What home features do buyers believe add the most home value?; Are you in the market for a second home?; buyer closing costs have risen, be sure to include in budget; Bay Area prices might not drop all that much; read more at the link . ...

Equity in home is a motivator for some sellers to sell; March saw increase in listings on market; Californians stay in home is higher than anywhere in nation, Los Angeles is the highest; First time buyers want it all to start out with; relocation rates have increased, Sacramento is a destination for many; interest rates are over 5%; read more at the link . . .

Younger generation may be the key to unlocking more inventory in next 12 months; Disproportionate number of Black Americans own home in metro areas; Large investors of houses have decreased activity the most; Number of sellers may increase with spring and summer inventory; .... read more at the link . ..

Buyers are willing to pay a little more for a home that has certain kitchen conveniences; NAR predicts that higher interest rates will bring a slowdown in home sales; Mortgage leaders predict that 5% interest rates are on the horizon this year; higher rates are pushing down mortgage demand,,,, read more at the link . . .

Why is April a good time to list your home? Younger buyers very interested in smart home technology; multigenerational homes in demand; mortgage demand lowers with interest rates up; read more at the link. . . .

Sacramento on of nation's busiest markets, 14% more influx than last year; some sellers are making novice mistakes, big one is overpricing; four California cities in hottest market in nation; Would you buy a townhome?; read more at the link . . .

One Bay Area California city won "happiest city in the country" award, find out which one; Some sellers are taking advantage of taking their property tax base with them; some buyers are facing rising mortgage rates after loan preapproval; rates are up and down, influenced by Ukraine siuation; read more at the link....

One-third of buyers, a record high, say they plan to relocate to affordable area; U.S. homeownership rate in 2020 at 65.5%, but Black ownership declines; 1st time buyers still getting squeezed by investors, nationally; read more at the link.....

One-third of couples buy a home before marriage (buyers, check out your property title status before doing so); January buying activity came back strong; lumber prices triple the pre-pandemic price; Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose ranked in the nation’s top 50 housing markets for singles, particularly women... read more at the link . . .

Higher interest rates bring higher credit card and other loan rates; Younger buyers buying older homes that need fixing; January had just over 408,000 homes on market for 332 million people in the U.S., hopefully that weren't all looking; read more at the link . . .

Buyers have many factors to consider when making a move, schools, neighborhood, proximity to work, and more; is cryptocurrency used to purchase homes in the Bar Area ,,, read more at the link; Fannie Mae predicts limited inventory to invite hyper-bidding, do not expect a soft year; Bay Area at record low for number of home sales; buyers are now less willing to waive contingencies ... read more at the link

Buyers view record low number of houses before purchase, including online only; updated building codes reduce wildfire damage risk; Pew Research: 49% of buyers say affordable housing supply is a problem in their area; low supply, but highest home sales since 2006, read more at the link

California market 2021 was best in a decade; mortgage credit supply loosened in December, more loan programs available; California may shift to more downtown living; national homebuilding increased to a high in 2021; higher rate creating rush for some buyers; see articles at the link . . .

Homeownership is still better than renting in most markets; 20% down payment is not required in order to buy-but many buyers still believe that; Buyers must prepare for a competitive market, what's your credit score?; see articles at the link . . .

Have you been asked to do an escalation clause in your offer? Read here about the risks of inserting language that automatically outbids another buyer's offer, and the risks....

What buyer should know about making an offer and the seller wants you to remove your loan or appraisal contingency, or buying a home with a home inspection. Read here for more important information . . .

Possible precedent for future decisions about development along the region’s growing Metro rail network.

Between 2010-2015, denser urban locations grew significantly faster than residential neighborhoods

San Francisco owners converted to condos; rent control does not necessarily help those who would need it most, read from The Economist

More land and cheaper, more government financing housing support are part of the reason buying a home was within reach of the average wage earner

Credit scores for one thing, so try to raise your score! It can be done!

Most landlords are the mom-pop type, not huge greedy corporations.

Activists are Pushing for the Ballot Vote