There is an appreciation of luxury that is quiet, understated, and personal that is gaining momentum in 2017. People want their homes to feel luxurious but also welcoming, warm, and most importantly, authentic. This means creating spaces that feel highly personal with a piece of original art, beautiful accessory, unique lighting or custom furnishing.

Economic growth in Oregon continues to trend well above the nation and it is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. The region’s housing market is benefiting greatly from this economic vitality. Sales activity continues to slow, but this has not adversely affected home prices. The market still clearly favors sellers and, even with recent increases in mortgage rates...

Annual employment growth in Colorado was measured at a respectable 2.2% in November and will likely finish the year having created around 55,000 new jobs. Within the metropolitan market areas included in this report, we are seeing employment growth at or above the state level and I anticipate that this will continue to be the case in 2017.

Employment in the Las Vegas market slowed modestly towards the end of 2016 after having performed very well for the past couple of years. November data showed that 943,100 people were employed in Clark County; this is up by 19,000 from November of 2015, representing a growth rate of 2.1%. In a further sign of an improving labor market, the local unemployment rate has dropped...