There are several things to do when you prepare to list your home for sale. One of the projects you'll need to do is complete certain repairs. Your home should be in the best possible condition before your real estate agent shows it to potential buyers. While your home doesn't need to be perfect, here is a list of repairs you should strive to get done before you open your home to showings. Front Steps And Deck Issues The front entrance and back deck should be in good shape for curb appeal and safety. Replace or repair wooden steps that pose a danger or feel unstable. Hammer down any nails on … [Read More...]
Last week's economic reports included readings on construction spending and Labor Department readings on private and public jobs growth. The Consumer Sentiment Index was released along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Construction Spending Slows in October Residential construction slowed in last month as public works projects increased. Private sector construction spending fell by -0.10 percent as compared to expected growth of 0.30 percent and last month's negative reading of -0.10 percent. Construction spending for October was $1.309 billion on a seasonally … [Read More...]
It can be confusing choosing the right countertop material for your kitchen. Here is a list of some common countertop materials along with their pros and cons. Knowing the differences will help you choose the right material to serve your needs. Quartz Countertops Quartz is available in different colors and can have a luxurious appearance because it is a manufactured product. It is durable, which means it will not chip or crack as easily as natural stones. Quartz countertops have a non-porous surface which makes it easy to maintain by being stain resistant and it not harboring bacteria or … [Read More...]
Case-Shiller's 20-city home price index for September reported the lowest pace of year-over-year home price growth in almost two years. Lower home prices balanced housing markets between sellers and buyers, but home prices continued to grow approximately two times faster than wage growth. Case-Shiller's 20 city home price index for September posted a home price growth rate of 5.20 percent as compared to August's year-over-year growth rate of 5.70 percent. While analysts expected slower rates of home price growth, they weren't expecting the steep declines seen in September's report. David … [Read More...]
There are many home renovation projects that can increase the comfort and visual appeal of a dwelling. Owners who plan to sell their home in the future, however, prefer to focus on projects that will return a healthy profit at closing. Here are 5 renovation projects that positively impact a home's resale value. Conversions It's easy for real estate agents to convince buyers to bid higher on properties with more bedrooms. Redesign the attic to easily add an extra bedroom without committing to a major construction project. This strategy works well for smaller homes or those in neighborhoods with … [Read More...]
Obstacles facing home builders have caught up with high builder confidence according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index for November. Builder confidence dropped eight points to an index reading of 60, which was the largest month-to-month drop in builder confidence since 2014. November's decline in builder confidence was greater than the largest month-to-month decline during the housing crisis. Housing Market Index readings over 50 are considered positive, but analysts said that long-standing headwinds caught up with home builders' outlook on housing market … [Read More...]
