Real estate cycles are less predictable than in the past. With minute-by-minute alerts on breaking news, homebuyers' moods are now heavily influenced by reporting on key economic indicators, stock mar... more

They're called "upsizers." They're seniors nearing retirement who aspire to the ownership of a larger, more luxurious home to enjoy in their golden years. But can they afford to increase their housing... more

As the economy heads toward recovery, the number of road warriors -- people who travel constantly for work -- is rebounding dramatically.... more

Most real estate markets across the country are in a steady state of recovery, with home prices still rising and foreclosures falling closer to pre-recession levels. But in other neighborhoods, signs ... more

A couple in their late 50s spent weeks grappling with a big question about the right house to buy for their upcoming retirement. They were torn between choosing a traditional two-story house versus a ... more

They're called "power ZIP codes": neighborhoods that massage residents' egos, giving them bragging rights at cocktail parties. They feature sumptuous homes with well-landscaped grounds and give reside... more

As the executor of a relative's estate, it fell to a busy middle-aged woman to oversee the sale of a ranch-style house near San Diego. So she flew there to meet with the real estate agent handling the... more

With a law degree from Georgetown University, Rory O'Sullivan expected to be further along the economic spectrum by age 29. But his hefty load of student debt, coupled with his modest salary, means he... more

A few years ago, a couple in their early 30s -- both sales managers -- made a hasty decision to buy a contemporary condo in downtown San Diego. They were captivated by the apartment's stunning views a... more

Donna Goings, who's sold homes since 1985, has a wide-angle view of the home-buying market. Thinking back, she says it's only been within the last 10 years that buyers have become acutely energy-consc... more

Many people think home-buying bargains are gone, a casualty of the nation's gradual economic recovery. They reason that given rising home values, the only remaining areas where you can nail a good dea... more

Americans have been on a home-improvement binge for years. But at some point, many homeowners realize their aspirations can't be met through remodeling alone. That's when they start thinking seriously... more

They were a newly blended family with a grand total of seven kids, four from his first marriage and three from hers. After the wedding, they headed out to hunt for a house spacious enough to hold them... more

It can happen in a cool real estate market or a boiling one. Curiously, a good-looking house in a nice neighborhood languishes unsold for what seems to its exasperated owners as an endless length of t... more

At the height of the financial crisis, those who were self-employed stood almost zero chance of having a mortgage application approved. But while many challenges remain, the situation is now slightly ... more

For some homebuyers, it can be a tough choice between a townhouse, which offers freedom from the demands of upkeep, and the classical suburban house with four walls of its own and an expansive yard wh... more

At a time when mortgage rates are volatile, potential homebuyers are understandably nervous about what's coming next. After all, higher rates could dramatically reduce their buying power.... more

Kristin Bertilson was just 13 when her family decided to move from their large Victorian house in Maryland to a much smaller place in Oregon. As the eldest of four girls -- and the one born with what ... more

Mary McCall has sold homes since 1987, and with each year that passes she encounters more would-be sellers who resist the need to make vitally important pre-sale improvements to their front yard.... more

In most areas, a real estate recovery is underway, puncturing the fierce buyers' market that let purchasers dictate the terms and conditions of transactions. But, surprisingly, some sellers have yet t... more

There's been a gradual generational shift in lifestyle preferences among homebuyers, real estate experts say. More buyers from the "Generation Y" group -- those in their 20s to early 30s -- now wish t... more

In most areas, the economy is improving and the number of foreclosures is tapering off. Yet, as always, there are numerous homeowners at a financial crossroads who must sell under duress.... more

Home sellers who think an improving real estate market means they'll do fine selling "as is" are sadly mistaken, says Eric Tyson, co-author of "House Selling for Dummies."... more

She was a successful boutique owner of 31 who yearned to leave her solid-yet-not-spectacular house in a middle-income neighborhood for a larger, flashier place in a prestigious suburb. But six months ... more

Like giant vacuums, investment companies have been buying up vacant homes in recent months -- often negotiating rock-bottom prices in exchange for speedy, all-cash sales.... more

Home values are ascending in many areas. Meanwhile, the future trajectory of mortgage rates now seems increasingly uncertain.... more

Before Debra Attman would put her sister's house on the market, she insisted that hundreds of items from three giant walk-in closets be purged. Otherwise, she feared the property would seem too crowde... more

Many homebuyers think that the more affluent the neighborhood, the more welcoming it is to newcomers who move there. But the opposite is often true.... more