Right now, American homeowners are sitting on a record $11.5 trillion in tappable equity. That’s equity you could access without selling your home while keeping at least a 20% cushion in place. And, with interest rates on home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) falling, this may be the most affordable time in years to tap into your home’s value. But does it make sense to borrow now, or should you wait? Let’s break down the […]
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Imagine this: You walk through the front door after work. Your dad is teaching your daughter how to make his famous pasta sauce in the kitchen. Your mom is watering plants on the patio. Upstairs, your brother’s finishing up a Zoom call from his home office. Sound a little chaotic? Maybe. But for millions of families across the U.S., multiple generations living together is becoming the new normal. And surprisingly, they love it. According to […]
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If you’ve been debating whether to remodel your home or just live with the quirks, here’s something to think about: the right updates can both boost your home’s resale value and make you fall in love with your space all over again. According to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of REALTORS®, Americans spent an estimated $603 billion in 2024 on home remodeling. And those renos aren’t just for fun. With 46% […]
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Mortgage rates are still high. Prices keep climbing. And the Fed isn’t exactly handing out discounts. If you’re feeling hesitant about buying a home right now, you’re not alone. But according to Barbara Corcoran, the real estate mogul who turned $1,000 into a multimillion-dollar business, this kind of market is exactly when savvy buyers make their move. In a recent interview with Realtor.com®, Corcoran laid it out clearly: when uncertainty creeps in, most people hit […]
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When it comes to selling your home, not all rooms are created equal. In fact, there are three spaces that buyers pay the most attention to. And if you get them right, you’re more likely to secure top dollar for your property. According to the 2025 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Staging, the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen are the make-or-break spaces when it comes to staging. Here’s how to make each […]
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A shrinking economy. Rising mortgage rates. Flatlining prices. If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in 2025, it’s no wonder you’re feeling hesitant. For many buyers, the instinct right now is to wait it out. To see what happens before making a big move. And the headlines don’t help: The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis just reported a 0.3% drop in GDP in Q1 2025, following a strong 2.4% gain at the end of […]
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Spoiler alert: Housing affordability isn’t as simple as the headlines make it sound. Depending on who you ask, the real issue isn’t just home prices or even the number of homes on the market. It’s about access. It’s about opportunity. And most of all, it’s about what affordable really means for the people trying to buy. So, what does affordability look like here in Virginia and West Virginia? And where do you actually stand a […]
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Buying your first home doesn’t look anything like it did 30 years ago. The average first-time buyer in 2024 is 38 years old. Compare that to 33 in 2020 and 31 between 1993 and 2018. So if you’re renting in your 30s or 40s, it’s easy to wonder: Did I miss my window? The short answer is not at all. In fact, you’re right on time—and there are solid financial and personal reasons for that. […]
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Every time the word “recession” starts popping up in headlines, it brings a wave of uncertainty—especially for anyone thinking about buying or selling a home. You might be wondering: Totally fair questions—and you’re not alone in asking them. The good news is we can look to history to get some real answers. Let’s break it down. A Recession Doesn’t Automatically Mean Home Prices Will Drop First, let’s clear up a common myth: A recession is […]
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Most people think of homeownership as one big expense. And we get it, between mortgage payments, maintenance, insurance, taxes… the list seems never-ending. But what often gets overlooked is the way your home can pay you back when tax season rolls around. If you’re a homeowner, you may be sitting on deductions and credits that could reduce your taxable income, boost your refund, or soften the blow of what you owe. Here’s how to take […]
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