Investors shifted their focus back to the Midwest this year, according to a new report released by HomeUnion, an online real estate investment and management firm.HomeUnion analyzed two years of sales data on single-family rental properties nationwide to find the most popular markets with investors this year. Metros located in the Midwest dominated its top 10 list, with Chicago in the top spot.“The list highlights the growing popularity of Midw
Experts predict the advent of autonomous cars will radically change homes and towns alike. By 2021, major automakers, like Ford, Volvo, and BMW, are planning to manufacture either fully autonomous vehicles or ones capable of navigating highways on their own. Some automakers are debuting systems even sooner.Private vehicles that usher you to and from work without stop-and-go traffic may become the new way of life. You can work during your commute
Hardwood flooring is dominating the main living areas of new homes, and engineered hardwood has been particularly catching on over the past decades, according to the latest surveys from Home Innovation Research Labs.Engineered hardwood floors are made up of layers: the top and bottom layers are natural wood, but the middle contains a core of plywood. It’s known to be a more quick, fuss-free installation than solid hardwood.Hardwood has become t
With inventories so tight, some home buyers may be giving a fixer-upper home a second thought. The price point and location may attract more buyers to bite, even though the home itself may need some TLC. But how do you tell a hidden gem from a hidden mess when shopping for a fixer-upper?Paul Skema, president of the architecture and construction firm Roth Design + Build, and Jean Brownhill, founder of Sweeten, an online contracting service, recent
A new study from insuranceQuotes has identified the top three biggest risks to homes this holiday season: porch pirates, decoration vandals, and house fires. The survey was based on responses of more than 1,000 consumers.“During the holidays, certain crimes and home hazards increase,” says Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst at insuranceQuotes. “Homeowners need to take precautions and make sure they have the right insurance to protect
Capture your clients’ hearts with cutting-edge closing gifts and smart home tipsFull disclosure. I am a complete, total tech geek. My first big tech purchase was the hot “personal digital assistant” Palm VII way back when I was 19 years old.Some of you reading this probably have no idea what that is, but imagine if a GameBoy had apps, really, really slow internet connection and managed your calendar. That’s pretty much what the Palm VII w
'It looks like the end of the world' reports real estate agent in Malibu, as Skirball fire spreadsReal estate agents of the wealthy Los Angeles Bel-Air neighborhood were watching homes and blocks of streets they know well go up in flames from their living room TVs this morning.What’s being called the “Skirball” fire for its location near the Skirball Cultural Center is covering 150 acres in Los Angeles–a separate blaze from the “Thomas
Nearly 24 percent of new single-family homes in 2016 included decks, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from the National Association of Home Builders. The percentage is up slightly from 23.3 percent in 2015.New England and the East South Central region of the U.S.—which includes Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Alabama—are showing some of the biggest upticks in single-family homes with decks. Perhaps unsurprisingly,
More cities are requiring home energy scores to be shared with home buyers. This information allows consumers to learn how much energy a home will use, what that energy will cost them, and how efficient the home really is.Portland, Ore., is the latest city to require a Home Energy Score for most home sales, joining other cities like Berkeley, Calif., and Austin, Texas. These scores, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, are being included o
Cybersecurity risk will certainly grow in 2018, warns Christopher Skinner, CEO of technology security firm SpiderOak. “We trust our devices and systems to drive our cars, deliver vital medical treatments, and protect our homes and supply chains, but these have never been more insecure,” he says.Here are some of the most pressing cybersecurity threats to businesses in the new year, according to SpiderOak:Software updates: The new Trojan horse.
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