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Consumer Confidence Hikes in August

Despite the August increase in overall confidence, respondents’ appraisals of current conditions and expectations for the next six months were mixed. While 82 percent of respondents rated current business conditions “good” (23 percent) or “normal” (59 percent), 56 percent of respondents characterized employment conditions as “jobs not so plentiful.” The remaining 44 percent were split […]
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Market Shifts to Buyers’ Advantage

Recent stock market volatility and seasonal trends may give buyers better financial options and more time to make purchase decisions entering the fall, says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com. August data remains positive with regard to overall housing health as both demand and supply continue to grow. According to realtor.com®’s ‘Advance Read of August Trends,’ which […]
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HUD and FHA Urge Buyers to Have Homes Inspected before Purchase

For the first time, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has asked the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) to give information to prospective home buyers that explains: Why a buyer should get a home inspection How appraisals are different from home inspections Why the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) does not guarantee the […]
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Great Spaces: ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ Home Hits the Market

Movie buffs – this one’s for you! The home portrayed in Jonathan Demme’s crime-horror film “The Silence of the Lambs” is now up for sale! In the film, the property was home to one of the movie’s main villains, Buffalo Bill, who lured and trapped women to his creepy dungeon for horrific reasons that we […]
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10 Quick Checks a Year Can Keep Your Home in Top Condition

If you live in cold weather, fall is when you put in the storm windows. If you live in a warm climate, summer is when you step up the pool maintenance. No matter where you live, however, checking on – and maintaining – 10 areas of your home each year is one good way to […]
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4 Ways to Tell How Fast Your Home Will Sell

Selling a home can be an unpredictable pursuit with a plethora of variables. Here are data-driven pointers from Zillow Research that help identify which homes are likely to fly off the market (in 60 days or less): Keep calm and price it right. The housing market is improving, but take care not to overheat your listing price. Homes priced more […]
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10 Steps to Prepare for a Remodel

Although National Home Improvement Month is behind us, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) advises homeowners of the 10 most important steps to take before the remodeling project starts. “The planning and researching phases of a project are the most critical steps in the remodeling process,” says Judy Moze, CR, GCP, NARI National […]

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Construction Curveball? Don’t Forget the Change Order

(TNS)—It’s just a piece of paper, often only one sheet, and different companies write it up different ways. Yet when needed, the change order could prove the only thing that stands between you and hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of misunderstanding—or worse, unauthorized work that inflates the price of a project. This addendum to […]

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Construction Curveball? Don’t Forget the Change Order

(TNS)—It’s just a piece of paper, often only one sheet, and different companies write it up different ways. Yet when needed, the change order could prove the only thing that stands between you and hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of misunderstanding—or worse, unauthorized work that inflates the price of a project. This addendum to […]

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Ask the Expert: How Can Homeowners Encourage Pool Safety?

Today’s “Ask the Expert” column features Charles Furlough, Vice President of Field Operations with Pillar To Post Home Inspectors. www.pillartopost.com Q: Now that the weather’s heating up, how can homeowners with young children encourage pool safety? A: Summertime brings great weather, and with it, backyard activities for the whole family. But yards, like any other […]