|
|
Food, Family & Fur (with a touch of Real Estate) |
|
It's the end of March! |
 |
|
In this issue, we'll be talking about the local effects of the SVB collapse, as well as other pressing issues, such as Banana Bread, Leprechaun traps, training your dog, and a BONUS - California's Dream for All (Cue the Mama's and Papa's). . . A perfectly logical collection of topics! |
 |
Ok, first - the real estate market! Long story short: WTF - as in What in the Financial Heck is going on? I am not an economist, but with banks and bank collapses topping the headlines, it can (and has for many) created a lot of uncertainty - which is stressful. |
|
The big question I get asked is: how has the banking "stuff" affected the local real estate market. Anecdotally, there are stories all over the place - but in the weeks following the SVB collapse we have actually seen no decline in the number of listings going into contract in Bay Area Counties. This could be because real estate is generally seen as a more conservative investment, and a good hedge against inflation. That fact, combined with the average 30 year Jumbo rate being down .45% from a month ago, and with more listings hitting the market, we are hopefully poised for an active (and balanced) season. |
|
Food! (Maui Banana Bread) |
|
Growing up in New England, getting to Hawai'i was a big deal. Like, really big. Actually, getting to any beach was a pretty big deal. I remember going to Cape Cod one summer in high school and getting sun burned while also freezing in the ocean and thinking "this must be what Hawai'i is like." Spoiler Alert: Hawai'i is nothing like Cape Cod. I was pretty dumb in high school. |
 |
|
My first trip to Hawai'i was with some of our closest friends and we ended up taking a day trip to travel the Road to Hana - and eating a LOT of banana bread. It was awesome. When we got home, I immediately started researching banana bread recipes - but none of them were like what we had in Maui . . . until I found this recipe, posted on a Maui Botanical Gardens blog post. I remember thinking what an odd place to find a recipe - but here I am, 7 years later, sharing it in a real estate newsletter . . . |
|
Family! |
 |
I don't know what Ava learned about St. Patrick's Day in school, but I know that she and her best friend spent a solid two weeks brainstorming how to catch a Leprechaun. Like, for two weeks, it was ALL she talked about. I was both encouraged by her ingenuity, and slightly terrified at the amount of thought she put into the |
|
Leprechaun's eventual imprisonment. Fortunately, no magical creatures were captured or harmed this year, but I worry what might happen as Ava gets older and more resourceful. |
 |
|
Fur! |
|
Soba and Whiskey have been more active on social media, and Soba is practically an influencer with 119 followers on Instagram. A question I often get asked is what type of training I do with Soba. Sometimes people even ask me for tips with their own dogs. I immediately refer everyone to my dog trainer, Aby at Golden State Canine. |
 |
|
The one piece of advice I've learned, however, that I think is applicable to everyone, is that training your dog really just comes down to time and engagement. Walks are great, but playing with your dog - even just sitting on the ground with them for a few minutes a day and engaging with them, can really have an impact! A lot of "bad dog" behaviors stem from boredom, and excess energy. Keeping your pup engaged - and engaged with YOU, can really help. For real questions on behavioral training, though, you should definitely reach out to Golden State Canine, or find someone local to you that you trust! |
|
BONUS!! CALIFORNIA'S DREAM FOR ALL! |
|
BIG NEWS! This week, California's Dream for All Shared Appreciation Program went into effect. You can read more about it here. but the TL;DR version is this: Subject to income limits, California will help first time home-buyers with an interest free loan to cover the down payment of their home - up to 20% of the home's value! The caveat is that when a homeowner eventually sells their home, California will be paid back their initial 20%, PLUS a share of the appreciation of the home. This is really great news for buyers who make enough money to cover a monthly mortgage payment, but may be struggling to save up 20% toward a down payment! If you have any questions - shoot me an email and I can connect with a mortgage broker to see if this is a good program for you! |
|
Have a real estate question or concern? Thinking of buying or selling, or know someone who is? Let's connect to see how I can help! |
|
|
|