Real Estate Roundup: California Homeowners Again Rank as the Nation’s Most Equity-Rich

Here’s a look at recent news of interest to homebuyers, home sellers, and the home-curious. SILICON VALLEY IS HOME TO THE COUNTRY’S MOST EQUITY-RICH HOMEOWNERS The number of U.S. residential properties classified as equity-rich climbed to another new all-time high in the fourth quarter, with the Golden State and three of its largest housing markets once again leading the pack. That’s according to ATTOM Data...

Home of the Week: Serene, Magical Retreat on More Than 2 Flat Wooded Acres

Offered for the first time in more than 60 years, this light-filled 1920 Italian Revival-style treasure is sequestered on 3130 Maiden Lane in the foothills of Altadena. Set against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains on some 2.36 acres laced with rustic trails, the property has been owned by the same family since 1957. The formal living room of the 3,400-plus-square-foot home features a...

Home of the Week: Simply Elegant Napa Valley Retreat

Noted Bay Area/Hawaii architect Shay Zak collaborated with his wife, designer Mary Moore, in creating this Wine Country compound. They combined their skills to create a vast, airy estate that blends indoor and outdoor spaces into a world of easy elegance and  streamlined simplicity. Set in the heart of St. Helena, 1318 Stockton Street  is a celebration of natural materials. Wide-plank, solid-oak floors; Carrara marble;...

California: One of America’s Best States for Singles

California ranks as the country’s second-best state to be single, boosted by its opportunities for romance and fun.San Francisco has been named the best American city for celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2019.Los Angeles also ranks in the top 10 in the country for Valentine’s Day-friendliness. Single folks will find that the Golden State is a fine place to find romance, while there’s no better city...

High-Tech Kitchens Gain More Traction in Home-Remodeling Projects

About nine in 10 homeowners who have recently remodeled their kitchens added new appliances, mostly refrigerators and dishwashers.The popularity of wireless-controlled appliances in kitchen-improvement projects has nearly doubled over the past year.Upgrading a kitchen with hardwood floors has been on a declining trend since 2017. More homeowners who have recently tackled a kitchen renovation added high-tech features and appliances, while open floor plans remain a...

Bay Area Companies Dominate List of 2019’s Best Tech Workplaces

Eighty percent of America’s best 15 companies for tech workers are headquartered in the Bay Area.Menlo Park’s Facebook ranks as the best tech workplace in the U.S., followed by San Jose-based Adobe Systems.After not being included in 2018’s list of top tech workplaces, Airbnb jumped to No. 3 this year, while Google dropped off the rankings. The Bay Area’s high-performance economy attracts plenty of talented,...

Home of the Week: Timeless San Marino Villa

A short drive from The Huntington, the Langham Huntington Hotel and exquisite Lacy Park, this fully furnished home at 2466 South Oak Knoll Avenue is the height of easy California elegance. Every meticulously renovated space is rich with period elements, from luxury finishes and high ceilings to rare Honduran mahogany doors and gleaming marble and hardwood floors. All tile is from Mission Tile, nickel plated...

Real Estate Roundup: More California Home Sellers Cutting Prices This Year

Here’s a look at recent news of interest to homebuyers, home sellers, and the home-curious. SAN JOSE LED THE NATION FOR ANNUAL INVENTORY GAIN IN JANUARY Golden State homebuyers enjoyed additional leverage in January, with extra inventory to choose from, falling prices, and more sellers reducing their expectations. Research from realtor.com says that that the number of homes for sale in the San Jose metropolitan...

Video: January 2019 U.S. Jobs Report

Check out this short animation, which offers highlights from the January 2019 U.S. jobs report. To read the full analysis by Compass Chief Economist Selma Hepp, go to: https://compasscaliforniablog.com/january-marked-the-100th-straight-month-of-u-s-job-growth/