Author: News Feed

After the collapse of the German government coalition in November 2024, a new federal election will take place on 23 February. Unlike German elections of the recent past, however, this election will take place in the middle of a fragmenting world. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to put pressure on Europe’s eastern border while newly elected President Trump is once again threatening Europe with a trade war from the West. Meanwhile, France, Germany’s most important European ally, is teetering on a political crisis of its own, bringing the ability of the EU to adapt decisively into question. This is not…

Key Findings Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and hybrid work has become a way of life for many Americans. Even occasional remote or hybrid work, or work-related travel, triggers nonresident individual income taxAn individual income tax (or personal income tax) is levied on the wages, salaries, investments, or other forms of income an individual or household earns. The U.S. imposes a progressive income tax where rates increase with income. The Federal Income Tax was established in 1913 with the ratification of the 16th Amendment. Though barely 100 years old, individual income taxes are the largest…

New construction in Marin County? Yes, you read that right! For the first time in decades, a stunning new development is coming to life just off Lucas Valley Road in San Rafael. With new single-family home projects being virtually unheard of in Marin, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a brand-new, modern home in one of the most desirable locations in the Bay Area. This exclusive project, over 30 years in the making, features 28 beautifully designed modern homes nestled amidst the rolling hills and serene landscape near the Marin Nature Preserve. Perfectly blending luxury, comfort, and functionality, these…

Selling your home in the San Francisco Bay Area? One of the biggest mistakes you can make is setting your asking price too high. It might seem like overpricing gives you room to negotiate or could boost your profit, but the reality is, it often backfires. According to Realtor.com, nearly 20% of sellers — that’s one in five — end up reducing their price to attract buyers. That’s a situation you don’t want to find yourself in, and here’s why. Overpricing your Bay Area Home Pushes Buyers Away With today’s mortgage rates and home prices, buyers are already stretching their…

As I shared last week, I celebrated my 68th birthday recently. My wife treated me to a weekend at Pebble Beach.I know! But someone had to do it.We stayed in a spot overlooking the iconic Pebble Beach golf links — home of the annual AT&T Pro-Am and countless major championships over the years.This golf course has witnessed so many unforgettable moments, from Jack Nicklaus’ famous one-iron shot to a foot at the 17th hole in the 1972 U.S. Open to Tiger Woods’ runaway U.S. Open victory in 2000. Orange County is well represented, too, with Mark O’Meara hoisting the AT&T…

Note: “The Sustainability of U.S. Debt and Potential Reforms: Fiscal Rules, Spending and Taxes, and a Fiscal Commission,” which has been published in final form in Public Budgeting & Finance at https://doi.org/10.1111/pbaf.12381. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with the Wiley Self-Archiving Policy (http://www.wileyauthors.com/self-archiving). Abstract In this study, we assess current projections of U.S. deficits and debt, establishing the recent history, causes, and consequences of the growing fiscal gap. We review the fiscal consolidation literature, indicating successful debt reductions primarily focus on spending reforms. In the U.S. context, we assess options to reform the budget process…

Updated for tax year 2024. Most people don’t get into charitable giving purely for a tax benefit. However, the opportunity for tax savings is a nice perk for those who give back! If you itemize deductions on your federal tax return, the IRS permits you to deduct the cash value of any contributions or donations made to qualified charitable organizations. Charitable donations are an excellent way to lower your taxable income and tax bill while giving back to your community or supporting an organization you care about. However, not all charities qualify, and not all American taxpayers can claim this…

2025 marks some milestones in my commercial real estate career, as well as my stint as an Orange County Register contributing columnist.I’ve now been plying my brokerage trade for 40 years! Some reading this column aren’t even 40 years old, and here I am, doing the same thing for over four decades.February 2025 will also be my 10th anniversary as your faithful commercial real estate voice at the Orange County Register and then the Southern California News Group. It’s been my honor to share weekly thoughts, market insights and best practices with you. By the time you read this, I…

Trying to decide whether it makes more sense to buy a home now or wait? There’s a lot to consider, from what’s happening in the market to your changing needs. But generally speaking, aiming to time the market isn’t a good strategy – there are too many factors at play for that to even be possible. That’s why experts usually say time in the market is better than timing the market. In other words, if you want to buy a home and you’re able to make the numbers work, doing it sooner rather than later is usually worth it. Bankrate…

Happy New Year, readers and welcome to 2025!It’s that time of year when I get to predict what this year might bring in the world of commercial real estate. I have a high bar to reach since my 2024 crystal ball was, in fact, crystal.So what might 2025 bring? Let’s get our Nostradamus on, shall we?The state of the marketAs we step into 2025, it’s clear that the ripples of 2024’s market conditions are still making waves. The industrial sector remains a mixed bag — demand for large logistics spaces has softened compared to its pandemic-era peak, but there’s still…