News & Media NEW YORK — The housing market is beginning to favor buyers again, and new IRS tax bracket adjustments for 2026, officially released in October or November, could give first-time homebuyers an added boost. Inflation adjustments mean higher income thresholds and that could lower the effective tax rate for millions of low- […]
News & Media By Alex Veiga MCLEAN, Va. — The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage ticked up this week, ending a four-week slide that brought down borrowing costs for homebuyers to the lowest level in nearly a year. The rate rose to 6.3% from 6.26% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said […]
NEW YORK — AI is everywhere right now. It’s drafting emails before you’ve even had your coffee, turning half-baked notes into polished docs, and quietly stitching workflows together while you’re still trying to remember if you fed the dog (you did, but he definitely needs seconds). For a lot of folks, though, “everywhere” feels […]
News & Media WASHINGTON — Existing-home sales remained essentially the same in August, ticking down by 0.2% from July, according to the National Association of Realtors® Existing-Home Sales Report. The report provides the real estate ecosystem, including agents and home buyers and sellers, with data on the level of home sales, price, and inventory. […]
PHOENIX — Renters are increasingly prioritizing energy efficiency and cost-saving technologies when choosing a home, a new survey found. Rising utility costs are shaping renter decisions: 92% prioritize cutting monthly bills, 63% experienced a utility hike in the past year and 76% expect costs to rise again, a survey by SmartRent found. Energy-efficient features […]
NEW YORK — Fall home decor is stepping out this year with polka dots, bold colors and retro flair, setting the season’s style. Jewel-toned upholstery and curtains anchor rooms while curved lines and vintage-inspired furniture bring back a classic feel. Fringe, tassels and crochet layer in texture, softening the look while keeping comfort at […]
News & Media WASHINGTON – Mortgage rates are forecast to end 2025 and 2026 at 6.4% and 5.9%, respectively, according to the September 2025 Economic and Housing Outlook from the Fannie Mae Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group. The ESR Group projects new and existing home sales to total 4.72 million in 2025 and […]
CHICAGO — Understanding the appraisal process is essential to guiding clients with confidence. Appraisers play an important role in real estate transactions, yet many agents don’t fully understand how to collaborate with them effectively. In an episode of the Drive With NAR podcast, host Marki Lemons Ryhal spoke with two Chicago-based real estate professionals […]
WASHINGTON – A modest drop in mortgage rates led to a surprisingly large jump in new home sales in August that could be revised lower next month. Sales of newly built single-family homes jumped 20.5% higher in August, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 800,000 from an upwardly revised reading in July, according […]
NEW YORK – A kitchen is widely recognized as the most popular room in a home. Though it might be true that the hustle and bustle of home life runs through the kitchen, many a memory is made in the living room as well. Living rooms tend to be go-to spaces for family movie […]
WASHINGTON – Home renovations can transform your living space and significantly increase your property’s value, but they often come with substantial price tags that require careful financial planning. Whether you’re dreaming of a kitchen makeover, adding a new room or updating your entire home’s interior, understanding your financing options is crucial to making your […]
NEW YORK — In a housing market where rising costs have driven the median age of homebuyers to 56 years old, many younger Americans are turning to a new strategy to buy their dream homes: partnering up, platonically, with friends. This tactic, known as “co-buying,” is becoming increasingly popular, with one survey saying nearly […]
