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 Using too many vintage touches can make your kitchen go from looking trendy to outdated.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...]
Last Week's economic readings included reports on inflation, mortgage rates, new jobless claims and consumer sentiment. Inflation Slows in June The Consumer Price Index for June inched down to 0.10 percent growth in June as compared to May's reading of 0.20 percent. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.20 percent, which matched expectations and May's reading of 0.20 percent. Year-over-year inflation rose by 2.90 percent. This was the highest rate of growth in six years. Inflation increased by a year-over-year rate of 1.60 percent in the prior year. While … [Read More...]
Historians like to say that those who do not learn the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them. In the real estate industry, the chances of that happening are slim because agents and other professionals follow market trends closely. That being said, a careful examination of 2017 market trends and other factors can help highlight where the housing market is headed. Consider these top trends when deciding about whether to buy or sell a property. Millennials Scooping Up Homes According to resources such as Zillow, the low inventory and emergence of Millennials in the home-buying market … [Read More...]
