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Home Technology

Smart Homes Are Going to Get a Lot Smarter

Andrew Weinreich is bullish on smart-home technology and its potential for making our lives easier. His podcast series, “Predicting Our...

Structural

Elevated Slab Helps Keep Foundation Stable

Tella Firma Foundations has developed and patented an elevated slab foundation system that combines the efficiency of a slab foundation with the protection of a pier-and-beam foundation

Exterior of home by Ron Davis Custom Homes

Market Data + Trends

Coastal Areas Top Ranking of Healthiest Cities in the Country

San Francisco was recently listed as the healthiest U.S. city overall, scoring best in the food and green space categories. Seattle was a...

Trends

Home Loans Requiring Minimal or No Down Payment Are Becoming Popular Again

Alternative mortgage loan programs requiring little-to-no down payment, including zero-down, piggyback loans, and grants are becoming...

Financing

Rising Mortgage Rates Will Not Curb Demand, Experts Say

Mortgage rates are at a two-year high, which may impact the buying patterns of first-time homebuyers, though experts do not expect it will...

Market Data + Trends

Smaller Home Sizes May Signal Starter Home Market Growth

New single-family home sizes continue to trend downward, according to Census data from fourth quarter 2017. The National Association of Home...

Trends

Study Says Starter Home Equity Growth Is Leading Most Markets

Starter homes, typically the most affordable homes on the market, have seen an 8.5 percent gain in value over the past year, the biggest...

Market Data + Trends

High-Paid Tech Employees Are Getting Priced Out of Bay Area

According to a study by Open Listings, software engineers at Apple, Google, and Facebook, would have to pay more than 28 percent of...

Trends

Developer Says Overbuilt Luxury Market, Lack of Affordable Units Is 'a Tale of Two Cities'

Construction costs are hitting record highs, and developers say they can't afford not to build luxury rental units, even though that market...

Codes + Standards

This Week's Codes and Standards, February 12

Budget provisions for disaster mitigation, L.A. City Council's measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and appraisal professional corps recruitment

Home Builders Institute's Schools to Skills Grant Application Open Through December

As Mortgage Rates Rise, Buyers Lose Purchasing Power

Renters Are Choosing Single-Family Homes for These Features