REALTORS® are remembering the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act by further advocating for inclusion and diversity in the nation’s communities.The National Association of REALTORS® designates April as Fair Housing Month and is promoting this year's landmark anniversary through a series of education offerings and events for its 1.3 million members and state and local associations.“As REALTORS® join our industry partne
Borrowing costs haven’t budged much in recent weeks, offering some relief from the weekly rate increases that had almost become routine at the start of 2018.“Mortgage rates have been holding steady over the past two months,” says Len Kiefer, Freddie Mac’s deputy chief economist. “Rates have bounced around 4.4 percent since mid-February. Rates could break out and head higher if inflation continues to firm. … If inflation continues to t
In the absence of legislative reform by Congress, there’s only so much the Federal Emergency Management Agency can do to encourage the growth of private flood insurance. But FEMA, which oversees federal flood insurance, has come up with a few small but meaningful program changes that will make it easier for households to switch to private insurance if they can get a better deal that way.First, the agency has lifted the requirement that househol
Wallpaper tends to be highly flammable and can be a major contributor to house fires. But researchers at Shanghai’s Institute of Ceramics are developing wallpaper that can detect fire and even act as a flame retardant.The wallpaper is made from fire-resistant materials like graphene oxide and hydroxyapatite nanowires. Graphene is electrically insulated and can be used like a sensor switch. When heat rises above a certain temperature, it will cl
Rising home and rental costs are pressing millennials to expect more from their parents. About 17 percent of millennials—those born between 1981 and 1996—expect their parents to help them with their first down payment on a home, according to a report by Apartment List, based on about 13,000 responses.The Apartment List survey also showed about 8 percent of millennials who are not students get some form of financial help from their parents to
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With a record low number of listings this spring, more buyers may be finding themselves in a bidding war for the home they want. CNBC recently highlighted a few tips on how buyers can be successful in a bidding war, including:Set the maximum price from the start. Home shoppers should factor in the monthly mortgage payment, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any homeowner association or condo fees. They’ll want to arrive at a general est
Homeowners care about the entertainment value a backyard offers, and they’re devoting money to sprucing these spaces up, according to the latest Houzz Landscaping Survey, based on responses by more than 750 homeowners who are either in the middle of a landscaping project or planning one.Homeowners are investing in several landscaping projects to make their outdoor areas more livable, such as adding more seating with lounge furniture, dining fur
Homeowners in many markets are getting a strong realistic view of home prices in their markets. Appraised values were, on average, just 0.36 percent lower than what homeowners expected in March, according to Quicken Loans’ National Home Price Perception Index. Further, more than 80 percent of the metro areas analyzed showed appraisals at, or higher than, the owner’s estimates.“This month’s HPPI is great news for homeowners who may be thin
Real estate professional Laura Lucky was showing a home to a couple in Scottsdale, Ariz., when they drove up on a sight taken straight from the Wild West: a hungry bobcat versus an undeterred rattlesnake along the road.Lucky began recording the snake as it took a bite out of the bobcat. The two fought for several minutes. She posted her video on social media. As of Thursday, the video had nearly 1 million views.“The rattlesnake had come up and
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