Category Archives: News

The Economic Watch – BACK TO A NEW NORMAL, AGAIN

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BACK TO A NEW NORMAL, AGAIN
by Mark Schniepp

Are We Back To Normal Again?
Many people will argue that the economy has
Are We Back To Normal Again?
Many people will argue that the economy has
not returned to the condition it was in prior
to the Great Recession when it was easy to
buy or rent a home, employment was full, and
household incomes were higher. Retirement
account contributions and pensions were more
generous, expense accounts were fatter, business
travel more frequent, and Christmas parties more
extravagant.

Read more…

WHAT’S DRIVING UP HOUSING PRICES?

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Home prices soared in 2013 and that momentum pushed into 2014. The market leveled off after the first 7 months of 2014 and plateaued. We figured that housing values had overcorrected downward and the appreciation spike during the recovery was therefore warranted. The plateau did not last long because the pace of price appreciation has now ramped up again. Why? Read more (PDF)…

9 Red Flags to Watch for When Picking a Real Estate Agent

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Pass on agents who are family members and those who have never bought or sold in your neighborhood.

The proliferation of online real estate information makes it easier than ever to be an informed consumer when buying or selling a home. Yet the digital revolution has done little to lessen the importance of choosing the right real estate agent to work with you.

The right agent can help you buy your dream house or sell your existing home quickly. The wrong agent can botch the transaction, leaving you with egg on your face and nowhere to call home.

Despite the high stakes, many buyers and sellers give little thought to choosing an agent, whether they’re buying or selling. Read More >>>

California Economic Forcast: SEARCHING FOR WEAKNESS

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We are at or near the peak of the economic cycle. That’s my opinion. We could also be in for a longer period of expansion than normal, because the sluggish period of recovery during this economic
cycle was much longer than expected. If so, then my thoughts about the peak could either be premature or the peak could evolve into a longer running plateau of economic growth.

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Ask These 7 Questions to Create a Whole House Color Palette

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It seems so simple, but picking a paint color is one of the biggest obstacles my clients have when updating their homes. Once they realize they’re really picking an overall palette, they’re positively paralyzed.

I’ve been part of the process in thousands of homes, and it really is easier than most people think. Answer a few questions, make a few quick decisions, and then narrow those decisions down to an ultimate choice. I usually give myself a week to make a final decision.

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