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 …
Category: Real Estate Tips
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 …
Jan 20
Survey Reveals Least Popular Decorating Colors
More than a third of survey respondents ranked these two colors as their least favorite. America’s least desired colors for home decoration: orange and pink. This is the result of a survey of more than 1,500 consumers by Modsy, an online interior design service. More than a third of survey respondents ranked these two colors …
Jan 16
Late-Season Gardening Tips
With fall color waning in most parts of the country—and many leaves already on the ground—it’s time to encourage homeowners to put their gardens to bed for the winter ahead. Landscape designer Michael Glassman started his fall yard and garden work shortly before Halloween. Late October to mid-November is the perfect time to weed, prune, …
Jan 15
5 Home Design, Building Trends to Watch
Curvier building elements, patterned hardwood floors, and black accents are part of the trends to watch in the new year. Home design is getting more personal. More homeowners are using their homes to show their individuality and design freedom, according to home design experts at The Plan Collection, an online home design firm. “It makes …
Jan 14
Top Places to Buy a Tiny Home
While more homeowners have been interested in gaining space during the pandemic, the market for tiny homes is still appealing to certain segments, particularly investors and first-time home buyers. The affordability of these homes is one of the biggest draws. Many tiny homes cost between $30,000 to $60,000. For comparison, the median price for a …
Jan 13
13 Home Trends Stealing the Spotlight
Key Takeaways: Home design trends that are expected to loom large in 2022 are an evolution of what started during the pandemic when life was disrupted and more homeowners started reevaluating their surroundings. Cases in point: the rise of the home office and backyard pools. Some hot trends started years earlier, including energy efficiency, conservation …
Jan 10
What’s Trending in Kitchens?
The kitchen is the heart of the house where everyone congregated during the pandemic, and it’s still the go-to room for multiple functions—that means it keeps changing. Key Takeaways: The kitchen became an even more significant heart of the home during the pandemic as the focal point for gathering, working, entertaining, and, of course, cooking, …
Jan 09
Contractors Hard to Find Amid Renovation Boom
Homeowners have been busy sprucing up their properties during the pandemic. Even as the year winds down, their desires aren’t fading. More than 70% of U.S. homeowners recently surveyed say they are planning or considering a home renovation project before the end of the year, according to a survey from Dewalt, a tool manufacturer and …
Jan 08
Kitchen Trends to Watch
Renovating a kitchen has become popular with many homeowners looking to spice up the look of their space. As they take on projects, they’re showing more interest in splurging on finishes and materials to get the high-end look they want, according to a new study from Houzz. Countertops are one area where homeowners are willing …
Jan 07
Most Popular Home Decor Styles by Room
As the homebuying and remodeling spree continues amid the pandemic, homeowners are showing they really care about what their home looks like. Google searches for “interior design styles” have increased 40% in the past week alone, according to a study from Uswitch, a mortgage comparison firm. Researchers analyzed more than 4 million pins across Pinterest …
