This can be a tricky question to answer – partly because our needs change over the years and decades. After kids leave home, maybe smaller is better but prior to that, maybe a bigger home is what you’re seeking–room for the kids, dog, and tons of the kids’ sleepover friends. The trends reflect our indecisiveness, too. Sometimes McMansions are on the rise and then there’s the complete opposite: tiny, tiny homes. In fact, you...

Mortgage giants unveil lending rules to let more Americans buy homes with 3 percent down WASHINGTON (AP) — Some Americans will soon be able to buy a home with a down payment as low as 3 percent, compared with the current minimum of 5 percent, the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac say. The new lending guidelines announced by the companies Monday are designed to help more low-income and first-time buyers afford homes. Millions of...

Home price gains are slowing, credit is thawing and more first-time buyers may be hitting the real estate market in 2015. Better balance in the housing sector is “in” next year, as far as trends go. That’s likely to put buyers and sellers on a more even footing. Some prospective sellers sound especially bullish on housing. In a recent Trulia survey, the biggest chunk of consumers – 36% – said they expect next year to be much...

            Rev up the DeLorean and get set to go back to the future! The same decade that spawned countless classics like Top Gun, Miami Vice and Charlie’s Angels is now back in style when it comes to home interior design. While some ’80s trends — like pastel colors and neon socks — might make us shudder, others — like funky patterns and kitchen tables — deserve a second chance. Here’s a look at some ’80s trends...

Are you happy and excited about selling your home? Or are you dreading the sorting, packing and other chores? Your attitude is contagious to little children. If you look at moving as an exciting adventure full of fun, new possibilities, then you’re halfway to getting your children on board for the ride. Most children don’t like the changes associated with moving, so it’s your job to get them looking forward to it. The younger...