The gap between home appraisals and sale prices is rising. That’s according to a new report from Corporate Settlement Solutions (CSS), which analyzed 10 states on the East Coast and Midwest for the share of properties that were appraised for more than the sale price, in addition to the average value over appraisal. CSS’s analysis concluded that during the first half of 2024, 51% of sales in these...

Real estate investor sentiment rose 16% from the prior quarter and 60% of surveyed investors view the current housing market more favorably than a year ago. That was the key conclusion of the Summer 2024 Investor Sentiment Survey released Wednesday by Connecticut-based mortgage lender RCN Capital and conducted by business advisory firm CJ Patrick Co. The survey’s sentiment index is “designed to...

Survey data released Wednesday by F&G Annuities & Life Inc. shows that economic realities and other considerations are driving Americans to either delay or come out of retirement. F&G’s newly released Retirement Reconsidered survey, which was conducted in May across a sample of 2,048 respondents ages 50 and older, found that 51% of this cohort are thinking of reentering the workforce or...

Reverse mortgage marketing can be an exacting process. Due to ongoing reputational challenges stemming from years (and loans) past, lenders have to consider the ways they can effectively recontextualize the product for some clients while broadening its appeal, compensating for misconceptions and acknowledging current realities around things like interest rates, retirement savings levels and access to...

A newly released episode of the Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast explores the future state of buyer and seller relationships in the housing market after the National Association of Realtors‘ (NAR) business practice changes take effect Aug. 17. Co-hosts James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson chatted with industry expert Ed Zorn to address key questions that real estate agents may have in the...

Use all of the space in your cube storage shelves with these clever (and under-$25!) organizers. Walmart Cube storage is a tried-and-true staple in any modern home. It’s versatile, it’s functional, it’s one of the quickest ways to clean up and declutter, and, above all, it’s just cute. These modular storage units can be used in virtually any room of the house for everything from storing...

Learn the benefits and disadvantages of having a crawl space in your home. Getty Images / Double_Vision If you're unfamiliar with home construction, you might not know much about crawl spaces. While they are a common type of foundation found in homes across the country, there is understandably some confusion about what crawl spaces are—mainly how they differ from basements. Here, we explain what...

The best gas and electric models for your yard needs. Better Homes & Gardens / Marcus Millan Chainsaws are heavy-duty and versatile tools that can be used to tackle a wide range of outdoor tasks. Investing in a chainsaw can be a wise purchase, especially if you have a large yard, many trees on your property, or burn firewood all winter. The tool can be used to safely prune dead branches, cut...

Find out how to harvest lemongrass and when this popular herb is at peak flavor. Andre Baranowski When you know how to harvest lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) correctly, you'll have a fresh supply of this popular herb to enhance tea, soup, and other dishes with its citrusy fragrance and flavor. To help you get the most out of your plant, this guide explains when to harvest, which part of the...

All it needs is a lake or mountain view. Amazon We’d be lying if we said we’ve never been tempted to scoop up a tiny house on Amazon. There’s a surprising abundance of prefab kits up for grabs at relatively affordable price points (when you consider how expensive most real estate listings are these days, that is), including a three-bedroom complete with plumbing. But this is our first time...