According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of unmarried people in America 18 and older in 2012 was 103 million; 53.6 percent were women and 46.4 percent men. 17 million U.S. residents 65 and older were single – some 16 percent of all unmarried people. There were 87 unmarried men 18 and older for…
2013 was an up and down year for mortgage interest rates, though they remained relatively low. What can we anticipate for 2014 and will it be a good time to think about buying a home? The Web site loanlove.com which offers prospective buyers advice on the ever-fluctuating mortgage rate market in a down-to-earth style, says…
It’s hard to believe that avocado colored appliances and orange shag rugs were once in fashion, and considered the “in” and “it” thing in home fashion. But we know that fashion in home design, just like apparel, is ever-changing. Color and style trends track what has become important in our lives. I thought you’d like…
So how do you sell a house? Is it really that different from selling a car, a boat or a piece of art? There are surely techniques in common that might work for all, but houses are very special commodities and they warrant special attention. Here are some of the tips I can offer after…
Vi at La Jolla Village Most people have rather pre-conceived notions about life in retirement. They imagine gloomy retirement homes with linoleum floors and old people sitting in wheelchairs with their heads drooping. For this reason, there is a general sense that it is best to remain in your own home as you age, rather…
In 2007, which coincidentally was the centennial of the founding of Hillcrest, the American Planning Association designated Hillcrest as one of the top ten great neighborhoods in America. That is an incredible honor when you consider the size and scope of our nation and ponder how many neighborhoods are contained within it. That got me…
Last issue’s column was dedicated to a discussion of the cyclical nature of real estate values and how those cycles come about and relate to the general economy. We are currently coming off a serious devaluation of real estate and are now in an expansion phase where inventory (supply) has diminished and buyer confidence (demand)…
People are always talking about real estate, when to buy, when to sell, what’s up and what’s down. This is because the marketplace is ever fluctuating and goes up and down along with other economic factors. Supply and demand is a major factor: simply stated, when supply is greater than demand, prices fall and when…
In this era, when everything seems available on the Internet and we appear just a click away from buying anything from a new bathing suit to a new yacht, why should we bother with a real estate agent? Good question and it bears a real discussion. Why can’t sellers and buyers just deal directly and…
We all like to see stylish, architecturally meritorious houses in our neighborhood. The more of a mix of styles, the more interesting our blocks become. Fortunately, these houses abound, and Southern California sports many fine examples of significant historic homes. Quite common and recognizable is the Spanish Colonial Revival style made popular in California from…
