Dan J. Harkey

Master Educator | Business & Finance Consultant | Mentor

California Economy

"Onerous Laws & Regulations” and “Unintended Consequences” are the State’s Most Reliable Output.

A reality-based look at housing, lending, regulations, and the consequences nobody expected, nor budgeted for.

California isn’t just an economy—it’s a live experiment in what happens when ambition meets regulation, and regulation meets… more regulation. I break down what’s really driving outcomes in housing, insurance, construction, and credit—tracking the intended and unintended consequences all the way to NOI, DSCR, and deal viability. Humor included, because if you don’t laugh at policy irrational logic, you’ll end up crying into your escrow impound account.

Search Results

SB-549: We Could Have Guessed That This Was Coming:

The California government, using taxpayer dollars, gets into the development game in the Palisades and Eaton fire rebuilding efforts.

When I Was Much Younger, Having Differing Opinions was a Minor Irritation.

You jabbed at friends who thought differently, suggesting they had inferior intelligence or were uneducated, laughed about it, and had a beer together, essentially getting on with life as it should be.

“Skate By”: Means Sliding by Without Doing Any Visible Productive Work or Expending Any Effort.

Have you met people who accomplish little, make little, or no progress, but seem to meander through life and appear as normal?

The California Shifting Real Estate Landscape: High-Density Housing on Steroids

The California Legislature has passed laws that significantly alter the development approval process, shifting it from local municipal jurisdiction to the state level.

SB-326 and SB-721: Condo and Multifamily Inspection Laws: California 2024

These two new inspection and repair laws have added significant expense to associations, which must be paid by raising association dues. Some owners cannot afford the increase in dues.

SB-79: A Shocking Turn in California's Housing Laws, Where the Unthinkable Becomes Reality

How about allowing multiple high-rise apartment buildings in your neighborhood up to 65 feet tall, for the simple fact that the property is within ½ mile of a bus stop.

The California Legislature Has Created Monster-Sized Barriers to the Foreclosure Procedure: The Results Constitute a Marxist/socialist Reset, are Now a Matter of Law.

Understanding the nuances of non-judicial and Judicial Foreclosure states is not just important, it's empowering. Each state has its unique procedures and regulations, and grasping these can give you a significant advantage in navigating the foreclosure process.

The Foreclosure Procedure: Judicial vs Non-judicial

Laws differ in various states; some are judicial, some are non-judicial, and others are hybrids, allowing either form of foreclosure.

A Dripping Downslide, Cautioning Potential Buyers to Stay Out Of The Housing Market

Drip, Drip, Drip, a Very Sustained Slippage of Buyer's Interest to Take the Plunge to Purchase Owner-Occupied And Investment Properties.

Using Time Management Tools: Magnifying the Value of Our Time

We can magnify the results by leveraging our time to boost productivity and still allow time off for personal life and family.

It’s A Shoo-in for Me to Take Over When the Boss Croaks

This is a great line in History of Violence when the regional criminal enterprise boss wanted to expand his territory.

A Friendly and Professional Relationship with Lenders is Essential if a Practitioner Desires to Build a Long-term, Sustainable Career.

Mortgage Brokers Should Not Show Signs of Anger, as It Is Usually a Sign of Desperation

Random vs Non-random Events: California's Dark Forces

There are no random events in California. Dark forces tightly control everything. We are not allowed to question or obtain an entry pass to the elite club.

Subordination of Liens and Encumbrances: Fact or Fiction.

“Yes, the lien holder will subordinate.” Is this statement true, or is it someone’s wishful illusion?

Eliminate Time Wasters in Personal Life and Business:

A Good Percentage of Our Days is Spent Flittering Around Without Getting Results: The question remains, why?

CEQA: A Major Hurdle for Real Property Development Projects in California Is Being Overhauled

Behind the backdrop of California regulations are always the usual suspects: public employees, labor unions, and lawyers who want a piece of everyone's action. These entities often use their influence to shape policies and regulations in their favor. Growth in the size of government, as well as the expansion and consolidation of power at the top, are always at the forefront.

Private Money: Real Estate Loan Documents and Related Disclosures

Real Estate Practitioners Should Gain a Comprehensive Understanding of the Loan Documentation To Carry Out Their Fiduciary Responsibilities to the Principals.

Private Money Trust Deed and Mortgage Investments:

The investor’s name is affixed to the borrower’s promissory note, deed of trust, and title insurance policy; the investor serves as both the lender and the beneficiary. The documents represent clear evidence of ownership (or a security interest) in collateral property.

SB-1123: Planning and Zoning: Subdivisions: Ministerial Review.

This new law was signed into law on September 19, 2024 by California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and became effective July 1, 2025.

How Important Are The “5-C’s” in Credit Approval Decisions

The credit approval process is characterized by industry standards, best practices, related litigation references, and regulatory requirements from both state and federal levels.