Homes this year have transformed into playgrounds, classrooms, home gyms and offices. As a home owner, to address those needs, you are likely increasing your energy usage. Energy or “green” mortgages can offer home owners and home buyers opportunities to purchase homes that utilize energy-efficient technologies through mortgages that permit higher debt-to-income ratio requirements.  Higher home energy costs can translate …

Despite the toll the pandemic has taken on many industries, housing has been a bright spot for the U.S. economy, particularly for single-family home construction. New single-family home sales, a measure of U.S. home building, increased 13.9 percent in July representing a 13-year high. However, lumber prices have also reached record highs, jeopardizing housing affordability across the country. Without federal …

Career paths and plans have changed for many Americans in 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19. The pandemic has led to significant job losses across multiple industries nationwide. However, the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows residential construction hiring was up more than 300,000 in the last two months. In the United States, women make up …

The Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders Supports Increased Workforce Development Opportunities for Women to Help Address the Home Building Labor Shortage According to labor force statistics from the Current Population Survey and analyzed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the share of women in the construction industry is currently at 9.86 percent, although women make up …

In a connected world, working outside a traditional office is now a viable option for employees across the country. According to recent U.S. Census data approximately eight million people work from home. If you work from a home office, it is important to create a separate space for productivity with minimal distraction. One of the benefits of a home office …

Social distancing this summer may be a barrier for having visitors at your home. There are some guests, however, that you should never allow into your home — pests such as ants, roaches, rats, and termites. Not only are pest infestations a nuisance, its critical to protect your family from disease due to food contamination and your property from damage …

If you’re a first-time home buyer who has just finished the closing process, you might be wondering what you should do as soon as you move-in. Maybe it’s unpacking or gathering new design ideas to make the home your own. Before settling in, there are a few tasks you should consider completing to help keep your home comfortable and family …

Home owners have transformed their living spaces into classrooms, home offices and gyms this year. With people spending more time at home, the future of home design is being reimagined. As home owners seek out ways to maximize the functionality their living spaces, here are some of the budding trends in home design and renovation. Modifying Mudrooms and Entryways A …

As communities across the country practice social distancing to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, you might have more people in your home than usual. Whether it’s your college student who has moved home earlier than expected, or young kids spending more time at home than normal, finding storage for blankets, clothes, books, toys and other items that …

Home is important now more than ever. If you’ve spent a significant time at home this year, you may have started to reimagine your space. Maybe you want to add a new home office or perhaps you’ve decided your dated bathroom finally needs some attention. A home renovation can modernize your home, increase your comfort and potentially add value to …