Tuesday, April 23, 2019
New Home Sales Best Estimates; Rates Up Again; Should we Care About Oil Prices?
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/23/3890
Inventory Growth Fueled by Softening Demand, Not More Sellers
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-23-Inventory-Growth-Fueled-by-Softening-Demand-Not-More-Sellers
Monday, April 22, 2019
March Home Sales Couldn't Repeat February's Win, but 2019 Should be Better; Construction Buoyed by West
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/22/3888
How to Prep a Yard for Spring Buying: 5 Tips
By Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)
As the spring selling season kicks into high gear, real estate and staging professionals can help their clients enhance their listings by creating an outdoor space that is attractive to buyers. The family yard not only can expand living space, it also reconnects families and pets with nature and provides a natural setting to reduce stress, improve memory, boost mood, among many other benefits.
Here are five points to consider:
1. Understand potential buyers’ lifestyle needs.
Determine how a potential buyer might use the yard, then plant accordingly. Does the yard need more shade for hot summer days? Is it lacking a grassy area for kids and pets to play?
2. Know the climate zone.
Help your clients select climate-appropriate plants that will thrive with minimal input. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map indicates which grasses, shrubs, and trees are most likely to succeed in a specific location.
3. Plant for pets.
More families are including pets in their lives so consider animal’s needs when planting. Hardy grass withstands pet traffic. Soft, yet sturdy, foliage is a good choice for heavily-trafficked areas. See which plants are dangerous to pets by downloading the ASPCA’s list of poisonous plants.
4. Attract pollinators & wildlife.
The home habitat is also vital for pollinators (bees, butterflies, and birds) and other wildlife that rely on backyard plants for food and shelter. Planting climate-appropriate, pollen-rich flowers will help nourish pollinators, while creating a vibrant outdoor scene buyers will appreciate.
5. Stage the outdoors.
Showcase how the space will be used, including setting outdoor tables, having a barbecue grill set up, and other touches that show people can “live” in the space.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kris Kiser is the president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and the OPEI Education and Research Foundation. OPEI is an international trade association representing 100 small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers, and suppliers. OPEI is managing partner of GIE+EXPO, the industry’s annual international trade show and exposition. Prior to joining OPEI, Kiser, also an attorney, served for 14 years in senior management at two major, Washington, D.C. trade associations representing the automobile manufacturing and forest products industries. He was vice president of state and international affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and vice president of governmental affairs for the American Forest & Paper Association. Learn more about OPEI: OPEI.org
from
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2019/04/22/how-to-prep-a-yard-for-spring-buying-5-tips/
Thursday, April 18, 2019
The Closing - Show 532
On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "The Closing."
This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Ten Things to Bring to the Settlement
- Five Things you Must Do After the House is Sold
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)
Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!
from
http://retradio.com
Lenders Manage Tiny Profits in 2018 Despite Rate Hikes, Inventories; Europe Helping Bonds; Don't Count Chickens
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/18/3886
Black Dog Brewing Co. to open in Mooresville
from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/73379-roundup-black-dog-brewing-co
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Tax Changes May be Hurting Housing; Purchase Volume Improves; Rates at 1-Mo Highs
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/17/3884
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
More Buyers, But Builders Remain Cautious; Highest Rates in Nearly a Month
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/16/3882
Going Green: Homes with Solar Panels Sell for 4.1% More
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-16-Going-Green-Homes-with-Solar-Panels-Sell-for-4-1-More
Monday, April 15, 2019
Non-Bank Lender on Perils of Non-Bank Lending; Rates Rise; Appraisal Delusions
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/15/3880
Zillow Offers Now Live for Home Sellers in Dallas-Fort Worth
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-15-Zillow-Offers-Now-Live-for-Home-Sellers-in-Dallas-Fort-Worth
Staged to Sell: A Virtual Transformation
The real estate professional: Cris Grayson, broker associate at Baird & Warner in Glen Ellyn, Ill.
About the home: The five-bedroom home in Glen Ellyn, Ill., was built in 1975. The home has been meticulously maintained, and the homeowners had recently made some updates to the interior as well. It is listed for $569,900. Grayson wanted to make sure the online presentation of the home would appeal to the widest buyer pool.
Grayson’s tips:
- Don’t skimp on photography. Grayson places a high value on quality photography for her listings. She uses a professional photographer who is trained specifically on taking real estate photos through VHT Studios, a national real estate photography firm. A good real estate photographer will know how to capture a space from the best angles as well as the flow of the home, Grayson says.
- Show off the possibilities. Grayson also likes to use VHT’s Virtual Redecorate tool, which allows spaces to be virtually changed and staged for photos.
Here’s the kitchen “before” and then virtually staged “after.” See how it changes the look of the table area.
Grayson also used virtual staging to change the look of the home’s family room. In its current state, the family room appears comfortable and cozy, but some buyers may be looking for a lighter, more modern look. Through virtual staging, the wall décor and upholstered furniture was presented in a warmer look in the photographs.
- Re-cast the room’s purpose. In some cases, you may want to change the purpose of the room to appeal to a wider pool of buyers. In the upstairs of the home, Grayson and her VHT photographer Chrissy Barrett used virtual staging to transform a teen room into a young child’s room with a play space. They also presented it another way too as an office and reading or crafts room. Grayson labeled any pictures as “virtually staged” when they appeared online. The virtually staged photos appeared after a photo of the actual room.
The Result?
Days after the home was listed with the virtual staging pictures included, Grayson said they received an offer and were in negotiations with an interested buyer. Grayson has found that using virtual staging in her listings doesn’t just show potential buyers the possibilities of a space but also offers buyers a styling guide to use when they move into their new home and make it their own.
Have a home you recently staged that you’d like to show off here at Styled Staged & Sold? Submit your staging photos for consideration, along with three to five of your best spruce-up tips. Contact Melissa Dittmann Tracey at mtracey@realtors.org.
from
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2019/04/15/staged-to-sell-a-virtual-transformation/
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Baby's restaurant opening in former drag club
from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/73273-babys-restaurant-opening-in-former-north-side-drag-club
Sellers Spend Nearly $21,000 to Sell a Home in 2019
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-09-Sellers-Spend-Nearly-21-000-to-Sell-a-Home-in-2019
Instagram-Worthy Pics and Ga-Ga-Like Amenities to Attract Millennials
By Justin M. Riordan, Spade and Archer Design Agency
Surveys show that millennials prioritize home buying over getting married or having kids. They’re eager to buy, as soon as they get their finances in order.
So, how do you appeal to the millennial home buyer? Here are some tips in speaking their language:
1. Make it Instagram Worthy
When it comes to reaching a millennial buyer, here’s one simple thing to keep in mind: Is your home Instagram worthy? Seriously, an empty room with a price attached to it is not enough to grab the attention of those 25 to 35 years olds. The space needs to have an awesome interior design through home staging–along with great lighting, photos worthy of being reposted along with copy that makes people think, laugh, and repost.
If you happen to get a millennial to actually visit your listing in person, be sure to have signs prepared that say “Home tour today!” and “1107 Elm Drive is AWESOME!” This way they can hold up the signs, you can take their picture, post it on your Instagram and tag them in it. All of their friends get to see what they are doing, where they are, and perhaps become interested in both your listing and in you as an agent. It’s like building your own little army of social media influencers.
Add hysterical descriptions to your listing. Make them laugh. If you raise an emotion with your listing, your audience will be more apt to “Like” and share your listing. Create short videos, by using TikTok or Boomerang, of you or your visitors being goofy in the house. Again, make them laugh, and you’ll gain followers.
Include ironically vintage items in your house. That exercise bike that your mom used to workout with when you were a kid is now an Instagram worthy moment. The vintage typewriter with a description of the house typed on the paper already inside is a great #coolhouse moment. Anything you can do to get your house organically in front of more millennials, the better.
2. Amenities That Millennials Will Go Ga-Ga Over
Furry Friendly Funmenities: Millennials are having less kids, and they are opting to fill their empty nests instead with dogs and cats. Providing cat doors, fenced dog runs, pet surveillance systems and pet washing stations could be a huge appeal to these perky parents of pets.
Super Smart Shelter Stuff
Smart homes are all the rage. Millennials were raised in a world of the disposable. They have very little concept of how to fix or repair anything in their home. The more their house can take care of itself the better. Here are some of the best self-caring items we are in love with currently:
- Keyless entry systems: Opening doors with your smartphone or a memorized code, means you never have to carry a key with you again. When you join the shared economy, you can simply text your entry code to your renter, how easy is that?
- Smart light bulbs: Change the level and temperature of light with a simple voice command or from your smart phone. Take your lighting from “selfie” mode to “Netflix and chill” with a simple code word.
- Smart home management systems: From Nest to Alexa to Siri, there is some disembodied smart voice that can take care of everything from your temperature to your locks to your lights to your security system.
- Refrigerators with cameras: It comes down to this–every time you open the door to figure out what you want to eat, you are essentially killing the Earth. If you want to be a better person without actually doing anything, you can now turn on the camera inside your refrigerator and see what’s inside guilt free. Earth saved!
- Electric vehicle support systems: Speaking of killing the Earth, gas powered vehicles are doing just that too. By providing your millennial home buyers with electric charging ports, wall mounted batteries, and solar cell panels, you can make owning an electric vehicle so much easier. Now, we just need to get past the $80,000 price tag of the car!
- USB ports in the outlets: This will allow your millennial buyers to charge their devices anywhere in the entire house.
Community Conscious Conveniences
There is a serious desire for millennials to find ways to meet other people without seeming forced. Skip the media room, millennials don’t watch TV on big screens, they instead use their laptops to download the latest episode of “Game of Thrones” and “Broad City.” Instead, promote outdoor BBQ spaces, community gardens, and high Walk Scores to show your listing is community-minded.
When it all comes down to it, millennials are going to need the same (vegan) meat and (gluten-free) potatoes everybody else needs: Living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. The rest? It’s all (dairy free, non-GMO) gravy in getting them attracted to your listing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Justin M. Riordan, LEED AP is the founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency, a home staging company with locations in Portland and Seattle. He is a thought leader and trendsetter in the real estate industry as well as the energy behind Spade and Archer, creating home staging that is simultaneously aspirational and obtainable. Prior to opening Spade and Archer in 2009, Riordan practiced interior architecture and interior construction for 12 years, bringing a diverse background as well as a bachelor of architecture to the home staging industry. With more than two decades of hands-on project management and design experience, Riordan delivers an unmatched level of precision, expertise and service to his clients. In addition, Riordan is an accomplished and engaging speaker who regularly presents at real estate industry events, sharing his expertise about home staging.
from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/2QL3FnbTKRo/
Friday, April 12, 2019
Mortgage Rates End Week at Highest Levels as Bonds Defend Important Ceiling
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/12/3876
The Offer - Show 531
On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "The Offer."
This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Price Isn't Everything
- What Should I do?
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)
Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!
from
http://retradio.com
Baby's restaurant opening in former drag club
from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/73273-babys-restaurant-opening-in-former-north-side-drag-club
Sellers Spend Nearly $21,000 to Sell a Home in 2019
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-09-Sellers-Spend-Nearly-21-000-to-Sell-a-Home-in-2019
Thursday, April 11, 2019
2018 Set Record for Commercial/Multifamily Lending; Rates Stay Flat; Brexit Punt Delays Game
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/11/3874
Baby's restaurant opening in former drag club
from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/73273-babys-restaurant-opening-in-former-north-side-drag-club
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Mortgage Apps Ebb Last Week's Epic Run; Builders Hint at Strong Spring; Lowest Mortgage Rates in April
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/10/3872
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Mortgage Delinquencies Down, Other Consumer Debts Creep Up; Rates Edge Higher
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/9/3870
Chicago-based Farmer's Fridge coming to Indianapolis
from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/73190-chicago-based-farmers-fridge-coming-to-indianapolis
Sellers Spend Nearly $21,000 to Sell a Home in 2019
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-09-Sellers-Spend-Nearly-21-000-to-Sell-a-Home-in-2019
Monday, April 8, 2019
Home Buyers (And Sellers) Much More Upbeat; Rates Flat, But New Challenges on Horizon
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/8/3868
Mixed Signals in Jobs Data Forces Bonds to Punt; Rates Back to Week's Lows
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/5/3864
Jumbo Credit Access Benefits From Recent Drop in Rates; Big Risks With Tomorrow's Jobs Report
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/4/3862
Super Low Rates Had a Big Impact, But Now They're Moving Back Up
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/3/3860
Affordability Gripes' Effect on Prices; Race/Income Implications of Housing Bill; Rates' Comeback
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/2/3858
Low Rate Surge Over, But What's Next? Refi Pool Expanded Just in Time For Rate Spike
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/1/3856
Instagram-Worthy Pics and Ga-Ga-Like Amenities to Attract Millennials
By Justin M. Riordan, Spade and Archer Design Agency
Surveys show that millennials prioritize home buying over getting married or having kids. They’re eager to buy, as soon as they get their finances in order.
So, how do you appeal to the millennial home buyer? Here are some tips in speaking their language:
1. Make it Instagram Worthy
When it comes to reaching a millennial buyer, here’s one simple thing to keep in mind: Is your home Instagram worthy? Seriously, an empty room with a price attached to it is not enough to grab the attention of those 25 to 35 years olds. The space needs to have an awesome interior design through home staging–along with great lighting, photos worthy of being reposted along with copy that makes people think, laugh, and repost.
If you happen to get a millennial to actually visit your listing in person, be sure to have signs prepared that say “Home tour today!” and “1107 Elm Drive is AWESOME!” This way they can hold up the signs, you can take their picture, post it on your Instagram and tag them in it. All of their friends get to see what they are doing, where they are, and perhaps become interested in both your listing and in you as an agent. It’s like building your own little army of social media influencers.
Add hysterical descriptions to your listing. Make them laugh. If you raise an emotion with your listing, your audience will be more apt to “Like” and share your listing. Create short videos, by using TikTok or Boomerang, of you or your visitors being goofy in the house. Again, make them laugh, and you’ll gain followers.
Include ironically vintage items in your house. That exercise bike that your mom used to workout with when you were a kid is now an Instagram worthy moment. The vintage typewriter with a description of the house typed on the paper already inside is a great #coolhouse moment. Anything you can do to get your house organically in front of more millennials, the better.
2. Amenities That Millennials Will Go Ga-Ga Over
Furry Friendly Funmenities: Millennials are having less kids, and they are opting to fill their empty nests instead with dogs and cats. Providing cat doors, fenced dog runs, pet surveillance systems and pet washing stations could be a huge appeal to these perky parents of pets.
Super Smart Shelter Stuff
Smart homes are all the rage. Millennials were raised in a world of the disposable. They have very little concept of how to fix or repair anything in their home. The more their house can take care of itself the better. Here are some of the best self-caring items we are in love with currently:
- Keyless entry systems: Opening doors with your smartphone or a memorized code, means you never have to carry a key with you again. When you join the shared economy, you can simply text your entry code to your renter, how easy is that?
- Smart light bulbs: Change the level and temperature of light with a simple voice command or from your smart phone. Take your lighting from “selfie” mode to “Netflix and chill” with a simple code word.
- Smart home management systems: From Nest to Alexa to Siri, there is some disembodied smart voice that can take care of everything from your temperature to your locks to your lights to your security system.
- Refrigerators with cameras: It comes down to this–every time you open the door to figure out what you want to eat, you are essentially killing the Earth. If you want to be a better person without actually doing anything, you can now turn on the camera inside your refrigerator and see what’s inside guilt free. Earth saved!
- Electric vehicle support systems: Speaking of killing the Earth, gas powered vehicles are doing just that too. By providing your millennial home buyers with electric charging ports, wall mounted batteries, and solar cell panels, you can make owning an electric vehicle so much easier. Now, we just need to get past the $80,000 price tag of the car!
- USB ports in the outlets: This will allow your millennial buyers to charge their devices anywhere in the entire house.
Community Conscious Conveniences
There is a serious desire for millennials to find ways to meet other people without seeming forced. Skip the media room, millennials don’t watch TV on big screens, they instead use their laptops to download the latest episode of “Game of Thrones” and “Broad City.” Instead, promote outdoor BBQ spaces, community gardens, and high Walk Scores to show your listing is community-minded.
When it all comes down to it, millennials are going to need the same (vegan) meat and (gluten-free) potatoes everybody else needs: Living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. The rest? It’s all (dairy free, non-GMO) gravy in getting them attracted to your listing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Justin M. Riordan, LEED AP is founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency, a home staging company with offices in Portland, Seattle and Palm Springs, Calif. As the creative energy behind Spade and Archer, Riordan fuses his formal training as an architect with his natural design savvy to create beautiful and authentic spaces for clients. Follow Spade and Archer on Instagram.
from
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2019/04/08/instagram-worthy-pics-and-ga-ga-like-amenities-to-attract-millennials/
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Homes with Chef-Inspired Kitchen Features Sell for Up to 34 Percent More; Yet Millennial Buyers Pay Premiums for Pizza and Wine
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-04-Homes-with-Chef-Inspired-Kitchen-Features-Sell-for-Up-to-34-Percent-More-Yet-Millennial-Buyers-Pay-Premiums-for-Pizza-and-Wine
Sale Prices Jump After Communities Named Opportunity Zones
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-02-Sale-Prices-Jump-After-Communities-Named-Opportunity-Zones
The Top Energy Efficient Home Trends That Home Buyers Want in 2019
Article Submitted by Fixr.com
As the cost of energy continues to rise, many home buyers today are looking for homes that are going to be easier and less expensive to run long term. I’ts important to know the trends to look for, whether you’re helping a seller update their home prior to selling or you want to keep an eye out for the perfect property for a buyer. Not only would following these trends allow you to better advise sellers, it also can help you ecuate buyers on to what to look for.
Each year, the home remodeling site Fixr polls industry experts and leaders in their field to help determine some of the top trends in the home improvement industry through their Energy Efficient Home Design Trends report.
Here are some of the most relevant findings to help you maximize your clients’ potential when buying or selling a home.
Energy Star Dryers
One key trend to watch for in properties is an Energy Star rated dryer. Of all the various appliances with the Energy Star label, experts felt that the dryer made the biggest change in energy usage when switching to a more efficient model. This is due in part to the fact that dryers use nearly as much electricity as central air conditioning.
Home shoppers today are focusing more on the laundry room, as well as where it’s located and what it contains more so than they ever have before. An energy efficient dryer can have a big impact on monthly energy budgets.
Heat Pumps
When it comes to heating a home, the heat pump is the most recommended method of heating for providing consistent heat and energy savings. Heat pumps work by exchanging outside air for inside air. It extracts the heat energy from the air outside–even in cold weather–and transfers it indoors.
An electric heat pump is 50 percent more efficient that other forms of heating. It’s also the most frequently installed energy efficient heating system in homes today.
Day Lighting for the Kitchen and Living Room
While experts agree that the best way to save money on electric bills without reducing the amount of usage is to use LED lights, there are still important things to consider when looking at a home for sale.
Day lighting is an important component of reducing electricity. This has to do with how much natural light a room gets. The kitchen and living room are two spaces that use the most electricity. As such, it makes sense that home buyers may want to opt for homes that have sufficient natural light in these areas either through windows or skylights.
Tankless Water Heaters
While the heat pump is the most popular way to heat a home, a tankless water heater is the most popular method of heating water. Tankless heaters are installed inside the walls of a home, and heat the water as it’s being used. This is in contrast to a heater that is constantly maintaining the temperature of any gallons of water at a time. Households that use this method of heating water can expect to save $100 a year on their energy bills.
Heat pumps and tankless heaters are both popular, but hybrid heat pump hot water heaters tend not to perform as well universally. Tankless heaters can be installed in more places, and perform better in cold-weather climates in general.
Low Flow Fixtures in Full Bathrooms
Households use a lot of water each day when they aren’t using low flow fixtures to try to restrict this usage. Experts felt the place that made the biggest difference when installing these items is in full bathrooms.
This makes sense, as the full bathroom will include a tub and shower, as well as a sink and toilet. Installing low flow fixtures in full bathrooms can help reduce the load on the water supply.
Solar Panels
If home buyers are looking at homes with renewable energy sources, experts say that solar panels are by far the most popular method. Renewable energy is increasing everywhere, with millennial homeowners leading the biggest push into this sector. Experts also reported that millennials were the most likely to invest in cleaner energy sources, with Gen X taking second place.
Saving Energy Means Saving Money and the Environment
Homeowners and home buyers today are motivated to make energy-efficient changes in their homes due to the potential to save money as well as energy. More people generally aware of a need to protect the environment so it makes sense that protection coming from within the home ranks second place.
Homeowners and home buyers that want to maximize their potential in both these areas should seriously consider paying attention to these and other important trends in energy savings. While individually each of these factors may not save much, added together, they can have a significant impact on both the homeowner’s wallet, and their overall comfort inside the home.
Help your clients by pointing out these trends ,and how they can make them work to get better results for everyone involved.
To learn about the cost of household remodeling projects, visit the Cost Guides.
from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/xcEEwibZfYs/
Friday, April 5, 2019
Mixed Signals in Jobs Data Forces Bonds to Punt; Rates Back to Week's Lows
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/5/3864
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Jumbo Credit Access Benefits From Recent Drop in Rates; Big Risks With Tomorrow's Jobs Report
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/4/3862
Super Low Rates Had a Big Impact, But Now They're Moving Back Up
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/3/3860
Affordability Gripes' Effect on Prices; Race/Income Implications of Housing Bill; Rates' Comeback
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/2/3858
Low Rate Surge Over, But What's Next? Refi Pool Expanded Just in Time For Rate Spike
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/1/3856
Strong New Home Sales Report; White House on Housing Bill; Rates Bouncing?
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/3/29/3852
HUD Sues Facebook Over Housing Discrimination; Pending Sales Ebb; Guarding Against Rate Reversal
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/3/28/3850
Chicago-based Farmer's Fridge coming to Indianapolis
from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/73190-chicago-based-farmers-fridge-coming-to-indianapolis
Homes with Chef-Inspired Kitchen Features Sell for Up to 34 Percent More; Yet Millennial Buyers Pay Premiums for Pizza and Wine
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-04-Homes-with-Chef-Inspired-Kitchen-Features-Sell-for-Up-to-34-Percent-More-Yet-Millennial-Buyers-Pay-Premiums-for-Pizza-and-Wine
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Super Low Rates Had a Big Impact, But Now They're Moving Back Up
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/3/3860
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Affordability Gripes' Effect on Prices; Race/Income Implications of Housing Bill; Rates' Comeback
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/2/3858
Sale Prices Jump After Communities Named Opportunity Zones
from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2019-04-02-Sale-Prices-Jump-After-Communities-Named-Opportunity-Zones
Monday, April 1, 2019
Low Rate Surge Over, But What's Next? Refi Pool Expanded Just in Time For Rate Spike
from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2019/4/1/3856
The Top Energy Efficient Home Trends That Home Buyers Want in 2019
Article Submitted by Fixr.com
As the cost of energy continues to rise, many home buyers today are looking for homes that are going to be easier and less expensive to run long term. I’ts important to know the trends to look for, whether you’re helping a seller update their home prior to selling or you want to keep an eye out for the perfect property for a buyer. Not only would following these trends allow you to better advise sellers, it also can help you ecuate buyers on to what to look for.
Each year, the home remodeling site Fixr polls industry experts and leaders in their field to help determine some of the top trends in the home improvement industry through their Energy Efficient Home Design Trends report.
Here are some of the most relevant findings to help you maximize your clients’ potential when buying or selling a home.
Energy Star Dryers
One key trend to watch for in properties is an Energy Star rated dryer. Of all the various appliances with the Energy Star label, experts felt that the dryer made the biggest change in energy usage when switching to a more efficient model. This is due in part to the fact that dryers use nearly as much electricity as central air conditioning.
Home shoppers today are focusing more on the laundry room, as well as where it’s located and what it contains more so than they ever have before. An energy efficient dryer can have a big impact on monthly energy budgets.
Heat Pumps
When it comes to heating a home, the heat pump is the most recommended method of heating for providing consistent heat and energy savings. Heat pumps work by exchanging outside air for inside air. It extracts the heat energy from the air outside–even in cold weather–and transfers it indoors.
An electric heat pump is 50 percent more efficient that other forms of heating. It’s also the most frequently installed energy efficient heating system in homes today.
Day Lighting for the Kitchen and Living Room
While experts agree that the best way to save money on electric bills without reducing the amount of usage is to use LED lights, there are still important things to consider when looking at a home for sale.
Day lighting is an important component of reducing electricity. This has to do with how much natural light a room gets. The kitchen and living room are two spaces that use the most electricity. As such, it makes sense that home buyers may want to opt for homes that have sufficient natural light in these areas either through windows or skylights.
Tankless Water Heaters
While the heat pump is the most popular way to heat a home, a tankless water heater is the most popular method of heating water. Tankless heaters are installed inside the walls of a home, and heat the water as it’s being used. This is in contrast to a heater that is constantly maintaining the temperature of any gallons of water at a time. Households that use this method of heating water can expect to save $100 a year on their energy bills.
Heat pumps and tankless heaters are both popular, but hybrid heat pump hot water heaters tend not to perform as well universally. Tankless heaters can be installed in more places, and perform better in cold-weather climates in general.
Low Flow Fixtures in Full Bathrooms
Households use a lot of water each day when they aren’t using low flow fixtures to try to restrict this usage. Experts felt the place that made the biggest difference when installing these items is in full bathrooms.
This makes sense, as the full bathroom will include a tub and shower, as well as a sink and toilet. Installing low flow fixtures in full bathrooms can help reduce the load on the water supply.
Solar Panels
If home buyers are looking at homes with renewable energy sources, experts say that solar panels are by far the most popular method. Renewable energy is increasing everywhere, with millennial homeowners leading the biggest push into this sector. Experts also reported that millennials were the most likely to invest in cleaner energy sources, with Gen X taking second place.
Saving Energy Means Saving Money and the Environment
Homeowners and home buyers today are motivated to make energy-efficient changes in their homes due to the potential to save money as well as energy. More people generally aware of a need to protect the environment so it makes sense that protection coming from within the home ranks second place.
Homeowners and home buyers that want to maximize their potential in both these areas should seriously consider paying attention to these and other important trends in energy savings. While individually each of these factors may not save much, added together, they can have a significant impact on both the homeowner’s wallet, and their overall comfort inside the home.
Help your clients by pointing out these trends ,and how they can make them work to get better results for everyone involved.
To learn about the cost of household remodeling projects, visit the Cost Guides.
from
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2019/04/01/the-top-energy-efficient-home-trends-that-home-buyers-want-in-2019/