Archives for February 2013

Fannie: Housing to See ‘Sustained Growth’

February 25, 2013 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

The housing market is “on a sustained growth path,” according to the latest economic outlook by Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group.

“One of the key developments for the housing market last year was the general consensus that home prices, on a national basis, bottomed earlier in the year and continued to build momentum, exhibiting robust year-over-year gains unseen since the housing boom,” according to the report.

Housing inventories are at the lowest since December 1994 and fewer distressed homes have helped to lift home prices, according to Fannie Mae economists.

Among some of Fannie Mae economists projections for this year:

Home prices: Fannie Mae economists predict that the median price of existing homes will increase 2.3 percent on an annual basis this year, reaching $181,000. The median price of a new home will likely increase 1.6 percent to $248,000. For 2014, economists predict that home prices will increase an extra 2.8 percent.
Home sales: Existing-home sales will likely rise 11.5 percent in 2013, and new-home sales will rise 12.5 percent, economists predict.
Mortgage rates: Rates will likely edge up slightly this year with 30-year fixed-rate mortgages projected to average 3.8 percent this year and rise to 4.4 percent in 2014.

Source: “Fannie Mae: Housing Is ‘on a Sustained Growth Path’,” Inman News

Filed Under: Blog, Economy, Housing Market

Cantilevered Osaka House Hovers Over Driveway

February 24, 2013 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

This dramatically cantilevered home in Osaka seems to defy gravity while multiplying available space, providing another example of the clever tricks employed by Japanese architects to make the most of small lots. Though the home is actually three stories tall, Shogo Iwata designed House in Senri with eight tiered interior levels.

The house was stabilized with a strong visible steel frame, giving the architects the freedom to experiment with the sense of space. Like many Japanese homes, it was partially built into the ground for natural insulation, extra green space and reduced visibility of neighboring homes.

Continuing the floating effect from the outside in, the interior room platforms connected to each other with small sets of stairs create linked spaces that flow together, making the house feel much larger than it really is.

This arrangement also “makes the notion of floor ambiguous,” the architects explain, as you proceed from the entrance under the cantilevered canopy all the way to the sunny terrace on the roof.

Filed Under: Architecture, Blog

The Future Of How We Watch Hockey

February 23, 2013 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

A lot has changed in the world of broadcast sports television over the years. Decades ago, when the first televised NHL broadcast hit the airwaves in Canada, fans gathered around their black/white one-tv-per-household (average) television sets to see a Nationally telecast game one night a week. It was a way for families to share quality time and enjoy live action from the comfort of their own homes. An unprecedented phenomenon.

Today a typical household is comprised of multiple technological gadgets per family member. Relative to decades past, our modern possessions make what our parents and grandparents used look like archaic objects mentioned only in museums and textbooks. Not only do we have large, light, skinny, High definition televisions, we are spoiled rotten with lightning fast computers, gaming systems, wireless personal devices and “smart” phones.

The way we watch sports on TV is evolving at a similar pace. The production of televised sports is a billion dollar industry which strives to bring their audiences the most entertaining and compelling productions possible. Yet, with all of these strides over the years, there are still several areas that could use improving or adjusting to keep up with our constantly advancing user-interactivity needs.

The following infographic demonstrates a handful of ideas that the NHL can strive towards to improve the common fans viewing experience in an ever-advancing technological world. Most of the ideas in this infographic show ideas that are simply amalgamations of technologies that are already in place but are not in the control of the user but rather strictly under the rule of the broadcasters. This, we feel strongly, is soon to change.

source: NetSurfMedia via SilverOak

Filed Under: Blog, Hockey, Technology

John Lennon

February 23, 2013 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

source

Filed Under: Blog, Music Tagged With: john lennon

How home cooks fire up for grill season

February 23, 2013 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

source: iraguanadesign

Filed Under: Appliances, Blog, Home Care, Random Thoughts Tagged With: grill

The Recession Changes Americans’ Moving Patterns

February 22, 2013 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

Moves across county and state lines are falling, with the 2007-2009 recession blamed for changing Americans’ moving patterns, according to an analysis of census data through 2010. The Great Recession caused more Americans to move because they could no longer afford to remain where they were. That’s a big change in what traditionally motivates Americans to move — a bigger home or higher paying job, USA Today reports about the analysis.

Nine percent of Americans stayed local with their moves during 2007-2009 period — the highest in a decade.

“Typically, over the last couple of decades, when Americans moved, they moved to improve their lives,” says Michael Stoll, author of the research and chairman of UCLA’s public policy department. “This is the shock: For the first time, Americans are moving for downward economic mobility. Either they lost their house or can’t afford where they’re renting currently or needed to save money.”

More than 23 percent moved for more affordable housing during the recession. Prior to the recession, that percentage stood at 20.8 percent.

Also, prior to the recession, 41.3 percent of Americans moved in order to own a home or settle into a better neighborhood. However, during the recession, that percentage dropped to 30.4 percent.

Source: “Americans on the Move Start Moving Down, Not Up; Setback in Upward Mobility Hits Blacks, Sun Belt Spots Hardest,” USA Today

Filed Under: Blog, Real Estate Updates

10 Best Warren Buffet Quotes

February 22, 2013 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

source: moneystreet

Filed Under: Blog, Random Thoughts, Real Estate Investment Tagged With: warren buffet

4 Hanging Rooftop Pools

February 20, 2013 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

When is a pool not just something you spend a few hours in on vacation? When it’s hanging off the edge of a hotel’s roof, or at least partially. We’ve rounded up four mind-bending hanging rooftop pools for your viewing enjoyment, starting with the Joule Pool above. Continue reading to see more.

4. The Adelphi Hotel – Melbourne, Australia

The rooftop, glass-bottomed hanging pool at The Adelphi Hotel in Melbourne is essentially a heated salt water pool that is cantilevered over Flinders Lane, allowing a unique view (from 9 stories up) of the streets below through the clear Perspex pool floor.

3. Joule Hotel – Dallas, Texas (USA)

The rooftop pool at the Joule Hotel in Dallas, Texas is not only an exquisite outdoor venue, boasting eye-catching design and panoramic views of the downtown area’s glittering skyline, but one that hangs over the edge. Comprising 2,100 square feet on the hotel’s 10th floor, the airy space serves as an unparalleled setting for special events.

2. Hilton Auckland – Auckland, New Zealand

In addition to the amazing rooftop pool, the Hilton Auckland lets you keep active at the hotel’s fitness center, complete with the latest cardiovascular equipment and weights. Or, you can refresh in the outdoor heated lap pool and marvel at the harbour from Auckland’s only underwater viewing window.

1. InterContinental Festival City Hotel – Dubai, UAE

Besides the stunning rooftop pool above, you’ll also find a state-of-the-art 24 hour gymnasium, complete with a free weights Kinesis wall, steam & sauna rooms, and three spa pools all located on the leisure deck with uninterrupted creek and city skyline views, at the InterContinental in Dubai.

source: Techeblog

Filed Under: Architecture, Blog Tagged With: rooftop pool