Mortgage rates continue to hover around 7%, as they have since the latter half of 2023 when the Federal Reserve stopped raising benchmark rates. While the conventional wisdom is that high rates are choking the housing market, a new survey suggests it’s not as all-encompassing as one might think. Bright MLS — one of the nation’s largest multiple listing services that covers six Mid-Atlantic states...

The Seattle area is a hot housing market. According to Zillow, the average home price in the Emerald City is currently $884,828, up 4.3% year over year. As home values have risen sharply, this has made the conundrum facing the area’s seniors more difficult to navigate: If they need to downsize, they may not be able to move into a home in their price range, much less be able to obtain a mortgage at a...

Top 10 reverse mortgage industry lender South River Mortgage is aiming to focus on its strengths. In addition to offering a proprietary reverse mortgage product option and transitioning last year from a broker to a direct lender, the company is focusing on its core business while staying engaged with the broader industry dynamics. South River president Tyler Plack recently discussed the elements of...

Hilton Head, South Carolina-based “borderless” MLS REsides is joining firms like MLS Property Information Network and Northwest MLS by not opting into the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) nationwide commission lawsuit settlement agreement. The non-Realtor-owned MLS announced its decision to opt out on Monday. MLSs had until June 18 to opt in to the settlement through a pathway negotiated...

Inventory grew by almost 14,000 homes this week. That’s a pretty solid number, but actually fewer than our model had predicted for the week. Available inventory of unsold homes continues to grow but that growth in seems a bit less intense than it could be. The sales rate — the demand side — is slower than I expected. It looks like we’re heading back to those conditions of the second half of...

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that our homes now have to be prepared for a whole range of things that might be coming our way. On the shores of Nova Scotia, an idyllic 10-acre private island — anchored by a massive main lodge — is already fully equipped for the worst-case scenarios. Built by an American after the 9/11 attacks, the island was “designed with security,...

It's dinner party season—make sure your plates are ready. Sur La Table With summer right on our doorsteps, now is the time to prepare for all the picnics, parties, and dinners with the doors open so you can soak up the sunshine (and show off your garden). This means you’ll also need dinnerware that’s up to the task. Fortunately, Sur la Table is coming through with two gorgeous garden dinner...

These tips on how to keep squirrels out of your bird feeders will ensure a cleaner outdoor space and happier birds. blightylad-infocus / Getty Images Hanging up a bird feeder is a great way to attract birds to your backyard, but you may find you have more than feathered friends visiting. Knowing how to keep squirrels out of bird feeders will help prevent these cute but messy creatures from...

Check out our recent favorite products, including kitchenware, coolers, and coffee makers. Summer is officially here, and our editors are trying everything possible to stay cool. From portable fans to a perfect road trip cooler, we're all about beating the heat. Iced coffee drinks have been our go-to lately, and our food editor shares her new favorite espresso machine that she calls a "coffee shop-level...

Whether it's in an entryway, hallway, or living space, learn how to style a console table like a pro. Kim Cornelison A console table is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you could ever put in your home. It can provide practical storage, create a place for lighting, or provide a spot to display seasonal decor. It also works in pretty much any room—place it in the entryway to create a...