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-1123: How California Cities Implement Building Requirements as a Ministerial Subdivision Pathway

SB 1123 (effective 1 July 2025) builds on SB 684 by expanding ministerial, CEQA-exempt subdivision approvals to additional zones, supporting cities’ efforts to streamline Housing development.

SB-684 and SB-1123: Explained in Detail

California Senate Bill 684 (2023), effective 1 July 2024, is a major state Law aimed at addressing the Housing shortage by streamlining small-scale, for-sale Housing development through ministerial approval of certain subdivisions and related projects containing 10 or fewer parcels and 10 or fewer dwelling units.

SB-4 streamlines zoning and land-use approvals but does not alter or exempt projects from existing subdivision requirements under the Subdivision Map Act, ensuring compliance remains required.

If a project creates new legal parcels (tract/parcel maps), they must still file a map.

The California Map Act and the Subdivision Map Act:

Understanding a Century of Land Use Evolution

“Brainwashing”:

The Line Between Influence and Coercion

Car Invoice Price and Dealer Markup: Part II of III

The real negotiation usually begins when you sit down with the closer (a.k.a. the finance Manager or sales Manager)

Car Invoice Price and Dealer Markup: Part I of III

Smart Tips for Buying a Vehicle with Confidence

When The Customer Needs Your Talent and Services, You’re Their Best Friend—Until They Don’t- Then They Ghost You

Two decades ago, “relationship-driven business” was more than a slogan—it was a survival strategy. Today, professionals can combat “client ghosting” by implementing consistent follow-ups, personalized check-ins, and transparent communication to maintain visibility and trust.

SB-4: Free Sacred Trinity Church (FSTC) of San Diego: Ministerial Review Procedure Specifically Tailored to Their Real Estate Development Projects

How to Keep Your SB-4 Project in the “Fast Lane”

SB-4: The Devil Called CEQA- The Three Words That Change Everything for Faith-Based Housing Developer Must Confront

Why SB-4’s “Not a Project” Status Gives Project Developers like Free Sacred Trinity Church a Stronger Hand

Jumping Through Hoops: Real Estate Version

Introduction: A Metaphor That Became a Workplace Reality

The “Real” Homelessness Numbers Feel Secretive—Especially for People Living in Cars: Part II of II

On almost any night, you can see a growing shadow population-people sleeping in cars, vans, RVs, or behind warehouses-highlighting the challenge of understanding what’s truly happening in your city. There exists in the consciousness of the observer an element of suspension rather than compassion and understanding.

“A Travesty of a Mockery of a Sham”: The Private Money Lender

Why Hard Money Lenders See the Industry More Clearly Than Anyone Else

The Bandwagon Effect on Social Media: Follow the Crowd

(What it is, how it works, why it’s powerful)

The Gatekeepers Have Lost the Narrative

— and Biased Journalism Has Been Stripped Down and Is Being Rebuilt in a Perverse Public View.

Hard Workers in America: The Reliable Workforce That Drives The Economic Engine

The Overlooked Powerhouses of Modern Society

California-CEQA, Housing Accountability, and State Overrides Under AB-130 and SB-131

On 30 June 2025, Governor Newsom signed AB 130 and SB 131, two major budget trailer bills that together represent the most substantial CEQA reform in over 50 years.

Why You Should Visit DanHarkey.com: Sharpen Your Tools

And Why You Should Refer Your Friends, Associates, And Family

Modern Anti-Fraud Policy: California is a Test Case

The Federal Government is intervening because the state does very little to change the culture of Fraud.

Is California a “Bastion of Tolerated Fraud”? California is a brand-new game.

This article explores the state’s unique challenges with public fund misuse and ongoing debates.