According to recent data, home prices grew 0.8% in June from the previous month and increased 5.5% from June 2013. Data shows that half of the 40 largest metropolitan cities have reported positive monthly improvement. Miami and San Francisco specifically have experienced large monthly gains, increasing as much as 11.8%. States such as Texas, Nevada, Colorado and Michigan have also seen monthly improvements. Additionally, home appreciation has continued to grow over the last year, but at a slower pace. More here

Wood fences are the perfect way to create a safe place for your children or animals to play, or even just allow more privacy to your backyard. While fences are an added perk to any home, they need to be regularly maintained  in order to keep them looking good and working efficiently for many years to come. A few ways you can get the most out of your wood fence are: When buying wood for your fence you should choose redwood or cedar, as these varieties are more resilient to rot. Posts should be pressure treated to protect them from insects and moisture found in the ground. Fence owners should strive to keep vines and bushes away from the fence line, and to position irrigation systems far enough away from the fence line to guarantee the fence stays dry and free of rot. More here

Mortgage delinquencies have fallen for the 10th consecutive quarter in the U.S., decreasing approximately 20% in just the last year. According to a recent report from TransUnion, millennials are helping to keep the delinquency rate down. Millennials have the lowest delinquency rate among all ages right now, averaging 2.43%. The head of financial services for TransUnion, Steve Chaouki said,  “overall, the improvements in the mortgage delinquency rate can be attributed to a number of factors. These include the clearing of severely delinquent accounts through foreclosure as well as a lower rate of new delinquencies from post-recession vintages, which generally are of significantly higher credit quality and have experienced much better performance than mortgages originated before the recession.” More here

Fixing small problems today in your home can end up saving you thousands of dollars in the future. Experts have given tips to help save money and avoid major catastrophe by addressing small tasks when problems arise. If your electricity bill is much higher than it should be consider checking the insulation on your exterior walls and in your attic. If the amount of insulation is little to none, a new installment may be in order. Proper insulation in all parts of your home can reduce energy consumption significantly. Replace any wet or mold-damaged drywall in your home and look for leaks. Invest in a hot water heater tray to reduce the risk of flooding in your home. Inspect, and if needed, install new windowsills. You can also use exterior caulk to help seal your windows. Another good idea for reducing the electricity bill is to keep your AC unit cleaned out so it will work more efficiently. You can use a leaf blower to remove leaves and debris. More here

According to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo’s Housing Market Index, this month’s builder confidence for new single-family homes jumped two points, averaging 55, the highest level seen since the beginning of the year. August is the third consecutive month that the Housing Market Index has experienced an increase. The Chairman for the NAHB, Kevin Kelly said, “as the employment picture brightens, builders are seeing a noticeable increase in the number of serious buyers entering the market.” More here

States such as Arizona and Florida are among the most-popular locations in which to retire, according to research. As reported by TopRetirements.com, there are other less-known locations that are worthy of exploration. A few cities that are great locations for older Americans are: Greenville, North Carolina, Greenville is a growing city with mild weather and affordable living. Lincoln, Nebraska, Lincoln is a city full of activity with large walking, jogging, and cycling trails, a world-class performing arts center, low cost of living, and great access for Medicare. Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville is a destination with exceptional heath care, great golfing courses and the median home price is under $140,000. Finally, Jackson, California, Jackson is a quaint town with pleasant weather all year and is located in wine country. The city offers great amenities for seniors, with charging stations for vehicles and lower utility costs. More here

There are excellent ways to keep your pool well maintained without using harsh chemicals that can be harmful to the earth and one’s health. A few ways to go green with your home swimming pool are: Use salt- salt provides a natural alternative to chlorine and may be easier on your pocketbook, as well. Chlorine causes dry skin, itchy eyes, and even increases the risk of asthma in children. Consider purchasing an energy-efficient pump to help save electricity and money. Go solar- solar covers are a great way to warm your pool without using electricity, and can reduce the rate of evaporation by 95%. More here

According to Zillow’s Mortgage Rate Ticker, the 30-Year fixed-rate mortgage increased five basis points from around this time last week, averaging 4.08% nationally. The vice president of mortgages at Zillow, Erin Lantz said,”Mortgage rates were subdued last week as ongoing geopolitical concerns and economic softness in Europe encouraged investors to buy U.S. mortgage-backed securities as a safe-haven. This week, we expect international headlines, rather than U.S. economic data, to drive any meaningful changes to mortgage rates.” Additionally, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.12% nationally, according to Zillow. More here

Smart home-management systems are here and making significant changes and improvements to home life. Smart home systems have been designed to make everyday life easier, but many come at a hefty price. A few systems that can make your house smarter without breaking the bank are: A signal booster, this is an antenna outside of your house that strengthens your smartphone signal, making it approximately ten times stronger. A home management system, this is a relatively inexpensive system that allows you to keep your home safe from burglars while away, and allows you to control the thermostat via smartphone. Lighting system, this allows you to control the timing and intensity of lighting in your home. Water sensors and keyless entry are also interesting options available. More here

Research shows that millennials are attracted to specific cities in the U.S. According to the National Association of Realtors, cities with affordable living, job growth, and fun attractions are magnets for young adults. Some cities that made the top ten best cities for millennials are Austin, Texas- the median home price is $226,000 and job growth is approximately 4.3%. Des Moines, Iowa- the median home price is $153,000, and job growth comes in at 3%. New Orleans also made the list, the Crescent City’s median home price is $158,000, and job growth is around 2.5%. Other cities included on the list are Seattle, Minneapolis, and Denver. More here