Kara Masterson Choosing the right water heater is crucial for homeowners, energy conservation enthusiasts, and DIYers. The right choice ensures comfort, saves on utility bills, and extends the life of your equipment. This guide will explain the important factors to consider and the different types of water heaters available to help you make an informed decision. Factors to consider when choosing a water heaterWhen choosing a water heater, it is important to keep a few key factors in mind. First of all, you need to consider the size of the unit. You need to choose a water heater with a…
Author: Private Lending Agent
Incentivized builders and developers respond to the call for multi-family purpose-built rentals TORONTO, June 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Strong population growth and housing supply issues have prompted a significant shift in the Canadian commercial real estate market as builders and developers adopt an “all-hands-on deck” approach to solving Canada’s housing shortage, according to a report released by RE/MAX Canada.RE/MAX, LLC. (PRNewsfoto/RE/MAX Canada)RE/MAX Canada’s 2024 Commercial Real Estate Report examined 12 markets across the country and found the push for intensification in the first quarter of 2024 has gained greater momentum as builders and developers from coast to coast turn their attention to…
The European Central Bank cut interest rates on Thursday for the first time in nearly five years, signalling a shift away from aggressive policies aimed at taming surging inflation.As inflation edged closer to the central bank's 2% target, the bank cut three key interest rates applicable to all 20 euro zone countries by 0.25 percentage points. The benchmark deposit rate was cut to 3.75% from 4%, the highest in the central bank's 26-year history, where it had been in place since September.”The inflation outlook has improved significantly,” European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said at a news conference in Frankfurt…
A resurgence in labor union activity has many U.S. employers on edge, and it's spreading to the commercial real estate industry. Recently, major unionization drives have been gaining attention, led by companies such as Amazon and Starbucks. Labor unions also enjoy strong public support, with 67% of Americans supporting labor unions, according to a recent Gallup poll. Public support for labor unions has grown steadily over the past decade, but is still not as strong as it was in its post-World War II heyday.While interest in labor unions is on the rise, a closer look at the data paints a…
Since the early days of the pandemic, owners of large buildings in New York and other major cities have been eager for their commercial real estate businesses to rebound as workers return to the office.Four years on, hybrid working has become the norm, putting increasing strain on property owners, with some properties being foreclosed and sold well below their appraised value in less than a decade, resulting in huge losses for investors.The number of office buildings in crisis remains small, but the number has surged this year. Investors, lawyers and bankers expect the pain to grow in the coming months…
Dixie Summers Owning a rental property can be a lucrative and rewarding business, but as many landlords know, it also comes with its own challenges. One of the biggest challenges is transforming your property into a place your tenants will love to call home. From small changes to major renovations, these tips will help you attract and keep satisfied tenants while also increasing the value of your property. Focus on exterior appealFirst impressions are important, especially when it comes to rental properties. The exterior of your property is the first thing potential tenants see, so make sure it's visually appealing.…
In response to rising inflation, the Fed has raised the effective federal funds rate from 0.08% in January 2022 to 5.3% today. This is higher than the historical average over the past 60+ years relative to the current inflation rate. In contrast, market interest rates relative to the inflation rate are lower than historically suggested. The latter is consistent with the market view that the inflation since 2020 is transitory. If the market view is correct, the Fed will begin to lower interest rates, but the reduction in market interest rates is likely to be smaller than the federal funds…
When you go to a bank, you'll notice that different types of savings accounts have different interest rates. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the accounts that typically earn the highest interest rates are money market accounts, traditional savings accounts, and certificates of deposit (CDs). Banks earn a profit called the spread, which is simply the difference between the profit they make on the loan and the amount they pay in interest on the deposit. Net Interest Margin (NIM) represents this spread. Below is an overview of how banks determine interest rates for consumer and business loans. Key…
The opinions expressed below are those of John Keller and not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global.BOSTON — How to prepare for the impact of the continuing collapse in commercial property values downtown is a dilemma that could become a major problem for the city of Boston's budget. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu wants the right to raise taxes on those property owners, but critics say that's not what a mayor should do. “An existential question for Boston.””This is an existential issue for Boston,” said Greg Maynard of the Boston Policy Institute, whose think tank shook City Hall in…
Local elected officials are pushing to provide a new financing mechanism for commercial property improvements. Several renewable energy groups support the program, but the state treasurer worries it is unconstitutional and could be exploited by unscrupulous lenders. (Courtesy of the North Carolina State House) North Carolina — Local elected officials are pushing for a new financing mechanism for commercial property improvements. Renewable energy groups support the program, but the state treasurer worries it's unconstitutional and could be exploited by unscrupulous lenders. Read more: Turning wasteland into energy: New Hanover County plans solar farm on reclaimed land Sen. Michael Lee (R-New…