It was interesting this week to meet different people leaving California. There’s the exec moving to Texas because the plan is for her to move her whole company out of California because state taxes are going up for the highest tier taxpayers in California to compensate for Corona expenditures. And families moving to live near family now that flying isn’t so comfortable. There’s a family moving to a state where schools will be open in the fall (Virginia) because their school in Los Angeles will be over zoom and they don’t want their son in kindergarten home and on zoom next year. An entertainment guy who works on TV shows says his shows have been completely shut down since corona started and they’ll be on reruns only for at least another year so he’s moving away; he’ll just write for the shows from afar instead.
So many people want to sell now and have their house closed before the elections in November. Interest rates are at historic lows with buyers putting 15% down and securing 30 year fixed loans for under 3%, which makes sellers want to sell now too to take advantage.
The common theme in talking to people is that Corona made them think and consider priorities, and it also opened the possibility of working remotely and no longer being location specific tied to a physical work space. It was interesting to see people this week looking excited to fill aspirations, and to work toward newly discovered priorities that they put a lot of thought into with all the time at home, and to move forward toward their goal.
One family moving to the East Coast sent all their stuff on a truck and they’re going to get in their car and drive across the country. It’s always been their dream but they never stopped to figure out how to do it. Corona seems to have given people the time to stop and figure out how to fill dreams…and the gumption to actually go for it.
It’s cool that a second barber on La Brea – between Beverly and First – moved his operation to the sidewalk so he can continue doing business. And manicure places turned their parking lots into work spaces. I love seeing gyms set up in parks that are open too. I love the resilience of the human spirit and the push to figure out a way to thrive.
I’m super excited about our new listing at 121 S Gardner. It’s a remodeled charming fairy tale house with manicured lawns front and back, great outdoor entertaining space and a home office in the garage perfect for Corona, and updated systems. It’s completely move-in ready and a very short walk to The Grove and the park and lots of cool restaurants. I can’t wait to show it by appointment on Sunday!
Wishing everyone an awesome weekend and a fun summer in a mask!
Xoxoxo,
Sheri Bienstock
