Home Projects with the Highest ROI (and Joy) in 2025
If you've been debating whether to remodel your home or just live with the quirks, here's something to think about: the right updates can both boost your home's resale value and make you fall in love with your space all over again. According to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report from the National As
Read MoreThe Triple Threat to Home Staging
When it comes to selling your home, not all rooms are created equal. In fact, there are three spaces that buyers pay the most attention to. And if you get them right, you’re more likely to secure top dollar for your property. According to the 2025 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home
Read MoreWhat Does Housing Affordability REALLY Look Like in Virginia?
Spoiler alert: Housing affordability isn’t as simple as the headlines make it sound. Depending on who you ask, the real issue isn’t just home prices, or even the number of homes on the market. It’s about access. It’s about opportunity. And most of all, it’s about what affordable really means for the
Read MoreWhat Really Happens to Home Prices During a Recession?
Every time the word "recession" starts popping up in headlines, it brings a wave of uncertainty—especially for anyone thinking about buying or selling a home. You might be wondering: Are home prices going to crash? Will mortgage rates skyrocket? Should I wait to make a move? Totally fair qu
Read MoreIs the Housing Market Waking Up This Spring?
You’ve probably heard the headlines: mortgage rates are still high, and the market is tough. But here’s what most of those headlines miss: subtle signs of life in the housing market. Mortgage purchase applications are up year over year, and even though rates are still above 6.5%, demand is starting
Read More5 Things You Need to Know About the 2025 Spring Housing Market
The spring housing market is here, and if you’re thinking about buying or selling, you’ve probably heard plenty of predictions, opinions, and advice. Some of it is useful. Some of it, not so much. So, what’s the real story? Realtor.com’s Chief Economist, Danielle Hale, recently shared advice with he
Read MoreWhy Real Estate Could Be Entering a ‘Supercycle’—and What That Means For You
Real estate has always been a solid long-term investment, but according to some of the biggest players in the industry, we could be on the verge of something even bigger: A real estate supercycle. Unlike short-term market swings, a supercycle is driven by long-term fundamentals—factors like housin
Read MoreAffordability Crisis or Housing Crash? Ryan Serhant & Barbara Corcoran Weigh In
If you've been holding out for a housing market rebound, two of the biggest names in real estate—Ryan Serhant and Barbara Corcoran—are here to tell you that while the market isn’t crashing, it is changing. Buying or selling a home today looks very different than it did just a few years ago. But th
Read MoreBuying vs. Renting in 2025: Which One Makes More Financial Sense?
The decision to buy or rent isn’t just about today’s costs—it’s about your future plans, financial stability, and lifestyle goals. According to ATTOM’s 2025 Rental Affordability Report, in most U.S. markets, homeownership costs less of a person’s wages than renting a comparable property. But does
Read MoreCan You Afford a Home Emergency Without Going Into Debt?
What if I told you that, over 30 years, the average homeowner will spend over $180,000 on repairs and maintenance? Sounds crazy, right? But when you break it down, it’s simple math: Homeowners spend an average of $6,087 per year on unexpected fixes, according to a recent survey conducted by Real Es
Read MoreWhat Tenants Need to Know About Rent Increases in 2025
If you’re a renter, you’ve probably felt the sting of rising rental prices at some point. According to Zillow, single-family home rents are now 20% higher on average than apartment rents—the widest gap ever recorded. While the market has its challenges, there’s good news: by understanding your rig
Read MoreWhat Happens to Your Mortgage and Bills After a Natural Disaster?
With wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles County, images of destruction are everywhere. Over 12,000 structures have been burned down, neighborhoods reduced to rubble and nearly 92,000 residents forced to evacuate. As people come together to rebuild their city—and their lives—people across the na
Read MoreThe Top Priority for 2025 Homebuyers
2025 homebuyers have made one thing clear: they want move-in-ready properties. According to a recent Bright MLS survey, more than 56% of prospective buyers say that move-in-ready condition is their top priority. If selling is in your plan this year, here’s what you need to know about buyer prioriti
Read MoreShould You Sell or Stay? How Home Equity Can Help You Decide
If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve watched your home’s value rise over the past few years. Thanks to record-high equity levels, many homeowners are sitting on what feels like a financial jackpot. But with the housing market shifting and 2025 here, you might be wondering: Should I sell my ho
Read MoreThe "Reverse Resolutions" List for Homeowners: What NOT to Do in 2025
With the start of a new year, resolutions often focus on what we should do—exercise more, save money, or finally tackle that home project. But what about the things we shouldn’t do? For homeowners, avoiding certain pitfalls can be just as important as setting ambitious goals. This "Reverse Resoluti
Read MoreThe $27,000 Real Estate Gap: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
If you're planning to buy or sell a home in 2025, there's something you should know: buyers and sellers aren't seeing eye to eye on price. According to a recent survey by Clever Real Estate, there's a $27,000 gap between what buyers think they’ll pay and what sellers expect to get. Buyers are budge
Read MoreThe Ultimate Guide to Moving to Chesapeake, VA: Neighborhoods, Cost of Living, and Local Life
Moving to Chesapeake, Virginia: Everything You Need to Know Before Relocating Thinking about relocating to Chesapeake, Virginia? Whether you’re military, a young professional, or retiree, Chesapeake offers a blend of suburban charm, excellent rated schools*, and natural beauty. Why Chesapeake, VA?
Read MoreLessons on Homeownership from Zillow’s Chief Economist
Recently, I came across a podcast featuring Skylar Olsen, Zillow’s Chief Economist. Much of the conversation was what you might expect—housing market predictions for 2025, what Zillow got wrong about 2024, and a breakdown of trends shaping real estate across the country. In other words, the kind o
Read More2025 Housing Market Forecast: Growth, Challenges, and Wild Cards Ahead
The 2025 housing market is shaping up to be an interesting one—steady growth, more inventory, and a bit of breathing room for buyers. But let’s be real: behind every steady forecast lies a handful of wild cards that could shift the game. From unexpected mortgage rate swings to federal policies that
Read MoreHome Sales Rise for the First Time in Three Years
For the first time in over three years, existing home sales increased year over year, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.96 million in October. So, what exactly does this mean? So glad you asked! Even though 2024 is shaping up to have the fewest home sales on record, the rise in sal
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