Whether a reimagined form or an entirely new structure, these great triumphs of contemporary architecture are sure to surprise, seduce, and inspire!
Category Archives: Home Owners
Home Prices in 20 U.S. Cities Climb by Most in Seven Years
Home prices in 20 U.S. cities rose in October from a year ago by the most in more than seven years, signaling the real-estate rebound will keep bolstering household wealth in 2014.
The S&P/Case-Shiller index of property prices in 20 cities climbed 13.6 percent from October 2012, the biggest 12-month gain since February 2006, after a 13.3 percent increase in the year ended in September, a report from the group showed today in New York. The median projection of 22 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 13.5 percent advance.
A dwindling inventory of foreclosed properties has helped restrict the supply of homes for sale, pushing up prices even as higher mortgage rates cool demand. The real-estate market will probably get its next boost from gains in employment that are lifting consumer confidence in the economic expansion.
Home Design and Remodeling Trends For 2014
The end of the year brings many things. Special time spent with family and loved ones. Presents from Santa. The promise of a fresh start. And, if you’re like us, an insatiable desire to change up your environment by updating it with the latest trends.
If you are feeling the pull toward renovating, redecorating, or revising your home for 2014, here are some exciting trends you may want to incorporate.
Think Color in 2014
Gray is the new black; reclaimed wood and porcelain floors are made for walkin’; and wireless is controlling sound, window shades, TV, and more.
Whether it’s based on fashion, the economy, new technologies, or the overall mood of the country, home design trends come and go — sometimes slowly and sometimes lickety-split. But as with apparel, some trends become classics and remain strong — a Barcelona chair, for instance — while others go out the window (think avocado and harvest gold kitchen appliances).
More than 3 million homeowners have regained positive equity this year
Since the first quarter of 2013, more than 3 million homeowners have regained positive equity, as home prices have shot up, CoreLogic reported.
In the third quarter, 791,000 more residential properties moved into positive equity, the data aggregator said. But CoreLogic reported that there were still 6.4 million homes with underwater mortgages remaining, or 13 percent of all properties with a mortgage. That’s down from 14.7 percent in the second quarter.
Decorating Ideas to Eliminate Blank Wall Space
There’s nothing more stark or empty looking than a blank wall. Before you start buying and hanging art, check out these simple design ideas and art hanging how-to’s.
Warren Buffett: Top 3 Investing Mistakes to Avoid
Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor with the Midas touch, has a message for Main Street stock investors: “Don’t beat yourself.”
“The nice thing about investing in stocks is that, over time, equities are going to do well,” Buffett tells USA TODAY. “American business is going to do well. America is going to do well. So you have the tide with you.”
Building wealth in stocks is still the way to go, even though the ride can get bumpy from time to time, Buffett, 83, says.
Winter Preparedness
Cold nights and reports of snow are signs that winter is just around the corner. Prepare now to avoid problems related to winter weather, both at home and at work.
- Examine window frames for rot or decay and replace framing as necessary to maintain structural integrity. For older windows, check, repair and replace window glazing that has failed in order to prevent glass from falling out.
- Trim overgrown branches back from structures and electrical wires to prevent iced-over or wind-swept branches from causing property or power problems. Take care when removing overgrown branches so they do not contact the electrical wires!
- Inspect the flue system of any fireplace or wood-burning stove to ensure it is clean. If needed, have a flue professional inspect for build-ups of soot or creosol and clean if necessary.
- Weatherize machinery by cleaning off mud, grass, etc. Add a gasoline stabilizer to equipment that will not be run over the winter.
- Ensure vehicles have full reservoir of anti-freeze windshield washer fluid and ensure that your engine’s coolant can protect the system down to -40 degrees F.
- Make sure tires are in good condition with adequate tread have the battery checked to ensure that it will work during the coldest of winter months.
- Keep a blanket, water, non-perishable food, hand warmers, and a first aid kit in your vehicle in case you become stranded and/or injured. Make sure that you also pack a 12-volt cellphone charger that can keep your cellphone working.
- Move shovels or other snow removal equipment in places for ease of access before any impending storm.
- Ensure an ample supply of ice melt or sand on hand for steps, sidewalks and driveways, and keep a bag in your vehicle also.
Save Big Bucks on Your Taxes
We’ve been looking at the new IRS regulations on how to classify repairs and improvements for tax purposes. The voluminous regulations contain some things that are pretty good for owners of residential rentals and commercial properties, and some things that aren’t so good.
Among the good things is a safe harbor for materials and supplies. An expense for any property that comes within this safe harbor may be currently deducted.
Exactly what are materials and supplies? Find out…
A Rental Management App for Small-time Landlords
Pendo Rent, a rental management software application for landlords with just a handful of properties to keep track of, launched earlier this month, with the ability to collect and track online payments, create to-do alerts and manage finances.
The Vancouver-based firm is targeting “citizen landlords,” those property owners who want a simple, organized way to manage tenant applications, and maintain tenant profiles, advertising and other aspects of renting a property.
Managing The Real Estate Details 