Lifestyle

Housing trends have been on the upswing, especially for homebuyers looking for a home that’s affordably priced and new on the market. In fact, national trends show that it’s become affordable to purchase a home without breaking the piggy bank.

According to the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales also grew in Sept. 2019, marking two consecutive months of increases for select parts of the country, with the Midwest seeing the largest benefit.

Don't look now, but the housing market is making a liar out of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500, both of which began October foreshadowing an economic downturn. By comparison to their down numbers, the housing market has been trending up, with new home construction rising to its fastest pace since 2007 in August, and pending home sales trending up as interest rates fall, improving affordability.

In July, the U.S. economic expansion that began in June 2009 became the longest in the nation’s history, marking 121 straight months of gross domestic product growth since the last recession.  Although the economy should continue to perform well for the rest of 2019, most economists see a mild recession on the horizon, says the St. Louis Association of Realtors. 

Do you like history? Live music? Street food? Artisan crafts? If so, you need to head to the Festival of the Little Hills in historic Saint Charles. A summer staple since 1971, the annual Festival runs Friday, Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 18 but with one notable change. The Festival will be held on Riverside Drive, in the 300 to 500 blocks, between S. Main Street and Frontier Park, which remains closed as a result of earlier flooding. 

Mortgage rates aren’t likely going to respond quickly to last week’s quarter-point rate adjustment. Interest rates on home loans are more closely tied to the 10-year Treasury yield, which serves as a benchmark to the 30-year fixed mortgage rate.

With burning hot conditions expected outdoors this Friday, the Sunset Fridays 'On the Road' concert series is moving indoors. Cole Blue Steel is the featured performer as the 6:30 p.m. concert moves inside the activity rooms at St. Peters City Hall, 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd. on Friday, July 19.

An at-home office should serve as a functional yet comfortable space that facilitates productivity. Here are some tips on how to create a practical work space at home without compromising on design.

Homebuyers are beginning to return in force, and for well-priced homes in desirable locations, competition is fierce.

All homes need repairs and maintenance to enjoy a long lifespan. Trying to DIY every project can lead to an exhausted homeowner, a drained wallet, and possibly an unfinished or unsafe home. Instead of trying to go it alone, look into hiring a residential general contractor for a variety of tasks.