MOST PEOPLE HAVE HEARD OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, the organization that builds homes and helps low-income families become home owners. I had the opportunity to volunteer last week with a similar organization but with a very different mission. Rebuilding Together primarily serves folks who are already homeowners, helping them in the renovation and modification of […]
Making $ense of Real Estate: Interesting turn of events
EVERYONE HAS BEEN EXPECTING INTEREST RATES TO INCREASE for many months now, so why did they take a sharp turn down over the last couple of weeks? And where are they headed next? Interest rates are tied to the global economy. The Federal Reserve loosens the money supply to keep rates low and tightens the […]
Benicia Biz Beat: ABC Music expands product line
CELEBRATING ITS 18TH YEAR as Benicia’s destination for all things music, ABC Music Source and Academy, 739 First St., is expanding its merchandise line to cater to painters and architects, Director Stan Houston said. Houston said the expansion also accommodates “the puzzler” and “gift giver of all ages.” “There’s no shortage of digital stimulation these […]
Making $ense of Real Estate: First of more to come?
WHEN THE HOUSING MARKET CRASHED AND SHATTERED THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, Americans were mad as hell at Wall Street and the banks for getting us into the mess. As a result, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. To implement the reforms called for in the act and to provide enforcement, a […]
Making $ense of Real Estate: The finger pointing continues
AS THE ECONOMY SLOWLY GRINDS ITS WAY TOWARD RECOVERY, the housing market continues to improve, but evidence shows that the pace of home sales and value appreciation is slowing. One critical element in a healthy housing environment is low- and moderate-income buyers. These home buyers are typically younger and often purchasing their first home. Many […]
Benicia Biz Beat: Makerspace plans costume workshop
HALLOWEEN IS ABOUT FOUR WEEKS AWAY — do you have your costume figured out? If not, don’t fret: Benicia Makerspace will have a workshop Wednesday that will let participants create costumes for the holiday. Tenaya Hurst will teach participants about wearable technology, including how to sew light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and sensors into clothes. Kits will be […]
Benicia Biz Beat: Casa de Vilarrasa gets makeover
Employees of Prudential California Realty, 801 First St., spent Friday at Casa de Vilarrasa, an apartment complex for older residents that is affiliated with the Benicia Housing Authority. They started by planting flowers in the front of the building, then firing up a grill to cook an outdoor lunch for the residents. Afterward, they led […]
Making $ense of Real Estate: Defining ‘normal’
Recent data show the rapid pace of home price appreciation slowing. According to the CoreLogic Home Price Index report, values were still improving in July but at a more moderate pace of 7.4 percent when compared to July 2013. Values were up 1.2 percent in July when compared to June. Home values nationwide are now […]
Benicia Biz Beat: Once Upon A Canvas demos to feature teachers
ART DEMONSTRATIONS at Once Upon a Canvas Art Galleries and Studios, 129-J First St., will feature the studio’s teachers, who will give art demonstrations Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Those interested may call the studio at 707-745-1842 or visit its website, OnceUponaCanvasBenicia.com.
Benicia Biz Beat: Autism resource store opens in Benicia
A company that has been providing products for those affected by autism has gone retail, Tim Murrill, chief executive officer, said. National Autism Resources, founded in 2008 to help individuals dealing with autism as well as parents and supporters of children with autism, opened its retail store Monday in the front offices of its warehouse, […]