Last week's economic readings included reports on sales of new and pre-owned homes, mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims. New Home Sales Slide; Pre-owned Home Sales Meet Expectations Commerce Department reported lower sales of new homes in June. Sales were expected to reach 666,000 sales on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, but the actual reading slipped by 5.30 percent to a pace of 631,000 new home sales. Analysts cited higher building costs, home prices and mortgage rates sidelined some buyers. Concerns over inadequate inventories of available homes also impacted sales of … [Read More...]
If you are a home owner trying to reduce your carbon footprint, it's time to make some changes to your property. The more you can do to reduce energy costs, increase efficiency and reduce waste, the less impact you and your home will have on the earth. From small changes, such as using energy efficient light bulbs, to big changes such as adding solar panels to your home, you can make your home a more Earth-friendly space. Install Energy Efficient Appliances Appliances that are labeled energy efficient are going to help you reduce your carbon footprint. When you need a new appliance, look for … [Read More...]
Do you think that you don't have the space for a home office? Maybe you are under the impression that you need an extra bedroom or spare room for a workspace. An entire room is not necessary for an office. All that it takes is a little bit of creativity to carve out an office space in any home. Here are some home office ideas for smaller areas. Here are some smart home office ideas that prove you don't need to have a lot of space to have a home office. Office Nook If you have a small nook located near a window, close off the space with a curtain. This move will allow you to separate the … [Read More...]
You can make the most of a small home with smart design strategies and careful planning. Maybe your youngest has finally gone away to college, and you have much more space than you really need. Or perhaps you want to minimize your lifestyle and shrink your carbon footprint. Whatever your reason for downsizing, you can rest assured that moving into a smaller home will not cramp your style. Making a more modest space work doesn't have to be difficult. These tips can help you make the transition with ease. Identify Your Needs Before you start organizing things for the move, identify your needs. … [Read More...]
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...]
