Famed investor Warren Buffett is betting on housing… literally. Perhaps replaying a scene from a classic movie, the Berkshire Hathaway CEO has made a Trading-Places-esque $1 bet with former Office of Management and Budget director Peter Orszag that unemployment will fall below 8 percent before the next presidential election due to a strong housing rebound that will breathe [...]
Benjamin Moore “Affinity” Color: A Shade of Genius
Hve you ever spent hours trying to coordinate point colors? We have! But now, Benjami Moore has come up with a great idea: the Affinity Color Collectives. It is a sophisticated palette of 144 harmonius hues. Every color in this full rainbow of colors, harmonizes with every other color. So, you can paintthe kitchen “terra bella” and [...]
To Get the “Look,” Avoid These Mistakes
Want a fresh look for your home, and want to do it yourself? Here are some decorating mistakes to avoid:1. Too many colors. Try to keep the paint colors in your home to a minimum – two or three at most. And, if possible, use one carpet throughout the entire house. A plethora of colors will make your [...]
Should You Buy A House?
Is renting better than purchasing? As home values stagnate, many people seem to think so. But, before you decide to sign that lease, consider these points: 1. Rent usually goes up. If you have a fixed price mortgage, your payment will be the same for 30 years and – at the end of that time – [...]
A Housing Shortage? You Kidding Me??
Is a housing shortage coming? If you watch TV news or read newspapers, you would say, “Absolutely not!” Yet a few economists are beginning to predict a housing shortage in just a few years. Why? Here’s the story: According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, our country forms something north of one million new households [...]
Appraisal Know-How
In today’s turbulent real estate market, an appraisal can make or break the sale of your home. Yet, appraising is far from an exacting profession. Here are a few things to know about appraisals so that the house you are buying or selling is valued properly: 1. An appraisal is one person’s opinion. During our 25 years [...]
Homes Can Grow With You
Within the next 25 years, one in five Americans will be age 65 and older. If you are remodeling your home or building a new one, ask yourself this question: Will your house appeal to this changing population? It’s a question all homeowners should answer. A little forethought and small design changes can make a big [...]
The Changing “Shape” of New Homes. . .
Home sizes in the U.S. are declining. Is it because of recession, energy conservation or an aging population that wants to spend less time caring for homes? The average square footage for new homes in the United States dropped signficantly in 2009 for the first time in nearly 30 years, according to figures just released [...]
April Home Prices Are UP!
Home prices and sales rose in April, and that’s good news for home owners and home sellers. The National Association of Realtors said yesterday that the nation’s sales of previously owned homes rose a surprising 7.6 percent last month. This is the best showing in five months and far better than what economists had predicted. The Midwest did even better [...]
Balance Cost and Quality In Your New Home
How can you get the best for less when building a new home? Work with a builder who respects your choices and is dedicated to serving you. A cost-conscience builder will provide you with the best materials aligned with your budget and design preferences. He (or she) will watch for waste and excess on your [...]
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Details – Part II
- Bathroom Redo Ideas
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The Chain O’ Lakes Unchained
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Mornings at Newport Cove
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The Great American Lotus
