Last week's economic releases included readings from Case-Shiller, pending home sales, and consumer sentiment. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Case-Schiller: Home Prices Continue to Rise According to Case-Shiller Home Price Index reports for January, U.S. home prices continued to rise at a rapid pace with the national home price index rising at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 6.20 percent. Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index rose by 6.40 percent year-over-year. Seattle, Washington held the top spot with … [Read More...]
In recent years, building an environmentally friendly home or updating an existing home to be more energy efficient has become much more mainstream. While building an entirely green residence isn't always fiscally possible, simple eco-friendly building techniques and upgrades will ultimately lower your water and electricity bills. These green home improvements will save you money in the long run, while also saving the planet. The following are some of the easiest ways to lower your carbon footprint when building or updating a home. Build or Purchase a Smaller Home … [Read More...]
Spring is many people's favorite season of the year. Obviously, there are many valid reasons why this is so; but, one of the best things about spring is that it is an ideal time to sell your home. If you have considered putting your home on the market any time in the next year or so, check out these five reasons which make spring the ideal time. Buyers are searching - A huge majority of home buyers want to move during summer. Many families have school or work vacations that make the moving process a little easier during this time. If you put your home on the market during spring, you … [Read More...]
Whether you are hunting for a project that will pry the kids away from their phones or you just want a head start on the spring, few home projects are as rewarding as a vegetable garden. Invest a few hours in planting today, some maintenance throughout the year and soon you'll be enjoying some delicious, home-grown veggies. Ready? Let's get started! Selecting The Right Spot For Your Garden The first decision you will need to make is where your garden will live. If you are new to gardening, you can start with a small patch of land in the corner of your backyard. The area needs to have full … [Read More...]
If you've had to watch your parents transition into assisted living, you may have no desire to call such a place home. You are not alone. According to the Aging in Place Housing Survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), more than 90 percent of seniors want to remain in their home. Many survey respondents said that they would rather use nursing home funds towards purchasing a home that is suited for aging in place or making accessible home modifications. You’ve probably heard the buzzwords — aging in place, non-assisted living, universal design … [Read More...]
Last week's economic releases included readings on new and pre-owned home sales and the Federal Open Market Committee's customary post meeting statement. Fed Chair Jerome Powell gave his first press conference as Chair of the Federal Reserve and FOMC. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. February Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Exceed Expectations, New Home Sales Fall Short Sales of previously-owned homes exceeded expectations at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.54 million sales. Analysts expected a rate of 5.40 million sales based on … [Read More...]