Housing Market - 6 Expert Predictions for the Second Half of 2019 A. Yale - Forbes.com The year has so far been a promising one for would-be home buyers. The seemingly unending rise in home prices started to slow and mortgage rates dipped to unexpected lows. Both were good news for Millennials who—despite the never-settle-down stereotype—are yearning to become homeowners. Still, despite suggestions that a buyer’s market might be on the horizon, that dream has yet to be realized. … [Read more...]
Popular Contemporary Paint Color Guide
What to know about contemporary paint colors. From avocado green to millennial pink, trends in interior paint colors have come and gone. So how do you choose a color palette that looks fresh right now, but you’ll still love tomorrow? Find out in this exclusive interview with Sherwin-Williams color expert Sue Wadden. What defines a contemporary paint color for home interiors? Contemporary home design is all about the “now” and making a bold design statement. There’s currently a strong … [Read more...]
Florida Is the Big Winner as the Wealthy Move Out of Northern States
Roughly 5 million Americans move from one state to another annually and some states are clearly making out better than others. Florida and South Carolina enjoyed the top economic gains, while Connecticut, New York and New Jersey faced some of the biggest financial drains, according to a Bloomberg analysis of state-to-state moves based on data from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Census Bureau. Connecticut lost the equivalent of 1.6% of its annual adjusted gross income, as … [Read more...]
5 Signs You’re Ready to Buy a Vacation Home
You've just returned from a trip to the beach. You ask yourself: Why should I continue to pay rental fees when I could own a vacation home and rent it out? Unless you're fairly wealthy, you'll need to make sure you can commit to buying a seasonal home before you start shopping around. Here are five indications that you're ready to take the plunge: 1. You can afford one Can you afford to own a vacation home? If the answer to that question is yes, that's probably the most obvious sign that … [Read more...]
The Perfect Nature of Useppa
Have you ever wanted to live in the pristine heart of nature? Then Useppa Island should be your home. Located in the north sector of Pine Island Sound, 3 miles south of Boca Grand Pass, the Sound is a designated Aquatic Preserve. Florida’s highest ranking, it is one of six aquatic preserves that make up the Charlotte Harbor complex of preserves. The Gasparilla Sound-Charlotte Harbor Preserve is located just north of Useppa and extends easterly to Burnt Store and Punta Gorda. Wildlife Pine … [Read more...]
Next Recession in 2020? What Will Be the Impact?
Economists and analysts know that the country has experienced economic growth for almost a decade. They also know that a recession can’t be too far off. A recent report by Zillow Research shed light on a survey conducted by Pulsenomics in which they asked economists, investment strategists and market analysts how they felt about the current housing market. That report revealed the possible timing of the next recession: “Experts largely expect the next recession to begin in 2020.” That timing … [Read more...]
Homes More Affordable Today Than 1985-2000
Homes More Affordable - Rising home prices have many concerned that the average family will no longer be able to afford the most precious piece of the American Dream – their own home. However, it is not just the price of a home that determines its affordability. The monthly cost of a home is determined by the price and the interest rate on the mortgage used to purchase it. Today, mortgage interest rates stand at about 4.5%. The average annual mortgage interest rate from 1985 to 2000 was … [Read more...]
Rising Home Values in Lee County
Taxable property values in Lee County increased by more than 6 percent last year, according to figures released Tuesday by the Lee County Property Appraiser. But the total value of property in the county is still about $10 billion behind what real estate was worth a decade ago, right before the Great Recession. Fort Myers had the highest percentage increase of the municipalities with almost 8.1 percent, closely followed by Cape Coral's 7.9 percent. San Carlos Fire District's 9.4 percent … [Read more...]
A Look at Projected Home Values Over the Next 5 Years
Today, many real estate conversations center on home values and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment & market strategists about where they believe prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number. The results of their latest survey: Home values will … [Read more...]
Is This the Year to Move Up to Your Dream Home?
Buying a Dream Home - It appears that Americans are regaining faith in the U.S. economy. The following indexes have each shown a dramatic jump in consumer confidence in their latest surveys: The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index National Federation of Independent Businesses' Small Business Optimism Index CNBC All-America Economic Survey The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Survey It usually means good news for the housing market when the country sees an … [Read more...]