Even as real estate professionals across the country grapple with a persistent shortage of homes available for sale, some agents are facing a different kind of challenge: convincing buyers to consider existing properties when builders are briskly turning out new homes a short distance away.That’s the situation in the coastal South Carolina city of Myrtle Beach, where a strong supply of new homes is prompting many buyers to shun properties that
The decor scheme in a bedroom often gets personal, and that personality may be turning off some home buyers when it's time to sell. When listing a home, personal taste is best minimized, especially in bedrooms. Real estate and design experts offer their tips of design trends to avoid in bedroom decor:1. Bright paint colors: “Can we please get over the bright colors—pink, lime green—especially in kids’ bedrooms?” says Reba Haas, a real
Some cities are better than others to ride out your golden years. Bankrate.com examined costs, weather, health care, crime, taxes, and cultural amenities to determine the best 10 places to retire in the U.S. These states topped the list: New Hampshire Colorado Maine Iowa Minnesota Virginia Massachusetts South Dakota Wisconsin IdahoSource: “The 10 Best States for Your Retirement,” Bankrate.com (March 29, 2017)
About 99 percent of people living in the U.S. and Europe live under light-polluted skies. That is, they are unable to see the true darkness of the sky and, therefore, can’t see the Milky Way or struggle with stargazing, according to a study published in the journal Science Advances, “World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness.”About 15 towns and cities worldwide are adopting light pollution guidelines to preserve the night sky, most of
For the second consecutive week, average mortgage rates fell, lowering the borrowing costs of buyers."The 10-year Treasury yield remained relatively flat this week,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The 30-year mortgage rate fell 9 basis points to 4.14 percent, another significant week-over-week decline.”Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending March 30: 30-year fixed-r
In all the hustle and bustle of searching for a new home, it's easy to overlook how and where your car is going to live. But there are important factors for house-hunters to consider when it comes to their vehicles—namely those related to safety, security, and convenience—that may impact how they feel about potential homes or neighborhoods.Here are three handy tips that have cars so they can get the most out of their new place.1. Make sure th
An improv class is not just for comedians. It may help you better your sales and customer relationships. That’s why business professionals across the country are signing up for improv classes.“I believe improvisation and stand-up comedy classes can be a tremendous supplement to traditional sales training,” Troy Piekarski, an advocate for standup comedy training, told Forbes.com. “The quick thinking, engagement, and connection required hel
Homeowners today are focused on making changes to their front yards so they're markedly different from their neighbors' yards and easier to maintain, finds the 2017 U.S. Houzz Landscaping Trends Survey.Homeowners want their yards to look distinct. Only 6 percent of homeowners reported front yards that were nearly identical to those in the neighborhood after their outdoor project, compared to more than a third before the update (36 percent), the H
Spring sprang early in the housing market this year. The buying season’s annual start came about a month earlier than usual. Homes in March are expected to sell 22 days faster than last month, or in 69 days, according to realtor.com®’s latest data release.“Calendars might say this is the first week of spring, but we’re already right in the thick of the most frenzied spring home-buying season on record,” says Javier Vivas, manager of ec
Longtime Jersey City, N.J., homeowners say they’ve been harassed by real estate solicitations in recent months. They’re hoping the city’s new “No Knock” registry will put an end to the door knocks inquiring if they want to sell their home.The Jersey City Council recently unanimously passed a resolution creating an antisolicitation program, dubbed the “No Knock” registry. Residents who sign up will receive “No Knock” decals for t
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