Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Silicon Beach Los Angeles booms as a startup hub


My website: www.sandralew.com

Great news for LA's silicon beach. In 2016 the city's startups have received around $3 billion in funding. LA has become the third most prominent place for startups in America following behind San Francisco and New York. We have the great weather, good universities, a relaxed beach lifestyle, large pool of talent and lower costs compared to SF and NY. For now, all eyes are on "Snapchat" in Venice to continue to thrive and go public to help further establish LA as an enduring place for startups.

Silicon Beach: Los Angeles booms as a startup hub

A cheaper location for tech companies takes off

 

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Top 5 housing markets for global investors

 My website: www.sandralew.com

Top 5 housing markets for global investors

Besides my passion of real estate I really love to travel. I've been to over 36 countries in the past 9 years along with all over the states. The social aspect is what I love most about real estate. I tend to agree with this article as Spain, Dubai and the United Kingdom are my other top favorite places to live besides Silicon Beach in LA! I grew up in SF bay area's Silicon Valley as well so very familiar with all these global hot spots. Which is your favorite? I'd love to connect with others and continue making friends all around the globe. Let me know how I may help you with your real estate needs.





It's time to buy American homes.

The U.S. has been named the hottest market for global residential property in a survey of 14 countries by real estate advisors Savills. The researchers analyzed economic and demographic trends to forecast how much prices in popular cities will rise over the next five years.
And the essential ingredients for solid returns? A combination of population growth, rising wealth and limited housing supply.

1. United States
The U.S. housing market has enjoyed three years of growth as the economic recovery gathers pace. Prices are up about 30% from their 2009 trough.
San Francisco offers the most impressive growth potential. Nearby Silicon Valley has spurred interest in the city and secured its place as one of the country's best performing housing markets. Savills named it ahead of New York, Los Angeles and Miami.


But tread carefully. Savills director Yolande Barnes said there's a huge gulf in potential between the tech hotspots and rustbelt cities.
As for who's buying, Canadians are the top foreign purchasers of U.S. property by sales, followed by buyers from Mexico, India and the U.K.

2. United Arab Emirates
Wealth creation and positive demographics underpin the scope for solid returns in Middle East property. The Gulf economy has clocked annual growth of at least 4% for the past three years.
Dubai is the region's major real estate hub, and Savills believe its long-term prospects are supported by the city's role as a global business center.
hottest stock markets dubai
Dubai skyline.

3. Singapore
Measures to cool the overheated Asian market, coupled with a general slowing of the economy, has slugged sales and reduced prices in Singapore's prime residential market.

That could be good news for keen investors, however, because underlying demand remains strong, Savills said.

4. United Kingdom
Two European countries round out the top 5 -- Britain and Spain. The dynamics differ but both economies are strengthening and benefit from low interest rates.

Prices in London's residential market are enjoying a massive boom -- up 9% over the past year alone -- but demand overall remains buoyant, and the supply of new homes tight. Look for opportunities around the burgeoning tech sector in the capital, Savills said.

expensive london property

London property prices have surged in recent years, far outstripping price growth in the rest of the U.K.


5. Spain
Teetering on the brink of collapse in 2012, the Spanish economy has turned its fortunes around to become one of Europe's standout performers this year. Real estate prices in the country are still more than 25% below their 2008 peaks, but the market has stabilized.

Property investors should consider Spain's Balearic islands, such as Majorca and Ibiza, Savills said. Popular with European tourists, these residential markets have been more resilient than those on the mainland, thanks to a diverse demand base and limited new supply.
global properties
The island of Ibiza is one of Spain's more promising real estate markets for investors.






Source:http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/15/real_estate/real-estate-residential-top-markets/index.html

Monday, November 7, 2016

First-Time Buyers Expected to Return to Housing Market

My website: www.sandralew.com

Realtor.com predicts an uptick translating to around 40% for first time home buyers for the Spring 2017 season. Based on web analysis of searches they make up 52% of prospective buyers. With nearly half of the recent strong job growths created in the 24 to 34 years old range it may translate to them finally being able to afford the down payment to make the plunge to purchase their first home. With mortgage lenders offering more first time home buyers incentives with lower downpayments it may make buying a viable option over renting.

First-Time Buyers Expected to Return to Housing Market

Realtor.com data shows rise in web searches by house hunters who want to buy in 2017

First-time home buyers now make up 52% of prospective buyers looking to purchase next year, up from 33% a year earlier, according to an analysis of web searches performed by Realtor.com.

Young buyers could return to the housing market in droves this spring, according to a report due to be released Wednesday.

First-time home buyers now make up 52% of prospective buyers looking to purchase in 2017, up from 33% a year earlier, according to an analysis of web searches performed by Realtor.com, a real-estate listing website.

Buyers typically begin searching several months in advance, so the jump in activity could translate to increased purchases by first-timers in the spring and summer of next year.
The first-time buyer is ready to come back.
—Jonathan Smoke
The absence of first-time buyers has been one of the biggest abnormalities of the housing market in recent years. If they return, it could provide a big boost to sales and serve as a sign that the housing market is returning to normal after years during which most new households being formed were apartment-dwellers.

“The first-time buyer is ready to come back,” said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Realtor.com.
Just because many more young people are searching for homes doesn’t mean they will be able to buy.

A number of surveys have shown that millennials want to purchase homes but are being held back by their inability to save for a down payment as well as a general lack of affordable inventory and strict mortgage-lending standards.

Nonetheless, Mr. Smoke said he anticipates the share of first-time buyers could rise to 40% during the peak 2017 selling season. First-time buyers fell to 32% of all purchasers in 2015, the lowest level in three decades, according to the National Association of Realtors. Historically, young buyers have averaged 40% of all home buyers, according to the group.

News Corp, owner of The Wall Street Journal, also operates Realtor.com under license from the National Association of Realtors.

Strong job growth could be one major reason more young people are looking to buy homes. Nearly half of the new jobs created in the past year were filled by people ages 25 to 34 years old, the prime age for buying a first home, according to Mr. Smoke. Mortgage lenders have rolled out more programs allowing first-time buyers to purchase homes with lower down payments.

Nonetheless, some big obstacles remain. Chief among them: Builders are still constructing few homes affordable to younger buyers and inventory of existing starter homes remains tight.

Source: http://www.wsj.com/articles/first-time-buyers-expected-to-return-to-housing-market-1476821909