“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
Author: Marlowe Clark
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
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, and affects replacement property by homeowners who are over 55, severely disabled, or whose home has been substantially damaged by wildfires… Continue reading Prop 19’s New Laws for Property Tax Exemption
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
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?
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
Apartment Conversions Will Become More Common
It’s no secret that California has a shortage of affordable housing, and the diminishing construction rates definitely aren’t helping. Fortunately, there’s a rising statistic that isn’t captured in construction rates — conversions. Various types of commercial structures have been being converted into apartments over the past three decades. In the 90s, the most common type… Continue reading Apartment Conversions Will Become More Common
Some Homeless Find Employment Guarding Vacant Houses
With the large homeless population and significant number of vacant properties, it’s no surprise that homeless people often squat there. One company has turned that fact into a business. Weekend Warriors, run by Diane Montano, is a security company in Los Angeles and surrounding areas that operates by hiring homeless people to guard vacant homes,… Continue reading Some Homeless Find Employment Guarding Vacant Houses
Federal Foreclosure Moratorium Gets a Short Extension
Here in California, the foreclosure moratorium is set to end in February. The federal government has now caught up with California, with the FHFA extending the federal moratorium through January 31, 2021. It was previously set to expire at the end of December. The FHFA will be keeping tabs on what’s happening and continue to… Continue reading Federal Foreclosure Moratorium Gets a Short Extension
New Foreclosure Law Aims to Give Renters Fair Chance at Homeownership
SB 1079, also known as “Homes for Homeowners, Not Corporations” has now been signed into law, and becomes effective January 1, 2021. The law seeks to balance out the advantages that corporations and Wall Street have in bulk purchasing foreclosed homes. We saw the devastating effects of this type of corporate greed during the Great… Continue reading New Foreclosure Law Aims to Give Renters Fair Chance at Homeownership
Cannabis Business Thriving Amid Pandemic
Many businesses have been struggling during the pandemic, but the cannabis industry is not one of them. Cannabis businesses were deemed essential and therefore have been working throughout the stay-at-home orders. And their business has been booming. One need only look at California’s state tax revenues to see it, as those from cannabis businesses have… Continue reading Cannabis Business Thriving Amid Pandemic
Is a Lunar Colony in Our Future?
The European Space Agency (ESA) has partnered with British metallurgy company Metalysis on a project that could potentially assist in enabling life on our Moon. Much of the oxygen present on the Moon is trapped inside of rock dust, primarily regolith. Metalysis has already been using a process to extract minerals from Earth rocks in… Continue reading Is a Lunar Colony in Our Future?
The Alternative to Mortgage Forbearance
Currently, approximately 4 million homeowners in the US are in forbearance, which means that the lender has agreed to delay foreclosure on a property. Many others are delinquent in their payments and will be suffering the consequences when the foreclosure moratorium ends in February 2021. It may be too late for some of these people,… Continue reading The Alternative to Mortgage Forbearance
How Does GDP Reflect Economic Health?
GDP, or Gross Domestic Product, is defined as the total final value of all goods and services produced, and is one of the most frequently used indicators of economic health. But how much does it actually tell you, and how can that information be used? For the most part, GDP is simply a broad overview… Continue reading How Does GDP Reflect Economic Health?
Renters and Homeowners Alike Unsure of Their Economic Security
As of September, California had lost about 1.5 million jobs in the prior 12 months, resulting in many people falling behind in house payments. This includes both renters and homeowners with a mortgage, who are both reporting various degrees of certainty about their ability to pay. Of those renters who are still paying rent despite… Continue reading Renters and Homeowners Alike Unsure of Their Economic Security
Most Younger Generations Still Can’t Afford to Buy
Many would-be homeowners in the Millennial and Gen Z generations are going to need to wait. Despite the fact that some who wished to buy are instead renting, apartment vacancies are on the rise as 27.7 million have moved back in with parents or other relatives, if they ever left home at all. The good… Continue reading Most Younger Generations Still Can’t Afford to Buy
Understanding Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation (LFP) and unemployment may seem like direct inverses of one another, but that isn’t the case. LFP measures the percent of employed people plus the percent of unemployed people actively seeking employment. Those who are unable to work or have chosen to leave the workforce are not included in LFP, and in… Continue reading Understanding Labor Force Participation
LA County Tightens COVID-19 Restrictions
The number of COVID-19 cases spiked dramatically in November, spurring LA County to increase safeguarding measures, effective tomorrow, November 20th. The number of customers at any time can be no more than 50% maximum outdoor capacity at outdoor restaurants, breweries, wineries, cardrooms, outdoor mini-golf, go-karts, and batting cages. This number is 25% at businesses permitted… Continue reading LA County Tightens COVID-19 Restrictions
CFPB Plans to Replace Debt-To-Income Requirement
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is planning to make some changes aimed at widening the accessibility of mortgage loans by allowing lenders more freedom in determining a borrower’s ability to repay. Currently, one of the requirements for a qualified mortgage (QM), the loan type preferred by both lenders and consumers, is a debt-to-income ratio… Continue reading CFPB Plans to Replace Debt-To-Income Requirement
2021 Tax Rate Information Now Available
The IRS released the new numbers for 2021’s tax rates in October. The lowest individual bracket has shifted from $9,875 or less to $9,950 or less, and the highest went from $518,400 or more to 523,600 or more. The majority of people will fall in the second or third bracket, up to $40,425 or $86,375.… Continue reading 2021 Tax Rate Information Now Available
Businesses Are Preparing for Smaller Thanksgivings
Throughout the US, COVID-19 is threatening to put a damper on people’s Thanksgiving celebrations. Families don’t want to break tradition, but many will have to settle for smaller gatherings of only close family members. With fewer people, the normal Thanksgiving fare will surely create plenty of leftovers, even with the tradition of stuffing yourself to… Continue reading Businesses Are Preparing for Smaller Thanksgivings
Investors Expect Remote Work Trend to Continue
In a previous post (found here: https://www.beachchatter.com/2020/10/29/post-covid-real-estate-predictions/) we made some predictions about which trends during the pandemic may be permanent and which may be temporary. In that article, we predicted that the drop in urban desirability as a result of being able to work from home would be temporary, and though people would be moving… Continue reading Investors Expect Remote Work Trend to Continue
Stop Water Damage Before It Happens
As we’re approaching the winter months, we’re likely to see an increase in precipitation. Most areas of California don’t get snow, but rain could be an issue if it’s able to cause water damage. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent water damage from the rain. Preventative maintenance does cost money, but… Continue reading Stop Water Damage Before It Happens
SoCalGas Stations Will Begin Using California-Sourced Renewable Fuel
For the past year, Southern California Gas Co. has been using renewable natural gas (RNG) sourced from out of state. Now, they’ve partnered with a California company, Calgren, to source their RNG from in-state. Calgren is the largest dairy biogas company in the US. Incentive programs in California will likely bring other companies to do… Continue reading SoCalGas Stations Will Begin Using California-Sourced Renewable Fuel
The Impact of Climate Change on Real Estate
Climate change has been a hot topic for debate for decades, but what no one seems to be discussing is how it has affected real estate. Climate change can drastically affect the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes are known to temporarily displace evacuees, but in many cases… Continue reading The Impact of Climate Change on Real Estate
Harvard Professor Explains How Masks Work
Joseph G. Allen is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Harvard and Director of their Healthy Buildings program. The New York Times has worked with him as well as several other professors to explain the process behind masks, to demonstrate that they do indeed work. In essence, particles get bounced around inside the fibers… Continue reading Harvard Professor Explains How Masks Work
Second Project Homekey Purchase Approved
Los Angeles County and the City of Long Beach have been working with Project Homekey, a California state project designed to create more affordable housing by converting hotels into homeless housing. The project was started during the pandemic. The purchase of a Holiday Inn location in Long Beach had already been approved on October 13th,… Continue reading Second Project Homekey Purchase Approved
The K-Shaped Recovery: What Is It?
You’ve probably heard of a W-shaped recovery, even if you don’t know what it means. This refers to a false start in recovery, whereby the economy is improving in one sector, but doesn’t have the momentum to continue recovering, so it wobbles a bit. This has been what experts believed the current recovery would be… Continue reading The K-Shaped Recovery: What Is It?
Incorporating a Home Office into Your Home
The trend of home offices is continuing to rise, and wasn’t just a result of the pandemic. In fact, it was already on the rise before the pandemic started. Some people already had spaces for a home office, others attempted to make do with what space they had. Now, builders and renovators are catching on… Continue reading Incorporating a Home Office into Your Home
Post-COVID Real Estate Predictions
Some trends are already appearing in how COVID-19 has impacted real estate decisions. The economy is going to recover at some point, so some trends are likely to be temporary. However, there will certainly also be long-term impacts as experiencing the pandemic has altered people’s outlook on approaching real estate decisions, and even decisions made… Continue reading Post-COVID Real Estate Predictions
Homebuyer Priorities Shifting in Wake of COVID-19
While confined to their homes during the pandemic, people have had plenty of time to take a good look at what their homes offer them — and what they don’t. Homeowners are reevaluating what’s important in a home purchase. Previously, many homebuyers were looking for a place close to everywhere they may want to go… Continue reading Homebuyer Priorities Shifting in Wake of COVID-19
Compton to Launch Guaranteed Income Program for Low-Income Residents
On October 19th, Compton Mayor Aja Brown announced a pilot program called the Compton Pledge. The Compton Pledge is a guarantee of monthly payments over a two-year period to some irregularly employed residents, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated persons, and is expected to reach 800 people. The exact amount of the monthly payments is not yet… Continue reading Compton to Launch Guaranteed Income Program for Low-Income Residents
LA County Offering Free Flu Shots
Free flu shots will be available at select LA County libraries while supplies last, and select Kaiser Permanente locations through at least November 14th. Insurance is not required and you do not need to be a Kaiser Permanente member. Flu shots are especially important for those with weakened immune systems or who regularly live with… Continue reading LA County Offering Free Flu Shots
[UPDATED] What Will Halloween Look Like During COVID-19?
[UPDATE] As of Oct 18, there is some additional guidance regarding holiday activities. Buying and carving of pumpkins is allowed, as long as the pumpkin patches follow safety guidelines. Some outside gatherings are now permitted, a change from the prior guidelines. These gatherings can have a maximum of 2 other households, can last no more… Continue reading [UPDATED] What Will Halloween Look Like During COVID-19?
What is the MID?
You may have heard the term MID in the context of purchasing a home or filing taxes. But what does this term mean? MID stands for mortgage interest deduction, and is a type of reduction in taxable income available to homeowners with a mortgage on their first or second home, or secured by their first… Continue reading What is the MID?
Prop 15 Explained
By now you all should have received your ballots for the upcoming election. You may even have already voted, but if you haven’t and are struggling with understanding Prop 15, here’s an explanation. Prop 15 aims to close a loophole created by Prop 13 that reduces property taxes for investors and businesses. Under Prop 13,… Continue reading Prop 15 Explained
The Impact of COVID-19 on Senior Housing
It’s been demonstrated that senior citizens are a vulnerable group for COVID-19 and experience worse symptoms, with 73.6% of COVID-19 related deaths being those age 65 and over. It’s important to keep them safe and isolated. Senior living communities, on the other hand, are often multi-family. Even though they do frequently have health care workers… Continue reading The Impact of COVID-19 on Senior Housing
San Pedro’s ‘West Harbor’ Set to Open in 2022
What was previously known as San Pedro Public Market has been rebranded as West Harbor, and is expected to open in 2022 after delays due to COVID-19 that have pushed the date back from the previously expected 2021. The San Pedro Fish Market is definitely staying, and the U.S.S. Iowa may have a new location… Continue reading San Pedro’s ‘West Harbor’ Set to Open in 2022