Flipping homes is not as easy as popular HGTV home improvement shows make it out to be, according to those who do it. Sean Pan, who has bought and fixed up five homes in Santa Clara County, said that he has not quite broken even financially on his investment. While he made $300,000 on one deal, he lost $400,000 on another. Like most house flippers he borrows money from private lenders, which means 10% interest rates. That gets expensive very quickly. … [Read more...] about Moms 4 Housing eviction: Just how many flips, vacant homes are there in Bay Area?
Bay area state
California braces for slowdown: What state budget, new regulations could mean
A: We are not predicting a recession; we are predicting a slowdown in growth. We are trying to build a budget that is balanced and will be resilient to shocks. We are using budget surpluses to pay down debt, to add to the rainy-day fund. We are proposing to continue substantial investment in paying down unfunded CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) liabilities. We are doing investments that are catalytic for change but that don’t put us in a position where if we have a downturn, we’d have to cut. … [Read more...] about California braces for slowdown: What state budget, new regulations could mean
From ‘Goodnight Chet’ to being a Stan: Lingo lessons for the generations
Cynics mocked her, but the sentiment endures (even if she didn’t really say “really”). Because in that moment, she was one of us, insecurities and all. Tom Hanks joined us a decade later, compassionately describing the AIDS victims he worked with on “Philadelphia,” and two decades after that, Lupita Nyong’o won for “12 Years a Slave,” touching on the childhood dreams we all have, no matter where we grow up. … [Read more...] about From ‘Goodnight Chet’ to being a Stan: Lingo lessons for the generations
Aaron Rodgers: Long NFL journey leads back to Northern California
The 49ers smothered Rodgers and the Packers in November, but now he gets another chance. This will be his fourth NFC title game, following previous road contests in Chicago (win in January 2011), Seattle (loss in ’15) and Atlanta (loss in ’17). … [Read more...] about Aaron Rodgers: Long NFL journey leads back to Northern California
‘Oh no, not again’: Remembering the epidemic of plane hijackings from SFO to Cuba
The situation was a little scarier for the flight crew, who stopped in Denver to refuel. There, FBI agents waited on the runway. After landing, the pilots jumped out of the cockpit windows, incurring minor injuries. With neither hostages nor a pilot, Thomas surrendered to law enforcement. … [Read more...] about ‘Oh no, not again’: Remembering the epidemic of plane hijackings from SFO to Cuba
