Some Highlights: Real estate has outranked stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings accounts/CDs, and bonds as the best long-term investment among Americans for the last 5 years! The generations agree! Real estate is the best investment! Generation X leads the way with 37% believing in real estate as the top investment. Continue Reading
Homes are More Affordable in 44 out of 50 States
With both home prices and mortgage rates increasing this year, many are concerned about a family’s ability to purchase a major part of the American Dream – its own home. However, if we compare housing affordability today to the average affordability prior to the housing boom and bust, we are in much better shape than most believe. In Black Knight’s latest monthly Mortgage Monitor, they revealed Continue Reading
Top Landscaping Trends for 2018
Native plants, outdoor yoga spaces, and charging stations are among the hottest landscaping trends growing in consumer demand for 2018, according to a new report released by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Landscape architects were asked to rate the popularity of several residential outdoor design elements. Landscape architects noted a growth in the use of native plants, Continue Reading
June is National Homeownership Month!
Some Highlights: June is National Homeownership Month Stability and Comfort lead to Happiness! Now is a great time to reflect on the many benefits of homeownership that go way beyond the financial. What reasons do you have to own your own home? Continue Reading
Home Sales Grow Despite Low Inventory
Some Highlights: According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors, sales grew 1.1% in March to an annual pace of 5.60 million. This is the strongest pace since November of 2017. Inventory levels dropped year-over-year for the 34th consecutive month and are now 7.2% lower than March 2017 levels, representing a 3.6-month supply. Continue Reading
Before Spring is in Full Swing: 5 Backyard Chores
Before the Wasps, Bees, and Mosquitoes move in for the Summer, start protecting your house. Seal any openings or cracks around your home and deck areas to prevent intruders! Spray or put out deterring plants like basil, lavender, and peppermint to keep mosquitoes, spiders, and other critters from coming too close. Make Sure your Lawn Care Tools are Ready to Go. Sharpen your blades, and Continue Reading
4 Tasks that Veteran Homeowners Know You Gotta Do in March
March madness is here — not the basketball kind, but the “home” kind. It’s that time of year when homeowners who’ve been through a few winters know to be at the top of their game, they have to be proactive. Here are four things they always do: 1. Patch Up the Bare Spots in the Lawn That’ll keep both mud and water out of your house as snow and ice continue to melt, and spring rains Continue Reading
Homeownership: “The Reports of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated”
The famous quote by Mark Twain in the title of this article can be used to describe homeownership in America today. Last week, the Census revealed that the percentage of homeowners in the country increased for the first time in thirteen years. A story in the Wall Street Journal gave these new homeownership numbers some context: “The annual increase marks a crucial turning point because Continue Reading
