The monthly Standard & Poor Case-Shiller Home Price Report was released this past week for June 2010. The 20 City Composite continued it’s upward swing. June 2010 marks the third consecutive month of increases. June’s 20-city composite of 147.81 was .3% higher than May 2010. June was 1.10% higher than January 2010. And June 2010 is 4.22% higher than June 2009.

You can find more information about the most recent Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller report at these links:

• CBS News
• Newsweek
• The Economist

Photo courtesy www.cincinnatipreservation.org

Surfing through Old House Web looking for information on home re-modeling and DIY Projects when I came across this really interesting article about the Gamble House — of Proctor and Gamble noteriety. Apparently the house has come under dis-repair and some are trying to demolish the historic home, but others are trying to save the home for historic reasons. An interesting article about a historic home in Cincinnati.

According to an article published at CBS News’ moneywatch.com website:

…contractors’ labor costs are down about 10 percent from their 2007 peak, according to Angie Hicks, founder of the Angie’s List home services directory. But business is picking up. ServiceMagic.com, a site connecting homeowners with home service professionals, says remodeling project requests are up 49 percent from a year ago. And a recent American Express survey said 72 percent of affluent homeowners planned to make home improvements in 2010.

Three Key Rules

To save on a home improvement project, follow these rules for hiring a contractor:

• Flash Your Cash
• Make the Competition Fair but Stiff
• Don’t Be Rude

The article is well written and offers in-depth observations. If you are considering using a contractor in the near future this is worth reading. moneywatch.com – 3 Rules For Hiring Home Contractors ]]> http://www.homesforcincy.com/real-estate/3-rules-for-hiring-home-contractors/feed/ 0 http://www.homesforcincy.com/real-estate-data/new-home-sales-drop-aug-2010/ http://www.homesforcincy.com/real-estate-data/new-home-sales-drop-aug-2010/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:01:40 +0000 Kathy Landstra http://www.homesforcincy.com/?p=4723

Graphic Source: MSNBC.com

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New home sales were down a surprising 12% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual sales pace of 276,600. We have to go back to 1963 to see a slower pace for new home sales.

If you would like more information here are a few links to articles:

• New York Times
• CNNMoney.com
• Housing Wire

Elaine Williamson of Elaine Williamson Designs posted a lengthy article about home decor and design trends that will be noticed and noticeable this coming fall. Blogging on the Styled, Staged & Sold website, Ms. Williamson discusses what’s really new and what’s coming back from the designer’s scrap pile — brass?!?

The entire article, 10 Autumn Home Design & Decor Trends, is located on Styled, Staged & Sold website from the National Association of REALTORS^®

1. Vintage Accents
2. Wallpaper!
3. Timeless Art
4. Elemental Color
5. Space simplification
6. Rug rage
7. Bed Basics
8. Pillow Talk
9. Window Treatments
10. Brass