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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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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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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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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You’ve probably heard the headlines: mortgage rates are still high, and the market is tough. But here’s what most of those headlines miss: subtle signs of life in the housing market. Mortgage purchase applications are up year over year, and even though rates are still above 6.5%, demand is starting to stir. It’s not a boom. It’s not a frenzy. But it is something to take note of. What Are Mortgage Purchase Applications? Mortgage purchase […]
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Everyone knows that spring is typically the best season to sell a home. But, there’s a mistake we see sellers make every year based on that information. When most people think of spring, their mind skips to late in the season—or even early summer—when the weather is perfect, flowers are blooming, and buyers are out in full force. By the time they list, they’re actually late to the game. They end up competing against a […]
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The spring housing market is here, and if you’re thinking about buying or selling, you’ve probably heard plenty of predictions, opinions, and advice. Some of it is useful. Some of it, not so much. So, what’s the real story? Realtor.com’s Chief Economist, Danielle Hale, recently shared advice with her own neighbor about buying a home—advice that every buyer and seller needs to hear. Here’s what you actually need to know about the 2025 spring market, […]
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