Depending on where you look for economic news, you may come away with your head spinning. While consumer sentiment surveys are down — with recent changes tied to trade policy announcements with China — the U.S. economy has remained in mostly resilient territory due to consumer spending. But why is there an apparent disconnect between consumer sentiment and spending? One investment adviser who pens...

Move over, real estate agents, and make way for the person who gives homebuyers the financial ability to buy a home – mortgage loan officers (MLOs). Also known as mortgage loan originators or mortgage brokers (although the roles differ slightly —  we’ll talk about it), MLOs are the key to financially connecting people to the properties of their dreams. Starting a career as an MLO is lucrative if...

For communities engulfed in the wildfires that took place earlier this year in the Los Angeles area, lives have been upended and additional strain has been placed on an already-stressed housing system in Southern California. But for wildfire victims who are also reverse mortgage borrowers, they may encounter problems stemming from a major disaster interacting with what’s already recognized as a...

President Trump last week promised a quick answer on whether to remove Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from government conservatorship. And it appears he’s already reached a decision: it’s time to take them ‘public.’ In a post published on Truth Social Tuesday night, Trump wrote: Our great Mortgage Agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, provide a vital service to our Nation by helping hardworking...

The fastest growing STR markets aren’t just headlines; they’re high-yield opportunities hiding in plain sight. In 2025, shifting travel patterns, tighter supply chains, and traveler preferences for unique stays...

For these homeowners, a built-in jetted tub, glass block shower divider and funky layout weren’t giving them the style and function they wanted in their primary bathroom. Seeking a modern organic style with European flair, they hired designer Joey Snow to bring the entire California ranch home in...

As the heart of the home, the kitchen is where we gather with friends and family to cook, eat, celebrate and socialize. Spending so much time in the kitchen also means it can easily become messy and disorganized. Fortunately, you can design your space so that it’s...

April new home sales was an anomaly say U.S. homebuilders New home sales in the U.S. posted a surprising gain in April 2025, defying persistent economic headwinds, elevated interest rates, and rising construction costs. According to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, sales of newly built, single-family homes jumped 10.9% in April to a...

Millennial homebuyers (born between 1981 and 1996) are reshaping the real estate landscape with their strong preference for digital tools and technology-driven experiences. As the largest cohort of homebuyers in the U.S., their tech-first approach influences how properties are marketed, searched and purchased.  Here’s the hard truth. If these buyers are looking online for lenders and land at your...

A kitchen that measures 320 to 350 square feet offers tons of roomy potential. The abundant space allows for an open layout, optimized cooking zones and enhanced entertaining, all with plenty of elbow room. Here, before-and-after photos of four uplifting kitchen remodels show a little of what’s...