The kitchen is a prime attraction when buyers are shopping for homes, but it’s not just a place for cooking. It’s also an area for entertaining and even working. Consumers ranked efficiency and functionality as the most important aspects of the perfect kitchen, according to a survey of more than 1,000 Americans from HomeAdvisor. The …
Category: Real Estate Tips
May 26
Help Boomers Make Their Next Move
Now that a huge wave of baby boomers has left the workforce—30 million at the height of the pandemic, according to the Pew Research Center—many are considering where and how to live. Key Takeaways: As they retire from the workforce, some baby boomers are looking to relocate to maintenance-free homes or condos. Or they want …
May 25
Risk Rating 2.0 Takes Effect: What to Know
Still don’t understand the National Flood Insurance Program’s new pricing methodology? Get an update from NAR’s Insurance Committee chair. There’s still confusion around the National Flood Insurance Program’s new pricing methodology called Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action, which went into effect in October 2021. Cyndee Haydon, chair of the National Association of REALTORS®’ Insurance …
May 24
The More Houseplants the Better
Since the pandemic began, more homeowners have been adding plants inside their homes—a closer tie to the outdoors after being cooped up indoors more. Studies have suggested that the extra houseplants are making people better at their jobs and happier too. A recent study conducted by Cinch Home Services, a home warranty firm, found that …
May 23
Popular Paint Colors Throughout the Home
Classic white remains the most popular color choice in kitchens, but homeowners continue to experiment with wider palettes for that room and other areas of the home. “With white kitchens, there’s never a risk of looking dated in a few years, while the sleek minimalistic feel is effortlessly complemented by dark counters or contrasting kitchen …
May 16
Mortgage Products That Help Buyers Save
Cash-strapped clients need guidance on choosing a loan that meets their needs. Know the different types they’ll likely be interested in. Real estate pros need to stop focusing on higher interest rates and return to the basics of business—and brokers need to help steer that ship, Peter West, broker-partner of Bishop West Real Estate in …
May 15
What to Update Before Selling
Simple kitchen and bath improvements can leave home shoppers swooning over a listing, according to a new study by Knock, a site about homeownership. Homes are selling fast, but certain home updates can help them sell even faster. An updated home can sell an average of 30% faster than a home without improvements, the analysis shows. …
May 12
At-Home Bars
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to inspire changes within the home. Here’s a toast to one of the latest: the return (and update) of the at-home bar. Key Takeaways: In addition to spurring designated work-from-home spaces, larger kitchen islands, and more relaxing outdoor living areas, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought back the at-home bar trend in …
May 11
Homeowners Value Their Yards More
More than three-quarters of Americans who have a yard say the family yard space is one of the most important parts of their home, according to a poll of 1,700 consumers by the TurfMutt Foundation. Since the pandemic began, homeowners are showing more appreciation for their yards and spending more time in them, the poll …
May 10
Add Furnace Parts to Growing List of Material Bottlenecks
Supply chain woes are heating up in the HVAC sector. Heating and cooling servicers say they are facing a record number of backlogged orders. Parts and equipment delays are continuing through these companies’ busiest time of the year. Repair companies are struggling to fix and replace furnaces, boilers, and other heating and cooling equipment in …
May 09
High Heating Bills Stun Homeowners
Heating bills this winter have left many homeowners in sticker shock. The rising cost of fuel has made heating bills jump by from 5% to 50% this winter—a warning that federal agencies made last fall. Still, in some regions, heating bills are higher than forecasters anticipated. Money Magazine spoke to homeowners who reported heating bills …
May 08
Take a Tour of the New American Home
It’s all about the indoor-outdoor connection with this year’s home building showpiece. Each year, home builders and product manufacturers set out to impress crowds by showing off the latest innovations in residential new-home construction through the New American Home series. In 2022, Envy Homes, an Orlando, Fla., builder, took on that challenge, offering up a …
