Tis the season to be jolly, and Christmas has arrived with its magical aura and twinkling lights! May your days be merry and bright, filled with laughter, love, and all things delight.
Wishing you joy, peace, and moments that sparkle like the star on top of the tree!
As we gather with loved ones to celebrate the magic of Christmas, I wanted to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to you. May this festive season be filled with moments of joy, laughter, and the warmth of cherished company.
However, I also recognize that for some, this time of year can be challenging. It’s okay to acknowledge the mix of emotions that may come with the holiday season and my thoughts are with you.
See you soon,
Joujou
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As the year draws to a close, we wanted to share some highlights from the 2023 real estate market across the Diablo Valley:
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Highest Sale Price: $9,250,000 (Joujou’s Sale)
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Highest $ Sold Over List Price: $1,250,000 (Joujou’s Sale)
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Largest Home Sold: ±10,775 SF (Joujou’s Sale)
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Highest $ Per SF: $1,449
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Completing a house took an average of 8.3 months in 2022, a month longer than it took to build a house of the same size back in 1971. (NY TIMES)
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Typically, a long-haul truck idles about 1,800 hours per year, using about 1,500 gallons of diesel. Vehicles idling combine to waste nearly 6 billion gallons of fuel per year, and cost owners more than $20 billion. Introducing waste-reducing efficiencies often leads to huge savings. Smart thermostats can reduce energy bills by up to 23%. Often instant solutions to alleviate our problems exist already within close reach.
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By 2034, the Census Bureau projects that the US will be home to more people over 65 than people under 18, Though the majority of older adults are homeowners, many are still paying off mortgages into old age, and there’s a growing share of renters in their 50s and early 60s. Long-term care expenses, both in-home and at facilities, are out of reach in many cities. Might older homeowners and renters rent rooms to younger people to offset their costs and provide affordable shelter for those starting?
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Want to know where the eyeballs are? Americans watched more than 19 million years’ worth of streaming content in 2022.
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Around 52% of global prime homebuyers are now paying in cash, up from 46% six months ago. (Bloomberg)
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Office-to-apartment conversions are well underway: 588 new rental apartments in a former 1970s office tower with East River views near the South Street Seaport in New York City with amenities including a bowling alley and a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, start at $3,500 for studios, $4,700 for one-bedroom units and $6,400 for two bedrooms, over a 30-year period that’s $1,26 million, $1,692 million and $2,3 million in rent, assuming rents never rise in 30 years! (Bloomberg)
