The first quarter of 2013 showed a slight drop in the rate of homeownership with a seasonally adjusted reading of 65.2%. Although it was a slight dip, it still marked the lowest reading since 1995 and a 4.2 percentage point drop from the 1994 high. Across all age groups, homeownership either remained flat or declined […]
Remodelers’ Confidence Dips in the First Quarter
According to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) recent survey of professional remodelers in 2013’s first quarter, conditions in the remodeling market have dropped. The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) that the NAHB derives from the survey dropped six points, while it had been trending up previous to this quarter. The RMI has experienced drastic […]
Eye on the Economy: Short-Term Ups and Downs for Housing
While the long-term trend for housing is improving, recent housing market data shows that there will still be challenges for home builders. Building lot availability, skilled labor availability, rising prices for building materials, economic developments, and policy developments are going to be particularly challenging. One example is that while housing is increasing, the percentage of […]
Indoor-Air Quality and Ventilation for Homes in Hot-Humid Climates
General opinion on ventilation is that the air inside a home is “dirty” and needs to be diluted with fresh air from outside in order to keep it clean. This article investigates this theory, with particular attention to homes in hot and humid climates, where the air outside might not seem so fresh in the […]
An Introduction to the Ecotastic World of Green Buildings
According to Rick Cook, a founding principle of the COOKFOX architecture firm in New York, building a new structure according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards is much like including a gym: it is not very expensive and there’s a good chance someone might want that feature. Because of this, green buildings […]
Energy Efficient Buildings
While energy efficiency has increased in popularity over the past few years, the true potential of optimal energy efficiency has yet to be realized. According to Trane, a global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services, groundbreaking innovations are constantly increasing the performance level of operating practices. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, high-performance […]
Highlights from the Kitchen and Bath Show
NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Show, held in New Orleans, offers a glimpse of the innovations manufacturers have produced the past year, including new fixtures, materials, and technology. One such innovation is a new wall-mounted toilet produced by Kohler that offers the owner several installation choices. Although there has been buzz for years about the practicality […]
Remodeling Forecast Looking Good
According to Michael Williams, VP of product marketing at Festpool, home improvement projects will total 400,000 through the third quarter and generate $20 billion in business for those in the industry. Williams wrote a paper entitled “The State of the Remodeling Industry Report 2013”, and delivered it at the JLC Live Conference in Baltimore. In […]
Was the Remodel Worth the Cost?
Home renovation projects can take a long time and create uncomfortable living situations. Is it worth the hassle? In terms of the quality of life, the answer is indubitably yes. There are other considerations, however, if the goal is to sell. According to research by Remodeling magazine, big bathrooms and luxury kitchens only recoup 60% […]
Some Ways to Improve Your Home Remodeling Experience
If you ever own your own home or building, chances are you will be hiring a remodeling contractor at some point. Even the best weekend warrior will eventually run into something that needs to be serviced by a professional. When hiring a contractor, make sure to check their credentials, such as a state license and […]