The market isn't done falling but could soon stabilize, according to a survey of real estate executives and economists conducted by Point.

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It might sound like a ridiculous question—after all, it can’t be stained, right? Wrong. Your appliances, range, or countertop may be stainless steel but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t get any less of a cleaning than other surfaces in your kitchen. So let’s take a look at why it’s important to keep your stainless-steel appliances in tiptop shape and how easy maintaining them actually is.

What is stainless steel?

Stainless steel is a steel alloy that doesn’t react with oxygen and is resistant to oxidation. That means it doesn’t rust, stain, or corrode easily. Because it’s one of the least corrosive materials on the market, manufacturers use stainless steel to make everything from car parts to kitchen appliances.

Why do you need to clean stainless steel?

As we’ve mentioned, despite its name, certain types of stainless steel can actually stain. Each type or “grade” has a different level of quality and ability to hold up to wear and tear, says Tricia Holderman, CEO of Elite Home Services and Elite Facility Systems in Dallas.

But even the highest grade of stainless-steel products can be ruined if they’re not cared for properly.

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An eight-sided house in Sultan, WA, didn’t have to wait around long for an offer.

The octagonal home angled its way onto the market in December and found a buyer within eight days.

Needless to say, there was plenty of curiosity surrounding the oddity.

“There are rumors that swirl,” says listing agent Angela Nebeker, with John L. Scott Sammamish. “It’s this house behind iron gates, so we’ve had a lot of local community people that have always wanted to come in there and see it.”

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Most home buyers applying for a loan know what a mortgage is, but a reverse mortgage may seem far less familiar. Maybe you’ve heard this mortgage term bandied about, and maybe have even seen the late-night TV ads promoting them. But people are often confused or all-out clueless on the details of this type of loan, so allow us to explain.

What to know about a reverse mortgage

True to its name, this type of mortgage is the opposite of a traditional loan, where you borrow a couple of hundred thousand dollars for a mortgage from a lender and then slowly pay it back month by month—plus interest. In a reverse mortgage loan, your lender pays you, slowly turning the home equity you’ve earned back into cold, hard cash.

However, just because you qualify for this type of mortgage doesn’t mean this loan option is a good idea for you. Read on to make sure you understand the risks and benefits, and how this will affect your home equity.

Who can get a reverse mortgage, and what are the benefits?

This type of mortgage is available to homeowners 62 and older, and can be useful for seniors searching for a loan who may not have much in terms of income or assets. A reverse mortgage taps into their home equity and increases the amount of money they have coming in to cover various living expenses.

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The short answer is no. However, if you want your offer to be taken seriously and to stand out from any competing bids, this little piece of paperwork can really give you the edge.

“While you do not ‘need’ a pre-approval letter from your lender in order for your offer to be accepted, I highly recommend all of my buyers present it,” says Denise Shur, a Realtor® with 1:1 Realty in San Jose, CA. In fact, “I do not look for homes with my buyers until they have a pre-approval letter from their lender. To me, it’s that important.”

What is mortgage pre-approval?

Basically, a mortgage pre-approval letter is a guarantee from a lender that it’s willing to finance your home purchase up to a certain dollar amount, based on financial info you’ve shared with it, such as your pay stubs and tax returns. Pre-approval should not be confused with pre-qualification.

“These terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a big difference,” explains Scott Ricamore, a Realtor with Keller Williams Park Cities in Dallas. “A pre-qualification is provided based on info shared verbally that has not been verified. Pre-approval requires an underwriter to scrutinize your documentation and approve the income and assets for a loan.”

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Past Golden Globe winner Pia Zadora faced terrible reviews at the beginning of her career, notching three less-than-coveted Golden Raspberry Awards for her acting.

At the height of her fame—or infamy—she took up residence where one of Hollywood’s most fabled homes once stood.

For a couple of decades, Zadora lived in the Beverly Hills property once known as Pickfair. She sold it in 2005.

Now the former actress is attempting to sell a more modest Southern California abode—her townhome in Malibu. She has listed the place for $2,350,000.

Photo by Guided Home Design via Houzz

Home improvements are—or should be—as much about the future value of your home as they are about improving your quality of life today.

You might think installing a lap pool–size bathtub in your bathroom is a great idea. But before sinking thousands of dollars into any home project, you might want to consider whether that $10,000 will deliver a return on investment, or ROI, when it’s time to sell your home.

ROI, simply put, can be calculated by adding up all of the costs associated with a home project, from materials to labor, and then factoring in the return the investment yields when it’s time to sell your house. You subtract the initial outlay of the investment from the final value.

Upgrades like radiant floor heating and a steam shower will transform your bathroom into a haven of luxury. But if your main goal is to invest in a renovation that’s smart for you and your wallet, you probably want to prioritize other projects.

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There was a point, not too long ago, when buying a house was fairly straightforward: You’d schedule some tours, make an offer, and boom, you’re in the house before you know it.

Today, though, the housing market is a very different animal—fast, ferocious, and ever-changing. In such an environment, it’s no longer a given that all homebuyers will easily find a house and seal the deal. And even more surprisingly, those lucky folks who do succeed aren’t just sitting on piles of cash. On the contrary, real estate agents and other experts we spoke to say that successful homebuyers today simply possess a particular mindset and behaviors that help them persevere in today’s market.

So what are these qualities, you might ask?

1. They’re persistent

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A 1927 Spanish-style home in Los Angeles, a four-bedroom townhouse in Manhattan Beach and a compound on more than 400 acres in Yorkville.

Julian Abeleda was optimistic when he left California, but he had a hard landing in Manhattan. A TikTok video about a housing lottery made him think, “Let’s just try.”

Showing gratitude isn't something to do just at the holidays. Make it part of every day to grow and nurture your network with these tips from Nikki Beauchamp.

What’s in store for 2023? Join Brad Nelson, chief marketing officer at Sotheby’s International Realty, on January 26th for the Insider open webinar, where top agents will explore this year’s market trends, data, and opportunities.

The inception of federal fair housing and every subsequent expansion of fair housing rests on Dr. King’s willing sacrifice of his life for every American.  Dr. Lee Davenport speaks with Dr. Elizabeth Rosner of The King Center about King's role in this historic struggle.

With the right focus, this can be an incredible market for your agents to grow their business — if you can point them in the right direction. We outline what that looks like for team leaders.

Now known as 550 Madison, the historic Chippendale Building has been updated with a new gym, a full kitchen and an outdoor garden to welcome people back to the office.

Jerald Cooper, who lives in Cincinnati, wants to recognize and help preserve modern architecture and interior design that have added to the aesthetic and culture of many Black communities.

Michael Newell wanted to buy and renovate the house he and his siblings grew up in, and give it another purpose. Wedding bells are ringing!

Ms. Presley, who died suddenly on Thursday, had visited the estate four days earlier to celebrate what would have been her father’s 88th birthday.

Federal guidelines require employees’ health information to be kept confidential. But employers also have an obligation to protect the workplace.

Ring in the new year with a new resolve to improve wage growth and leadership equity for women in the housing industry. Team leader Aime Quirarte encourages all agents to make these strategic moves to help empower women in 2023.