Real estate professionals not only serve buyers and sellers but also have become major service stewards within their communities. Nearly 70 percent of real estate professionals say they volunteer in their communities each month, according to a survey by the National Association of REALTORS®.That giveback attitude is exactly the point of NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The program recognizes REALTO
Where do the wealthiest buyers and sellers own property? Coldwell Banker’s “State of Luxury Real Estate 2019” report breaks down the “power markets,” where affluent consumers flock for lifestyle and culture. The brokerage worked with the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing to analyze the top 5 percent and top 10 percent of active and sold listings in 2018.“There are hotbeds of luxury home sales at the million-dollar price point and hi
While wallpaper is once again an attractive decorating trend for homeowners looking for textures and accents, it's not for everyone. Designer Jessica Lagrange of Jessica Lagrange Interiors in Chicago works primarily with luxury clients who love wallpaper. Here’s what she advises about the “stay or strip” decision before listing a home.1. The clash test. Some wall coverings are neutral, such as those with small patterns, intriguing text
A different kind of market is on the rise, stretching beyond the big cities and just out West, a new realtor.com® report shows.The number one market on realtor.com®’s hottest market list for January is Midland, Texas.“Availability of affordable inventory is what’s driving the markets that are catching up,” says Javier Vivas, director of economic research for realtor.com®.Four of the five housing markets that increased the most in realt
The home theater is moving out of the basement and into the main living area. Home theaters are being replaced by multifunctional media rooms that feature lounge-style spaces—cozy couches, tables, and chairs around a TV, as well as a place to entertain guests or for the kids to do their homework, The Wall Street Journal reports.Homeowners Mark and Kathy Harrison in Indianapolis told WSJ they chose to have their home theater in the
The tiny home craze has drawn a lot of attention over the last few years, but is it overhyped? Are more homeowners really ready to ditch their spacious digs for living spaces that are 500 square feet or less?Apparently not. Even the priciest places—where homeowners are the most likely to downsize and save on costs—are not favoring tiny homes. Tiny homes comprised only 2 percent of all home sales in New York City and San Francisco over th
Women have grown more powerful as a homebuying force over the last few decades, and they tend to take on more financial risk than their male counterparts, according to a new report from personal finance website SmartAsset. In 348 of 402 metros analyzed by SmartAsset, women had a larger loan-to-income ratio than men.SmartAsset ranked the places where women are buying the most homes by looking at the percentage of mortgages approved for women and c
When a home inspector examines the property your buyer is under contract to purchase, you should know that there are some items the inspector legally can’t determine about its condition. Inspectors are bound by a set of rules that limit what they can share with a buyer. HouseLogic.com, the National Association of REALTORS®’ consumer-facing website, recently highlighted several points that home inspectors can’t tell a buyer about.© Peter D
Older homes often come with plenty of character and possibly even a lower price. But buying a home that has been around for a while can also mean dealing with age-related problems.RISMedia’s HouseCall has tips during the home inspection process for home shoppers to watch for before purchasing an older home, including:Watch for electrical issues.Older homes could have dated wiring and electrical panels that may not be able to keep up with t
Many parts of the U.S. have been struck with a snap of subzero temperatures. While keeping themselves warm during the bitter cold, homeowners also need to take precautions to keep their home safe, too.In Wisconsin's capital, the Madison Water Utility posted a photo on Twitter to show homeowners how a burst pipe can damage a home. The photo was taken at a vacant home in Madison. “They shut the heat off, so then the water burst up in th
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