The Federal Reserve did something this week it hadn’t done in more than four years when it lowered the federal funds rate by half a percentage point. But for mortgage industry professionals hampered by fewer sales opportunities since the Fed’s streak of rate hikes began in March 2022, will this be the start of better days? Mortgage experts say that while the 50 basis-point (bps) cut is a welcome...

After years of declines, home-flipping profits are coming back. That’s according to a report released this week by Attom, which showed that the typical profit on a flip in the second quarter of 2024 was 30.4%, the fourth time in five quarters that margins rose. Attom said that flippers have struggled in comparison to other types of sellers in recent years because they’ve exhibited an “unusual...

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner Julia Gordon thinks that more U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved housing counselors should be trained to work with Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) borrowers, according to perspectives she shared this week during an online housing conference hosted by HUD. The news, first reported by Inside Mortgage Finance, stems from...

The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA), the reverse mortgage industry’s leading trade association, is preparing to host its 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo on Sept. 24-26 in San Diego. The event is typically the largest, most expansive meeting for a wide variety of reverse mortgage professionals. It also typically features federal housing officials to offer updates on the Home Equity...

A top luxury agent in New York City has left Official Partners. Compass announced the hiring of Jared Schwadron this week, poaching him from the troubled brokerage founded by Tal and Oren Alexander. Schwadron has more than $1 billion in sales over a 15-year career that includes stops in New York City, Miami and the Hamptons. In addition to Official Partners, he’s previously worked with Douglas Elliman...

Shop oil and vinegar dispensers, shelf liners, an electric salt and pepper grinder, and more. Better Homes & Gardens / Reese Herrington As summer turns to fall—and harvest season rolls around—we suspect you might just find yourself especially busy in the kitchen. This “turning in” is a welcomed seasonal shift for serious chefs and foodies. But as your focus turns from outdoor fun to...

The name that changed the food storage industry is now forced to make changes itself. Scott Olson / Getty Images Tupperware is synonymous with takeaway containers. When you say, "Do you have a Tupperware?" you don't necessarily mean a brand-name Tupperware but rather any vessel that allows you to travel with your food.That's how impactful the company has been in the world of storage and...

Add a historical touch to your home with this rich, warm hue. Graham & Brown If you've ever wanted your home to feel like it's straight out of a fairytale set in the English countryside, turn to wallpaper that's timeless. Graham & Brown, one of the UK’s oldest interior design and wallpaper brands, always delivers with its Color and Design of the Year—and for 2025, they took inspiration...

Add warmth to your space with these autumnal finds, including wreaths, storage baskets, and fabric pumpkins. Better Homes & Gardens / Amazon Entryways are an often neglected and overlooked area in terms of home decorating. The transitory space is one of the first places you (and guests) set eyes upon, thus setting the tone for the rest of your home. With the fall season just around the corner,...

Use these three simple tips to take down peel-and-stick tiles without damaging your walls. Patrick Biller Renters and DIY pros have discovered many ways around the age-old dilemma of making a rental space your own. From wallpaper to flooring to backsplash tiles, peel-and-stick products are game-changers for making rentals look custom.There are many benefits to using peel-and-stick products, even...