About 14% of new home buyers—or one in seven—forgo a home inspection, a survey finds from Clever Real Estate. Buyers are more likely to hire a home inspector when purchasing an existing home.But new homes can turn up problems too.For those who did do an inspection, 65% said they uncovered issues with their newly constructed home. The majority of those problems were minor and did not delay closing. However, about a quarter—24%—of new
Refinishing hardwood floors is the remodeling project that pays back the most, recovering the highest percentage of its cost—147%—at resale, according to the 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, a joint study from the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.Home remodeling projects aren’t only offering a potential boost at resale; they’re also making homeowners happier. Painting a hom
Simple kitchen and bath improvements can leave home shoppers swooning over a listing, according to a new study by Knock, a site about homeownership.Homes are selling fast, but certain home updates can help them sell even faster. An updated home can sell an average of 30% faster than a home without improvements, the analysis shows.Knock compared the average days on the market for homes that are updated before being listed with those that sell
As the weather cools across the country, frozen pipes in homes or businesses are a growing risk. Pipes can freeze, swell, and crack, leaving owners with costly flood damage.Any pipe exposed to temperatures below 20°F for several hours runs the risk of freezing.The biggest areas at risk are unheated areas, such as in the basement, attic, garage, or crawl spaces, according to Emerson, a global technology, software, and engineering compan
Classic white remains the most popular color choice in kitchens, but homeowners continue to experiment with wider palettes for that room and other areas of the home.“With white kitchens, there’s never a risk of looking dated in a few years, while the sleek minimalistic feel is effortlessly complemented by dark counters or contrasting kitchen accessories,” says Living Cozy, a home design resource, which analyzed global search data about desi
Since the pandemic began, more homeowners have been adding plants inside their homes—a closer tie to the outdoors after being cooped up indoors more. Studies have suggested that the extra houseplants are making people better at their jobs and happier too.A recent study conducted by Cinch Home Services, a home warranty firm, found that people with five or more houseplants are more likely to indicate feeling satisfied with their jobs, productivit
As the homebuying and remodeling spree continues amid the pandemic, homeowners are showing they really care about what their home looks like. Google searches for “interior design styles” have increased 40% in the past week alone, according to a study from Uswitch, a mortgage comparison firm.Researchers analyzed more than 4 million pins across Pinterest to find which decor styles are the most desired across each room of a home and to determine
Several housing providers have recently faced lawsuits that allege the misuse of criminal histories in housing decisions. A recent “Window to the Law” video, posted at the National Association of REALTORS®’ website, highlights best practices in order to avoid a fair housing violation when factoring in criminal background checks.In Florida, up to 48 housing providers have been sued for alleged improper criminal background screening of
Take steps to protect the house during the colder months. A lot of times that starts with the gutters. Unkept gutters can wreak havoc on a home during winter. Leaf Home, a company that offers home solutions, offers the following winter checklist to help homeowners prevent seasonal damage to their home.Check your gutters for seasonal debris.Make sure to remove leaves that have fallen into your gutters and check that pests or small animals did not
More first-time buyers hope to transition from renting to owning in 2022. After a challenging 2021, many are looking ahead to the new year for an opening in the market—one where competition may not be as tight as it has been this year.Aspiring first-time buyers are already actively looking: 40% say they’re researching home values in their target neighborhood, 34% say they’ve researched the real estate process, 30% have talked to family and
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