Popular TV shows like Fixer Upper and Property Brothers have brought the charms of owning a fixer upper to light. A fixer-upper can be a great option if you are prepared for the experience of owning a house that needs work and time. A house that needs work can be a great investment if you are ready to invest the time and money into it. On the other hand, buying a fixer upper might be a problem if you are not aware of what you are getting into. Not sure if owning a fixer upper is worth it? Here are some considerations to think about. Start With This Easy Equation Start with the likely market … [Read More...]
Last week’s scheduled economic releases included readings from the National Association of Home Builders and Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released NAHB Housing Market Index Unchanged in July The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index held steady in July despite concerns connected with tariffs on building materials. Analysts said that high demand for homes continued to fuel builder confidence in housing market conditions, but some analysts said that housing … [Read More...]
Many homeowners don't take advantage of simple measures to reduce energy bills. A survey by SaveOnEnergy found that nearly 50 percent of homeowners have not switched their regular light bulbs to energy saving bulbs. This simple measure can save more than $180 a year on electric bills. As in the case with switching to energy saving bulbs, cutting your electric and other energy bills doesn't have to require a lot of time, energy or money on your part. In fact, most of the following recommendations are easy to implement and costs just a few dollars. These free and easy lifestyle changes can add … [Read More...]
Whether you are a homeowner looking to get the maximum return on investment, a buyer interested in fair market value or an industry insider grappling with the moving parts of the real estate industry, these are some trends and predictions you should know about. Lower Home Supply Causing Significant Value Growth Indicators point to a U.S. economy that has settled into a nice growth period. Unemployment rates have touched some record lows, wages appear to be on the rise and Millennials are entering high earning and home-buying years. Couple these factors with the fact that last year's tax reform … [Read More...]
Home improvements are key investments when it comes to quality of life and property value. While decks, solar panels and smart technologies are trendy options, installing a home generator may be even more valuable. That's because backup generators not only improve market value, they also protect you and your home during severe weather incidents. Consider these four reasons why a home generator makes good sense. Protect Against Severe Weather The impact of severe weather can reach catastrophic proportions. Thousands of people are left without electricity for days -- even weeks -- after storms. … [Read More...]
Sleek modern kitchens were all the rage a couple of years ago. But now, homeowners are re-creating the Happy Days right at home. Retro styles from the 50s and 60s are making a comeback in the kitchen. Just make sure you combine the old with the new. Using too many vintage touches can make your kitchen go from looking trendy to outdated. Here are some of the most popular vintage trends for the kitchen. Discover some ways that you can incorporate them into your design scheme. Funky Flooring Hardwood is no longer the ideal kitchen flooring material. Funky pattern tiles and vintage black-and-white … [Read More...]