News

By skipping the perfect-home myth, first-time buyers can focus on budget, condition and location, and choose a home and neighborhood that truly fit how they live.

Updated TVs, sound systems and lighting can boost an entertainment room’s appeal. Smart upgrades help buyers picture daily living and can strengthen a home’s showing.

Designers say homeowners who turned walk-in closets into offices may want to restore them before selling, as buyers now prize storage and livability.

A new roof can boost curb appeal, buyer confidence and deal certainty. Beyond looks, roof age can influence appraisals, insurance and financing decisions.

At NAR’s annual Policy Forum, policymakers highlighted ideas to boost home sales, including updating capital gains rules and reducing FHA red tape.

With no immediate rate changes from the Fed, the next moves for mortgage rates may depend on economic reports and any action involving mortgage-backed securities.

Mortgage rates edged higher, with 30-year loans at 6.1% (up from 6.09%) and 15-year rates at 5.49%. Buyers and sellers are watching what comes next.

Vacant and neglected homes can attract pests, wildlife and squatters, raising health and safety concerns for neighbors and putting pressure on nearby property values.

Debt-to-income ratio, savings balances and credit scores shape borrowing power, loan terms and readiness to buy a home in today’s market.

Refinancing can lower monthly payments, change loan terms or tap home equity, but fees, credit scores and timing matter when replacing an existing mortgage.