Latest news with #7OnYourSide
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How to navigate Central Texas's unpredictable real estate market
The Brief Last fall saw expectations of mortgage rate drops, better conditions for sellers this spring However, more and more houses have gone up for sale in the Austin area While prices are quite low right now, buyers are still looking at high interest rates AUSTIN, Texas - If you're looking to buy or sell a home in Central Texas, you'll likely be navigating an unpredictable real estate market. FOX 7 Austin's 7 On Your Side reporter John Krinjak spoke with a local realtor for some advice. Big picture view Last fall, many were expecting both a drop in mortgage rates and better conditions for sellers come springtime. However, now that spring is here, that hasn't exactly happened. When Liz Del Bosque put her northeast Austin home on the market back in March, she saw pretty strong interest, including packed open houses and a lot of showings. In the last few weeks, it's been somewhat slower as more and more houses have gone up for sale in the Austin area. Del Bosque's realtor Olivia Vale with Roots Residential Group says that's not exactly the picture most experts had anticipated. "It's a pretty competitive time that way because smaller pool of buyers, there is quite a lot of inventory for them to choose from right now," said Vale. "it's been a wild ride. So everything that pundits, anything that Fannie Mae was predicting has not come to pass…A lot of the turbulence in the larger economic sphere, tariffs, things like that are definitely affecting the housing market." What you can do While the market is a little sticky for sellers, there are some things you can do to overcome it, says Vale. "You can either... Have your sale be a smashing success by doing everything your realtor says, by prepping your home immaculately and just having it so ready to go that you'll attract those buyers. If not, it's gonna be really hard for you to stand out," said Vale. Dig deeper For buyers, this is good news and bad news. While prices are quite low right now, buyers are still looking at high interest rates. That means if you're able to put more money down, it might not be a bad time to buy, but if not, you may want to hold off. Dig deeper If you're looking for an apartment, Vale says that rent prices are still low, thanks to high availability. So if your landlord is trying to raise your rent, it may be time to reach out to a broker and look elsewhere. What's next With an uncertain economic picture ahead, the future could be bumpy too. "I feel we're going see more of an effect from tariffs down the road, when construction prices rise so much that new home sales really slow," Vale said. For Del Bosque, she says she's glad to have a good relationship with her realtor and that she's still seeing interest in her home and is confident the right buyer will come along soon. The Source Information in this report comes from interviews/reporting by 7 on Your Side reporter John Krinjak.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fake negative online reviews damages small Austin business
The Brief A small Austin business owner said fake online reviews are hurting his business and reputation An expert spoke out about how to address the fake reviews online 7 On Your Side reached out to Google on the matter AUSTIN, Texas - An Austin small business owner says he has taken a major financial hit thanks to fake online reviews that he says have damaged his reputation. It's a problem that experts say is on the rise. Fake reviews damage Austin small business Local perspective Kobi Elisha has been in the locksmith business for more than 10 years. "I do all the business correctly. I give very good customer service to people," said Elisha. That good service, he says, would translate to positive online reviews, until about a year and a half ago. "Five stars on Google and I started to go down, and down, and down," said Elisha. Elisha, who is from Israel, says he noticed an uptick in negative reviews after the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. "One day I woke up in the morning and I got one after one, one after one," said Elisha. One-star reviews came in by the dozens on his Google Guaranteed page, a platform which features only verified businesses. And they haven't stopped. Some in just the past few weeks include: "First and last time for me at this professional. Run away quick quick quick." "Company not very serious and which cares little about the result. "Incompetent. Avoid at all cost." "I would not recommend this company to my worst enemy." Expert weighs in Local perspective "I'm scrolling down and scrolling down and it's all within two weeks and that's just not realistic that a business had this many bad reviews in two weeks," said Devin Benavides of the Better Business Bureau Serving the Heart of Texas. Benavides says these reviews are clearly fake. "Definitely this is a scammer or even worse, maybe the competition is just trying to make them look bad," said Benavides. She recommends business owners being targeted by fake reviews address them online, but do it calmly. "Maybe don't go through every single one and say 'this is fake, this is a fake'. Maybe just make a blanket statement on there and say, 'we're aware of these fake reviews'," said Benavides. It's also a good idea to frequently check reviews, use the platform's official reporting tools to report fake ones, and document evidence of them. What's next Elisha says he's reached out to Google several times to try to get the fake reviews taken down, but he's gotten the runaround. "Anytime I call Google, they tell me to send an email. I send them an email, and [they say] you need to wait like two weeks. I wait two weeks," said Elisha. In the meantime, she says the phony bad reviews, now in the hundreds, have hurt his business, and his reputation. "My real customers see all the negative reviews," said Elisha. The BBB says that's why customers should learn how to spot fake reviews, by looking for red flags, like vague language, many reviews within a short amount of time, and profiles with no picture or generic-sounding names. "I would just say, yes, look at the reviews, but don't make that your gospel," said Benavides. "You know, do some additional research." You can find reviews of accredited businesses on the Better Business Bureau's website. For more on how to spot a fake review, click here. 7 On Your Side reached out to Google about Kobi Elisha's situation, but has not heard back. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CA Insurance Commissioner travels world as state burns — Official on hot seat as insurance options dwindle
San Francisco ABC affiliate 7 On Your Side and The San Francisco Standard report that California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has been having a good time on the taxpayers' dime — during an unprecedented insurance crisis. The news outlets reveal that Commissioner Lara used campaign funding to pay for $30,000 in fancy meals and taxpayer dollars to travel to Paris, Bogota and beyond. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) The state has launched a probe in the wake of the news investigations. Lara's spokesperson has responded to a request for comment by saying the Insurance Commissioner is 'laser focused on his job serving Californians as we face unprecedented times and bringing solutions to the insurance crisis.' Here's a look at what the commissioner has been doing and what critics are saying about it. According to ABC7, Commissioner Lara has gone on at least 46 cross-country and international trips with taxpayer funds. His office has not revealed the function of the trips. He has spent $30,000 at some of the fanciest restaurants in California, dining on lobster salpicón, sea urchin, rack of lamb, and a $16 grapefruit. The San Francisco Standard reports that the meals were listed as 'campaign meetings' and paid for with funds from a campaign committee he created during his run for lieutenant governor years ago. Even though his run was never publicly announced, he kept collecting campaign donations — coincidentally amounting to $30,000. As Insurance Commissioner, Lara's job is to lead the Department of Insurance, which licenses insurance companies, establishes rate regulations, punishes insurance companies for rule violations and investigates consumer complaints. Critics say he's not doing his job. Since 2019, he's missed eight of 14 of the state's insurance hearings. Dozens of insurers have left under his watch — 22 since 2021 according to the management consulting firm Milliman. Read more: This hedge fund legend warns US stock market will crash a stunning 80% — claims 'Armageddon' is coming. Don't believe him? He earned 4,144% during COVID. Here's 3 ways to protect yourself While many insurers are fleeing California due to climate change risks, critics argue that Lara's actions have worsened the crisis. For example, CNBC reports that some insurers have pulled out because California has set strict limits on rate increases. Commissioner Lara blocked companies from raising premiums, despite huge losses, in part because of the potential impact of price increases on his re-election chances. Now California insurers are being sued for allegedly colluding to limit coverage in high-risk areas. Critics suggest that Lara is too cozy with insurers — especially after he was caught collecting tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations in 2019. If critics are right that Lara's actions made things worse, Californians are the ones footing the bill. 'Lara is not serious. It was always a game to him,' political scientist David Letterman told the San Francisco Standard. 'And now insurers are leaving. People are being priced out; they can't get insurance. It's gone beyond like, 'Oh, he's just not up for the job.' Many Californians have had to turn to the FAIR Plan. FAIR has issued 555,000 home policies in California — double the number in 2020 — covering $458 billion in properties. The FAIR Plan was established by statute to make sure everyone could get coverage. Essentially, it's a high-risk pool. All insurers licensed to sell property and casualty coverage in California come together to cover FAIR plan participants. The insurers share profits, losses, and expenses. The problem is that FAIR Plans are costly and provide limited coverage to homeowners. With so many homeowners stuck with few choices, it's no wonder people are mad at the commissioner for living his best life on taxpayer and campaign funds. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gallons of sewage backs up into Austin family's home due to construction mishap
The Brief A family's life was turned upside down after gallons of sewage backed up into her home This was due to a mishap during a city construction project last fall The home is still unlivable months after this happened AUSTIN, Texas - A West Austin woman says her family's life was turned upside down, after gallons and gallons of sewage backed up into her home. It was caused by a mishap during a city construction project last fall, but months later her home is still unlivable. Local perspective It's safe to say October 22, 2024, is a day Carol Hawkins will never forget. A city contractor was working on the South Tarrytown Water and Wastewater Renewal Project. But, in the midst of that work, the city says a sewage line was damaged, and failed, sending sewage gushing into Hawkins' Dormarion Lane home. "It was a horrible mess when I came in," said Hawkins. "Sewage had backed up, overflowed the toilet, pretty much filled up the bath tub." She began cleaning up the mess herself, injuring her knee, as she frantically tried to find a plumber. "Oh, it was god awful," said Hawkins. "It was covering the whole bathroom floor out into the hall." The sewage even flooded into the living room and two bedrooms, in the cherished home that Hawkins grew up in. "I just kept thinking, my mother would feel horrible if she saw this. She was also always so fastidious about her house, and it felt like a sacrilege," said Hawkins. Hawkins and her husband, who is terminally ill, had to move into their garage apartment, displacing her granddaughter who had been staying there. Three days later, the city contractor sent a crew in to clean up the carpets and make some repairs. But when it came to fixing the actual damage? "The contractor said, 'We'll fix this for you. You can be sure we're going to take care of you,'" said Hawkins. Days turned into weeks. Hawkins says she called the city multiple times, including the mayor's office, but wasn't given a clear roadmap of what was supposed to happen next. "Everybody's been very nice, but nobody's helped," said Hawkins. She was eventually told she would have to deal directly with the city's insurance company. "The first adjuster was not there for a month, and I would call and call and call and call," said Hawkins. Then, she learned it was up to her to find bids for contractors to do the work, which includes redoing floors, ripping up carpets, and replacing walls and moldings. At 79, she says that's been overwhelming, as she juggles caring for her husband and a part-time job. "The person who's been deluged by sewage should not be expected to fix everything," said Hawkins. Five months later, the home is still unlivable. "This is where we gather. We couldn't be together here for Thanksgiving. We couldn't be together here for Christmas," said Hawkins. What they're saying 7 On Your Side reached out to the city. The agencies responsible for the project, Austin Water and Capital Delivery Services, sent a joint statement, saying in part: "The contractor referred the damage to the City's Rolling-Owner Controlled Insurance Program (ROCIP) team on October 28 after collecting necessary information. A subsequent claim was filed by the City's insurance provider is actively working with the property owner to reach an agreement to provide financial compensation to cover repair costs." The city said it could not give further details because of a policy not to discuss open and ongoing claims, but says it has a process to assist homeowners in these cases: Immediately repair the damaged pipeline to prevent further backups. Hire a specialized contractor to conduct clean-up inside the affected property. Refer the property owner to the City's insurance provider so that the property owner can arrange financial compensation to cover repair costs. The homeowner obtains three bids for the repair from companies of their choosing, and financial compensation from the city is based on these bids. The city confirmed that all these steps were followed in Hawkins' case, but she wishes there was more guidance along the way. "Just to have someone who could smooth the path, so that the person who has the sewage dumped on them doesn't have to swim through it for four more months," said Hawkins. What's next Despite everything, Hawkins was able to get those bids, and things are now moving forward. "They finally agreed that they would pay that amount. It looks like there's now a light at the end of our tunnel," said Hawkins. Hawkins says she hopes that by getting her story out, the process will be smoother for others. "I'm just so grateful that you all do this," said Hawkins. The city says situations like this are very rare, and no other homes on Hawkins' block were affected. As for her home, she's hoping the repairs will be wrapped up in the next month or two. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak
