Creating the right feel and look for a home can improve its comfort and appeal.  The following decorating tips can help turn your space from drab to dreamy. Interior Design Do’s: 1.           Plan and prioritize: Start by creating a clear plan for your space, considering functionality, aesthetics, and budget. Identify the most important elements you want to focus on and allocate resources accordingly. 2.        Create a cohesive color scheme: Choose a harmonious color palette that is complementary and sets the…

The Mission Hills community is one of the oldest and best architecturally preserved neighbors in San Diego. American Craftsman was designed and built to sit comfortably amongst its neighbors as though it has always belonged. Emphasis is on period-correct details such as leaded windows, turned oak casework, and antique fireplace surrounds. The interiors are grand but warm and welcoming. The home was custom designed with aging-in-place in mind, so a slow transition to full-time ground-floor living is effortless. Designer/Architect: IS…

The average length of time to complete construction of a multifamily building, after obtaining authorization, was 19.8 months, according to the 2022 Survey of Construction (SOC) from the Census Bureau. The permit-to-completion time in 2022 was 2.3 months longer than in 2021, as supply-chain issues and the ongoing skilled labor shortage challenged the industry.   The average time to build… Read More ›

The past two months’ job gains indicate that the job market is cooling from its peak last year and is growing at a moderate pace. Total employment increased by 187,000 and the unemployment rate inched down to 3.5% in July. Wages grew at a 4.4% year-over-year growth rate, down 1.1 percentage points from a 5.4% gain in July 2022. Total… Read More ›

Barry Berkus, Class of 2008* Barry Berkus was a major figure in architecture for decades. Residential Architect magazine named him one of the 10 top residential architects of the 20th century, noting that he “has forever altered the paradigm of architects and planners working to create more livable urban and suburban environments.” He founded and served as president of B3 Architects and Berkus Design Studio in Santa Barbara, where his design teams won more than 300 regional, national and international…

This is a community where makers, entrepreneurs and storytellers can find fulfillment in every way. Sitting at the corner of comfort and possibility, the homes are each individually designed with intention and distinct from the rest. Across the way is a filmmaking destination with 700 acres of studios and the industry’s most sought-after creators and craftspeople. Inspired by Europe’s walkable and picturesque villages, the Town at Trilith adds a modern twist and Hollywood luxury to classical architecture to create a…

According to the Federal Reserve Board’s July 2023 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS)—conducted for bank lending activity over the second quarter of 2023—banks reported that lending standards tightened for all residential real estate (RRE) and commercial real estate (CRE) loan categories. Demand for RRE and CRE loans weakened across all categories over the quarter. Moreover, banks expect their lending… Read More ›

The Sentinels is 10 clusters of hilltop detached homes in San Diego. Plan One of three plans at The Sentinels was awarded in the Best in American Living Home of the Year. Plan One’s L-shape creates a large outdoor courtyard, closed in and made private by the wall of the neighbor’s garage. Each of the 10 Sentinels clusters consists of eight single-family, detached, fee-simple houses. The homes are situated on a 1.35-acre hilltop site surrounded by open space and amazing…

Designing a smart home involves integrating various technologies and devices to enhance the comfort, convenience, security, and/or energy efficiency of a residence. Here are some key aspects to consider when designing smarter homes: 1. Connectivity: Ensure the availability of a robust network infrastructure/Wi-Fi to support all smart devices and systems. 2. Centralized Control: Install a central hub or controller that can manage and communicate with all of the home’s smart features. 3.Lighting: Install lighting systems that allow remote control, scheduling,…

NAHB analysis of the most recent Quarterly Sales by Price and Financing report reveals that the share of new home sales backed by FHA loans climbed from 12.1% (revised) to 14.0% in the second quarter of 2023. It is the largest share since Q1 2021 but roughly three percentage points lower than the post-Great Recession average. Conventional loans financed 73.7%… Read More ›