Liz Steelman

Real Estate Editor

New York City

@lizsteelman
The $16 Tool That Solved My Most Annoying Cleaning Problem
One of the worst things about being an adult is having very specific problems you have to solve yourself: Like cleaning your bathtub.
Mar 27, 2024
You’re Looking for Your Dream Apartment All Wrong—Here’s Why
We all know someone with an objectively amazing apartment. It’s light and airy, remarkably spacious for its size, in a great location, and somehow costs less than your dark, cramped, inconvenient shoebox. Though you may think your friend is just incredible lucky at real estate, here’s the hard truth: Chances are, they just did a better job during the apartment search than you did.
Oct 3, 2023
4 Lessons to Learn from People Who Moved in With Their Partners "Way Too Early"
Plus expert advice on what makes cohabitation successful.
Nov 9, 2022
You Can Get a Mortgage at Costco, Because of Course You Can
Meet the “​The Mortgage Program for Costco Members,” a benefit that’s been around since 2011.
Apr 14, 2021
Co-Living Is Not a Trend, It's How Everyone Has to Live Now
As housing prices go up, everyone's learning to slice and dice in order to make the rent.
Nov 5, 2019
The Unexpected Place I've Found Great Renter Solutions (for Under $50!)
It seems that nothing's really made with renters in mind: Everything that helps make creative use of your space either a) requires wall attachments (whoops, there goes the security deposit!) or b) is super expensive (hello, I am renting for a reason, guys!)
Oct 17, 2019
Kyle Mooney's College Apartment Was Pretty Much an SNL Incubator
Who needs Second City or UCB when you can pay $180 a month to live on Hoover Street?
Sep 27, 2019
Before and After: See This 687 Sq. Ft. Apartment Staged 3 Wildly Different Ways
Can you even believe these are the same apartment unit?
Sep 19, 2019
How I Solved One of My Big Existential Crises With Just $100 and 2-Day Shipping
My existential anxiety is that there are entirely too many books in the world and I probably won't ever get to read all of them. So I've found an unconventional way to make as much a dent as possible.
Sep 14, 2019
The One Reddit Thread All Renters (and Frequent Travelers) Should Bookmark
Why in 2k19, in the age of Al Gore's internet, is it so hard to find QUALITY photos of bed bugs in context?
Sep 7, 2019
This Is How Much It Costs to Move Out of Your Parent's House
Yeesh! With a price this high, no wonder college graduates are delaying move-in day.
Aug 11, 2019
6 Amazon Buys That Make Rental Life So Much More Bearable, Starting at $4
Looking to experience the high of using a Command Strip for the first time? Try one of these six AT-vetted products.
Aug 10, 2019
8 Questions All The Smartest Renters Ask Before Signing a Lease
From small maintenance-related troubleshooting to money-saving tactics, here are the eight questions that Apartment Therapy staffers say will prove useful down the line.
Aug 9, 2019
8 Indie Home Decor Stores That Prove The Suburbs Are Actually Hip
From mid-century modern focused furniture stores to plant-filled emporiums, these eight small businesses across the country show that the suburbs have an independent spirit rivaling those of their urban counterparts.
Aug 9, 2019
Perfect Couple Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson Are Selling A Lot of Their Stuff
It's actually pretty good stuff, too, and the proceeds go to Oceana, a favorite organization of the couple that advocates for the protection of the world's oceans.
Jul 25, 2019
This Week on Liz$plaining: Everything You Need to Know About Down Payments
You may have realized that not everyone who wants to own a home does (especially if they're a Millennial). It's not because they can't afford the monthly mortgage payment, it's because there is a barrier to entry for mortgages in the tune of thousands of dollars, a.k.a. that pesky down payment.
Jul 23, 2019
Karamo Brown Totally Queer Eye'd His First Apartment
And while you might think of Karamo as the one that handles interiority, not interior decorating (that's Bobby's role!), turns out he actually is pretty good at zhuzhing up a space, too. Honestly, what can't the fab five do?
Jul 19, 2019
This Week on Liz$plaining: Renting an Apartment
Experts say moving costs between four and five times your monthly rent. Here's why it's that expensive in the first place—and quick tips on how to defray those costs.
Jul 16, 2019
4 Amazon Prime Day Deals That'll Basically Pay for Themselves
If you're looking to make a smart investment this Prime Day, here are five great ideas.
Jul 15, 2019
What to Do If Your Home or Community Is Targeted During an ICE Raid
If you are at risk of encountering an ICE raid—or would like to support your community members and neighbors if you encounter one, here is what to do.
Jul 12, 2019
23 of the Greatest (Expert-Approved!) Credit Score Tips of All Time
We went through all the credit score-focused articles we've published in the past year and rounded up the best tips experts have shared with us. Here, the best of the best credit score tips and tricks.
Jul 12, 2019
This Week on Liz$plaining: Everything You Need to Know About Your Credit Score
Caring about your credit score doesn't make you boring, it makes you responsible and dare I say it, interesting!
Jul 9, 2019
3 Ways to Raise Your Credit Score Fast
If you understand what's keeping your score down, you might be able to bounce it back up quickly.
Jul 2, 2019
Our Newest Series “Liz$plaining” Is Personal Finance for Real People
Finance is boring, but our Real Estate Editor, Liz, sure isn't! In our new series called Liz$plaining, Liz will guide you through all your toughest financial questions.
Jul 2, 2019
Laila Ali Looks Back on Her “Comfortable, Beach-y, and Organized” First Apartment
The "Home Made Simple" host reminisces on her first apartment's un-proportional furniture, accent wall faux-pas, and overabundance of plastic bags.
Jun 12, 2019
The $55 Amazon Lamp Everyone Thinks I Spent a Lot More Money On
It's hard for me to fork up the cold, hard cash (or credit), even if I really like a piece. So imagine my surprise when this budget find ended up being cooler than I expected.
Jun 11, 2019
Think SF Real Estate Is Scary? This City Is Even Worse
If you listen closely, you’ll hear something booming in the Silicon Valley—and no, it’s not just the sound of blockchain capital exchanging hands or tech bros downing Soylent. What’s booming far louder than anywhere else in the U.S. is San Jose, California’s real estate market: According to a recent report by Zillow, home values are rising the fastest in San Jose, at a remarkable 26.2% change year over year to a median value of $1,263,900, the highest in the nation.
May 3, 2019
6 Essential Housewarming Gifts Curated By Scandinavian Design Experts
Welcome to Scandi Week—Apartment Therapy’s seven-day focus on all-things Scandinavia (often defined as the countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway). Sometimes it seems like the whole world is obsessed with trying to copy this corner of the globe, from its timeless style aesthetic to its now-famous coziness rituals. For the next week, we’ll take a look at all of it—cleaning, pop culture, and of course tons of eye-popping design inspiration.
May 3, 2019
14 Thoughtful Gifts for Your Kid’s Teacher (That Aren’t Starbucks Gift Cards)
Though we should be thanking and showering our kids’ teachers with praise on the daily—sometimes right before holiday break is the only time we really get to slow down and remember to show our thanks. But the thought process of gifting for your child’s educator usually goes like this: “I know my child can be a handful. I’m exhausted by just the one, so I imagine their teacher feels that way times at least 24… Starbucks gift card and cute mug it is!
May 3, 2019
The Gimmicky Holiday Gift That’s Actually Made My Life 10% Better
I am a naturally tired person. Therefore I love coffee in the mornings, tea (and sometimes coffee) in the afternoon, and coffee with Bailey’s in the evening. One thing I do not love about drinking warm liquids is that sometimes they are mean and tricky fiends. They hurt you if you’re too eager! They turn cold if you take your time! How rude! This is not really a Problem, but it is an Annoyance. Every time I burn my tongue on too hot liquid, first I think “Hmm… Ouch!
May 3, 2019
The $1.50 Item You Must Pick Up at IKEA Before Moving
It can help you haul literally anything.
Apr 25, 2019
Designer Caitlin Wilson’s Fun, Curated, and Funky First Apartment in Philly
The old unit in Rittenhouse Square came with a banana yellow and black-tiled bathroom and built-ins galore.
Apr 18, 2019
Vrbo’s Cheapest Home Rentals Are All Under $50/Night
Now that the weather is finally getting nice (sorry, friends and family in Chicago), you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Hmm, it’s been quite awhile since I’ve gone on vacation.” (And if you’re not, wow, lucky you!) If you’re like the average American, you’ll probably let this thought pass by and go back to your day-to-day (or that growing pile of work that’s been landing on your desk.) But I am here to tell you: Take that time off!
Apr 17, 2019
You Can Rent Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s California Home for $500/Night
​If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a pair of mint doors and yell, “Lucy, I’m home,” you don’t have to build a time machine to do it.
Apr 12, 2019
15 of the Best U.S. Cities for Work-Life Balance, According to Statistics
Tired of telling your niece you can’t come to her birthday party out in the ‘burbs because you have to get some work done this weekend? Or maybe it’s more that you have too much time—like you’re underemployed and can’t partake in all the amazing opportunities your city offers? It may be time to move to a city with a better work-life balance. Might I suggest Provo-Orem, Utah?
Mar 30, 2019
Fun Fact: Disney World Is Technically Its Own City (With a Fascinating History)
Like just about everyone, I was obsessed with Disney World when I was little. I had never been, but I knew a lot about it. Mainly I knew that it wasn’t in Illinois, where I lived. And while it was in Florida where my Nana and Papa lived, “their Florida” wasn’t the same as “Disney World Florida.” Geography is confusing for a six-year-old! Strangely, I also knew that Disney World was technically its own city.
Mar 24, 2019