FRIDAY - LEMONADE STAND DAYS ARE COMING
- To-Dos: Your May Home Checklist
- California's Hot 5: The Fastest-Moving Housing Markets
- Rent Will Remain Too High for the Foreseeable Future
- Why California faces 'lost generation' of home buyers
- Silicon Valley Tech Geeks’ Newest Neighbor? The Urban Farmer
- Los Gatos-Saratoga: Assessor's assessment: Silicon Valley market booming
- 17 Outstanding Outdoor Rooms
Enjoy!
California's Hot 5: The Fastest-Moving Housing Markets - Be prepared for a race to the finish if you're looking to buy in California these days. As they did in the Gold Rush of 1849, Americans are racing westward in 2015. Trulia's Housing Economist Ralph McLaughlin noted that five of the 10 fastest-moving real estate markets this year are located in the Golden State, while sales have slowed in such eastern states as New York, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
Rent Will Remain Too High for the Foreseeable Future - Homeownership rates, which peaked in 2004 at 69.2 percent and plunged in the wake of the housing bust, extended their decline in the first quarter of 2015, dropping to 63.7 percent, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data. New household formation has surged in recent months as more young people move out, but a lack of supply and very low rental vacancy rates have all led to strong rent increases. During the first quarter, median U.S. rents hit $799, up 4.5 percent from fourth quarter 2014. That's the biggest quarter-on-quarter jump since 2006.
Why California faces 'lost generation' of home buyers - In describing the consequences of the slow pace of homebuilding in California, Joel Singer, CEO of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.), stated the following about the impact on millennials: “They’re not going to be a ‘lost generation’ in terms of housing. They’re going to be a lost generation for California.” Singer’s comments were part of C.A.R.’s legislative week in Sacramento, and he added that state gaps in affordability, rate of homeownership, and housing production could push millennials, once they’re in full home buying mode, to look outside of California.
Silicon Valley Tech Geeks’ Newest Neighbor? The Urban Farmer - Santa Clara County may be the first county in California to take advantage of a new statewide law allowing counties and cities to encourage urban agriculture through tax incentives to landowners. Two county supervisors, Ken Yeager and Mike Wasserman, passed the proposal on for study in February, but the measure is expected to be a shoo-in, Yeager says.
Los Gatos-Saratoga: Assessor's assessment: Silicon Valley market booming - Santa Clara County assessor Larry Stone knows he has few fans, especially during property tax time. In fact, he expects to be greeted by boos when he makes a public appearance. This month, after the required boos from members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, Stone delivered very positive news about Silicon Valley's real estate market. The market is booming, Stone said.
17 Outstanding Outdoor Rooms - Consider these creative possibilities for extending your living area outdoors. Some of my favorites:
