Columbia SC Economy

Privately-owned housing starts in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 629,000. This is 14.6 percent (±10 9%) above the revised May estimate of 549,000 and is 16.7 percent (±11.8%) above the June 2010 rate of 539,000.

Single-family housing starts in June were at a rate of 453,000; this is 9.4 percent (±11.1%)* above the revised May figure of 414,000. The June rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 170,000.

This shows the huge collapse following the housing bubble, and that housing starts have mostly been moving sideways for over two years – with slight ups and downs due to the home buyer tax credit.

This was above expectations of 575 thousand starts in June. Multi-family starts are increasing in 2011 – although from a very low level. This is one of the bright spots for construction and the economy this year.

Home and Commercial Inspections in the Columbia SC area is our specialty! Every year we help hundreds of clients save tens of thousands of dollars, by responsibly finding and exposing conditions that threaten property, value and safety. To learn how we may be able to serve you, please click and read, or call 803-261-5810.

You might think it’s the worst possible time to ask for a raise. But that’s not necessarily true…

What do you think? Is now a good time to ask for a raise? We’d love to know what you think of the tips in this video. Use the comment link below to sound off…  and don’t worry, your email address will never be published here, nor will it ever be shared with any third parties.

Home and Commercial Inspections in the Columbia SC area is our specialty! Every year we help hundreds of clients save tens of thousands of dollars, by responsibly finding and exposing conditions that threaten property, value and safety. To learn how we may be able to serve you, please click and read, or call 803-261-5810.

Long term care is not something many of us think about or plan for before it’s too late. It’s never too soon to start planning and preparing for long term care. This special Kiplinger report covers planning for long term care…

We’ll have more in this series of “Long Term Care” in a later report on this website. Watch for it!

Home and Commercial Inspections in the Columbia SC area is our specialty! Every year we help hundreds of clients save tens of thousands of dollars, by responsibly finding and exposing conditions that threaten property, value and safety. To learn how we may be able to serve you, please click and read, or call 803-261-5810.

If there’s a marriage in your future, you might have considered protecting your money with a pre-nuptial agreement. But mixing money and marriage can be tricky.

Have questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you. Just click the comment link below. Your email address will NEVER be shared with any third parties, and will never be published on this site.

Home and Commercial Inspections in the Columbia SC area is our specialty! Every year we help hundreds of clients save tens of thousands of dollars, by responsibly finding and exposing conditions that threaten property, value and safety. To learn how we may be able to serve you, please click and read, or call 803-261-5810.

The rise in gas prices is influencing buyer decisions as they shop for a new home, causing more buyers to make short commutes and home offices a top priority, according to a recent survey of more than 1,000 real estate professionals about buyer trends.

Seventy-five percent of the real estate professionals surveyed say the spike in gas prices is influencing their clients’ decisions on where to live. What’s more, if gas prices continue to increase, 93 percent predict that even more buyers will choose to live somewhere closer to their work.

More real estate professionals also report that the rise in gas prices is prompting more buyers to look for homes that will allow them to work-from-home. Indeed, 77 percent of those surveyed say that more of their buyers are showing an interest in having a home office compared to five years ago.

Gas prices also seem to be spiking a renewed interest in urban living. More than half of real estate professionals surveyed say they are seeing more buyers wanting to target homes in urban areas compared to five years ago, citing shorter commute times, being able to walk to more places, and being near public transportation as the most likely reasons for the urban-area migration.

More buyers are also choosing homes closer to shops and services due to the increase in gas prices, according to the survey.

What about you? We’d love to know if higher gas prices have changed your thoughts about where you might buy your next home. Click the comment link below and tell us your thoughts on this.

Home and Commercial Inspections in the Columbia SC area is our specialty! Every year we help hundreds of clients save tens of thousands of dollars, by responsibly finding and exposing conditions that threaten property, value and safety. To learn how we may be able to serve you, please click and read, or call 803-261-5810.