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Connie Yoshimura
Connie Yoshimura
Tight Anchorage housing market will absorb job losses
Posted Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - 3:05 pm
Although the need for housing creates jobs in finance and construction, real estate is a reactive industry. We live and work within the market. We do not create or control it. Last week the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage unexpectedly dropped to 3.85 percent. This week, every eligible Alaskan will receive a record-breaking Permanent Fund dividend check of $2,072. For a family of four that's over $8,200 — enough for a down payment and closing costs on a $300,000 home with a Veterans Administration loan. For a Federal Housing Administration loan, with a minimum of 3.5 percent down, the $8,000 will pay all but $400 of the down payment on a purchase price of $240,000 which is more than the Anchorage MLS average sales price of $211,000 for a condo. Now, Shell has announced they are pulling out of Alaska after spending $7 billion trying to drill for oil in the Arctic. Suddenly, the press and everyone else is worried about our housing market. And there's fear of a real estate recession like the late 1980s when homeowners began leaving their keys on lenders' desks. So, let's take a deep breath and look at where we are today vs. the 1980s or even the mini-recession in Alaska of 2008. In October 1986, mortgage interest rates were 10.04 percent. That's more than twice what they are today and the real cost of a home is not the purchase price but the amount of monthly interest payments over the lifetime of the loan. In 2008, the mortgage rate was 6.2 percent. If there is one thing the federal government is doing right, it's keeping interest rates low as an economic stimulus. In 1984, the Municipality of Anchorage issued 6,000 residential building permits, more than the city of Phoenix. Commercial lenders learned their lesson from that excess lending and building boom. This year we'll have less than 300 single family permits. According to the MOA's housing study, Anchorage needs 900+ new housing units per year in order to house its population of over 300,000. The MOA has been underbuilt in housing for the past 15 years due in part to lending restrictions and overregulation. On any given week in 2015, there were less than 700 housing units for sale in Anchorage. Multiple offers are still being received on well-maintained homes with the average selling price of $368,000. Shell's pullout of the Arctic, whether seasonal or permanent, will put some relocation homes on the market at a competitive price. These homes will be quickly absorbed due to the current demand. Unless Alaska begins to experience serious population loss, the need and demand for more housing will continue. Alaska's economy is far more diverse and therefore stronger than in the 1980's. As Gov. Bill Walker has repeatedly said, we don't have a wealth problem; we have a cash flow problem. In Anchorage, we have a housing problem. Although we don't want to repeat the excesses of the 1980s, more housing will continue to be a real need, despite whatever the trickle-down effect on housing might be from the pullout by Shell. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about Tight Anchorage housing market will absorb job losses
New state regulations in effect for hiring the 'Handyman'
Posted Wednesday, September 02, 2015 - 2:47 pm
We do it all the time, because we are too busy or just not "handy" around the house. Most likely, he or she has been recommended by a friend or co-worker. They might even be a relative between jobs we want to help out. Their price seems right to build the deck, replace a hot water heater, add a window or door, change out the dining room chandelier, or whatever else it is we need to have done. If you're like most of us who hire the occasional handyman, we never ask to see their license or insurance — but we should. The handyman definition has become so problematic to the consumer that the State of Alaska took action to protect the consumer. As of Jan. 1, 2015, a professional "General Contractor-Handyman" license is required. If someone is doing business under this license, the aggregate total of the project must not exceed $10,000 and they must carry public liability and property damage insurance as required by AS 08.18.101. Any work that requires a specialty license such as structural, plumbing, heating, sheet metal, electrical, or has a value over $10,000 also requires a business license, liability insurance and a bond of $10,000. Any work that has an aggregate contract price of $10,000 or less, including all labor, materials and other items, when the work is not part of a larger or major operation or otherwise divided into contracts of less than $10,000, shall require a bond of $5,000. This is according to Sec. 08.18.071 of the statutes and regulations for construction contractors. What can or can't a handyman do? They can paint, dry wall, and lay flooring. They can adjust an interior door, install shelving in closets and do other work that doesn't require a specialty license or interfere with the structural integrity of a dwelling. They can't enlarge your backyard deck because that's structural. They can't move an electrical outlet because that does require a specialty license. Any remodeling that requires a "handyman" to hire a subcontractor requires them to have a general contractor's license. How does a homeowner know who they are hiring? They should look up the person or entity in public records. Check to see if they have a criminal record in court view. Look for tax liens. Do they have a warranty program and is it in writing? Search the Recorder's office. Have they ever put a lien on a property for non-payment by the homeowner? Remember, there are always two sides to every complaint. Has the handyman paid state unemployment or worker's compensation? Do they have employees that they are paying off the books? Have they ever pulled a permit in the Municipality of Anchorage? The handyman should never ask you to pull a permit that is required for any work done on a dwelling over $10,000. One licensed and bonded builder with a residential endorsement suggested not hiring someone who doesn't have a landline and a physical address. A truck and a cell phone is not necessarily an indication of stability. With Alaska's aging housing stock, who does maintenance and repairs on houses is going to become a more and important issue. A licensed, bonded and insured contractor with a written warranty program is the best protection against fraud and poor workmanship. The State of Alaska regulations are there to protect the consumer and it is their responsibility to ask the right questions. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about New state regulations in effect for hiring the 'Handyman'
Owner-builders outpace traditional companies on permits
Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 10:25 am
For the first half of 2015, Hultquist Homes has captured the No. 1 spot for the most single family permits with 21. Spinell Homes ranks No. 2 with 15. Both of these two top ranked builders also build duplexes and multi-family units in Anchorage. Spinell has a significant presence in Eagle River and the Mat-Su Valley, while Hultquist Homes focuses their building in Anchorage and the Seattle area. However, both of these builders are outnumbered by the owner/builder category which has 27 permits for the first six months. Who are owner/builders? Usually, they are someone who is affiliated in some way with the construction trades. They may be a home designer, engineer, sheet-rocker, electrician, etc., or just some industrious individual who's trying to shave a buck or two off a new home. Frequently, they may already own a lot and are capable of securing financing for their construction and home mortgage with a local lender. Mortgage brokers do not finance owner builders, but full service banks like Wells Fargo, First National Bank Alaska and Northrim may finance owner builders if they have confidence in their abilities and are deemed credit worthy. The fact that this category outranks Anchorage top builders with a residential endorsement is an interesting phenomenon that started about two years ago. It may be due, in part, to the shrinking number of home builders and their lack of adequate interim construction financing for multiple units and projects. Home construction financing on a speculative basis and residential land development financing are considered the most time consuming and riskiest borrowing any lender can do. General contractors are licensed, bonded and insured. Depending upon their bonding capabilities they can build hospitals, convention centers, libraries, etc. General contractors with a residential endorsement are the homebuilders, although they also qualify for commercial construction. The residential endorsement is a rigorous program of education and testing that is applicable to all builders on a statewide basis. It insures the quality of construction to the consumer. The owner/builder has no bond, no insurance and no endorsements. They would, however, be subject to the same Municipality of Anchorage inspections if building in Anchorage. The hopeful anticipated savings of an owner/builder is the mark-up for administration, cost of sale and profit. National statistics report that a homebuilder's profit falls somewhere in the 6 percent to 8 percent range. The profit, of course, is even less after corporate taxes. What an owner/builder hopes to save can easily be lost by construction delays and a higher cost from subcontractors who are going to first take care of the builders who provide them with the most business on an annual basis. As a result, many owner/builders are faced with additional interest charges on their loans. The longer it takes to build a home the more it will cost. Other builders with residential endorsements include Troy Davis with 14 permits in Eagle River. Long-time builder John Hagmeier has 7 permits in the first half of 2015. Crown Pointe, who generally builds in the $1 million plus range, has 5 permits as does Merit Homes and the Petersen Group, who also builds townhomes and condominiums. Newcomer, Trevi Builders from Fairbanks, now building in Anchorage, has four permits. Twenty-eight other builders have 3 permits or less. Altogether, there were 141 building permits issued for the first half of 2015 and 54 duplex permits. Spinell Homes led the pack of duplex builders with 16 units, followed by the Petersen Group with 6. TCB, building in Galatea subdivision, off Lake Otis, also had 6 units. Hultquist Homes permitted 4 units, Six M Cedar 4 units, and owner/builder 4 units. In summary, that is not a lot of activity for the first half of the year. Hopefully, more financing opportunities and more permit activity will occur before freeze-up. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about Owner-builders outpace traditional companies on permits
A new opportunity to solve Anchorage's housing crunch
Posted Thursday, August 06, 2015 - 9:25 am
With Mayor Ethan Berkowitz now firmly seated on the eighth floor of Anchorage's City Hall, there is a new opportunity to solve Anchorage's housing crisis. Listed as Priority Three on his transition report, the lack of housing in Alaska's largest city, however, needs more than another committee or a "change in culture." Specific changes need to be made in order to make housing more affordable and available to the city identified as "Alaska's Gateway to the Arctic." The city doesn't need more reports and committees when in June, Anchorage's single family permits fell to a five-year low of 140, and duplex permits fell 50 percent below last year's 54 units. Whether it's a downsizing baby boomer, a millennial first time home buyer or a "generation Y" buyer with a growing family, the most sought after housing type is still a single family home and Anchorage continues to lose out to the Valley when it comes to single home purchases. One good idea that has come out of the transition report is to create a system for better coordination with developers between Anchorage Wastewater Utility, Chugach Electric Association, Municipal Light and Power, and the Municipality of Anchorage, or MOA. Currently, there is no coordination for the extension of roads and public water and sewer, which is why you can see miles of improved roads adjacent to undeveloped parcels of land. Any extensions that you do see must be paid for solely by the developer. However, there is still an MOA ordinance on the books that would allow the MOA to participate in the cost of the extension of collector roads and water/sewer with the private developer if it opened up new land for development and created new tax revenue. Undeveloped tracts of land have marginal tax revenues, while lots fully developed are taxed between $1,500 and $2,500 per year, and a new home has taxable value of $5,000 to $10,000, depending on its assessed value. This ordinance was abandoned during the real estate recession of the late 1980s when the city had thousands of foreclosed homes and half the population of our now 300,000 plus. It is time for the assembly and mayor to reconsider its role in development, not with words and committees, but financial participation. In May, the average sales price of an Anchorage home was $390,000, the highest monthly value in 10 years. Twenty to 25 percent of that cost is in the value of its lot. Seventy-five percent of that value is in the extension of roads and utilities or approximately $75,000. With only 33 percent participation or reimbursement by the MOA, the cost of housing could be reduced by $25,000. No committee report or change in culture can come close to giving such a direct benefit to local homebuyers. Other ideas in the mayor's report include reducing the uncertainty of development and minimizing delays through a more expedited process for permitting and rezoning. Finalizing Title 21 would certainly help in reducing the uncertainty both residential and commercial developers face today. The current version of Title 21 had its origins back when housing was at its zenith in the mid 2000s and the MOA hired a consultant from Colorado to rewrite our land use regulations. Since then, it has had hundreds of hours of committee meetings and rewriting. Mayor Berkowitz and the Anchorage Assembly should finalize the plan, for better or worse. Uncertainty and delays cost our city almost as much as a water pipe. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about A new opportunity to solve Anchorage's housing crunch
Understanding the value of a lot
Posted Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 1:07 pm
Not all lots are created equally, even within the same subdivision. Lot size, width and location are all factors to take into consideration when purchasing an undeveloped lot or a pre-owned home. Of primary importance to many homebuyers is southern or western exposure, and where that sunlight falls in relationship to the home's living spaces. Avid gardeners will not consider buying a home without southern exposure in the backyard. Even if you're not a gardener, at the end of the day, the gathering place for families is the kitchen that is almost always at the back of the home and so sunshine becomes a primary factor for many families. However, a popular plan is a reverse two story with a vaulted ceiling in a great room with an open kitchen. In that home plan, buyers like the southern exposure in the front of the home. Cul-de-sac lots have a perception of greater value and higher desirability. However, the narrow width at the bulb of the lot sometimes requires plans that are longer and narrower. Most trees in a new subdivision, regardless of how heavily forested before construction, are ultimately lost, particularly if the newly created lot is only 50 feet wide. A publicly dedicated road is 60 feet wide, including the right-of-way, which must be cleared. In Eagle River, shallow utilities are placed at the front of the lot, which makes saving any trees virtually impossible. In Anchorage, electrical easements are at the back of the lot, which makes landscaping and the streetscape more aesthetically appealing. Mature trees play a major role in a desirable streetscape and most new homeowners and land developers are beginning to recognize their value by planting larger trees and fewer shrubs, although foundation plantings of shrubs are becoming very popular and add to the aesthetics of any new home. Corner lots are considered more desirable by some, but not by others. Some buyers would prefer to have the drive-by car as an intermittent neighbor, to a noisy one with a barking dog. Corner lots frequently don't have much backyard, and have front and side yard setbacks, minimizing usable yard space and putting constraints on home design. However, if a corner lot is your preference, look for one that is slightly larger than the other lots in the subdivision. Most savvy developers are creating larger corner lots that make them more desirable and provide an aesthetically more attractive spatial feel to the community at entrances or intersections. Ranch homes are a good plan for corner lots. Lot sizes vary in a subdivision, perhaps by as much as 2,000 to 3,000 square feet, and will be priced accordingly, but the location of that square footage is very important in establishing value. Lot width dictates the value of a lot more than its depth. Current construction costs for lot frontage with public water, sewer and a publicly dedicated road is about $1,600 per lineal foot. Also important is the relationship of the lot to its immediate neighbors. Does the back lot line match up with the adjoining lot? Or does it straddle two lots making for two backyard neighbors? Occasionally, a lot may actually have four or five neighbors, rather than the traditional three with one on each side yard and in the back. The more adjacent neighbors, the less value to the lot. Dedicated green or open space and mountain or inlet views are, of course, the most highly sought after and most expensive amenities. How much would you pay for an unobstructed mountain view? $20,000, perhaps. What about an inlet view? $100,000? River or lakefront? $200,000? Even a peek-a-boo view creates a shorter marketing time when it comes time to sell the home. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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Alaska communities have range of balance in home market
Posted Wednesday, July 08, 2015 - 1:02 pm
The Alaska Multiple Service (MLS) is a statewide organization that publishes a weekly market activity report of all new listings, pending (buyer and seller agreed) and sold transactions. Although it may not reflect all activity in a market, it clearly represents the vast majority of residential transactions and provides insight into local housing activity and whether or not the market in certain communities has balance defined as an equal number of new, pending and sold properties. For example, last week, Wasilla had 363 current active listings with 34 new listings, 33 pending transactions and 33 closed. Although the number of for sale units is high in relationship to its population (even if you include the entire Mat-Su Borough), it is considered a balanced market. Another balanced market is Anchorage which had 521 homes for sale with 53 new listings, 64 pending and 58 sold. The Anchorage market in relationship to its population of just over 300,000, although balanced in terms of activity, is constrained due to its overall lack of for sale inventory. However, despite the lack of inventory, you would consider the market balanced, the same as Wasilla, with approximately 10 percent (slightly more or less) of for sale homes being sold on a weekly basis. Eagle River had 126 homes for sale last week. According to the MLS market activity, it also had 17 new listings, 18 pending and 27 sold. With more than a 10 percent turnover, it is the most active real estate market in the state. Like Wasilla, Eagle River has become the bedroom community for the employment center of Anchorage. Not only is there more available land in those two communities, but the building permit process, or lack thereof, saves not only time, but thousands of dollars, making homes on larger lots more affordable than its more urban neighbor, Anchorage. For many people, it's worth the commute. Palmer, however, doesn't fair as well and lags behind with less than 10 percent weekly absorption of available inventory. With 133 homes for sale and 16 new listings, it had only 10 pending sales and 6 closed transactions. Last week, Fairbanks had 65 homes for sale with 3 new homes for sale, 4 pending and 2 sold. Using the 10 percent absorption formula, its market is not balanced with less than 5 percent turnover on a weekly basis. North Pole, its Santa Claus neighbor, fairs better with 22 homes for sale, 4 pending and 4 closed. Homer, a popular go-to recreational area for Alaskans and tourists, has 133 homes for sale, but very slow absorption with 3 pending and 2 sold last week. Across the bay, Halibut Cove has five homes for sale and no activity. Some smaller and more rural communities have no market. Cordova, Delta Junction, Glennallen, Haines, Indian, Healy, Moose Pass, Sitka, Valdez, and Wrangell report no active new listings, pendings or solds thru MLS. Valdez has only one home listed for sale so you're more likely to find one there by talking to a friend or co-worker. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about Alaska communities have range of balance in home market
10 questions to test your Southcentral real estate knowledge
Posted Wednesday, June 24, 2015 - 12:35 pm
Take this quiz and see how you score. You just might be surprised at some of the answers. 1. How does commercial and residential building activity in the Municipality of Anchorage, or MOA, through May 2015 compare to 2014? Consider government and commercial alteration as well as new permits. a. Increase by 5 percent b. Decrease by 11.34 percent c. Decrease by 22.68 percent d. No change 2. Under a best-case scenario, approximately how long does it take for a property to be rezoned in the MOA? a. 3 years b. 2 years c. 1 year d. Six months 3. How many elevator permits, including commercial and residential, have been issued year-to-date? a. 4 b. 24 c. 44 d. None 4. How many single family building permits have been issued year-to-date? a. 307 b. 207 c. 107 d. 87 5. Last week there were how many single family homes in all price ranges for sale in Anchorage? a. 780 b. 680 c. 580 d. 480 6. Wasilla had how many homes for sale during the same period? a. 192 b. 292 c. 392 d. 492 7. In May the average price of a sold single family home in Anchorage was $390,484. How does that value compare historically to the market? a. About the same as 2014 b. A little below the market c. The highest average price on record d. Trick question 8. How many $1 million-plus homes are for sale in Anchorage? a. 12 b. 22 c. 32 d. 42 9. How many $1 million plus homes sell per month? a. 0.5 b. 1 c. 1.5 d. 2 10. What is the average price of a condo for sale in Anchorage? a. $150,000 b. $175,000 c. $200,000 d. $250,000 The correct answer to each is "c." Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about 10 questions to test your Southcentral real estate knowledge
A guide to understanding real estate business practices
Posted Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 10:08 am
People who are eligible to list and sell real estate as a business and profession are licensed in the State of Alaska. They must pass a general knowledge test on real estate as well as a portion on real estate laws specific to Alaska. However, none of the knowledge they are required to have deals with the intricacies of buying and selling real estate as a business practice. Two circumstances come to mind that create confusion with the consumer, as well as those who practice. The first is how to manage a back-up offer on a property that already has a pending sale. A pending sale is a contract with an agreed upon purchase price. In most cases, particularly for pre-owned homes, it is contingent on a home inspection and agreed upon repairs, an appraisal meeting for exceeding the purchase price, a buyer's mortgage approval and, in some instances, with a buyer's minimum down payment, private mortgage insurance approval. If one of these conditions is not met, the normal business practice is that the buyer who may have posted as little as $1,000 "earnest" deposit, will be entitled to his deposit back. The seller, meanwhile, has had his property off the market for as long as 60 days and has paid and accrued principal, interest, taxes and insurance, as well as having paid for the appraisal and agreed upon repairs. With all these contingencies, taking a back-up offer would seem like a wise financial choice, but it is rarely a successful strategy. Buyers and sellers almost always act in good faith and after a sale is agreed upon, there are many entities that want to keep it together including the mortgage originator, the listing and selling licensee and their respective brokers as well as the buyer and seller. So when it comes time for an extension of the contract or additional repairs, most sellers are willing to make some additional concessions to keep the current deal together unless it is out of their control. Back-up offers create disappointment as well as anxiety for both potential buyers. Although licensed real estate professionals are obligated to present all offers, even back-up ones, rarely has the back-up offer been successful in my experience. Upon occasion, anxious buyers who have difficulty making a decision as to which property to purchase, will make simultaneous offers on two different properties. Although there is no legal obligation to disclose to all parties that the buyer is making multiple offers, it is, in my opinion, an unusual business practice when it comes to buying real estate in Alaska and should be disclosed, if not in writing, at least verbally. In fact, this disclosure might even be to the buyer's advantage because the sellers would know they are competing for the buyer's purchase. Although this practice may be appropriate in more urban areas in the Lower 48, it is unusual in Alaska. A better business practice is to make one offer at a time and, in the case of a back-up offer, wait for the property to come back on the market. That way, all parties are dealing in good faith with full disclosure of the circumstances. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about A guide to understanding real estate business practices
Prices rise acoss country, but not in stable Southcentral Alaska
Posted Wednesday, June 03, 2015 - 9:51 am
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal recapped rising home prices in the United States. Recovering from the housing recession of 2008, home prices in Denver are up 29 percent; Houston 43 percent; Seattle 32 percent, and even Phoenix and Las Vegas, which had a plethora of vacant and foreclosed properties not that long ago, have seen home prices rise 48 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Contributing to these increases is a recovering national economy and limited inventory in some select areas. Also, a growing fear that our near historic low interest rates of 3.85 percent for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, will increase in October 2015, is propelling home buyers to act now. After all, it is not the purchase price of a home, but rather the long term cost of the mortgage that is the defining financial commitment. Buyers should be less concerned about negotiating with a seller over $5,000 than the potential increase in interest rates which is sure to come in the near term. Limited inventory is a major factor in rising home prices and short days on the market. The number of days on the market is a good indicator of how tight a local housing market is. In Denver, homes are snapped up in 8 days. In Seattle, the median number of days on the market is 22 days. Portland Oregon is 31 days. Some sellers are holding out for even higher prices in certain metropolitan areas. Other homeowners who purchased at the top of the market are still not ready to sell, hoping for a break even after closing costs. Another factor contributing to limited inventory is the lack of new construction homes. Nationally, building permits rose 6.4 percent, and in the west, starts rose 15 percent. However, this increase doesn't seem to fulfill buyers' demands for more housing. So, how does Alaska's housing market compare to the Lower 48? Statistically, "stable" might be the best adjective to describe it, but underlying currents and trends point to rising prices and frustrated buyers. On the "stability" side of the equation, prices in Southcentral Alaska, at least according to MLS statistics, have actually declined; albeit, less than 1 percent, but nevertheless it points to stability in the marketplace as far as pricing is concerned. Much of that "stability" can be attributed to our aging housing stock, the majority of which was built prior to 1986. These homes which are now almost 30 years old have reached not only cosmetic obsolescence, but functional as well. Those little-used rooms called the formal dining and living rooms are definitely out for the millennial buyer, as well as the aging baby boomers looking to simplify their life. However, buyers are frustrated by lack of inventory which continues to hover in the lower $400's in Anchorage. In 2007, the number of available homes was over 1,000 for this time of year. And then, we have our continual dilemma of lack of housing starts, which no administration seems willing to cut through the red tape to solve. Single family building permits, the preferred choice for over 85 percent of all home buyers, has actually declined year-to-date over last year and has hit a record low of only 79 permits through the month of April 2015. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about Prices rise acoss country, but not in stable Southcentral Alaska
Millennials prefer tech, gadgets, and single family homes
Posted Thursday, May 14, 2015 - 8:01 am
Lots of articles have been written about what the "millennials" are looking for in a new home, as they emerge from their parents' spare bedroom. Spurred on by low interest rates, a better job market, and lower down payments, this 25-to-35 year old age group is slowly, but surely, embracing the idea of home ownership. Their ultimate buying power will rival that of the aging baby boomers, but the big question, in the mind of builders, is what do they want for their first home? Although these "millennials" have embraced technology and the latest gadgets, their quest and desire for home ownership is not much different than their parents. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), 75 percent want a single family home. Only 10 percent would opt to live in the city center. Almost 25 percent would prefer a rural setting, near parks and walking trails. NAHB also reported that for the first time, the size of the single family home decreased as millennials look for smaller, more affordable residences. So what are they asking for? As you can expect, they like electronic features such as programmable thermostats and energy-efficient appliances, and are willing to pay 2 to 3 percent more for an energy-efficient home as long as it saves in their utility bills. They also want laundry rooms (not closets), bigger garages, pantries, linen closets and will accept an unfinished area, particularly if it is a daylight or walk-out basement. They are willing to commute farther out from their employment centers in order to obtain their housing objective. They also don't want cheap when it comes to finishes, i.e. granite or quartz for countertops and a neutral pallet of white, cream and taupe with a splash of color here and there that can be easily changed out. They like the latest pantone color of the year (marsala) and a bright front door. They'll gladly go over their lighting allowance for some drama in their light fixtures, as it visually helps define their personal taste. These requirements are all relatively expensive, particularly in Anchorage, where garages must be heated and all building products imported, making the only option a smaller lot and a smaller, energy efficient home. For energy efficiency, Alaska is on the right track. As of July 2014, all new homes must be built to five-star standards in order to qualify for AHFC financing. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about Millennials prefer tech, gadgets, and single family homes
Opportunities exist in small-income properties
Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2015 - 10:04 am
One of the little-discussed opportunities in residential real estate is the small-income property. Whether you choose a duplex, triplex, or four-plex, it's an excellent way to begin a real estate portfolio for the small investor, or first time homebuyer. If you qualify for a Veterans Affairs owner-occupied loan, you can purchase a duplex with a mortgage of up to $625,500 with a zero down payment. VA does require you to have six months in principal, interest, taxes and insurance in reserves. If you're worried about the monthly payment, VA allows up to 75 percent of market rents for rental side income that is added to the owner's income for qualifying for the mortgage. The 25 percent of the non-allocated rents is to be reserved for maintenance, repairs and vacancy. Not a veteran? The Federal Housing Administration has owner-occupied financing for only a 3.5 percent down payment. Loan limits are $497,000 for a duplex; $601,500 for a triplex and $747,500 for a four-plex. For an owner-occupied duplex, there are also no reserve requirements. FHA also allows 85 percent of the market rent for rental income side. Fannie Mae and Alaska Housing Finance Corp., or AHFC, loan limits are even higher. For a duplex, both will finance up to $800,775. AHFC will require a 10 percent down payment and Fannie Mae a 15 percent down payment. Both will require the buyer to demonstrate they have six months of reserves in cash. That's still an excellent investment opportunity with 30-year fixed rates still below 4 percent. It seems like a first time homeowner or small investor couldn't go wrong with one of these purchases. The only problem is finding a property to purchase. These loan limits are statewide and so there may be other opportunities around the state, but in Anchorage, with a tight rental market, and sluggish building permits, even a good duplex is hard to find, particularly if you are looking for one that is less than 10 years old. The vast majority of our rental housing was built during the boom years of the l980's. Although for us long-time Alaskans that doesn't seem that long ago, the reality is these properties are now over 30 years old and have not only become cosmetically, but functionally obsolete. Much of Anchorage's multi-family acreage zoned R2, R3 or R4 has been taken up with condominium development the past 15 years. Builders can earn an extra $10,000 to $15,000 per side by selling each side separately as a condo. That's an opportunity that's hard to give up when you build for a living. So the development of the owner-occupied rental properties is really left up to the owner-builder who has the time to search for that infill lot that larger builders tend to overlook because it's inefficient to build only one building at a time. Occasionally, you see a duplex or four-plex popping up in Fairview or Spenard, both popular rental areas, where tear-downs are still reasonably priced. It's a good opportunity for the small investor and helps create more affordable housing in Alaska's largest city. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about Opportunities exist in small-income properties
Advice for purchasing a house before it actually exists
Posted Thursday, April 16, 2015 - 5:20 am
This weekend is the Anchorage Spring Preview of Homes with 29 entries from six different builders in price ranges from $808,000 to $300,000. Unlike the fall Parade of Homes, these entries do not need to be completed and so visitors will see anything from furnished models to bare studs. This weekend is a good opportunity to inspect how homes are constructed beneath the sheetrock. Several homes should have exposed insulation, plumbing and electrical. Some home plans will seem familiar to you; others will be brand new but most shoppers will be more interested in the latest cabinet color, the width of the baseboard, gray vs. taupe walls and the size of the master bathroom. The idea behind the Spring Preview is to generate buyers for brand new homes. However, with Anchorage building permits still at record lows of 300 units or less for the past three years, there is very little available or "spec" inventory (homes built without a buyer) to select from which forces buyers to purchase a home before it actually exists. Attending the Spring Preview is the first step in trying to determine what plan, subdivision and builder to work with. All six builders are licensed, bonded, insured with a general contractor's license and residential endorsement. However, each builder will have their own procedure when it comes to working with buyers for what we call in the business a "presale," a home under contract to a buyer before it is built. Some builders are also land developers and prefer to build in communities where they have an ownership interest in the land and are familiar with the soils. Others buy lots as they are needed. A significant cost for every home is in the excavation cost, which can increase the cost of a home $10,000 to $15,000 without adding any value on the appraisal. Some builders develop their own floor plans. Others sub out the drafting and design work, which will increase the cost of the home. Selecting a builder's plan that he has built before allows the builder to provide a more specific price for a home to be built. However, the devil is really in the details, i.e. the finishes and the allowances. Some builders have an all-inclusive list of finishes that are included in each home. However, those standards may vary from one subdivision to another, one floor plan to the next. For example, don't assume that if you see quartz (the latest in countertop material) in a builder's home, it is a standard feature. Most likely that was an upgrade that the buyer paid for. Before a buyer makes a commitment to a builder, they should be provided with a copy of the floor plan, the plot plan which shows the relationship of the foundation to the lot lines and a standard features list specific to that home, inclusive of a description of plumbing fixtures and a trim package. They should also be given in writing allowances for cabinets, appliances, countertops, lighting, flooring, tile, et cetera. Buyers who exceed their allowances should be prepared to pay for any upgrades in cash directly to the supplier. The more time the buyer and the builder spend working together to outline the cost and the specific finishes of the home, the more successful the transaction will be. And, it goes almost without saying that all agreements must be in writing, including any change orders. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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Resolving remodeling dilemma, for keepers and sellers
Posted Thursday, March 19, 2015 - 5:44 am
The problem with remodeling is that it never seems to stop. Once you replace the carpet and change out the Formica countertops to quartz, suddenly those white or black appliances look older than they really are. Remodeling is big business in Alaska. Just witness the growth and expansion in Home Depot and Lowe's stores as well as their stock prices. That's because in Alaska the vast majority of our homes were built during the pipeline boom days of the early l980s. That makes them 30-plus years old, just about the age functional obsolescence sets in and long past the point of a cosmetic redo. There are two types of remodeling. The first is the "I'm going to live here forever and so I might as well fix this place up to how I really like it." That usually entails ripping out walls and creating great room spaces with an open living concept. It includes changing out a U-shaped kitchen peninsula to an island, expanding a master bath by accessing one of the adjacent small bedrooms, adding a walk-in shower and creating a spacious master closet. Bathrooms and kitchens are the most expensive rooms in the home to remodel and depending on the extent of the remodel and the finishes can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000. But, aging baby boomers who decide to age in place and make their existing home their "terminal" residence want to enjoy what they've spent years working toward. Just count on spending more than you've planned for by about 25 percent, not counting those brassy light fixtures you forgot about replacing. The second type of remodeling comes with preparing your home for sale. Carpet tends to get dark around the edges of a stairwell and so that usually is the first item on a seller's list for replacement. Make it simple. Select a neutral color. Beige may seem boring to you, but it is the neutral choice for most buyers. Vinyl sometimes rips at the seams and turns dark. There are a plethora of new vinyls that are hard to distinguish from tile. Just keep the pattern simple. Limit your floor coverings to as few changes as possible. The more breaks in flooring, the smaller the room will appear. Spruce up kitchen cabinets with a good cleaning and add some pulls and knobs. Change out that fluorescent light fixture with a contemporary ceiling mount or pendants. The kitchen is the heart of the home and is where most buyers go to first when viewing a home. Painting children's bedrooms in a neutral color also makes those 9 x 10 bedrooms appear much larger. Once you start preparing your home for sale, it is no longer yours. It belongs to some future buyer. Keep your personal preferences for color and patterns to a minimum. Visit some newly-built homes in your area. Most builders have mastered the art of making a home neutral enough for most buyers, but yet interesting enough for the more discerning buyer. And one final trick is to replace those old-fashioned plate glass mirrors in bathrooms with a designer mirror. They're readily available at your favorite remodeling store or online. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about Resolving remodeling dilemma, for keepers and sellers
Despite lack of inventory, strong home sales so far in 2015
Posted Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 10:09 am
Spurred on by lack of inventory, warm weather and the threat of rising interest rates later in the year, local buyers are doing their spring home shopping early. Actual closed residential transactions for January 2015 were 166 compared to 149 in 2014. Last week in Anchorage, after Multiple Listing Service reported 45 pending residential sales and 27 sold, there were only 340 single family homes left for sale. This is an historic low inventory of available properties. Unlike Calgary, Alberta, which has had a 34 percent drop in home values due to the plummeting price of oil, the Anchorage housing market is actually holding steady and experiencing an increase in sales. The average list price for an Anchorage home in the past six months was $370,335. Available inventory between $350,000 and $399,999 is only 43 homes, which equates to a 1.31-month supply. Within this price range, there are 13 Anchorage homes with four bedrooms and a double car garage for sale, which is the most sought after configuration. The market is not much better in Eagle River with only 77 homes for sale and six homes with four beds and a double car garage. More home choices are available in Wasilla with 278 homes for sale. Many buyers, frustrated with lack of choices, are forced into the commute from Wasilla to Anchorage, the employment center for Southcentral Alaska. Unfortunately, Anchorage homebuyers can't look to new construction to find a solution to its housing shortage. Despite promises to improve the permitting and development process by elected officials, the number of Municipality of Anchorage building permits continues to flounder at 300 units or less. In 2014, only 293 single-family home permits were issued, the lowest since 2011. In January 2015, there were 15 single-family permits issued and six duplex permits. Anchorage needs at least 450 single family permits in 2015 to fulfill the housing needs of the community. The debate between buyer preferences and planners' vision for the city's housing needs continues. Buyers have a strong preference for detached single family homes even if the lot size is minimal as an alternative to the long commute from the Valley. City planners, however, prefer more multi-family and vertical construction to fulfill Anchorage's housing needs, despite the fact that apartment style units don't have garages long enough for the 70,496 pick-up trucks and storage for the 16,000+ registered snow machines in the MOA. Yet, according to a recently published Gallup Poll, Alaska is still considered the happiest state in the US, despite its critical lack of housing. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty, and a residential land developer. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about Despite lack of inventory, strong home sales so far in 2015
Alaska has work to do to improve its appraisal dilemma
Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 9:51 am
A residential real estate appraiser provides professional opinions of value in order for the mortgage investor to feel secure in its lending on a property. Appraisers in Alaska are licensed by the state through the Department of Commerce, which, in turn, is overseen by the Federal Appraisal Subcommittee. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as of Jan. 1, 2015, all new appraisers must have a college degree and go through a rigorous training and continuing education program which includes up to 2,400 hours of supervised work in no fewer than 24 months. They are required to pass a thorough background check, including fingerprinting. There are several levels of appraisers, the most highly recognized is the MAI designation. State-licensed designations include General Real Estate Appraiser, Institutional Real Estate Appraiser, Registered Trainee and Residential Real Estate Appraiser. With all this education, experience and supervision, one would think that there would be consistency when it comes to establishing residential value. However, that's not always the way it works out. Recently, a newly built home on the market had an asking price of $549,000. An offer came in at $549,000; the seller accepted and the appraisal came in at $555,000. For a buyer's personal reason, he chose to not complete the transaction. A second buyer came in and offered $539,000. The second appraiser appraised the property for $539,000. Within 30 days, the value of the property had been reduced by 3 percent in a market that in 2014 experienced 3.23 percent appreciation. What was the correct valuation? The asking price, the first appraiser's value or the second? Here is another example of a discrepancy in value. A brand new home with a painted and textured garage was given a value of $35 per square foot for the garage. Thirty days later, the same appraiser appraised a similar property's garage on the same street by the same builder at $65 per square foot. Sloppy work to say the least, which forced a buyer to pay more than the "appraised" value of the home in order to complete the purchase. Unfortunately, the appeal process is so long and convoluted that there is little opportunity to correct these inconsistencies when faced with the potential of an expired contract to purchase. So it is no surprise that the August 2014 review by the Federal Appraisal Subcommittee gave out its only "not satisfactory" to Alaska with a one-year follow-up instead of the standard two-year. So wherein lies the problem? Most likely it comes down to proper supervision and management. Supervisory appraisers hire registered trainees to do much of their work, including home inspections and analyses. Depending upon the level of experience of the trainee, discrepancies even within one company can easily occur. Prior to the new regulations, supervisors were not limited to the number of trainees they may oversee. Now, they may only supervise three. In the garage instance, the difference in value between $35 and $65 per square foot on a 1,000-square foot garage was $30,000. Other appraisers appraised like properties between $40 and $60 per square foot for a garage. To the builder, $30,000 is the difference between a profit and a loss. To the homeowner, it is cash out of pocket at closing and the uncomfortable position of paying more than the "appraised" value for a new home. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty, and a residential land developer. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
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about Alaska has work to do to improve its appraisal dilemma
Winter real estate could get boost from recent changes
Posted Wednesday, February 04, 2015 - 10:34 am
January is typically a slow month in residential real estate. Buyers are in Hawaii if they haven't overspent during the holidays and homeowners are hunkered down, thinking about putting their home on the market come summer. So it was a pleasant surprise to hear about three financial announcements that should help stimulate late winter activity. On Jan. 1, the Federal Housing Authority, or FHA, increased its maximum loan amount in Alaska from $355,350 to $388,700, which puts a maximum purchase up to $402,797 with the minimum 3.5 percent down. This loan amount is now well above the average MLS sales price for Anchorage of $362,500. At the same time, the FHA reduced the cost of its annual mortgage insurance rate from 1.35 percent to 0.85 percent of the loan amount. The program still requires that mortgage insurance remain on the loan for 30 years or the lifetime of the loan, regardless of any principal reduction on the mortgage. Prior to the last real estate recession, the monthly mortgage insurance payment could be eliminated once the loan amount was reduced to 80 percent of the home's value. However, this reduction in the monthly rate is a step in the right direction and saves a borrower $161.96 per month on the maximum loan amount which allows a buyer to make approximately $640 less per month and still qualify for the maximum loan amount. The new premium applies to all one-unit residential dwellings, including condominiums and is sure to spur on activity as it puts more work force buyers eligible for a home. This maximum loan amount varies by geographical location. In Fairbanks, the maximum loan amount is $274,850. However, Juneau has a higher maximum loan amount of $397,900. Interestingly enough, the Sitka loan amount is $451,950, the highest in the state. The second financial move came when the 30-year fixed conventional rate mortgage fell to 3.625 percent, the lowest it has been in 18 months. No one in the market anticipated this move and the 15-year mortgage, always the best program, is now only 3 percent. Not exactly free money but still an incredibly low rate meant to spur home ownership for some of those millennials still living in their parents' basements and paying off student debt. The amount of interest paid over the lifetime of a mortgage is two to three times the original cost of the home which makes quibbling over a few thousand dollars seem irrelevant on the long term. Unfortunately, many buyers get hung up on negotiating the purchase price when in reality, interest rates play a much more important financial role. A quarter percent drop in an interest rate is only 69 cents per month per $5,000 of loan amount, a lot less than four lattes. And, the Feds will not hold rates down forever. We've had mortgages at 4 percent or below since 2008, an unprecedented period of low rates. Locally, Residential Mortgage, the state's largest mortgage company, has now introduced the 3 percent down for conventional financing. Under this program the seller may also pay up to 3 percent of the borrower's closing costs and pre-paid expenses. One buyer must be a first-time homeowner and reserves may be required from some borrowers but those reserves can come from a gift. Although you still need a good credit score to qualify for any mortgage, it appears in general that the pendulum of overly restrictive constraints on mortgage applicants is somewhat loosening. Over 90 percent of all mortgage activity is from FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Their reduction in the annual mortgage insurance premiums, the lowering of down payment requirements and the all-important low interest rates will continue to help generate the national housing recovery and locally allow more homeowners to move up, leaving inventory available for the first time homebuyer. Connie Yoshimura is the broker/owner of Dwell Realty, and a residential land developer. Contact her at 907-646-3670 or
[email protected]
Read more
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- Sonnax 22173D-01K - A518 618 48RE Extreme Duty Output Shaft Kit
Sonnax 22173D-01K - A518 618 48RE Extreme Duty Output Shaft Kit
Product Description
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The United Nation General Assembly has delayed a vote on a resolution urging compliance with a world court ruling that Israel's barrier cutting off large swathes of the occupied West Bank is illegal and should be torn down.
The assembly announced Monday's delay at the request of Jordan, representing the Arab nations. Amman requested a vote for Tuesday on a revised resolution that is being negotiated.
The Palestinians had sought a vote in the 191-member assembly urging Israel obey the 9 July court opinion, but European Union states sought to include mention of the Middle East peace process in the resolution, said a European diplomat.
The announcement of the delay was followed by a testy exchange between the Israel's UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman and the Palestinians' UN observer, Nasir al-Kidwa.
Al-Kidwa said Gillerman was "hopeless" after the Israeli representative lashed out for being called to hear "a 30-second statement" about the postponement.
The Palestinian observer said the delay was to give member states a chance to read and digest a redrafted resolution. It also was an effort, he said, to get as large an agreement as possible for the measure.
No legal binding
An assembly vote, like the opinion of the International Court of Justice, is not legally binding, but both have symbolic value as international statements of support.
Only the 15-member Security Council can order the barrier to be torn down or impose sanctions. But the United States- Israel's staunchest ally – would almost certainly use its veto power to kill any such resolution.
Palestinians continue to resist
The concrete barrier, which towers eight metres in some parts, cuts off some of the most fertile and water-rich areas of the West Bank, divides villages and is preventing thousands of Palestinian farmers from reaching their land.
Palestinians fear the wall amounts to a land grab and will demarcate the borders of a future state. Israel claims the barrier is needed to keep out resistance fighters, a stance dismissed by human rights groups.
Defiant Israel
The court, as well as the Palestinians' draft resolution, urged the barrier be dismantled and reparations be paid to Palestinians harmed by its construction. But a defiant Israel has refused to recognise the world court ruling, saying it has no authority to deal with the issue and has ordered construction to go on.
Al-Kidwa was seeking the assembly vote to reinforce the court opinion that the Israeli fence violates international law.
Al-Kidwa has said nations should begin thinking about sanctions because of Israel's "negative response" to the court decision. He has said Palestinians will go to the Security Council despite the prospect of US veto.
In Brussels, the European Union's foreign and security policy chief, Javier Solana, scolded Israel on Monday for continuing the wall.
"Israel has the right to construct defensive walls in their own territory, but it does not have the same right to do it in other territories," he said.
But Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's office said he was seeking European Union support in fighting a Palestinian attempt to secure UN sanctions if Israel refuses to accept the world court ruling.
'Road map'
US Ambassador John Danforth said on Friday the issue would not be resolved "in either the General Assembly or in court. It needs a political resolution."
A European diplomat, who asked not to be identified, said EU members were trying to broaden the assembly's resolution specifically to add mention of efforts seeking to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Danforth accused the draft resolution of moving away from the US-backed "road map" aimed at resolving the conflict.


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Hi All,
1) What is the glbl library? What does it include and why needed?
2) What libraries should be loaded with the vsim command? Some libraries should be loaded/compiled with vcom, some of them with vopt command, some of them with the vsim command... So, how to know what libraries should take a part in the compilation? elaboration? simulation?
Thank you!


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Orange-Spice Shortbread
Primary Media
Save Options
Servings and Ingredients
Serves 12
|½ c.
|Hy-Vee unsalted butter, at room temperature
|½ c.
|plus 2 tbsp Hy-Vee powdered sugar, divided
|2 tsp.
|orange zest
|½ tsp.
|¼ tsp.
|Hy-Vee ground cinnamon
|1 c.
|Hy-Vee all-purpose flour
- Cream butter until light; add 1/2 cup powdered sugar, orange zest, ginger and cinnamon, mixing until smooth. Add in flour until mixed well, kneading if necessary until smooth.
- Roll dough out to about 1/4-inch thick onto a lightly floured cookie sheet. Press with a cookie press, if desired, or leave plain. Dough can also be pressed into cookie molds.
- Bake at 325 degrees until very lightly golden, about 22 to 24 minutes. In molds this takes about 30 to 36 minutes. Cut with a very sharp knife as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Cool completely. Dust with remaining powdered sugar.
Recipe Source:
Hy-Vee Seasons Holiday Entertaining Cookbook.


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Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and a small Georgian delegation are set to arrange meetings with the heads of the world's nine large companies and five countries' leaders to discuss the prospects of future cooperation, the official schedule noted.
The companies, which officials are scheduled to meet Garibashvili, are mainly involved in the fields of agriculture, oil, energy, information technologies (IT) and commodities.
Georgian delegation led by Prime Minister traveled to Davos, Switzerland today to discuss with world leaders how to improve the state of the world through public-private cooperation.
Davos, a Swiss ski resort, is home to the annual World Economic Forum meeting. This year the four-day event will begin on January 21, 2015.
Garibashvili starts official meetings tomorrow, January 21at 09.10 when he will meet the Head of Tata Sons Ltd, Cyrus P. Mistry. Tata Sons Ltd is a holding company of the Tata Group which is a global enterprise headquartered in India. Tata Group has already entered Georgia and is involved in implementing a hydropower project in the country.
Prime Minister will also meet the Head of Louis Dreyfus Group, Margarita Louis-Dreyfus. This is a French global company involved in agriculture, oil, energy and commodities.
The next meeting is scheduled with the General Director of Hanwha Group, Dong Kwan Kim. This is one of the largest business groups in South Korea. It is a manufacturing and trading firm.
Garibashvili will meet the chief executive officer (CEO) of Tech Mahindra, Vineet Nayyar. This is an Indian multinational provider of information technology, networking technology solutions and business support services to the telecommunication industry.
The meeting with the Vice President of HCL Technology, Ashish Gupta is also scheduled. Gupta represents Indian global IT Services Company.
Later Garibashvili will meet CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management, Martin Gilbert. This is an international investment management group, managing assets for both institutions and private investors from offices around the world.
Garibashvili will meet the co-founder of CVC Capital Partners, Steve Kolters. CVC Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on management buyouts.
He will meet CEO of oil and gas company British Petroleum (BP), Robert Dudley.
There is scheduled a meeting with Head of Indian steel and energy company Jindal Steel and Power, Naveen Jindal.
Garibashvili will also meet the Director of RWE AG Company, Peter Terium. RWE AG is a German electric utilities company.
During the Forum the Georgian PM will attend a private reception of the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab. Garibashvili was also scheduled to give a speech at the session on Travel and Trade in a High-Risk Era. Prime Minister will attend the session about The New Global Context for Strategic Competition.
Within the framework of World Economic Forum Garibashvili will attend the 1st European Games Reception where he will meet the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
The official schedule noted Garibashvili would participate in an informal meeting of world leaders to define economic priorities for the 2015 year.
Garibashvili will meet the Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, Prime Minister of Luxembourgish Xavier Bettel, President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela.
He will also give interviews and make press statements for international media.
Garibashvili will be accompanied to Davos by Georgia's Vice Prime Minister, Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili, head of the Co-Investment Foundation Giorgi Bachiashvili, head of the National Investment Agency Giorgi Pertaia and director general of Georgian Railways Mamuka Bakhtadze.


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Gosnells Hopped Mead, London, £4, Harvey Nichols
King's Landing is a more fitting location for mead production than Peckham, yet here we are. This ancient, honey-based booze has been given a hipster revamp by these south London producers — and thank Merlin's beard it has. The dry hops have dialled down the signature sweetness, bringing floral notes to the banquet. What is essentially fermented honey, it smacks somewhere between a craft beer and a cider — and I'm living for it.
Exquisite Collection Lyme Block English Wine, Devon, £9.99, Aldi
Aldi are killing it with their wine range, and this dry white's a cracking case in point. The first time an English non-sparkler has made it onto Aldi's shelves, this Devon-produced blend comes off the back of last year's scorching summer. The game-changing 2018 vintage proved perfect for grape-growing, smashing production records and marking a mainstream moment for English still wines. This sauvignon blanc-a-like has epic lemon-sherbet notes that nail the summer sipping brief.
The Bolney Estate Dark Harvest, West Sussex, £8.99, Waitrose Cellar
Tracking down a decent English red below a tenner is a toughie. Luckily, Waitrose has always been a champion of British vino, so it's not surprising they stock this unicorn, from Sussex producer Bolney Estate. Made from the obscure German Rondo grape, there's an intensity that makes this red a badass BBQ buddy. Think smoked cherries and earthy field mushrooms, in a good way…
Rathfinny Blanc de Noirs, Sussex, £35.95 (£33.50 in a case of six), Lea & Sandeman
English fizz is easily on a par with champagne, if not better. Here is a spanking new Sussex sparkling wine from one of the nation's most important wineries, a premium powerhouse comprising one of the finest pinot noir/pinot meunier blends in Britain. Given your eyes do 50 per cent of the tasting, there's an enticing blush to this bubbly, with a caramelised, red-apple payoff on the palate and a wild strawberry finish you'll be savouring for days.
Taste the Difference English Dry Rosé, Surrey, £11, Sainsbury's, selected stores
Don't be put off by the 'own-label' vibe — this has been selected by Sainsbury's super-clued-up buying team, who collaborate with some of the world's top wine producers. Denbies in Dorking has served up a summer-friendly rosé that smacks of crème anglaise drizzled strawberries. A brand-new addition to the Sainsbury's stable, chill in an ice bucket and, well, you know the rest…
Curious Apple, Kent, £1.49, Waitrose
A craft cider produced in the style of a wine and made in England. What's not to love? The guys at renowned English winery Chapel Down use Bacchus wine yeast as their refermentation agent, bringing in elderflower and lime notes we revere in our vino. Produced using 70 per cent Rubens and 30 per cent Bramley apples, handpicked in local Kent orchards. It's an alfresco glugger all right. Also available in a can (from Majestic — £9.60/case of six).
Dark Matter Spiced Rum, Scotland, £25, Tesco
Scotland's first ever rum distillery is not a phrase I thought I'd write but it has more than 120 whisky distilleries, so it's not much of a stretch. They've made an authentic, hand-crafted spiced rum, with fresh ginger, green peppercorns and allspice berries. That would explain the moreish kick of ginger on the finish then.
Jawbox Single Estate Gin, Northern Ireland, £30, Tesco
We knocked back 66m bottles of gin in Britain last year, up from 19m in 2017, and with 300-odd distilleries around the UK, we're spoilt for choice. Northern Ireland's first single estate gin has botanicals including local black mountain heather, it's big on flavour and provenance, and highly recommended with a ginger ale pairing.
Black Cow Vodka — The Gold Top, Dorset, £24, Morrisons
A world first, apparently, for pure milk vodka and, to be fair, it's one of the smoothest I've sipped. Created by a Dorset dairy farmer as a creative way to use up whey, the by-product of making his award-winning cheddar. The whey is first fermented into a beer, distilled, triple filtered and hand-bottled, simples. Wasted in a shot, Black Cow nails a Martini, bringing in a lactic note that rounds off the edges.
Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky, Wales, £27, Waitrose
So, it turns out Welsh whisky is a thing and it's actually pretty good. Penderyn is currently Wales's only distillery, and it's knocking up some light and smooth whiskies with a decent lick of fruit to them. Ageing in bourbon barrels and Madeira casks has turbo-charged the toffee and butterscotch notes, giving you a thwack of raisiny Christmas cake on the finish. An inspired bottle to bust out on Father's Day.


text:
Kim is a ____________________.
I'm strutting all the way to Nuffnang Wild Live Party in my costume this evening.
And I'm going to blog till I drop while sweeping clean the buffet spread.
Can you guess what animal am I?
Here's a hint, I'm a mammal!
When you see me at the party, PLEASE COME AND SAY HI!


text:
Online Shopping is a kind trading operation mode that getting popular nowadays. However, newbie normally have phobia on security of online shopping such as did not receive product after payment, product received no same as order has been made, warranty issue and so on . Thus, choosing a reliable and long term seller is important as they just able give you customer service and confidence all the time.
Well, I come from Batu Pahat, Johor and running ECENTURY99 , SOHO ONLINE STORE CONCEPT which is under registered business E CENTURY IT ENTERPRISE in Johor Bahru since 2012 with teammates which in located in Kuala Lumpur and Penang . The only resource that can rival money today is TIME. As a result, "saving time" is often more important than "finding the lowest price" as a reason for shopping online. You still able receive your item during your working hour while you are in your workplace. Besides that, buying online helps you save money on travelling , petrol costs, parking charges, and also saves you the hassle of finding a parking space at those busy shopping malls and commercial areas. Most important part is when you make a purchase online you should be proud of yourself, because you have done your part in helping to reduce the Carbon Footprint (Think Green - Go Green). So Why Not Support the Malaysian E-Commerce Industry and Support Malaysian Online Retailer ? ECENTURY99 commitment to provide you a "NO TROLLEY, NO TRAVEL, ONLINE DISCOVER ". Enjoy your shopping without heavier bag and more confidence on online gadget shopping experience in Malaysia.You just sit in front of PC or take out any Communication Device with Internet Accessibility then just simply made an order easily to get your goods in good condition in meantime we build a long term relationship with you that suit your needs to ensure you able satisfied as possible and customer support you should deserved all the time at www.ecentury.com.my.
"So, Could I do self collect or meet up with you to deal? "
I more prefer shipping by courier than self collect/meet up. Why?
(Sorry, I have decided to 100% online trading since 2014 until latest status changes )
This is because
1) Fair to customer who have trust me via buying online. Which I strongly feel is unfair to those who trusted me, made payment and eagerly awaiting their item/s.
2)Unpredictable issue. Unpredictable time spending in traveling, waiting, bargaining, or even some customer did not prior notice regarding cancellation order etc.that waste my time allocation for entertain other serious buyer.
3) Easy Keeping Record in database. I need to ensure all the record transaction is well organised and easily kept for reference details especially declaration income tax. Besides that, even you have lost your invoice or the processing of migrate database , I still able easily track back for transaction record based on your name given in another copies I have stored.
4) Stock Availability. As per above mentioned, our teammates are located from different states and perform task individual and stock brand availability. However, most of 95% stock availability based in Johor and discrete adjustment on situation time by time .
4) Stock Availability. As per above mentioned, our teammates are located from different states and perform task individual and stock brand availability. However, most of 95% stock availability based in Johor and discrete adjustment on situation time by time .
Thank you for your reading.


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My job as the Opposition Spokesperson for Health & Adult Care at Suffolk County Council has been to hold the administration to account on its record of caring for Suffolk's elderly. I have too often heard heartbreakingly sad stories of service failure, and seen the evidence with my own eyes. Many times it's been drawn to my attention that lessons which could have, and should have, been learned from the past have been ignored.
What saddens me most, though, is that everyone – be it central government or the administration at Suffolk County Council – seems to be blissfully ignoring the tell tail signs of impending and severe systemic failure of Suffolk's Care Homes.
By turning the care of our nation's elderly in to a 'market', the quality of care in our residential homes depends entirely on the profit that can be made from them. However, while some residents are self-funding, the majority are either partially or entirely sponsored by the state. Therefore, a care home's profitability depends in large part on the rates paid to care providers by Local Government.
When we consider that the regional average cost incurred for keeping one elderly resident in a care home comes to £31,000 per year, and that the average rate paid by Suffolk County Council comes to around £19,000 per year, it is easy to see why running a care home is notoriously difficult. This situation is only getting worse, as government cuts force local authorities to cut services again and again.
In 2012, the County Council took the decision to sell all the council run care homes. The result of this unwise course of action is that, in the event of provider failure (be it an 'Inadequate' rating, or closure), the Council must organise alternative accommodation for affected residents. This necessitates continuous communication and negotiation with providers, but this can go wrong for a number of reasons (there can be a break down in communications, a care home could be full, or a provider may just be unwilling to take on any new residents that are not self-funding).
Keeping several care homes under Council control would have provided a simple and easy fall-back position, should the worst happen. This means that Suffolk is less able to meet its legal duty of care in these situations.
The care homes with the best ratings are generally charitably or not for profit family run care homes, the issues inevitably arise when big companies see the chance to make a quick profit out of the vulnerable and then move on to their next pickings. How long will BUPA, Barchester, Care UK et al continue in the care market?
I believe we have a moral responsibility to ensure that we have nothing but the best possible care for elderly residents. But with a fast growing population and more financial strain than ever on care providers, the question is: is Suffolk County Council prepared for the challenge?
Sarah Adams, Cllr for St Margaret's & Westgate


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Human genome function is underpinned by the primary storage of genetic information in canonical B-form DNA, with a second layer of DNA structure providing regulatory control. I-motif structures are thought to form in cytosine-rich regions of the genome and to have regulatory functions; however, in vivo evidence for the existence of such structures has so far remained elusive. Here we report the generation and characterization of an antibody fragment (iMab) that recognizes i-motif structures with high selectivity and affinity, enabling the detection of i-motifs in the nuclei of human cells. We demonstrate that the in vivo formation of such structures is cell-cycle and pH dependent. Furthermore, we provide evidence that i-motif structures are formed in regulatory regions of the human genome, including promoters and telomeric regions. Our results support the notion that i-motif structures provide key regulatory roles in the genome.
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The authors thank S. Thompson (Leica Microsystems Australia) and P. Young (University of Sydney) for access to the Leica 3XSTED instrument. This work was supported by Program Grants 1113904, Project Grant 1148051, Development Grants 1113790 and 1076356 and Fellowship 105146 from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Discovery Grants 160104915 and 140103465 from the Australian Research Council (ARC).
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Supplementary information
Supplementary Information
Material and Method section, supplementary tables outlining oligonucleotide sequences and phage display specifics, eight supplementary figures, and a supplementary method describing protocols for the selection of i-motif specific antibody fragments using phage display are described. In addition, we outline methods for counting nuclear foci using the FIJI software package
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Zeraati, M., Langley, D.B., Schofield, P. et al. I-motif DNA structures are formed in the nuclei of human cells. Nature Chem 10, 631–637 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-018-0046-3
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It's a lot of money and not really $1 trillion because of how the markets work, but it is a significant milestone that only a select few organisations had a chance of breaching.
The reaction has been predictable in many quarters, which was to be expected, and there is a sense that it will not end any time soon.
I must say that I am not conflicted at all with regards to the arguments used to disparage the amount of money Apple makes and this is based on my own personal experience.
I realise that my iPhone X cost significantly less to make than the price I paid, but this argument is bereft of the true facts. $300 may be the cost of the components, but you then need to add research, development, labour costs, accommodation, marketing, packaging, transport and so on, and on and on. Potentially, the actual profit on an iPhone X is much less than the retail price minus parts cost, but that $1 trillion has to come from somewhere and no doubt the iPhone makes up a significant chunk of it.
For me personally it comes down to experience and what I consider to be value. I am not a geek and no longer get a thrill from a new computer or phone. I just want tools to help me get things done and to work consistently for extended periods of time.
My iMac was 9 years old when it made its way to a shelf last year and my new MacBook is an older MacBook that was bought second-hand. Both have worked perfectly and will likely continue to do so under heavy usage. That iMac cost me £999 and £100/year over almost a decade later feels like money very well spent.
If I could keep an iPhone for more than a year the X would likely last me for 5 years at least and all of a sudden the price does not appear to be too extreme, although obviously it is initially.
Ultimately, Apple has got to $1 trillion because the competition has been unable to deliver products that are as reliable, support that is as accessible and an experience which does not feel like computing. Complain about Apple all you want, but you can only sell what people want to buy and if you believe that this is acheived through some kind of cult-like thinking over many decades you are crazy.