Experts believe that 2015 will prove to be a year of growth for the housing market. According to recent data released by Moody’s Investors Services, inventory will increase as well as housing starts, home sales, and prices. They do, however, caution that the beginning of the year may start slow. Moody’s analysts said “we expect total housing starts in 2015 of 1 million – 1.2 million, up from 975,000 – 1 million for 2014, and new home sales will climb to about 500,000 – 525,000, up from about 450,000 for 2014. Prices will increase at a more modest rate than in 2014, but affordability will remain strong by historical standards, enticing buyers.” More here

Thinking of waiting until Spring to put your house on the market? You may want to reconsider. Selling your home in the winter can be challenging, but may end up being more rewarding in the end. Winter home sales usually drop off as people tend to tighten-up around the holidays. The good news is, homes that sell in the winter often sell for a higher price due to low inventory. Here are a few tactics that may help you sell your home a little quicker, and possibly for a higher price this winter: Keep snow off of all walkways, driveways and porches. Make sure your home is warm and smells inviting. Clean out your gutters, and trim any shrubs or trees you may have let get out of control during the summer. In the colder months, you also should be prepared for delays when showing your home. More here

New data shows that construction spending increased from September to October and experienced its largest month-to-month gain since May, averaging a seasonally adjusted rate of $971 billion. According to the U.S. Census, construction spending exceeded the previous estimates of $939.9 billion. Residential construction was 1.3% above the estimated average, and private construction spending averaged 0.6% above previous estimations. Additionally, the  seasonally-adjusted annual rate of public construction spending was 2.3% above the estimated average. More here

If a few changes in behavior could save you hundreds of dollars each year on your energy bill, wouldn’t you change them? Most people are not aware that there are many, simple actions they can implement to lower monthly energy costs. A few things you can do to save money on utility bills are: Turn off lights in rooms you aren’t using; invest in fluorescent light bulbs; turn your thermostat down and open your blinds on sunny days to take advantage of the sun’s warmth. This is undervalued: unplug electronics that are not in use. Also, wash your clothes in cool or cold water. More here

According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, mortgage rates hovered around 4% last week. The national average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage came in at 3.97% falling slightly from the previous week. The national 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage and the Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage remained unchanged, averaging 3.17% and 3.01%, respectively. Freddie Mac’s chief economist, Frank Nothaft said, “this comes during a week of uplifting economic news heading into the holiday; GDP growth was revised up in the third quarter from 3.5 percent to 3.9 percent, while existing homes sold at a 5.26 million unit pace in October, topping expectations of 5.15 million units.” More here

According to the National Association of Home Builders 55+ Housing Market Index, single-family builder confidence among the senior housing development market increased over the last year. During the third quarter of this year, the index rose to 59. On the scale, a score of 50 marks the point where positive gains surpass negative. Additionally, the 55+ Housing Market Index for multifamily condos also increased from 37 in 2013 to 41 in the third quarter of 2014. Experts believe the growth is due to a growing population of seniors desiring relocation to a new home or an upgrade of their current home in their retirement years. More here

Much of the United States has already experienced its first snow of the season, whether it was a dusting in Des Moines or 80 inches in Buffalo. If you have not yet prepared for winter weather, now is the time to do so. A few things you can do to make sure you are safe during cold weather, snow or ice storms are: Pour sand on your walkways, porches and driveways to help create traction. You can also invest in tread tape to line your garage, which will decrease the risk of falling. Lay floor mats both outside and inside your doors so you can clean your shoes of snow or salt, which can be damaging to the interior of your home. Another helpful tip calls for placing markers or stakes alongside your pathways and driveway so you know where to stop shoveling. More here

According to research, only 36% of homeowners are under the age of 35; this may be a direct result of student loans, no credit history, lack of commitment, and the desire to live in large cities where real estate is costly. There are some valuable resources available to overcome the obstacles preventing millennials from buying a home: Experts suggest going to small local banks, local mortgage companies and credit unions to increase chances of being approved for a loan. It is also worth exploring first-time home buyer programs. More here

According to Zillow’s Real Estate Markets report, home sales inventory continued to grow during the month of October. The data suggests that higher-priced home sales inventory has experienced a larger increase than lower and mid-level priced homes. Experts expect that inventory in the lower and mid-level price range will grow in the coming years. Stan Humphries, Zillow’s Chief Economist said, “we expect more demand to come from the lower end of the market in coming years as millennials overtake Generation X as the largest home-buying demographic. As this happens, builders will be forced to build for these more entry-level buyers, and inventory at the bottom tier should improve.” More here

The holidays are right around the corner, and many people are preparing to decorate their homes, some elaborately so. While this can be fun for the whole family, it’s important to keep everyone safe. A few precautionary measures to take this holiday season are: Make sure your tree is not close to fireplaces or any other devices that create heat. When using artificial snow be sure to keep your distance, as the spray, if inhaled, can be bothersome to your lungs. Test all lights and make sure they work efficiently and safely. Also, when possible you should reduce the use of extension cords to avoid electrical danger. More here