High mortgage rates still hobbling the U.S. housing market According to new data released by the National Association of Realtors, existing-home sales dipped again in April 2025, reflecting ongoing challenges in the U.S. housing market despite growing inventory and continued buyer interest. Completed sales of existing homes--including single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops--fell 0.5%...

Last week, we witnessed a pivotal moment for mortgage rates and the bond market, which some pundits have said has grown increasingly aware of our rising national debt and deficits. A bond auction last week was perceived as having soft demand, prompting media outlets and market speakers to suggest that the U.S. could face consequences for its lack of fiscal discipline. Yet, by the week’s end, bond...

It’s perfect for an office, gardening shed, or rustic guest...

It’s weather-resistant for year-round...

Seattle interior designer Harmony Weihs and her husband have four children between them, three of whom still live at home. They wanted a house where they could be comfortable and casual while spending time together. After they’d saved enough, they found a very tight real estate market and limited...

The showrooms at the trade-only High Point Market in North Carolina are a great place to discover what’s “in” in outdoor furnishings. At the recent spring market, we spotted these eight trends poised to bring fresh style to a poolside, deck or patio near you....

Releasing the GSEs from conservatorship became a hot topic again this week after President Trump posted that he was giving it “serious consideration” on Wednesday, followed by a Bloomberg interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday. The timing of the president’s announcement took many by surprise, given rising bond yields, an uncertain trade war landscape and mortgage rates...

Bringing reminders of loved ones into our living spaces is part of what makes our homes special. You can do the same in your garden by adding plants and features that symbolize those you have loved, honoring their lives and focusing on what they meant to you. While every memorial garden is unique...

The annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) — a global gathering of designers, manufacturers, architects and design enthusiasts — is the premier destination for discovering the latest in cutting-edge contemporary design. At this year’s Designing in Harmony-themed event, held May...

An existing reverse mortgage-backed securities issuer and wholesale lender is making a new play for the retail space, according to a new announcement. GoodLife Home Loans, dba of Bellevue, Wash.-based Traditional Mortgage Acceptance Corporation (TMAC), announced this week that it has launched a new retail reverse mortgage division to add to its existing efforts in the wholesale space. GoodLife is...