How Home Sellers Should Prep to Get the Biggest Bang for their Buck

Tips for Home Sellers FNL

Home shopping season is quickly approaching, which means home sellers are busy cleaning, painting, decluttering, landscaping and deciding which other projects might reap the greatest reward given limited time and money. Their best bet – once the curb appeal projects are done, tackle the bathrooms, according to a new report from online real estate company…

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Rents Growth Accelerates After a Relatively Flat 12 Months

Rent Increase FNL

Across the U.S., rent growth is picking up its pace following a year of relatively stagnant appreciation, according to the latest quarterly Rent Report from apartment and home rental search platform HotPads. The U.S. median rent is $1,530 per month, up 3.1 percent from a year ago. Rent growth slowed in 2018, but appreciation has been on the rise…

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Five Tips for Homeowners to Prevent Home Flooding Disasters

Flood Tips FNL

North Carolina plumbing company Four Seasons Plumbing is offering strategies to prevent home and basement flood damage for flood safety awareness month. “Flooding is the most common natural disaster to occur, and the damage can be devastating for homeowners,” said Max Rose, owner of Four Seasons Plumbing. “Prevention is the best solution for homeowners to avoid…

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Cooling Market Provides New Opportunity for First-Time Buyers

First-Time Homebuyer FNL

First-time home buyers can expect an easier home shopping experience this spring, as market conditions shift in their favor, welcome news for buyers who have struggled to break into the market, according to a new report from online real estate company Zillow. Entry-level home values are growing at their slowest pace since mid-2016, giving first-time home…

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Over 7% of Workers Are In Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

Employment and Wages FNL (1)

Transportation and material moving occupations had employment of 10.2 million in May 2018, representing 7.1 percent of total national employment, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. How many of these jobs will automation kill? The largest transportation and material moving occupation was laborers and hand freight, stock, and material movers (2.9 million) and the…

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Auto Loan Interest Rates Hit 10-Year High, According to Edmunds

Auto Loan Interest FNL (2)

Car shoppers looking to get a break from rising interest rates didn’t find it in March, as the average interest rate on a new vehicle loan hit its highest level in a decade. According to the car shopping experts at Edmunds, the annual percentage rate (APR) on new financed vehicles is expected to average 6.36…

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Letting Customers Try Before They Buy Could Encourage Higher Online Spending

Trying Before Buying FNL

If there\’s one thing that drives \”brick and mortar\” retailers crazy, it\’s when people try things on in the store only to buy the item online afterwards. However, some new research suggests this practice may be beneficial, since it may lead to a bigger spend online. Global payments company Klarna has released new research into…

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Living with a Roommate Can Save Renters $515 a Month

Roommate Savings FNL

Renters can save $515 a month by sharing their home or apartment with at least one roommate instead of renting a one-bedroom unit on their own, according to the inaugural HotPads Rooms for Rent Index. Nationally, the median rent for a one-bedroom home or apartment is $1,320 per month. Meanwhile, the median asking rent for a single bedroom in…

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Alexa Moves into Your Fridge

Don't Get Smart FNL

Alexa, the Amazon-developed virtual assistant, will now be interacting with many home appliances. Sears has announced today more than 40 Kenmore smart appliances are now certified as Works with Alexa. The select Kenmore smart appliance models have received Works with Alexa certification, meaning they meet Amazon’s high bar for responsiveness, reliability and functionality. Customers who…

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