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 Polite Things People Just Don’t Seem To Do Anymore

No matter your age, whether you’re a boomer or a millennial, you might have noticed that people’s manners just aren’t what they used to be. As kids, we wouldn’t have dared call someone older than us by their first name. It was always Mr. or Mrs. so-and-so. And our mothers drilled in us the habit of saying please and thank you. We asked our Facebook friends a ... Read More »

Housing Less Affordable for Military Families Than for Civilians

In San Diego, service members living off base can expect to pay 65.5 percent of their income on a mortgage or 59.6 percent on rent. Rachel and John Zohn are hopping from their home on an Air Force Base in Mississippi this summer to one in Montgomery, AL. Although Montgomery has a neighborhood they like, it would cost more to live there than on base — even ... Read More »

There are only 3 important numbers to look at when you’re considering a mortgage

If you want to compare loan offers side-by-side, you’ll need to pay close attention to three items: the interest rate, the lender’s breakdown of loan fees, and the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), say the experts. The most important loan term is the interest rate, which is the rate you’ll be charged for borrowing the money. It’s a single number that does not ... Read More »

The Homeowner’s Guide to Land Use Laws

Thinking of setting up a backyard chicken coop or building a guesthouse? Make sure local laws allow it, or you could be looking at a hefty fine. Land use law is a huge library of legal doctrine dating back centuries, covering everything from water and mineral rights to real estateplanning and zoning. But how do these laws impact the average urban, suburban ... Read More »

5 things to know before becoming a mentor

Don’t force a mentorship if the chemistry isn’t there. MPW Insider is an online community where the biggest names in business and beyond answer timely career and leadership questions. Today’s answer for: Why is it important to have a mentor? is written byDebby Hopkins, CEO at Citi Ventures. One of the most valuable and fulfilling aspects of my career has b ... Read More »

One Little Secret to Help You Save 15 Years on Mortgage Payments

There is a government program out there that helps homeowners save a bunch of money on their refinances. It is free to use and banks can't afford to tell the public about it - it's called HARP - Home Affordable Refinance Programs. It was launched in 2009, but less than 0.5% of people have taken advantage of it. HARP is designed to help you get a more stabl ... Read More »

Being underwater on your home isn’t always a disaster — here’s when it might be OK

In the last decade or so, it’s become quite common for people to find themselves underwater on their home loans. When real estate values plummeted around 2008, millions of people ended up owing more than what their properties were worth. This led to mass foreclosures and big financial problems throughout the country. Being underwater on your home is rarel ... Read More »

Is ‘For Sale By Owner’ Right for You?

Selling your home without an agent is entirely possible and, in some ways, easier today than in the past. Going for sale by owner (FSBO) could be a huge cost savings, since the real estate commission is the largest expense of any home sale. But FSBO is not for everyone. If you go this route, you must be deliberate each step of the way. You’ll have to do you ... Read More »

5 Unique Things To Do Before You List Your Home

Home sales tend to peak in June, so now is the perfect time to get your home ready to be put on the market. While we all know the basics of what you need to do before your home is listed (clean, de-clutter, get rid of personal items, etc.), as the CEO of a professional cleaning company, I have found there are 5 things people rarely do–but should. Here are 5 ... Read More »

The next president needs to speak up about housing right now

Want my vote? Here’s how to get it As the 2016 presidential campaign shifts into high gear, the candidates of both political parties must start speaking to the severe and growing problems in housing. For far too long, these problems have been largely ignored by the mainstream media and neglected by Washington. A housing focus has also been noticeably abse ... Read More »

5 Ways to Boost a Ranch-Style Home’s Curb Appeal

Space, accessibility and relaxed living make ranch homes popular, but their exteriors can be dull. Try these low-cost ideas for giving their outsides a little oomph. In the 1950s, ranch-style homes abounded. They were so popular that they accounted for nine out of every 10 new houses built. Now, after 40-some years out of trend, the open, one-story style i ... Read More »

5 Tips for Flipping Houses

Home prices are rising quicker than ever and for-sale listings are still very low, so flipping a house is more competitive. There is good money to be made, however, if you are ready to put in the work. Most people think flipping a house is like how it is shown on television. Unfortunately it is not so remain emotion-free, be smart, and get ready for ... Read More »