Here is the complete breakdown of what happened in this year’s playoffs
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Archives for June 2012
2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs [Infographic]
June 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A mobile storm in the cloud [infographic]
June 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Did you know that there are 3 billion more smartphones on earth than there are humans? Maybe that doesn’t come as much of a surprise to you. But what you might find more surprising is that the growth in smartphone adoption has actually contributed to Engine Yard’s success. That’s right: as smartphone adoption has grown, so has app consumption. As a result, businesses are now prioritizing mobile application development. By 2015, mobile application development projects targeting smartphones and tablets will outnumber native PC projects by a ratio of 4 to 1. Innovation in mobile is imperative, and there’s a need for tools that enable businesses to innovate quickly. Many cloud computing technologies–like Engine Yard’s Platform as a Service–have enabled developers and businesses to focus on application innovation.
The below infographic includes even more interesting facts about innovations in mobile, cloud computing and PaaS. Check it out and let us know where you think these fields are headed next.
National Headlines and Local Real Estate Markets
June 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Do National Real Estate Headlines Actually Influence Local Markets?
This is a question we are frequently asked. Local real estate professionals know the best information for either buyers or sellers is local market data. However, we must realize that what happens in the national real estate market dramatically impacts regional and local markets. For example:
Are 30 year mortgage interest rates in North Dakota under 4% because of what happened in the their market over the last few years?
Of course not. They benefit from lower rates because of what happened in the national economy (if not the world economy).
Buyers all over the country are concerned about the reports of distressed properties about to come to market and what impact they will have on house values. The truth is only a handful of states will be adversely affected. However, if overall consumer confidence is shaken, every market is impacted. This is why it is important that you work with a real estate professional that understands three things:
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What the national headlines are saying and why they are saying it
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What effect the issue may or MAY NOT have on your local market
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How to simply and effectively explain both of the above to you
Agents who just ignore national headlines are hiding their heads in the sand. Agents who use the headlines as scare tactics to unfairly influence the actions of their customers are engaging in unethical behavior. Agents who take the time to keep abreast of the national real estate issues and are patient in explaining how these issues will impact you in the local market are true professionals.
The first two types of agents could cost you dearly. The last group will maximize the outcome of your real estate transaction – both personally and financially.
by THE KCM CREW
U.S. Employment Growth by State – Washington Is Strongest In The West
June 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
5 Coolest Homes for Geeks
June 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Sure, just being able to purchase any kind of home now days is something to boast about, but for those who are very well off, these amazing architectural masterpieces take design to the next level. Continue reading to see five of the coolest homes for geeks (or anyone for that matter).
1. Fortress House
Zombie fighters rejoice! Called “Fortress”, this incredible 6100-square-foot home by architects KWK Promes turns into a impenetrable structure at the push of a button. That’s not all, “entry requires several security codes and even then you are placed into an enclosed concrete bunker before being let in the house.”
2. Sports House
Priced at $3.3-million, this sports house in San Francisco — by the Martin Building Company — “is perfect for the person who loves high ceilings and lots of open space; the roof line is adorned with multiple skylights, including a 16 x 20 foot retractable center skylight that facilitates lots of natural light.”
3. Iron Man House
Remember Tony Stark’s stunning house from the Iron Man movies? Well, it is now on the market for a whopping $25-million. Not just a computer-generated home, the real-life “11,000 square feet luxury mansion comes with 4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and private access to Black’s Beach.” Unfortunately, a fully-functional Iron Man suit isn’t included with the house.
4. Villa Amanzi
Situated atop “a 197-foot-high cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea” in Phuket, Thailand, Villa Amanzi by Original Vision is definitely the ultimate dream home for those looking to combine function with form. However, the journey down to get groceries or just to hang out with friends may be another story.
5. Rotating House
Built by Domespace, these incredible and innovative homes feature a rotation system that “helps balance the temperature inside the house, reduce energy consumption, and change the scenery at any time.” Let’s just hope that the next version of this home receives even more high-tech upgrades, like an indoor, solar-heated pool!