2025

According to StorageCafe, life events continue to shape the U.S. self-storage market, with moving, housing affordability, and economic shifts fueling sustained demand. Interest in self-storage has surged by 88% since 2020, reaching an all-time high of 25 million annual searches in 2024. As the industry navigates post-pandemic fluctuations and oversaturation in some markets, it has adapted to better serve...

Image Gladys Quinto Marrone says the results from charitable giving are “profound and...

There was no surprise on Wednesday as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) chose to leave the federal funds rate unchanged at a range of 4.25% to 4.5%. The decision was almost universally expected by market observers as the Federal Reserve weighs data that could be pushing the U.S. toward a recession. The short-term direction of mortgage rates — which are more closely tied to Treasury yields than...

After taking the time to digest elements of a proposal from lawmakers in Hawaii, the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) has expressed support for a measure to establish a state-run Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program there. In a letter submitted by NRMLA to sponsor lawmakers at the end of February, the association explained that it “strongly supports” the adoption of...

Financial services veteran Patrick Halonen has joined reverse mortgage lender and servicer Longbridge Financial as the company’s new head of credit policy, underwriting and quality control. “With over 25 years of expertise in the financial services industry, Halonen’s appointment underscores Longbridge’s continued commitment to enhance its operational frameworks as the company continues to...

Given the current housing environment in the U.S., the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)’s new leader should prioritize the affordable housing footprint across the country, find ways to cut costs in the origination of mortgages and take additional moves designed to mitigate risk. This is according to the Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA), who submitted a letter with its perspectives to new...

Chief operating officer Tammy Richards is taking on a new role at Kind Lending. Richards announced Tuesday on LinkedIn that she’s now the president of retail at Kind Lending, a move that comes a little less than a year after she joined the company. She had an association with Kind Lending before being hired as COO, as the company was a client of LendArch, the mortgage consulting firm she founded in...

If you fancy a bit of armchair travel, treat yourself to a tour of this collection of lakeside homes on Houzz. From a rustic cabin in Minnesota to an apartment within a former convent in Como, Italy, these properties have one thing in common — spectacular views out over the water and clever...

For many of us, the morning is a busy blur of family breakfasts, random tasks, frantic clock-watching and rapid showering. So how can a morning feel more calm than chaotic, more productive than problematic? One option is to take a leaf out of a truly organized person’s book and work a few of their...

Wondering if it’s time to hire a kitchen designer? These design pros are experts at creating well-thought-out, functional spaces and are always up on the latest in kitchen design trends. If you’re thinking of undertaking a major kitchen remodel, renovating an old house or creating your dream...