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®.

5 Reasons Why We Are Waiting Longer to Buy Our First Home

The housing market has been slow to recover from the Great Recession, and one of the main reasons why is the lack of first-time homebuyers. Millennials are more likely to rent for a longer time before purchasing a home or conclude that home ownership just is not worth the expense and debt. A new analysis by Zillow confirms this trend. During the early 1970s ... Read More »

8 Tricks to Improve an Open Concept Space

People are increasingly excited by the lifestyle possibilities offered by open-plan living, but sometimes are frightened off by the idea of rattling around in a big, soulless space. To avoid having an open-plan space that looks dull and flat, borrow ideas from the best designs and incorporate interior devices that define different zones. This means playing w ... Read More »

45 Fabulous (And Fast!) Ways To Decorate Your Home

Fall is on its way in, but it can’t come fast enough! Here are some speedy and spectacular ways to get every corner of your home fall-ready — chunky pumpkins, colorful leaves, cozy vignettes, and all! 1. Make a Porch Sign From Barnwood 2015-09-10-1441852563-7797780-fall1.jpg Project via The Magic Brush Inc. See full project here. 2. Add Scrabble Fall Lette ... Read More »

Do You Need an Umbrella Policy?

The question of whether to purchase an umbrella insurance policy basically comes down to you, your assets and your inclination to plan for the unforeseen. That makes it different from other types of coverage. Homeowners insurance? Your lender likely requires it as a condition of your mortgage. Auto insurance? Every state but New Hampshire requires at least ... Read More »

4 Steps to Take Now for a Faster Home Sale Next Year

A home sale typically comes as a result of a life change or a major decision. These decisions don’t usually happen overnight, providing homeowners with years to plan for a successful home sale. By using your time wisely, you will maximize your home’s value when you want to list and sell. On your way to this point, you should be open to spending money in pre ... Read More »

The Burden of the Commute: Tales From a Rebounding Real Estate Market

The toll the rush takes. One unfortunate side effect of the rebounding economy is that more people are on the road during rush hour. Jobs and rising home values drive traffic, which can push people to live farther and farther from the office. The resulting commutes are a burden for more than just the road warriors. “When parents are taking an hour and a ... Read More »

The Fed Announcement: What It Means for Mortgage Rates and the Housing Market

Interest rates remain at historically low levels, pushing the long anticipated rate hike into the future. U.S. interest rates have seen nearly a decade of record lows, and 2015 was supposedly the year that they finally began to rise. The Federal Open Market Committee announced today that the benchmark interest rate for short-term lending will remain at its ... Read More »

Student Debt Has Minor Effect on Homeownership

As long as you get at least a four-year degree. Skyler Dormier’s student loan payment is a doozy. A federal employee in Seattle, he spends just over $1,000 a month to repay loans tied to his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. “I think of it as a car payment,” said Dormier, who will soon pay off his bachelor’s degree debt and have a lower payment. “Instead o ... Read More »

6 Ways to Make an Unforgettable First Impression

Trust starts to take shape in the first 7 seconds of a conversation. Here are some ways to start off on the right foot. First impressions count; they are the gate through which you gain admission to the most important relationships you will have in your life, professionally and personally. Human beings are like heat seeking missiles when it comes to establ ... Read More »

What Your Shower Habits Say About You

Some people use coffee to wake themselves up in the morning, but I use a nice hot shower. In fact, if I don’t have time to shower, youdefinitely don’t want to run into me that day. A morning shower is the perfect way to wake up my brain. I even start to run through to-do lists for the coming day. But it never dawned on me that my shower habits may actually ... Read More »

Renting – A Continuing Struggle

Most people may think that renting is easier than owning – less responsibility, less maintenance, less payments, less hassle. This is NOT the case and it is unlikely to get easier anytime soon. Eleven percent more households will pay more than half of their incomes on their monthly rent in 2024, according to a new report from Harvard University’s Joint cen ... Read More »