Real Estate

Television isn’t known for treating viewers to reality. Even “reality” TV is far from what fans experience in the real world: Not everyone can sit around, look fabulous, and get paid like the Kardashians. And though some shows “get it” (we see you Atlanta, Malcolm in the Middle, and Broad City), fictional television tends to be regularly outrageous in the living department: Many characters live lavishly in amazing homes with a pretty standard income.

You’ve chosen your moving company and booked the movers, but there’s one thing that still needs to be done before the big day: packing up your belongings. Before you get too excited and begin stuffing your boxes with all your stuff, make sure that you’re setting yourself up for a smooth and efficient move.

After watching our parents retire and still have to make mortgage payments on a fixed income, my husband and I decided we would do whatever to prevent that for ourselves. So we approached our mortgages with aggressive and out-of-the-box steps that aren’t for everyone, but definitely worked for us.

Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines are constantly growing their Magnolia empire, and that means a hefty dose of high-end real estate. But their latest property to hit the market isn’t a single-family home: Instead, the couple’s Magnolia Realty just listed a historic boutique hotel in the small town of Hico for $2.35 million.

I worked two jobs for four long years, coming home at the end of the day to the house I grew up in, saving up some cash for a down payment on a house of my own.

Sometimes it feels like everyone in Hollywood knows each other. We see celebrities commenting on each other’s Instagrams as if they’re all members of the same club. (“So-and-so is friends with Chrissy Teigen and Busy Philipps? Who knew!”) And when you put all of those people into the same 50-mile radius, it’s no wonder that their real estate purchases tend to overlap. And when you’ve got many millions to spare, you gotta spend them on something, right?

When I moved to Boston for graduate school several years ago, my first apartment was inside a rundown 150-year-old mansion. The plumbing was shoddy, the bathroom reeked of mildew and the furnace liked to quit during snowstorms, but there was one incredible perk: A Trader Joe’s was only two blocks away. The ease of stopping to pick up a bag of yogurt pretzels and a $4 bottle of Chardonnay on my way home from class almost made the leaky roof worth it.

From location and lot size to curb appeal and area schools, most people know the most common factors that can affect a home’s property value. However, the list doesn’t quite end there. “Surprisingly, there are many out-of-the-box factors which may not be quite obvious that affect property value either positively or negatively,” says Marlene De Cespedes, director of luxury sales at Douglas Elliman in Miami, Florida.

You’ve heard this piece of home-buying advice time and time again: When it comes to buying property, you should work with a qualified real estate agent. While it may be tempting to go it alone, real estate agents do this for a living and their professional expertise can make a difference. However, you’ve probably also heard horror stories about subpar real estate agents who made the home buying process more of a nightmare than a dream.

After acquiring a lavish 21,000-square-foot colonial-style home in Alpine, New Jersey in 2015, Saturday Night Live alum Tracy Morgan is hoping to offload his comparatively modest digs in nearby Cresskill. The Emmy-nominated comedian initially listed his 6-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom-home at $2.248 million but has since dropped the asking price to $1.998 million, which is slightly less than the $2.11 million Morgan paid for it back in 2011, according to Variety.

In a perfect world, your neighbors would be as lovable as Joey and Chandler, as kooky as Kramer, or as beloved as Fred and Ethel. But, in reality, you don’t have to be BFFs to establish great relationships with the folks living next door or down the hall.

When it comes to elevated dwellings, tree houses will always be in style. The universal adoration for these nature-friendly living spaces is undeniable, and designer Antony Gibbon has once again tapped into that appeal with the creation of Inhabit, a sleek treehouse located near the town of Woodstock, New York. Situated on a tract of forest land, Gibbon’s design was inspired by geometric forms.

You just bought a new home or signed the lease for an apartment you’ve been coveting. Spending your discretionary dollars on a great piece of art or furniture sounds a lot more fun than blowing money on boring moving boxes and tape, right? If only it were that easy: Moving can be a pricey endeavor once you layer in all of the costs associated with professional movers, rented trucks, housing deposits, and miscellaneous fees.

This design-savvy one-bedroom in Prospect Heights is full of surprises—including a private roof deck with views for days. 430 Sterling Place, Apartment 4D Located in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn $799,000 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom It’s not surprising that this apartment was designed by an architect—you’ll spot it in the details the minute you pop open the door. Here, every inch of the 750 square feet of space has been smartly utilized to make it feel big, airy, and beautiful.

If you live in a major city and don’t make six-figures, you probably live with one or more roommates. And, of course, you probably wish every day that you could move to the middle of nowhere—where rents are cheap—and live alone. Well, surprise! Those dreams will probably never come true, because apartments throughout the country just aren’t as affordable as you think they are.

Looking to purchase your first home? Find out what this popular real estate term really means, and how to pick the best one for your needs.

Open houses can be exciting, no matter whether you’re actively house-hunting or just a nosy Nellie. These events offer a pressure-free (okay, mostly pressure-free) way to scout out any homes on your radar—and maybe even find your dream space. But staying on your best behavior at an open house is paramount: After all, the seller’s agent is right there. Act like a loon and they’ll pass on the memo to their client, who may decide not to accept your offer.

We spoke with real estate and home financing experts to get the full picture.

According to the following four real estate professionals, there are several acceptable interpretations of this phrase.

A long-standing refuge for multicultural immigrants and maple syrup connoisseurs, alike; Canada, oh Canada, was just named the second best country to live in by US News & World Report, and the first for overall quality of life. High-ranking in categories across the board, and with a largely beloved prime minister in power, to boot–Canada is justifiably full of happy residents.

The open house circuit can feel stressful and intimidating. You’re filing in and out of strangers’ homes and apartments, hoping this one might be the one. But how can you know? Luckily, those agents—you know, the ones manning the cookie tables, holding piles of business cards—can answer all your burning questions. You just need to know which ones to ask. Here, the top 10 questions to ask at an open house to help determine whether or not the space is right for you.

This property brings the simplicity of Bauhaus and the reverence of a cathedral together under one roof. Sturdy, warm and historical are some of the words that come to mind when it comes to this beautiful New York home. 6580 Bianchi Lane Located in Clarence, New York $890,000 4 bedrooms, 3 baths Things we love about this property crush: The cathedral ceiling brings instant character and history to the home, even with its modern amenities (that kitchen!).

When the hustle and bustle of big city living gets to be too much, many celebrities—understandably—flock to the suburbs for quieter living. After all, when you own multiple homes, it pays to diversify, right? The following celebs range from singers to actors to athletes but they all share common ground: owning homes in the suburbs (even if a few of them are trying to unload said properties at the moment).

One of the most sought-after features in real estate today is “open concept.” But, like many popular buzzwords, people seem to mean different things when they use it. So we decided to talk with some real estate professionals to break down what open concept really means, how it originated, and why it’s so appealing.

Good news first: It’s actually possible to purchase an apartment in Manhattan for under $300,000 or so. (Yes, an actual apartment—not a closet! And yes, purchase to own, not rent!) Every so often, a Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) co-op unit hits the market, providing a rare, affordable option for prospective homebuyers. But the discouraging news?

It's time to bust out the Tim Horton's coffee, because we're headed north.

Looking for a new adventure and not sure what affordable city best suits you? We've connected all 16 Myers-Briggs personality types to their best-fitting city.

Live out your own costume-drama’d fantasies and hotelier dreams by purchasing Ackergill Castle and the Napoleonic-era Solent Forts, all currently for sale together as a lot by English mattress millionaire Mike Clare. Clare is selling the four historical properties located in Scotland and on surrounding English islands for a combined $20 million.

It doesn’t matter how much you love your rental: The day your renewal notice comes in with a rent hike you never imagined, all those fuzzy feelings might just fly out the window. That said, how do you know if it’s worth it to move? From an economic standpoint, know that your next landlord will need the first and last month’s rent plus a security deposit, and for some apartments, a real estate broker’s fee.

If owning the place where The Greatest boxer of all time retreated from the paparazzi and other trappings of fame would be a bucket list item realized, then take a peek at this listing for the 81-acre Michigan estate where Muhammad Ali (nee Cassius Clay) spent his down time. Currently for sale by Ali’s widow Lonnie, the Berrien Springs property at 8105 Kephart Lane sits on over a mile of St.

Who had it worse when buying homes: the Boomers or Millennials? It might be a topic that makes Thanksgiving dinner tenuous, but now the argument has an answer. Well, sort of. According to a new report, home-ownership is technically cheaper than it was in the 1980s, but today it’s currently harder than ever to afford a home.

It’s been a whirlwind romance for pop star Ariana Grande and SNL’s Pete Davidson. The young couple have only been public with their relationship since late May, and now the two are engaged and reportedly living together. Where, you ask? The luxe Chelsea high-rise designed by none other than Zaha Hadid. TMZ reported Wednesday that the pair have moved into a five bedroom, four and a half bath unit in the new residential building worth $16 million.

If your standard reaction to watching HGTV is, “I want to do that, too,” but renovating a fixer-upper is out of your budget (and your skill set), there’s a new virtual way you can satisfy that renovation itch—without having to take out a mortgage or hire a contractor.

When you think of San Francisco, your first thoughts may be of cable cars and rows of houses on inclined streets. However, with one of the highest costs of living in the country, San Francisco housing prices can be as steep as its slanted streets. The average small apartment goes for more than $3,000 a month and median home prices top $1.5 million.

This waterfront mid-century home combines beachy vibes with high modernism. 2061 NW 14th St Located in Miami, Florida, on the south side of the Miami River $969,000 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths 10,642 square feet of landscaping When you look upon this house, the first thing that catches your eye is the expansive and lush green landscaping. Palm trees frame the lot, opening up to a courtyard with a stone fire-pit that can light your dinner party on a warm, balmy night.

Frank Lloyd Wright fans will love this Usonian stunner in Michigan. The Haddock House, designed in 1939 but not built until 40 years later, is on the market for $1.2 million. According to the property’s listing, Wright originally created the home for a schoolteacher in Wisconsin, but it wasn’t built until after the architect’s death.

You’ve just moved into your home and you have a to-do list a mile long. So should you take on each and every project that eventually needs to be done right now, or is ok to let some simmer on the back burner? We asked longtime homeowners to share the home fix-ups they regret not conquering right away—before life got in the way.

Raise your hand if you have ever felt personally victimized by a McMansion. OK, maybe that’s taking it a little too far, but you have to admit that the proliferation of cookie-cutter houses across the country (and the world) can be a bit of a snore. Luckily, for those who appreciate retro charm, there are some priceless homes on the market today that serve as time capsules of the era in which they were built.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the seventh time in two years, signaling continued economic growth and a low unemployment rate. While that might just sound like financial mumbo-jumbo, it could have serious effects on what you pay for your home in the near-future. The benchmark interest, or prime, rate is basically the minimum rate that non-Treasury lenders (a.k.a.

In many ways, living with a roommate is a rite of passage that teaches us about compromise, companionship, and responsibility. But, for many, it can also be a nightmare: From unpaid bills to illicit behaviors, a number of bad things can pop up when you live with a complete stranger, or even a friend, without doing your due diligence. However, avoiding these circumstances can be as easy as having a brief, honest conversation.

Packing up to move is the worst—and the kitchen just may be the trickiest space of your whole house because of all those small, fragile items you have to carefully wrap and contain. On the flip side of that: Unpacking in your new-to-you kitchen (as long as nothing’s broken) is just about the best. I know, because we just moved into a new house and we got to start all over—yay! Starting fresh in a new place is an opportunity to really make that space work for you.

Many of us have settled with the fact that the closest we’ll come to living in an enchanted, sprawling mansion is locating our respective Hogwarts houses on Pottermore (thanks, Sorting Hat). However, for would-be homeowners who are expeditiously piecing together a fairytale lifestyle in the real world, here’s a beautiful Boston home that certainly matches the grand vision.

Buying a house is stressful enough, but when you add in the unfamiliar lingo and mounds of paperwork, it can be overwhelming.

It’s your move-in day and, while it may be more fun to plan all the vintage items you’re going to put in your living room, the reality is that there are certain parts of your new place that need to be cleaned—stat. Even if the past owner hired a professional to deep-clean after they moved, there are some sneaky, behind-the-scenes spaces that should be checked out.

House hunters and ghost hunters alike will be thrilled (and chilled) to hear that Villa Paula — dubbed Miami’s most haunted home by the Biscayne Times — is now on the market. Listed by ONE Sotheby’s International Realty for $4.5 million, the 2,552-square-foot venue was built as a Cuban consulate in 1926 solely using materials imported from Cuba. Havana architect C.

If you’ve ever rented before, you know that all landlords are not created equal. While some do the absolute minimum to get your monthly rent check, others do an incredible job at maintaining clean buildings and keeping their tenants’ best interests in mind. Recently, Brick Underground released a list of these amazing landlords. It got me thinking: Who better than a great landlord to give maintenance tips?

This modern one-bedroom penthouse in Bushwick is tricked out with high-end amenities, loads of light, and a private roof deck. 38 Wilson Avenue, Apartment PHB Located in Bushwick, Brooklyn $699,000 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Initially, this modern boutique condo wasn’t a piece of eye candy. The building in prime Bushwick was heavily tagged with spray paint and looked run-down and depleted.

As a savvy seller, you’ve spruced up the front yard to increase your home’s value and have been keeping an eye on how much homes are selling for in your neighborhood. You’ve done your research—so much, in fact, that you know exactly which day of the week is best to list your property. So, should you go full-on real estate star and try to sell your home on your own, too?

Want to build your dream home from scratch? Don’t want to wait forever and drain your savings? A prefabricated—or prefab—home is the way to go. They’re built in a factory and transported section-by-section to be assembled almost wherever you please—almost like the IKEA furniture of homes. There are many pro and cons to buying prefab homes, and many ways to go about it.

In the immortal words of Jimmy McMillan, “The rent is too damn high!” I live in Austin, which means my wallet cries each time I pay rent. Of course, I don’t live in a city where rent is sky-high like New York or San Francisco… but still, I don’t live in Toledo or Memphis, cities where the rent is barely-there. The burden for this writer is heavy to bear alone.

Property taxes, homeowners insurance, interest, HOA fees—when it comes to your monthly mortgage payment, your loan’s principal doesn’t lack company. Still, few of these additional costs and expenses draw as much ire from a homeowner than private mortgage insurance (PMI.) If you’re begrudgingly shelling out extra cash for a PMI premium, then private mortgage insurance needs no introduction.

This quintessentially storybook family home is stacked with all the historic trappings, but updated with every creature comfort. 1 Main Street Located in Sharon, CT $850,000 6 bedroom, 4 full bathrooms, 1 half-bath When you picture a classic East Coast Colonial, a house just like this most likely comes to mind. Located in the Historic Village Green in tony Sharon, Connecticut, this 1850s home boasts loads of space, but somehow manages to feel cozy and elegant at the same time.

Craft beer, maple syrup, truly organic farming, snow skiing, independent thinking, arts & crafts studios, and the absolute natural glory of autumn—like nowhere else on the planet. If moving to the Bernie Sanders state (of mind) sounds like a dream come true, then the governor of Vermont has a message for you: he wants to pay you to move there.

While you’re in the process of house hunting, all you want to do is find a keeper, get the keys and settle into your new life. But it pays to think long-term when buying a home because you’re probably going to be selling it sometime in the future, and you want to get a good return on your investment. So, keeping certain factors in mind when purchasing a home is key to ensure that it has good resale value. Here, six things you should think about, according to professionals.

Moving soon? You’re going to need packing tape—and a lot of it. But before you head to your local hardware supply store to pick up a few rolls, first think, “Is this going to cause more trouble than it’s worth?” From quickly losing adhesive to not being as durable as you’d like, bad tape can make moving a whole lot harder than it needs to be. And who knows how to avoid these sticky (pardon the pun) moving situations? The pros, of course.

This splendid Arts & Crafts home delivers on all accounts: Location? Check. A designer’s eye for style? Check. Plenty of lush outdoor space? Check. This home is the whole package. 904 E 36th Street Located in Charlotte, North Carolina $699,000 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms This beauty of a bungalow in Charlotte’s hip NoDa historic arts district surprises and delights from the moment you walk in.

You hunted until your feet were sore, found your dream home and made an offer that was accepted. Time to exhale, right? Not quite. “The first rule of real estate: All contracts must be in writing to be binding,” says David Rosen, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman in New York City. That means until you actually have a signed contract, your accepted offer is just a good faith agreement. But it all works out, right?

You can only have your leftover lo mein eaten by your roommates so many times before you start to curse communal living. And for the legions of recent grads who are moving on from college dorms this spring, living alone may sound like a dream come true. But is it financially feasible? Locking down a job is the first step to determining your rent budget.

When my wife and I were looking to get pre-approved for a mortgage, we started at the most obvious spot: Bank of America, the longtime home of our checking and savings accounts. Turns out, that may not have been a smart idea. For starters, we were surprised to discover that their rates and terms were pretty unattractive, especially for first-time buyers like us. We were already scrounging for cash, and the bank was pretty inflexible about the down payment amount.

Somewhere in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City is a homeowner who’s itching to get an $85 million condo off of his hands. So much so, that he’s willing to throw in complimentary seats for two on an upcoming Virgin Galactic space flight—a gift that retails at $250,000.

If figuring out your mortgage and closing costs weren’t enough, moving into and furnishing your new home can be pretty stressful. And though you want to make your house your dream home right off the bat, you’re probably short on cash (and energy). Thankfully, you’ll be in your new house for awhile, so you have time to transform your place to match your vision. Still, there are some things you’ll appreciate having on day one.

Texas is a big, big place—it takes an incredible 14 hours to drive across it!—which is why you need a solid game plan if you’re moving to the Lone Star State. Each of its cities and towns are unique, and all have different things to offer, depending on what you’re looking for. But whether you’re looking for the right spot to start your life or a bustling community to welcome you during your sunset years, there’s a vibrant place for you.

In the past seven years, my family and I have been through seven moves. That may seem like a lot, but as a former military spouse and sailor, I can tell you it’s normal for families like mine. You don’t just move—you move quickly: You only get 10 days after you transfer to a new duty station to find a house and move into it. Yeesh! Most of the time, families spend those first days in a hotel (which, thankfully, the military pays for), but I was rarely interested in this option.

I always considered myself to be non-materialistic, a simple girl who isn’t wrapped up in the things she possesses. After all, it’s only stuff, right? But then I downsized.

With a few nifty helpers, moving day magically transforms into a much less daunting task.

It is now the real life home of one lucky Gilmore Girls (or Parenthood) fan.

When celebrities buy other celebrities’ homes, it’s fun to noodle about the things that the two people actually share in their private lives, apart from their taste in aesthetics — like the intersection of sustainability and environmental activism that no doubt led Leonardo DiCaprio to take an interest in buying Moby’s home in the woodsy Los Angeles neighborhood of Los Feliz.

Mid-century design-lovers will crush hard on this Bauhaus-influenced home in Bayside, Wisconsin. Set upon an acre of sloping land, it affords the peacefulness of a country retreat with a dose of seriously sophisticated style. 9449 North Regent Court Located in Bayside, Wisconsin $410,000 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms It’s clear that the owners of this property were not afraid to stand out.

Who wouldn’t want their own private island? It is the perfect place to escape to when you need a break from reality and other people. But, an island is plenty of space to then have friends and family over. You get to enjoy privacy with your close loved ones, while still not feeling cramped. If only we could all afford our own private islands. If you’re on the market for an island, then you’re going to want to look at Florida.

Moving to a new place can be really expensive. Even if you already have a fully furnished home or apartment, you wind up dropping thousands on the cost of movers. That doesn’t even include the security deposit and first month’s’ rent you’ll have to pay if you’re renting. If you’re buying, then that initial down payment will take a little piece of your soul. But one expensive place in NYC comes with a bit of a prize.

The sound of lawn mowers purring. The smell of lilac bushes starting to bloom. May is a magical time period for a variety of reasons, particularly for those of us who have eagerly awaited the warmer temps and sunshine. But it turns out that the first half of May is a real dynamo for the real estate market, too. According to research conducted by Zillow, homes listed from May 1 to 15 sell about 2 weeks faster, and for a $2,400 premium over properties listed at other times during the year.

What do Mary Shelley, Nigella Lawson, Dame Julie Andrews, Margaret Thatcher, Mick Jagger, Tony Curtis, and Andrew Lloyd Webber all have in common? At one time or another, they all called this luxurious, towering townhouse in West London home—and if you happen to have $33 million to invest, you can also add your name to the historic list of residents.