In 2009, the Neathermead residence in Asheville, N.C., was not only deemed worthy of BALA’s highest honor, Home of the Year, but also best in region, and it won interior design and overall custom homes awards. Judges praised the home’s livability, warmth, superb details, and workmanship, simplicity of form, and open living areas. This home was said to be “one foot in contemporary and one foot in traditional. The material palette keeps it from being over-the-top modern.” Architect Ron Carlton…

Despite lower perceptions of affordability, the share of prospective home buyers who are actively engaged in the purchase process (i.e., have moved beyond the planning phase) remained essentially unchanged between the first and second quarters of 2023, at 56% and 55%, respectively. The lack of change in this metric suggests that some buyers are willing to continue trying to find… Read More ›

Housing’s share of the economy remained at 15.8% at the end of the second quarter of 2023. Overall GDP increased at a 2.4% annual rate, following a 2.0% increase in the first quarter of 2023 and 2.6% increase in the fourth quarter of 2022. Despite overall GDP increasing for the fourth consecutive quarter, housing’s share of GDP remained to 15.8%… Read More ›

The most recent data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showed that personal income increased 0.3% in June. The pace of personal income growth slowed after reaching a 0.7% monthly gain in January 2023. Gains in personal income are largely driven by increases in wages and salaries. Real disposable income, income remaining after adjusted for taxes and inflation,… Read More ›

After a reprieve in the first quarter of 2023, buyers’ outlook for housing affordability turned bleaker again in the second quarter.  According to the latest Housing Trends Report, 76% of buyers are able to afford less than half the homes for-sale in their markets, up from 73% in the first quarter of 2023. On the flip side, the share able… Read More ›

Clean lines, expanses of glass and open-concept living spaces reflect the Newport’s exquisitely modern design. The home’s innovative floor plan invites contemporary living, with inspired additions such as an arrival space connecting the garage and utility room, wine storage and a walk-in pantry in the kitchen, and a spacious outdoor living area with a kitchen and fireplace. In the heart of the home, a dramatic cable railing staircase with wood stairs and upper-level walkway overlook the two-story dining room, which…

Increased levels of new home construction and sales are leading some buyers to expect the home search to get easier in the months ahead.  According to the latest Housing Trends Report for the second quarter of 2023, 29% of prospective buyers are anticipating housing availability to ease up ahead, an improvement over the 24% and 26% who had similar expectations… Read More ›

The U.S. economy grew at a solid pace in the second quarter of 2023, fueled by consumer and government spending. The second quarter data from the GDP report suggests that inflation is cooling. The GDP price index rose 2.2% for the second quarter, down from a 4.1% increase in the first quarter. It marks the slowest annual growth rate since… Read More ›

The client requested a full kitchen remodel that improved functionality and that would be the ideal place for entertaining friends and family members. The team removed a wall between the kitchen and formal dining room to create an open floor plan. Before Installed was one full wall of windows was behind the kitchen sink/range cabinetry run. For more seating, contoured to the bay geometry, a built-in custom window seat was installed, which lifts to provide more storage space. To add…

The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee increased the federal funds rate to a top target of 5.5% at the conclusion of its July meeting. The Fed will also continue to reduce its balance sheet holdings of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities as part of quantitative tightening. These actions are intended to slow the economy and bring inflation back to 2%. After… Read More ›