We all know the impact Millennials have for any industry as dominating consumers, and home buying is no different. As this generation’s older tier reach their 30s, more and more are foregoing pricy weddings and delaying marriage in favor of mortgages and homeownership.
According to the Forbes article, Why Millennials Are Better At Home Buying Than You, Millennials will represent the largest group of home buyers in America for the second year in a row. At 32% of the market, this number is expected to continue rising in the coming years. The article states Millennials look to home ownership as an investment, and with this, the time period for ownership is also shortening. Financial institutions are recognizing this trend and have responded with special programs for first-time buyers that require a lower down payment, since most Millennials have less cash on hand to invest. Read the full Forbes article.
What does this mean for Austin? Ranked number 5 on Realtor.com’s article, Where are Millennials Most Likely to Buy in 2016, we boast a 24% higher share of 25-34 year olds than the nation as a whole, as well as an unemployment rate of only 3.3%. With a median list price for a home of $367,000 it doesn’t seem like the housing boom will slow down any time soon. See the full list here.
Lennar Austin
Lennar Austin has multiple communities throughout Austin and Central Texas with homes ready for move in, with pricing starting in the $200s. Don’t forget about Lennar’s “Everything’s Included®” Homes, where all the luxury features you expect are already included!
For more information please contact our Internet New Home Consultant, Ashley for more information at 512-596-7703.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed FutureHAUS, a new concept in building that combines state-of-the-art technologies with cutting-edge building techniques. The research and innovation of FutureHAUS attempts to improve flexibility and options for new home builders. As Mike Black for TecHome Builder explains, this new concept has the potential to influence the future of smart home building as new technologies become more essential in every room our homes.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a concept home called FutureHAUS that utilizes the newest in home technology, including efficient systems and home automation, in a way that can teach traditional builders.
Each smart concept room is being completed in stages as part of a modular cartridge, as they call it. “What we came up with is a concept that uses what we call cartridges, which are basically entire walls of technology. So we have the whole-kitchen cartridge, bathroom wall-modules, equipment storage walls and etc.,” says Joe Wheeler, FutureHAUS project leader.
These cartridges are used to help builders understand how they can also install these pre-finished, pre-wired cartridges. They mimic modular building in that entire rooms are shipped from the factory to the job site, but the research teams believe their concept improves on modular building techniques by improving flexibility.
Increasing Flexibility and Options
“What we are doing with the FutureHAUS research is using the cartridge components as a proof-of-concept for the Internet of Things (IoT) home of the future,” says Wheeler.
For a single-family home, after the home’s slab is cast and set, the builder and integrator installs the cartridges into place, depending on the layout, and then frame the house around the cartridges. By initially installing the cartridges according to the home’s layout, builders are able to immediately see potential trouble spots that may not have been apparent during the design phase and make changes before the home is built.
The cartridges allow builders and integrators to increase job-efficiency by visualizing tech placement to understand how different systems are meant to come together and connect.
Imagining enjoying hot fresh doughnuts at home, without waiting for dough to rise or running to the nearest bakery. In honor of National Doughnut Day we’re letting you in on the secret for how to make the easiest homemade doughnuts.
What you need:
Canned refrigerator biscuits
Cooking oil
Skillet or deep fryer
1½ inch round cutter A round cutter set like this one is a great tool to have on hand in the kitchen for doughnuts, biscuits, cookies and more.
Toppings of choice (optional) Glaze, frosting, cinnamon-sugar, sprinkles, and powder sugar are a few options.
Steps:
Pop open a can of biscuits and lay on a cutting board. Using a small round cutter, remove the center of the biscuit for your doughnut holes. Kids can help with this task while you’re heating up the oil.
Enlist the kids to help make the holes
If using a skillet, add about an inch of oil and heat to 350 degrees. Use a thermometer to check the temperature frequently and adjust as needed. The oil should be hot enough to achieve a nice golden hue, but not so hot that the outside burns before the inside cooks.
Heat oil to 350 degrees
Carefully slide your biscuits into the hot oil. Cook in small batches to not overcrowd the pan. These will cook quickly – only a minute or two on each side. Sacrifice a doughnut hole from the first batch for a taste test.
Cook a minute or two on each side
Remove your beautifully cooked doughnuts from the oil and place on paper towels or a cooling rack.
While still hot, you can opt to roll doughnuts around in a simple cinnamon-sugar mixture. Or allow the doughnuts to cool a bit before adding an icing or glaze, and of course, sprinkles.
Treat yourself for breakfast or whip some up for a quick afternoon snack. Happy National Doughnut Day!
Do you have tips for an easy homemade treat? Let us know in the comments below.
