In today’s housing market, it seems harder than ever to find a home to buy. Before the health crisis hit us a year ago, there was already a shortage of homes for sale. When many homeowners delayed their plans to sell at the same time that more buyers aimed to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates and purchase a home, housing inventory dropped even further. Experts consider this to be the biggest challenge facing an otherwise hot market while buyers continue to compete for homes. As Danielle Hale, C... read more

According to data from the most recent Origination Insight Report by Ellie Mae, the average FICO® score on closed loans reached 753 in February. As lending standards have tightened recently, many are concerned over whether or not their credit score is strong enough to qualify for a mortgage. While stricter lending standards could be a challenge for some, many buyers may be surprised by the options that are still available for borrowers with lower credit scores.  T... read more

There’s nothing quite like realizing you’re ready to pop the question: “Will you accept this offer?” Yes, just like in romance, many homeowners fondly can recall the special moment when they decided a house was “the one.” Whether it’s a hard-to-find feature or a home that stands out by checking nearly every item on a wish list, it’s exciting when you can begin picturing life playing out in a specific home. For Bryan and Casey Morgan of Kansas, this process began by pl... read more

Expect tranquil muted blues, happy shades of yellow, and even bold doses of black in the coming year. By Cyndy Aldred  January 07, 2021It's that time again when paint manufacturers release their predictions for the colors that will be most popular in the year ahead. After a tumultuous year, hues that soothe and lift our spirits are expected to be the biggest paint color trends as we say hello to 2021. Whether you prefer muted blues and greens, happy shades of yellow, or rich, moo... read more

We’re finally closing the book on 2020, and many of us have never felt more desperate for a fresh start and a new beginning. And since it's not like we're leaving the house anytime soon, it makes perfect sense that the first place to start anew would be at home. (Plus, decorating and home renovation projects are a pretty good distraction from ever-present existential dread, if we do say so ourselves.) If you're looking to do a design overhaul, you're probably also looking for some inspiration—so we aske... read more