Consumer Articles

Millennials View Homeownership as a Key Part of the American Dream

by Jimmy Rutland, 2018 President Home Builders Association of Alabama   As the home building industry celebrates National Homeownership Month in June, new data confirms that homeownership is a key goal of millennials, who are poised to dramatically affect the housing market in the coming years.   In contrast to recent headlines suggesting that millennials are not interested in homeownership, data from the Census Bureau shows that this group is increasingly entering the housing market as first-time buyers. In fact, the homeownership rate of millennials—at 36 percent—registered the...

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Protecting Your Home from Severe Summer Weather

By Jimmy Rutland, 2018 President Home Builders Association of Alabama   As temperatures continue to increase around the country, the likelihood for severe weather increases too. Hurricanes, tornadoes, heavy rains, and flash flooding all threaten homes and communities during the warmer months. The good news is that you can be prepared by taking proactive steps now to protect your family and home when Mother Nature takes a wild turn.   Weatherproof Your Home Inspect trees for potential hazards. Strong winds can cause trees and branches to fall – and potentially damage your home. Trim...

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Desire to ‘Age in Place’ Gets Even More Popular

By Jimmy Rutland, 2018 President Home Builders Association of Alabama   Older Americans largely prefer to stay in their current homes as they age rather than downsize or relocate. And that is a major driver in the continued growth of “aging-in-place” remodeling. This technique involves making home modifications — big or small — to help the home owner live safely in their home for many years to come, especially as they experience changes in their health or mobility. In fact, a recent survey of NAHB Remodelers found that among all of the various reasons their clients are requesting home...

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Remodel or Relocate? 8 Critical Questions to Consider

By Jimmy Rutland, 2018 President Home Builders Association of Alabama     Home buying and home remodeling television programs aren’t just a fad; their enduring popularity indicates that they’re here to stay.  If you’re among the growing masses of dedicated viewers, you might begin (if you haven’t already) to look around and notice some of your own home’s shortcomings. Inadequate storage, limited cooking space or simply an outdated design might conjure thoughts of one day remodeling your kitchen, bathrooms or living spaces. Or instead, perhaps you’ll begin to consider moving into a...

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Steps to Reduce Your Household’s Water Use

By Jimmy Rutland, 2018 President Home Builders Association of Alabama   An average family of four uses 400 gallons of water each day, so it’s important to find ways to use water more wisely. Fortunately there a plenty of inexpensive, relatively simple steps that will make a big difference in how much water you use. Fix Hidden Leaks According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, up to 10% of homes have easy-to-fix leaks that waste at least 90 gallons a day. In fact, a toilet leak could be wasting about 200 gallons of water daily. A simple fix with a few tools and parts from the...

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