Americans want more social distance from their neighbors. A new Pew Research Center study finds a shift in home preferences since the pandemic with more consumers saying they want a larger home, even if it means local amenities are further away. That marks a shift from 2019 when more Americans were desiring smaller houses that …
Category: News
Feb 05
Home Flipping on the Rise, Even as Profit Margins Drop
The home flippers are returning to the market, even as their profit margins have dipped to a 10-year low. About 4.9% of all home sales in the second quarter were from home flipping—defined as a single-family home or condo transaction that was bought and sold within 12 months. The home flipping rate is up from …
Feb 04
Ultra-White Paint Could Cool Homes Better Than Air Conditioning
Scientists at Purdue University have created the whitest paint in the world, and their research, published in April, shows that the ultra-white color could drastically reduce or even eventually eliminate the need for air conditioning. The stark white paint works by reflecting 98.1% of sunlight away from the building. It also emits infrared heat, which …
Feb 03
Agent Stages Abandoned Property With ‘Creepy Dolls’
Tony Bertucci with NOLA Living Realty decided to stage his abandoned home listing in Metairie, La., using stand-up porcelain dolls. The dolls appear in photos that show a home with moldy, torn-up kitchen cabinets and ripped-up floors and walls. “I did it just to get the house some attention because the house was so hideous …
Jan 31
Modular Homes Building Splendor Into Prefabs
When you hear “prefab,” you may think double-wide mobile home. It’s a misconception the industry has long been trying to clear up. Prefab, a type of construction method, can be found at the luxury home level. More prefab options are stretching into the high-end market, combining quicker construction timelines with ultra-luxury touches. Prefab homes are …
Jan 30
Color of the Year: Green Is Gold
Greens are emerging as the “it” color for the new year. Greens are emerging as the “it” color for the new year. Another green hue has been selected as the hottest color for the new year. Sherwin-Williams announced its 2025 color of the year: evergreen fog, an earthy gray-green tone. The paint firm’s announcement comes …
Jan 29
7 Fixes to Avoid Major Foundation Problems
Water can damage a foundation in countless ways, so homeowners should look to experts for the dos and don’ts. Water is not always our friend. Sure, we drink it, swim in it, and need it to survive, but when it comes to homes, it can destroy the foundation, says home inspector Thomas Dabb of Immaculate …
Jan 27
Homes With More Daylight May Improve Moods
Let more light into your home and you can lower your anxiety and stress levels and even improve your sleep. Increasing daylight in a home can affect a person’s circadian rhythm, sleep, vitality, and mental health, according to a newly published, peer-reviewed paper in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. “The study …
Jan 24
Biophilic Design Is the Latest Buzz in Multifamily
High-rise apartments are getting more in touch with nature. Living on the 40th or 45th floor, for example, can make tenants feel far away from it—and since the pandemic, apartment dwellers are craving closer ties to greenery. In response, more plants are coming to rooftops, lobbies, and balconies. The Wardian London development in London features …
Jan 23
What Homeowners Should Know About Solar Panels
Key Takeaways: Installing solar panels or modules to convert sunlight into electricity and conserve energy is not a new concept. Back in 1954, researchers at Bell Laboratories demonstrated the first practical silicon solar cell. But solar power has been heating up over the last 10 years, with a 50% average annual growth rate in the …
Jan 22
A Home Gym? No Sweat
Many homeowners are still reluctant to work out in gyms as COVID-19 remains a threat. Here’s how they can outfit a space without spending a bundle. Key Takeaways: In the 1980s and ‘90s, when houses were getting bigger and fancier with all sorts of specialty spaces—theaters with stadium seating, giant aquariums, rathskellers, and sports courts—some …
Jan 21
A Primer on Home Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
One of the newest amenities builders are including in housing developments to attract buyers is electric vehicle charging stations. Learn more about this feature that’s growing in popularity among your clients. Key Takeaways: As more car manufacturers add electric vehicles to their fleets, those who own or lease them know the value of having a …
