Signals: What We're Tracking
🥶 Winter Storm Fern
Half the nation is bracing for Winter Storm "Fern" set to hit on Friday (they started naming winter storms in 2012, in case you were wondering). We're looking at a 1,000-mile path of damaging ice, heavy snow, and expected power outages for millions. You spend all day building resilient homes for clients ... don't forget to shore up your own.
Heard!
"America will not become a nation of renters."
—President Donald Trump at Davos, on his executive order restricting institutional SFH buying. (Will that reduce competition for lots and labor?) Notably absent from his talk: The idea recently floated for penalty-free 401K withdrawals to fund down payments. [Realtor.com]
Solar Mural Sets a Record
A residential complex in Alberta, Canada, established a Guinness World Record for largest solar-powered mural. Building-integrated photovoltaics are set in an artistic manner and create enough energy to power the 34,500-square-foot building's common areas.
Earthquake-Proof Bamboo?
When a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar last year, thousands of buildings collapsed, but a group of one-room ultra-inexpensive homes made from bamboo survived without any damage.
Why it matters: These simple homes may provide some insight for more resilient housing.
Foreclosures Are Up, But Where?
Foreclosures were on the rise in December, up 26% from November and 57% from the year prior, totaling 44,900 homes. [Attomdata.com]
More: States with the highest foreclosure rates were New Jersey, South Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, and Florida.
