“Ageless Attraction”

Rising interest rates or steeply escalating prices could dampen this housing market – and so could a wide generation gap.

Qualify me

Bankers, builders and other stakeholders want to see customers qualify for loans – some are taking a proactive approach

Those who work from home may be eligible for an easier-to-claim tax deduction next year

For millions of Americans, “housework” has acquired a new meaning. Instead of picking up a mop, they grab a laptop and headphones and settle in at a desk.

Inventory is low in many areas, so the perfect home is tough to find. But buyers who know exactly what they want are at an advantage

Homebuyers: Are you serious?

New federal rules have buyers asking how they’ll get approved for mortgages now and when rules go in full effect

If you’re thinking of buying a home or refinancing, new federal rules governing mortgage lending in 2014 probably have you wondering: Will the new rules make getting a mortgage more difficult? Is there any reason to borrow before 2014?

Pups are part of the family – here’s how to choose a dog-friendly home and ’hood

When architect Chris Rose first meets with clients, “One of the first questions I ask is, ‘Where do you feed the dog?’”

A good refinance will save you money in the long run, but be ready to pay slightly more when you file your taxes

If you’ve refinanced lately, congratulations. You’ve undergone the tough scrutiny of a mortgage lender and have been rewarded with a lower monthly mortgage bill.

The jumbo loan market is growing, and that’s good news for everyone

In the wake of the credit crisis, the rich were no different from everyone else.

In competitive markets, a buyer’s enthusiasm can make all the difference

When her clients fell in love during an open house tour, agent Jesenia Ontiverso of Century 21 Marty Rodriguez in Glendora, Calif., feared they could be disappointed, since homes in the area were garnering multiple offers.

Say goodbye to McMansions in the exurbs; young families are looking for smaller homes in suburbs near the city

You’re thirty-something with one child and another on the way. It’s time to move to the ‘burbs.

Homeowners who got burned the first time they put their homes on the market are taking another leap of faith

If at first, you didn’t succeed, should you try again?

As household debt declines, prospective homeowners have a better shot at obtaining the mortgage they want

No wonder the housing market hasn’t made a really robust recovery: There’s a $11.38-trillion weight in the way.

Evolving lifestyles and home use change the way people look at remodeling projects

The first question Newport Beach, Calif., architect David Kosco asks new clients is, “How formal are you?”

New insight into how people use their homes shows where to invest time and money

What’s your dream home?

As home prices rise, a smaller ‘shadow inventory’ gives a brighter outlook

Finally, some bright housing news.

How to look at the vacant home from both sides of the real estate transaction (copy)

Sell. Buy. Move.

Vacation homes can make great retirement destinations; but beware these pratfalls

If you love to vacation there, wouldn’t it be a nice reward after a successful career to retire there permanently?

Before buying a second home in a favorite vacation destination, consider these important questions

This summer, thousands of people will fall in love, and some will be tempted to make a serious commitment: buying a vacation home.

While more people are opting to rent instead of own, they still plan to buy eventually. Here’s how to prepare for that day

Since the housing downturn, the ranks of renters have swelled. Now, slightly more than half of Americans who plan to move in the next two years say they intend to rent, according to a study by the Demand Institute, a nonprofit consumer research organization.

When moving, storage is a tempting alternative to throwing away precious possessions; just don’t get carried away

No wonder moving is ranked as one of life’s most stressful events.

Single women are a force to be reckoned with in the real estate market

What do women want?

Boomers are spending more on housing than the generations before them. What that means for your retirement plan

What’s your vision of a good retirement?

For some, ‘location, location, location’ means ‘schools, schools, schools.’ Here’s how school districts play into the purchase process

What makes some homes sell quickly? Often, it’s not the amenities of the home itself; it’s the school district in which the property stands.

Inventory is low, but buyers are out there. Here is how sellers can best position their listing to the market

The law of supply and demand is so basic to economics that even a kid running a lemonade stand gets the concept: More buyers vying for limited inventory pushes prices up.

Today's ideal home looks a lot like it always has – except that the dweller might rather pay rent over a mortgage

What makes a comfortable, functional family home?

Some investors look to add to their portfolios with real estate

If not at bottom, real estate is certainly beaten down, and a small but growing number of individuals are betting that buying a property now and keeping it tucked within an individual retirement account will yield gains for their future retirement.

Every seller would love to get more. But the best chance for moving a home is pricing it right from the get-go

If you've been thinking about selling your home, no doubt you've been thinking about how much you'll get for it.

Forget the biggest house on the block. Today’s buyers just want a home that meets their needs – and their budget

After decades when a better home meant a bigger one, Americans have had their fill Multiple surveys show consumer preference inching toward smaller homes.

New homebuyers aren’t the only ones who need a helping hand. Renter’s can benefit from agents, too

Maybe you need to relocate for a job right away. Perhaps your current lease will expire soon and you hope to find a quieter building. Maybe you're thinking of renting instead of buying if there's a family-friendly place.

With a Super Bowl Ad and an attractive buyer’s market, real estate makes its big push

What can kick the doldrums out of this housing market?

It’s a buyer’s market, but the lending environment is still tough. Here's how to make your case for a loan

There's no better feeling than checking off every item from your to-do list. It's smart to try to take that same approach to homebuying.

Looking to boost your creditworthiness? Those monthly rent checks just might be the thing to do it

Does your landlord love you because you're always on time with the rent? Well, your good reputation may spread to others, like credit card issuers.

From would-be sellers to property-management companies, today's landlords have many faces

Thinking of renting?

You can’t always get what you want – including a mortgage. Here’s how to best strengthen your position for obtaining a loan

Rejection hurts.

Rental demand for single-family homes is high, but there’s plenty for owners to learn before they can profit

Optimistic investors are drawn to silver linings.

Housing Downturn is ‘habitat’ for growth

The housing market is in a slump, but the basic need for shelter is a constant. Enter Habitat for Humanity International - which placed sixth in Builder magazine's survey of the largest U.S. homebuilders, with 6,032 home closings last year.

Donating your home to charity has its own set of benefits

It's difficult to sell real estate these days. But it's getting more popular to give it away.

The second-home market has taken a hit in recent years. Yet, the home away from home might be the thing for some buyers

Back when the housing market was happily abuzz with sales, lots of buyers thought a vacation home would add to their happiness.

Sellers are seeing deals end in the trash bin, not on the closing table. Here’s what’s been derailing deals in today’s market

It's not always a scarcity of buyers that's holding back the housing market.

Real estate investment trusts offer real holdings without the traditional costs of property ownership

Lately, trying to build steady savings has felt like struggling to stay upright on a storm-tossed ship.

Making Work Moves Work

One of the ills crippling the job market is a severe case of homesickness. The obstacle standing between many Americans and a new job is their home - and dim prospects of selling it at a price that makes relocating for a new position affordable.

Should You Forgo the ‘For Sale’ Sign?

In a depressed housing market, does a "For Sale" sign that sits for weeks lend to the downbeat mood?

Homeowner’s insurance policies are not one-size-fits all. Here’s a policy primer to help make sure you are covered

"You're going to need homeowner's insurance."

Investing in real estate isn’t a get-rich-quick game anymore. Here’s what to know about owning’s financial implications

It's never been easy.

Any type of buyer looks good to a seller. If that buyer is offering cold hard cash, even better

Aren't sellers rolling out the red carpet for homebuyers these days?

The newer the listing, the more attractive it is to potential buyers. Here’s how to make the most of the fresh-on-the-market period

"What's new?"

In a new real estate order, agents and firms are stepping up their game, offering new and customized services to better serve buyers and sellers.

Fewer homes being sold, fewer real estate agents selling them.

Following the mortgage meltdown, new rules are changing the way mortgages are being offered to borrowers: Here’s what to know about shopping for a loan today

Live and learn.

In the game of let’s make a deal, it’s what the sellers will accept, not what the buyers are offering, that is holding up sales

How much is a home worth?

Stressed By Distress?

It has curb appeal, it's tastefully decorated, and clutter-free. How could such a perfect home be compared to one without an owner to lavish similar attention to it?