A recent article in Financial Times by Hal Weitzman in Chicago and Robin Harding titled “Skills gap hobbles US employers” reinforces what I have been saying for years. The article quoted Ben Bernanke, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, who told an audience in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in August that the US had…
Sales of new U.S. homes fell to in August. The fourth straight monthly decline during the peak buying season suggests the housing market is years away from a recovery. The Commerce Department said Monday that new-home sales fell 2.3 percent to a 295,000 – a six-month low – and less…
According to ServiceMagic’s recently released Home Remodeling & Repair Index containing information compiled from 3.1 million service requests received through online marketplace from January to June of this year, as well as results from a survey of homeowners and service professionals conducted in July, homeowners are still looking to invest…
I realize it has been awhile since I posted anything. But I am back and I believe this is too important not to share. A recent survey of people likely to vote in 2012 conducted on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that despite the ups…
Forbes published an article today titled “The Happiest Careers In America.” The article highlights the results of a new survey from job site CareerBliss.com that revealed the top ten happiest professions in America. The survey results measured nine factors of workplace happiness, including the individual’s relationship with their boss and…
Single-family housing starts in 2010 totaled 475,000 – a 7 percent increase over 2009 but still substantially below the 1,256,000 average starts per year from 1995 through 2003. .Think the decrease in demand for new home construction has resulted in lower prices for building materials. Think again. Prices for materials…
“The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” — Eric Hoffer As we prepare for another Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to encourage everyone to count our blessings. It has been a challenging couple of years for many of us. But I sincerely believe…
Think the decrease in demand for new home construction is resulting in lower prices for building materials. Think again. According to the September 16 producer price index (PPI) report by the U.S. Labor Department, prices for construction materials edged up 0.2% in August. Prices are 3.6% higher than one year…
Insulation is a key element in building a more comfortable and energy efficient home in Boise, Idaho or elsewhere. Insulation materials are rated according to their ability to resist heat flow. The thermal resistance rating is known as an “R-value”. The higher the R-value of a material, the better its…
Two of the biggest issues facing this country today are unemployment and energy. Our elected officials seem to think that the solution to both is developing emerging renewable energy technology. I disagree. In a blog in February 2009 titled “Home Remodels, Retrofits Are Key To An Energy-Efficient Future” I noted…
