Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last week enacted updates to condominium project standards and property insurance rules for one- to four-unit properties and larger developments, aiming to lower costs for homeowners. The moves have been met with mixed opinions from mortgage professionals. The updates, which Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced on March 18, allow greater leeway in how replacement cost...

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte is again targeting New York Attorney General Letitia James, this time filing criminal referrals with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over alleged insurance fraud. The referrals were sent to two U.S. attorneys — Jason Reding Quinones of the Southern District of Florida and Andrew Boutros of the Northern District of Illinois — who were...

Two weeks ago on CNBC, I talked about how the housing market was poised for growth for the first time in years — unless mortgage rates shot up due to the war with Iran. Mortgage rates were sub 6% before the war and today they hit 6.62%, according to Mortgage News Daily. That is a big move. It’s unfortunately the kind of move that the housing market has grown accustomed to over the past few years,...

With the Social Security trust fund less than seven years from insolvency — at which point a 24% across-the-board benefit cut could be triggered — a new proposal suggests capping annual payouts for the nation’s wealthiest retirees. A white paper released by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget advocates for a “six-figure limit” that would cap Social Security benefits at $100,000 per...

Some of the country’s most compelling historic homes aren’t in its largest cities. They’re found in mid-sized places where growth happened early, architecture was built to last, and neighborhoods have remained relatively intact. These cities often offer something larger markets struggle to preserve: cohesive historic districts, where entire streets — not just individual houses — tell a...

For years, “luxury” in real estate was fairly easy to define. It meant larger homes, prime locations, and price tags that placed them well out of reach for most buyers. That definition is starting to shift. Across the country, a new category has been taking shape: homes that borrow the look, feel, and features of high-end properties, but come in at far more accessible price points. They’re...

Some homes feel different the moment you walk in. Not because they’re larger or more expensive, but because they seem to have a kind of quiet energy. The air feels fresher. The light moves. There are small signs of life in every room, even when no one is speaking. That feeling doesn’t come from design alone. It comes from a mix of natural elements, daily habits, and subtle details that shift a...

When a design-loving empty-nest couple purchased this 1942 Bloomington, Minnesota, home, they were sold on the spectacular Minnesota River Valley views. The dated, closed-off kitchen was a different story. Marred by worn cabinetry and a cramped layout, the space felt worlds away from...

Getting that perfect balance of cozy and functional in a living room can be tricky, which is why homeowners will often turn to a design expert for help. We spoke to five professionals to find out the features they put at the top of the list when designing a client’s living area. They‘re guaranteed...

The rising cost of labor, materials, products and more have had a strong impact on professionals in the construction and design industries. To be able to work economically and secure the viability of your business, you have to pass on some of these costs to your customers. Here’s...