Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Happy Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14 around the world, and candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. By the middle of the 18th, it was…
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California’s Property Taxes: 74% Above National Average
California ranks sixth for highest lifetime property taxes, with an avg of $204K paid. This is 74% higher than the national average of $117K in lifetime property taxes.
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Coastside Housing: Year-End Home Inventory Peak
Housing inventory surged in 2024, reaching its highest levels since 2019—until December’s drop. Inventory fell sharply at the year’s end, a typical seasonal trend for homeowners.
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California Renters’ Protections in 2025
Landlords with 15+ apartments must offer tenants the option to report on-time rent payments to credit agencies.Landlords must provide photographic evidence and itemized statements for any deductions from tenants' security deposits.
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California’s New Law Empowers Tenants Facing Eviction
A new California law doubles eviction response time, giving tenants more time to respond. The response time for eviction notices has increased from 5 to 10 business days since January 1.
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Map Shows Rising Home Insurance Costs by State as Climate Risks Reshape the Market
Extreme weather events, including California's wildfires and a rare snowstorm in the South, are significantly impacting U.S. insurance and real estate markets, leading to increased costs for homeowners. The Gulf Coast snowstorm could result in $15 billion to $17 billion in losses, while California's wildfires have caused insured losses of $45 billion. Home insurance premiums…
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California homeowners could be on the hook for $1,000 or higher surcharge if FAIR Plan runs dry
Fire insurance costs in California have surged, prompting homeowners to rely on the FAIR Plan, a government-backed insurer. Concerns about FAIR's financial stability have grown, with estimates suggesting potential surcharges of $1,000 to $3,700 for policyholders due to significant wildfire damages. FAIR currently has around $200 million in cash and $2.5 billion in reinsurance, but…
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Assembly Bill 2424: Major Foreclosure Changes Ahead
California's Assembly Bill 2424 will dramatically change foreclosure procedures. Lenders must notify third parties like family members or housing counselors about default notices during foreclosure.
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USAA leaders discuss rising insurance costs in California
USAA's outgoing CEO Wayne Peacock and incoming CEO Juan Andrade discussed rising insurance costs in California due to inflation, climate change, and wildfire risks. Peacock mentioned that expensive real estate and properties in fire zones complicate pricing. Andrade pointed out reinsurance costs driven by climate risk. New regulations from the California Department of Insurance aim…
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Mortgage Calculator: Buying a Home in California
The median home price in California is $749,000. A 20% down payment of $149,800 results in monthly payments of $3,926.
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