One of the best things about moving into a new home is personalizing it and really making it yours. From hanging wall art to arranging furniture to finding the perfect spot for your grandmother's hand crocheted afghan, it's a real joy to decorate. But are you forgetting about the big investment you just made? Consider the following important home upgrades that will protect your home and your family. 1. Smoke Alarm Take an afternoon and upgrade all your new home's smoke alarms. Smoke alarms save lives and it's not worth it to assume that just because it's there it's working. 2. Carbon … [Read More...]
3D printing technology is a game-changer in the home construction business. Not only is the technology capable of printing a home, but it can also be used to print one at a much lower cost when compared to traditional home construction. All3DP reports on homes printed using 3D technology that costs as little as $4,000 to $10,000. Some are ready for occupancy within 24 hours. The $4,000 Home A company in Texas, called ICON, is working with NewStoryCharity.org to create 3D-printed homes at an extremely low cost. New Story Charity builds simple homes in other countries, like Haiti and El … [Read More...]
If you're selling your home, your real estate agent has likely advised you to stage your home to sell. But why exactly do people stage homes to sell? Some people go to great lengths to stage their home too, even going so far as moving possessions into storage units or renting furnishings! If your home is already nicely decorated, why should you go to the added trouble of "staging" it? There are many good reasons to stage your home to sell. 1. Staging Makes Your Home Appear More Spacious Having lived in your home for a number of years, you probably haven't noticed how many things you've … [Read More...]
Last week's economic reports included readings on home prices, sales of pre-owned homes and pending home sales. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Case-Shiller Home Price Index: Home Price Growth Slips in April Case-Shiller reported slower home price growth in April; home prices were 0.20 percent lower at 3.50 percent. Increasing inventories of homes for sale provided buyers with more choices and eased demand, which increased in recent years due to severe shortages of available homes. Cities on the west coast previously dominated home price … [Read More...]
As a diligent home seller, you've taken all your real estate agent's advice about preparing your home for showings. You've de-cluttered, enhanced curb appeal and developed efficient strategies for leaving your home while viewings are taking place. But have you given any thought to how your home smells to strangers? Newcomers to your home will naturally be more sensitive to the smells of your house. Your nose is likely desensitized to your common household odors, but a prospective buyer may be put off by how it smells. Here are some ways to make sure your home smells inviting. Don't Burn … [Read More...]
Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index for April showed further declines in home price growth with 2.50 percent year-over-year home price growth as compared to March home price growth of 2.60 percent. New York City home prices held steady month-to-month and Seattle, Washington's home prices were unchanged year-over-year after posting 13 percent home price growth in 2018. The top three cities with the highest rates of year-over-year home price growth were Las Vegas, Nevada with 7.10 percent growth; Phoenix, Arizona followed with 6.0 percent growth and Tampa, Florida reported 5.60 percent home … [Read More...]