Since the recession, many consumers are looking to increase the value of their homes and reinvest in their properties, driving up demand in a variety of industries in the home improvement sector. Notably, franchises in this sector fared slightly better than their non-franchised counterparts during the downturn, primarily due to increased brand recognition. Thus, as...
As the economic recovery continues to build, Americans are again able to consume and invest; and with recent reports from the U.S. Census Bureau noting 34 percent of American households are rental units, investors are taking notice and rushing to reap benefits of placing investment funds in single- and multi-unit residential property. “Investor demand for...
Homeowners frequently see their heating bills rise as fall begins and the weather cools. For this reason, homes with energy efficient and environmentally friendly features are often a priority to prospective buyers. According to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2012 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, nearly nine out of 10 recent home buyers said...
Thinking about building a new home, weighing the pros and cons of building versus buying, or simply curious about the building process? The 2012 Survey of Construction (SOC) from the Census Bureau shows that on average it takes about 7 months from obtaining a building permit to completing a new single-family home. Looking at the...