As one of only a few states considering more stringent regulation of the home equity investment (HEI)/home equity contract product category, lawmakers in the state of Washington have requested an academic study to assess the impacts on state residents who may use an HEI to tap into their home equity. The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has commissioned a formal academic study on...

An illustration of an ax falling on the CFPB headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Image created with ChatGPT 4o) Under a workforce reduction announced on April 18, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may be left with just one employee in the Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity, along with an 80% reduction in enforcement staff and a 90% cut in supervision personnel – divisions that...

With their wood countertops, traditional ovens and welcoming feel, country kitchens have a clear appeal. If you find yourself drawn to this timeless style, you’re not alone, as country cottage interiors have been increasingly popular on Houzz. Here are five of the best...

Image PwC’s Annet Thomas discussed how public REITs manage income, assets, and tax implications when working with joint...

Image Yelena Maleyev says consumers remain cautious, despite job...

Miami-based World Property Ventures (WPV) announced this week its latest proptech initiative now under development: SENTIENT MORTGAGE, an emerging AI-driven mortgage matching engine custom-built to seamlessly connect real estate buyers and investors with the most competitive mortgage rates available across various property types -- in real time. Set to debut in the U.S. market later next year, the...

Landscapes designed to thrive in and support their local ecosystem even when faced with disruptions such as weather events, pests and diseases feel especially relevant today. And for homeowners who want an outdoor space that works with nature rather than against it, “resiliency” has become a...

Freshening your house with a deep spring-cleaning right now can feel really good. If you’re ready to go beyond the basic vacuum-and-mop weekly clean, pick and choose from these 20 deep-cleaning tasks, and get ready to enjoy your sparkling clean...

The weekly home sales data for last week was a big surprise. If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that we would have mortgage rates fluctuating between 6.64% and 7.25%, trade war escalations, stocks slipping into bear market territory and confidence data collapsing — I would think housing demand would be negative year to date and year over year. Yet, amid all those conditions, our...

Featuring tulips, peonies, sunflowers, and...