The idea of driverless cars has captured Americans’ imaginations-and no wonder. Just consider the joy of reading a book while your car skillfully steers itself through the madhouse of morning traffic! But the changes such cars will bring go far beyond giving commuters peace of mind during rush hour. They are likely to also affect real estate trends. From new suburban development to fresh use of city space, interesting scenarios are beginning to...

The Republican tax cuts passed in 2017 will have sweeping effects on the country, including the pocketbooks of homeowners. As such, it has drawn the attention—and concern—of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In a recent press release, the NAR notes that the final bill is a mixed bag: “Although the final tax reform bill is far from perfect and the results are mixed, it is significantly better for homeowners than previous versions.”...

Often, home buyers and sellers, hoping to eliminate the middle man, reject the idea of hiring a real estate broker. After all, why incur commission fees when you can go it alone and avoid any charges? We understand the temptation. But going it alone comes with some risk: It can cost you more in the long run and leave you unprotected when difficult situations arise. We were reminded of this recently when we read an article by Marni Jameson in...

By Clare Trapasso | Nov 27, 2017 After several years of a frenzied housing market characterized by many more home buyers than sellers, builders may finally be taking note. The number of newly constructed homes for sale and sold shot up 6.2% from September to October, according to the seasonally adjusted numbers in a joint report by the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. They jumped 18.7% annually....

By Daniel Bortz | Nov 30, 2017 Financial planners don’t just help people balance their budgets or plan for retirement; they also help their clients buy homes. After all, a house is very often the biggest financial investment you’ll ever make—so, it makes sense that these professionals would have some strong opinions on just how to go about it. Curious what they want you to know? Read on for their...

By Margaret Heidenry | Dec 11, 2017  Are you contemplating a kitchen remodel? After putting up with your outdated countertop and electric stove for far too long, you may feel it’s time to take the plunge. A remodel of any kind comes with its fair share of ups and downs, so before you commit to multiple months’ worth of construction in your home, there are some crucial questions you’ll need to...