FRIDAY - I'VE GOT YOUR DARK AND STORMY RIGHT HERE
- Room of the Day: Multipurpose Design Brings a Room to Life
- Could Obama’s immigration initiative boost the housing market?
- Loan limits raised in four California counties by Fannie, Freddie
- Is 2015 the Turnaround Year for First-Time Home Buyers?
- Apartment rents near BART still affordable, but few are available, real estate app says
- The Bay Area's top 20 elementary schools in (relatively) affordable neighborhoods
- 13 Ways to Be Happier in Your Home This Year
Enjoy!
Could Obama’s immigration initiative boost the housing market? - President Obama and top members of his administration have linked responsible homeownership with immigration reform and the potential of the Hispanic community to contribute toward the housing market—a position that may gain more prominence as the president defends his executive decision to protect millions of illegal immigrants from deportation.
Loan limits raised in four California counties by Fannie, Freddie - As a result of rising home prices, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced adjustments on the upper limits of loans for four counties in the state of California. The adjustments include: Napa at $615,250, up from $592,250; Ventura at $603,750, up from $598,000; San Diego at $562,350, up from $546,250; and Monterey at $502,550, up from $483,000. Also, 42 other counties across the nation will see their upper limits increase
Is 2015 the Turnaround Year for First-Time Home Buyers? - First-time home buyers only made up 29 percent of sales of previously owned homes in October, and these buyers have represented less than 30 percent of all buyers in 18 of the last 19 months. However, according to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS®, some growth is expected next year due to stronger job creation, underwriting standards that have been “dialed down,” and the return of mortgage products that allow buyers to only put down 3 percent.
Billboard Spending On the Rise As Economy Grows - In recent years, stretches of the 101 have seen a different type of traffic. Those racing down the freeway in the Silicon Valley may be catching glimpses of some racy billboards lining the freeway. When the economy booms, those billboards become some of the most expensive real estate in the Bay Area.
Apartment rents near BART still affordable, but few are available, real estate app says - Apartment rents near BART still affordable, but few are available, real estate app says. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment within a half-mile of the Berkeley and North Berkeley BART stations is $2,050, according to Rad-Pad, which describes itself as an online real estate marketplace and mobile app that lists rental properties across the country and also allows renters to pay their rent through the platform, according to Kyle Austin, RadPad's publicist.
The Bay Area's top 20 elementary schools in (relatively) affordable neighborhoods - Bargain-hunting for a neighborhood with that magic combination of good elementary schools and affordable homes? In the Bay Area, that's not an easy prospect, but there are some schools that present a better deal than others.
13 Ways to Be Happier in Your Home This Year - Savor a richer experience in your house without Herculean efforts or spending a fortune, by focusing on what's important. Some of my favorites:
