What’s the ‘New Black’ in Kitchen and Bath Remodels? It seems that black is the new black, or at least black with various shades of gray. The complete black to white spectrum is definitely trending among remodeling home owners, especially in back-splashes and flooring. The recent movement toward grays, features flooring in wood-grain tile, gray… Read More
Housing Starts Take a Nose-Dive After Months of Promising Development. Activity in the Residential New Construction arena has been disappointing of late. With residential resale inventory down and rental prices up, the real estate industry relies heavily on new construction to fill housing gaps. New construction completions are slow, due in part to a lack… Read More
How to Buy a Home in a Seller’s Market. *continuation of yesterday’s blog Why Are Existing Home Sales Tanking? We all know the equation: low inventory plus higher prices equals a tight market. This setting can be a challenge for buyers who are competing for their dream home. According to the National Association of REALTORS® … Read More
Why Are Existing Home Sales Tanking? *check in tomorrow, for How to Buy a Home in a Seller’s Market. I wouldn’t exactly call it a plummet, but there’s been a definite, noticeable decrease in existing home sales. This is not to say that home buyers are disappearing, not even close, it’s to replay my mantra… Read More
Cookout Season is Here! Time to Hit the Deck. Back East I had a wooden deck, it was just ‘the thing’ to do, but it was a lot of work. We had to resurface it every spring after the snow ravaged it and Spring’s pollen was ground into the moist wood. Wood decks are not… Read More
Housing Industry Growth Unclear as the Nation Awaits Policy Decisions. Housing affordability, as in any market, is controlled by supply and demand. Currently, at least in the affordable housing sector, demand is exceeding supply. This news isn’t all bad however. Home Sellers are experiencing the advantage known as ‘Seller’s Market’ for the first time in… Read More
What Determines a ‘Kind Community’? Do You Live in One? I’m sure we all have stories of neighborly deeds and random acts of kindness, but how do you determine where an entire community fits on the ‘kindness scale’? WalletHub thinks they’ve got it, and indeed their list of the top 6 Kindest Cities would appear… Read More
Study: Comfort, Safety and Value Motivate Choice of Smart Home Technologyy There are lots of folks quick to adopt new technology because it’s exciting and amusing; switching phones with every new version, bigger and better TVs, the latest laptops and tablets. But when it comes to smart home tech, homeowners preferences favor security and well-being…. Read More
Video: What’s the Word on Mortgage Lending Standards? Better. Mortgage lending regulations, along with mortgage interest rates, are fickle. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on them, they will change. Fortunately for home buyers mortgage lending standards have recently been changing for the better. At the end of last year and the first… Read More
Millennials are known for being bright, quick to adopt, and intent on exploring online interaction opportunities, but according to a well-known financial fitness website, Millennials prefer a solid, face-to-face relationship when it’s time to purchase a home. Millennials are overwhelmingly choosing local Realtors and Mortgage Lenders over the growing uncertainty of online home buying options…. Read More
