Celebrate Grandparents Day on Sept. 7

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In 1970, Marian McQuade initiated a campaign to establish a day to honor grandparents. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a federal proclamation, declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. This day has been celebrated every year since in honor of our nation's grandparents.

7.1 millionThe number of grandparents whose grandchildren under 18 years old were living with them in 2012.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10050
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10050

Grandparents as Caregivers

2.7 millionThe number of grandparents responsible for the basic needs of one or more grandchildren under age 18 living with them in 2012. Of these caregivers, 1.7 million were grandmothers and 
1.0 million were grandfathers.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10056
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10056

603,118The number of grandparents responsible for grandchildren under age 18 and whose income was below the poverty level in the past 12 months, compared with the 2.1 million grandparent caregivers whose income was at or above the poverty level. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10059
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10059

$46,081Median income for families with grandparent householders responsible for grandchildren under age 18. Among these families, where a parent of the grandchildren was not present, the median income was $35,296.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10010
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10010

1.9 millionThe number of married (including separated) grandparents responsible for caring for their grandchildren. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10057 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10057

1.6 millionThe number of grandparents in the labor force responsible for their own grandchildren under age 18. Among them, 359,791 were 60 years or older. 
Source: U. S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10058
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10058

674,936The number of grandparents who had a disability and were responsible for their grandchildren. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10052
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10052

1.9 millionThe number of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren who were living in owner-occupied housing, compared with 850,871 that were living in renter-occupied housing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012, American Community Survey, Table B10061
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10061

495,946The number of foreign-born grandparents responsible for their own grandchildren under age 18. This contrasts with 2.2 million native-born grandparent caregivers. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10053
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10053

2.1 millionThe number of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren who speak only English. Another 252,775 speak another language, but speak English "very well"; 398,387 speak another language and speak English less than "very well."
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10054
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10054

Grandchildren

5.6 millionThe number of children under age 18 living with a grandparent householder in 2012. Nearly half, 
48 percent or 2.7 million, were under age 6.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10001
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10001

10% Percentage of children in the U.S. living with a grandparent in 2013, totaling 7.1 million. 
Source: America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2013, Table C4
https://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2013C.html

2.8 million The number of children living with both grandmother and grandfather in 2013.
Source: America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2013, Table C4
https://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2013C.html

Three Home Improvement Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend

LOS ANGELES -- Three-day weekends are a perfect time to revisit the home improvement checklist. Many homeowners agree – more than one in five undertake some sort of home improvement project on the Labor Day weekend.

It's a great time to trade in a TV remote for a paintbrush, and try one of these easy DIY home improvement projects this Labor Dayweekend. Dunn-Edwards Paints has dozens of how-to paint videos to help them tackle a DIY project like a pro.

1. Paint your front door Easy 1/2-day project Pick a vibrant shade and have the boldest door on the block in less than a day. Switching up colors can reenergize an entryway, making walking into a home a whole new experience. Since the door isn't competing with interior decor elements, there's no need to switch up furniture, lighting or accent pieces to complete this project. Watch this video on how to paint a front door from Dunn-Edwards.

2. Paint an accent wall Easy 1/2-day project Labor Day marks the end of summer, so switch it up for fall and redress a room with a new accent wall. An accent wall is an easy way to perk up a space, adding personality to a room next to monotone walls. Plus, shifting colors can inspire a whole new list of home decor ideas! Here's a video introduction to choosing wall paint colors from Dunn-Edwards.

3. Paint a wood gate Easy 1/2-day project The sun's out, there's a fresh batch of lemonade and guests are streaming in through the backyard gate for an outdoor Labor Dayparty. Don't tarnish summer memories with a shabby wood gate – freshen up with a new coat of paint. Depending on how worn the gate is, the wood can be painted, dry and ready for the weekend within a few hours. Watch this video tutorial on painting a wood gate from Dunn-Edwards.

A helpful tip: purchase all paint and supplies before Labor Day week to avoid long lines and get an early start on projects at the beginning of the three-day weekend

Keep Back-to-School Dirt and Germs Away

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.,  -- Starting a new school year means clothes shopping, parent-teacher conferences and kids coming home with sicknesses. Schools, in particular drinking fountains, door handles, cafeteria tables and chairs, and restrooms are ideal environments for germs to live and grow.

In an infographic illustrated by the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), on How Dirty is Your Child's School? nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold and 38 million are lost because of influenza.

According to the ISSA, the top five bacteria hotspots children are exposed to at school include:

     1.     Water fountain spigot: 2,700,000 bacteria per inch
     2.     Cafeteria tray: 33,800 bacteria per inch
     3.     Cold water faucet: 32,000 bacteria per inch
     4.     Cafeteria plate: 15,800 bacteria per inch
     5.     Computer keyboard: 3,300 bacteria per inch

"When you have a lot of kids interacting in close environments, illnesses can spread quickly," said Diane Emo, vice president of marketing for Coverall North America, Inc. "Students, parents and teaching staff can take simple steps to provide a united front against the spread of infection."

The ISSA reported that 43.5 percent of school districts don't deliver guidance for infectious disease prevention and cleanliness is usually measured by appearance. Cold and flu viruses can live on surfaces anywhere from a few seconds to 48 hours. Some bacteria can live on surfaces for months, so keep those statistics in mind next time you think that the kitchen counter looks clean enough.

The first step to keeping your child in the classroom and off the couch is teaching them proper hand hygiene. Germs are transmitted by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. It's no surprise to hear that children under the age of two put objects in their mouth 81 times an hour and children ages two to five put items in their mouth 42 times per hour.

"Children should learn to wash their hands with plenty of soap, warm water and paper towel or hand dryer. They should be able to sing 'Happy Birthday' or the 'ABCs' twice to remove germs," added Emo.

Teachers and parents can also model good cleaning and hygiene habits to reduce the spread of germs at school; children look to adults as role models and copy their actions. Disinfectant wipes are an affordable tool to use on germ hot spots. Remember that when children go home they will continue to touch anything and everything, only adding to the germ cycle.

Teachers are also thrown into the mix of catching illnesses in the classroom. Teacher absences costs schools more than $25 billion annually and substitute teachers cost the U.S. $4 billion annually. Teachers can also practice good hygiene habits to protect themselves.

July Data Shows the Healthiest End to Spring Home Buying Season in Three Years

SAN JOSE, -- For the first time in three years, July data shows the price appreciation and inventory increases established during peak buying season (from April to July) continue their upward trend, untouched by external economic factors, according to the realtor.com® July National Housing Trend Report released today. Move, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOVE) operates realtor.com®. 

"In July 2012 and 2013, we saw external economic factors overwhelm the healthy gains established in the housing market during the spring home buying season," said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com®, the leader in providing consumers with the most accurate U.S. residential listings online*.  "This year, we're ending the traditional season with high buyer and seller confidence demonstrated by price appreciation, increases in inventory and quick home sales."

July National Housing Indicators for 2012 - 2014

Year	Total Listings	Y/Y	M/M	Median List Price	Y/Y	M/M	Median Age of Inventory	Y/Y	M/M
Jul-14	1,979,475	2.3%	4.5%	$214,900	7.5%	-0.1%	82 days	-3.5%	7.9%
Jul-13	1,935,623	-6.4%	1.3%	$199,900	5.3%	0.0%	85 days	-16.7%	6.3%
Jul-12	2,067,430	-14.1%	-0.8%	$189,900	0.0%	0.0%	102 days	-1.0%	7.4%

Realtor.com® July 2014 national housing data reveals home owners are more optimistic about selling than in previous years. This month, the number of homes on the market increased 2.3 percent compared with last year and increased 4.5 percent over June. One factor fueling this uptick in inventory is a strong 7.5 percent increase in median list prices year-over-year. Despite higher prices and more homes on the market, buyers are snatching up properties faster than last year. Median age of inventory for July 2014 is 82 days, three days faster than 2013.  

"This is the first time, since the beginning of the recovery, that we expect to see positive momentum throughout the second half of the year," Smoke projected.  "While seasonal patterns are emerging in July month-to-month comparisons, all other metrics point to fundamental market health and a build-up of momentum."

While July growth may seem modest, it is in stark contrast to the housing indicators experienced over the last two years. In April 2013, mortgage interest rates began to increase significantly, making potential mortgage payments more expensive for home buyers. By July 2013, this slow but steady tightening of home buyer budgets dampened demand. As a result, month-over-month increases in inventory lessened and properties spent more time on market.

Additionally, in July 2012 concerns of broad debt defaults and economic weakness in Europe influenced big decreases in the stock market. Overall economic uncertainty contributed to weak consumer confidence, which influenced potential home buyers to remain on the sidelines while low prices made owners reluctant to list.  As a result, July 2012 median list prices remained flat both month-over-month and year-over-year. Inventory remained at very low levels and homes spent 102 days on the market.

Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Hit 2014 Low Point

NEW YORK,-- Mortgage rates moved lower for a second consecutive week, hitting a 14-month low. The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 4.24 percent, and has an average of 0.28 discount and origination points according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate moved a touch lower to 3.37 percent, while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage rate sank to 4.29 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were also lower, with the 5-year ARM slipping to 3.28 percent and the 7-year ARM stepping down to 3.49 percent, both three-month lows.      

Muted inflation readings and ongoing tensions in hotspots around the globe helped fuel demand for bonds, pushing mortgage rates lower. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds. Any time there is reason for nervousness among investors, their movement into the perceived safe haven of bonds is good news for mortgage rates. Low inflation has also been a boon for bond demand as inflation erodes the fixed payments bond holders receive.  

As 2013 came to a close, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 4.69 percent. At that time, a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,036.07. Mortgage rates have moved lower thus far in 2014, and with the average rate now 4.24 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $979.25, a savings of nearly $57 per month for anyone that waited.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 4.24% -- down from 4.27% last week (avg. points: 0.28)

15-year fixed: 3.37% -- down from 3.39% last week (avg. points: 0.17)

5/1 ARM: 3.28% -- down from 3.324% last week (avg. points: 0.15)

Only a Dozen Large Metro Housing Markets Feature Both Affordable For-Sale Housing and Affordable Rental Housing

Renting is currently more expensive than ever in many areas, according to Zillow, making it difficult for renters to save for a down payment on a home

- Homes remain more affordable to buy in 94 of country's 100 largest metros compared to historic averages. But renting is more expensive than ever in 88 of the country's 100 largest markets.

- The Zillow Home Value Index rose to $174,800 in July, up 0.2 percent from June 2014 and 6.5 percent from June 2013.

- After three months of flat or negative monthly growth, national rents rose 0.6 percent in July from June, to a Zillow Rent Index of $1,318.

SEATTLE -- Of the nation's 100 largest metro areas, only a dozen are currently more affordablei than they historically have been for both renters and homeowners, as widespread growth in housing costs continues to outpace wage growth. Nationally, U.S. home values rose 6.5 percent year-over-year in July, according to the July Zillow® Real Estate Market Reportsii, while national rents rose 2.8 percent over the same period.

Rental affordability is currently much worse than mortgage affordability, largely because rents didn't experience the huge drop seen in home values during the recession, and instead have just kept climbing upward. Nationally, renters signing a lease at the end of the second quarter paid 29.5 percent of their income to rent, compared to 24.9 percent in the pre-bubble period. In 88 of the nation's largest metro areas, renters should currently expect to pay a larger share of their income toward rent than they would have historically.

Thanks mostly to low mortgage interest rates, affordability of for-sale homes looks much better. U.S. home buyers at the end of the second quarter could expect to pay 15.3 percent of their incomes to a mortgage on the typical home, far less than the 22.1 percent share homeowners devoted to mortgages in the pre-bubble days. As of June, home buyers in just six of the country's 100 largest metro markets analyzed by Zillow were paying a larger portion of their incomes today than historically in order to buy their area's median-priced home.

But mortgage rates are expected to rise in the coming year. When mortgage rates hit 5 percent, still very low by historical standards, the number of unaffordable metros for homeowners among the top 100 will more than double, to 13. At 6 percent mortgage interest rates, the number of unaffordable metros will almost double again, to 24.

"The affordability of for-sale homes remains strong, which is encouraging for those buyers that can save for a down payment and capitalize on low mortgage interest rates. But the health of the for-sale market is directly tied to the rental market, where affordability is really suffering" said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries. "As rents keep rising, along with interest rates and home values, saving for a down payment and attaining homeownership becomes that much more difficult for millions of current renters, particularly millennial renters already saddled with uncertain job prospects and enormous student debt. In order to combat this phenomenon, wages need to grow more quickly than they are, particularly for renters, and growth in home values will need to slow."

The median annual income nationwide was $53,216 as of the end of the second quarteriii. But according to the Census Bureau, homeowners and renters make drastically different salaries – homeowners make $65,514 per year, while the typical renter in the U.S. makes just $31,888iv.

In July, median U.S. home values rose 0.2 percent from June, to a Zillow Home Value Indexv of $174,800, the slowest monthly pace of appreciation since February 2012. Looking ahead, for the 12-month period from July 2014 to July 2015, national home values are expected to rise another 2.7 percent to approximately $179,489, according to the Zillow Home Value Forecastvi.

Median U.S. rents rose 0.6 percent in July from June, to a Zillow Rent Indexvii of $1,318. The monthly spike in rents follows three straight months of flat or falling rents.

Metro	July 2014 ZHVI	July 2014 ZRI	Q2 2014 Median Income	Share of Income Needed to Afford Median Home, Currently	Share of Income Needed to Afford Median Home, Historically (1985-1999)	Share of Income Needed to Afford Median Rent, Currently	Share of Income Needed to Afford Median Rent, Historically (1985-1999)
United States	$     174,800	$    1,318	$     53,216	15.3%	22.1%	29.5%	24.9%
New York/Northern New Jersey	$     374,700	$    2,316	$     68,625	25.8%	31.6%	40.2%	23.6%
Los Angeles, CA	$     529,200	$    2,392	$     59,424	42.6%	35.2%	47.9%	34.7%
Chicago, IL	$     185,800	$    1,639	$     62,218	13.9%	22.6%	31.4%	21.2%
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX	$     147,100	$    1,400	$     61,032	11.2%	20.8%	27.4%	20.7%
Philadelphia, PA	$     199,200	$    1,543	$     64,528	14.4%	19.6%	28.5%	18.2%
Houston, TX	$     150,700	$    1,451	—	—	—	—	—
Washington, DC	$     359,900	$    2,071	$     92,766	18.0%	22.1%	26.7%	16.2%
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL	$     201,300	$    1,761	$     47,322	19.8%	20.7%	44.4%	26.5%
Atlanta, GA	$     148,100	$    1,191	$     59,888	11.7%	19.9%	23.8%	17.6%
Boston, MA	$     362,300	$    2,091	$     74,505	23.0%	27.8%	33.5%	25.4%
San Francisco, CA	$     688,600	$    2,874	$     76,239	42.6%	37.7%	44.3%	28.1%
Detroit, MI	$     110,900	$    1,062	$     52,552	10.1%	16.9%	24.2%	16.6%
Riverside, CA	$     277,100	$    1,629	$     53,549	24.5%	25.2%	36.3%	30.6%
Phoenix, AZ	$     193,700	$    1,202	$     53,299	17.5%	22.3%	26.9%	21.2%
Seattle, WA	$     333,000	$    1,778	$     69,711	22.7%	25.6%	30.4%	22.6%
Minneapolis-St Paul, MN	$     210,700	$    1,509	$     68,524	14.0%	19.2%	26.4%	19.3%
San Diego, CA	$     467,700	$    2,231	$     62,663	35.5%	32.9%	42.6%	33.0%
St. Louis, MO	$     128,800	$    1,076	$     54,700	11.3%	17.0%	23.6%	16.8%
Tampa, FL	$     141,100	$    1,239	$     45,699	14.9%	18.9%	32.4%	26.1%
Baltimore, MD	$     240,000	$    1,691	$     71,662	15.6%	20.8%	28.2%	24.2%
Denver, CO	$     269,200	$    1,712	$     63,578	18.9%	21.6%	31.8%	21.6%
Pittsburgh, PA	$     123,500	$    1,121	$     51,088	11.3%	15.6%	25.5%	25.8%
Portland, OR	$     274,300	$    1,496	$     59,159	21.8%	22.7%	30.2%	22.0%
Sacramento, CA	$     321,300	$    1,571	$     58,466	25.6%	29.3%	32.1%	30.2%
San Antonio, TX	$     145,800	$    1,270	—	—	—	—	—
Orlando, FL	$     161,600	$    1,300	$     48,524	15.8%	20.8%	32.1%	22.2%
Cincinnati, OH	$     136,200	$    1,192	$     54,931	11.4%	19.4%	25.9%	19.0%
Cleveland, OH	$     120,300	$    1,140	$     49,528	11.4%	19.8%	27.4%	21.1%
Kansas City, MO	$     137,400	$    1,148	$     58,330	11.2%	21.3%	23.3%	13.1%
Las Vegas, NV	$     181,100	$    1,178	$     51,047	16.8%	24.1%	27.7%	23.1%
San Jose, CA	$     803,900	$    3,050	$     96,868	39.5%	34.9%	37.1%	23.0%
Columbus, OH	$     143,900	$    1,236	$     55,577	12.1%	20.0%	26.6%	19.3%
Charlotte, NC	$     154,000	$    1,194	$     54,720	13.3%	19.2%	25.9%	17.2%
Indianapolis, IN	$     128,900	$    1,181	$     55,000	11.2%	22.0%	25.7%	17.8%
Austin, TX	$     216,900	$    1,604	—	—	—	—	—