every national and regional daily newspaper, broadcasters, online publishers and a wide range of commercial organisations. Founded in 1868, the Press Association has an unrivalled reputation for providing fast, fair and accurate information. Media contacts: Emma Wilkinson Head of Communications and Community Affairs, Chelsea Football Club Emma.Wilkinson@ChelseaFC.com Phone: 0207 565 1487 Fax: 0207 957 8226
AP and Chelsea Football Club in photo distribution agreement
The Associated Press and Press Association today announced a worldwide photo distribution agreement with Chelsea Football Club (CFC). The Associated Press, a leading global news agency, and the UK’s national news agency Press Association (PA) will ensure global distribution of the club’s photography via their unparalleled distribution networks. Under the terms of agreement, AP will have exclusive rights to licence CFC-produced and owned imagery for global distribution. PA will have the same rights for UK distribution. Photography will include live action shots as well as images from the training ground and behind the scenes at the club. Emma Wilkinson, Chelsea Football Club’s head of Communications and Community Affairs, said: “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to be working alongside two of the frontrunners of the sport photography business. We are delighted to be able to share our images with a wider audience than ever before thanks to this new joint partnership with PA and AP, who are the obvious choices due to their superb quality and extensive networks in the UK and around the world." Fernando Ferre, vice president of AP Images, the AP’s commercial photo unit, said: “AP is delighted to be working with the Champions League and FA Cup winners – Chelsea Football Club. The club is synonymous with the highest caliber of football and this partnership will contribute to the continued growth of its brand around the world. Exclusive rights to worldwide distribution of Chelsea FC’s images will provide customers with access to an even broader range of AP’s award-winning sports photography.” Martin Stephens, PA Images managing director of photos, said: “We are excited to be working with Chelsea Football Club and look forward to bringing to the UK market exclusive and exciting images which will complement our own extensive sports photography service with an archive dating back to before the formation of the club.” James Claydon, AP director of International Business Development, said: “AP is dedicated to assisting our clients not only in imagery distribution into traditional and new media outlets but also in brand development and recognition on a global basis. And we look forward to the opportunity to working with such a high-profile organisation as Chelsea Football Club.” This July Chelsea FC is touring the U.S., with matches in Seattle, New York, Philadelphia and Miami. AP Images has a network of world-class media partners in news, sport and entertainment. They include the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of professional football in the United States. AP is committed to growing its partners’ sports business by entering into key partnerships and developing the commercial marketplace.
FROM THE CHIEFS CORNER: FLASH FLOOD SAFETY TIPS
Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, East County Magazine “In-House” Fire Chief July 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)–We are in our summer “monsoon season” which can quickly and unexpectedly bring flash floods.More people lose their LIVES in floods than in any other weather-related event. 80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles, and most happen when drivers make a single, fatal mistake – trying to navigate through flood waters. Watch for the following signs: o Unusually hard rain over several hours o Steady substantial rain over several days o Rains in conjunction with a spring thaw o A monsoon or other tropical system affecting your area o A Weather report o Water rising rapidly in streams and rivers In hilly terrain, flash floods can strike with little or no advance warning. Distant rain may be channeled into gullies and ravines, turning a quiet stream into a rampaging torrent in minutes. Never camp on low ground next to streams since a flash flood can catch you while you’re asleep. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED AREAS! Even if it looks shallow enough to cross. The large majority of deaths due to flash flooding occur with people driving through flooded areas. Water only a foot deep can displace a 1500 lb. vehicle! 24” of water can easily carry most automobiles! Roads concealed by water may not be intact. If the vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and its occupants and sweep them away. Remember it’s better to be wet than dead! Do not allow children to play around streams, drainage ditches or viaducts, storm drains, or other flooded areas! Be especially cautious at night. It’s harder to recognize water danger then. Don’t try to outrace a flood on foot. If you see or hear it coming, move to higher ground immediately. When hiking, follow these steps: o Wait for everyone in the crew to arrive at stream, and make a determination to cross. o Do not walk through a flowing stream on foot where water is above your ankles. o When walking through or on rocks or logs over a stream, Loosen pack buckles so if you fall you can easily get away from your pack and it will not drag you under o Wait for everyone to cross before continuing (in case the last person needs assistance). Be familiar with the land features where you live, work, and play. It may be in a low area, near a drainage ditch or small stream, or below a dam. Be prepared! Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest statements, watches and warnings concerning heavy rain and flash flooding in your area, report it to the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service will issue a Flash Flood Watch when heavy rains may result in flash flooding in a specific area. In this case you should be alert and prepare for the possibility of a flood emergency which will require immediate action. A Flash Flood Warning will be issued when flash flooding is occurring or is imminent in a specified area. If your locale is placed under a warning, you should move to safe ground immediately. Campers/hikers should always determine if local officials, such as park rangers, post local cautions and warnings.C This goes along with — in those areas where it’s required — completing any local tour/entrance/trip plan.
VALUE, COST, & PRICE: THE THREE KEYS TO BUYING YOUR NEW HOME
By Megan Gates July 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)–When purchasing a home, it’s important to "become an educated buyer," as Dottie Herman frequently advises. Aside from having a finalized budget in place and knowing how much home you can afford, one of the first steps any potential homebuyer should take is to hire a real estate broker who understands your needs and is knowledgeable of the area and homes in which you’re interested. The broker will guide you through the real estate transaction and help you make informed decisions. In a recent broadcast of “Eye on Real Estate with Dottie Herman” titled “The Art of Negotiations”, Dottie Herman, CEO and President of Prudential Douglas Elliman, discussed the three most important aspects to buying a home: value, cost, and price. Value To understand the difference between value, price and cost, Herman explains that value is "an opinion of what you think the home is worth, based on how you are going to use it.” A home’s value will vary from person to person according to his or her wants and needs. For example, if you need to be within a certain school district, a property located within that district will be more valuable to you than a home that is not. Cost Sellers often believe that the cost of the house is what they paid for it plus any improvements and money that they’ve put into it. However, it’s important to keep in mind that when a homeowner makes improvements to their home, they are actually increasing the “value” of the home. As value varies from buyer to buyer, the price each buyer is willing to offer will differ as well. For example, if the seller has made energy-efficient updates to the property and that quality is important to the buyer, that buyer might be willing to pay more cost-wise because they find those improvements to be valuable. Nevertheless, as Herman explains, cost and value shouldn’t necessarily determine the price of the home. Price Knowing what price to offer is a difficult challenge for any potential homebuyer. “Price is what the home should be worth today. But sometimes people don’t price it right, so what you really want to look at is fair market value," Herman explains. Understanding the fair market value of the home will help you better determine what the home is really worth. Fair Market Value Fair market value is what the property is worth based on current market conditions. As the market is constantly changing, your broker can help determine this by researching other properties that have recently been listed and sold in your target area and providing you with a comparative market analysis (CMA). The CMA will provide you with the actual price that comparable homes in your target area have sold for in recent months. However, it is important to be aware of what features may not be included in the CMA, such as wear and tear, view, and neighbors, and to take these factors into consideration as well when preparing to make an offer.