Author: Savannah Rollins

Season’s greetings readers as we eye Christmas in the rearview mirror and Kwanzaa and Hanukkah as they’re proceeding. It’s truly the season of giving, and from all of ours to all of yours — best wishes!Two of my favorite columns to write annually occur at this time of the year, when I reflect on my scorecard from the previous year and offer predictions for the upcoming one.Last year, I wrote my 2024 prognostications on the heels of an Alabama football defeat — which as a native Arkansan — warmed my heart. We’ll have to wait much longer this year as…

Lease negotiations can vary on the size of the building being leased, the complexity of the terms, and the sophistication of the parties. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here. Originally Published: December 21, 2024 at 5:00 AM PST Source link

Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent draft rules to the White House that would ban the sale of cigarettes as we now know them. Under a new product standard, all cigarettes sold in the US would be subject to a maximum nicotine content threshold. This new threshold—a very low nicotine (VLN) product standard—would likely be substantially lower than the amount of nicotine that naturally occurs in tobacco plants and is contained in cigarettes. While the FDA may not declare their VLN product standard a prohibition on cigarettes, implementation of a VLN standard would function as one.…

As we approach 2025, the Bay Area housing market is poised for a dynamic shift, offering promising prospects for both buyers and sellers. National trends indicate a rebound, and the Bay Area is expected to mirror this positive trajectory, with unique regional nuances. National Housing Market Projections for 2025 The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) forecasts a nationwide upswing in the housing market for 2025: Existing-Home Sales: Anticipated to increase by 7% to 12%. Mortgage Rates: Expected to stabilize around 6%. Median Home Price: Projected to rise by 2%, reaching approximately $410,700. These national indicators suggest improved affordability and increased…

Key Findings In 2024, 13 countries made changes to their statutory corporate income taxA corporate income tax (CIT) is levied by federal and state governments on business profits. Many companies are not subject to the CIT because they are taxed as pass-through businesses, with income reportable under the individual income tax. rates. Eight countries—Barbados, Belarus, Czechia, Fiji, Gibraltar, Iceland, Morocco, and Slovenia—increased their top corporate taxA tax is a mandatory payment or charge collected by local, state, and national governments from individuals or businesses to cover the costs of general government services, goods, and activities. rates, while five countries—Austria, Cabo…

By DAN MERICA and JESSE BEDAYNALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Richard Andre Newman thought he would live the rest of his life in his quiet, leafy neighborhood in suburban Virginia. He was born and raised in Bren Mar Park, where children ride their bikes and neighbors wave hello.But now, as he’s approaching 60, he’s considering selling his Fairfax County home and moving away. That’s because he’s getting a new neighbor: Plaza 500, a 466,000-square-foot data center and an adjacent electrical substation to be built a few hundred feet from townhomes, playgrounds and a community center.Newman feels helpless to stop it.“I planned…

Several are tailored to address the challenges in logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and distribution. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here. Originally Published: December 14, 2024 at 5:00 AM PST Source link

At Bay Area Modern Real Estate, we understand that many people are asking if home prices are set to drop. Some might even hope for a decrease to make purchasing a home more affordable. However, the reality is that experts agree a significant price crash is unlikely. Here’s why: The Supply and Demand Factor The housing market operates like any other market: when demand exceeds supply, prices go up. In the Bay Area, this principle is especially evident. The region’s popularity, robust economy, and unique lifestyle continue to draw buyers. At the same time, the number of homes available for…

ChatGPT, Open Source’s artificial intelligence model, broke onto the mass market approximately two years ago. When Microsoft invested billions of dollars into this new technology, you knew it was a big deal.You can’t talk about the future of commercial real estate without recognizing the massive impact artificial intelligence is already having. ChatGPT, OpenAI’s groundbreaking model, burst onto the scene just two years ago, and the ripples have been impossible to ignore. When Microsoft poured billions into OpenAI, it became clear this wasn’t just another passing tech trend.I wrote one of the preceding paragraphs. Can you guess which one? Exactly!So, there…

One of the biggest questions on everyone’s minds right now is: when will mortgage rates come down? After several years of rising rates and a lot of bouncing around in 2024, we’re all eager for some relief. While no one can project where rates will go with complete accuracy or the exact timing, experts offer some insight into what we might see going into next year. Here’s what the latest forecasts show. Mortgage Rates Are Expected To Ease and Stabilize in 2025 After a lot of volatility and uncertainty, the most updated forecasts suggest rates will start to stabilize over…