Today’s Smart Home Gets Smarter (and Weirder) at Annual CES Show

From the Pacific Union blog:
There was a smart refrigerator and a television that rolls up like a yoga mat.  There was a $20,000 mattress with a mind of its own and wallpaper empedded with LED panels.  There was a hands-free suitcase that follows you through thr airport, a talking toilet and enough robots to organize themselves into an invading army (yikes!).  In other words, it was another typical Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas! Welcome to the complete techno life!  For help with making your new home or your former home tech savy and all your real estate needs, call FRITZ.

What to Do When an Earthquake Strikes? Drop, Cover, and Hold On

From the Pacific Union blog:
What should you do during those scary moments when a big earthquake strikes?  And what should you do when it's over?  Here is some smart advise from the Earthquake Country Alliance----
http://bit.ly/2DEvlBX

Real Estate Roundup: Peace of Mind Is the Biggest Benefit of Smart-Home Technologies

From the Pacific Union blog:
Smart Home Gifts Help Americans Tune into the Latest Technologies!
Homeowners frequently adopt smart-home devices after receiving them as gifts and an overwhelming majority say that it enhances their sense of well-being.  Contact FRITZ for more on all your real estate needs.

Pacific Union Wishes You a Happy New Year 2018

All of your friends at Pacific Union would like to wish you a very happy New Year!  Whether you welcomed in 2018 with a night on the town or simply spent a relaxing evening at home, we hope that the coming year brings you nothing but the best.  And if you have a New Year's resolution, we wish you much success in achieving your goal.  Best, FRITZ.

Final Version of Tax Reform Is Still Detrimental for California Housing Markets

From the Pacific Union blog:
Republicans in Congress reconciled their different versions of the tax reform and offered their final version of the so-called Tax Cuts and Jobs Act today.  Congress will vote on the final version next week which is only slightly more favorable than the initial House of Representatives bill but still highly detrimental for most of California's coastal housing markets.  Read more of the relevant details at  http://bit.ly/2D6bLxJ .  For more information on this and all your real estate needs, call FRITZ.

The Best Bay Area and Lake Tahoe Winter 2017 Events and Activities

Winter is indeed coming and lucky for us, Northern California offers an abundance of activities and events in which to participate year-round.  We've collected a few ideas that may inspire you to strap on some skates, slap on the skis or even head out to a parade.  Read more at http://bit.ly/2BunqVk

First-Time and Bay Area Homebuyers Have Much to Lose From Proposed Tax Changes

From the Pacific Union blog:
Last week, the House Republicans released their much-anticipated tax reform proposal.  The plan proposes to cut the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent and reorganize individual tax rates from seven brackets into four.  Taxes are a complicated subject and with any sweeping change such as the proposed reforms, the devil is in the details.  While the proposal promises to save an American family an average of $1,182 per year, some of the proposed changes could be devasting for current and future California homeowners. Read all the details.... http://bit.ly/2ASsZgO

Real Estate Roundup: East Bay City Named One of the Nation’s Most Livable

From the Pacific Union blog:
Fremont Ranked as America's Second Most Livable City
Fremont was recently named the least stressed-out place in America and now another study calls the Alameda County city one of the country's most livable.  That's according to an analysis by SmartAsset, which ranks the nation's 25 most livable cities based on six criteria - including access to jobs, income after housing expenses and walkability - on a scale of zero to 100.  Read more . . .
http://bit.ly/2zpbJ4R