Uncommon Sense: Most Baby Boomers are Not Downsizing (Quite the Contrary)
The Baby Boomer generation continues to play a major role in the housing market, as well as the U.S. economy more generally. Older households are less likely to move and purchase homes, but their sheer size and relative wealth means this generation will account for $1 out every $4 spent on new home...
Community Wealth and the Future of Consumer Demand in America
Much has been written about the growing wealth and income gap between America’s rich and poor. However, the wealth gap exists not just among individuals, but among entire communities. And we can anticipate where local consumer demand is headed by examining the state of local communities. To...
Measuring the Gap Between Housing Aspiration and Affordability
Americans tend to have high expectations when it comes to their homes, and those tendencies are creating an interesting dynamic in the U.S. housing market. In short, this “eyes are bigger than the stomach” scenario has created a significant gap between the homes Americans aspire to purchase and...
Location, Location, Location: The U.S. Housing Market’s Recovering But by How Much Will Depend on Where You Live
Walking down a street in the U.S., you’ll see not just a window to a home but one into the community and lives of the residents. From economics to quality of life, housing can tell us much about the state of Americans today. So having a clear sense of where this market is headed is
Millennials Prefer Cities to Suburbs, Subways to Driveways
Millennials are the social generation, both online and in-person. As the founders of the social media movement, they’re never more than a few clicks away from friends and family. And offline, they prefer to live in dense, diverse urban villages where social interaction is just outside their front...
Assessing the Wellbeing of American Communities Through the Lens of Housing
As a major engine of the U.S. economy, the housing market is steadily watched and analyzed as a barometer for the general wellbeing of the country. That’s not surprising, as U.S. consumers spend approximately $2 trillion on their housing needs every year. Housing, however, isn’t just about...
Energy Efficiency is a Common Current for Consumers and Providers
Energy consumption has been a factor for consumers since the dawn of modern civilization, but in a world of rapidly advancing technology and environmental awareness, it’s never been as topical as it is today. In fact, some scientists are concerned that people are consuming energy at an...
Be It Ever So Costly, There’s No Place Like Home: Global Saving Strategies for Household Emergencies
A faucet doesn’t have to be leaking to keep us up at night. Considering how costly home repairs can be, it’s a wonder that we ever stop worrying about household emergencies. How prepared are we for a broken water heater or an air conditioner on the fritz? To help understand how consumers around...