We're back to scrounging up the wacky and wonderful here on Housecall. In this edition, let's look at some of the craziest kitchens around. Green fever This strange, abstract design in lime green is sure to appeal to someone, somewhere. Source: UpToDesign Minimalist This modern, sleek design has you going “What kitchen, where?” Source: emmas blogg Ultra mod This...

It’s November. The temperature has dropped, and it has even snowed (or flurried) in some areas. Not feeling particularly pilgrim-y and being ready to break out the eggnog are symptoms of Christmas fever. If you or any of your loved ones have experienced this, know that you are not alone. According to a very unofficial poll I just ran in my head, 80 percent of people...

There are three kinds of people who know about New Haven: the ones who live in the area, the ones who know people who live in the area, and the ones who know of Yale. I used to belong to the second group, until graduation forced me to migrate outside of the comforts of Purchase, N.Y. and into the loving arms of New Haven. After having lived there for six months,...

A fan of the legendary Frank Sinatra? Now you can live like you're part of the rat pack. Built for Sinatra himself, this sprawling desert home offered the perfect space for the multi-talented musician and actor, regardless of if he was seeking solitude or partying it up with his crew, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. Named Villa Maggio...

By Matt Parker In the last 75 years, humans have done everything to keep from walking. Now, walking is cool, with "walkability" becoming a buzz word in real estate. Whodathunkit? In today’s real estate market, adults buy homes and pay attention to a nifty analytic attached to the homes they might buy - walkability. In short, something is walkable if you can get...

By Matt Metcalf 2017 promises to be an interesting year in real estate. Facing the Millennial Effect, interest rate questions and economic changes, it’s important for REALTORS® to devote time investigating both their state and local real estate trends as well as the national factors determining 2017. Below are four promising trends that will shape the market this...

By Joslyn G. Ewart In the past, real estate investment has been a male dominated arena. However, as more and more women gain financial independence, they are moving into the real estate market at rapid speed. Below are a few reasons why women make good real estate investors. 1. Women tend to be more comfortable with longer-term investing than men, and the purchase...

Selling a home as iconic as the ‘Flintstone House’ is not for the faint of heart (or for those looking for a quick sale in order to untether themselves from the real estate game so they can spend their retirement traveling). As the current owner of the Hillsborough, Calif., home can attest, it’s time to move on and share the quirky space that’s been on the...

By Dixie Somers Since relocating is such a major undertaking, it's vital to thoroughly research your options. This is especially essential regarding an overseas move. Here are five things to assess in a prospective neighborhood to ensure you'll feel at home, no matter whether your new home is here or abroad. 1. Transportation
One consideration is how you'll...


By Pem Guerry Many highly regulated industries such as financial services and real estate have adopted electronic workflows because of the protection and convenience that the technology offers. But for documents that need that extra (literal) stamp of approval of a notarization, a cog is thrown into that digital wheel. The process loses its clean, automated,...