2024

Mortgage rates moved massively lower last week without any Federal Reserve rate cuts, primarily because the labor market is getting softer. Can mortgage rates go even lower? As we can see below, when the market priced economic weakness earlier in 2024, it took the 10-year yield down toward 3.80% but didn’t break that level. So, after a softer jobs report, the question is: Can this level break and head...

The Federal Reserve won’t pivot on rates until the labor market breaks and it will keep financial conditions as tight as possible until that happens — this has been my theme since 2022. Friday’s jobs report had one number which got people talking about a possible recession: the 4.3% unemployment rate. Now, historically speaking, that is a low unemployment rate, but it has moved up from the recent...

We've never seen a piece of furniture elevate a room quicker. Better Homes & Gardens / Tyler Roeland There’s nothing more important to your living space than a comfortable and stylish accent chair. And shoppers love this Better Homes & Gardens Mira Swivel Chair for just that—so much so that it sold out five times! But lucky for you, it’s back in stock and the off-white shade is...

Equal parts bright and soothing, these are paint industry experts' favorite warm white shades. Courtesy of Valspar White will always be a classic when it comes to paint colors, but picking the right shade can be tricky. "Warm whites are a staple in most designer color palettes, and even though they're neutral, getting them right can make or break the vibe," says interior designer and Behr...

They can’t do your laundry for you, but they’ll sure make the process a lot more enjoyable. Walmart There seems to be a universal truth when it comes to home decor and organizers: Laundry is not aesthetically pleasing. A big tub of laundry detergent or detergent pods almost never fits organically into the space. Beyond that, dirty clothes poking out of an open basket is far from calming—and...

Three design experts told me how they would design a room if no one else could see it; borrow some of their tips to build a space that is authentic to you. Brie Williams Recently, a new design idea has tiptoed into the interiors world—the secret room. No, no trap doors or hidden passageways are required. Instead, the premise is pretty simple: Imagine you have a secret room that no one can access...

Dead patches of grass are signs that something is wrong. Get to the root cause for an inviting and healthy lawn. Oskars Bormanis / Getty Images A thriving lawn is easy to spot from down the street, thanks to its uniform dark green appearance. Unfortunately, brown spots on a lawn also stick out amid all the green. There are several things that can cause dead patches of turf, such as pests,...

Tiny white bugs on plants in your home or outdoors can be a big problem. Learn how to identify and get rid of them. Tomasz Klejdysz / Getty Images Spotting tiny white bugs on plants in your garden or home can be distressing. What are they? Will they hurt your plant? What should you do?A few different small white insects commonly feed on a wide variety of plants, so you're likely encountering one...

Reduce home and garden waste by composting these natural items. Marty Baldwin Home gardeners don’t need to limit their compost piles to grass clippings, vegetable peels, eggshells, and other kitchen scraps. Most organic materials can be composted in an indoor or outdoor compost bin as long as those composting ingredients are kept moist, aerated, and given enough time to break down. To get you...

Shop deals on hammocks, conversation sets, patio umbrellas, and more. Better Homes & Gardens / Amazon Whether you’re shopping for shade, additional pieces for entertaining, or an ideal spot to lounge, there are plenty of outdoor furniture must-haves at Amazon. And the best news is that not only can you add quality options to your porch, patio, or deck, but you can also find them on sale in...