News

The average characteristics of conventional mortgages used to buy newly built homes were little changed in April, according to data released earlier today by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).  The average contract interest rate declined a scant 2 basis points to 4.19 percent, while …

Going green is good for the environment, but it can also be good for a homeowner’s wallet – and that’s the aspect of eco-friendly improvements that seems most appealing to homebuyers. More than 80 percent of buyers said they would …

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes in May fell one point to 45 from a downwardly revised April reading of 46 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).  Derived from a monthly …

Home Depot launched its first in-store implementation of its new customer order management system (OMS), according to the company’s recent shareholders conference call. According to executives, Home Depot will roll out the OMS across the U.S. by the end of …

Lowe’s is facing a proposed class action alleging packages of its proprietary mulch brand. According to official reports, plaintiffs Amy Joseph and Glenn McMillan filed a federal complaint claiming Lowe’s and its suppliers Lebanon Seaboard Corp. and Oldcastle Lawn & …

After 148 years in business, H.H. Pringle Hardware, now Reis Hardware is closing. The hardware store is believed to be one of the longest-running businesses in Minnesota. For more on the store’s history, see here.

There are decisions made in Washington every day that affect small businesses in America. Here are four policy issues that you need to know. To learn more, click here.

Computer technology has changed the way consumers shop for everything from shoes to homes. Thanks to easy access to online data, 90 percent of homebuyers surveyed by the National Association of Realtors in 2012 said the Internet was their top …