In the August rate update, I explained why over 99% of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are variable interest rate loans and the advantages of this over the fixed-rate counterpart. Some of those advantages improve over time, like the organic line-of-credit growth. So, would it make sense to apply right away, even though rates may decline in the future? According to conventional wisdom,...

In a little more than a week, Federal Reserve policymakers are poised to lower benchmark interest rates for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of that decision, mortgage rates continued to decline, although a surge of borrowers has yet to appear. At HousingWire‘s Mortgage Rates Center on Tuesday, the average 30-year conforming loan rate was 6.47%, down 13 basis points (bps)...

A distinctly elegant home set on a nearly 1.8-acre parcel overlooking the 18th fairway of the exclusive Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Pacific Ocean has recently set a new record for Monterey County. Rightfully known as “Masterpiece on 18”, the Pebble Beach house sits on the 18th hole of the famed golf course — known as America’s greatest public golf course — on what’s often been...

Learn how to use electrical tape from your toolbox to get high-end windows in your home. Max Kim-Bee Glass features like floor-to-ceiling windows, a luxurious glass shower, or a glass dividing wall are guaranteed showstoppers. Recently, designers and homeowners have been using industrial gridded windows to create high-end design moments.Known as Crittall windows, these windows feature black steel...

These picks are the most absorbent, durable, and high-quality. Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock The very best bath towels make you feel instantly warm and luxurious when you wrap yourself up in one. But even though all bath towels (or their larger cousin, bath sheets) do basically the same thing—dry you off after a bath or shower—they’re not one-size-fits-all. “Bath towels are...

Interior designer Jeremiah Brent brings his signature sophistication to kids spaces with heirloom-quality furniture, storied textiles, and cozy color palettes. Courtesy of Crate & Kids Jeremiah Brent is known for his nuanced, sophisticated interiors. The spaces he designs are deeply soulful, well-traveled, and impeccably layered. Sumptuous, natural palettes are often wrapped in softly...

One of these common lawn diseases might be at work if your turf is marked by dead spots and discoloring. Marty Baldwin Even well maintained grass can sometimes be plagued with a lawn disease. When the just-right combination of pathogens, environmental factors, and susceptible grass coincide, plant diseases can gain a foothold. The first step in combatting the problem is identifying the specific...

Stay on budget with these useful, thoughtful, and affordable gifts. Better Homes & Gardens / Brian Kopinski Whether it’s an upcoming birthday, anniversary, holiday, or a “just because” occasion, a gift that shows you care can go a long way. While there are plenty of options out there at different price points, there are plenty of high-quality gifts that won’t break the bank. To help,...

According to new data from the Miami Association of Realtors, Palm Beach County, Florida, saw a 2.6% drop in total residential sales in July 2024, declining from 2,109 to 2,054 transactions. However, single-family home sales in the county rose slightly by 0.9%, increasing from 1,164 to 1,174, while existing condo sales experienced a year-over-year decrease of 6.9%, falling from 945 to 880. The median price...

Better Home & Finance Holding Co., the parent of digital lender Better.com, rolled out its Federal Housing Administration (FHA) streamline refinance program on Monday. The product is available for qualified borrowers with an existing FHA loan who are looking to lower their monthly mortgage payment, reduce their interest rate, shorten their loan term or get out of an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM),...