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Blog Posts By Date: January 2020

01/28/2020

The Age of Buyers is Soaring, But One Group Surpasses Them All

The Age of Buyers is Soaring, But One Group Surpasses Them All

One of the all the more captivating patterns from the ongoing 2019 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers is the rising age demographics of home purchasers. In general, purchasers' ages have hopped from the middle of 31 in 1981 to 47 in 2019. While numerous aspects contribute to the rising age of first-time purchasers, a housing desert with the lack of affordable entry-level properties seems to play a major role.   more...

01/24/2020

Everything You Should Know About The California Solar Mandate

Everything You Should Know About The California Solar Mandate

As of the beginning of 2020, all newly developed homes and low-rise apartments in California are required to have rooftop solar panels. The state is the first in the country to convey such a change in the law. This law also requires better insulation and air filtration for new homes. In addition to a few zones in the Bay Area seeing regulations on the utilization of natural gas. For instance, new homes in Berkeley, San Mateo, Menlo Park, San Jose, or Marin County will not have the option to introduce gas appliances or will have to be more energy-efficient to do so.   more...

01/24/2020

A Complete Guide to Real Estate Tax Deductions

A Complete Guide to Real Estate Tax Deductions

Nobody likes paying taxes on real estate, especially if you live in an area with high tax rates. However, you can potentially get a nice tax deduction from the real estate property taxes you paid. As most of the U.S. tax code, the real estate tax deduction is complicated especially since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act . The following information is what you should know about the present condition of the real estate tax deduction and how to determine if you can utilize it or not.   more...

01/24/2020

5 New Laws and Regulations You Should Be Following Already

5 New Laws and Regulations You Should Be Following Already

The most noteworthy changes in the latest real estate laws and regulations originate from the passage of Assembly Bill 1482, a statewide rent-gouging prohibition and "just cause for eviction law that will give California the country's most powerful statewide resident protection.   more...

01/16/2020

Style the Perfect Guest Bedroom with These 10 Decor Tips

Style the Perfect Guest Bedroom with These 10 Decor Tips

Decorating the Perfect Guest Room One of the many pleasures of home decorating is welcoming your friends, family, and loved ones into your home to experience it. If you're someone who loves to host (or even if you're not!), creating the ideal guest sanctuary is key to ensuring an unforgettable stay for your family and friends.   more...

01/10/2020

This Bay Area neighborhood had the most buying competition in 2019

This Bay Area neighborhood had the most buying competition in 2019

In 2019, half of the most competitive neighborhoods for buying a home were in the Bay Area. In a recent report from Redfin, home purchasers seeking an area for the calmest, most floral, and convenient distance to restaurants and markets, was the country's most sought after neighborhood in 2019. About 72% of homes in White Oaks, C.A. sold above asking value this year, and most were available for less than fourteen days. Redfin found the median sale price of a home in White Oaks was valued at around $1,835,000. White Oaks took the top spot in Redfin's positioning of the 20 most competitive neighborhoods, yet it has a great deal of nearby competition. Ten of the top neighborhoods are in the Bay Area and near half of those are in Oakland.   more...

01/09/2020

5 Home Design Trends That Are Taking Over 2020

5 Home Design Trends That Are Taking Over 2020

Good news for those who want to get a head start on their home decor remodeling plans: Home remodeling site Houzz, a database where millions of home decor enthusiasts and interior designing experts share decorating concepts, recently created a summary of home design patterns ready to find their way into your home this year.   more...

01/03/2020

7 Things You Shouldn't Do When Buying A Home

7 Things You Shouldn't Do When Buying A Home

Your home-purchasing plan could be a long one. When you have an approved offer, you'll likely be eagerly tallying the days until you can move in and start your life as a new homeowner. You may be pre-approved for a home loan, however, you may not meet all requirements for the advance if you commit avoidable mistakes during the approval process.   more...

01/03/2020

What You Can Expect When Buying a Home in 2020

What You Can Expect When Buying a Home in 2020

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, you should expect to have a lot of company. More millennials are expected to enter the housing market to become homeowners in 2020 as mortgage rates remain at a relatively low level. This new decade brings forth strong possibilities of their home-buying issues in 2019 being alleviated. Here are some key trends experts anticipate you may face this year, and how they could affect your homeownership plans.   more...

01/02/2020

Conforming Mortgage Loan Limits Projected to Soar in 2020

Conforming Mortgage Loan Limits Projected to Soar in 2020

2020 loan limits increase to $510,400! Conforming (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) advance limits are increasing! So far up it could profit home buyers and refinancing households in 2020. As indicated by the country's housing organizations, conventional/conforming loan limits were not keeping pace with the pattern to "purchase larger," as this decade approaches its end.   more...