The housing market has been hitting historic highs in sales and historic lows in interest rates, but the increasing prices cannot last long and should be adjusting in the next six months, experts say. The recent events with COVID-19 and the stimulus checks that were given out by the government are one explanation as to why there has not yet been a crash in the housing market, according to real estate experts and faculty members at CSUSB. Although the strong housing market is beneficial, the increased debt from the stimulus checks will have lasting consequences on taxpayers, according to CSUSB faculty member Montgomery Van Wart. Van Wart is a professor of public administration at CSUSB … [Read more...] about Housing market hits all time highs, but downturn predicted to come soon
Real estate agent explains unprecedented real estate market
The real estate market is highly competitive right now due to factors like low interest rates, dwindling inventory, and transactions that had been put on hold because of quarantine, according to real estate agent Misty Myers. Myers began working as a licensed real estate agent in 2014 and now manages a team of seven agents in the Inland Empire. Lately, business has spiked for Myers and her team. She explains the recent developments in the market and the day-to-day business. Q: How has COVID-19 impacted your business? A: When COVID hit, everything was shut down for a week. Then we were deemed essential because people have to be able to buy and sell houses. People are forced … [Read more...] about Real estate agent explains unprecedented real estate market
Quarantine throws wedding plans into chaos
By Katie Hepler and Tanya Jansen Most couples spend months, if not years, planning their weddings. Because of social distancing practices, many have postponed or cancelled their ceremonies. Alyssa Torres, a wedding coordinator in Riverside, has dealt with over ten couples who have had to postpone their weddings. Torres’s company does not offer refunds but does allow for couples to postpone their weddings with no extra fees. [tweet 1265441663687647232 align='center'] Weddings often take a great deal of time, money, planning and logistics. According to Torres, many couples spend upwards of ten thousand dollars on their venue and with the nonrefundable deposit, it creates a … [Read more...] about Quarantine throws wedding plans into chaos
COVID-19 challenges deaf and blind community
By Karla Morales and Tanya Jansen Social distancing has hindered the ways of communication of the deaf, blind, and deaf-blind communities. Touch is critical for these communities which has become a significant risk of contagion due to COVID-19. Deaf-blind Americans use touch in their daily lives: hand over hand signing to communicate, finger scanning used for braille, hugs and handshakes. [tweet 1265334584604012551 align='center'] Kevin Anderson is a hard-of-hearing and blind individual who has noticed some of the challenges that his deaf-blind friends have been facing during the pandemic. “The biggest problem we're having is no interaction and no socialization among each … [Read more...] about COVID-19 challenges deaf and blind community
Mental health counselor urges the practice of self-care
By Tanya Jansen and Alexis Ramirez Community members are fighting to maintain their self-care rituals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not implementing tactics for self care, especially during quarantine, can lead to higher levels of anxiety and depression and may cause irritability with people in one’s life, according to licensed mental health counselor Karin Brackebusch. During quarantine, certain levels of self-care can be lost, since going out with friends, getting out of the house, running errands, and exercising freedom to go outside are some of what constitutes self-care. There are many different ways in which a person can implement tactics of self-care, according to … [Read more...] about Mental health counselor urges the practice of self-care
Campus community’s concerns over parking
As the fall quarter gets busier, the struggle to find parking is at its peak. Campus officials have plans for helping students find parking with the help of new software. Savanna Trombetta, a senior at CSUSB who works two campus jobs, said that finding parking has always been difficult for her, even when she lived in student housing. “I think we can handle the mass number of students here but just not in parking terms because we’re such a heavy commuter campus. I think that the commuter aspect is really negatively impacted the way our parking services work,” said Savanna Trombetta, who is hopeful for the possible parking solution. CSUSB Assistant Professor for Computer Science … [Read more...] about Campus community’s concerns over parking
Campus residents scramble to adapt to power outages
High wind and fire alerts caused last-minute power outages, leaving residents without hot water or electricity. The university was closed for five days last month, leaving many students with nowhere to go. High winds have always affected CSUSB, but starting this fall, due to the fires last year, Southern California Edison (SCE) power company has been taking more precautions than usual. [tweet 1188868632064872460 align='center'] Campus had little warning and no control when SCE turned off-campus power, according to Jon Merchant, the interim director for The Department of Housing & Residential Education (DHRE). "We're kind of at the mercy of the power company in terms of when … [Read more...] about Campus residents scramble to adapt to power outages
Vox Pop: Is campus parking getting out of hand?
Prices are up and so are wait times. Construction, growing student body, increase in parking prices, and the start of the fall quarter are all reasons why parking has become an issue for students. Students share their growing frustrations and suggestions for change. "There was already difficulty parking before they started construction, and now that there’s construction everywhere. There isn’t anywhere to park. Now you have to go all the way to the Visual Arts. It’s just a drag. Just maybe have it be more accessible because I know there is parking all around, but maybe people don’t have the time. Say, if they have a class in Jack Brown, they don’t have the time to … [Read more...] about Vox Pop: Is campus parking getting out of hand?