Housing Chatter delivers the news you need to know about current events in the housing market in simple terms. We have no political or institutional affiliations so you can be confident that our content and commentary is unbiased. Housing Chatter is brought to you by your professional Realtor®.

10 Ways House Hunting And Dating Are The Same Thing

Anyone who has ever braved the big, bad world of dating and/or real estate understands that the two, while totally different, can be equally as daunting. And while we're not saying we necessarily dislike either one (we shamelessly spend hours watching HGTV and are extremely well-educated on cuffing season,) we have to admit that when it comes to their less. ... Read More »

How to Prepare Your Home for Holiday Guests

When friends or relatives are coming to visit for the holiday season, make their visit a pleasure by thinking ahead and offering them your gracious home. Fruit baskets and floral arrangements aren’t necessary — just a bit of thoughtfulness and good planning. The following steps will walk you through what you need to know to make your next hosting experience ... Read More »

Skeletons in the Closet: Buying and Selling a Home with a Notorious Past

Every home has a history. Many homeowners ask, “Who lived in my house before me?” Today’s home buyers, with access to so much information and technology, want to know as much as they can about a home’s history before they even sign a contract. Sellers of homes with notorious histories should disclose to buyers what they know — particularly if the events occ ... Read More »

How Cold Indoor Temperatures Can Harm Your Health

Baby it's cold inside! When winter comes along, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends indoor temperatures of at least 64 degrees F, and raises that to 70 degrees for households which include infants, elderly members, or frail individuals. Whether due to inadequate insulation or an inefficient heating system, an underheated home feels chilly and unwe ... Read More »

Porcelain or Ceramic Tile -- Which Is for You?

Do you think that porcelain and ceramic tile are essentially the same? Well, you may be surprised to find that they are not. Although both are manufactured of similar ingredients using similar processes, there are some important differences. Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each of these tile types so that you can choose the kind that offers ... Read More »

Heres What A Single Day Is Like For An A-List Real Estate Broker

Adam Modlin is president and founder of the Modlin Group and a top broker to A-list celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Alex Rodriguez. The 41-year-old lives on the Upper East Side with his wife and two daughters. Modlin launched his firm with his older brother, Avery, in 1999, with no prior industry experience. His total listing volume of $125 million ... Read More »

Can You Afford to Buy a New Home and Rent Out Your Old One?

When it comes to buying a new home, most people decide to trade up to gain additional space, live in a better neighborhood, move to a home in better condition — or any combination of these. For many home buyers, particularly those with a good deal of equity in their current home, it begs the question: Do I have to sell in order to buy? Real estate is always ... Read More »

Heres Exactly How Much Money Youll Save Buying A House Instead Of Building

I’ve often wondered: Would the energy and maintenance savings on a new home be worth the added construction costs versus buying an existing house? Financially speaking, the answer turns out to be no. On average, a 1000 square foot new home will cost $17,500 more over the first ten years of ownership than an existing home of the same size. Of course, housi ... Read More »

Top 10 Common Repair Costs

Congratulations on buying your first house. Now, you have to learn how to keep it in good repair. To be safe, you should set aside money every year — 1% to 3% of your home’s purchase price — for repairs and maintenance. The good news is that most repairs are simple, inexpensive, and DIY-friendly. If you can fix stuff yourself, you’ll only pay for the cost of ... Read More »

16 Toys You Loved That You Can Still Get For Your Kids Today

There will always be buzz around the hottest newest toys. When they are products that teach kids engineering basics or boost their creativity, innovation is an indisputably great thing. That said, some of the best toys are ones that have stood the test of time. Oldies but goodies like Rainbow Brite, My Little Pony and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are experi ... Read More »

Giving to Charity for the First Time? Read This First

It's that time of year when many people's thoughts turn to those in need. The holidays can inspire people to adopt a generous mood. You're thankful for the blessings you've received and want to pay it forward -- and you've also realized charitable giving can lower your taxes, as well. Whether you'd like to donate to a local nonprofit or an international ca ... Read More »