Author: Marlowe Clark

Should You Buy a Tankless Water Heater?

Traditional water heaters are generally not visually appealing, and are often hidden as much as possible. But a water heater is a pretty important appliance, so no one wants to go without one. There is one potential solution: a tankless water heater. This choice isn’t for everyone, though. Going tankless has pros and cons.

You aren’t going to be worried about someone seeing your tankless water heater. They’re much smaller — about 20 in by 28 in, rather than 24 in by 60 in — and feature more appealing designs. This also means they free up more space, which always impresses buyers. Tankless water heaters also are significantly more energy efficient. This is because they heat the water only when needed, rather than constantly. It also leads to them lasting about twice as long as traditional water heaters, about twenty years rather than ten.

The big drawback? Well, they don’t have a tank, which means they can’t store large quantities of water. Their effectiveness is limited to a few gallons at a time, so running the dishwasher and washing machine at the same time, or two people taking a hot shower simply won’t work. The other con to tankless water heaters is that they’re more expensive, at approximately $1000 compared to $300-400 for a traditional water heater. Given the higher energy efficiency and longer lifespan, you’ll likely save money in the long run, but the upfront cost difference is significant.

Photo by Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash

Market Stability Anticipated In 2024

With government support having ended, this may prompt people to think the economy has stabilized and recovery is imminent. But this is just the precursor to a stable market. The market needs time to adapt under normal conditions, and probably won’t become stable again until 2024. The main factor in overall recovery is the job market, which has yet to fully recover, and a stable real estate market requires construction to catch up to demand.

Some policies remain from government actions during the recession, though. Three laws — SB 10, AB 345, and AB 571 — will help out in construction efforts. SB 10 allows more areas to be zoned for up to 10 units, AB 345 allows ADUs to be sold separately from the primary residence, and AB 571 prohibits impact fees on affordable housing. Two more laws, SB 263 and AB 948, reformed bias training for real estate professionals. This legislation should have lasting impact in making the recovery more comfortable.

Photo by Logan Cameron on Unsplash

More: https://journal.firsttuesday.us/2021-in-review-and-a-forecast-for-2022-and-beyond/81281/

Personal Savings Rate Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels

The percent of income put into savings on average fluctuates rapidly, but for the most part tends not to be subject to sudden large shifts. There have been a few notable spikes or dips across the decades, but nothing like the pandemic spike. April 2020 saw a record-breaking 34% savings rate, attributed to lower spending during lockdowns in tandem with stimulus payments. There was a second less major spike after the second round of stimulus payments.

The 34% rate was approximately double the record in prior years, which was back in the 1970s. That prior record was still only a 2% difference from the prior year. By contrast, in October of 2019, the personal savings rate was 7.2%, a 26.8% difference. The most recently calculated rate, in October 2021, was nearly identical to the pre-pandemic rate, at 7.3%. The savings rate has still been trending upward in the past couple of decades, though, after a relatively steady decline since the 70s, bottoming out in 2005.

Photo by Roman Synkevych on Unsplash

More: https://journal.firsttuesday.us/the-20-solution-personal-savings-rates-and-homeownership-2/

Renters Optimistic About Homeownership in 2022

Increased demand following the lockdowns meant that many people were eager to buy in 2021, especially first-time homebuyers, 85% of whom were renting at the time. Unfortunately, many of them weren’t able to because of heavy competition, with over 25% making an unsuccessful attempt. That hasn’t deterred most of them, though, with 72% of prospective first-time homebuyers expecting 2022 to be their year.

However, it’s important to note that less than 15% of those now looking to buy in 2022 were already looking in the beginning of 2021. That means it’s unclear whether they’re only recently planning a move to homeownership, or they deliberately avoided the highly competitive phase. It’s possible that they’ve only recently acquired the means to purchase, but it’s also possible they’ve had the money lined up and held off for a better time. In any case, optimism is strong among the current group of prospective first-time homebuyers.

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

More: https://www.realtor.com/research/first-time-home-buyers-2021/

Homeowners Underestimating Monthly Ownership Costs

Two-thirds of homeowners feel they spend a large portion of their annual income just on their house. For 54% of homeowners, it’s their single largest financial burden. Most homeowners are well aware that homeownership is costly, yet still worth the price. Nevertheless, just over a third are struggling more than they expected with the annual cost of things such as mortgages, property taxes, and maintenance.

Housing costs are also increasing over time, which is contributing to the unexpected struggles. Single-income households are certainly worse off, but even dual-income households are having financial woes. But the most significant contributor to unexpected costs is repairs and maintenance. It seems most homeowners simply don’t consider how much it could cost to maintain their home. However, even costs that are laid out ahead of time are causing more strain than people realize. Almost half of homeowners didn’t think HOA costs would be such a big deal.

Photo by Kostiantyn Li on Unsplash

More: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/finance/what-is-house-poor.html

Fed Intends to Speed Up Interest Rate Growth

Interest rates are by no means high right now, but they’ve been steadily rising and can no longer be considered low. Prices have also been high, but they’re predicted to drop dramatically, for a couple of reasons. First, inventory is opening up as foreclosure moratoriums and forbearance programs are ending. The other reason is that the Fed has been reducing their mortgage-backed bond (MBB) purchases. Tapering back MBB purchases will both lower prices and increase interest rates.

The Fed had previously announced plans to keep the Federal Funds Rate at its current value of zero through 2023. However, they’ve now decided that 2022 the year to begin returning to normalcy. With scaled back MBB purchases, the zero benchmark rate is the only remaining factor in economic stability that isn’t transitory. Increasing the benchmark rate will further increase interest rates, though, so 2022 is going to be a year of higher interest rates, but lower home prices.

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

More: https://journal.firsttuesday.us/fed-announces-a-quicker-increase-to-interest-rates/81216/

How to Keep Your Plumbing Working Longer

Water leaks or burst pipes can be disastrous and unpredictable, but many homeowners don’t know how to maintain their plumbing. Obviously, a plumber could do a lot more than the average homeowner, but you can still do your part to help the pipes last longer. Long-term stress is the primary cause of plumbing issues, so reducing their work load is the most effective preventative method.

Most people enjoy high water pressure when showering, and may even upgrade to a higher pressure system. But higher water pressure means higher pressure on your pipes. They will slowly start to wear down. If your water pressure is higher 80 psi, consider hiring a plumber to lower it. The $300-400 expenditure is a sizable sum, but still far less than the cost of a water leak. Another thing that can damage the pipes is having a lot of minerals in the water. Think about purchasing a water softener, which will also improve the effectiveness of your washer and dishwasher. They are expensive, though; a good water softener will cost about $500. One method that doesn’t cost you anything at all is to simply avoid pouring grease down the drain. It may seem like liquid grease will pass through easily, but it solidifies as it cools and can clog the pipes over time.

Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

Alternative Window Dressing Options

There are several options to decorate your windows. Some of them also help maintain privacy. The most common is window curtains, but there are other things you can do to make your windows more stylish.

If your window isn’t in a location that necessitates privacy, such as the kitchen, try putting some plants on the windowsill. A traditional valance performs a similar job, but you can also use painted wood or metal to achieve the same effect. For more privacy, consider frosted glass. It lets in more light without being see-through, and doesn’t need to be fiddled with. If you’re the more traditional sort, you can opt for pull-down shades, which aren’t as commonly used nowadays but do the same thing as curtains.

Photo by Colin Maynard on Unsplash

Outdated Zoning Laws Hinder Construction Efforts

While it’s now legal to build multiple units on land previously zoned for single-family residences (SFRs), the cost of construction is still high. The costs of acquiring a site, making sure to conform to environmental codes, and building from scratch definitely add up. Builders aren’t able to work out a positive return on investment for new constructions.

They can cut a lot of the costs by using existing structures and renovating them. But, many of these structures are zoned for commercial use only. There are certainly zones that can be commercial or residential as needed, but not nearly enough to satisfy buyer demand. New zoning laws in the Los Angeles metro area and in the San Francisco Bay Area have facilitated conversions from commercial to residential, but even that isn’t enough. And in areas without these new policies, such as the San Diego and Sacramento metro areas, conversion rates are dramatically lower.

Photo by Al Soot on Unsplash

More: https://journal.firsttuesday.us/california-residential-conversions-limited-by-outdated-zoning/81042/

Supply Chain Struggles Affecting Every Aspect of Homes

The rising cost of lumber has been mentioned a few times, mostly in the context of slowed construction rates. But lumber costs aren’t the only issue, and it’s affecting more than just construction. The pandemic and subsequent recession were the primary driving force for supply chain difficulties across the board, and climate change is also a big player.

Though lumber prices are still relatively high, they are actually much lower than the peak in Q1 of 2021, and the number of construction workers, while still below pre-pandemic levels, isn’t far off. Where there are still issues are in other sectors. Paint and furniture are more expensive than ever. Part of the increased cost of furniture is the still-high lumber prices, but it’s mainly the result of extreme weather — Texas was the main contributor to raw materials to produce paints and furniture stuffing before cold snaps and hurricanes halted much of the production. Paint and furniture are also both in high demand as a result of people spending more time at home and therefore wanting to remodel. The same trend has resulted in an ever-growing backlog of home appliance deliveries.

Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash

More: https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/how-supply-chain-is-strangling-real-estate-what-you-need-to-know/

Preparing for an Out-Of-State Purchase

Out-of-state purchases are becoming more common, with improvements in remote showing technology as well as increased popularity of the work-from-home model. People have even been purchasing sight-unseen, and requesting remote closing processes. Remote transactions may not be what you’re looking for, but regardless of your reasons for buying in another state, being prepared is even more more important than usual.

While big-name real estate agents are big for a reason, it may be more beneficial to choose a local agent for the area you’re looking in. They will be more intimately familiar with the area. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions, especially about the area’s transaction process. You may think you’ve been through it before, but it could be different in another state. Even if you’ve been to the state before, a local agent will likely know more than you. Not just the agent, either — ask the locals questions as well.

Photo by Dong Zhang on Unsplash

Inexpensive Renovations to Bolster Your Home Value

Many homeowners don’t want to consider renovations unless they plan to continue to live there, or the home is in dire need of upgrades. After all, part of the return on investment is emotional. But there are some relatively inexpensive upgrades that can boost your home’s value immediately.

Instead of committing time and money to replacing floors and countertops, update some less permanent fixtures. Replace mirrors and light fixtures, making sure they coordinate with the space and with each other. Professionally cleaning the floors often does just as good a job as replacing it for a much lower cost, especially if you have carpet. While higher end models can be expensive, new appliances won’t necessarily break the bank and will definitely be appreciated by buyers.

Photo by Andres Jasso on Unsplash

Mortgage Rates to Transition to New Benchmark

The most commonly used benchmark rate to determine mortgage rates has long been the LIBOR, or London Inter-Bank Offered Rate. However, this has some issues. The LIBOR is not tied to actual transactions. Because of this, bankers that have influence on the LIBOR can simply manipulate the rate to their benefit. This occurred in the 2008 recession, where the LIBOR was kept artificially low to encourage people to borrow money. The financial world has finally decided LIBOR won’t cut it as a benchmark, and it’s being phased out.

Financial institutions won’t be forced to stop using the LIBOR, but if they do use it, they will be required to include at least one rate that isn’t LIBOR-based as a backup. They will have until the end of 2021 to comply. The front runner for a backup rate in the US is the SOFR, or Secured Overnight Financing Rate. This rate is administered by the New York Fed. It’s not subject to the same manipulation that LIBOR is because it does take into account actual completed transactions. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac already swapped from LIBOR to SOFR in 2020.

Photo by Ash _ Ismail on Unsplash

More: https://journal.firsttuesday.us/libor-phase-out-begins-on-december-31-2021-are-you-ready/81002/

Affordability Up in Third Quarter of 2021

We’re seeing more potential signs of economic recovery as housing affordability is trending slightly upward from the second quarter. This is measured as the percentage of people that can afford a median priced California home, which was valued at $814,580 for the third quarter. The overall difference is small, an increase of only 1% — from 23% to 24% — but the upward trend holds across 30 of the 51 counties tracked (California has 58 counties total). Affordability is still down from 2020 numbers.

The county that showed the largest increase was already the most affordable California county, Lassen County, increasing 6% from 62% to 68%. There was also a 5% increase in Contra Costa County, from 26% to 31%. Contra Costa is also in a region that experienced an increase in affordability across every county, the San Francisco Bay Area. The least affordable county remains Mono County, but even in that county there was a 4% increase in affordability, from a measly 9% to 13%. The sharpest decline in affordability was felt in Siskiyou County, dropping 3% from 44% to 41%.

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More: https://www.car.org/aboutus/mediacenter/newsreleases/2021releases/3qtr2021hai

Climate Change Not a Factor in Most Homebuying Decisions

Nearly two-thirds — 64% — of homebuyers in the US don’t consider climate change in assessing the safety of the property they plan to buy, according to a recent survey. More and more areas are becoming prone to wildfires or flooding. Of course, some of them don’t believe in climate change at all, accounting for 12%. But just over half of the people not thinking about climate change simply failed to consider it, but recognized the value in doing so. 19% of respondents are aware of climate change but didn’t think it relevant to their homebuying decisions.

There’s plenty of evidence that the younger generations, Millennials and Gen Z, think about climate change and consider it a significant issue. But apparently, mostly in a broad sense, and not specifically in relation to home buying. It is important to note that most of those in Gen Z are not old enough to buy a home yet, and therefore wouldn’t be included in the survey. Only 10.6% of respondents considered climate change to be a top priority in homebuying decisions. For 5.9%, it was the most important consideration.

Photo by Andrew Gaines on Unsplash

More: https://www.mpamag.com/us/mortgage-industry/guides/homebuyers-unmoved-by-climate-change-survey-finds/317704

Inspecting for Air Leaks Doesn’t Require an Expert

Conducting an energy audit involves checking the home for areas where air could be leaking in or out. Much of the time, this is left to a professional. But it doesn’t have to be. Even if you don’t have the proper tools to fix the leaks, you can certainly conduct an audit yourself and determine whether anything needs to be fixed in the first place. Plus, if you do have the tools or can acquire them, the fixes don’t require a professional either.

All that testing the walls requires is a candle and a way to light it. Bring a lit candle with you as you tour any exterior wall, door, or window. If the candle goes out or starts wavering while you’re not moving, it probably means air is coming in. You can fix the leak yourself with caulk if you find one. Besides exterior walls, doors, and windows, other areas you should check are the attic and ducts. You don’t need a candle for this, but you’ll want a mask and gloves for protection. Lift up insulation in your attic to see if there is any lack of coverage, and fill it with additional insulation before sealing it. Check the ducts for holes, and also check the joins to make sure they’re airtight. Ducts can also lose heat if they’re not clean.

Photo by Saffu on Unsplash

Santa Ana Joins List of Rent Controlled Cities

Rent control is highly contentious. Certainly many of its opponents are landlords who stand to lose the most financially. But even among those who agree that something needs to be done to help tenants, rent control isn’t a popular answer, since it seems to do more harm than good in practice by encouraging landlords to exploit legal loopholes to evict tenants — or even just evict them illegally, which is rarely contested in court.

It’s no surprise, then, that the vote to enact rent control in Santa Ana was hotly debated. The final vote was 4-3 in favor, but even the four council members that approved it all admitted it isn’t an optimal solution. The saving grace is that the measure also includes tenant protections. The opposition’s primary contention was that the measures aren’t too different from the existing statewide regulations, making it a largely redundant venture whose implementation and enforcement would be a waste of city and taxpayer money.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

More: https://journal.firsttuesday.us/santa-ana-enacts-new-rent-control-measures-amid-staunch-resistance/80923/

Millions of Workers Are Quitting Their Jobs

The labor force has been unhappy for quite some time, given that wage growth continually fails to meet inflation levels. What has been holding workers back from quitting en masse is that they don’t have anywhere to go. Unstable finances, mostly due to that same lack of wages, means many of them would rather keep a job they don’t like than risk being unemployed. During lockdowns, about 3 million people quit, but many of them were forced to — people normally don’t want to quit during recessions because the economic climate is too unstable. This year, even without being forced, over 4 million have left their jobs.

In many ways, this was actually spurred on by the pandemic. School closures are still happening in some areas, and they’re not necessarily predictable. That means families need to either find a way to pay for childcare or quit their job to take care of the children themselves. For some, it’s the stimulus payments plus the trend towards economic recovery that allows people to be more confident in risking temporary unemployment. In addition, older at-risk individuals are retiring early to reduce exposure. Employers are starting to reopen positions that were cut during lockdowns, and are desperate to fill them, offering higher pay and more benefits — though still not a living wage in many cases.

Photo by Damir Kopezhanov on Unsplash

More: https://journal.firsttuesday.us/where-have-all-the-workers-gone-the-great-resignation-hits-home-in-california/80841/

What to Know Before Investing in Real Estate

Looking for investment property is a bit different from looking for a personal home. There are a considerable number of factors when purchasing a personal home, such as affordability, whether it suits your needs, proximity to work, schools, and shopping, and whether you actually like the space. But with investment property, while you probably won’t be getting much return on your investment if no one wants to live there, it’s not your own preferences you should be looking out for.

Ultimately, investment property does come down to your bottom line, and finding something you can afford and that has a good return on investment is certainly very important. But it’s important to realize that your return on investment is partially determined by others’ preferences — which means you need to know what they are. Research the market area and figure out trends. Which types of homes are selling, and to what type of clientele? Also, don’t discount remodeling. It may have a higher up-front cost, but if it does, the return on investment is sure to be high as well in the long term. You may even find it’s actually cheaper to buy a home in need of care and remodel it into something similar to existing homes.

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Zillow Offers Program is No More

Zillow launched its Zillow Offers program back in 2018, in which Zillow would purchase homes directly to update and relist. This process is called flipping, and is a fairly common strategy. Within California, Zillow Offers was available in LA, Riverside, Sacramento, and San Diego. Unfortunately for Zillow, they weren’t actually very good at it. Their investment efforts turned out to be losses, and as a result, they are now eliminating the program.

That may not even be the end of the problems for Zillow. The reason they struggled to flip homes? Their home value estimates, called Zestimates, are not very accurate, something which real estate professionals — but not the general populace — already knew. Zestimates are a major offering of Zillow, and if they wanted anyone to trust them, they’d have to use their Zestimate as a baseline for home values. But that led to losses, as Zillow ended up purchasing homes for more than they sold them for. Their gamble didn’t pay off, and now their poor estimating algorithm has been exposed anyway.

Photo by Manik Roy on Unsplash

More: https://journal.firsttuesday.us/zillow-exits-home-flipping-after-getting-burned-in-hot-market/80928/