Tuesday, September 12, 2017

San Francisco’s Annual Wage Growth Is Among the...

On the heels of a report that explains how paychecks stretch further in San Francisco than they do in other coastal job centers comes more promising economic news: Wages here are growing faster than in other major U.S. metropolitan areas. Read more on the Pacific Union blog. (Photo: iStock/lzf)

San Francisco’s Annual Wage Growth Is Among the...

On the heels of a report that explains how paychecks stretch further in San Francisco than they do in other coastal job centers comes more promising economic news: Wages here are growing faster than in other major U.S. metropolitan areas. #apartmentlist #glassdoor #jobs
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Monday, September 11, 2017

Pacific Union Blog: The Best Bay Area Fall 2017...

Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things to do across the Bay Area and the Lake Tahoe region. We’ve curated a list of the many festivals and events recommended by our local offices. Read more on the Pacific Union blog. (Photo: iStock/Joe_Potato)

Pacific Union Blog: The Best Bay Area Fall 2017...

There are no shortage of things to do around the Bay Area this fall. Check out our local offices' recommendations for the best fall festivals and events. #alamedacounty #autumnmoonfestival #bayareapetfair
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Thursday, July 13, 2017

Forecast: California Home Prices to Grow by 10...

Golden State homes should appreciate at almost double the national rate by next spring, though price growth and increasing rental costs do not bode well for affordability. Read more on the Pacific Union blog. (Photo: iStock/SerrNovik)

Forecast: California Home Prices to Grow by 10...

Golden State homes should appreciate at almost double the national rate by next spring, though price growth and increasing rental costs do not bode well for affordability. #attomdatasolutions #corelogic #frankmartell
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Tuesday, July 11, 2017

The 15 Best Chinese Restaurants In SF

Craving Chinese? Here are the 15 best restaurants in San Francisco. (Photo: SFist)

The 15 Best Chinese Restaurants In SF

Food people in the know are going to tell you that if you want the best Chinese food in the Bay Area, you have to leave the city. For this list, we're only going as far as Daly City, but that being said, there's still great Chinese food here!
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Thursday, December 29, 2016

Home Prices Are Relaxing in Silicon Valley’s Most Expensive Pockets



Although Silicon Valley still ranks among the country’s most expensive places to buy a home, prices in the region are leveling off, with Atherton losing its title as the priciest ZIP code in the U.S.
That’s according to Forbes’ latest annual rankings of America’s most expensive real estate markets, which places two Silicon Valley ZIP codes — one in Atherton and one in Los Altos Hills — among the country’s 10 priciest. The study includes both single-family homes and condominiums using a rolling average for the 90-day period ending Nov. 18. ZIP codes with fewer than 10 homes for sale were not included, which the report says eliminated some expensive Northern California enclaves.
Atherton’s 94027, which had ranked as the country’s most expensive ZIP code for the past three years, fell to the No. 3 spot, with a median list price of $7.2 million. With homes listing for $6.08 million, Los Altos Hills‘ 94022 is America’s eighth most expensive ZIP code, up three spots from last year’s list.
Prices have cooled significantly in Atherton, where homes listed for $10.56 million last year. Pacific Union Silicon Valley real estate professional Carol MacCorkle told Forbes that fewer homes at the highest end of the Atherton market — those priced in excess of $20 million — have sold this year when compared with last year. At the lower end of the market, properties in the affluent town are no longer the subject of bidding wars and are staying on the market longer.
Hillsborough‘s 94010 ZIP code ranks No. 16, with a median list price of $5.08 million. With homes listing for $4.78 million, 94062 in Woodside places No. 20. Last year, Forbes ranked both of those ZIP codes in the top 10.
Relaxing prices are evident in other parts of Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, with local ZIP codes slipping down this year’s list from 2015. Palo Alto‘s 94301 dropped from No. 36 in 2015 to No. 48, with a median list price of $3.59 million. After finishing at No. 13 last year, Belvedere‘s 94920 fell to the No. 54 spot. ZIP codes in San Francisco, Tiburon, Los Altos, Kentfield, Saratoga, and Los Gatos also ranked lower on this year’s list than last year’s.


A recent analysis by Pacific Union Chief Economist Selma Hepp illustrates the slowdown that some Silicon Valley markets have seen, with Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Belmont, and Saratoga all seeing annual home price declines. At the same time, more affordable cities — including East Palo Alto — have seen home price appreciation in excess of 15 percent.

Article and images sourced from http://blog.pacificunion.com/home-prices-are-relaxing-in-silicon-valleys-most-expensive-pockets/

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

10 Beaches to Visit This December




When winter comes calling and changing leaves are replaced by habitual flurries, it's time for a sunny escape. Here are 10 beaches that beg you to flee the cold this December.



1

Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Velvety-soft sands, mild island breezes, and serene, crystalline surf greet visitors at Trunk Bay in tropical St. John. Even in December, you’ll find agreeable weather at the Virgin Islands National Park shoreline – with average land and sea temps in the 80s. While sunbathing is one of the main draws, you can always snorkel the Trunk Bay Underwater Reef Trail, a 225-yard-long family-friendly path dotted with colorful fan coral and exotic marine life.
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2

Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos

Scoot on over to the Northeast coast of Providenciales (Provo, if you want to fit in) and you’ll find the 12-mile-long, barrier reef-protected Grace Bay Beach. The postcard-perfect stretch of white and pink sand consistently lands international ‘best of’ lists for its impossibly turquoise waters, calm surf and nearly year-round sunshine. Winter in Provo – get a load of this – means air temps in the mid 80s while the ocean remains tepid as well, in the mid 70s.
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3

Laguna Beach, California

Late November and certainly December may spell out descending temps and snow flurries for most regions of the US, but on the West Coast, Cali still clings to a sliver of sun. Drive yourself down the state’s rugged coast on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway and make a pit stop in Laguna Beach. Though the luxe Orange County town was sprung to reality TV fame in 2004 thanks to a high school-age Lauren Conrad (and co.), it’s an indisputable destination in its own right with mild temps and eight miles of rambling coves and beaches, including downtown Main Beach – Laguna's “Window to the Sea.”
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4

The Baths, Virgin Gorda

If you’ve never heard of Virgin Gorda, let us properly introduce you. The 8.5-mile mountainous island – the third largest in the British Virgin Islands, is home to one of the Caribbean's most visited natural wonders: the Baths. On the southern end of the isle lies a maze of eroded, volcanic granite boulders, tidal pools, natural cave tunnels, and rocky grottoes that attract holiday-makers in search of primo snorkeling spots.
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5

Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas

Though most dedicate the bulk of their Bahamian trips to Nassau or Paradise Island – AKA mega-resort central – those in the know hop a ferry to Harbour Island to spend a lazy day on Pink Sands Beach. The three-mile expanse of coral reef-protected shore is laid-back in all the ways that its resort-town siblings never could be. Serene Atlantic waves meet a crowd of friendly locals and few visitors, and bet you didn’t guess it: pale pink sand. An added bonus? The sand is always delightfully cool to the touch, so you can walk barefoot without worrying about burning your toes.
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6

Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda

The 21-mile-long island of Bermuda isn’t aching for beautiful beaches, that’s for sure; so topping our list takes quite a lot. One of our highest regarded is the fine, white and pink-sand Horseshoe Bay. The Atlantic shoreline, rimmed with limestone rocks and dotted with intimate coves, is named for its curved shape. While the beach can be overrun by overzealous sun-seekers, you can easily jaunt to nearby vacant inlets – like Rocky Port Royal Cove (AKA Baby Beach) to the west, and Peel Rock Cove to the east – to avoid the masses. If you’re down for some time in the water, don’t miss out on killer snorkeling; parrot fish, angel fish and snappers are just some of the colorful aquatic species you may encounter.
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7

Smathers Beach, Key West

We’re going to be upfront on this one: rumor has it that the sand on Key West’s Smathers Beach isn’t native to Florida, but...the Bahamas. After hurricane season comes and goes each year, dutifully wiping away the beach’s shore, the state ships in the good stuff from the Caribbean to replenish and rebuild. Despite borrowing one of its best assets from international beaches, the spot is especially popular among Spring Breakers, sunbathers, and those in search of an exceptional sunset. Since the tide isn’t strong enough for surfing, it’s particularly ideal for swimmers and snorkelers, and it’s also conveniently located – just a mile or so from Duval Street in Old Town, one of the liveliest areas in Key West.
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8

Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Situated in the Caribbean Sea between Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is Grenada, an isle home to no less than 45 pristine beaches. More than a few are certainly worth their salt, but it’s the 2-mile, palm and almond tree-lined Grand Anse, on the southwestern coast, that steals the show time and time again. Despite drawing hoards of locals and throngs of cruise ship shoobies, it’s large enough to accommodate everyone without feeling congested. Take to the calm waters for a dip, or go extreme sport-mode and try your luck water-skiing, parasailing or sea kayaking.
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9

Mauna Kea Beach (Kauna’oa Bay), Hawaii

One thing every Big Island vacationer should know: all BI beaches are public access (read: completely free!), and while there are a handful to choose from, Mauna Kea (also known as Kauna'oa Bay Beach) is our go-to. Since access is controlled by the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the quarter-mile, sublime stretch keeps crowds to a minimum. The hotel has only 40 parking spots for non-guests, so your best bet is to get there bright and early – by 9 am, otherwise you’ll be stuck staking out a spot. Daytime visitors can bank on sloping white sands that feed into a gentle surf, while those who make nighttime pilgrimages are treated to manta ray sightings as a result of the hotel’s floodlights which attract their favorite snack: plankton.
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10

Spanish Wall Beach, Rincon, Puerto Rico

If you’re looking for a beach far off the beaten path (sorry for the cliche, but it's apt), the largely ‘secret’ Spanish Wall is one few tourists make it to. This is in part because the shallow and secluded coast – at the very western top of Rincon, where the Atlantic crosses paths with the Caribbean – requires a hike from the wildly popular Domes Beach along the Domes Trail. Word to the wise: not only is the unspoiled stretch still relatively toasty in the winter, but that’s when surfers will actually find the best breaks.



Article and images sourced from https://www.jetsetter.com/magazine/1066/beaches-to-visit-in-december?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily&utm_term=20161218_v_SUNG_np&utm_source=gilt&nl_id=31668535&DG=04fbaf79-4945-4904-83f6-8dfe6652227f

Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Federal Reserve’s D-Day: Interest-Rate Hike Reflects Confidence in the U.S. Economy



Executive Summary:
  • The Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates by 25 basis points was well anticipated by the markets and already built into the increases in mortgage rates that have occurred since the election.
  • Currently at 4.16 percent, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages remain very close to the highest levels in more than two years. But since the rate increase was considered a foregone conclusion, it will unlikely move the markets further past today’s increase.
  • Nevertheless, the Fed suggested that more aggressive action possibly be taken in 2017 than was previously thought, including an intent to raise interest rates by 25 basis points three times over the next year rather than the anticipated two 25 basis-point increases.
  • The more aggressive path is a reflection of stronger economic conditions since the middle of the year — as well as a faster pickup in inflation and a sharp drop in unemployment rates — but also an incorporation of expected fiscal-policy changes by some Fed members. Also, the hike reflects the Fed’s confidence that the economy has proven resilient and will continue to grow “moderately.” Estimates of gross domestic product growth and the U.S. unemployment rate over the next two years have also been revised more favorably.
  • In the meeting’s follow-up interview, Fed Chair Janet Yellen acknowledged that 2017 will be poised with uncertainty and that future action will depend on what policies are put in place and the resulting impacts on the economy.
  • Another note of caution is that President-elect Trump’s appointees generally have no experience with the workings of the government, thus the transition process may be rife with hiccups, and policies may take longer to implement.
  • However, given the Fed’s vote of confidence in the U.S. economy and anticipation of higher inflation, higher mortgage rates will be top of mind for those who have been thinking about buying or selling a home.
Table 1 summarizes the impact of an increase in mortgage rates from 4 percent to 5 percent:


  • With a 33 percent mortgage payment (including PITI) to income assumption, about 38 percent of Bay Area households could qualify for a home priced at $800,000, which translates to a $640,000 mortgage loan with a 20 percent down payment. An increase in mortgage rates reduces the share of households who qualify by about 90,000. Similarly, the number of households who qualify for a $1 million mortgage, or a home priced at $1,250,000, drops by 120,000 households. Figure 1 illustrates the change in the number of households who can qualify for $1 million and $500,000 mortgages under four interest-rate scenarios.
Figure 1:



Selma Hepp is Pacific Union’s Chief Economist and Vice President of Business Intelligence. Her previous positions include chief economist at Trulia, senior economist for the California Association of Realtors, and economist and manager of public policy and homeownership at the National Association of Realtors. She holds a Master of Arts in Economics from the State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo and a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning and Design from the University of Maryland.



Article and images sourced from http://blog.pacificunion.com/the-federal-reserves-d-day-interest-rate-hike-reflects-confidence-in-the-u-s-economy/