Category Archives: Real Estate

Can you say, ‘bidding wars?’ They’re back!

Posted on April 10, 2013 by trevorspear

Seemingly overnight, many of the nation’s major housing markets have gone from stagnant to sizzling, with for-sale listings spurring bidding wars among a large number of house hunters. CNN/Money‘s Les Christie reports. Read More

Posted in Home Building, Real Estate, Warranty Service | Leave a comment

Jobs report underwhelms: 88,000 jobs, 7.6% Unemployment Rate

Posted on April 9, 2013 by trevorspear

Get ready for gloom-and-doomers to have their day. The Bureau of Labor Statistics March employment report came in this morning, with underwhelming tallies: 88,000 new jobs created (vs. expectations of nearly 200k), and a 7.6% unemployment rate that reflected more … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate, Warranty Service | Leave a comment

Severe Housing Cost Burdens Found in Every State

Posted on March 22, 2013 by trevorspear

There are only 30 affordable rental units available for every 100 extremely low-income (ELI) renters, and just 57 affordable and available rental units for every 100 very low-income households, according to a new report by the National Low Income Housing … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate, Warranty Service | Leave a comment

HOT, THEN NOT…

Posted on March 21, 2013 by trevorspear

Optimism continued to drive investors last week. By Thursday, the Dow had stayed hot posting gains 10 days in a row, while  the S&P 500 moved to within three points of an all-time record close. Things simmered down on Friday when … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Building, Real Estate, Warranty Service | Leave a comment

JOLTS: Rising Job Openings in Construction

Posted on March 14, 2013 by trevorspear

Recent government employment data suggest a pickup in construction sector job openings over the last half year. While consistent with the uptick in construction sector activity, particularly in home building, the data reflect only modest increases in employment thus far. … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Building, Real Estate, Warranty Service | Leave a comment

Why Homeownership Still Matters

Posted on March 13, 2013 by trevorspear

While the Great Recession raised questions about the concept of homeownership, challenging its role as a fundamental piece of the nation’s social fabric, it continues to be synonymous with the American Dream and a gateway to the middle class, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Building, Real Estate, Warranty Service | Leave a comment

The LED price tag tipping point is here

Posted on March 12, 2013 by trevorspear

For years, the promise of affordable LED light bulbs has inched closer. But it’s remained out of reach–until now. General-purpose LEDs from Cree and Philips are hitting the market at under $10, a price tag that could give the energy … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate, Warranty Service | Leave a comment

What’s in Your Product?

Posted on March 11, 2013 by trevorspear

Vision 2020 Materials + Products chair Tom Lent is currently spearheading the Healthy Building Network’s Pharos Project, working to create an online catalog tool to help developers identify and evaluate hazardous content in building products and materials. He recently participated in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Building, Real Estate, Warranty Service | Leave a comment

Set Yourself Up for Success

Posted on March 9, 2013 by trevorspear

When my three daughters were little and they used to say “I can’t,” I would reflexively and repetitively respond the same way every time: “Yes you can. All you have to say is, ‘I can do it, but I need … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Building, Real Estate | Leave a comment

Building a 100% Made in America House

Posted on March 8, 2013 by trevorspear

There were two things Anders and Jake Lewendal couldn’t put in their all-American-made house because they couldn’t find any that were manufactured in the USA.   “A microwave and a doorbell,” recalled Jake Lewendal. “But our clients couldn’t have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Building, Real Estate, Warranty Service | Leave a comment