America's Housing Markets

America's Best And Worst Housing Markets

Though U.S. home values have dropped for the 10th consecutive quarter, homeowners in some parts of the nation are seeing prices appreciating.
Countrywide, second-quarter values fell 12.1% year-over-year to $186,500. This is a 22.3% drop in value since the mid-2006 market peak, according to Zillow.com's Second-Quarter Real Estate Market Report. The real estate research firm's Home Value Index measures the value of all homes in a metropolitan statistical area or metro, not only those that sold in the measured period.

But Fayetteville, N.C., posted a Q2 2009 $120,600 median home value, up 13.4% over a year ago. In Oklahoma City, values rose in the last year 4.8% to $118,700. Further north, in Binghamton, N.Y., the $112,300 median value is 4.5% higher than it was a year ago. A relatively low percentage of June foreclosure resales--11.9% in Fayetteville and 4% in Oklahoma City--and percent of mortgages in negative equity--16.2% and 14.9%, respectively--likely contributed to the boost in home values.
Skies aren't as bright in California, epicenter of the home-construction boom and bust. Four of the state's metros--Merced, El Centro, Madera and Modesto--posted declines of between 30% and 40%. In these areas, the sheer amount of foreclosures is depressing home values. In Merced and Madera, for example, foreclosure resales dominate home purchases, at 77.4% and 71%, respectively, for all June sales.
What's more, these areas have high concentrations of homeowners with underwater mortgages (the situation in which the homeowner owes more than what the home is actually worth). These high rates, coupled with Merced's 18.8% unemployment and Madera's 9.6%, means more foreclosures are likely on the horizon.

House Design Styles

American Style

The new American house plan embraces the idea of uninterrupted flow and expansive style.
A reflection of American affluence and desire for elbow room, the New American-style home is big, inside and out. The New American house plan is all about uninterrupted flow: from kitchen to dining area to family room; from family room to deck; from master bedroom suite with walk-in closets to luxurious master baths with double sinks, separate shower and tub. It's a style as expansive and exuberant as the country in which it was created.

Architectural Features:
- Oversized windows let light stream into interior space
- Second-story interiors that often are open to below
- Massive two-story asymmetrical facades (often of brick or stucco)
- A roof made visually complex by contrasting peaks and heights

HOBBY ROOMS

How many hobbies do you have? Is it challenging for you to find a great space to actually work on your craft? Your hobby materials may be in several rooms throughout your home.


Whether you need an extra bedroom for guests or for a growing family, more room to entertain, or a home office, hobby room, or workshop, creating new spaces in your home is an exciting adventure. Almost all basements are good candidates for remodeling. They contain large quantities of unused space which allows you to design it for almost any use.




Tips for Planning New Hobby Room
Here are some more ideas to consider when you plan a habitable space in the basement:
**Include plenty of window area for light and ventilation.
**Provide adequate support for the wall above the window.
**Install a light switch close inside the door.
**Install hardwired smoke alarms.
**Soundproof the basement ceilings to keep family noise out of your private retreat.
**Consider a half-bath close to the hobby room.

Example-->


Model Railroad Construction

Clear space in basement. You will need at least 6m2 of clear space.


A how-to publication for model railroad construction. Includes layouts, track plans, and prototype information.

Living rooms

Crazy living rooms



Most people are afraid to use too many colors, but what they often fail to see is that it’s the way they use and place color that can make or break the room, says many design consultants, who propose an easy “rule of three” that can help infuse your home with vitality.



Decorate your space with tiers of color. Begin with a rug, fabric or wallpaper you love and look closely at what colors are in it. The rug is a good place to start because it warms the room and you can build up.

What colors do I love?
What colors make me happy? If you don’t have an immediate answer to this question, check your closet. Does one color dominate? Design consultant Sheldon, who is trained as an architect, was recently working with a client to choose wall colors for a new house. After finally finding the perfect bedroom color, the client realized it was the same shade as her favorite coat. When you like a color, you really like a color.

Artwork

Artwork Selection

A frequently overlooked element of the built environment is the selection of artwork to complement a building and its interior design. The Estopinal Group's interiors team assists clients in the selection of artwork that is appropriately scaled, and represents the desired image emphasis and aesthetics....