Unanimous.  That’s just not a word you get used to hearing these days in partisan politics.  Perhaps though, it’s a little different when you’re dealing with your own back yard…

The Redding City Council has just unanimously approved some construction incentives that they believe will help the flagging building industry.  This isn’t an entirely revolutionary idea- it’s the same one they’ve been using for the Downtown Redding area for some time, only this one is a little more grand in scale.

Spreading Out The Love

Basically, they decided that instead of making developers pony up mad cash for water and sewer impact fees, they only have to lay down 25% and can pay the rest out over a three year period (maximum- don’t even try to push it to four.).  That’s like, 75% less than usual!  Also, there is some interest figured in there, so it’s not like the City of Redding will be losing out on the deal.

Why the Love?

Well, after trying a few minor shifts, the Redding economy has continued to lag.  Building permits are way down, which means the building of buildings isn’t being done, which means economic hardship.  Redding City Council is doing what it can to prop up what is by far the most lucrative industry Redding has- construction.

Check the Deets!

I’m a two-bit hack when it comes to this reporting stuff, so if you want to know more you should read the article by David Benda in the recent Redding.com story (Incidentally, it is most likely not the same David Benda as this guy, but it would be rad if it was.).

Seriously, does anyone know Dave Benda?  I want to know if he’s down with 80’s BMX action.

JERRY BAKER

GMAC REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

530-524-8806

JBAKER@REDDINGLISTINGS.COM

In Redding, the median price has dropped to $190,000 according to a recent article in the Record Searchlight. Assuming a buyer can tender a 20% downpayment to avoid mortgage insurance and secure the lowest interest rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, the monthly payment will be $816. Add $200/month for property taxes and homeowners insurance for a total PITI payment of $1,016. This home would rent for about $1100/month.

Factor in tax advantages of home ownership and owning has a distinct financial advantage over renting. The homeowner will have about $7,600/year in mortgage interest deduction and $2000 in property tax deductions for a total of $9,600. Assuming a buyer is in the 28% tax bracket, and has income to write these deductions off, the buyer will save about $225/month in federal income taxes. I have not figured the additional tax benefits of state income tax deductions for this analysis. This means the net monthly housing expense is just under $800/month. Clearly, owning beats the heck out of renting in today’s housing market!

bradgreps@yahoo.com

530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492

BRAD GARBUTT

REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC

QUARTER CENTURY LOCA REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE

Record Searchlight

Anyone else find that the Record Searchlight’s “Best in Redding” insert on Sunday a little self serving?

Looking over the winners and runners up it’s obvious that some are there because they rallied their employees to submit their work place. Nothing independent or unbiased about it. Not exactly a clean poll …. Pollster guru Harris can be heard rolling in his grave.

The Searchlight then used the results to sell ad space back to the “winners”.

Our customers, through an independent survey company, rate us every day. We have no control over the results…. nada, zippo, no way, forgetaboutit …no control.

They have consistently rated their experience with us as satisfied to very satisfied ..98% of the time …

It’s because of our roles of being Trusted Advisors, Skilled Negotiators; and Expert Facilitators …professional service focused solely on our clients…

We couldn’t bribe them with an ad or their names in the paper …can’t do it …and wouldn’t want to.

If you are interested in a true fit company wise …real estate brokerage wise ..you need to call me to find out… you may fit here..you may not …you’ll never know unless you talk to me..

Breaking Real Estate News

Click Here for Real Estate Breaking News

Great article sent to me by Steve Crosetti with Fidelity Title… how the U.S. consumer is changing ….the whole article is here …the summary is below…

Change agent

What Peter Francese says you need to know — and do — to reach the changing consumer

1. GENERATION AARP

THE TREND: The average age for a U.S. head of household is 49.5— just six months shy of getting a sign-up pitch from AARP. The first boomers will turn 65 in less than three years.

MARKETING CHALLENGE: Older consumers tend to be more risk-averse and less open to new ideas.

WHAT TO DO: Don’t pander (”60 is the new 40″). Play up messages suggesting advantages such as guarantees, safety and experience.

2. CONSUMER CHASM

THE TREND: The gulf is widening among consumers when it comes to attitudes and behavior. The online- and wireless-centric consumer lives in a different world from the older newspaper reader.

WHAT TO DO: Rethink strategies for target marketing. Put more emphasis on ethnographic research into the culture, beliefs and activities of the target consumer

3. REGIONAL DISCONNECT

THE TREND: One nation, but hardly united or homogeneous. The Northeast is older, largely white with fewer children; the West is younger and more diverse. Two thirds of recent immigrants have settled in the South or West.

WHAT TO DO: For products aimed at older consumers, consider looking north and east. If you want younger consumers, pick your regions and then make sure the message resonates with a multicultural audience.

4. NEW FACES

THE TREND: The median age of U.S. Hispanic women is about 28—14 years younger than the median age for white, non-Hispanic women. Two in five consumers under 45 are Hispanic, Black or Asian (vs. one in five for 65- plus). More than half of household heads in California and Texas are Hispanic, Black, Asian or multiracial.

WHAT TO DO: If you want to be the choice of a new generation, embrace the cultures and voices of that generation.

5. IMMIGRATION IMPERATIVE

THE TREND: In the past seven years, 40% of U.S. population growth has come from immigration. Five big states (New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois and Connecticut) would have seen their work forces and populations shrink were it not for new immigrants.

WHAT TO DO: Marketers need to engage in the national debate about immigration. Immigrants, after all, are a source of labor—and a prime source of new consumers.

~ ~ ~
Peter Francese is founder of American Demographics magazine and demographic trends analyst at Ogilvy & Mather. He can be reached at peter@francese.com.

Not all New Yorkers are loud.