There’s been a noticeable shift in how clients approach this business. Buyers and sellers aren’t just hiring agents anymore. They’re vetting them more carefully, asking sharper questions and paying closer attention to how you show up before, during, and after the transaction. The dynamic has flipped. The agent isn’t just evaluating the client. The client is evaluating the agent just as much, if...

U.S. House appropriators unveiled a fiscal 2027 spending bill that includes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with proposed cuts drawing criticism from housing advocates. The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations (THUD) Act, 2027, approved by the House Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee, provides a total of approximately $71.377...

Even with The Real Housewives of Miami currently on pause, Alexia Nepola clearly isn’t stepping away from the spotlight. The longtime Bravo star just purchased a $5.25 million villa at the The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach — and in true Housewives fashion, the story comes with a twist. Her ex-husband Todd Nepola represented her in the transaction. And honestly, it already sounds like a...

Kitchens measuring 315 to 360 square feet offer plenty of room for smart storage, dedicated work zones, hardworking islands and thoughtfully layered details. These spacious layouts can simplify busy routines while creating inviting settings for cooking, gathering and entertaining. In...

U.S. mortgage rates moved higher this week as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and renewed inflation concerns rippled through global financial markets, adding fresh pressure to an already strained housing sector. According to Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage climbed to 6.51% for the week ending May 21, up from 6.36%...

It’s been a day full of news about a possible peace deal with Iran, which would be great news for housing. However, even though mortgage rates have risen due to the conflict lasting longer than anyone initially thought, housing demand has held up, and housing inventory is now on the verge of going negative year over year in our weekly single-family listings data.  Housing inventory going negative...

When this globe-trotting couple decided to downsize and settle into retirement, they bought a condo in the walkable village of Bronxville, New York. Their unit, a new build, was slated to be more contemporary than they preferred. So they hired...

Appliance garages conceal countertop appliances such as blenders, coffee makers and toasters while keeping them easily accessible and organized. While they’ve been around for decades, they’re enjoying a resurgence in popularity as homeowners incorporate more gadgets into their kitchens — and as...

Searches on Houzz offer insights into where home design is headed. So we looked at Houzz search terms from January through March 2026 and compared them with searches from the same period last year to see how homeowner priorities might be...

As states take varying approaches to regulating home equity investment (HEI) products, the industry faces an increasingly fragmented legal landscape shaped by consumer protection concerns and uncertainty over whether the products should be treated as mortgage loans. Under an HEI, homeowners receive upfront cash in exchange for a share of the home’s future value, typically repaying the investment when...