Top Trends for a Kitchen Update

​ CHICAGO – Nearly half of homes in the U.S. are more than 40 years old and likely have kitchens reflecting styles of a past era. That’s helping to lead to an increase in kitchen remodels, and homeowners are shelling out more money for an upgrade. While the kitchen is often a focal point of […]

Buyers Shift to Smaller, Personalized Homes

​ LAS VEGAS — Home buyers continue to look toward smaller homes, with the median home size dropping from 2,200 square feet in 2023 to 2,150 square feet in 2024 — the lowest in 15 years — after holding strong at 2,300 square feet from 2019-2022, the National Association of Home Builders said. The same […]

RE Q&A: Could Booting Cars Lead to Liability?

​ FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Question: Our homeowners association has decided to boot vehicles instead of having them towed for various violations. Our community has single car garages and a space in front of the garage for the second car. Could the association and tow company be at risk for a lawsuit if both cars […]

Protecting Yourself From Taxpayer ID Theft

​ CHICAGO — Nearly half a million Americans became victims of tax-related identity theft in 2024, according to a report from a taxpayer watchdog group. They waited an average of two years to receive their rightful tax return. The delays were even worse than in 2023, when cases reported to the IRS Identity Theft Victim […]

Engaging Customers Across Generations

​ News & Media NEW YORK — As the Silver Tsunami of retiring baby boomers continues to sweep the nation, savvy real estate professionals should be readying themselves for opportunities that come with the shift. In 2024, more Americans than ever turn 65 – a trend that will continue through 2027. Economists have labeled the […]

Florida a Top Destination for Baby Boomers

​ News & Media NEW YORK – As baby boomers continue to retire in droves, they are likely to consider downsizing their living arrangements to accommodate their new lifestyles. While they have the highest portion of wealth among all generations, they may no longer need to pay to be close to work in a busy […]

Consumer Guide: Property Taxes Explained

​ News & Media By Amy Connolly ORLANDO, Fla. — Property taxes are one of the expenses associated with homeownership, yet many buyers — especially those purchasing for the first time — have questions about how they work. The latest Consumer Guide by the National Association of Realtors® provides clarity on some key details and […]

RE Q&A: Could Booting Cars Lead to HOA Liability?

​ FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Question: Our homeowners association has decided to boot vehicles instead of having them towed for various violations. Our community has single car garages and a space in front of the garage for the second car. Could the association and tow company be at risk for a lawsuit if both cars […]

Reaching and Engaging Customers Across Generations

​ News & Media NEW YORK — As the Silver Tsunami of retiring baby boomers continues to sweep the nation, savvy real estate professionals should be readying themselves for opportunities that come with the shift. In 2024, more Americans than ever turn 65 – a trend that will continue through 2027. Economists have labeled the […]

Mortgage Rates Drop for 6th Week

​ News & Media By Alex Veiga WASHINGTON — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the sixth week in a row, a welcome boost in purchasing power for home shoppers just as the annual spring homebuying season gets going. The average rate fell 6.76% from 6.85% last week, mortgage […]

Successful Habits of High-Income Earners

​ News & Media NEW YORK — High-income earners establish habits that fuel their success from sunrise to sunset, and these simple habits, when repeated daily, create a force that carries them forward. Rather than start the day by checking emails, social media and their phone, high-income earners capture their big ideas and strategies in […]

Using AI for Real Estate Market Analysis

​ NEW YORK — Today’s data-driven world can be overwhelming, but artificial intelligence (AI) tools can reduce the time-consuming nature of data analysis and reduce the potential for human error in real estate market analyses. AI can speed up and automate data collection, trend identification and high-precision predictive forecasting, which agents and brokers can use […]