Millennials are going to be a big force in the housing industry in the years to come, but for homebuilders, they may be trouble. Columnist Jeff Reeve writes in The Wall Street Journal that homebuilders should be worried about millennials’ impact to their bottom line. The generation tends to have a personal taste for urban living and they’re financially strapped so they have less income and a Continue Reading
Archives for June 2014
Caring for Kitchen Knives
Aset of sharp, quality kitchen knives doesn’t just make life easier when slicing bread or chopping veggies—it could save you money in the long run, since you probably won’t have to replace them as often as a cheap set. The following tips will help you get the most out of your knives. Avoid the Dishwasher: Knives get dinged in the dishwasher. Instead, hand wash your knives immediately after Continue Reading
Pool Smarts for Kids
There’s no better way to cool off on a hot summer’s day than taking a dip in a cool, refreshing pool. Whether in your own backyard or at a public pool, safety should always come first—and the following tips can help ensure that everyone has a good time. Buddy System: Have your kids practice the buddy system, teaming up with one of their peers to watch out for one another. Supervision: If a Continue Reading
4 Property Flaws that Block Offers
There is one fundamental truth about haters: you can never fully escape them. Homes, locations and aesthetics are a matter of personal preference, and the truth is, some people will find something to criticize about even the most perfectly staged, priciest properties on the market. As a listing agent, your job is to appeal to enough buyers that you get great offers, but you don’t want Continue Reading
Sales of Existing Homes Jump in May
Sales of existing homes jumped nearly 5 percent in May to an annualized rate of 4.9 million, the biggest monthly increase in nearly three years. May’s sales volume, however, was 5 percent below what it was a year earlier,according to the National Association of Realtors. Stlll, the strong report was good news for the housing industry. “Home buyers are benefiting from slower price growth due to Continue Reading
Smart Pool Care
The season for pool parties and barbecues has arrived, and keeping your pool in proper working order is essential. The following tips may help you maintain your backyard oasis throughout the summer months and beyond. Find and Repair Leaks: HowStuffWorks.com recommends a clever and inexpensive method for discovering pool leaks. Fill a plastic bucket with water up to three-quarters of its Continue Reading
100 Ways to Help You Beat the Heat!
Once the Valley hits over 100 degrees, it's hard to find a reason to leave the air conditioned house. Here are 100 ways to enjoy the heat this summer. 1. Musical Instrument Museum The museum is ranked nationally as a top destination for families, and it's easy to hear why. The museum offers interactive exhibits that allow kids to play, hear and experience music in new ways. Kids will love Continue Reading
Love for the Long Haul
Can love last forever? Dr. Helen Fisher and her team of biological anthropologists from Rutgers University set out to answer the question by comparing brain scans of couples married an average of two decades with young, infatuated lovers who had met their partners just seven months earlier. When the mature participants looked at photographs of their partners, their brains showed much the same Continue Reading
Housing Predictions: How 2014 Will Be Different
What should you expect for the 2014 housing market? Trulia’s Chief Economist, Jed Kolko, dipped into the data to find out. Check out his predictions for the five ways that the 2014 housing market will be different from 2013, as well as the top 10 cities to watch as we enter the new year. Barring any economic crises, the housing market should continue to normalize throughout 2014, but change is Continue Reading
Reality TV Skewing Home Remodeling Picture?
Reality television shows that feature instant home makeovers are popular, but some remodelers say that such shows paint an unrealistic picture of the time and money required to remodel a home. “A lot of these shows tend to glorify the low cost,” says Craig Knott, owner of Houseworks Unlimited in Washington, D.C. “Not just that it can get done in three hours, but that the costs are very Continue Reading
