2024

As a desert-dweller, I’ll try anything to keep my AC costs down—and this did the trick. Julie Soefer Living in the desert has its advantages for much of the year. Beautiful sunny days when most of the country is cold and wet give those of us who dwell amongst the cacti and palm trees a little bit of an attitude. “Aren’t we lucky?” we think as we ride our golf carts around in the middle...

Take inspiration from one of this year's most popular textiles. Brittany Ambridge From fashion to home decor, Jacquard fabrics are everywhere in 2024. But what actually is Jacquard? You might be surprised to learn that the term 'Jacquard' doesn't actually hint at a specific material or pattern, but the weaving process itself. So, any natural or synthetic fabric, from linen to silk to polyester,...

Eliminate ugly stains in toilet bowls with these tips for removing mineral deposits and bacterial growth. Getty Images / Peter Dazeley Cleaning a toilet is an essential part of a bathroom cleaning routine, helping to eliminate and prevent the formation of germs and unsightly stains. And almost no stains are more unsightly than ugly rings that form in the toilet bowl.You might be relieved to hear...

Learn how planting trees can transform your environment and improve your quality of life. Bob Stefko Trees bring us shade, fruit, and flowers, but they add much more to our lives than we might realize. Research shows that trees do everything from increasing property values to making us feel better. And as the climate warms, trees can also help slow down the manmade changes brought to the planet....

Image Scott Stubbs reflects on professional and personal accomplishments and...

Based on ATTOM's newly released July 2024 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, there was a total of 31,929 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings - default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions -- up 15 percent from a month ago (June 2024), and up slightly by .2 percent from a year ago. "July's foreclosure activity reflects a slight shift in the housing market," said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM....

Based on the recently released 2024 CoreLogic Wildfire Risk Report, more than 2.6 million homes across 14 states are at moderate to very high risk of wildfire damage during the 2024 wildfire season, with a total reconstruction cost of $1.3 trillion. The western United States has the greatest wildfire risk with three states comprising 70% of the risk. The following states having the highest number of homes...

The recent declines in mortgage rates have been good news for mortgage professionals and consumers alike. But the industry is not yet out of the woods, said Todd Sheinin, the Maryland-based vice president of strategy and development at Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. “As you talk to more people across all aspects of our business, from the loan officers to the consumer to real estate agents,...

Ralph Harvey, Jason Saphire and Ben Caballero are three of the most prolific agents in America. They collectively sold over 10,000 homes last year alone, and you won’t ever find them on the buy-side of a transaction. But these listing-only agents are still having to adjust their practices to conform with the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) nationwide commission lawsuit settlement agreement...

Industry-leading reverse mortgage lender Finance of America (FOA) detailed some of its ambitions in appealing to senior borrowers, which includes new TV commercials that feature former American Advisors Group (AAG) turned FOA spokesman Tom Selleck. During its second-quarter earnings presentation last week, FOA President Kristen Sieffert offered new details about the ways in which FOA will leverage its...