“Go West!” That was the mantra of millions who flocked to California seeking sunshine and the good life. For decades after World War II the population of the state was continually increasing, some 137 percent between 1960 and 2010. But in the last 20 years, the migration has reversed, and more people are now deciding…
Writers love comparisons; if fact we all do. I thought I’d have some fun this week comparing two pieces of property on the real estate market right now: the most affordable and the most stratospheric in price. Of course, there’s a lot in the middle, and a house for every budget. If you thought San…
Amenities, we’ve all heard the word, and we know we want them. But what exactly is an amenity? Amenities are benefits that increase the value of a property. They can be tangible, like a swimming pool, garage and tennis court; or intangible, like a good location perhaps, a great mountain view or proximity to a…
I had a chance this week to sit down with Matt Young and talk about financing. Matt is a loan officer at MDC Financial Services Group and was recognized in 2012 and 2013 as a member of the elite class of the top 1 percent of mortgage originators in the U.S. He knows his stuff….
CHICAGO — Until now, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) couples in Illinois — (as in most U.S. States) — faced a number of historically significant challenges and hurdles, especially when it came to the sale or purchase of a home. Generally, members of the LGBT community had to rely upon a number of complicated legal instruments…
North or south, always a dichotomy! Each possesses attributes that are polar opposites. Wherever you look around the world there is always a split between the two. Northern and Southern Europe; North and South Korea, Vietnam … The Northeast and the South in the U.S.A., Northern and Southern Italian cuisine! I have heard it explained…
It is said in sales parlance that “there’s a hat for every head”. What this means is that we are all different and have individual likes and dislikes. For the salesman, this suggests that there is a house and a neighborhood that will suit each person who seeks our guidance. In our turf, the wonderful…
As a follow-up to last issue’s article Big or Little I thought I’d talk about size and ask whether our homes need to reduce a bit. First, the facts. In 1950, the average home was about 983 square feet, growing to 1,400 square feet in 1970, and then zooming up to 2,700 square feet in…
Size is relative, as we know. Without a point of comparison, we cannot say that anything is either “big” or “little.” But we’ve seen the city and county of San Diego alternately described as a “big city with a small town feel,” a “small town vibe in a big package” and a “big small town.”…
With the advent of home rental sites on the Internet, including airbnb.com, vrbo.com, vacationhomerentals.com and others, turning your home into a money-making vehicle is literally a breeze. But before you get too excited and start counting your take, it’s wise to size up your property and determine whether it’s a good candidate for the job….
