Auburn Gresham Victorian Is 2000th Home Remodeled Through Cook County Land Bank

Developer Tytus Henry remodeled the four-bed, four-bath Victorian home “from the ground up,” with help from local youth who hope to work in the trades. Local officials and leaders at the Cook County Land Bank Authority joined Henry Thursday to celebrate the completion of the single-family home at 8514 S. Peoria Ave. The four-bedroom, four-bath Victorian home is the 2,000th Cook County Land Bank Authority property to be redeveloped in the organization’s 10-year history. The Cook County Land Bank Authority bought the vacant property in 2019. The 4,500-square-foot home was…

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Bobcat to Debut Several New Machines, Product Innovations at Equip Expo 2024

Bobcat Company, a global equipment, innovation and worksite solutions brand, will showcase several all-new and recently introduced grounds maintenance and turf renovation machines at Equip Expo. New Utility Tractors on Display  Introduced in June 2024, Bobcat’s utility tractor lineup (UT6066, UT6566, UT6573) offers a competitive advantage for hauling, digging, raking, scraping and more. Bobcat will display its UT6573 at this year’s show.  Bobcat utility tractors feature 12×12 powershuttle transmissions that deliver smooth shifting without stepping on a clutch pedal. Powered by turbocharged, Tier 4 diesel engines, these tractors offer robust…

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Key Hardware Trends to Monitor

The Farnsworth Group, which conducts extensive research in the hardware and building materials markets, offers a slew of insights into what consumers are increasingly seeking (and buying). Here’s a look at top trends owners should consider to finish 2024 strong and plan for a healthy 2025. The outlook for 2025 looks positive. This year bas been down, but thing could be looking up. Farnsworth writes: “According to the August Size of Market release by The Home Improvement Research Institute, the hardware market is anticipated to rebound into positive territory in…

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Remodeling Spending to Tick Up Through Mid-Year 2025

Homeowner spending on improvements and repairs is projected to stabilize and gradually increase through mid-2025, with a slight annual decline of -0.5% expected by the second quarter, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Despite economic uncertainty and slower home sales, the home remodeling slowdown is predicted to remain mild, with annual expenditures reaching $466 billion, similar to the previous year’s levels. According to Harvard University, a modest downturn, homeowner expenditures for improvements and repairs are expected to trend up through the first half of 2025, according to the…

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Framing Lumber Prices

According to the NAHB, the framing lumber composite price increased 0.5% for the week ending on Oct. 4 compared to the previous week. Lumber prices are currently 3.6% lower than they were one year ago. NAHB continually tracks the latest lumber prices and futures prices, and provides an overview of the behaviors within the U.S. framing lumber market. The information is sourced each week using the Random Lengths framing lumber composite price which is comprised using prices from the highest volume-producing regions of the U.S. and Canada. A summary of…

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Alabama Housing Market Showing Positive Trends in 2024

Alabama’s real estate market is showing strong growth, with home sales in July 2024 up 0.9% year-over-year and 13.1% from June, and total sales volume rising to $1.51 billion. The median home price also increased, reflecting a robust housing market that has seen six consecutive months of sales growth. This trend suggests continued strength in Alabama’s economy, supported by the real estate sector’s significant economic impact. Yellow Hammer says, as the summer comes to an end, Alabama’s real estate market is showing promising growth – and that growth doesn’t seem…

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Remodeling Market Sentiment Improves in Fourth Quarter

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), NAHB released its NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the fourth quarter, posting a reading of 67, increasing two points compared to the previous quarter. The NAHB/Westlake Royal RMI survey asks remodelers to rate five components of the remodeling market as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” Each question is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where an index number above 50 indicates that a higher share view conditions as good than poor. The Current Conditions Index is an average…

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NLBMDA ELDT Training Certification

What the LBM Industry Needs to Know About Entry-Level Driver Training Thursday, February 8 at 1:00 PM Eastern The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has partnered with J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. to offer members of the association an exclusive discount on certifying trainers in entry-level driver training. During this webinar, you will learn how to get your drivers on the road to success—and keep them at your company longer. Participants will learn everything you need to know about Entry Level Driver Training and have the…

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Housing Outlook: Inventory May Spike as Fix-And-Flip Wave Hits the Market

Thanks to 24 million homes entering their prime time for renovation, the housing market may see a wave of much needed inventory in the next few years. This presents an opportunity for fix-and-flip investors, according to New Western. According to Business Insider, the real estate brokerage said a shift could be coming in the US housing market next year and could continue through 2027, thanks to a wider market of homes available to real estate investors focused on buying and renovating older homes to put them back on the market. …

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