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®.

Working with Home Contractors? Read This First!

We have done a lot of DIY on our home projects, but have also done our fair share of contracting out work. Some things are (usually) better left to skilled craftspeople. In doing so, we have learned a few things about the ins and outs and ups and downs of working with contractors. You might have heard horror stories told on news stations about contractors le ... Read More »

3 foolproof ways for understanding how to reach customers

You work hard to reach customers and other key stakeholders. But despite your best efforts, you worry that your efforts are falling short. As one marketer put it, “We spend a lot of time communicating in the hope customers will engage. But only a few pay attention.” What should you do differently? Start by leveraging a core strategy from leading consumer p ... Read More »

What to Do If Your Home Purchase Appraisal Comes Up Short

If a lower-than-expected appraisal comes in, you’ll need to be prepared to pivot. Since a home is collateral for your mortgage, your mortgage can’t be approved without an appraisal report on the home’s value. Appraisals aren’t guaranteed to come in at your contract price, and your loan options change if your appraisal comes in short. Here’s what to do if th ... Read More »

A Thorough Well-Done Home Inspection Is Integral to Any Real Estate Transaction

As the housing market across the U.S. recovers from free fall, buyers and sellers are getting reacquainted with the intricacies of the modern home inspection. It’s one of the most important aspects on any real estate transaction, especially for the buyer – approximately 95 percent of all real estate transactions include a home inspection, with the buyer cov ... Read More »

Why Did My Home Insurance Premium Go Up?

Protect yourself from a nasty shock by knowing which factors can increase the cost of insuring your home. What if you were to open your home insurance statement one day and find that your premium had increased? Some reasons for home insurance premium spikes are widely known, but others may surprise you. Here are some common factors that can drive up your ho ... Read More »

6 Home Items Worth Splurging On — And 8 That Aren’t

Home decor experts Nate Berkus and Elaine Griffin dish on when to loosen the purse strings — and when it’s OK to play cheapskate. SPLURGE: Fixtures and Appliances Kostov/iStock/Thinkstock “You don’t want any maintenance issues with a faucet or a refrigerator,” says Nate Berkus, a decorator and product designer (and Oprah fave, of course!). “Don’t economize ... Read More »

12 Things Successful People Reveal About Themselves At Work

In search of the elusive behaviors of the top-performers in every walk of life My fellow columnist here at Inc., Dr Travis Bradberry, wrote an excellent article on the 12 things you should NEVER reveal about yourself at work. It made me consider this from the other side. I have seen all of the mistakes and mis-steps that Dr Bradberry identified, but telling ... Read More »

15 Things No One Ever Tells You About Living With Your Significant Other

Cohabiting is one of the trickiest obstacles to navigate in any relationship. For some, it’s a seamless transition. For others, little space with two (or more) people can be a recipe for disaster. Whether you’ve just moved in together or have lived side-by-side for years, we’ve rounded up the 15 things no one really tells you about living with your partner. ... Read More »

Realtors hoping to be able to fly drones soon

Rules still being finalized by FAA for NAR UAVs There will be a time when Realtors can legally fly an unmanned aerial system, or drone, around property listings to capture images for marketing purposes, but that time has not yet arrived, at least not completely. That’s according to Federal Aviation Administrationofficials who told Realtors today during the ... Read More »

10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Tiny Home

Check out these not-so-tiny considerations before taking the plunge. Are you ready to go “small”? Tiny homes are popping up across the country as many look to save money, reduce their carbon footprint and see what it’s like to live with less. But buying or building a tiny home is easier said than done. There’s a lot to consider — from the actual constructi ... Read More »

How to Win a Bidding War on a Hot House

The housing market is still in its early stages this spring, but if you are a buyer, you know the market is hot right now. According to the National Association of Realtors, one-third of all U.S. properties sold at or above asking price in March. Most homes on the market have numerous offers on them, so how do you win a bidding war? 1. Get your financial ... Read More »