generally making less money than men in similar positions, and having higher healthcare and living expenses after retirement due to their longer life expectancy. “There are compounding factors that the traditional industry hasn’t successfully addressed. As women in this industry, we hold a special place to be able to recognize these issues and work with women to solve them within their financial plan,” says Bridget. Frances, Bridget, and Danyell describe events and seminars they look forward to offering once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. These will be aimed at promoting financial literacy and providing a safe space for people to begin engaging in financial dialogue – still a taboo in many households – in a way that doesn’t involve complicated calculations, but how we relate to money. Bridget also describes a service offering she is working on to specifically reach younger adults and “meet them where they are. Often, young people are turned away by the industry because they have not yet amassed much wealth. We want to help them now because we know that early incremental changes can really set them up for success in the future.” Bridget is now the President and CIO of her own financial services firm, and in her personal life she carries an additional, often maledominated title: pilot. During our interview, she recounts the feeling of empowerment she experienced by learning to take control of such a powerful machine. Through her work, she hopes to impart that same sense of empowerment to her clients by helping them take control of their finances. It is with that spirit that she named this new firm Wheels Up Wealth. Benicia Magazine published an interview with Frances Harkins in the January 2013 issue. For those who wish to learn more about Frances and her work, this article can be found in our online archive. Left to right: Frances Harkins, Bridget Harkins, Danyell Bjornstad
Benicia Real Estate Local agents answer your real estate questions Catherine Crawford
Question: Covid -19 & The Real Estate Market, what are the trends? As the social distancing restrictions are loosening, home buyers and sellers are re-engaging in the real estate market. While there was already a shortage of homes on the market, we saw a drop in the number of new listings compared to the year prior. Interest rates are at historic lows for home buyers and the number of home purchase loan applications are up with inventory not keeping up with demand. At the same time, some buyers are withdrawing from the real estate market due to job loss and the lack of down payment. Inventory shortage combined with current interest rates is at times resulting in multiple offers on the average or median priced homes in some markets. Days on the market for home sellers has increased with sellers being reluctant to reduce prices and buyers expecting lower prices. Homeowners currently living in cities may seek to live in the suburbs or more rural areas. Top home buying trends are currently: more space, more square footage of living area, number of rooms, ability to have a home office, and private outdoor spaces. Wendy Widhalm-Schlosser Broker Associate Hamann Real Estate DRE # 01793963
Our home has become more important than ever. We are acutely aware of where we live, who we live with and whether or not the homes we live in are working for us. At the start of 2020, we were expecting a strong spring market based on increased sales prices (up 3-4% from 2019), low inventory and low interest rates. While we have seen a shift since COVID-19 – it is not what we expected. Interest rates are at 30year lows – driving more buyers into the market, and competition among buyers is strong right now. Safety, sq footage and outdoor living has become a top priority. We are seeing people leaving large cities for remote and safe homes. So what does the future hold for us? Forbearance and unemployment could cause more foreclosures in the short term. Inventory would increase and the market could shift to favor buyers. With that being said, we are still anticipating a HOT summer market with a need for more inventory. Real Estate continues to be an American Dream and a great investment. There’s no place like home – especially now! Jessica Evans Ridge Real Estate Group|Compass rreg@ridgerealestategroup.com 707.315.9803 Realtor | DRE #01998765
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