Taking steps to reduce your electricity and energy use at home is a smart choice — and the good news is you won’t have to replace all your windows or move to a yurt do it. Here are a few quick and easy projects to get you started. 1. Insulate electrical outlets. Insulate the electrical...
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Real estate markets across the country are inching their way to a slow recovery after bottoming out, according to several real estate economists who spoke at a forum hosted by the National Association of Real Estate Editors. National Association of REALTORS®’ Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries, and National Association of Home...
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Buyers spend a lot of time looking at properties online, touring homes on the Sunday open house circuit and talking to their real estate agent. They’re laser-focused on finding the best home that meets their needs. The problem is, buyers sometimes don’t take the long view of a property. They’re only looking at a home...
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The green home is about to be upon us, in a big – or at least bigger – way. It may amount to one-third of the entire market by 2016, according to industry publisher McGraw-Hill Construction. Harvey Bernstein, the company’s vice president for industry insights and alliances and a civil engineer, explained how green has...
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Good news keeps rolling in on housing. Caveat: Improvement is relative. Prices still are stuck in the basement. Millions more foreclosures will hit the market in coming years. But with feet firmly on the ground, there’s no reason not to enjoy the spate of recent reports showing housing finally moving off the critical care list....
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NAHB recently unveiled an index that tracks housing markets on the mend, the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI). The IMI is intended to draw attention to the fact that housing markets are local and that there are metropolitan areas where economic recovery is underway. The index measures three readily available monthly data series that...
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Several housing experts are predicting that this year will be the last chance for homebuyers to cash in on the weak housing market. Buying a home may never get any cheaper than this. Several housing experts are predicting that this year will be the last chance for bargain hunters to cash in on the best...
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April 28th & 29th is National Open House weekend. More than 100,000 homes will be open across the United States and in more than 13 countries. Interest rates remain at record lows making it a fantastic time to buy a home. Join in the fun and stop by a Renaissance Homes open house this weekend!...
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The Ultimate Open House is back – for two exclusive weekend events starting on April 28/29 and May 5/6. It’s your chance to view more than 30 homes from 18 builders across the Portland market. Renaissance Homes has two entries into the Ultimate Open House, both Vintage style homes, in North Portland. Stop by for a...
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Reality check: greening up your home does not have to be a lifestyle downgrade. Over the last few years there are some rather fabulous, somewhat selfish perks to making green changes to your home and your lifestyle. Here are a handful of them, in honor of Earth Day. 1. Save Money Now. When it comes...
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