SoFi Blog

When New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently remarked that he was exploring financial aid options for his college-bound son, it was a sign of the times.

This time of year marks a very busy season for the housing market. The weather is improving, inventory has increased, and buyers and sellers alike have emerged from hibernation to put their much-anticipated homebuying and selling plans in motion.

Where in the U.S. are homes selling the fastest? Look to the San Francisco Bay Area, and you’ll find your answer. According to a recent report, 8 of the 10 fastest-moving real estate markets in the U.S. are located in California. The top three are in the Bay Area.

The report came from Ralph McLaughlin, a housing economist at Trulia, who did an analysis of the fastest-moving real estate markets in the United States. For those of us who live in California, this list may not be a surprise.

Has anyone else noticed an uptick in conversation about personal finance this month? As someone who’s worked in the financial industry for many years, I’m always pleasantly surprised when the rest of the world becomes more interested in the topics I deal with every day – things like investing, saving, and debt management.

Since Hurricane Sandy first hit the East Coast, our thoughts at SoFi have gone out to all those affected. Much of the devastation is still being realized, and we continue to be saddened by the challenges many face as a result of this terrible storm. Beyond the significant hardship, however, we have been impressed by the resilience of people, the strength of communities, and how both neighbors and strangers can come together in these difficult times.