By DANIELGOLDSTEIN PERSONAL FINANCE REPORTER Plastic surgery might improve one’s looks. But so might a little makeup. When it comes to making your house more attractive to prospective buyers, home staging is definitely in the makeup category. What is home staging? Just like makeup, it’s an on-the-surface solution. Staging can help your place look its best during the sales period without the cost or expense of a renovation. For about $3,500 to $4,500 a month, the home you’re … [Read more...]
U.S. Home Builder Optimism Slipped in July
July 19, 2016 by
U.S. home builders said they lost a bit of confidence in July due largely to uncertainty over how the housing market will perform in the next six months, though they maintained a positive outlook overall as sales strengthen. The National Association of Home Builders said Monday its monthly index of builder confidence in the market for single-family homes slipped one point to 59 in July. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expected a reading of 60. Economists look at builder confidence because when … [Read more...]
Are We Entering A New Housing Bubble?
March 17, 2016 by
Home prices are rising too fast in much of the country. In Dallas and Denver, prices have surpassed their prior peak and have risen over the past two years by 18% and 20%, respectively. Similar gains were recorded in many Western cities, including Seattle and San Francisco, regaining most of the price declines during the bust years to reach very close to their prior peak. Nationwide , home prices have risen by 10% over the past two years, according to the Case-Shiller repeat price index, and by 13% in the median … [Read more...]
The Best Year for Sales Since the Housing Boom
January 27, 2016 by
The end of the year brought a sizable boost to existing-home sales, as delayed closings from new mortgage rules pushed some would-be November transactions to December, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Existing-home sales — which are completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops — rose 14.7 percent month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.46 million in December. Sales are now 7.7 percent above a year ago. That marks the best year of … [Read more...]
This Scottsdale hotel is getting a $22M makeover, making it the largest resort renovation in the city
January 19, 2016 by
Scottsdale's residents like to look as youthful and fresh as possible, and now a resort in the city is doing the same. Chaparral Suites in downtown Scottsdale is undergoing a $22 million makeover to become the Embassy Suites by Hilton. The massive cost of renovations makes the project the largest resort renovation in Scottsdale. No stone will be left unturned in the project. Every single aspect of the 15-acre area is getting redone, from the lobby to the guest rooms to the exterior. The renovation … [Read more...]
Our Economist’s Top Tips for Selling a Home in 2016
January 19, 2016 by
If you’re planning to sell your house this year, well, you’re in luck. “The 2016 housing market is forecasted to be mainly a seller’s market, filled with increasing home prices, relatively low inventory, and fierce competition between buyers,” says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com®. But you could still make missteps on the way to the bank. Yes, your house will likely sell, but when? Remember, time is money. “For sellers, it’s about understanding the ins and outs of their local market so they … [Read more...]
Ritz-Carlton project in Paradise Valley will cost $2B, feature largest pool in North America
January 19, 2016 by
After long deliberation, the Ritz-Carlton, Paradise Valley has been approved to be built by Paradise Valley Town Council. The property, under the management of Scottsdale's Five Star Development, is set to break ground in spring 2016 and to be finished by 2018. The project will cost an estimated $2 billion. The property's main feature will be the 200-room, 352,000 square-foot Ritz-Carlton hotel. One of the more notable pieces to the new Ritz-Carlton is the pool that will span more than 400 … [Read more...]
Tips for Tax-Savvy Homeowners
October 8, 2015 by
With nearly three months left in 2015, jumbo-mortgage borrowers can make tweaks to cut their tax bill in April Autumn chores: raking leaves, weatherproofing, storing the patio furniture and preparing for next year’s tax returns. With nearly three months left in the year, jumbo-mortgage borrowers still have time to make tweaks that can lessen what they owe in April. Here are some tips from tax experts—but be sure to consult a tax professional for specifics on your return. First, the tax rules are tricky for … [Read more...]
Millennials consider buying homes as rents get more expensive
October 8, 2015 by
While the Valley’s economy continues to improve, the housing market has lagged. “It’s been the one major missing piston in the whole economic recovery,” said Jim Huntzinger, chief investment officer of BOK Financial. “Housing has been slower than it almost ever has been coming out of any major recession.” And who do the experts blame? Millennials, mostly. Millennials, once labeled “the generation of renters,” have appeared to have no interest in buying homes – until now. “Partly, it’s the millennials (who) have … [Read more...]
5 housing projects breaking ground in Phoenix neighborhoods
October 8, 2015 by
Phoenix is in a building boom. Cranes dot the downtown skyline as construction crews transform lots on nearly every major street. Housing projects run the gamut from apartments to townhouses, from the central city to the suburbs. Some already are underway. Others will need more planning and approval before they break ground. Downtown A rendering of Alta Fillmore. (Photo: Wood Partners, LLC.) Project: Alta Fillmore. Developer: Wood Partners, LLC. Location: Fillmore Street and … [Read more...]
