Monarch Ridge Townhomes at Monarch Dunes Golf Course

10/15/2021

Foreclosure activity remains far below historical levels. Even with similar increases over the next few months, economists do not appear concerned.

04/28/2021

https://www.facebook.com/1638290827/posts/10222434156916237/?d=n

04/23/2021

As a Realtor that often sales high-end homes, I hear about how hard it is to live in SLO County because of the cost of housing.

So many things affect the price of housing. Low inventory and high demand are driving prices up across the nation, as are low interest rates. Predictions are that as Covid fears decrease, more homes will come on the market and inventory will increase.

We live in a County that works diligently to provide alternative housing programs. It absolutely true. When production costs go up, those costs are passed along to the home buyer. The hardest hit are minorities and low income. We all have a part to play in supporting our community.

A lesser discussed fact that drives the price of homes up is the cost of lumber. The U.S. consumes 50 billion board feet per year, and we produce 35 billion board feet of wood per year. Some feel that the lumber yards took a calculated gamble that the housing industry would slow down during the pandemic. Instead, demands for housing increased. It was a struggle for them to turn things around and get production back on track with the building industry. As with everything else - supply and demand has driven the lumber costs up.

Now, it seems that the lumber industry is caught up with production and enjoying a big profit margin. It also seems to some that they aren't in a big hurry to reduce those margins to help the industries that they support.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, all building materials are up 11% with steel mill production increasing by 38% since December 2020. Lumber is up 300%.

What can you do? Make your voice heard. And I'm not talking about a soliloquy on Facebook. Do something to get results.

Follow the links below to easily locate and send a letter to Governor Newsome, your State Senator, and your Assemblyman.
Let them know what increasing lumber prices is doing to our community.

At the National level, go to https://www.house.gov/representatives to find and locate your Representative and https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm to contact your Senator.

12/13/2020

My great listing in Santa Maria!

Paquet Photography, LLC has several photos, a virtual tour, listing details, and additional property information about 1433 Marsala Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93458

02/04/2019

FYI friends...

Why it may be Time to go Gray When it comes to painting a room, there are so many colors to choose from. One color is always a winner – gray.

02/03/2019

Are you thinking about finishing your basement. Here's what you should know.

Should You Finish Your Basement? When you were shopping for a house, you were probably so focused on the number of bedrooms, the size of the living room and the layout of the kitchen that you didn’t give much thought to the basement. An unfinished basement can be a great place for storage, but fin...

02/02/2019

Even though top-loaders are less expensive, a front-loading washing machine may be the way to go. Here’s why...

5 Ways to Buy the Right Washer and Dryer For better or worse, laundry is a big part of our lives, so making the right investment in the best possible laundry appliances is critical. In her recent blog for Consumer Reports (CR), Kimberly Janeway offered the following five steps from CR test engineer....

02/01/2019

Here are some of the major differences between debit and credit cards.

Differences between Debit and Credit Cards Using a debit card has one major advantage over a credit card — you’re paying with money you already have in the bank and avoiding debt. But a debit card doesn’t improve your credit score, among other things. Which card should you use when shopping? H...

01/31/2019

If you’re trying to improve your credit score, this is a must-read!

Know What Goes Into Your Credit Score You’re probably well aware of how important your credit score is. A good score grants you access to loans and favorable interest rates, and opens up many different possibilities for a healthy financial future. But do you know how your credit score is determine...

01/30/2019

Between your personal needs and personal finances, there are many factors to consider.

Expert Insights: What Factors Should Determine Whether I Decide to Move or Remodel? Your personal needs, preferences and finances are all factors. If you’ve lived in your home awhile and prefer to stay in your school district or neighborhood, improving your existing space may work best for you. If...

01/29/2019

What's the friendliest city to visit in America? Read on!

Planning a Getaway? Check Out 'the Most Welcoming Places on Earth' When it comes to travel, the world really is your oyster, as jet setting to locations around the globe has become accessible and often affordable to more adventurers and explorers than ever before. But with so many options in front o...

01/28/2019

Passing this on!