Aug 21, 2020 11:37 PM
(This post was last modified: Aug 22, 2020 12:21 AM by C C.)
New research suggests in-person voting may be less risky than previously thought
https://www.npr.org/2020/08/21/904739776...8050190187
EXCERPTS: Amid widespread alarm about the ability of the embattled U.S. Postal Service to deliver mailed election ballots on time, pandemic-wary voters are now being told that in-person voting this fall may not be as risky as initially thought.
[...] new research suggests in-person voting may be less risky than many fear. A peer-reviewed study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health concludes that in-person voting in Wisconsin's April 7 election by more than 400,000 electors did not produce a detectable surge there in coronavirus cases. ... "Taken together," the study concluded, "it appears that voting in Wisconsin on April 7 was a low-risk activity."
[...] A May 11 study that was not peer-reviewed, however, reached a different conclusion about the risk Wisconsin voters faced on April 7... (MORE - details)
DIY projects ramp up in pandemic, and so do sales at home improvement retailers
https://apnews.com/18cddcd25aedbb7aa63bd107dccf231f
EXCERPTS: Home improvement retailer Lowe’s Cos. became the latest big box retailer to report surging sales during the fiscal second quarter as Americans are finding more ways to improve their home during the pandemic. Comparable store sales in the U.S. spiked 35.1% at Lowe’s, and online orders more than doubled. The report, issued Wednesday, comes one day after Home Depot reported similarly explosive sales.
[...] “Customers are finding projects around the house," Lowe's he said. “We don't see this as pull-forward. We see this as incremental.” During a call with The Associated Press, Ellison said that some of the money from the government stimulus checks is spurring sales, but shoppers are also diverting their spending away from traveling and other areas toward the home. ... Ellison said in a prepared statement that customers seemed mostly focused on repair and maintenance of their homes. At the same time, many are focused on finding a new home with more space for an office from which to work remotely, or one with a yard rather than a stoop.
On Tuesday the Commerce Department reported that construction of new U.S. homes surged 22.6% last month... (MORE - details)
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Five DIY Projects That Could Help Add Value to Your Home
https://www.marketwatch.com/press-releas...2020-08-18
EXCERPTS: Homeowners across the country have been inspired to roll up their sleeves and jump into home improvement projects that could pay off when it comes time to sell. After all, Zillow research finds 81 percent of people say they're spending more time at home compared to last year. If you are getting your home ready to hit the market, you will want to make that time and effort count.
[...] Zillow has selected five DIY projects recommended by agents that could help increase your home's value when it comes time to sell. These home improvements are by no means the only projects a homeowner should consider before selling; previous Zillow research has offered advice for sellers considering more extensive renovations. While many of these projects are correlated with a sale premium or a faster than expected sale, they are not guaranteed to increase your home's sale price... (MORE - details)
https://www.npr.org/2020/08/21/904739776...8050190187
EXCERPTS: Amid widespread alarm about the ability of the embattled U.S. Postal Service to deliver mailed election ballots on time, pandemic-wary voters are now being told that in-person voting this fall may not be as risky as initially thought.
[...] new research suggests in-person voting may be less risky than many fear. A peer-reviewed study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health concludes that in-person voting in Wisconsin's April 7 election by more than 400,000 electors did not produce a detectable surge there in coronavirus cases. ... "Taken together," the study concluded, "it appears that voting in Wisconsin on April 7 was a low-risk activity."
[...] A May 11 study that was not peer-reviewed, however, reached a different conclusion about the risk Wisconsin voters faced on April 7... (MORE - details)
DIY projects ramp up in pandemic, and so do sales at home improvement retailers
https://apnews.com/18cddcd25aedbb7aa63bd107dccf231f
EXCERPTS: Home improvement retailer Lowe’s Cos. became the latest big box retailer to report surging sales during the fiscal second quarter as Americans are finding more ways to improve their home during the pandemic. Comparable store sales in the U.S. spiked 35.1% at Lowe’s, and online orders more than doubled. The report, issued Wednesday, comes one day after Home Depot reported similarly explosive sales.
[...] “Customers are finding projects around the house," Lowe's he said. “We don't see this as pull-forward. We see this as incremental.” During a call with The Associated Press, Ellison said that some of the money from the government stimulus checks is spurring sales, but shoppers are also diverting their spending away from traveling and other areas toward the home. ... Ellison said in a prepared statement that customers seemed mostly focused on repair and maintenance of their homes. At the same time, many are focused on finding a new home with more space for an office from which to work remotely, or one with a yard rather than a stoop.
On Tuesday the Commerce Department reported that construction of new U.S. homes surged 22.6% last month... (MORE - details)
- - -
Five DIY Projects That Could Help Add Value to Your Home
https://www.marketwatch.com/press-releas...2020-08-18
EXCERPTS: Homeowners across the country have been inspired to roll up their sleeves and jump into home improvement projects that could pay off when it comes time to sell. After all, Zillow research finds 81 percent of people say they're spending more time at home compared to last year. If you are getting your home ready to hit the market, you will want to make that time and effort count.
[...] Zillow has selected five DIY projects recommended by agents that could help increase your home's value when it comes time to sell. These home improvements are by no means the only projects a homeowner should consider before selling; previous Zillow research has offered advice for sellers considering more extensive renovations. While many of these projects are correlated with a sale premium or a faster than expected sale, they are not guaranteed to increase your home's sale price... (MORE - details)