FRIDAY - RAINY DAY CHATTER
- Lush, Foodie Abundance in a Small Urban Garden
- Forbes 400: California Dominates List of Billionaires
- Silicon Valley Employers Focus on Housing
- Economists: Bay Area Nears Full Employment, Housing Market May Get Even Tougher
- In U.S. Home Prices, an East-West Divide
- Redfin Fall Housing Outlook Sees Healthy Buyer Demand; Steady Price and Sales Growth
-10 Rooms That Show You Don’t Need to Move to Get More Space
Enjoy!
Forbes 400: California Dominates List of Billionaires - In addition to tech, California fortunes were made in the entertainment industry, real estate development, construction and securities.
Silicon Valley Employers Focus on Housing - Major companies like Google, LinkedIn, and Facebook are paying attention to the housing shortage in Silicon Valley. These tech giants have all dipped their toes into residential development—some with a focus on serving low- and moderate-income workers. Reportedly, proposals from Google and others would help increase workforce housing at a time when housing costs are pushing median-income families to neighborhoods far from business centers, increasing commute times and congestion. Sixty-five percent of Silicon Valley CEOs reported employee housing costs as one of their top five challenges for doing business in the region.
Economists: Bay Area Nears Full Employment, Housing Market May Get Even Tougher - Economists at UCLA said the Bay Area unemployment rate could fall below five percent, which they consider “full employment,” sometime in 2016. While employment is high, things could become even tougher for those in the market to rent or buy a place to live.
In U.S. Home Prices, an East-West Divide - Most cities east of the Mississippi River, from Chicago to Miami, saw home prices drop between June and July, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Meanwhile, most metropolitan areas west of that dividing line, from Portland to Las Vegas, saw home prices rise over the month. It appears the strength of the housingmarket has a dividing line. Geographic divides help explain the unevenness in the housing market’s performance in recent months. Prices have continued rising, even as the pace of existing-home sales tumbled in August. Overall, local markets are performing very differently.
Redfin Fall Housing Outlook Sees Healthy Buyer Demand; Steady Price and Sales Growth - Redfin forecasts that September home prices will be up 5.3 percent year over year and that sales will increase by 10 percent. The Redfin Housing Demand Index increased 9.6 percent to 103 from 94 a year ago. The Redfin Housing Demand Index measures home-buyer activity prior to purchase, and is based on millions of visits to Redfin.com home-listing pages and thousands of Redfin customers requesting tours. Also, while September and October look steady, there are early signs that point to a softening market in the final two months of the year.
Economists: Bay Area Nears Full Employment, Housing Market May Get Even Tougher - Economists at UCLA said the Bay Area unemployment rate could fall below five percent, which they consider “full employment,” sometime in 2016. While employment is high, things could become even tougher for those in the market to rent or buy a place to live.
In U.S. Home Prices, an East-West Divide - Most cities east of the Mississippi River, from Chicago to Miami, saw home prices drop between June and July, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Meanwhile, most metropolitan areas west of that dividing line, from Portland to Las Vegas, saw home prices rise over the month. It appears the strength of the housingmarket has a dividing line. Geographic divides help explain the unevenness in the housing market’s performance in recent months. Prices have continued rising, even as the pace of existing-home sales tumbled in August. Overall, local markets are performing very differently.
Redfin Fall Housing Outlook Sees Healthy Buyer Demand; Steady Price and Sales Growth - Redfin forecasts that September home prices will be up 5.3 percent year over year and that sales will increase by 10 percent. The Redfin Housing Demand Index increased 9.6 percent to 103 from 94 a year ago. The Redfin Housing Demand Index measures home-buyer activity prior to purchase, and is based on millions of visits to Redfin.com home-listing pages and thousands of Redfin customers requesting tours. Also, while September and October look steady, there are early signs that point to a softening market in the final two months of the year.
10 Rooms That Show You Don’t Need to Move to Get More Space - Daydreaming about moving or expanding but not sure if it’s practical right now? Consider these alternatives. Some of my favorites:
