
California home sales bounce back in December after temporary setback in November
- Existing, single-family home sales totaled 405,530 in December on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, up 9.6 percent from November and up 10.7 percent from December 2014. - December’s statewide median home price was $489,310, up 2.6 percent from November and up 8.0 percent from December 2014. - Sales of condos and townhomes were up 25.1 percent from November and were 10.2 percent higher than a year ago. LOS ANGELES (Jan. 15) – California existing home sales rebounded in


Which Renovations Are and Aren't DIY
DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2016 Your buyers like the house — mostly — but the closets could be reconfigured and the bathroom tile has to go. Are those DIY projects, or are they "DIFM" (do it for me)? In a new survey from the Home Projects Council, home owners reviewed a range of home improvements. Most said they would feel comfortable doing the projects in the first chart below, but for the second, it's best to have professional referrals ready. Home impr


Buyers Want a Playroom for the Kids
Having a playroom for kids is becoming an increasingly important factor in young families' home buying decisions, even more so than other traditional features, some real estate professionals say. "Buyers today — especially millennial buyers — want everyone to have a private space of their own to decompress under one roof, and the bonus room/playroom outweighs a large yard in their buying decision," Patty Blackwelder, a buyer's agent with Twins Selling Real Estate in Northern


More Americans Say It’s a Good Time to Sell
An improving financial picture prompted more consumers to say that they believe now is a good time to sell a home, according to Fannie Mae’s latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index, which capped off its strongest year so far. The share of consumers who reported their income was significantly higher than it was 12 months ago rose 9 percentage points on net in December. “Consumers ended the year on an improved note with regard to their income, job security, and overall economic ou


What's Hot, Not in Home Decor in 2016
The Wall Street Journal recently had interior designers weigh in on the top design trends likely to make a big splash in 2016 as well as what’s likely to fall out of style. Here are some design trends to keep in mind when staging your listings. What’s In Black metals: This metal was once reserved for outdoor furniture or bed frames, but not anymore. This unflashy metal is appearing as simple hardware, bathroom fixtures, and even flatware, British interior designer Martyn Lawr