The demand for commercial real estate in the U.S. remains consistently strong despite considerable turbulence in foreign countries. In the wake of a slowing global economy, forward economic momentum in the U.S. should keep commercial real estate activity on firmer ...

Tagged with: Jim Woodard

Regardless of their age, consumers value smart technology features in current and future homes, it was revealed in a recent survey conducted by the HGTV network and ERA Real Estate on the state of smart-home technology. A wide variety of ...

Tagged with: Jim Woodard

This column recently focused on the trend of postponing marriage and childbirth to a later point in life as a factor in slowing our housing recovery. Another key factor is the current trend of adding roommates or others living in ...

Tagged with: Jim Woodard

Housing will enjoy a strong and healthy period over the next few years, according to industry leaders. A growing economy, rising household formations, low mortgage rates and pent-up demand will help single-family housing production to rev up in 2015, while ...

Tagged with: Jim Woodard

This is definitely not a marriage column, but current trends related to marriage and childbirth have a direct influence on home sales. The steep decline in the number of marriages in the U.S. among the population aged 25 to 29 ...

Tagged with: Jim Woodard

Attractive landscaping can significantly increase the “curb appeal” of a home. That can increase the market value of a residence and expedite its sale, it was revealed in a recent study. New research now shows that a home with upgraded ...

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A home that has a longstanding reputation as being haunted is a classic example of a stigmatized property. Other stigma examples might be a home where a high-profile person died or where an infamous crime took place. Selling these homes ...

Tagged with: haunted house Jim Woodard

While home sales in many markets remain sluggish, luxury homes seem to be the hot product in today’s housing picture. The high-end residential real estate market remains the strong point and plays a big role in the housing recovery. Nearly ...

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A good indication of our much-improved real estate market is the lower number of mortgage redefaults. Fewer borrowers are redefaulting on their modified mortgages, according to a new report by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Only ...

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Home values are rising, but at a very slow rate. And of course, prices are rising at varying rates in different locations throughout the country. This was particularly apparent in data reported in August. Home values rose more slowly than ...

Tagged with: August 2014 Jim Woodard