Get Email Updates
Monthly Archives: July 2012
May 2012 Home Prices Show Signs of Atlanta Recovery
The S&P|Case-Shiller Home Price Indices with data through April 2012 were released this morning. They track home prices in 20 US metropolitan markets, from Miami to Seattle. We monitor these numbers because they’re an indicator of the available housing stock … Read more
Posted in Blog: Drawing Attention
Tagged Atlanta, home prices, housing stock, investor, real estate, realtor, S&P|Case-Shiller Home Price Indices
1 Comment
Steven Hayward Speaks about “The EPA and Private Property”
Steven F. Hayward was invited to speak at Hillsdale College‘s Allen P. Kirby Center about “The EPA and Private Property” on July 12th, 2012. We try to look at both sides of any issue so here’s his insight on … Read more
Not So Small: Did You Know there are Building Code Requirements for Minimum Room Sizes?
Late last week, we published a blog post about the discussion of smaller apartments – some proposals are just 250 square feet. That post generated a few questions about the minimum allowable room sizes so here are some notes…… Read more
Design Don’ts: Don’t Show Them You’re Lying
It can be hard to talk about design + style without coming across as snarky and aloof. We offer notes and images in our “Design Don’ts” posts to help you avoid design solutions that reduce the return on your investment. … Read more
Posted in Design
Tagged brick, clapboard siding, construction, corner lot, design, investment, neighborhood, neoclassical style, project budget, real estate, style
Leave a comment
‘The Queen of Versailles’: The Story of Jackie & David Siegel’s 90,000sf House
Lauren Greenfield’s movie The Queen of Versailles is set to open this Friday against the final movie in Christopher Nolan’s juggernaut Dark Knight trilogy. Even though Greenfield won Best Director at the Sundance Film Festival, you might not know the … Read more
Which American Invention Was Born On This Day in 1902?
If you’re like us, you ordered a cake from your local bakery weeks ago. This is one of those dates we should celebrate each year. If you forgot to circle it in red on your calendar or you’re just looking … Read more
A New Standard for Apartments: Too Small or Just Big Enough?
It seems like we’re getting nothing but twenty-four hour commentary on US presidential politics. Since that commentary repeats itself every thirty minutes, you might have missed the developing discussion on smaller living spaces in New York City. The change is … Read more
Posted in Design
Tagged apartments, design, development, hotels, housing, New York City, No So Big, real estate, San Francisco
1 Comment
9 Lives: Rules for Your Pet Sitter
We’ve noticed more of you are using in-home pet sitters so your pets can stay in their own environment without being left alone. Pet sitters can also keep an eye on your property while you’re away. Here are some helpful … Read more
Posted in Safety
Tagged alarm system, aminals, cat, dog, pet, pet sitter, safety, security, travel, vacation
Leave a comment
Wildfires: Planning for Construction, Documentation & Evacuation
Wildfires in Colorado have generated thousands of insurance claims. We’ve compiled a few notes to help prepare you for disasters and insurance claims. As always, we hope these are helpful:… Read more
Posted in Blog: Drawing Attention
Tagged building code, disaster, emergency plan, home, house, insurance, international code council, property, risk, wildfires
Leave a comment
Protect Your Independence Through This Annual Tradition
In 2012, we asked you to join our annual tradition tied to the celebration of Independence Day. It’s easy to do, it’s free and it can save you thousands of dollars by lowering your rates on products like insurance.… Read more
Posted in Finance
Tagged borrowing, budget, credit, credit report, debt, finance, government, Independence Day, lender, mortgage
Leave a comment
Heat Wave: Two Notes to Help You With the Frustration of a Heatwave

According to the American Red Cross, heat waves kill more people than any other weather event, including floods. Since so many Americans are enduring excessive heat and power failures, here are a few helpful notes:… Read more