Goodbye to single-family zoning in California? - Los Angeles Times

Goodbye to single-family zoning in California? - Los Angeles Times
Jose Abreu hit a single out of the park - NBCSports.com
These are the best places to buy a single-family rental home | Mortgage Rates, Mortgage News and Strategy - The Mortgage Reports
Acker's walk-off single sends Husker baseball team over Illini - Lincoln Journal Star

Posted: 27 Apr 2019 04:00 AM PDT

Good morning. I'm Paul Thornton, and it is Saturday, April 27, 2019. Let's take a look back at the week in Opinion.

Over the last few days, President Trump has blasted the Russia investigation as a "coup"; a constitutional crisis between subpoena-wielding Democratic lawmakers and the White House has been brewing; and the candidate most likely to defeat the president in 2020 officially started his campaign. And yet, this piece on the potential death of single-family zoning in California has drawn more readers online than any other Opinion article.

Given a little thought, it's easy to understand why. Much of Los Angeles' growth and identity in the 20th century was fueled by outward-reaching sprawl consisting of tidy bungalows and low-slung ranch homes (minus the ranch, of course). The article, by Times editorial writer Kerry Kavanaugh, notes the seismic shift it would mark for California if the latest effort by state Sen. Scott Wiener to address the state's housing crisis passes:

Let's just pause on the fact that a bipartisan group of lawmakers voted in favor of a bill that would allow apartments pretty much anywhere in California.

Again, this would be a major change from the status quo. Wiener has said that it's illegal to build more than a single-family house (plus an in-law unit) in roughly 80% of California's residential neighborhoods.

And yet, maybe the support for this proposal is not so surprising. The political winds have been shifting on single-family restrictions. Last year, the Minneapolis City Council voted to eliminate single-family zoning and instead allow duplexes and triplexes to be built on lots reserved for one house. The city enacted the policy so it would be easier to build affordable, denser communities, but also to help integrate neighborhoods that are still segregated as a result of discriminatory housing practices dating back decades. Strict single-family zoning was often adopted as a way to segregate neighborhoods without explicitly banning any racial or religious group.

Planners in Charlotte, N.C., are looking to eliminate single-family zoning for the same reasons.

On the West Coast, the high-cost cities of Seattle and Portland have considered rezoning single-family lots or allowing up to four-unit buildings in single-family neighborhoods. One Oregon lawmaker proposed allowing fourplexes on single-family lots in any city in the state with more than 10,000 residents.

Even Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti — who was down on Wiener's proposal last year to open single-family neighborhoods to denser development — is warming to the idea.

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This doesn't mean Trump didn't do something outrageous — far, far from it, actually. The Democrats won control of the House in 2018 promising to conduct real oversight of the president. Trump's response is to declare himself immune to congressional oversight and refuse to respond to House subpoenas because they've been issued by, you know, Democrats. "That's an outrageous and indefensible position," says the editorial board. L.A. Times

But conservatives love Trump, and the ailing "NeverTrump" movement shows it. Heritage Foundation fellow David Azerrad predicts the wing of the Republican Party that refused to support Trump in 2016 is all but extinct thanks to the administration's myriad accomplishments that ought to please conservatives. "The economy is growing, unemployment is falling and wages are rising," he writes. "We have pulled out of the Paris accord, withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal, and destroyed Islamic State. Trump has arguably done more to advance the conservative agenda than any other of the 16 Republican candidates he ran against would have." L.A. Times

Paradise needs our help — still. Nearly two seasons removed from the most destructive wildfire in California's history, the nearby city of Chico's population is still swollen, burned-out lots in Paradise are still uninhabited, and displaced families are still praised for their resilience. "In six months, when the official one year anniversary of the Camp fire comes and there are — inevitably — a profusion of essays and videos about Paradise and Butte published, we can only hope they won't be obligatory, or ignorant of the urgent help still needed," writes Cal State Chico professor Sarah Pape. New York Times

Is a measles quarantine at UCLA enough to quash the anti-vaccine movement? Probably not, writes physician James Hamblin, because the misguided opinions on immunization held by otherwise educated parents has more to do with ideological alignment than ignorance of the facts. In other words, lab-coated doctors reciting CDC facts on the safety of vaccines in YouTube videos can't do much to fight targeted disinformation campaigns. The Atlantic

Vladimir Putin is acting like he wants war, and that's a bigger threat than Russian meddling in U.S. elections. He lights up when he talks of his nuclear hardware aimed at the United States. He believes it was his hands-on leadership that led to military success in Crimea. He talks about restoring Russia to its Soviet-era might. Russia scholar Leon Aron warns all this could indicate a disturbing possibility: that since Putin surely wants to rule past his constitution's 2024 limit, he will try to recast himself as a wartime president who must remain in power to see his country through a military conflict. L.A. Times

Jose Abreu hit a single out of the park - NBCSports.com

Posted: 26 Apr 2019 11:03 PM PDT

Sometimes, the things we love are dumb. It's inevitable. As much as we might love something, there are parts about that something, tiny parts or big parts, that will pop up from time to time and strike us as silly and nonsensical.

We saw one of the dumb things about baseball in action Friday night on the South Side.

In the midst of a thrilling White Sox comeback — they were down a run, 10-9, after trailing 8-1 earlier in the evening — Jose Abreu hit a home run that had Guaranteed Rate Field on its feet. It was a three-run shot, into the front row of the seats in left-center field. The White Sox had a 12-10 lead and seemed on their way to a big comeback win over the division-rival Detroit Tigers.

But then the dumb thing happened.

The Tigers challenged the play, saying Abreu had run past Tim Anderson, who started the play at first base, during the home-run trot and that Abreu should be out because of it. They were right. That's what the rule book says. After a video review, Abreu's three-run home run was overturned to a two-run single, with Abreu out on the base paths.

That's right, Abreu didn't score on his own home run.

Well, the White Sox still had a lead. Briefly. Kelvin Herrera served up a game-tying solo shot not long after, and what should've been a 12-11 game was then an 11-all game. If not for Anderson's walk-off homer in the ninth inning, this bizarre play could have been the difference between a win and a loss for the White Sox on Friday night.

"I made a mistake. It was my mistake," Abreu said through team interpreter Billy Russo after the game. "When I hit the ball, I just thought it was a regular fly ball to the warning track and I didn't see TA. That happened, it was my mistake, I take full responsibility for that. I felt bad, but we won the game and like I said before, that's what matters."

Certainly. The White Sox won. Let Anderson be the GOAT instead of trying to make Abreu the goat. Mistakes happen. Big deal. The biggest bummer, perhaps, is that it made Abreu's recent hot streak slightly less scorching. He's batting .519 with four doubles, two homers and 14 RBIs in his last six games. There could be another homer and another RBI on that tally.

What's dumb about this whole situation, though, is that the rule is what it is in the first place. If the ball leaves the field of play and there is no chance or need for a play to be made at any base, who really cares whether Abreu briefly passes Anderson on his way to home plate? What difference does that have on the outcome of the play? The ball left the yard, it's a home run. In what way does the positioning of the trotting base runners matter if they've already been awarded home plate?

If Abreu roped a ball down the foul line or bounced one off the wall, then certainly the rule should apply. Jockeying base runners with a ball in play could screw up all sorts of things for the fielders and the runners themselves. But if they're just casually making their way around the bases? Doesn't seem like something that needs to exist.

Again, the White Sox won. This served merely as a bizarre moment in the game, not the defining one. But maybe baseball wants to rethink this one.

Otherwise, it will have to remain one of those quirky, dumb things about this game we love.

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the White Sox easily on your device.

These are the best places to buy a single-family rental home | Mortgage Rates, Mortgage News and Strategy - The Mortgage Reports

Posted: 27 Apr 2019 04:33 AM PDT

Buying a single-family rental home could be a great investment

Purchasing a single-family rental home as an investment property that you rent out can be a smart move. The rental money you earn could cover the mortgage.

And it may deliver a tidy monthly income stream, to boot. That could help you pay off the mortgage on your primary residence, along with a myriad of other benefits.

From a form of retirement savings to an additional income stream, owning a single-family home rental could put you in a great spot financially.

Get started on your rental home loan application here. (Apr 27th, 2019)

Report: Annual rental yield is up from last year

A new report spotlights the best counties for claiming a single-family rental home. It also shows that typical rental yields and profit margins are slightly up. And it reveals that rents are rising quicker than wages in most markets.

A new study by ATTOM Data Solutions analyzed single-family rental home returns in 432 counties. Among its findings, in 2019:

The average annual gross rental yield (annualized gross rent income divided by median purchase price of single-family homes) was 8.8 percent. That's up from last year's average of 8.7 percent.
Potential annual gross rental yields rose in 57 percent of the counties (248 of 432) vs. 2018.
Rents climbed faster than wages in 55 percent of the counties (236 of the 432).
Counties with the highest potential annual gross rental yields were:
- Baltimore City, Maryland (24.5%)
- Bibb County, Georgia (21.9%)
- Cumberland, New Jersey (21.2%)
- Winnebago, Illinois (17.1%)
- Wayne County, Michigan (17.1%).
Counties with a population of at least 1 million that had the highest potential annual gross rental yields were:
- Wayne County (Detroit), Michigan (17.1%)
- Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio (12%)
- Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (10.9%)
- Cook County (Chicago), Illinois (9.7%)
- Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (9.4%).

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How to interpret the data

Todd Teta, chief product officer with ATTOM Data Solutions, says these findings mean good things to potential investors.

"What jumps out is this long-term trend of profits consistently higher in areas with relatively low rents and low wages," he says. "You'd think wealthy areas would offer owners bigger returns. But it looks like lower home prices in those areas are too expensive. Prices and property taxes in other parts of the country, meanwhile, are low enough to help generate the biggest returns for landlords."

Teta notes that profit margins in 2019 continue to follow a long-term pattern. This pattern shows that landlords are earning more profits in lower-cost areas in the South and Midwest. But they're also earning less in higher-priced counties in the Northeast and West.

"In four out of 10 counties in the Midwest, profits this year commonly top 10 percent," says Teta. "But not a single county in the West can boast that same return on the average three-bedroom home rental so far in 2019."

The major takeaways

Teta adds that the most important finding is obvious.

"This report makes it pretty clear: Profits on single-family rentals are not quite where they were in the years right after the recession. But buying a home to rent it out is still a pretty good investment," he says.

Bruce Ailion, Realtor and real estate attorney, echoes that sentiment.

"Single-family homes have historically delivered excellent monthly returns. And they've appreciated at or above the underlying inflation rate," says Ailion. "For the average investor, a hard asset that provides income, tax, shelter and appreciation is hard to beat. After all, what can be better than having your tenant pay off your mortgage?"

There are several reasons why the aforementioned counties are safer bets for would-be landlords.

"A combination of money and preference might be driving this trend. That's especially true among young families. Soaring home prices and high taxes in some regions may be cutting a lot of potential home buyers out of the market. Therefore, they have to rent," notes Teta. "And the more renters out there, the more profits being offered to investors."

There's another factor at work here, too.

"Millennials and other young buyers have been moving away in recent years from the notion that home ownership must be part of the American dream. They're gravitating more toward urban areas. And they don't want the hassle, expense and responsibility of maintaining a house. That further expands the pool of renters," Teta adds.

The pros and cons of purchasing a detached rental

Buying and owning a single-family rental home has its plusses and minuses.

"On the upside, our data show that the profit margins of renting one out are pretty good in most areas. That's particularly true compared to what can be earned on more volatile investments, like the stock market. Single-family rents are also rising in a majority of counties across the country. So, the profits in most areas are healthy, consistent and rising," says Teta.

But you need enough money to put down on a house and make any renovations necessary, he warns. "And you need to do the checking necessary to get good tenants."

The downside? Being a landlord is a hard job. "You have to potentially deal with bad or non-paying tenants. Even with good background checks, you can end up with destructive or deadbeat renters," Teta cautions.

Plus, you have to maintain and repair the property as needed. If you don't have the skills or patience to do all of the above, you'll need to hire a property manager to do this dirty work.

A questionnaire for would-be landlords

Want to know if you're a good candidate to buy a single-family rental home? Teta suggests answering these questions first:

Do you have enough money to purchase and, if necessary, renovate the home?
Will you also have enough set aside for future repairs and other unexpected expenses?
Will you have a financial cushion in case a tenant stops paying, moves out abruptly or damages the property?
Are you prepared to manage the property yourself? Or can you afford to hire a separate property manager?
Will your rental earnings cover the mortgage, upkeep, taxes and other expenses, and still generate a healthy profit?

Lastly, get plenty of help and guidance before jumping into the landlord pool.

"It's important to work with a knowledgeable real estate agent until you have more landlord experience. There are many potential pitfalls a novice investor can encounter. Professional assistance will minimize the consequences of these missteps," Ailion says.

Get started on your rental home financing here. (Apr 27th, 2019)

Acker's walk-off single sends Husker baseball team over Illini - Lincoln Journal Star

Posted: 27 Apr 2019 02:50 PM PDT

Luke Roskam arrived first, a water bottle in each hand, firing both barrels. Jaxon Hallmark wasn't far behind, a full cup balanced carefully as he made the sprint from the dugout to second base.

Joe Acker, who had already flung his helmet somewhere between first and second, was the target. And he gladly took the fire.

Acker's single to left in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Aaron Palensky from second base and set off a wild celebration as the Huskers walked off Illinois 4-3 Saturday afternoon in front of 4,696 at Haymarket Park.

"Everything came out there. That's why I play this game, is to be able to show that emotion," Acker said after the celebration dissipated. "That's why you wake up in the morning, go to those lifts, get the extra swings in; that's what it's all about right there."

Acker had been emblematic of a struggling Nebraska offense in recent weeks, hitting the ball hard but right at defenders. His only hit Saturday was a sharp shot that scooted through the left side of the infield. Palensky, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, easily beat the throw home.

It was Nebraska's first walk-off win in nearly two full years, dating back to May 7, 2017, against Rutgers.

The Huskers (23-15, 12-5 Big Ten) had seen three of their five Big Ten losses this season come in the opponent's final at-bat: twice against Minnesota and again last week against Iowa.

"It was destined to happen where we were going to get a walk-off. I didn't know it was going to be me, but I was up there and I had the chance, and luckily I came through," Acker said. "The baseball gods came through and gave me a good ol' six-hole single to get that walk-off."

The Huskers still weren't world-beaters offensively, finishing with five singles among their six total hits. But NU drew nine walks and two hit-by-pitches, and did enough to scratch out single runs in the second, fourth and seventh innings after Illinois (27-14, 7-7) led 2-0 and 3-1.

For a team struggling to find its offensive rhythm, falling behind early wasn't an ideal part of the equation.

Yet that's where Nebraska found itself on a perfectly lousy spring Saturday when Illinois jumped on NU starter Nate Fisher for two runs on three hits in the top of the first inning.

But Nebraska kept plugging away. Fisher settled down to allow one run on four hits over his final five innings of work. Robbie Palkert then came on for three innings of perfect relief to help the Huskers hang around.

"Against a good hitting team, it's all about just hitting your spots, making good pitches, making good pitches in plus counts," said Palkert, who threw just 31 pitches. "The biggest thing, too, was just getting ahead of these guys. When we fall behind against good hitters, they'll take their hacks. You've got the wind blowing out today, so just taking advantage of them wanting to swing, getting that ball down, and really taking advantage of their aggression."

Nebraska's runs came courtesy of a Colby Gomes sacrifice fly in the second inning, when NU wasn't fully able to take advantage of a bases-loaded, no-out situation by scoring just the single run; after a Zac Taylor solo home run in the third put Illinois up 3-1, Nebraska got a run back in the fourth on Palensky's two-out RBI single to left.

NU pulled even in the seventh with a pair of walks, a successful sacrifice bunt and Angelo Altavilla's sac fly.

In the ninth, Palensky was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. A sac bunt and a walk put runners on first and second to set the table for Acker's heroics.

"I thought they came out and had fun in BP. They were energetic," NU coach Darin Erstad said. "We're on a baseball field. You need to go out and have fun. Good things will happen when you do that, and I think they had a lot of fun at the end of that game."

The victory left Nebraska in a virtual tie atop the Big Ten standings with Michigan, which with a 10-3 league record has played four fewer games than the Huskers.

"We've got a pretty good ball team," Palkert said. "Everybody says we're sitting here struggling, but we love where we're at, and we're looking to take that into tomorrow."