Aug 02
Buyers Want More Land A high demand for land is driving up prices in the luxury market. Median list prices for prime lots in the nation’s top luxury markets climbed 8.7 percent in the first half of the year compared to a year ago, realtor.com®’s data shows. The South saw the highest increases compared to …
Aug 01
Rate of Home ownership Hits 50-Year Low More Americans have become renters. The share of Americans who own their homes dropped to 62.9 percent in the second quarter, the lowest rate since 1965, the Census Bureau reported Thursday. That also marks the second consecutive quarterly decrease. In the previous report, the home ownership rate was …
Jul 29
Ways to Get Others Talking About You You can boost your business’ reputation without spending a dime, according to Forbes. To stay top of mind in your market, try these ideas for your online marketing: 1. Talk to the press. Offer up your take on the local housing market to your local press. Pitch them …
Jul 28
Americans’ Top Housing Concerns? It might not be all low inventory and high prices. It seems Americans have a confidence problem when it comes to the housing market. They’re increasingly apprehensive to move forward, citing concerns over the economy and job security, according to the latest ValueInsured Modern Homebuyer Survey, a measure of confidence in …
Jul 19
Could That Tiny Home Be Illegal? The tiny home trend is growing more popular, but owners of these teeny residences say they’re facing a big problem in knowing where to put them. Few cities allow stand-alone tiny houses, which are typically defined as a house smaller than 500 square feet. Many community ordinances …
Jul 18
What Moms Want in a House The configuration of the home is more important to buyers with children these days, Jeff Martel, a real estate professional with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, told MarketWatch. “Ten years ago, the only thing families were looking for was square footage and a large yard,” he …
Jul 15
States With the Highest, Lowest Energy Bills The month of July tends to produce the highest monthly energy bills for consumers, according to the personal finance website WalletHub. But where you live has a lot to do with how much energy bills will bite you’re your paycheck. WalletHub’s analytics team recently compared the average monthly …
Jul 14
Most Popular Exteriors on New Homes Vinyl is the most widely used exterior on new single-family homes, according to the latest Census Bureau data. Vinyl (which includes vinyl-covered aluminum) was used for siding material on 27 percent of new homes nationwide in 2015, followed by stucco at 25 percent, brick or brick veneer …
Jul 13
Customers Need a Confidence Boost? More consumers are reporting mixed views toward housing and income growth, according to Fannie Mae’s latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index. While the percentage of consumers who believe now is a good time to sell or buy is rising, fewer consumers are upbeat about the trajectory of home prices and …
Jul 12
How to Take Better Videos From Your Phone When you need to capture a quick video of a listing or area for a client, your phone may be all you have. You can still take some quality videos to share on the go and from your phone. USA Today recently featured some tips on …
Jul 11
5-Step Checklist to Spruce Up a Backyard Amber Freda, a landscape designer in New York, recently shared with The New York Times a checklist that can make it easier for your clients to decorate their home’s outdoor space. Some of her tips include: 1. Choose the right furniture. Don’t leave a blank slate. “Furniture …
Jul 08
3D-Printed Home Can Withstand Earthquakes While 3-D printing in the homebuilding industry has largely created prefab houses whose components are created at a factory and then assembled on location, a new technique is letting one company print the house in its entirety onsite. HuaShang Tengda printed an entire 4,300-square-foot home in 45 days, …
