News
News
Remodeling Spending To Tick Up Through Mid-2025
The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity report says things will trend up after a modest downturn
Business
Curbio Joins NAR As New Member Benefits Partner
National Association of Realtors members receive access to the Curbio home improvement platform
NAHB
NAHB Announces Action Plan for Housing Affordability
Six of the proposed 10 action items are important to residential remodelers
Home Improvement
Re-Bath Expands its Reach with New Franchise
The company signs a deal with brothers who are first-time franchisees
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ServiceMagic Report: Remodeling Requests Down in Third Quarter
ServiceMagic.com, a website that connects homeowners to prescreened, customer-rated contractors nationwide, released its annual Home Modeling & Repair Index for the third quarter of 2010. The company used its own data, plus surveys of service providers and consumers, to measure trends in home improvements.
Election Results Could Affect State-Led Foreclosure Investigation
The results of Tuesday’s elections could have a major effect on the 50-state probe into the country’s foreclosure issues. Two of the investigation’s key proponents, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and Florida Rep. Alan Grayson, lost their bids for re-election, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
U.S. Homeownership at Lowest in Over a Decade
The U.S. homeownership rate is at its lowest level since 1999, said a report by the Wall Street Journal. According to the Census Bureau, 66.9 percent of households owned their homes. In 1999, the rate was 66.7 percent.
Americans Less Likely to Spend on Home Improvement When Home Prices are Low
American homeowners may not spend significantly on home improvements in the near future, according to report by the Wall Street Journal. Americans tend to spend more on home improvement as home prices rise, since they are likely to see a return on their investments.
Project Spotlight: The Financials
When many contractors around the country are struggling to stay in business, Tod and Kristin Sakai have seen their three-year-old design/build company, Sockeye Homes, grow robustly. They expect Sockeye sales volume this year to nearly double 2009’s volume, reaching $2.5 million.
Project Spotlight: Home Remodel Right on the Money
Precise systems and good listening deliver dazzling project at a practical price
A New Voice for Remodelers in Washington
New NARI lobbyist Tom Sullivan talks about what he’ll be doing for the remodeling industry
Preparing Your Remodeling Company for Sale
Coming up with an exit strategy is never easy. What do you need to do to successfully sell your business? Professional Remodeler’s Jud Mostenbocker (who sold his own company to his son) talked to radio host and former remodeler Rosie Romero, who sold his firm in 2002 to a group of employees, and Chuck Solomon, who is preparing to sell his company.
Last Minute Mortgage Credit Checks Could Cause More Headaches for Borrowers
Fannie Mae’s new policy of running a last-minute credit check on borrowers during the last few weeks before closing a mortgage may cause added issues for consumers, according to a report by the New York Times. The guidelines, which were introduced this summer, aim to find out if borrowers changed jobs, applied for other loans or fell behind on bills, like appliances, in between applying for and closing on a mortgage. Freddie Mac has initiated similar guidelines, which will go into effect in February.
Mortgage Bankers Association Predicts Rise in Mortgage Rates
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) predicts that 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates will rise to 4.7 percent in the first quarter of 2011, and to 5.1 percent by the end of that year, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. Although the rates will rise, the group notes that a rate of 5.1 percent is still very low historically.The