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Ever dropped your phone? A device that can break its fall has been unveiled. The ADcase (Active Damping case) protects your display by deploying springy legs when it detects the handset is falling. The award-winning device is the brainchild of Philip Frenzel, 25, who created it as the thesis for [..]
Industry News
Realtor Safety Reminders
September heralds the annual observation of REALTOR® Safety Month and with it, reminders to make safety a year-round commitment. In a recent post to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Safety Month, the National Association of Realtors told its members, “The risks you face seem to grow more frequent and more [..]
Industry News
Remodeling trending upward as housing stock, homeowners age
As the median age of the U.S. owner-occupied housing climbs higher, analysts believe it signals growth for the remodeling market. Old structures normally require new amenities or replacement and repairs of older components, they explain. “Rising home prices also encourage homeowners to spend more on home improvement,” noted Na Zhao, [..]
Industry News
Multiple groups challenge Seattle’s rezoning plans as path to worsen displacements
Several neighborhood groups and housing activists, together with small businesses and environmentalists, are questioning whether Seattle’s housing affordability efforts are backfiring. Rather than create the expected volume of affordable housing, some representatives suggest proposed programs will worsen displacement. In a report published by South Seattle Emerald, writer Carolyn Bick cited [..]
Industry News
Developers can boost profits by researching amenity preferences
Developers risk foregoing profits by not being attuned to shifts in home buyer amenity preferences, according to John Burns Real Estate Consulting. That firm’s recent survey of more than 23,000 new home shoppers, coupled with the experience of two senior vice presidents, identified several dominant trends for planned communities. Steve [..]
Industry News
WSU team in demo phase on unique drywall blocks made from upcycled construction debris
Washington State University professors and students are collaborating with contractors to repurpose construction debris as drywall blocks for a unique building system. Known as a Drywall Waste Block, they’re designed to transform low-value construction waste into a material that could substantially cut the cost of building a home. The team [..]
Industry News
Confusion around E-DUI law persists as citations, fatalities rise
Drivers might agree cell phone use while behind the wheel is unsafe, but most are not changing their behavior, even with some alarming statistics and the passage of a strict E-DUI law. A study by the King County Target Zero Task Force revealed a majority of drivers are still reluctant [..]
Industry News
“Up” house not coming down after all
Although the storied “Up” house in Ballard was saved from coming down, its ultimate fate is still not certain as property owners proceed with redeveloping the 2.5 acre site where the quaint bungalow sits. In response to rumors that were circulating in mid-April about the impending demolition of the storied [..]
Industry News
Seattle tops 61 other cities as “Best to Live in”
Seattle edged out Virginia Beach, Virginia and Austin, Texas in a “Best Large Cities to Live In” ranking by WalletHub. The personal finance website compared the country’s 62 largest cities using 56 key indicators of attractiveness, including quality of public schools, life expectancy, job opportunities and property taxes. The metrics [..]
Industry News
Leading policy expert on “equitable green economy” to keynote 2018 Built Green conference
Built Green®, the holistic green home certification program of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, is holding its annual conference on September 13 at the Lynnwood Convention Center. Participants can choose sessions from four tracks during the daylong event. Featured keynoter is Vien Truong, national director of [..]