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Home improvement loans sound pretty sweet: Imagine, someone actually gives you money to fix up your house! And these loans are actually plentiful if you know where to look. Here are some options to explore, and how to tell whether they’re right for you.

FHA 203(k) loan

The FHA 203(k) loan is a loan from the Federal Housing Administration—so that means you can put as little as 3.5% down! Homeowners can use the money to redo a kitchen or bathroom, finish a basement or attic, change out the floors, buy appliances, or add a room.

The loan can even be used to rebuild a tear-down as long as the original foundation remains, explains Suzanne Caldeira, a finance expert at Shamrock Financial Corp. The only no-nos are upgrades that are deemed “luxury” items, like adding a pool or fire pit.

How it works: To qualify for a 203(k) loan, homeowners have to provide a bid from an approved contractor to make the upgrades they want with their loan paperwork. An appraiser reviews the home and the submitted bid, and appraises the estimated value of the home postrenovation. That appraisal must be in line with local comps—if it’s not, you could be required to scale back the reno you’re proposing.

What does it take to be an independent real estate broker, and is it right for you? Explore the challenges and opportunities you’ll encounter when you go indie.

The city regulates noise, but it has to be ‘excessive and unreasonable’ to be considered a violation. You may need a more personal approach.

Whether you are a real estate enthusiast, an aspiring homeowner or simply in the mood for some home design inspiration, these YouTube channels are sure to keep you entertained and informed.

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Donald Trump has been accused of overstating the value of the marquee Trump Tower, on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, according to a recent article in Forbes.

The Trump Organization is embroiled in a $250 million civil lawsuit alleging fraud filed by the New York attorney general in September. Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, alleged the organization inflated the value of the former president’s real estate empire by billions of dollars to receive loans and insurance with favorable terms and for tax benefits. The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, is also investigating the tower.

Since Trump Tower opened its golden entrance in 1983, Trump hasn’t been truthful about the building’s financial performance, according to records viewed by Forbes.

For example, Trump told Forbes that 85% of the residential units were sold before the building opened for between $500,000 and $12 million. However, financial records indicate that only 60% of the apartments were sold in 1983—and 87% were purchased for under $500,000, according to a Forbes review of property deeds. The most expensive unit that went under contract was for $2 million—about $10 million less than Trump had claimed.

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A midcentury modern home, designed by the same architect who conceived Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art and Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, is for sale in Montclair, NJ.

This is the first time in more than 50 years the well-preserved property has been on the market.

Offers have already come in for the mint-condition house, which is listed for $949,000; but none has been accepted so far.

Designed by Edward Durell Stone in 1959, the home maintains lots of its original character.

There are many different types of house styles, each with its own unique features and characteristics. Here are some of the most common house styles: Colonial: This style originated in the 1600s and features a symmetrical facade, typically with a central entrance, evenly spaced windows, and a gable roof.Victorian: This style originated in the mid-1...

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While modern farmhouses are crazy popular and sleek contemporaries are appealing to many, there’s just something about a classic Victorian that makes you think of hearth, home, and simpler days of comfort and grace.

Who knew they could be so easy on the bank account as well? We were surprised to find these five creatively colored Victorians, all topping the century mark, completely or partly renovated, and priced well below $400,000.

If you’re handy, you might consider a flip. But you might find them so charming that you want to move your family in and stay for a while.

Regardless of your own real estate wants and needs, you’ll find it fascinating to view these five vibrant Victorians. You’ll be astounded that both age and beauty come in such reasonably priced packages.

The bank says it has racked up $353 million in severance expenses as it closes branches and pursues a "more focused home lending business."

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“Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum Kim Zolciak-Biermann and husband Kroy Biermann‘s Alpharetta, GA, home is heading to auction.

Although the couple denied reports they were in financial trouble, the property is said to be in foreclosure and up for public auction.

According to a notice by Fulton County’s Truist Bank, the mansion will be auctioned off on March 7 at the county courthouse after the couple reportedly defaulted on the $1,650,000 loan they took out for the property.

The Biermanns purchased the 17,000-square-foot home in October 2012 for $880,000. It has a current estimated value of $2,519,500, according to Realtor.com®.

The branding campaign intends to provide RE/MAX's wide network with a fresh, new look. It will gradually roll out through 2023, according to the company.

HGTV

The second season of “The Nate & Jeremiah Home Project” finds married design duo Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent back on the East Coast, delivering homes “that feel exactly like the people who live in them,” says Brent.

“We help figure out what matters,” says Berkus. “Because filling a home with things that have meaning is the most important part.”

In the season premiere, “Home Is Where the Art Is,” they head to East Rockaway on Long Island to meet Lisa and Mike and their four kids.

“That’s a lot of kids in one little Cape Cod house,” says Berkus, stating the obvious.

The real estate brokerage CEO and his wife, Core Chief Operating Officer Brittley Wise, have bought a former working farm that dates back to 1893 for $3.1 million, according to reports

Murdoch, the News Corp founder and business magnate, has signed a contract to buy the entire 27th floor of the Hampshire House in Manhattan. It's only his latest purchase in recent years.

Catch up on the most-read stories of the week, as determined by Inman readers. Here's Inman Top 5 for Feb. 17-23, 2023.

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The numbers: U.S. new-home sales rose 7.2% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 670,000 in January, up from a revised 625,000 in the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

This is the fourth month in a row that new-home sales have grown—this despite the lull in the broader housing sector, with existing-home sales continuing their downward slide.

The January sales figure beat analyst estimates. Analysts polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast new-home sales to come in at 620,000 in January.

Year over year, new-home sales are still down by 19.4%.

A dip in mortgage rates and a backlog of empty homes helped power sales of newly constructed houses for the second-straight month in January, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

No matter what the market's doing, the way you show up is the biggest factor in determining your outcomes. Jimmy Burgess talks with Gino Blefari, CEO, HomeServices of America and Chairman, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, about where we've been, where we are and where we're going next as individuals and as an industry.

Major industry players discuss what the landscape of technology might look like in 2023, and where agents should focus their efforts.

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NBA center Mo Bamba is swapping one sunny clime for another.

After the seven-footer was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers, Bamba wasted no time in listing his luxe, downtown Orlando condo. The three-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom, 4,800-square-foot unit is on the market for $2,879,000.

The talented 24 year old will likely find a lovely home in the Golden State, but he’s sure to miss life in this stunning Florida penthouse. Bamba’s ultramodern abode in the Sanctuary high-rise serves up awe-inspiring views from every angle.

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