Real Estate

A few years ago my husband was abruptly laid off. As a freelance writer, I can live anywhere, so when he wasn’t having any initial luck, he expanded his job search from our hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, to the whole country. And some interesting opportunities came up, including one in the Pacific Northwest. We talked about it pretty seriously–how cool would it be to fly off to Bangkok in 16 hours, instead of the literal days it takes to get there from Kentucky?

When my partner, Devin, got hired on as the on-site manager at our 33-unit apartment building in Seattle, he received a quick demo of the clunky, crash-prone software used to track rent payments, a key to the maintenance closet, a pamphlet from the 1960s explaining how to program the building’s callbox, and a pat on the back from ownership.

So you’ve decided to rent out your pad to earn some extra cash. Depending on where you live, you can stand to make a hefty profit by making your home available for rental through services like Airbnb and VRBO. Before you dive in, though, it’s crucial that you come prepared. There’s more to being a successful host on these popular vacation rental sites than meets the eye, and if you want your property to stand out, presentation is key.

Establishing credit poses a tricky Catch-22: You need credit to get credit. This can prove to be quite a conundrum if you’re trying to rent an apartment, buy a home, or, heck, simply need car insurance but don’t qualify because of a thin credit file.

Whether you’re a serious buyer or daydreaming to pass the time at work, a common part of buying a home is trying to predict your monthly mortgage payments. Is it going to end up being cheaper than your rent? Are you going to need to downsize a bit? You probably want a ballpark number before you call your mortgage lender and hire a real estate agent, so you plug the numbers into an online mortgage payment calculator.

There is no shortage of things to see and do in the nine states that make up the Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia). I’ve loved living here for most of my life, and even decided to move back after a grand three-year adventure living in Alaska.

A day ago, if you would have asked me about my dream home, I would have said something very vague and mentioned the words “glass,” “mid-century modern,” and maybe even, “Actually, don’t tell anyone but I kind of loved the house Eleanor lived in on ‘The Good Place?'” But that has all changed now that I have become aware of this house in Rockport, Massachusetts, that is now on the market for $2,950,000.

Moving can be a giant pain in the butt. Yet, while you’re packing up your entire existence, it’s a great opportunity to assess which of your possessions you no longer need or want (and perhaps those that don’t spark joy?) including furniture. While it’s tempting to kick old furniture to the curb and let the garbage man take care of it, it’s much more sustainable and useful to donate such items to a charity, such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army. The best part?

You see homeownership in your future. But, after looking into your crystal ball—err, savings account—are you envisioning yourself at the closing table in the next month? Year? Five years? TBD depending on if you win the lotto? Fewer than four out of 10 millennials own homes, according to research from the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based social and economic policy group.

Glorious gardens and dreamy ocean views combine to create a scenic sanctuary in Laguna Beach. 805 La Mirada St Located in Laguna Beach, California $1,998,000 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 1 partial bath It’s tough to narrow down our favorite part of this Laguna Beach home that proves cottages can be both charming and contemporary. Keeping watch over the Pacific Ocean, the panoramic beach views are an obvious contender.

Buying a home can be an incredibly stressful process. Although it’s exciting to look forward to having a new space to call your own, anyone who’s been through it before can tell you it’s not always as fun as it looks on HGTV. From trying to figure out what you can actually afford, to finding the right real estate agent, to the delicate art of making an offer, the home-buying process is not without its craze-inducing moments.

The ancient Greeks and Romans had some great ideas that are still around today in some form (The Olympics, geometry, newspapers, grid systems, bacchanals, etc.) Another unsung hero from the period? Stucco (the form of siding similar to plaster) which was formerly used as a base for painting frescoes. Though the average homeowner is no longer using it to paint “The Last Judgment,” they are still using it to side their homes.

Let’s just say you loved the look of “The Brady Bunch” house—we’re talking sunken living room, modular furniture, the works. If that retro vibe talks to you, this is good news: These blast-from-the-past features are now on the major rebound.

I have a confession to make: I haven’t watched “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo.” But that’s mostly because I don’t watch anything. Watching the newest show right when Netflix releases it seems like a waste of my brain energy when I would rather be thinking about Henry Cavill’s Mission: Impossible-Fallout mustache or that Chrissy Teigen Instagram post of John Legend on vacation slowly rocking Miles in his swimsuit when she asks “Can you do GIFs on a video?

As far as credit is concerned, there are no hacks that can cause your score to magically skyrocket overnight. (Ahem, we’re wagging our fingers at schemes promising you a “new credit identity.”) But, what does exist is good, sound credit advice that advocates for responsible borrowing and takes into account the anatomy of your credit score, like utilization and payment history.

In Los Angeles, people build entire careers out of resembling someone else. There are the impersonators, the stand-ins, and the stunt people who make a living looking like celebrities. It seems pretty cool to look like someone else—until you’re searching to buy your first house in a super competitive real estate market. Suddenly, you’re at an open house, surrounded by a swarm of doppelgängers.

​Turns out, first impressions are worth a whole lot. Or at least to real estate agents stepping into a home for the first time.

Like millions of Americans who graduated with more than $50,000 in student loan debt, I knew it’d be a serious challenge to start my career living in pricey Washington D.C. and pay off my loans. Recent stats show the District’s median rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment is an eye-popping $2,121. At the time, I was only earning $12/hour as a radio station assistant and an unreliable-but-similar rate nannying in the afternoon.

Buying a home is expensive. Selling a home is expensive. This is common knowledge. Something I recently learned is not common knowledge? Just who pays the buyer’s real estate agent once a house sells (and who pays the seller’s, too). It’s likely you haven’t really thought about this ever. For expediency’s sake, the answer is “the seller.” Yes, the seller pays their listing agent and the buyer agent’s commission.

While Martha Stewart continues to dominate the world one lifestyle venture at a time (see: her pet CBD line), her daughter Alexis is busy working on a major real estate move. The younger Stewart recently listed her impeccably designed West Village triplex for $53 million, after having purchased the home between 2006 and 2007 for approximately $35 million.

How does moving to a brand new city sound? For some zodiac sun signs, like Cancers, it might sound terrible, as they’re prone to staying close to their family and are nostalgic for the “old neighborhood.” (Though, it might be a great experience for them to get out of their shells a bit!) “They are the homebodies of the zodiac,” explains Jenna Smith of My Stars! Horoscopes. “Once they get nestled into a place, they don’t want to leave.

On the fence about homeownership? There are many factors that should go into your decision to rent or buy property—and not all of them are purely financial. Perhaps you’re not sure if you’re going to stay in your current city long-term. And, hey, it’s pretty nice to be able to call your landlord when something needs fixing. But for many, the ultimate decision comes down to dollars and cents.

While she prepares for a speaking gig at the upcoming South by Southwest festival, would-be luxury home buyers are somewhere hunched over their laptops, completely mesmerized by the gorgeous Beverly Hills mansion Jodie Foster just put on the market. Listed by Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate David Kramer of Hilton & Hyland, the two-level 1950s dwelling is approximately 7,500 square feet, sits on a little more than an acre and has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

If you’ve ever vacationed in a wine-producing region (known as American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs), you know they’re home to some of the most picturesque landscapes in America. And if you love wine, you’ve probably thought about moving to one of them so you can sip vino surrounded by spectacular views every weekend.

Before the deal is finalized, it’s important to ensure your dream home won’t come with any hidden surprises. When home shopping, things aren’t always what they seem. Some surface issues are more damaging to the value of the home than they seem, while others are easily fixed. Before you are knee deep in paperwork or empty your wallet for rounds of inspections, consider these five clear warning signs screaming at you to walk away.

Celebs—they’re just like us! Except that, well, they’re usually multi-millionaires with McMansions in Hollywood to match. That’s why it’s so fun to stumble upon superstars living more low-key lives outside of the greater Los Angeles area and in relatively down-to-earth areas, like the Midwest. From the former Commander-in-Chief to one of the richest rappers in the world, here are seven big names who call the “Middle America” home.

Whether or not you’re actually in the market for a new home, scrolling through real estate listings can be habit-forming. Looking at all the cool living spaces available can be oodles of fun, even if they’re halfway across the country or seriously out of your budget. Case in point? One of Trulia’s most popular listings this month: This stunning nine-bedroom, 10-bathroom mansion in Encino, California. At a listing price of $7.

You saved up that down payment—and those extra closing costs. The furniture has been bought and the rooms have been painted. You’ve sent the movers a deposit and even paid your first mortgage payment! You’re past the most stressful financial part of homeownership, right? Not so fast. A large portion of American homeowners say they’re still facing financial anxiety—even after move-in day.

In the world of credit, establishing a credit score of 850 is like being granted a lifetime achievement award. Both FICO and Vantage—widely used credit-scoring models—consider 850 to be the highest possible credit score. The score is perfect. Exceptional. Untarnished. But… is it possible? The short answer, according to experts: Well, yes. But an 850 credit score takes time and strategy.

When it comes to owning a home, it’s all about location, location, location. The city you choose to put down roots will affect so many aspects of your life, including the home you can afford. While certain urban hubs are notorious for being unaffordable, there are other markets that make buying a home just a little more achievable. Wondering where housing costs are lowest in your state? Yearly, the Census Bureau produces the American Community Survey (ACS), which asks U.S.

Living in New York City brings its fair share of rewards and challenges. For me, the biggest continuous struggle—even after almost a decade in NYC—was doing laundry (#blessed, I know). When I lived in Brooklyn, my building had a basement laundry room, but it was creepy down there and I learned the hard way that the super locked the room at 9 p.m.—with my wet clothes trapped overnight in a washing machine.

This is the ultimate fixer upper.

Photos courtesy Jennifer Procopio A historic home with all the modern updates. 2 Murray Street Located in Norwalk, Connecticut $619,000 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms This home makes a serious first impression—both inside and out. The punchy red exterior of this vintage colonial is offset by the modern entrance. Here, you open the front door to an entry with a raised panel staircase and spacious coat closet—all wrapped with statement-making geometric wallpaper.

For some people, a big backyard is a priority—as in a backyard that boasts hundreds of miles of trails perfect for weekends spent hiking and exploring. You know of the biggies like the Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon and The Narrows in Zion National Park. But there are several, lesser-known destinations throughout the United States where hiking is spectacular, thanks in part to preservation efforts, volunteers who groom the trails, and good ole’ Mother Nature.

While many people are sick and tired of the seemingly endless cold and snow that this winter has delivered, others—believe it not–just can’t get enough of that wonderland vibe. In our opinion, snow is best enjoyed outside the city, in the country, where it stays white and pristine, and activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and the like can be enjoyed. So, that’s why we set out to find snowy cabins for sale nationwide–all for $400,000 or less.

You’ve probably seen a good amount of Oscar- and Emmy-worthy homes in your lifetime: “Home Alone,” “The Truman Show,” “Father of the Bride,” “Breaking Bad,” and “This Is Us” just being a small handful of them. But did you ever realize that these houses on screen are people’s actual homes? Many movie-worthy homes are rented out everyday for photoshoots, movies, TV, and music videos by production companies.

You consider yourself responsible with credit: You pay your bills on time and you don’t rack up any major credit card debt. And since you’re looking to apply for a mortgage sometime in the near future, you’ve been actively monitoring your credit. But since you’ve checked last month, your score has gone down. What gives? Why is your score acting so sensitive? Sheesh.

In honor of love, February, and gorgeous real estate, I put together another Real Estate Rom Com featuring this stunning home on Sotheby’s International Realty. A crowd bustles down Whitaker street, weaving in and out of Forsyth Park. It’s the annual historic house walk and as a winner of the Historic Savannah Foundation Preservation Award, 611 is a must see for any historic house enthusiast.

Sure, New York has a new film festival every weekend and you’re practically guaranteed to run into a local actor any time step outside. And, of course, there’s the whole city of Los Angeles. But what if you’re a cinephile who doesn’t want to deal with traffic or the MTA? Thankfully, it’s not just the major cities that host all things silver screen.

Even if you’ve just started to save for a big purchase like a home or for retirement, you’ve probably already run into plenty of bad advice. Everyone, especially your family, seems to have an opinion on where your hard-earned money should go. But not everyone knows what they’re talking about. (Sorry, Nana!) Luckily, five money experts weigh in on the worst savings advice they’ve ever heard.

It’s likely been awhile since you knew every state capital by heart. Even if you can’t remember every single one—Montana, I’m looking at you—many are probably still the first city that comes to mind when you think of a certain state. But contrary to what you may think, state capitals aren’t just wealthy metro hubs for local politics—a lot of them also offer amenities like quality school systems, an affordable cost of living, and cultural attractions.

From skipping title insurance to letting the seller stay in the home after closing, there’s a lot of bad real estate advice out there. But one of the most ill-advised tips? You don’t need a real estate agent. The benefits of using an agent are well-documented, but it seems like an alarming amount of people haven’t gotten the memo.

After a long hiatus, Eleanor Roosevelt’s stately townhouse in New York City‘s Upper East Side, where the former First Lady resided is back on the market—for a cool $13.5 million. The townhouse is a historic fixture and almost 150 years old. It spans five floors and is topped by a spacious rooftop deck boasting stellar city views. Winding wooden staircases connect the floors, Architectural Digest detailed, and there’s also an elevator for more convenient access.

From built-ins to a fireplace, this home is chock-full of charm. 315 Hemphill Place Located in Oakland, California $895,000 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Located on Hemphill Place—with views of Mount Tamalpais—this charming Craftsman bungalow is filled with drop-dead gorgeous architectural detailing. The front door opens to a large living space, all created with custom woodwork and framed by bay windows, built-in cabinetry, and a fireplace.

Maybe you’re afraid of racking up too much debt. Or, perhaps you fall into an “anti-credit card” category who loathes the potential of paying interest. It could just be that your debit card is at the front of your wallet and, by default, gets swiped far more than your credit card.

There are quite a couple of “luxury” amenities in homes that are actually nothing more than a bother. Whirlpool tub expectation: Hop into a relaxing candlelit bath the moment you even begin to feel stress. Whirlpool tub reality: Who the hell has the energy to clean all those valves? But then there are actually those that are, indeed, worth your time and money for the amount they make your life better.

Coming up with a down payment for your first home is no easy task. In fact, according to a recent study from HotPads, renters spend about six and a half years saving up before they have enough. (I personally predict I’ll be eligible for AARP before I could build up a nest egg hefty enough to become a homeowner.) Finding clever ways to cut back and save everywhere you can is helpful, but at a certain point, you may realize that you simply need to rake in more dough.

When you move a lot, you tend to reflect on all of your stuff a little more often than the average person. If you’ve been living in the same space for years—or decades—your trinkets give you a sense of stability and ownership. But when you’re paying movers by the hour, all that extra stuff starts losing its sentimental charm and instead can look like expensive dead weight. I know this firsthand—I’ve moved 12 times in the past 10 years.

It’s not just the promise of Tim Hortons coffee and milk in a bag that could bring us north of the border. This sprawling Canadian estate could easily do the trick, too! Tucked inside the exclusive gated community of Stonepine, this 4,135-square-foot home is a contemporary Canadian beauty… and it could be yours, if you’re willing to bring your bidding A-game: The property will be auctioned off by Concierge Auctions starting February 26. Seeing as it was previously listed at $2.

It’s not hard to see why high ceilings are highly-coveted real estate assets: Being typically found in pre-war homes, they give a historic feel and evoke a sense of grandeur. After all, a chandelier looks a bit more stately hanging from a 18-foot ceiling than an eight-foot one. They’re not just impressive looking, either. Tall ceilings also make spaces look and feel bigger than they actually are—a nifty trick in otherwise small apartments.

Despite how gloomy the world can seem, there are moments where an act of kindness provides a strong sense of hope. That is exactly what homeowner Alla Wagner has gifted her community, thanks to her “Write A Letter, Win A House” giveaway. In January, Wagner announced that she was holding a writing contest to find the next owner of her treasured abode in Alberta, Canada.

When you think of romance, pinching pennies isn’t necessarily what comes to mind. But let’s face it: When you’re spending a chunk of change on your housing every month, you can’t afford to break the bank for holidays like Valentine’s Day by planning lavish dates and buying expensive gifts for your special someone. So why not whisk your bae away to a locale that can do both? I found seven great examples from coast to coast that are both affordable and romantic.

It’s not unusual to live with a roommate to cut down costs. Hey, life is expensive! But 2018 demonstrated that an unlikely population is taking on roommates in order to make ends meet: married people. Economists at Trulia determined that in 2018, over 280,000 married couples (or 0.46 percent of all married U.S. households) lived with a roommate or boarder. Now, you may think that number sounds minuscule. But it’s a serious jump compared to just over 20 years ago.

You know a strong credit score will help you get into your next home. To get specific, if you’re renting, landlords like to see a score of at least 650 before they start asking for extra deposits and guarantors. If you’re taking out a mortgage, a score that’s 760 or above is the magic number that will get you the best interest rate on a home loan. But establishing and maintaining a good credit score isn’t just necessary for keeping a roof over your head.

Before you know it, your down payment savings account will be a bit more full.

This beach house on an island in Greece is like living a year-round vacation. Located in Chania, Greece $1,000,000 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms Owning this home would be like living inside of your screensaver. Named “Powder Blue,” this property is part of a complex called the Divine Villas, which happens to be a very appropriate name. First things first: The outdoor space. This sleek and modern home is perched upon the waters and offers pinch-me views of the sea.

Any renter with an internet connection and a passion for painting the walls dark green (or black or maybe just wallpapering a bit) can attest to the bit of confusion you feel when first encountering a mortgage calculator or payment estimator online. You approach the thing with some very rough estimates researched in haste about what a modest little 2-bedroom in an up-and-coming neighborhood might cost.

When my husband and I—aspiring landlords that we are—found out we could get an FHA loan to cover the purchase of a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, we thought we had it all figured out. But four months and a dozen offers later, we were still discovering surprises right and left. Here’s what we wish we’d known before navigating on our less-informed, high-risk multi-family home search. Read up on landlord/tenant laws in your area before embarking on this journey!

Design enthusiasts in Palm Beach County, Florida, let out a collective hurrah last year when the venerable Kips Bay Designer Show House in New York debuted a sister event in Palm Beach. The show house has now returned for a second year, gracing a 10,000-square-foot waterfront property in West Palm Beach (it’s open now through February 20!) Twenty-two design firms from throughout the country transformed the space in just under four months.

First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes an 18 percent higher probability of being a homeowner. According to research from the Urban Institute, delayed marriage is a major factor holding millennials back from homeownership. If the marriage rates were the same as they were in 1990, the millennial homeownership rate would be about five percentage points higher, says the Washington, D.C.-based economic and social policy research institute.

In honor of love, February, and gorgeous real estate, I put together another Real Estate Rom Com featuring this stunning home on Sotheby’s International Realty. A minivan turns a corner and pulls into the driveway of 49 Kingwood Ave. FAMILY FOCUSED SISTER takes a big gulp of her very big coffee as she pushes her even bigger sunglasses to the top of her head. She glances at herself in the rearview mirror, where did the time go? She thinks.

In many locations across the country, having a $350,000 budget to buy a home will get you some pretty nice digs, but when you’re looking in some of the big cities that stack of cash can translate into what some people may consider a college dorm room. Interested in seeing just how far your dollar stretches in the five major cities?

When my husband and I decided to take out a home equity line of credit for a renovation, we assumed we’d get a great interest rate based on our good credit scores. We’ve always paid our bills on time and don’t maintain any credit card debt. There’s just one demerit on my report; a medical bill in collections I’ve unsuccessfully disputed. But even with that blip, the credit monitoring service I use—CreditWise—said my score hovered in the high 700s!

To live in New York City is to crack your wallet way open every month to pay for a roof over your head. And while once upon a time $2,300 per month could yield a perfectly reasonable place to call home, these days it takes some sleuthing to find something in this price range.

It’s no secret that the dream of home ownership is increasingly a daunting prospect. From overwhelming student loan debt, to less-than-stellar credit scores, to steadily-climbing home prices, there’s no shortage of factors keeping a lot of us from achieving that hallmark of adulthood. However, some markets are tougher to pull off this particular aspect of “adulting” in than others.

One of the cool parts about being an adult is buying the stuff your folks wouldn’t or couldn’t get you as a child. Before you allow those nostalgic desires to fade into sadness and resentment, here’s how you can make up for at least one of the major requests your parents either strategically ignored or flat-out denied: signing on the dotted line for this magnificent pinecone-shaped treehouse, which has been placed up for sale by its designers, O2 Treehouse.

This three-story house can easily be a party pad or family estate. 6504 Rodrigo Street, Unit A Located in Houston, Texas $999,900 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms You know what they say: Everything is bigger in Texas. And it certainly feels that way with this Camp Logan home. Built by On Point Custom Homes, a prominent Texas architecture firm, this contemporary property has a first-floor space that’s dedicated to living and dining.

Update: Grey Gardens has found a buyer, according to the Washington Post. Owner, journalist Sally Quinn, hasn’t disclosed who is purchasing the property or the selling price (it was reduced to $17,995,000 in April), but mentioned that “she’s ‘happy’ with the contract and the new owner ‘really understands the house’ and plans to preserve it.

Well, old sport, now you can live that West Egg fantasy life. This over the top mansion on Long Island was the inspiration for the titular character’s estate in the 2013 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby. And the price? You’ll need Gatsby’s fortune to match, because this place is listed for $85 million.

Before people threw shade and sent subtweets, they built spite houses. One of the more famous real estate clap backs is Boston’s Skinny House, and it is currently for sale. Spite houses are exactly what they sound like: real estate built to spite someone else by blocking a view, annoying a neighbor, or to get around a zoning law. There’s usually an interesting story attached, and who doesn’t like a home with its own legend?

It’s been almost 60 years since Paul and Helen Olfelt hired iconic American architect Frank Lloyd Wright to build their Minnesota house. Now the couple are in their 90s, and are selling the—totally untouched!—place for $1.295 million. The three bedroom, two bathroom home sits on 3.77 “extremely private acres at the end of a quiet cul de sac” in St. Louis Park, just seven miles from downtown Minneapolis.

They say everything is bigger in Texas, even—nay especially—the boots. Case in point: There’s a cowboy boot so large you can live in it. And it’s available for rent. Located in Huntsville, a city about an hour north of Houston, the footwear inspired house and the adjoining bungalow were designed and built by local artist Dan Phillips, who specializes in constructing homes with recycled and salvaged materials.