While many agents fear the replacement potential of AI, it may end up allowing the industry to continue working if the worst happens.

It can be challenging to discern meaningful data from the rest. Still, it's vital to grow your social media efforts effectively. You want to avoid what's called "vanity metrics" and measure the metrics that mean something.

Properties must be eligible for an appraisal waiver, and like Better's "One Day Mortgage," some fine print can stand in the way of getting a loan approved in 24 hours.

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On the precipice of the hotly anticipated spring housing market, the U.S. Federal Reserve just dealt homebuyers another crushing blow.

Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, told Congress on Tuesday that more aggressive interest rates might be needed to cool inflation. And while mortgage interest rates are separate from the Fed’s short-term rates, they often follow the same trajectory. Those higher rates have hit homebuyers where it hurts: their budgets.

In response to Powell’s comments, mortgage rates hit 7.03% for 30-year fixed-rate loans on Tuesday afternoon, according to Mortgage News Daily. Those higher rates are largely responsible for today’s buyers paying more than 50% a month in their mortgage payments than they would have a year ago.*

“That’s a bummer for buyers who had their hopes raised that rates would be falling,” says Realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale. “It’s going to be a more challenging spring than some people were expecting.”

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Some houses are so unique in their architecture and location that it’s hard to imagine they’ll ever be replicated. The Burbank Castle, in Burbank, CA, is one of them—and it’s on the market for the first time, priced at $4,995,000.

Known by some as “The Harry Potter House,” this four-bedroom, 4.5-bath mansion cuts a magical silhouette in the Burbank Hills. Inspired by the homeowner’s travels in England, the custom-built Victorian Tudor is on the market for the first time since its construction in 2002.

“This home easily has the most amazing, unobstructed views in the valley,” says listing agent Scott Rosenthal. “This is the ultimate view home and can all be enjoyed from an infinity hot tub with a glass of wine.”

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Venture MLS announced the placement of David Anderson, previously with Lone Wolf Technologies, to which he sold his real estate CRM in 2021.

Photo-Illustration by Realtor.com; Photos: Getty Images (4)

Two true tests of any romantic relationship include building IKEA furniture together (without losing any of the tiny parts!) and, of course, renovating a house.

As you and your partner work together to achieve the perfect home, even the most straightforward projects can spark arguments, battles, and long-term resentments.

“Home renovations, like any major life change, can bring a lot of stress into a relationship,” says Candace Kotkin-De Carvalho, a licensed social worker and clinical director at Absolute Awakenings in Northern New Jersey.

So before you start looking for couples counselors and building contractors, here are six things to remember when tackling a big home project with your significant other.

Vecteezy

While most homebuyers know that they’ll need to meet certain requirements to get a home loan, in some cases the house must pass certain standards, too. This is definitely the case if you’re considering a USDA loan from the Department of Agriculture.

USDA loans can be a boon to homebuyers due to their fairly lenient qualifications for homebuyers’ incomes and credit scores. However, these loans do have strict standards that the house must meet to qualify as well.

One main requirement for USDA loans is the home’s location: Eligible properties must be in rural or suburban areas with a population of 35,000 or less. (Listings on Realtor.com® will typically indicate if they qualify for USDA loans.)

Beyond location, the home must also meet certain criteria. While the exact terms will vary by area, here are some general guidelines to help you tell whether a home is eligible for a USDA loan.

A Deal with Constellation Software Inc. hinges on ICE closing the deal to acquire Black Knight, now valued at $11.7 billion. ICE says it's prepared to fight FTC in court.

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The most expensive home in Vail, CO, has made a big splash on the market.

What’s attracting the most attention to this gorgeous residence? The suspended, glass-bottom pool, of course.

That, for starters, might explain the $40 million price tag.

The 75-foot pool’s design includes a translucent vertical wall and bottom, and it resembles a box with windows. Adjacent to a glass-walled floating staircase, both of these design features allow unblocked views of the surrounding mountains.

Former WeWork CEO Adam Neumann is getting into rentals and property management with his latest effort, Flow. But these renter-reward companies are already flooding the rental sector.

HGTV

Season 4 of designer showdown “Rock the Block” promises to be bigger and better than ever.

This time, four prominent HGTV designer teams spend $250,000 apiece over six weeks renovating four identical 5,000-square-foot houses in Berthoud, CO. The size of the homes and their budgets supersede all that’s come before, and the team that adds the most appraised value to their home wins.

Ty Pennington returns as show host, and this year’s teams include Bryan and Sarah Baeumler of “Renovation Island,” Michel Smith Boyd and Anthony Elle from “Luxe for Less,” Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin from “Farmhouse Fixer,” and Page Turner and Mitch Glew from “Fix My Flip.”

The first episode, titled “Kitchen Face-Off,” has the designers working on (you guessed it) the kitchens, as well as the dining areas, pantries, and mudrooms, plus the adjacent study and powder room, if they choose. Dave and Jenny Marrs of “Fixer to Fabulous” step in to judge this week’s efforts.

Annual home price growth dropped to 5.5 percent in the first month of 2023, but fell just 0.2 percent month over month, according to data released Tuesday as part of the CoreLogic Home Price Index.

The U.S. notched 14 spots among 20 global cities in a new analysis of homeowners with a net worth of at least $30 million. New York City clinched the top spot on a list compiled by REALM and WealthX.

Targeting the right audience is a critical factor in real estate marketing success. Here's how to crunch the numbers and make sure you're as effective as possible.

A great real estate brand coupled with outstanding customer service is a winning formula for attracting more clients and closing more deals. If it's time to upgrade your branding, Bernice Ross has the insights you need.

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Mom is moving on.

Yup. Tina Drew, the mother of pop stars Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson, is parting ways with her longtime lakefront home.

Situated in the swanky Los Angeles neighborhood of Toluca Lake, the house sits behind a gated wall and is listed for $6.5 million.

And here’s a fun fact about this four-bedroom, 5.5-bath, 4,535-square-foot property: Drew purchased the place from actress Jennifer Love Hewitt for $4.1 million in 2014.

Mortgage veteran Kurt Johnson, who held executive roles at Indymac Bank and OneWest Bank before joining Mr. Cooper in 2015, succeeds Jaime Gow as CFO, it was announced this week.

Photo-Illustration by Realtor.com; Photo: Getty Images

A significant shift in your life circumstances often ushers in an era of change. Those who are newly single, empty nesters, or recent retirees often find themselves mulling over the seductive yet stressful idea of downsizing their home.

A smaller home typically means lower bills and less upkeep. Then there’s the potential windfall that comes from selling your larger home and buying something smaller. But there are plenty of factors homebuyers forget to consider when downsizing.

We tapped real estate professionals and people who have recently downsized to share their best practices for navigating this daunting and emotional process.

Budget all costs ahead of time

Downsizing, as it turns out, can be pricier than you might expect.

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We’ve all come to accept—and perhaps even expect—some of the enhanced language sellers use in real estate listings.

You know the ones we’re talking about: “Cozy” can be code for small, “charming” likely means old, “efficient” often stands in for small, and “unique” might suggest it’s hard to sell.

Yes, some sellers use language to smooth over a home’s rough spots. But when homeowners veer into actual untruths, it’s a problem.

It’s one thing to hide clutter and spruce up the living room furniture to prepare the home to sell, but it’s another thing entirely when sellers outright fib to potential buyers. Read on to get the lowdown on how white lies can torpedo a sale.