The average annual salary for a full-time worker in the U.S. reached a record high in November, soaring to $69,181, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports. That marks a 3.4% increase from a year ago.Higher salaries, along with low mortgage rates, may help give the housing market a boost. The economy is performing strongly, with more than 2 million jobs created in the past year, Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of R
More than 30% of homeowners say the floors are what they dislike most about their properties, according to a survey conducted by online loan marketplace LightStream. New flooring may even increase a home’s value, Dan DiClerico, an expert with HomeAdvisor, told realtor.com®. “Putting down new flooring is a smart investment,” DiClerico says. “But more importantly, it can dramatically transform the look and feel of the home, while making it
Living room layouts enabling greater social interaction, as well as design accents like built-ins, were big trends this year. Houzz, a popular home remodeling site, recently rounded up the living room and family room photos uploaded to its site this year that the highest number of users saved.1. Shiplap: Add visual interest with shiplap to a wall otherwise overtaken by a large flat-screen TV.2. All about built-ins: Add organiz
The interest rate for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.9% for 2019, the fourth lowest annual average since 1971, according to Freddie Mac. For 2020, Freddie’s outlook mirrors that of the real estate industry’s top economists, who discussed their predictions at the National Association of REALTORS®’ first-ever Real Estate Forecast Summit earlier this month: Low mortgage rates and an improving economy will help drive
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Off-trend may become the new trend in interior home design in the new year. Bigger, bolder statements are coming in favor over all-white or neutral interiors. Forbes.com recently interviewed interior and furniture designers to find out the hottest looks they expect to emerge over the next decade.Statement lighting. Lighting fixtures aren’t just for brightening a room; they also make a bold statement. You don’t need to add in extra wiring
More home shoppers purchased newly constructed homes in November, bringing new-home sales to their best three-month performance since 2007, the U.S. Commerce Department reported Monday. Economists credit low mortgage rates, low unemployment, and strong income growth for the sales uptick.Sales of new single-family homes increased 1.3% to an annualized pace of 719,000 in November. “Fueled by the limited number of resales available for purchase, l
A regular inspection of the chimney not only can ensure your fireplace is venting properly but also protect you against a house fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.During the holidays, chimney businesses notice an uptick in service calls. These businesses use wire and nylon brushes to clean creosote buildup out of chimneys. Creosote, a byproduct from burning wood, is highly flammable and can increase the risk of a house fire if it’s not reg
Americans are boosting their credit scores, which bodes well for applicants seeking a mortgage to snag the lowest rates. The average credit score hit its highest level since 2011, reaching 682--two points higher than a year ago, Experian reports in its State of Credit report. Consumers also are taking on more mortgage debt than a year ago, and delinquency rates are decreasing too.“We’re seeing a promising trend in terms of how Americans are m
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.73%, unchanged from a week ago, Freddie Mac reports.“The economy continued to pick up momentum with a solid increase in residential construction, improvement in industrial output in our nation’s factories and a rise in job openings,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While the economy is in a sweet spot, improvements in housing market sales volumes will be modest heading into nex
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