September 2024

An often misguided premise I see on social media is that lower mortgage rates are doing nothing for housing demand. That’s ok — very few people are looking at the data without an agenda. However, the point of this tracker is to show you evidence that lower rates have already changed housing data. So, let’s review the data together. Purchase application data First, purchase apps is the fastest...

In what has become a familiar fall ritual, mortgage lenders are increasing their conforming loan limits months ahead of the FHFA’s official announcement. On Friday, Pennymac joined Rocket Pro TPO in announcing an increase in their conforming loan limit to $802,650 — before the expected increase by the FHFA in November. Pennymac’s increase will be effective for new broker locks on Monday, Sept....

Talk about sturdy construction. Better Homes & Gardens / Amazon I’ve spent more than a few hours virtually touring tiny houses on YouTube, so when I discovered that you can actually purchase one at Amazon, I stopped shopping for seasonal home decor and started searching the site for portable residences instead (if you like to spend your free time on Zillow, I highly recommend this...

Even if you’re too scared to say his name three times, you can still bring that signature Beetlejuice aesthetic into your home. Jason Donnelly Fans of Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy-horror classic Beetlejuice are officially materializing in theaters for the sequel—and it's been a long time coming.The characters in the original made up the soul of the film, particularly Michael Keaton’s portrayal...

This decor trend will have you foraging for mushroom-inspired Halloween pieces. Jason Donnelly Mushrooms have been sprouting up everywhere in home decor and fashion this year, and the experts say the trend is creeping into Halloween decor, too. According to Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s trend expert, this fungi fad stems from a longing for design elements rooted in the natural world.“With the...

Move over marshmallows—it’s time to roast some cheese. Cheese: -lvinst-; Campfire: Botina Inna / Getty Images | Design: Better Homes & Gardens It's official: We've made it to sweet, sweet s'mores season. Except this year, they're not so sweet.The evenings are finally getting chilly enough to warrant a fire, but it's not so cold that you need an indoor escape. And while the classic s'more...

Find out exactly when to cut back peonies and how to do it properly to benefit next year’s blooms. Bob Stefko Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia lactiflora) are among the easiest flowering plants to grow. One key to success is knowing when to cut back peonies and how to properly make your cuts. These perennials produce new growth from the plant's crown in spring, which dies back to the ground after a...

Optimism is a prerequisite for success as a salesperson, and real estate professionals have it in spades. At the Tom Ferry event last month and at the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) going on right now, this attribute is on display everywhere. Speakers are motivated and motivating, focused on what real estate professionals can control in a crazy housing market....

At the National Association for Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) L’Atitude conference on Friday, an AI expert showcased AI use cases for agents using tech tools that have improved by leaps and bounds this year — even in the last few days. I’ve interviewed AI experts for the last year, helped create our AI Summit, attended the FHFA’s TechSprint focused on AI and read about it daily. And I...

Pair them with tights and boots for the perfect chilly-weather ensemble. Better Homes & Gardens / Jaclyn Mastropasqua When the weather starts to turn and you need a cute yet cozy wardrobe option, a comfy fall dress is the answer. Classic silhouettes in a solid color are always a good choice, but it’s also fun to shake things up with a plaid tunic or ruffled maxi. The good news is you...