Archives

If you are an active buyer or seller planning to travel over the holidays -- or anytime, for that matter -- make sure your agent can still reach you. If you can’t be found, you could lose your deal.... more

Some homebuyers are about to catch a break, courtesy of the Federal Reserve Board and other banking regulators.... more

A good real estate agent can be your best friend. But if you are just kicking the tires at open houses and aren’t quite ready to buy, you probably want to look around without being bothered.... more

You found the house, secured your loan, closed the deal and moved in. So you never need to pay attention to mortgage rates again, right?... more

Many -- if not most -- homeowners aren’t prepared for a flood, tornado or other natural disaster. And neither, apparently, are their insurance companies.... more

Parents can take a number of steps to help their offspring purchase their first homes. They can donate money for a down payment, co-sign on a mortgage or pay off their student loans.... more

Kevin Casey was “blown away” this summer when nearly 400 people came out to have a peek at two of his firm’s accessory dwelling unit projects.... more

Your government at work: good and bad. First, the bad.... more

Most buyers, understandably, would want to know if a violent death occurred in the houses they are considering. And as it turns out, most states require sellers to divulge the fact that a suicide, mur... more

Long ago, comedian George Carlin made a name for himself with a bit about the seven words that could not be said on television. Nowadays, you can hear all of those words on cable, and many of them on ... more

The request Aaron Cole received, via email, to wire $123,000 to close on his new home certainly looked legit. It wasn’t, though, and in the click of a mouse, his money was gone.... more

Here come the holidays. In a few weeks, Halloween will be upon us; four weeks after that, Thanksgiving. And before you know it, Christmas and New Year’s will arrive.... more

Some people buy houses in need of repair, rather than move-in ready places, to save money. Others buy fixer-uppers to renovate and resell for a quick profit -- or keep as their own.... more

A recent advisory from a federal consumer watchdog agency is shining new light on the growing problem of elder abuse. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is urging financial institutions to repor... more

Four longtime friends from the Kansas City, Missouri, area don’t know it, but they are on the leading edge of a growing phenomenon in vacation homes. They are buying places collectively: first in Vail... more

“What housing needs is a General Motors.” -- Leo Grebler, father of modern housing economics... more

Homebuyers sometimes pour every dollar they have into the transaction. But it’s important to maintain a reserve, should something unexpected strike.... more

In the not-to-distant future -- circa 2025 or so -- kitchens in new homes may be little more than a table that displays recipes and menus, cooks food, warms drinks, and charges mobile devices. IKEA ca... more

Houses listed for sale on a Thursday tend to sell more quickly, and at higher prices, than those listed on any other day of the week, research shows. But what’s the best time of day to show a house?... more

Over the last decade, homebuilders have all but conceded the first-time buyer market to the resale sector. But evidence is mounting that builders are trying to get back into the game.... more

The housing market is definitely changing. Maybe not everywhere, at least not yet. But in most places, sellers are slowly losing their dominance and buyers are taking control.... more

Many homeowners believe they can’t do without these two perks: home warranties that promise to replace appliances that cannot be repaired, and Angie’s List, the popular website that recommends contrac... more

Homeowners who sell their houses “as-is” may end up costing themselves more than they would have spent to make the necessary repairs -- if they are able to sell their homes at all.... more

The housing markets have taken another hit as a result of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.... more

Sellers who can’t decide whether to move into their next homes while their current one remains unsold should consider this: According to a new analysis, empty houses remain on the market longer, and s... more

Congratulations to Beverly Fulkerson of Osgood, Indiana, who was the winner of a Montana mountain retreat in this year’s HGTV Dream Home Giveaway. Here’s hoping she gets to keep the place.... more

A new mortgage product is about to hit the market that could make it easier for owners to repair or rebuild homes that have been damaged or destroyed in floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural... more

In most real estate transactions, the focus is on the purchaser and whether he or she can afford to buy the property. But there is another, equally important question: Can the seller afford to sell?... more