When the Alberta Court of Appeal reopened after a renovation in 2001 to make the building more energy-efficient, it didn't take 
long before occupants started noticing problems. Judges, lawyers, and others complained of fatigue, irritated lungs, and watery eyes. A professor of architecture asked to investigate the problem said that 'within a couple of weeks, we shut down the whole courthouse,' says reporter Umair Irfan. The retrofitting that had so thoroughly sealed the building 'helped cut energy costs but also trapped humidity inside that would otherwise have dried out in drafty air. Without adequate vapor barriers and ventilation, a toxic blend of mold grew in the walls,' Irfan explains. More education is needed in the building industry and among home owners on how to retrofit homes for greater energy savings. read more.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Home Prices to Stabilize
Home Prices to Stabilize
Inequality Marks Recovery; The Demand Institute, a non-advocacy, non-profit think tank jointly operated by the Conference Board and Nielsen, released Wednesday a new report entitled:
'A Tale of 2000 Cities: how the sharp contrast between successful and struggling communities.' 50% of communities studied are struggling to move forward, according to the report. 'Now, with prices firmer and the number of distressed or foreclosed properties down, the market is stabilizing. More homeowners are looking to sell than previously, so inventories will rise; that and the expected rise in mortgage rates and only tepid median household income gains will moderate future house price rises.' Learn more.
Inequality Marks Recovery; The Demand Institute, a non-advocacy, non-profit think tank jointly operated by the Conference Board and Nielsen, released Wednesday a new report entitled:
'A Tale of 2000 Cities: how the sharp contrast between successful and struggling communities.' 50% of communities studied are struggling to move forward, according to the report. 'Now, with prices firmer and the number of distressed or foreclosed properties down, the market is stabilizing. More homeowners are looking to sell than previously, so inventories will rise; that and the expected rise in mortgage rates and only tepid median household income gains will moderate future house price rises.' Learn more.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Boomerang' Buyers Get Another Chance at Homeowners
Boomerang' Buyers Get Another Chance at Homeowners
Boomerang Buyers Making Moves to Return to Home Ownership: Now that the worst of the foreclosure crisis is in the rearview mirror, former home owners who lost their #homes to a 
short sale or foreclosure are re-entering the #housing market.They've spent the last few years rebuilding their credit - and they're ready to buy again. Some boomerang buyers heading back to the housing market may find they have to make down payments of at least 20 percent to qualify for a loan, but others are finding opportunities to put down as little as 3.5 percent or 5 percent. The wait times for qualifying for a #loan can vary depending on the former home owners' circumstances. Read more
short sale or foreclosure are re-entering the #housing market.They've spent the last few years rebuilding their credit - and they're ready to buy again. Some boomerang buyers heading back to the housing market may find they have to make down payments of at least 20 percent to qualify for a loan, but others are finding opportunities to put down as little as 3.5 percent or 5 percent. The wait times for qualifying for a #loan can vary depending on the former home owners' circumstances. Read moreTuesday, February 25, 2014
Subprime Mortgages' Modest Comeback
Subprime Mortgages' Modest Comeback
Some subprime lenders that collapsed during the financial crisis are coming back into business with new nonprime loan offerings. Wells Fargo is looking to re-enter the subprime mortgage market by lowering its standards of acceptable credit scores for home borrowers. Subprime loans – mostly targeted to those with credit scores below 660. Learn more
Lenders are returning to the subprime market – although still at only a fraction of what subprime lending was before the mortgage crisis.
Some subprime lenders that collapsed during the financial crisis are coming back into business with new nonprime loan offerings. Wells Fargo is looking to re-enter the subprime mortgage market by lowering its standards of acceptable credit scores for home borrowers. Subprime loans – mostly targeted to those with credit scores below 660. Learn moreMonday, February 24, 2014
Spring Selling Season May Be Coming Early
Spring Selling Season May Be Coming Early
Want to Sell Your Home? If you're considering selling your home in 2014, now is the time to get ready. Not next month, not next week, not tomorrow. Right now. Why? Because buyers are already on the hunt. The Internet is the new curb appeal: Last month will likely be remembered for polar vortexes, widespread snow, and historic traffic jams. Lost in the shuffle is that while American's were sitting inside trying to stay warm, they were looking at houses for sale on the Internet. How to Prepare to Sell Your Home
Want to Sell Your Home? If you're considering selling your home in 2014, now is the time to get ready. Not next month, not next week, not tomorrow. Right now. Why? Because buyers are already on the hunt. The Internet is the new curb appeal: Last month will likely be remembered for polar vortexes, widespread snow, and historic traffic jams. Lost in the shuffle is that while American's were sitting inside trying to stay warm, they were looking at houses for sale on the Internet. How to Prepare to Sell Your Home Saturday, February 22, 2014
Good News for Rural Housing Programs
Good News for Rural Housing Programs
Rural Communities Protected Through 2020: More than 900 communities that were at risk for losing access to federal
rural housing programs are now protected through 2020. For the last three years, NAR has worked with Congress extend the eligibility of communities under a 40-year old definition of rural. Rural families face unique difficulties in finding access to safe, affordable mortgage financing and rental housing. See more on Rural Housing.
Rural Communities Protected Through 2020: More than 900 communities that were at risk for losing access to federal
rural housing programs are now protected through 2020. For the last three years, NAR has worked with Congress extend the eligibility of communities under a 40-year old definition of rural. Rural families face unique difficulties in finding access to safe, affordable mortgage financing and rental housing. See more on Rural Housing.Friday, February 21, 2014
Should Homebuyers Consider Renting?
Should Homebuyers Consider Renting?
House Payments Rise; RealtyTrac released a housing affordability analysis, noting an average 21 percent increase in
monthly house payments from a year ago. A potent combination of rapidly rising home prices and the often-overlooked but significant uptick in interest rates in the second half of 2013 caused the monthly cost of owning a home using traditional financing to jump substantially in many markets over the last year. Despite rising interest rates and increased activity from investors and cash buyers, buying a home is still cheaper than renting in most counties. Will Priceline for landlords determine your next rent?
House Payments Rise; RealtyTrac released a housing affordability analysis, noting an average 21 percent increase in
monthly house payments from a year ago. A potent combination of rapidly rising home prices and the often-overlooked but significant uptick in interest rates in the second half of 2013 caused the monthly cost of owning a home using traditional financing to jump substantially in many markets over the last year. Despite rising interest rates and increased activity from investors and cash buyers, buying a home is still cheaper than renting in most counties. Will Priceline for landlords determine your next rent?
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