Data & Research
Data & Research
Data & Research
Growth of solar power expected to cause PV shortage
The solar industry faces its first shortfall in eight years, and smaller installations could be put on hold as a result.
Data & Research
Researchers recommend new homes have safe rooms for tornado survival
Researchers recommend that tornado-prone areas adopt more robust design standards similar to those used by coastal regions to help homes survive hurricanes.
Data & Research
New-home sales rise 6.4 percent in April
Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 6.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 433,000 units in April, according to data from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Government
Study: Tax credits had little effect on housing markets
A new paper found that the average listing of home prices rose about $8,000 the month after the first major tax credits for the same amount went into effect, and they fell by slightly less than $9,000 two months after they expired.
Data & Research
Home ownership still goal for majority of Americans: N.Y. Times Poll
Almost 90 percent of Americans think owning a home is still an important part of the American dream, despite the current housing market.That's…
Economics
How the housing market can save the U.S. economy
Just as the U.S. housing market was the main culprit of the economic downturn, it is key to the recovery, writes Money Morning contributing editor Shah Gilani. Gilani presents a compelling plan to fix the housing market.
Economics
Moving rate lowest since WWII
Americans moved across states lines in 2010 at the lowest rate since World War II, according to Housing Predictor.
Financial
New year opens with more mortgage applications
Home buying activity is on the rise to open the new year. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that the number of applications for home mortgages crept up 2.2 percent last week. However, when the index isn’t adjusted for the New Year’s holiday, the numbers are 47.5 percent higher compared to the previous week.
Cabinets, Countertops & Hardware
7 trends in kitchen design
The recession has had a major impact on kitchen design. Gone are the ornate and formal styles with travertine marble flooring and intricate decorative trim. Clients today are moving toward cleaner-looking cabinet faces and richer, more rural themes. These are among the latest trends in kitchen design.
Customer Service
Survey Defines Custom-Built Home Demographics
New research by Custom Builder magazine provides insights into client profiles, home specifications, and top business challenges. Among the findings: homes are getting smaller, purse strings are tightening, and move-up buyers rule the market. Check out our full report.
Leadership
Snapshot of the custom-home market
Last month, the U.S. Census Bureau released the first batch of the freshly collected 2010 census data of the nation. The big news so far: The official resident population count increased 9.7 percent over the 2000 census to 308.74 million people (the slowest growth rate since the Great Depression), with most growth occurring in the South and West regions, led by Texas.
Financial
Study shows delinquent borrowers don’t always default on second mortgage
A study from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia shows that 20 percent of homeowners that go into foreclosure on their first mortgage continue to make payments on a second-lien mortgage. The story was reported by The Wall Street Journal.