Rod Troch/flickr/2010 Winter in Chicago is cold, dark, and depressing. How can we get through it without losing our minds? By embracing Hygge. Hygge (hoo-gah) is a Danish word that encompasses coziness and comfort and hominess and being with friends. The Danes are noted as the happiest nation in the world, so they must be… Continue Reading How to Hygge
A year after TRID, lenders show signs of growing optimism. The TRID or the Know Before You Owe rules were implemented in October of 2015 and indented to streamline and safeguard consumers in the closing process. Delays and closing times leapt in the wake of the change, but eased to a lower, but elevated plateau.… Continue Reading Lenders Rounding Home on TRID
Existing home sales rose 0.7 percent in November from one month prior while new home sales increased 5.2 percent. These headline figures are seasonally adjusted figures and are reported in the news. However, for everyday practitioners, simple raw counts of home sales are often more meaningful than the seasonally adjusted figures. The raw count determines… Continue Reading Raw Count of Home Sales (November)
By Justin M. Riordan, Spade and Archer Design Agency There is good staging. There is bad staging. I mean, like really bad staging. In an industry with no regulations, no standardized accreditation system, and tons of “hobbyist professionals”, one gets what one pays for. The problem here is not if that inexperienced or bargain basement… Continue Reading 5 Staging Props You Need to Stop Using … Now!
After moving up in four consecutive months at the national level, housing affordability is down 1.1 from last month and down from a year ago. Mortgage rates increased to 3.82 this November and current home shoppers may want to lock in at current rates before they rise again. Housing affordability declined from a year ago… Continue Reading November 2016 Housing Affordability Index
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January and marks the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This holiday is also recognized as a day of service, and is an opportunity to serve your community. Based on data from the 2016 Member Profile and 2016 Firm Profile we… Continue Reading Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2017
The second round of the NFL playoffs kicks off this weekend with some very intriguing match-ups. Last fall we looked at who would be the World Series champion if the winner was determined based on the home price movements of each team’s city. Of the four potential outcomes, the Cleveland Indians made it all the way… Continue Reading Predicting the Winner of Super Bowl LI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sharon Delia (803) 772-5206 South Carolina REALTORS® release December market reports COLUMBIA, S.C. (January 13, 2016) -- South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR) today released its December housing market data indicating that the inventory trend continued through the year's final month of the last quarter. Other continuing trends in year-over-year comparisons include a… Continue Reading South Carolina REALTORS(R) release December market reports
History, hacking, fast food, technology, home ownership, hygge, organization, Angel Shot, and cookies. Our DC office is going to feel the crush of inauguration next week. Maine College is unveiling rare photographs of a historical inauguration soon. In addition to being cheesy, giving the peace sign in pictures is now a security threat? Fred Miller/flickr/2010… Continue Reading What We’re Reading: January 9-13
Friday the 13th is generally considered one of the unluckiest days in western culture. In fact, the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute estimates that $700 million to $800 million is lost in business revenue as so many people are wary of making large purchases or decisions that day for fear of a bad outcome.… Continue Reading Friday the 13th and Other Superstitions