Have you noticed a nagging worry in the back of your mind lately? It’s not just you. According to a recent survey, unemployment fears are on the rise, hitting levels we haven’t seen since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite
Top 10 Cities Where Home Prices Have Crashed Since 2024
Want to know where home prices are dropping the fastest? Well, the top 10 cities where home prices have crashed or fallen the most since last year are spread across the US, from New Jersey to California, with some areas seeing
Mortgage Rate Predictions for This Week: Expect Volatility, Not Relief
Are you glued to your screen, refreshing for some good news on mortgage rates? Well, for the week of April 14-21, 2025, don’t expect a dramatic drop. The truth is, mortgage rate predictions are pointing towards continued volatility, with rates likely hovering
Mortgage Rates Go Down Below 7%: Should You buy or Refinance?
Are you dreaming of owning a home or perhaps considering a refinance? Well, there’s some good news to share! As of today, mortgage rates have gone down below the 7% mark. According to recent data from Zillow, the 30-year fixed purchase rate
Top 10 Most Ghetto Cities in California: Dangerous Cites to Live
California is known for its beautiful landscapes, sunny beaches, and booming tech industry. However, it also has its fair share of dangerous cities with high crime rates. While some cities in California are known for their safety and security, others
How Does Buying a House in Cash Affect Taxes?
The dream of owning a home is a powerful one, fueled by the promise of stability, equity, and a place to call your own. But for many, the financial hurdle of a mortgage can seem daunting. Enter the idea of
How Much Does a Realtor Make on a 100,000 Sale?
A realtor’s income depends on the commission rate they charge and the commission split they have with their brokerage. The commission rate is usually a percentage of the home’s sale price, and it can vary by location, market conditions, and
How Much Does a Realtor Make on a $500 000 Sale?
Selling a home is a significant financial decision, and it’s natural to wonder how much your realtor will earn from the transaction. The compensation structure for real estate agents can seem complex, but understanding the basics can help you negotiate
10 Pros and Cons of Living in Oklahoma
Oklahoma, also known as the Sooner State, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and a diverse experience for its residents. It is known for its rich Native American history and culture, with 38 tribal nations and various historic sites
Elevate Your Home Décor with Stripe Patterns
Stripe patterns have long been a favorite in interior design, known for their ability to create dynamic visual effects and add texture to any room. Whether you’re in New York City, NY, using stripes to create a modern, sleek aesthetic,
How to Clean Old Kitchen Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide From Professional Cleaners
Let’s face it: kitchen cabinets see things. Splattered spaghetti sauce, greasy fingerprints, the mysterious sticky goo you pretend not to notice, and all of it building up over time. And before you know it, your once-gorgeous cabinets are giving off
The evolution and future of appraisal regulation
For centuries, property ownership has played a foundational role in human society. In the U.S., homeownership has come to symbolize financial stability and economic opportunity. Real estate is both a tangible asset and a vehicle for wealth creation. Following the
ARM applications reach their highest level since November 2023
Mortgage demand decreased 8.5% for the week ending April 11, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s weekly applications survey — a stark contrast to the 20% increase seen a week earlier. Last week’s application news was dominated by the
When Is the Right Time to Downsize Your Home? 14 Signs It’s Now
As we grow older, our needs and capabilities change, and not all homes are designed to support this change along with us. It’s common to upsize your home when your household is growing – whether to accommodate children, pets, or
Are High Interest Rates a Ticking Time Bomb for the Housing Market?
Are high interest rates a ticking time bomb for the housing market? In a word, yes, but it’s a complex situation. While the housing market isn’t about to explode overnight, the sustained pressure of elevated interest rates – currently hovering near
HomeServices of America names Chris Kelly CEO, replacing Blefari
Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices of America has a new CEO, promoting Executive Vice President Chris Kelly as former CEO Gino Blefari steps into a new role. Blefari, who has served as president and CEO of the company for more than five
The best real estate apps for agents in 2025
As a real estate agent in 2025, you have two choices: Learn how to run your entire business from the apps on your phone or tablet or find a new career. The days of running back to the office to
Expect High Mortgage Rates Until 2026: Fannie Mae’s 2-Year Forecast
If you’re holding out hope for a big drop in mortgage rates in 2025, I’ve got some news: don’t count on it. According to Fannie Mae’s January 2025 Economic Developments report, mortgage rates aren’t expected to decrease significantly in the coming year. They
BofA, Citi warn of slower growth ahead as mortgage business softens
Bank of America (BofA) and Citi reported declining mortgage production in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, following similar results from peers Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase last week. Mortgage volumes at BofA and Citi, which
Why most broker owners don’t turn a profit
Owning a real estate brokerage may seem like a lucrative business, but in reality, many brokers struggle to turn a profit. Despite the appeal of running their own operation, most find themselves facing financial challenges due to high overhead costs,
Homeowners have a collective $700B in ‘trapped’ equity
More than $700 billion in home equity is effectively “trapped” and inaccessible to homeowners due to a variety of economic circumstances, including employment shocks and shifts in the market that negatively impact their credit scores. This information comes from an
FirstTeam begins national expansion, introduces new agent compensation plan
FirstTeam, an independent real estate brokerage based in Southern California, has begun its national expansion by opening new offices in Idaho and Washington, with plans to establish operations in Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon. Founded in 1976, FirstTeam operates more than
Heirs’ attempt to reopen HECM foreclosure fails in Connecticut
The family of a deceased reverse mortgage borrower in Connecticut, who sought to reopen a case involving the foreclosure of their relative’s home after her death, have been denied a motion to reopen the case after a judge found that
How real estate brokerage stocks have fared since ‘Liberation Day’
High mortgage rates, low inventory and stagnant demand have made life difficult for real estate brokerages in recent years, and President Donald Trump’s tariff policy isn’t helping. The massive scale and scope of Trump’s new global tariff regime shocked the