Are you still using a key to unlock your door and twisting a dial on the wall to set the temperature? Home automation technology has made considerable strides in the past couple of years so it might be time to invest. In today's blog post we will explore three tips that can help those looking to make the leap into a fully automated home. Tip #1: Start With Home Security And Go From There Installing a modern home security system is the perfect place to start with home automation. Does your home already have an alarm? If so, it's likely to be one of the older "set it and forget it" models. You … [Read More...]
Investing in real estate is one of the oldest means of building and storing wealth. However, it is only just recently that "flipping" of houses – buying at a low price, renovating and selling at a higher price – became popular. For many, house flipping has become a full-time career and their primary source of income. So, are you interested in learning what it takes to become a successful house flipper? Read on to learn more about this fun and exciting way to invest in real estate. Research Local Regulations And Legal Requirements The first thing you'll want to do is start … [Read More...]
Last week's economic reports included NAHB Housing Market Indexes along with readings on housing starts, building permits and existing home sales. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Builder Sentiment Jumps in September, Housing Starts and Building Permits Fall The National Association of Home Builders reported a four-point increase in its Home Price Index for October. Builders surveyed reported higher confidence in overall market conditions, which resulted in a reading of 68. Analysts had expected no change in the September reading of 64. Natural … [Read More...]
Are you listing your home for sale now, or in the near future? If so, you have probably come to terms with the fact that soon you'll be having strangers tour through your home asking all kinds of questions about it. In today's blog post we'll take a look at three strange questions that buyers might ask and how to approach answering them. "Has Anyone Died In This House Or Is It Haunted?" You might have chuckled when you read that, but questions about paranormal activity are more common than you think. Many people have beliefs and superstitions about ghosts, ghouls, demons and other spirits that … [Read More...]
Whether you are just about to graduate college or you have been out of school for a few years, there's a good chance you're carrying some amount of student loan debt. It seems that news headlines are regularly pointing out that the nation's graduates are suffering from the stress of student debt. Moreover, that pressure can be even worse for those who are looking to buy a home and start putting some roots down in the local community. Are you worried that past student loan debt will affect your chances of buying a home? Let's run through a few tips that can help put your debt worries at ease. … [Read More...]
Component readings used for calculating Housing Market Index readings also rose in October. Builder sentiment for current market conditions gained five points for a reading of 75. The index reading for builder perception of market conditions in the next six months also rose five points to an October reading of 78. Builder sentiment for home buyer traffic in new home developments rose one point to 48. Buyer traffic readings seldom exceed a Home Builder Index reading of 50. NAHB Chairman Granger Mc Donald said builders were recovering from the initial shock of damage caused by hurricanes, but … [Read More...]
