1. OMG…ABG!
Realtor.com comes up with four kitchen counter alternatives in their article Anything but Granite! How Homeowners Really Feel About Their Kitchen Countertops. I guess folks are over granite, “In fact, people hate granite so much, there’s an acronym for their attitude: ABG, or “Anything but granite.” So if you’re redoing your kitchen and on the hunt for ABG, here are some popular countertop alternatives—and honest opinions from homeowners who have them in their own kitchens.” What’s your favorite kitchen countertop application?
2. BIZZARA
“This month, the investment vehicle of the multibillionaire behind Zara owner Inditex SA completed a $72.5 million deal for a downtown Chicago hotel. That followed purchases within the past six months of a building in Washington’s central business district and two Seattle offices leased by Amazon.com Inc. for a combined $1.1 billion.” Bloomberg reports Spain’s Richest Person Bets Billions on Prime U.S. Real Estate. Interesting note; Amancio Ortega began making women’s bathrobes with his siblings and soon-to-be first wife, Rosalia Mera in 1963 and their first Zara store opened in 1975.
3. DISRUPTOR OR GENIUS?
CNN Business gives us an opportunity to Meet the 31-year-old African American CEO aiming to revolutionize real estate investing. “Ryan Williams, a Harvard graduate started Cadre in 2014 as a digitized real estate investment platform. Cadre’s mission is to level the playing field in an industry that is often tilted toward the biggest players. Individuals, groups and institutions willing to invest at least $50,000 can comb through vetted real estate projects listed on Cadre’s online marketplace.” Williams and his team look at about 500 real estate investment deals a year but only vet about 10 of them.
4. APRIL SHOWERS
“A sizable drop in mortgage interest rates didn’t do much to help home sales in April, as high prices and tight supply at the low end of the market continued to sideline buyers” reports CNBC. Home sales fell in April despite a big drop in mortgage rates. “While more homes are on the market, part of the increase is simply that it is taking longer overall for homes to sell. As they sit on the market, supply swells. The new supply is not, however, changing forecasts for future sales.” Find out more details about what’s happening in your region.
5. GOODNESS STREET
Hero of the Week: Real Estate CEO Builds a Village for the Homeless reports Goalcoast. “Tiny homes, organic gardens, an outdoor theater, walking trails, study areas, worship places, an inn – these are just some of the highlights of Community First! Village in Austin, Texas.” Read what one real estate developer has done to change a city.
