FRIDAY - GOLDEN HOUR
- Building Permits: What to Know About Green Building and Energy Codes
- The Compromises Millennials Make to Be Homeowners
- Report Finds Homebuying Pays Off Fast
- Why the math on homeownership is not motivating renters
- Bay Area fireplace phase-out could cost Sonoma County (Santa Clara County, too) residents thousands of dollars
- The strongest and weakest housing markets of 2015
- How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops
Enjoy!
The Compromises Millennials Make to Be Homeowners - Only 36 percent of homeowners are age 35 and younger, and while an already heavy debt load has delayed homeownership for millennials, many are making compromises to exchange rent checks for building equity. Due to student debt and a punishing recession that hampered income growth, they are coming up with resourceful ways to balance the debt of a mortgage with their financial situations. Pulling together the funds for a down payment remains one of the biggest struggles, and it often means foregoing a wedding or honeymoon.
Report Finds Homebuying Pays Off Fast - Even though buyers in most markets can break even on a home purchase in less than two years, nearly half of renters in a newly released survey said their credit or finances keep them from buying a home.
Why the math on homeownership is not motivating renters - Zillow found that most home buyers would be paying less per month to own a home than to rent after two years. The highest break-even horizons were in Los Angeles at 5.1 years, Washington, D.C., at 4.2 years, and San Diego at 3.8 years. But while rents are soaring, and mortgage rates are still historically low, many are not pursuing homeownership due to student debt, lack of ability to save with high rent, and tight mortgage credit availability. In addition, supply is not keeping pace with surging demand. It is hoped that rising prices will persuade those who may be on the fence about listing their homes to do so in the coming months, leading to closer parity between supply and demand.
Bay Area fireplace phase-out could cost Sonoma County residents thousands of dollars - The Bay Area Air Quality Management District says that a complete turnover — eliminating about 1.4 million fireplaces and noncertified wood-burning devices — would occur in about 30 years, based on the assumption that 3 percent of Bay Area homes are sold each year.
The strongest and weakest housing markets of 2015 - Veros report revealed a "Tale of Two Coasts" in the forecast's top and bottom residential markets. Six out of the top 10 appreciating markets are located within a 75-mile radius in the Bay Area of California. Conversely, six of the bottom 10 markets are located within a 100-mile radius in the Northeast coastal area.
How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops - Got a garden patch and a hankering for the freshest veggies and berries? This guide will get even urban gardeners farming. Some of my favorites:
