Real estate brokerage is a business serviced by individuals who are usually older than their clients. A recent NAR survey found that only about 3 percent of real estate agents were under 30, and 81 percent were older than 45, with 25 percent over 65. Since we know that older people have less familiarity and…
Climate change is in the news. We reported last week that most of the great cities of the world, built on trade routes, happen to be waterfront. This is not the greatest thing in our coming future of warmer temperatures, melting icebergs and rising seas. In spite of this, we just have this incredible affinity…
Change is constant, and remarkable. Climate change, a new and undeniable reality of our times, is altering our world and our plans for the future. Recent studies have suggested that sea levels around the world appear to be rising some 60 percent faster than projections made only a few years ago by the U.N. Intergovernmental…
Selling real estate is a terrific career for lots of reasons. But not everyone has the temperament for it and will excel. In every real estate office there is always a star performer, one who sells the most and walks around with a smile on his or her face. What are the qualities that are…
Real estate and mortgages are co-dependent and though other factors impact prices and sales rates, none probably more than the ability of buyers to borrow money. So this week we’re looking at whether impending increases in interest rates will do any serious damage to what is now a hot market in San Diego and other…
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….
DJIA, S&P 500, NASDAQ, and EAFE. Does this feel like reading a menu in a foreign country? For most, it definitely shouldn’t mean much to you. Sure the pretty newscaster says things like “the S&P 500 is up 25 points today”, but you have no clue what S&P 500 stands for. These acronyms mentioned above…
It’s great when people ask me finance questions. Many are embarrassed or afraid to ask financial questions, but that should not be the case. Remember, none of us have been taught about personal finance or investments. It’s just not something we learn in high school or college. There is no reason why you should know…
Many California homeowners financially stretch themselves to buy a home. It’s almost inevitable when even a starter home is selling for $400,000 or more. That means big monthly mortgage payments eat up a large chunk of income. It sure would be nice to lower that payment. Maybe even go out to dinner every once in…
When San Diego LGBT Pride purchased its new office building in 2009 for $1,030,000, there was concern among the community that it was too pricey for the organization to afford. Five years later, those worries may become a reality as the remaining mortgage on the building is now due. In order to avoid having to…
