2026

U.S. Housing Market Enters 2026 in Uneven Transition as Affordability Pressures Mount According to new data from property analytics firm Cotality, the U.S. housing market is opening 2026 in a state of recalibration rather than recovery, with cooling prices, widening regional disparities and mounting affordability strains reshaping buyer and seller behavior. After two years defined by rapid appreciation...

With an epic snowstorm hitting large areas of the U.S. recently, I expected housing data to take a hit after the solid start we had already seen in 2026, but it remained mostly positive, which surprised me. The big key to that, of course, is that mortgage rates, even with all the crazy headlines recently, are still near 6% and didn’t show much volatility even with all the Fed news we had last...

Experts share insider tips and tricks for handling property damage from a neighbor's burst pipe, and who covers the costs of the resulting...

Turning to the past for a kitchen redesign in the present offers a lot of leeway. Without the strictness of a spot-on restoration, a vintage-inspired makeover lets you choose which elements conjure a comforting fondness for simpler times (even if the simplicity is entirely imaginary) and which...

What will our homes look like in 2026? The answer isn’t about flashy design — it’s about living better. For a snapshot into what’s next for home design, here are five trends shaping how we might live, gather and age in the years...

The rose world is vast, with new and improved varieties arriving every year. With so many beautiful blooms to choose from, how do you know which rose is best for your garden and will deliver the traits you want: fragrance, disease resistance, color or all three?...

There was no escaping the prominence of new lighting designs at the recent Maison & Objet trade fair, which took place Jan. 15-19 at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center. Across the seven halls, lighting featured in almost all areas. While lighting is always a focus for...

A new WalletHub study compares all 50 states to identify where retirees may find the most favorable balance of affordability and quality of life — with Wyoming taking the top spot. The analysis highlights wide disparities between states, with some offering budgets that stretch much further than others. Following closely behind Wyoming were Florida, South Dakota, Colorado and Minnesota....

The House of Representatives approved legislation last week to bolster customer service efforts at the Social Security Administration (SSA), advancing a broader funding package aimed at avoiding a government shutdown at the end of this month. Lawmakers paired the funding increase with oversight requirements, instructing the SSA to avoid closing field offices or cut direct service, and to submit monthly...

Austin Niemiec will take the helm of Rocket Pro following the departure of Dan Sogorka, according to people familiar with the transition who spoke to HousingWire. Niemiec will retain his title as chief revenue officer of Rocket Mortgage but will focus exclusively on the broker and correspondent channel through Rocket Pro. He will report to Heather Lovier, chief operating officer of Rocket Companies, who...