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Blakely Hull

Fighting birds in motion

How to win a bidding war

Talk to any real estate agent today, and nearly all will tell you they’ve never been busier. Even with mortgage rates having gradually inched higher since the beginning of the year, and home prices continuing to climb as well, buyers have not been deterred. And now, the country seems to be itching with a spring homebuying fever.

Unfortunately for buyers, that means the competition stands to get heated this year. Bidding wars have already surged in recent weeks, and don’t show signs of slowing.

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California, long winding road

Hidden gems you should visit this Spring

Last year at this time, California blogger and vlogger Josh McNair was getting nervous. He had poured nearly a decade of time and energy into his travel website, California Through My Lens, along with its accompanying YouTube channel. And five years before, those successful ventures had allowed him to leave his e-commerce day job. But around the same time the pandemic was closing all things travel, McNair and his wife Amie learned they were having twins.

He held on tight, went hiking when and where possible, and created a lot of new content about outdoors adventures near his home in Riverside. McNair’s son Jack and daughter Sunny were born in August, and as Californians have gotten back on the road this year, the demand for his travel expertise, and beautiful photographs and videos has come back in full force.

Hidden gems you should visit this Spring Read More »

2021 kitchen trends: What’s hot and what’s not

From increasing functionality to chef-worthy appliances and outdoor cooking spaces, kitchens were an integral part of homeowners’ coronavirus-induced renovation frenzy this year.

With 2021 here, homeowners and homebuyers alike are revising their kitchen wish lists to reflect the freshest trends in flooring, appliances, lighting and much more. Here are the top five trends that will most likely be on your clients’ wish list:

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2020 Migration Patterns in the Bay Area: Did Tech Workers Really Flee?

The pandemic has affected US workplaces like nothing else in modern history – resulting in high unemployment, the shuttering of businesses, and the shift of many workers to off-site, remote work.

But wait – was there really a mass exodus this year? Are people still moving to the Bay Area? Where are the tech workers going?! We’re answering these questions and more…

2020 Migration Patterns in the Bay Area: Did Tech Workers Really Flee? Read More »

These are our favorite Bay Area hikes you should try in 2021

SFGATE staffers, like other Bay Area residents, spent a whole bunch of 2020 hiking anywhere and everywhere, for sights and sounds and exercise and all the rest. And that’s good news for you, reader with zero hiking experience — or reader who’s looking for a new, hidden trail — because now we have lots of recommendations.

Below, our nine favorites from recent expeditions, many of which link out to a larger feature story, so you can assess for yourself which locales might be right for you (or just learn more about a trail’s history). They’re listed alphabetically; we refuse to rank them, because they’re each perfect in their own way.

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11 Must-Buys for the Healthiest Work From Home Life in 2021

For those of us who worked in an office building, our nine-to-five lives changed in March. That’s when COVID-19 sequestered us into our homes and apartments to do what we once did in offices. Our kitchen tables quickly turned into makeshift desks, while our bookshelves became background we didn’t know we needed for Zoom calls. But now that we’re almost a year (!) into this pandemic, perhaps it’s time to commit a bit more to our home workspaces. So why not make your life a little easier in the new year by investing in your home office setup? While our recommendations include a stylish standing desk and what we believe to be the best office chair on the market, we also leaned into those products that will help you relax during one of the most stressful epochs of our lifetime. Here’s to a happier (and healthier) 2021, starting with you living your best work from home life.

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5 Reasons Why Winter is the Best Season to Buy a Home

Spring is certainly the busiest time of year for most real estate markets. As the weather warms up, many put their homes up for sale and even more consider buying, casually strolling from one open house to the next on a sunny afternoon. Those seeking a bargain, however, know to look during the winter. While there may be fewer homes on the market during this time, there are also fewer buyers, and less competition means lower prices.

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Some News for You Before *THE NEWS* Tonight

Well…here we are; the day we have been waiting for. I hope we have some answers by tonight, but I expect it will be a bumpy ride. Buckle up!

Rest assured, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the macro and micro market trends as the election results come out. But, as the age-old saying goes, “With uncertainty comes opportunity.” I am confident there will be plenty of both of those as we round out this wild year. If you ever want to chat about what those opportunities could look like for you, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Some News for You Before *THE NEWS* Tonight Read More »

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