FRIDAY - let the candles burn
- 13 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Tackling a Renovation
- Is a home the new luxury item?
- Homeowners Reap Bigger Savings on Car Insurance- Buying Beats Renting in Less Than Two Years
- Bay Area housing squeeze: Millennials hurt the worst
- El Camino Hospital buys 16 acres in south San Jose for new hospital facility
- 11 Ways to Create a Beautifully Styled Bookcase
Enjoy!
Is a home the new luxury item? - Almost half of those people who don't own a home said their financial situation is standing in the way, and since finances and bad credit are preventing homeownership for many, a single-family home may soon be considered a luxury item. According to a report by Bankrate.com, 29 percent said they can't afford a down payment and 16 percent said their credit isn't good enough to qualify for a mortgage. Despite mortgage rates near the lowest levels ever, housing prices are also still sky high in many parts of the country, making affordability an issue for many potential homeowners. In addition, low inventory has made the competition stiff for entry-level homes.
Homeowners Reap Bigger Savings on Car Insurance - According to a new analysis of premiums by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America (CFA), premiums averaged seven percent higher – about $112 per year – for drivers who rent instead of own homes. Overall, the CFA found that major auto insurance companies charge good drivers as much as 47 percent more for basic liability auto insurance if they don’t own their home. CFA used company websites to solicit two premiums in each city for a 30-year old female motorist who has a 2005 Honda Civic and a perfect driving record. The only characteristic that was altered during the testing was whether she owned or rented her home.
Buying Beats Renting in Less Than Two Years - On average, Americans can break even on a home purchase in less than two years in 70 percent of U.S. metros, thanks to low interest rates, healthy home value forecasts, and the relatively fast pace of rents in recent years, according to Zillow's Breakeven Horizon analysis for the fourth quarter of 2015.
Bay Area housing squeeze: Millennials hurt the worst - Close to 75 percent of Bay Area millennials anticipate moving out of their current homes or apartments in the next five years -- though only 24 percent expect to be able to afford the new place they desire.
El Camino Hospital buys 16 acres in south San Jose for new hospital facility - El Camino paid $23.4 million for the undeveloped site on Santa Teresa Boulevard between San Ignacio Avenue and Great Oaks Boulevard, according to a deed filed on Friday. The seller was Redwood City data center giant Equinix, which had paid Xilinx $38.3 million last March for the larger, 34-acre block.
11 Ways to Create a Beautifully Styled Bookcase - Discover tips, tricks and techniques for showcasing your favorite reads. Some of my favorites:
