Month: August 2023

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Flowers have the remarkable ability to elevate the decor of any home. Whether you live in an apartment in Irvine, CA or a home in Lexington, KY, adding a touch of elegance and freshness to your living spaces will make a positive impact. Whether you’re a seasoned floral enthusiast or just starting, these expert tips will help you enhance your home’s floral decor.

1. Embrace neutral tones for timeless elegance

“When in doubt, use neutral tones. Colors like white and green compliment any space regardless of decor choice, while also adding a touch of modern elegance,” shares Stephanie from Mercer Island Florist.

Neutral tones act as a canvas, allowing your flowers to take center stage. White lilies, green foliage, and soft creams create a serene atmosphere that complements any interior style.

2. Focus on flower variety, space, and placement

Flowers can freshen up any space, but their impact depends on the flower variety, space, and placement. Justine Aylward, Program and Category Manager at Floral at New Seasons Market, advises, “For higher spaces like mantles or bookcases, go dramatic with tall and draping flowers and branches to make a statement. Try tall flowers, such as lilies or sunflowers that drape a bit with an accent flower like hanging amaranthus.” 

3. Match containers to your home’s style

According to Lawrence The Florist Team, “Choose containers that mimic your home’s style, whether it’s new or vintage, to inspire your arrangement’s design. Bring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest into your home by choosing local seasonal foliage and flowers with your favorite colors and textures whenever possible.”

Selecting containers that resonate with your decor style can fluidly bring your space together. 

4. Maintain freshness for longer lasting blooms 

“Flowers do best away from direct light and kept as cool as possible. Even putting them in a cool dark room when you are not home enjoying them can extend their life. I also recommend a re-cut of the stems at an angle and changing the water often,” states  Ann Vandehey, owner of Annabell’s Garden & Floral Design.

A recut of the stems at an angle and regular water changes keep your blooms vibrant for longer.

Owner of Goldenrod Floral Design Carlee Donnelly, advises, “When choosing or designing flowers for your own home, always, always strip any bottom leaves or foliage from the stems. Leaving foliage in water will cause your flowers to die faster.”

“The key to longer-lasting blooms is fresh, clean water,” says the Ribbon and Twine Floral Team. “Remove all leaves and dirt from the stems before placing them in the vase and refill with new water every few days.”

Clean water and removing foliage is essential for keeping your floral arrangements vibrant.

5. Embrace seasonal blooms

Cory Beckman, Owner of Milwaukie Floral and Garden, emphasizes the importance of freshness, “Fresh is best. Local flower shops refresh selections all week long, but in my professional experience shopping midweek guarantees a good selection of fresh blooms.”

“To add cheer to a room or spruce up your decor, keep it simple and fresh by asking your florist for the flowers that are currently in their peak season,” says Laura Gifford Kerr, Owner of Gifford’s Flowers.

Seasonal blooms not only reflect nature’s beauty but also align with the changing seasons, keeping your decor fresh. Choosing flowers that are in season ensures their quality and affordability.

“Pick flowers that are in season, even going with a bunch of the same flower. Keep it simple,” suggests Owner of Emerald Petals, Hilary Holmes. Single-variety blooms gathered in your favorite vase create a timeless and elegant look that suits any decor style.

6. Choose containers wisely

“Use an opaque container that will disguise any discoloration in the water,” advises The Flower Lab Team. “Ask your florist for a design that reflects the home’s style, such as modern garden style, or architectural for the most appropriate style.”

Containers play a crucial role in enhancing your floral arrangements’ visual appeal and blending with your home’s decor.

7. Create a living arrangements for longevity

Val Wayne of Acorn Floral recommends creating living arrangements. “Start with a decorative planter, choose a few orchid plants from your local grocery store or garden center and a few small 2 inch potted plants and assemble them pot and all inside your decorative planter. Then use crumpled butcher paper to wedge all the plants in place and cover with sheet moss. These living arrangements can run up to hundreds of dollars retail, but you can DIY one for under $100.”

Living arrangements are ideal for home decor because they can last for months and instantly elevate a space. It’ll be worth the cost when you consider the shelf life.

8. Combine flowers with herbs for aromatherapy

According to Lisa Aliment of Bear Creek Florist, “Growing herbs like sage, mint, or rosemary isn’t just for cooking anymore. Add those clippings to simple flower bouquets to add more aromatherapy to the room.”

The combination of flowers and herbs can engage multiple senses, enhancing the ambiance of your space.

9. Set the mood with color and design

“When selecting flowers for your home, think about the feeling you are trying to create,” advises Jennifer Silberg, Owner of Juniper Blooms. “Colorful, vibrant flowers bring a lively energy to the room, while a soothing neutral palette provides a more calm and peaceful environment.”

Consider how the flower arrangements can guide the viewer’s gaze around the room, whether through tall, eye-catching designs or low, intimate ones.

10. Brighten every room with small bunches

The One Little Bunch Team suggests, “Smaller bunches placed throughout the house will brighten up each room. A little bunch in the bathroom adds freshness and a pop of interest, or add a little bunch to your side or entry hall table for a welcoming surprise.”

Small floral accents can elevate the ambiance of every corner of your home.

11. Improve your mood with bouquets

“Flowers are not only beautiful but studies have shown that people report reduced stress levels when receiving bouquets or having flowers in their home after just 3 days,” says Melissa Mercado-Denke, founder of Campanula Design Studio. “Keep it simple – just a few bud vases in areas you spend the most time such as your kitchen or bedroom will have a positive impact on your mood.”

12. Create nostalgic vibes with flower choices

Juliet LaVassar, designer at LaVassar Florists, recommends selecting flowers that evoke memories: “Smell and memories are closely related, according to a 2020 Harvard study. Having flowers around that remind you of loved ones or life events brings joy into your home.”

Personal touches in your floral decor selections add a sentimental dimension to your home.

Incorporating these tips into your home decor journey will not only enhance your living space but also infuse it with the timeless beauty and natural charm of flowers. Whether you opt for dramatic arrangements or simple single-variety bouquets, the right flowers can transform any room into a sanctuary of color, fragrance, and elegance. So, let your creativity bloom and watch your home come to life with the magic of flowers. 

Source: redfin.com

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This again points to the fact that renting is here to stay and could, in the foreseeable future, take up a greater footprint. Currently about 44 million U.S. households, or about 36%, are renters.

A hedge against a downturn

And therein lies the opportunity: to assist with all types of housing needs, including rentals. Many real estate agents may shy away from working with landlords and renters. But incorporating this large market segment into their business models creates a hedge against a downturn in the sales market, particularly at a time when the average rent in the U.S. stands at $2,053, up from $1,580 four years ago. 

This makes rentals even more appealing for agents as commissions are usually based on the rent price. Data shows that the estimated annual rental commission potential in the U.S. totals $30 billion when taking the total number of rentals, average rents, and commissions into consideration.

But rental commissions are only part of the story.  Helping a landlord or renter can create loyalty and a lifelong client. Many renters will eventually move toward purchasing a house, considering that 95% still desire to purchase a home.  Agents who work with rentals will be best-served in nurturing clients before other agents even enter the picture.

Once renters are ready to purchase a home, they are likely to turn to people they know, like, and trust. Forward-thinking real estate agents can play a pivotal part in a renter’s journey by providing guidance on topics such as affordability or even rent payment reporting to boost credit scores.

Agents who seize rental opportunities can make income where others cannot and in the process will create loyal clients they can help for years to come, regardless of mortgage rate fluctuations.

Michael Lucarelli is the CEO and co-founder of RentSpree.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HousingWire’s editorial department and its owners.

To contact the author of this story:
Michael Lucarelli at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Tracey Velt at [email protected]

Source: housingwire.com

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In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Mark DeMitchell from Nestment.

Who are you, and what do you do?

My name is Mark Demitchell and I’m the founder of Nestment. We are making it easy for friends and family to purchase property together.

What problem does your product/service solve?

With skyrocketing real estate prices, people are looking for alternative ways to purchase property. Co-buying is an attractive alternative but involves a lot of moving pieces, coordination, and communication. It’s difficult to get a group of people on the same page, especially for such a big investment.

What are you most excited about right now?

I’m excited about a recent Instagram ad test we ran to gauge interest in our value prop. We ended up getting a really great response and had people signing up on our waitlist landing page. It’s always encouraging to see demand because you know you are headed in the right direction.

What’s next for you?

Raising an initial round of funding to build our MVP.

What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?

I’m passionate about mental health and increasing access to services, clinicians, and treatment. It’s wild that trying to find a therapist in the bay area is such a daunting task. You think in a place with so much technology and being known as socially progressive it would be easy to find a therapist, but it’s insanely difficult. When you are suffering the last thing you are capable of is spending energy jumping through logistic hoops for weeks. It needs to be simpler.

Thanks to Mark for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.

We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).

Source: geekestateblog.com

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For years, residents in Solano County heard about a mysterious group buying up thousands of acres of farmland and making millionaires out of property owners. The agricultural land had been owned by the same families for decades — some of it for more than a century.

But the company, Flannery Associates, did not say what its plans were for the land, dotted with towering wind turbines and sheep grazing on pastureland. It paid several times market value and made offers on properties that were not for sale, according to officials familiar with the land purchases.

Then, last week, a survey was sent to residents asking them what they thought about “a new city with tens of thousands of new homes, a large solar energy farm, orchards with over a million new trees, and over ten thousand acres of new parks and open space,” according to a screenshot of the survey shared with the Los Angeles Times.

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That’s when it became clear that Flannery Associates had big plans for the rural landscape.

Over a five-year period, the company became the largest landowner in Solano County after purchasing more than 55,000 acres of undeveloped land. The company has paid more than $800 million since 2018, according to court records.

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, who represents the region, said for years he and other officials were unable to determine who was behind the dizzying land grab. Flannery Associates has purchased land that was restricted to open space and agricultural purposes under a state conservation program.

The company seeks to rezone the land, which would require approval by multiple state and county agencies and wouldn’t be as simple as asking residents to vote on the issue, officials familiar with the process said. But the lack of residential zoning in the area does not seem to be a factor for Flannery Associates.

Since its buying jag began, the company has filed suit in federal court against a group of families the firm purchased property from, seeking $510 million. Flannery Associates claims the families conspired to inflate their property values in a scheme to get more money.

Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove) lambasted the company for how it has handled the purchases and for not working with local residents.

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“Flannery Associates is using secrecy, bully and mobster tactics to force generational farm families to sell,” Garamendi said during an informational committee hearing on Tuesday that addressed the company’s actions.

For years, residents and politicians speculated that Flannery Associates was backed by foreign investors seeking to spy on Travis Air Force Base. Located in Solano County, the base is one of the busiest military facilities in the nation. Most of the land surrounding the base is now owned by Flannery Associates, according to county documents.

Some of the company’s financial backers were revealed in an article last week by the New York Times, and they include a cadre of tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

On the eastern end of Solano County, the city of Rio Vista is now surrounded by Flannery Associates land. Mayor Ronald Kott said that, like many Solano County officials, he had not been approached by anyone from the company to discuss plans for the land.

Although he’s now aware of the company’s goals and some of the financial backers, he’s still unsure how his city of 10,000 residents found itself surrounded by land owned by a group of tech billionaires.

“I have more questions than answers,” Kott said. “Our destiny is going to be determined by whatever they’re going to do.”

A cyclist rounds a curve on Montezuma Hills Road in Solano County.

(Paul Chinn / San Francisco Examiner via Getty Images)

Flannery Associates has said little since it was formed as a limited liability company in the state of Delaware in 2018. The company’s actions were first reported by ABC7’s San Francisco Bay Area news station, KGO, which said a mysterious company was purchasing large amounts of land.

Flannery Associates is led by Jan Sramek, a former Goldman Sachs investor who found fame and fortune by the time he was 22, according to a 2010 Business Insider article. Sramek previously worked out of Goldman’s offices in London, but his LinkedIn profile now lists Fairfield, Calif., in Solano County as his primary location.

In a self-help book he co-wrote, Sramek says if given the chance to give his younger self a bit of advice, he would quote Ayn Rand: “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”

He did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

For years, Garamendi and U.S. Rep Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) tried to pierce through the opaque veil that surrounded Flannery Associates. Then, in the last week, representatives of the company attempted to arrange sit-down meetings with the Congress members and the survey was sent out to residents.

The survey said that the issue of a new city might be on next year’s ballot, which was news to Garamendi and Thompson. There have been no efforts made by any groups to get a new measure on the ballot for this project, according to officials. The survey also said the developers would replace the county’s existing aqueduct — calling it “one of the most polluted in California” — generate tax revenue for schools and be entirely funded by private sector money.

Thompson said the company’s actions had raised food and national security concerns. He’s asked the U.S. Air Force, the Treasury Department, the Defense Department and the FBI to investigate the land purchases. Thompson met with representatives from the company, including Sramek, according to KGO.

“And I don’t think they had a clear understanding of the significance of livestock in Solano County,” Thompson said. “And it was my impression that they kind of pooh-poohed the agricultural value of the land.”

Garamendi plans to meet with representatives from Flannery Associates at a later time, according to his office.

Solano County Supervisor Monica Brown is not familiar with Silicon Valley and spent most of her professional career as a schoolteacher. She heard from friends who received the survey and wondered if the company had the best interests of the county’s current residents in mind.

“We’re growing food and helping people. Why would you stop economic growth like that?” she told the Los Angeles Times. “Why would they spend $800 million and not be transparent about it?”

Flannery Associates has purchased more than 140 parcels of land, according to court records and county assessor data. That number is growing every day, officials say.

But in its lawsuit, the company claims that it overpaid and is seeking to claw back some of its money.

Attorneys for Flannery Associates have referenced personal relationships and text messages among neighbors in court documents — neighbors who could be influenced, they argue, by a scheme to drive up asking prices for the land.

The lawsuit has had a chilling effect on some landowners in the Montezuma Hills and Jebson Prairie area of the county. Multiple residents in the area declined to comment about the company for fear of being named in a lawsuit.

Others who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation by the company say they feel as though Flannery Associates will target anyone who speaks out about the company’s aggressive tactics to buy land.

Garamendi called the lawsuit a “heavy-handed, despicable intimidation tactic.” He said that the company managed to purchase all the land without any of the current governmental safeguards in place to flag the issue. He said that, in the future, information about large land sales, and who is buying and selling, would be vital for lawmakers and residents.

Thompson introduced a bill that was inspired by the Flannery Associates land purchases that would provide more effective tools for state agencies to investigate large land sales.

Through a spokesperson, Flannery Associates said members of the company “care deeply about the future of Solano County and California and believe their best days are ahead.”

The company said the project aims to bring “good-paying jobs, affordable housing, clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, open space, and a healthy environment” to Solano County.

“We are excited to start working with residents and elected officials, as well as with Travis Air Force Base, on making that happen,” spokesperson Brian Brokaw said.

The company says it resorted to secrecy while purchasing the land to avoid rampant real estate speculation. But it has not disclosed specific details about the scope of its project. Representatives for Flannery Associates are meeting with community leaders to present their vision, according to Brokaw.

Michael Moritz, venture capitalist and longtime San Francisco resident, is one of the financial backers behind the company. In a 2017 email viewed by the New York Times, Moritz described an opportunity to invest in a new California city. He explained how investors could transform farmland into a bustling metropolis.

Sequoia Heritage, the $15-billion wealth management firm Moritz founded in 2010, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

But in a February New York Times opinion piece, Moritz described some of his frustration with San Francisco and how the city had become “a prize example of how we Democrats have become our own worst enemy.”

He described legislators who deceived voters with tweaks and rule changes to the city’s charter so they could stay in power and drive seismic shifts in the local government.

“The core of the issue, in San Francisco and other cities, is that government is more malleable at the city level than at higher levels of government,” Moritz wrote. “If the U.S. Constitution requires decades and a chisel and hammer to change, San Francisco’s City Charter is like a live Google doc controlled by manipulative copy editors.”

Other financial backers with Flannery Associates include LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman; Andreessen Horowitz venture capital firm investors Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon; payments company Stripe co-founders Patrick and John Collison; Emerson Collective founder Laurene Powell Jobs; and entrepreneurs turned investors Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross, a Flannery Associates spokesperson confirmed.

Although those names were not repeated at an agricultural committee hearing on Tuesday, lawmakers were thinking of the financial backers’ actions.

Flannery Associates’ land buys threaten the makeup of eastern Solano County, mainly the land under the California Land Conservation Act, which sets aside properties for agricultural purposes and open space. The penalty for not obeying that policy does not seem to dissuade Flannery Associates, former West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said during the committee hearing.

The act, also known as the Williamson Act, can include a fee for the incompatible structures built on the land. For billionaire property owners, that could just be seen as the price of doing business.

“In some sense,” he said, the conservation program has “been like a flag that says, ‘Buy here.’”

The Flannery Associates project illustrates just how weak current tools are for dealing with a project of this size. Secrecy further hampers state regulators unaware of a buyer’s intent for the land, Cabaldon said.

Brokaw, the Flannery Associates spokesperson, said the company wouldn’t comment on specific issues brought up during the committee hearing but was meeting with county and state leaders to address their concerns.

Officials and landowners worry that much of the infrastructure needed to build a new city is just not present in eastern Solano County. And an influx of development would almost certainly drive out any farmers from the region.

But another scenario that could present itself is Flannery Associates moving ahead with its project only to have it fall apart years later.

“Even if the project is rejected locally … you can’t reset the clock,” Cabaldon said. “You cannot turn it back and say, ‘OK, no harm, no foul. Let’s just return to the way that this community was two years ago.’ Because the owners will be gone, the family farmers will have left.”

Times staff writers Jessica Garrison and Ryan Fonseca contributed to this report.

Source: latimes.com

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Often, the unexpected and untimely death of a beloved celebrity to make us pause and reflect on the fragility of life. Over the years, many A-list celebrities have tragically died before their time—leaving us reeling with shock and sadness over their sudden departure from this world. From Whitney Houston’s unexpected overdose to Paul Walker’s tragic car accident, here’s a look back at twenty A-celebrities’ deaths that saddened people around the globe.

1. Lance Reddick

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user posted, “Lance Reddick. A friend talked me into seeing John Wick 4, and I really loved everything Lance had been in and was excited to go. Then he just passed away, which really saddened me as it was so unexpected.”

Another user commented, “RIP Commander.”

One user added, “Lance Reddick was shocking. He was someone I was always delighted to see when he would pop up in anything.”

2. Jim Henson

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Jim Henson, too early and such a source of joy to so many,” one user posted.

Another replied, “Yes. Whenever I go to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, I have to go to the Muppets 3D movie; it was the last thing he did as Kermit. It makes me sad that he died before the paperwork with Disney was complete, and because of that, a lot of the plans for the muppets at that park never happened. Watch his funeral on PBS; it’s one of the best celebrations of a human’s life you can see.”

3. Mr. Rogers

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One Redditor shared, “Mr. Rogers.”

Another user replied, “It was pouring rain that morning, and I’d stopped to grab breakfast before a looming nightmare commute to work. Right as I was about to pull the key out of the ignition, I heard them say on the radio that he’d passed and just sat there in my car, sobbing.

“I met him in 1983 when he came to my elementary school with the Purple Panda, and for a 4-year-old, it was like meeting Jesus. I was so overcome I just blurted out ‘You’re my best friend!’ he smiled and said ‘I’m so glad that we’re friends.’ We didn’t deserve Fred Rogers.”

Another commenter shared his story, “My parents were mildly abusive. It was only because of Mr. Rogers that I knew something was wrong in my household. The amount of love he shared with people on the other side of the TV was awe-inspiring. I think if someone tried to do that today, they’d come off as insincere or a try-hard.”

4. Steve Irwin

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Steve Irwin. Sean Lock and Shane Warne were a big kick in the balls as well,” one user commented.

Another user responded, “Steve Irwin is the first celebrity death that I remember happening. Sometimes I wonder what he’d be up to if he were still alive today.”

One added, “I imagine that if he had survived the stingray attack, he’d be back swimming with a school of stingrays in the next show. To show that there is nothing to fear and that the stingray that hit him didn’t really mean to do it. Then he would explain how they defend themselves, and he’d kiss a ray at the end of the show and call it his ‘little mate’ before releasing it.”

5. Alan Rickman

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user posted, “Alan Rickman.”

Another user replied, “My first movie intro to him was the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, and I still threaten to take someone’s heart out with a spoon. Gods rest his soul.”

One commenter quoted, “But why a spoon, cousin?”

6. Anton Yelchin

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user shared, “Anton Yelchin.”

Another user replied, “Dude had cystic fibrosis. And that isn’t even what killed him.”

One commented, “Yes, I will say the same thing. That one really haunts me; it seemed so awful and so random.”

Another Redditor shared. “He’s my go-to for this question. Poor guy had the whole world in front of him. He was in great movies (hell, even his voice work in Trollhunters was great), and the way he went is just so random and awful. Not to say other deaths aren’t tragic, but I think he was more so when compared to the natural death of someone 99 years old, or a drug-related death of someone or someone taking their own life.”

7. Heath Ledger

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Heath Ledger,” one user added.

Another user shared, “In 8th grade English class, we read Taming of the Shrew, and then the teacher let us watch 10 Things I Hate About You to show us how his works still impact writing today. So I had JUST discovered Heath and had a massive crush on him when he passed away less than a year later. It was the first celebrity death that really impacted me.”

8. John Ritter

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user shared, “John Ritter.”

Another user commented, “John Ritter is the only celebrity death that I’ve ever cried about. It was so sudden and unexpected, and he seemed so nice. I cried all throughout the episode of 8 Simple Rules, where they showed his TV family grieving his loss.”

9. Chris Cornell

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Chris Cornell. So talented; gone too soon and died so tragically,” one Redditor added.

Another commenter added, “I saw him and Chester Bennington together in 2007. Hell of a show. They’re the reason I never hesitate to say yes to a concert now.” 

10. Grant Imahara

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user shared, “Grant Imahara was instantly my answer. Almost a perfect guy.”

Another added, “I’ve already said this on some long distant thread discussing Grant’s passing, but the difference in my feelings with Grant and Jesse is that Jesse was doing something she loved when an accident took her away. (She was killed in an accident trying to break a land-speed record) So I’m sure she knew about the risks of the things she was doing, and I’m sure she would’ve been okay if that was how she went out.

“So I’m more heartbroken over Grant because his passing was literally out of nowhere when he told his wife he wasn’t feeling well, went to bed and never woke up the next day.”

11. Terry Pratchett

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Sir Terry Pratchett. He and his works both made the world a better, more interesting place,” one user shared.

Another user added, “Terry Pratchett is and always will be my favourite author. He could make me laugh and cry in the same sentence. Even now, years later, when I reread his books, I find references or subtleties I missed the last time.

“He died towards the end of my pregnancy with my youngest. It was a horrible, very traumatic pregnancy and a very dark time for me. His death made it worse, especially as his books always brought comfort.

“It has been several years since then, and I still cannot bring myself to read the last book as I am still not ready for it to be over.”

Another user added, “This is the only celebrity death that ever made me cry. Then again, on reading The Shepherd’s Crown. Terry’s work has made me a better person and instilled concepts of justice and inclusion and compassion and protest, and diversity. The Discworld stories will always be my comfort and safe space. The world lost one of its best people the day he died.”

12. Chris Farley

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user shared, “Chris Farley. Nothing like crying in front of your Christmas tree.”

Another Redditor replied, “I watched Chris Rock talk about his death on the Howard Stern Show (from like 15 years ago or something). He talked about how frustrating the inevitability of it felt. He said that the people that he was really mad at and would never forgive were the people who kept him ‘just sober enough’ to keep making their money. You know, producers and people like that. Those [jerks]. They’d acknowledge the seriousness of his addictions/other issues by stickin’ him in rehab, then act like he was cured 30 days later and throw him back into some production until he’d inevitably relapse. The process would start again.”

13. Anthony Bourdain

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Anthony Bourdain. I miss his snarky attitude,” one user posted.

Another user replied, “I think it hit me because as a pessimistic sort of generally melancholy sorta person. I saw within him a kindred spirit with similar tastes and hobbies etc… Seeing someone who kind of has an idealized version of a life I’d want and that they couldn’t handle and make it out of here, so to speak… it kind of dampens the morale a bit when it comes to your own chances of finding peace and happiness.”

Another user replied, “It’s hard rewatching all his stuff now. Some of the things that he said really made me sit up and think to myself that we all missed the signs and taught me to listen to people more carefully.”

14. Leonard Nimoy

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user mentioned, “Leonard Nimoy.”

Another user replied, “I was looking for his name! I have only recently started watching Star Trek at the request of my boyfriend, and Spock immediately became my favourite character! I looked him up on Google one day and found out he had been dead for the past 8 years!”

15. Cameron Boyce

“Cameron Boyce. So young,” one Redditor exclaimed.

Another replied, “This one upset me a lot. He was not on everyone’s radar because he was a Disney kid—definitely a shock when it happened. I’m older, but my kids are at an age where we spent a ton of time watching Jessie and those Descendant movies. Basically watched that kid grow up. He was ridiculously talented. Had comedic timing down. They could dance crazily well. And he just seemed like an all-around good human being. They didn’t deserve to go that young. So unfair.”

16. Brittany Murphy

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user commented, “Brittany Murphy.”

Another user replied, “The documentary put out on her made it seem so preventable. Her story truly hurt my heart. Looking at this post, I see a lot of names that make me think the same.

“It really makes me think about how so many stars are used and manipulated for their worth, with no regard given to their personal health. If 1 or 2 strong friends or family members had stepped up and said/done something, we’d still have some of these people. RIP.

“Edit: The doc name is “What Happened, Brittany Murphy?”

17. James Gandolfini

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user shared, “James Gandolfini was an immense talent, and people often forget how The Sopranos changed the entire landscape of television. His acting helped usher in a Golden Age of television that’s still going strong to this day.”

Another user replied, “I binged all of The Sopranos a couple years ago and then googled to see what James Gandolfini was up to recently. Was absolutely gutted to find out he died.”

One user added, “If you haven’t already watched it, check out The Night Of. It was Gandolfini’s final passion project; I think he had just finished filming the pilot when he died. John Turturro took over his role as the public defence attorney for Riz Ahmed’s character, who was accused of murder and being held without bond at Riker’s.”

18. Chester Bennington

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Chester Bennington,” mentioned one user.

Another user replied, “Losing Chris Cornell and Chester quickly, and the context of their friendship was/is truly devastating.”

One Redditor added, “For those that didn’t know, Chester committed suicide on Chris’s birthday, 2 months after Chris himself committed suicide. Truly heartbreaking.”

19. Carrie Fisher

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user posted, “Carrie Fisher.”

Another user replied, “Followed immediately by Debbie Reynolds. I felt so bad for Billie Lourd.”

One user commented, “The way people talked about her, it was like she lit up every room she was in. I hate the fact that she isn’t revered the way someone like Robin Williams is because I think she had just as much charisma and charm as he did.”

Another user responded, “I met her at a Comic-Con right before she died. She was still so beautiful, funny and classy. I was heartbroken when I heard she died.” 

20. Naya Rivera

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One Redditor mentioned the late Glee, “Naya Rivera. Not her fan, but the way she died was really tragic. Thinking of her child left alone on that boat for hours looking for his mama hurts my chest.”

One user replied, “God, yes. I was a fan, but the worst part wasn’t even because I was her fan. It was imagining her realizing the water was too strong and panicking, doing everything she could to get her kid to safety. It must’ve been terrifying and so painful for her in those last moments, being scared and thinking her kid would be alone or looking for her. God, this family deserved so much better.”

Another user added, “I’m sorry. From what I know, she had a generous, very vibrant personality. It’s still difficult to think about her last moments, so I try not to dwell on all of it too much. It was truly tragic, and she was still so young to go so early. Rip Naya.”

Do you agree with the actors’ names listed above? Share your thoughts!

Source: Reddit.

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Source: financequickfix.com

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As the fall elections near, a host of issues important to renters, homeowners, and the nation’s housing economy await attention. So far the focus has been on other national priorities, but a number of major problems confront the housing sector.

Important Housing Issues

The housing industry was a major contributing factor in the recession, and even now it remains essential to the health of our economy. Here are some of the most pressing needs:

  • Rising demand and inadequate inventories are driving up rents and home prices simultaneously, leaving consumers with few choices for affordable housing in the nation’s hottest housing markets.
  • Most homeowners still live in houses that are worth less than they were worth in 2006. Millions of homeowners are still recovering from the worst housing crash since the Great Depression, especially those who live the heartland where prices are rising slower than costs and in foreclosure-ravaged states like Florida and Nevada.
  • Crippling levels of student loan debt, the legacy of soaring college costs, have postponed or ended the homeownership dreams of millions of educated young adults.
  • Soaring land prices and restrictive zoning and siting laws are making it nearly impossible to build affordable high-density rental or condo housing in the core cities and inner suburbs.
  • Homeownership is lower than it has been in 50 years.
  • The housing sector should be an engine of economic growth, averaging at least 1.6 million units a year over the next decade but so far it has accounted for just 2.8 percent of annual GDP this decade, significantly less than the 4.3 percent share averaged in the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Taken over by the government in 2009, the huge companies that own half the nation’s mortgages, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are still in limbo. In seven years, the Congress nor the White House have not been able to agree on what their roles should be. One result is the lack of a vibrant private label secondary mortgage market to provide much-needed credit for housing expansion.

Where We Stand Now

Some of these issues have lingered for years; some are new. All of them are taking their toll on the national standard of living.

Though the politicians who win elections may or may not be good for housing, there is new evidence that elections themselves are a good thing for home sales.

In an analysis of home sales dating back to 1990, the California Association of Realtors found that the sales growth is usually positive during an election year. In fact, C.A.R. found that growth in home sales at the end of an election year actually outperforms non-election years by 7.1 percentage points.

During the past five election cycles, sales in the final months of the year picked up, rising by 5.3 percent on average compared with -1.8 percent during non-election years. With the exception of December 2004, every single month of the final quarter saw robust growth in home sales during election years.

The pattern for California home prices is similar. C.A.R. also found little evidence of a negative effect on home prices during an election year. In fact, home price growth in California during the past five election cycles was slightly better than the long-run average of 5.6 percent.

Again, the effects were most pronounced during the final months of the year when demand—and therefore, upward pressure on prices—were boosted by roughly 5.6 percentage points following the elections.

The Verdict?

Too soon to tell. Candidates need to address housing issues before we can make guesses about the future. On the bright side, though, election season may give parts of the country a small boost.

Source: totalmortgage.com

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Left to right: Chris Scott, Joey Mitchell, Shane Cranton

Ardan Data Services, the parent of affiliated companies Westcor Land Title Insurance Co., X1 Analytics and Grid151, announced the hiring of sales leaders Joey Mitchell, Shane Cranton and Chris Scott as it seeks to expand its customer base in lender and closing automation. Mitchell joins as senior vice president of enterprise sales for all three businesses, tapping into his knowledge of title, settlement and technology in order to support lenders, agents and underwriters and drive client acquisition. The companies also welcomed Cranton as executive vice president of enterprise sales, a role where he will draw from his experience of helping companies meet goals through both organic growth and targeted acquisitions. Both Mitchell and Cranton previously held senior roles at Flueid and Title365. 

Additionally, Grid151, which provides digital platforms connecting real estate, title and mortgage industries, welcomed Chris Scott as director of national sales. In the role, Scott will work with title agents to implement workshare solutions to help drive growth. Before joining Grid151, Scott held sales roles at National Closing Solutions and Placer Title Co.

Source: nationalmortgagenews.com

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After falling for five straight weeks, mortgage applications finally gained a little ground last week. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said its seasonally adjusted Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 2.3 percent during the week ended August 25 and was 1 percent higher before adjustment.

The Refinance Index was up 3 percent week-over-week although it still lags August 2022 levels by 28 percent. The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 30.1 percent of total applications from 29.5 percent the previous week. It was the largest share for refinancing since mid-February.

The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index rose 2 percent and eked out a 0.3 percent gain before adjustment. Purchasing was 27 percent lower than a year earlier.

“Mortgage rates were mostly unchanged last week, with the 30-year fixed rate remaining at 7.31 percent – the highest since December 2000. Treasury yields peaked early in the week and did move lower by the end, which may have spurred some activity,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Mortgage applications for home purchases and refinances increased for the first time in five weeks but remained at low levels. Purchase applications increased but were still 27 percent lower than a year ago, as elevated mortgage rates and tight housing inventory continue to weigh on home buying activity.”

Added Kan, “The refinance market continues to be slow despite last week’s gain, which was driven by a 7.9 percent spike in conventional refinances. Government refinance applications dropped more than 10 percent last week.”  

Highlights from MBA’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey

  • Loan sizes increased by about $5,000 to an average of $367,200 while purchase loan sizes grew from $407,700 to $413,100.
  • The FHA share of total applications decreased to 13.2 percent from 14.3 percent and the VA share was unchanged at 11.6 percent. USDA applications accounted for 0.4 percent of the total, down from 0.5 percent the prior week.
  • The rate for conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (FRM) remained at an average of 7.31 percent and points eased back to 0.73 from 0.78.  
  • The jumbo 30-year FRM had a rate of 7.28 percent, 1 basis point higher than the prior week. Points fell to 0.66 from 0.84.
  • FHA-backed 30-year FRM had an average rate of 7.10 percent with 1.09 point. The prior week the rate was 7.09 percent with 1.20 points.
  • Fifteen-year FRM rates averaged 6.72 percent, unchanged from the prior week. Points increased to 1.11 from 1.06.
  • The average rate for 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) dipped 2 basis points to 6.48 percent, but points jumped to 1.20 from 1.03.
  • The ARM share of activity was 7.5 percent compared to 7.6 percent the previous week.

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

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Mortgage lending is set to reach $3.14 trillion this year, the highest since 2003, as the annual average rate for a 30-year fixed home loan falls to a record low of 3.2%, according to Doug Duncan, chief economist of Fannie Mae. Next year, rates are heading even lower, he said.

In 2021, the annual average rate probably will fall to 2.8%, said Duncan, who spoke to HousingWire via a video conference call on Monday in an exclusive interview. That would be the lowest ever recorded.

Duncan said his forecast is based on the open-ended commitment by the Federal Reserve to purchase $40 billion a month in mortgage-backed securities, coupled with the expectations that “margins” – meaning the difference in the yields for 10-year Treasury yield and mortgage bonds – will continue to shrink as the lending industry adjusts to doing business amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mortgage rates are set by bond investors who decide what yield, or return on investment, they’re willing to accept. Market-watchers compare rates between long-term Treasuries and MBS to see what kind of “risk premium” lenders are adding, meaning a buffer to protect profits in case some loans go bad or other problems arise.

In April, when COVID-19 first began slamming the U.S. markets, the average margin widened to 265 basis points, the widest since the financial crisis more than a decade ago. In 2019, it was 180 basis points, Duncan said.

“We saw the risk premium widen and we had problems in the mechanics of closing a loan,” Duncan said. “All those things add up to wider spreads.”

The share of mortgages that are refinancings in 2020 probably will increase to 60% from 44% in 2019, according to Duncan’s forecast.

In 2021 the refi share probably will fall to 45% even though rates likely will be lower, he said. That’s because so many Americans will rush to lock in the cheaper financing costs this year, and the rate difference in 2021 won’t be enough to make it worth the cost of securing a new loan.

Broken into three-month periods, the average fixed mortgage rate probably will be 3% in the third and fourth quarters of 2020, down from 3.2% in the second quarter and 3.5% in the first three months of the year, according to Duncan’s forecast.

Next year, the annual average mortgage rate probably will be 2.9% in the first and second quarters before dropping to 2.8% in the third and fourth quarters, Duncan said.

“Some people will get a 2.5% mortgage if they have pristine credit and are bringing 50% equity to the table,” said Duncan, emphasizing the forecasts are averages.

The COVID-19 pandemic is exerting downward pressure on rates as investors flee to the perceived safety of the bond markets. The health crisis has worsened in recent weeks as some of the nation’s largest states, such Texas, California and Arizona, hit record highs for new infections.

The U.S. has recorded 3.85 million COVID-19 infections and 141,118 deaths, according to data on Tuesday from Johns Hopkins University. That means a nation with about 4.2% of the globe’s population has 26% of the world’s infections and 23% of fatalities.

“The movement of the virus is to the south,” Duncan said. “We’re not calling it a resurgence. That’s different than it moving to a different geography.”

The challenges of buying and selling homes during a pandemic coupled with a jump in unemployment will cut into home sales, according to the forecast. Sales of existing homes probably will decline 7.5% this year to 4.94 million and increase 4% in 2021 to 5.14 million, the forecast said.

New-home sales probably will fall 2.4% this year to 667,000 and decline another 1.6% next year to 656,000, Duncan’s forecast said.

The U.S. unemployment rate probably will average 8.6% in 2020, the highest since 2011, and likely will drop to 6.9% in 2021, according to the forecast.

The economy probably contracted 35% in the second quarter as states shuttered businesses to try to stem the spread of the virus, according to the forecast. GDP probably will grow 27% in the current quarter and 6.6% in the final three months of 2020, Duncan said.

Measured annually, the economy probably will contract 4.2% in 2020 and likely will expand 4% in 2021, he said.

Those who have jobs and qualify for mortgages will be paying higher prices for homes this year as the cheap mortgage rates and a shortage of inventory supports property values, Duncan said.

Prices probably will gain 4.4% this year, a slower pace than 2019’s 5.3% increase, according to the estimate based on changes in the Federal Housing Finance Agency price index.

Forecasting mortgage rates and home sales in the midst of a pandemic carries more uncertainty than during normal times, Duncan said.

“There is a much wider uncertainty because the causal factor is not an economic phenomenon – it’s a health issue and the fear of that health issue,” he said. “It’s reasonable to expect the recovery will have unusual aspects to it.”

Source: housingwire.com

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The role of economic data in determining mortgage rate momentum is hard to overstate these days and today provided another solid example.  This morning, the average mortgage lender was offering rates that were modestly HIGHER compared to yesterday afternoon.  After the data hit, most lenders ended up offering mid-day improvements that brought the average easily below yesterday’s.

The data in question was the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (aka “JOLTS”).  While it’s not quite on par with reports like The Employment Situation (the official name for the big jobs report most frequently referred to simply as “the jobs report”), it’s been an increasingly reliable source of inspiration for rates. 

Today’s installment was the weakest since March 2021.  Mortgage rates tend to improve when data comes in weaker.  This is both a general truth and a specific consequence of the Fed’s current stance on rates.  The Fed wants to see more evidence that high rates are having a negative impact on the economy.  Yes, it does seem odd to be rooting for economic pain, but as far as the Fed’s concerned, a softer labor market is a good price to pay in exchange for lower inflation.

30yr fixed rates are still in the 7% range, but if the week’s remaining economic data were to be as downbeat as JOLTS, that could change.  Just be aware that surprises can occur in either direction when it comes to the data.  

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com