Real Estate Today

Will the spring real estate market be hot or cool for home buyers and sellers? Washington state REALTOR® J. Lennox Scott explains how interest rates and inventory are impacting the real estate market and why potential home buyers should get fully underwritten before they sign a purchase agreement. Alicia Huey, chairman of the board of directors for the National Association of Home Builders, talks new build timelines and how labor challenges and supply issues are impacting the construction of new homes. And Keith Gumbinger of HSH.com shares what higher interest rates for home mortgages mean for you and where we can expect rates to go. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares if curved furniture with rounded edges or if fast furniture is HOT or Not.

Do you wish you had a new home? Can you improve your home or should you move to a new house? We look into what may be the best option for you. Idaho REALTOR® Chris Pelkola Lee discusses the pros and cons of moving to a new home versus renovating or fixing your current house. NAR Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Jessica Lautz shares what they found in their Home Remodeling Impact Study. What projects do homeowners want, do the improvements warrant the cost, and were people happy with their decision? Elizabeth Renter from NerdWallet shares what they found in their First-Time Home Buyer Metro Affordability Report and why things are getting better for first-time buyers with improved affordability and higher inventory and where they can buy an affordable home. And, Melissa Dittmann Tracey talks about hydro dripping home accessories and if it’s a hot home trend.

So, you bought your home and have moved in. Now it’s time to make it your own. But where do you even start? REALTOR® and home designer Addie Mulry explains how she works with her clients to help them reimagine their homes. She walks through the steps: What is normally the first thing to be updated; how to overhaul your kitchen without a complete renovation and adjust your floors without replacing them; and how to pick colors. And speaking of home colors, Sue Wadden from Sherwin-Williams talks about how paint can transform your living space and what colors are trending this year. Eric Huffman from Crutchfield discusses home entertainment systems and how to pick that perfect TV for your home. Lastly, Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know if scalloped edges on furniture and fabrics are hot or not!

It’s moving day! Laura Roth from United Van Lines and Mayflower goes over all you need to know about moving and what the benefits are for hiring people to pack your stuff and what the benefits of packing your own items are. Laura also lets us know why you better make sure you have your coffee on moving day. Washington, D.C. metro area REALTOR® Dale Mattison shares what he tells home sellers and home buyers about moving and why you should shop around and get referrals for a moving company. And don’t forget to map out your moving schedule. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun shares the latest existing-home sales data and what you need to know about the real estate market right now. And Melissa Dittmann Tracy lets us know if turning your TV into art is hot or not.

We detail all the information you need to know before you close on your home. Georgia REALTOR® Vanessa Goggans goes over how to prepare for a home closing, what documents you need to bring, and why an insurance binder is so critical. Colorado REALTOR® Michael Labout tells us what buyers and sellers need to do between signing the contract of sale and sitting down at the settlement. We’re talking inspections, appraisals, and a whole bunch of contingencies. And don’t forget about the loan underwriting. Olivia Mariani from Curbio shares how they can help you update your home before you sell it without paying for the fixes until you close on the property. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey looks to see if the rising price of eggs is helping create a new hot home trend. 

Let’s put some love in your home. We talk to married San Antonio REALTORS® Krista and Phillip Becker on what buyers have to do to get that home they love. Home stager and lifestyle specialist Tori Toth gives us tips on how to put some love back in your home and how important the five senses are in making your home more romantic. Also, Kell Phelps from the National BBQ & Grilling Association tells us how to make that perfect steak dinner for Valentine’s Day. And Are whites and grays hot bedroom colors? Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares the hot home colors.

What does it take to make a winning offer on a home? Michigan REALTOR® Pat Vredevoogd Combs talks earnest money, contingencies, and where there may be room to negotiate on your offer. Elizabeth Renter from NerdWallet discusses their 2022 Home Buyer Report and what sellers and buyers are expecting to see and just how misinformed they are. Do you think you can get a home for less than $270,000 like the majority of Americans? And Chief Appraiser at HomeSight Appraisal, Peter Gallo, walks us through the home appraisal process. We also see if gray is no longer a hot home color. Melissa Dittmann Tracey discusses what is Hot or Not with interior paint colors.

What will it take to buy a newly built home in 2023? Gonzalo Mejia, a REALTOR® from Jacksonville, Florida, shares the benefits of buying a newly constructed home and walks us through the process and how to navigate changing mortgage rates while your house is being built. Rose Quint from the National Association of Home Builders tells us what types of homes and features new home buyers are looking for (hint: home offices are big) and where homeowners want the laundry room. Also, National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun shares the latest on pending home sales and Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know if mixing and matching different styles of kitchen countertops is Hot or Not.

Are you selling your home in 2023? We’ll get you ready. Portland, Oregon REALTOR® Caitlin Williams shares how a home seller can get their home market ready and if they can expect multiple offers. Andi Batchelor from U-Haul discusses their state growth report and what states people are moving to and moving from. CEO of the Real Estate Staging Association Shell Brodnax tells us how home staging makes your home more marketable and will help you get the best price. And the host of You Bet Your Garden, Mike McGrath, shares what plants help the curb appeal of a house ...  even in winter. Also, are you ready to spray foam your home? Is it a hot home trend? We find out if you break out the foam to make wavy lines in your home.

What will buying a home be like in 2023? Massachusetts REALTOR® Arlene Castellano, who teaches a class for first-time buyers, shares what she’s hearing from buyers and sellers and how inventory and mortgage rates are changing expectations. Keith Gumbinger from HSH.com explains the latest on mortgages and what you should look for in your home loan. We also speak to Down Payment Resource CEO Rob Chrane who goes through down payment assistance programs you can use to purchase your home. And Melissa Dittmann Tracey reports on some of the HOT items from the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show.