Blog
Bay Area Transit Protocols in the Time of COVID-19
Life in the Bay Area has definitely been upended by the pandemic. Last August, demand for public transport plummeted by 80 percent since many people sheltered at home. Now that public transit has reopened, over two dozen transit agencies in nine counties have come up with the Riding Together plan, which aims to ensure riders’ safety. Read on to see how Bay Area transit protocols have changed under the pandemic. Safety first The state of California requires all riders t...
How to Know If It’s Time to Sell Your House
How do you know when it’s time to sell your house? This can be a fraught question for homeowners who have invested time and effort in their beloved homes. There’s no denying that selling a home is a highly charged emotional decision, but for many people, the time will come when it’s clear that they should sell their house. Read on to see what signs you should be looking out for. You’re financially ready Take a look at your latest mortgage statement and see what you...
Remote Work is Changing What Today’s Homebuyers Want
These days, a significant number of people are working from home, and for some, the move away from the office will be permanent. This major change has led to a shift in buyers’ priorities. According to a recent Gallup poll, 35% of people who have worked remotely would prefer this arrangement, and another 30% want to work from home because they are concerned about COVID-19. From the city to the suburbs In the past, people were willing to live in cramped, expensive apart...
How Bay Area Restaurants Are Adapting to COVID-19
The Bay Area has always been known as a culinary hub, owing to its multicultural community. Any kind of dining spot imaginable can be discovered here, from New American cocktail bars to eclectic restaurants featuring the finest cuisine from various parts of the world. When COVID-19 forced a change in the way food spots operate, the Bay Area’s restaurant industry remained as creative and resilient as ever. From quaint cafes to h igh-end restaurants in San Francisco, all have ...
Beaching in the Bay Area in the New Normal
Hark – the sparkling waters of the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific beckon, and many Bay Area residents are raring to catch up on some sun, sand, and surf after months of staying inside their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visiting Bay Area beaches are among the fun things to do in San Francisco, especially at this time as the ocean’s regular production of negative ions — through the water’s exposure to sunlight and the constant movement of the tides — have an ...
Choosing Between Selling or Renting out Your Home
Planned or otherwise, the time to move will come, and one of the most important decisions you would have to make would be to determine whether you want to sell or rent out your home. There is no clean-cut, universal advice as every homeowner’s situation is different. Making this decision requires taking the time to evaluate your circumstances, but the guide below can help you identify key points for consideration. Determining your home's value Knowing your home’s act...
How Condo Mortgages Work
Condos are known to cost less than single-family homes, require little maintenance, and feature amenities like gyms and security. These are what make them particularly appealing to the younger market and ideal for first-time buyers. Buying a condo is considered a home purchase, so the same basic evaluation conducted when buying a single-family home will apply. The lender will take a look at an applicant’s credit reports, tax returns, debts, investments, and assets to dete...
Playing golf safely in the time of COVID-19
Although many San Francisco golf courses have already reopened since May, the COVID-19 pandemic is still in full swing, and limiting your public activities and movements as much as possible is still recommended. While golf is still a safer activity compared to other sports such as basketball or even bowling, it is still important to practice proper sanitation and safety measures while taking the necessary steps to preserve the health of your fellow golfers. If you’re ...