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 Using too many vintage touches can make your kitchen go from looking trendy to outdated.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...]
There's perhaps no better indicator that we are living in the technology age than Smart gadgets infiltrating the kitchen. Whether they are little conveniences or big-ticket items, the chef in every home can benefit from the devices that help improve cooking, storage and food preparation. These are some of the next generation kitchen items that are making life a little easier and homes a tad more valuable. Samsung Family Hub Smart Fridge Provides Constant Contact This big-ticket Samsung line has definitely taken refrigeration to the next level. It features a touchscreen that you can connect to … [Read More...]
In the ideal home-buying scenario, you'd have plenty of time to find the perfect home. However, this is not always possible. Maybe you are relocating for a job and have to buy a house from across the country. If this is the case, you might have to limit the time that you spend house hunting. Here are some tips to help you make your search as productive as possible. Get A Mortgage Pre-Approval Before attending open houses and searching for a home, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will help you identify the exact price range that you … [Read More...]
