The year 2020 was very nearly the least predictable time in local real estate history. Seriously, what other time have we experienced massive unemployment and rising home prices simultaneously? All indications suggest 2021 will be a tad more conventional. Home Values Grew in 2020 Despite “turmoil” being the watchword of 2020, the year produced some… Continue reading 2020/2021 Housing Summary & Forecast for the South Bay
Remodeled Killingsworth House Back on Market
If you know architects, you may know Edward Killingsworth, a US architect who lived in Long Beach. One of the houses he designed still sits at 2 Laguna Place. The estate of the original owners sold it in 2018 with the original design for $2.6 million. It’s no longer fully Killingsworth, as the new owners… Continue reading Remodeled Killingsworth House Back on Market
Industrial Sector Clear Winner in Pandemic-Era Real Estate
Real estate was halted only briefly as a result of pandemic lockdowns, but real estate is not the only aspect of the economy. Not all sectors were equally affected, so real estate won’t recover at the same rate for each sector. Retail was hit the hardest, with many businesses closing temporarily during lockdowns and some… Continue reading Industrial Sector Clear Winner in Pandemic-Era Real Estate
Aerospace Industry Adapted to Pandemic Shutdowns
The lockdowns from the pandemic negatively affected several industries. With most flights being cancelled, you’d expect the aerospace industry to have suffered quite a bit. In reality, their employment numbers rose 6% during the shutdowns. How? They adapted, beginning to focus more on space technology and even on pandemic relief engineering. Several aerospace companies aided… Continue reading Aerospace Industry Adapted to Pandemic Shutdowns
Homeownership Stats Illuminate Wealth Divide
It’s a well-known fact that Black and Latinx people tend to struggle economically more than whites and Asians in the US. The wealth gap may be larger than you think, though. Examining homeownership statistics demonstrates just how significant the difference is. California’s housing affordability for Latinx people is 20% for single-family homes and 33% for… Continue reading Homeownership Stats Illuminate Wealth Divide
Increasing Competition Extends Home Search Time
Demand is so high compared to supply that many prospective buyers are finding competition to be a larger impediment to purchasing a home than lacking funds, even in the midst of a recession. In January 2021, 56% of prospective buyers had bidding wars. This number is up 4% from the prior month. Getting outbid is… Continue reading Increasing Competition Extends Home Search Time
Credit Scores Went Up in 2020 Despite Recession
In many cases, a recession results in credit scores dropping as more people are forced to temporarily rely on credit to make routine payments. This is just one of the many ways that the current recession bucks the trends. Lockdowns, work-from-home, moratoriums, and federal relief packages have all resulted in people spending less and recouping… Continue reading Credit Scores Went Up in 2020 Despite Recession
Is 3D Printing the Future of Construction?
New York construction company SQ4D may have the latest and greatest in construction technology. They’ve used a giant 3D printer to print houses from the bottom up out of concrete, right on the site. Their first demo house, as a proof of ability, was in Calverston, New York. The next one is already up for… Continue reading Is 3D Printing the Future of Construction?
The Healthiest Big Cities in the United States
WalletHub, normally a personal finance website, has released data of a somewhat different nature. They’ve decided to rank 182 of the most populated US cities according to various indicators of health. The categories measured are health care, food, fitness, and green space. On a scale from 0 to 100, the top scoring city averaged across… Continue reading The Healthiest Big Cities in the United States
Buyer Demand Driving Construction Up
Low mortgage rates have resulted in increased buyer demand, and shifting preferences in home features are specifically increasing the demand for new constructions. With sellers waiting out the pandemic, there aren’t many existing homes available for sale. In addition, they don’t always have the features that the new generation of buyers is looking for, such… Continue reading Buyer Demand Driving Construction Up
Are Mortgage Interest Rates Going Back Up?
Those who have been able to buy during the pandemic have enjoyed extraordinarily low interest rates. It seems like time may be running out, though. At 2.96% as of February 10th, the 30-year fixed rate is still below 3%, but it has started to go back up, from 2.92% the prior week. Because of the… Continue reading Are Mortgage Interest Rates Going Back Up?
Old Houses Attracting Millennial Buyers
We’ve just talked about the Millennial generation’s impact on the luxury real estate market and their desire for updated, move-in ready homes (see: https://www.beachchatter.com/2021/02/11/millennial-preferences-reshaping-luxury-market/). It turns out there’s another type of home that Millennials are itching to buy, and it’s quite on the opposite side of the spectrum. They’re moving across the country to buy… Continue reading Old Houses Attracting Millennial Buyers
Millennial Preferences Reshaping Luxury Market
There may be a surprising answer as to why younger generations have seen increased rates of living with their parents. Popular belief is that they’re either too lazy to get jobs or simply saddled with too much college debt. While lack of employment and exorbitant tuitions definitely play a role for some of them, Millennials… Continue reading Millennial Preferences Reshaping Luxury Market
First-Time Homebuyers Can Afford More Than They Think
In a survey of 1000 people who either just bought their first home or were trying to, 68% were surprised by just how much they were able to afford — 47% pleasantly and 21% unpleasantly. It makes sense that first-time homebuyers would generally have a less refined sense of what they can afford, but in… Continue reading First-Time Homebuyers Can Afford More Than They Think
Work-From-Home Could Help Some Young Adults Achieve Homeownership
One of the many effects of the pandemic was that a large segment of the population transitioned to work-from-home. In some cases, those were renters who had the fortune of being able to move back in with their families. Perhaps their rental home was closer to work, and the distance no longer mattered. Maybe they… Continue reading Work-From-Home Could Help Some Young Adults Achieve Homeownership
Pandemic Threw a Wrench in Retirement Plans
According to a recent survey from finance magazine Kiplinger and wealth management organization Personal Capital, over 40% of those saving for retirement are less confident in their savings now. The pandemic triggered a significant economic recession with the highest number of job losses since the Great Depression, reducing the ability to save and in many… Continue reading Pandemic Threw a Wrench in Retirement Plans
What Can Landlords Deduct from a Security Deposit?
Whenever a tenant is moving out, they’re always expecting to get back their security deposit. But they may not get back all of it, as landlords are looking to deduct part of the security deposit to recoup as much as possible. While there are not very many laws regarding security deposit deductions, there are a… Continue reading What Can Landlords Deduct from a Security Deposit?
SB 91 Extends AB 3088 and Creates Additional Protections
The protections for tenants and homeowners under AB 3088 were set to expire a few days ago, on January 31, 2021. However, SB 91 extends these through June 30, 2021, giving tenants more time without fear of eviction as long as their application is proper and they pay at least 25% of their rent. SB… Continue reading SB 91 Extends AB 3088 and Creates Additional Protections
FHA Updates Loan Limits for 2021
The FHA has increased the loan limits for every category in 2021, a boon to prospective homebuyers who may have been negatively impacted by the recession that came with the COVID-19 pandemic. The two primary categories of loan limits are low-cost area and high-cost area, and each category has separate limits for SFRs, duplexes, triplexes,… Continue reading FHA Updates Loan Limits for 2021
Homeowners Delaying Home Repairs During Lockdowns
If you’re going to be stuck at home, you probably want your home to be in good condition, or at least a safe condition. Unfortunately, many people aren’t able to get necessary home repairs done, and 70% of people have delayed them while the pandemic is still going on. 47% of those who have delayed… Continue reading Homeowners Delaying Home Repairs During Lockdowns
2020 Breaks Records for Sight-Unseen Offers
It’s generally a good idea to see a property in person before purchasing it. Even if you’re planning on flipping or bulldozing it, you may want to take a look at the condition of the structure or land the property is on. With advancements in virtual tour technology, they’ve gotten more popular, but until 2020… Continue reading 2020 Breaks Records for Sight-Unseen Offers
How the Pandemic Has Reshaped Office Design
During the lockdowns, businesses had an excuse to try out work-from-home models and see how well it works. Is it better than office spaces? Worse? Just different? Offices and and work-from-home models both have their advantages and disadvantages, and the experience will be different for different people. By surveying employees who had a chance to… Continue reading How the Pandemic Has Reshaped Office Design
Prop 19’s New Laws for Property Tax Exemption
Proposition 19 has now passed in California, and with it brought changes to how property tax is reassessed for some purchases, effective April 1, 2021. The new law replaces Prop 60 and Prop 90, affecting replacement property by homeowners who are over 55, severely disabled, or whose home has been substantially damaged by wildfires or… Continue reading Prop 19’s New Laws for Property Tax Exemption
Manufactured vs Prefab Homes: What’s the Difference?
There are many terms thrown around when talking about factory-built housing — manufactured home, mobile home, prefab, modular housing — and many of them are used interchangeably. These are all factory-built, but in some cases, there are important differences you should be aware of. Two terms that actually do mean the same thing are manufactured… Continue reading Manufactured vs Prefab Homes: What’s the Difference?
Builders Aren’t Able to Keep Up With Demand
In many cases, high-profile construction companies will purchase large areas of land and build many homes at once. In theory, this ensures that once this project is finished, they will already have homes available to purchase while they start their next project. This theory has started to break down in the current market, as demand… Continue reading Builders Aren’t Able to Keep Up With Demand
Securing a Home Loan After the Pandemic Struggles
With interest rates being low, many people are going to want to refinance or secure a new loan while they’re able to get a rate under 3%. They’re going to need to act quickly, though, since rates are starting to go up and the average is currently hovering around 3% for a 30-year fixed rate… Continue reading Securing a Home Loan After the Pandemic Struggles
Long Beach Affordable Housing Policy Pending Final Approval
On Jan. 19th, the Long Beach City Council voted unanimously for preliminary approval of two ordinances designed to increase affordable housing. The policy is still subject to objections prior to final approval, but if it continues as written, 11% of rental developments and 10% of housing developments will need to be set aside for affordable… Continue reading Long Beach Affordable Housing Policy Pending Final Approval
Why Are Short Term Rentals Restricted?
If a property is available to rent for a period of 30 days or less, this is called a short term rental. One common example is Airbnb. Various jurisdictions within California have laws limiting short term rentals and requiring permits. You may be wondering why short term rentals are treated differently from standard rentals. There… Continue reading Why Are Short Term Rentals Restricted?
Rental Statistics Shifting Across the US
We’re all aware that the pandemic has disproportionately affected lower-income residents, including renters. But there are many statistics to look at when examining trends in the rental market, and some of them may not be so obvious. Who, when, where, and how much are all questions to consider. The when is the most obvious —… Continue reading Rental Statistics Shifting Across the US
Pandemic Relief FAQ
There’ve been plenty of articles written about the ever-changing details of the eviction and foreclosure moratoriums. Less has been said about other forms of pandemic relief, such as federal rent relief stimulus. While the stimulus was passed already in December, there are still some things you may not know about it. The federal pandemic relief… Continue reading Pandemic Relief FAQ
The Evolution of California’s 2020 Market
California’s housing market saw multiple shifts during 2020 as different sectors reacted differently and regulations changed with the times. When 2020 began, we already had high home prices and a construction deficit. The lockdowns of the pandemic propelled an economic recession that was already in the making, causing it to arrive faster than expected. Normally… Continue reading The Evolution of California’s 2020 Market
Made a Resolution to Exercise More? This is the Year
“Exercise more” is a common New Year’s resolution, but few are able to keep to it for long. They may go to the gym for a couple months, but the lack of time or energy makes it difficult. The simplest solution is actually something that many people are planning to do already as a result… Continue reading Made a Resolution to Exercise More? This is the Year
First-time Homebuyers Struggling in Current Market
There are many factors leading to the current housing market being a rough time for first-time homebuyers. This group is already at a disadvantage from the outset, not having the ability to sell their existing home to help pay for a new one, and frequently already saddled with rent payments. In addition, first-time homebuyers tend… Continue reading First-time Homebuyers Struggling in Current Market
Pandemic Prompts Shifts in Home Use
The increasing popularity of home offices has been mentioned ad nauseum, but how else have homeowners changed their behavior in the house as a result of the pandemic? The America At Home Study, a nationwide survey with about 4000 respondents, may have some answers. One of the biggest answers should be obvious: Disinfecting more. In… Continue reading Pandemic Prompts Shifts in Home Use
What Your Local Grocery Store Says About Your Area
Whether a high priority on the checklist or just a nice-to-have, most everyone wants to live near the places where they shop. While some people remain loyal to their store of choice regardless of distance, others are perfectly happy to live nearby any place that serves their shopping needs. But which stores are local can… Continue reading What Your Local Grocery Store Says About Your Area
Pandemic Relief To Include Legal Assistance for Renters
A moratorium is currently protecting many renters from evictions, but it’s going to end eventually, and many renters will still owe a backlog of payments. What’s more, the legal process for acquiring protection can be difficult to grasp for some renters. The bottom line is that renters are going to need help understanding their rights… Continue reading Pandemic Relief To Include Legal Assistance for Renters
Should You Buy a Townhouse or SFR?
If you’re looking to buy, but aren’t quite sure what you want to buy, this article may help you. There are a few factors you want to consider when deciding between a townhouse and a single-family residence (SFR). The factors we look at here are cost, maintenance, space, and proximity to neighbors. If price or… Continue reading Should You Buy a Townhouse or SFR?
AB 725 Aims to Help Middle Income Californians
Many attempts have been made, and are still being made, to help lower income people to acquire affordable housing. We haven’t been worried about higher-income housing; those who can even consider affording it don’t particularly need the help. But there’s a group we’ve mostly been forgetting about: the dwindling middle class. The income gap has… Continue reading AB 725 Aims to Help Middle Income Californians
Despite Rebound, Job Future Not As Bright As It May Seem
With the pandemic creating an employment nightmare, the unemployment rate has been a closely watched statistic. Employment is still below pre-pandemic levels, but has rebounded fairly well. That may be giving us false hope, though, since there are other jobs-related statistics to consider. In a previous article (https://www.carlandarda.com/?p=1370) we looked at the difference between employment… Continue reading Despite Rebound, Job Future Not As Bright As It May Seem
Mortgage Applications Skyrocketed in 2020
When the pandemic began towards the end of the first quarter in 2020, people were understandably reluctant to start purchasing houses. As a result, mortgage applications saw a sharp decrease. However, they rebounded quickly, surpassing 2019’s numbers even while trending downwards again in December. In the week ending December 23rd, 2020, mortgage applications dropped 5%… Continue reading Mortgage Applications Skyrocketed in 2020
Smart Home Tech Becoming More Popular
With the pandemic forcing people to stay at home, many are looking to improve the smart technology features of their home. A quarter of those surveyed have more interest in smart tech as a result of spending more time at home, up to 37% for those in the 18-34 age range. Even people who already… Continue reading Smart Home Tech Becoming More Popular
FHA Foreclosure Moratorium Gets An Extension
Foreclosure and eviction moratoriums for FHA-backed loans were previously set to expire December 31st, 2020. The FHA has now given them a two-month extension to February 28th, 2021. Borrowers will also be able to request initial forbearance through this date, potentially allowing them to remain in forbearance through February 2022. The moratorium applies only to… Continue reading FHA Foreclosure Moratorium Gets An Extension
Neverland Ranch Has a New Owner
The Neverland Ranch, near Santa Barbara, California, is a 2700 acre property previously owned by Michael Jackson. The main residence is 12,500 square feet, and there is also a 3,700 square foot pool house as well as a movie theatre and dance studio. Neverland Ranch additionally features a train station, fire house, and barn. After… Continue reading Neverland Ranch Has a New Owner
The Hong Kong Blue Refrigerator Project
In the neighborhood of Jordan in Hong Kong is a street called Woosung Street, popular for its restaurants. There is also a hockey academy there, as well as a sports foundation founded by Ahmen Khan. But Khan is doing something else to make people want to come to Woosung Street — he went to a… Continue reading The Hong Kong Blue Refrigerator Project
2021 Real Estate Forecast Looking Hopeful
2020 hasn’t been quite as bad for the real estate market as expected; Quarters 3 and 4 have actually experienced incredible recovery and even some growth from Q1 since the enormous downturn in Q2. Home sales are up about 800 from Q1, after falling by over 1100 in Q2. Despite the slowdown in construction, total… Continue reading 2021 Real Estate Forecast Looking Hopeful
Gingerbread Muffins
These delicious holiday muffins are quick and easy to prepare, thanks to your trusty blender. Added bonus: they also happen to be low carb! Yields 12 muffins 4 large eggs 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup brown sugar 3 cups almond flour 1 tbsp cocoa powder 2 teaspoons… Continue reading Gingerbread Muffins
What Exactly is a Home Inspector?
Chances are you’re familiar with the concept of inspecting a home before sale. Seller’s agents are required to list observable defects, but sometimes problems aren’t as easily noticed, which is why seller’s agents will frequently recommend that a qualified home inspector take a look. A good home inspector will always look for defects that affect… Continue reading What Exactly is a Home Inspector?
Prices Rise Despite Pandemic
South Bay Sales, November 2020 Quite a year! Soon we’ll have to do a wrap-up on 2020. But, for today it’s going to be November 2020 versus last year, (November 2019) and versus last month (September 2020). Let’s start with the big numbers. Over all, total sales in the Los Angeles South Bay for November… Continue reading Prices Rise Despite Pandemic
NASA Has Partnered With Brazil to Help Combat COVID
Earlier this year, in April, NASA announced development of Ventilator Intervention Technology Accessible Locally (VITAL), a ventilator designed specifically with COVID-19 in mind. Existing ventilators have more general use cases, but are more expensive and more difficult to build. Currently, 28 manufacturers are licensed to build VITAL, with models variably either pneumatic or using compressed… Continue reading NASA Has Partnered With Brazil to Help Combat COVID