Commercial Real Estate Niches Booming in 2021

Real estate professionals in the commercial industries know that markets can change dramatically in the course of just a few years. In 2021, this is perhaps more true than ever. Some commercial real estate niches floundered and others flourished over the past year, depending on how different industries were hit by the pandemic.  It’s critical […]

10 Backyard Additions to Create the Ultimate Home Oasis This Summer

Summer has officially arrived. That means warmer weather, backyard BBQs, time for gardening, and longer days spent relaxing outside. That’s why now is also the perfect time to remodel your backyard into a place you’ll never want to leave. There are many ways you can transform your space into your own personal paradise. All it […]

Agencies Asked to Extend Pandemic Homeowner Protections, Pandemic-Driven Migration Drives Up Home Prices, and Other Appraisal News

  The Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee asks agencies to prolong pandemic homeowner protections. Pandemic-driven migration drives up home prices in popular cities. New home sales fall to the lowest pace in a year. Despite low rates, only 22% of homeowners refinanced their mortgages last year. Available home listings are finally starting to […]

33 Projects that Will Increase Your Home’s Value, From Major to Minor

You just bought your house, and now you’re thinking about how to maximize your investment. Home improvement projects are fun and rewarding — you get to customize your new space and build equity at the same time. But now that you’re thinking about it, you aren’t sure which projects that increase home value you should […]

How to Find Out Who Owns Property in Your Neighborhood (Or Anywhere!)

If you’ve spent any length of time living in a neighborhood or an apartment community, you’ve almost certainly had the experience of wondering just who, exactly, is that one oddball neighbor? Maybe they keep strange hours, maybe they’re the source of obnoxious noises, maybe they seem to have an unusual fondness for a particular type […]

What builders see in a deeply unhealthy housing market

The big news from the U.S. Census Bureau’s May new home sales report is that sales inventory has increased to 5.1 months, which brings the three-month average to 4.63 months. That begins to change the equation for some homebuilders, who were absolutely thriving in an ultra-low-inventory housing market environment.  As a reminder, when the three-month […]

Should You Buy a House with Popcorn Ceilings?

There are many variables that homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, must consider when purchasing a home. Factors such as location, schools, finances, the style of the home, and yes, whether the house has popcorn ceilings. Popcorn ceilings shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but it is one more variable to consider and what to look for when buying […]