Photo illustration by Realtor.com; Photos: Getty Images (3)

You might be waiting for warm summer nights before you fire up your AC. But believe it or not, when you’re still bundling up for winter is the perfect time to start tuning up your AC unit or HVAC system.

“Sometimes, ACs and HVAC systems don’t receive needed maintenance until they stop working,” says Lane Dixon, vice president of operations at Aire Serv, which provides HVAC services throughout the U.S. “So service is a necessary step going into any change of season. Proper maintenance helps catch minor issues before they become more significant expenses.”

And ensuring your HVAC system is tuned correctly means it will run more efficiently, which means you’ll be spending less money on cooling your home this summer.

So to help you save money and make sure you keep your cool all summer long, here are seven tips on getting your AC and HVAC unit ready for summer.

Coldwell Banker agents subjected prospective homebuyers of color to different requirements than white homebuyers, according to the Office of the New York State Attorney General.

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Privacy, river frontage, and spectacular views are just some of the features the next owner of this striking A-frame abode will enjoy.

Located just 30 minutes from Aspen, the 2,231-square-foot home in Basalt, CO, is pending sale after just a few weeks on the market. It was listed for $2,850,000.

The spacious cabin was built in 1985. It last changed hands in 2020 for $1,325,000. Newly remodeled and refurbished, the appealing property now offers the perfect blend of Rocky Mountain charm and luxury. It sits on a 3-acre lot that backs up to the White River National Forest on one side and the Frying Pan River on the other.

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On “The Nate & Jeremiah Home Project,” designer duo Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent really know how to turn lemons into lemonade.

In the latest episode, “Bring Them Home,” these New York–based designers meet Marnie and Mark, whose house was recently damaged by fire. Now, they’re hoping to put their place back together with a renovation budget of $130,000.

Knowing that these parents of four kids have been through a lot, Berkus and Brent want to make the most of this opportunity to transform their home. Here’s how they pull it off, with plenty of lessons that might inspire a few changes around your own abode, too.

Ask yourself how you want a room to feel

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Could a contagion hit real estate? Not now, Inman founder Brad Inman writes. But cavalier lending, greed and bad actors can all wreak havoc on the housing market.

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New home construction bounced back in February for the first time in six months, led by apartment buildings, but it’s unclear if the bounce translates into a recovery for the housing market.

The numbers: Construction on new U.S. homes rose 9.8% in February to 1.45 million, the government said Thursday. The numbers are seasonally adjusted.

The rise in construction of homes follows a decline in January, when housing starts fell by 2%. New home construction is up for the first time in six months.

The increase was larger than what Wall Street expected. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal expected housing starts to stay at a 1.31 million rate from January’s initial estimate of 1.31 million.

Redfin Premier, which matches luxury homebuyers and sellers with a Redfin Premier agent and marketing tools specific to the luxury brand, is launching in every market the brokerage operates.

Apartment building construction soared 24 percent in February, lifting new housing starts overall despite a weak month for single-family builds, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

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The perfect arty perch in New York City is now on the market for $2 million.

Located in Chelsea, in the heart of Manhattan’s gallery scene, the one-bedroom, two-bath apartment is currently owned by Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei.

The loftlike apartment last changed hands in 2008 for $1,695,000, according to Realtor.com® data.

Ai is famous for his social activism as well as his contemporary work in such diverse fields as sculpture, photography, and public installations. But at home, he kept things plain and simple.

This week’s homes are in Greenwich Village, Lenox Hill and on the Grand Concourse.

This week’s homes are a five-bedroom in Northport, N.Y., and a four-bedroom in Greenwich, Conn.

A recent study shows the U.S. states with the highest and lowest property taxes.

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Wondering how to choose a Realtor®? Purchasing a new home takes some serious prep work—from cleaning up your credit score to amassing a down payment.

But, hey, we’re just getting started! You also need a comrade in arms: a close ally to help steer you toward homes you’ll love more than life itself, find the best possible mortgage, and all in all help you through this emotionally and financially taxing process. That’s where a good real estate agent can make a world of difference.

Here’s how to find one who’s got your back. And your front. Every side, actually.

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Wondering how to improve your credit score? Sure, it’s easy to fall in love with the idea of buying a home. You’ve got it all planned out: a five-bedroom home in your favorite neighborhood with a manicured lawn and a nice pool.

But if you’re going to get a mortgage (and let’s face it, most homebuyers do), you’ll likely need to improve your credit score, also called a FICO score—a simplified calculation of your history of paying back debts and making regular payments on loans. If you’re borrowing money to buy a home, lenders want to know you’ll pay them back in a timely manner, and a credit score is an easy estimate of those odds.

Here’s your crash course on this all-important little number, and how to whip it into the best home-buying shape possible.

Photo courtey of Alair Homes Dallas via Houzz

If you can imagine a storybook cottage straight out of a fairytale, then you have a good idea of what a Tudor home looks like. Tudor homes originated in England during the Tudor period (between 1485 and 1603) and ranged from smaller cottages to larger country manor homes.

“You know you are looking at a Tudor home when it has a steeply pitched roofline, all brick exterior, stucco accents with wood patterns, and arched doorways,” says Sandra Shurling, broker/owner at Re/Max in Greensboro, GA. “Also, the enormous chimney is a must in a Tudor home—not only was it used to heat the home but to also make a statement.”

Tudor homes are quaint and cozy and can still be found throughout the U.S. For historic home enthusiasts, there’s lots to love about Tudor homes. Here’s a little background on this classic architectural style.

A brief history on Tudor homes

Tudor architecture reflects a style that became popular in Europe during the reign of Henry Tudor VIII.

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While kitchens and bathrooms tend to be the focus of homeowners’ renovation dollars, designer Jenny Marrs from HGTV hit “Fixer to Fabulous” says there’s one room you should not overlook if you’re hoping to truly relax at home: the bedroom, of course!

This busy mom of five, who’s been making over homes around Bentonville, AR, with her husband, Dave, is well aware that getting a good night’s sleep isn’t as easy as it should be these days. This might be why she’s teamed up with sleep aid supplement Natrol to help spread the word on turning our bedrooms into warm, relaxing retreats.

Read on for details that might inspire you to see your own bedroom’s potential in a whole new light.

What’s your and Dave’s bedroom design like?

Our home was built in 1903, so I wanted our room to be pretty simple and classic. We have what I call car siding on the wall. I try to incorporate some of those historic elements, and it’s painted a soft, creamy white. Then Dave built all of our furniture. So we have a wooden headboard, we have wooden side tables, and then a little dresser. I had Dave build it with drawers because I love drawers.

Find out how this luxury broker made the move from banking to stay-at-home mom to real estate (Hint: It started with an open house).

She wanted to stay in the city; he wanted to decamp to the country. They met in the middle — between two of Manhattan’s best parks.

The current real estate market separates the best from the rest. Jimmy Burgess shares how to avoid the biggest mistakes agents are making right now.

The newest Inman Access classes are live! Watch experts discuss the latest iBuying trends, mastering branding and positioning, and tactics to secure listings in a competitive market.