NEW Single-Family Home sales - Biggest jump in 22 years

New single-family home sales see biggest jump in 22 years By Trey Garrison   Sales of new single-family houses in August 2014 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 504,000, up from July’s printing of 427,000, the fastest rate in six years and the biggest monthly jump since January 1992. Read more, click HERE! Interest Rates To Go Higher for ‘Right Reasons’ By Natalie Dolce   Interest rates could be pushed higher in 2015 though likely for the ‘right reasons’—an improving economy. Some cap rate increase but likely not enough to make much of a difference in real estate investment nor confidence.” That is according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Robert Sammons, regional director of research for the Americas. Read more, click HERE!

Homebuilder Confidence Hits Nine-Year High By Paul Bubny Homebuilders today are more confident in their sales expectations than they’ve been in nearly nine years. That’s the topline conclusion to be drawn from the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, released Wednesday. Read more, click HERE!   Top Tips for Keeping Home Appliances Humming Take care of your appliances and they’ll cool your house, cook your roasts, and wash your clothes for years to come. Here are some key tips for keeping your home appliances in tip-top shape. Read more, click HERE! Millennials Want Houses, Just Like Everybody Else By Peter Coy The proportion of homeownership among young adults has fallen from a third to a quarter over the past half-century. But the idea that today’s millennials are allergic to deeds and mortgages is a myth, says a report based on a survey of more than 1,000 Americans aged 18-29 by the ... Read more, click HERE! What Not to Do as a New Homeowner By John Riha   We know so well the thrill of owning your own house — but don’t let the excitement cause you to overlook the basics. We’ve gathered up a half dozen classic boo-boos new homeowners often commit — and give you some insight on why each is critically important to avoid. Read more, click HERE! Is the economic recovery real? 3 stats to watch By Patrick Gillespie There is so much data on the economy now, it is hard to figure out what is most important. Last week alone exemplified the flood of numbers: the Census Bureau, Federal Reserve and Labor Department released a variety of economic data points. Read more, click HERE!   Wine barrels get better with age as home decor pieces By Suzanne Sproul   Moses Briseno’s work is more than just about making a lamp, chair or table. His cask creations bring new life to retired wine barrels. Several of Briseno’s works greet visitors outside the tasting room at Galleano Winery in Mira Loma. Read more, click HERE!

Seller's Advice: Spend a Little, Raise The Price a Lot By Blanche Evans    Your real estate professional is probably advising you to declutter, stage your home, plant new flowers, and make numerous repairs and updates. You may be reluctant to get started because of the costs, but according to home valuation site HomeGain, improvements like these can actually make you more money when you sell your home. Read more, click HERE! Household’s Net Worth Hits Record High Recent gains in the stock market and higher home prices helped Americans’ net worth soar to a record high in the second quarter, according to a new report by the Federal Reserve. Net worth was up 1.7 percent during the quarter, reaching a record high of $81.5 trillion. Read more, click HERE! More Phoenix homeowners have equity now By Catherine Reagor Approximately 19.5 percent of the Valley's homeowners owed more than their house is worth as of June 30, down from 21 percent at the end of this year's first quarter. At the worst of the housing crash, more than 40 percent of metro Phoenix homeowners were underwater. Read more, click HERE! New technology could give thieves key to your door, literally Jeff Rossen and Charlie McLravy For decades, if you wanted your keys copied, you went to a hardware store or key shop in person. The only way a thief could get your keys was to physically steal them. Not anymore. Now cutting edge technology potentially allows crooks to open any door with no problem. Read more, click HERE!