HGTV

Who would have guessed that former “Teen Mom” star Chelsea DeBoer would wind up with her own home renovation show?

On “Down Home Fab,” Chelsea and her husband, Cole, prove that they have real talent making over homes for clients in their hometown of Sioux Falls, SD.

In the episode “Cozy Sophisticated,” they help renovate the home of Jenny, a real estate agent, and Neil, a pastor. Given their professions and connections throughout the community, the pressure is definitely on!

“I feel like this is kind of a big one,” says Chelsea. “She knows a lot of people in that home space. This could really be huge for us, or it could be really bad for us.”

Kirby Hamilton/iStock

Consider a loan modification a lifeline for homeowners in trouble. If you’ve been hit with financial hardships that hamper your ability to pay the mortgage, there are options other than foreclosure or selling your home. One is to get a loan modification, which is basically an agreement with your lender to change the terms of your loan.

Loans can be modified in various ways. For instance, the lender may lower the interest rate; extend the length of the loan; or allow a homeowner to skip payments until he’s found a new job, adding those missed payments to the principal to pay later. The terms all depend on the homeowner’s specific circumstances, but the goal is ultimately the same: to provide financial relief for homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgage.

So why would lenders agree to take less money? According to mortgage expert Tom Pasqualini of Hudson United, it’s a way to keep your business rather than losing you if you refinance with another lender at a lower interest rate. Keep in mind, not everyone will qualify for a loan modification. Pasqualini puts the odds conservatively at 50-50—but you’ll never know until you ask.

How to get a loan modification

If you think you might need a loan modification, “you need to start the process quickly—as soon as you realize there might be a problem,” says Adela Z. Ulloa, whose law office specializes in mortgage loan modifications.

"There are casualties in every war, but casualties come from egos and lack of action," Ben Kinney told an audience at Inman Connect New York on Tuesday.

Top agents Jordan Cohen of RE/MAX and Santiago Arana of The Agency spoke at Inman Connect New York on Tuesday about their strategies for racking up listings, and how they got them when they were first starting out in the industry. 

The independent mortgage lender is now sending homeowners who are interested in converting their home equity into cash over to EasyKnock to explore a sale-leaseback.

Nestfully will offer seamless desktop, mobile and native iOS and Android app experiences and provide the latest listing and just-sold information, according to company.

In a session called "Your Inside Look Into the 2023 Housing Market," panelists at Inman Connect New York said real estate companies and consumers are "adjusting to the new reality."

Compass CEO Robert Reffkin talks about stock market downturns, profitability and why brokers need to eschew virtual working to survive.

According to a new report, 24.6 percent of Redfin users were looking to move inspired by high housing costs in most major cities and the freedoms provided by remote work.

Inman was optimistic about the year ahead for real estate during his opening talk at Inman Connect New York, but also urged leaders in the industry to appeal directly to lawmakers about how they'd like new regulations to be shaped in the future.

Top Agent Network's appeal alleges the Clear Cooperation Policy's goal is to safeguard NAR's business model, which relies on dues revenue from nearly 1.6 million agents and brokers.

Homebuyers can use the Knock Home Swap Equity Advance in conjunction with a purchase loan from any lender to make a non-contingent offer when buying their next home.

Getty Images / Realtor.com

The historic Hollywood compound of two Oscar winners, actress Helen Mirren and director Taylor Hackford, has just been relisted for $16,995,000.

The couple had initially put it on the market for $18,500,000 in 2021. The expansive property can also be rented for $39,995 a month.

Anyone eyeing this remarkable property might be tempted to take another close look now that it’s back at a discounted price.

Realtor.com

Photo by Roost Interiors via Houzz

2023 will bring a major chance of showers—in your main bathroom, that is.

It appears that homeowners are now seeing showers as a place to indulge their self-care ritual as opposed to a space for a brisk, task-focused scrub-down.

Recently, Pinterest (aka the internet’s favorite virtual bulletin board) named an “elevated shower routine” as one of the top trends for the coming year. It comes as part of its Pinterest Predicts report—a roundup of emerging trends based on searches on the social media platform.

Over the past two years, users upped their searches for things like “amazing showers walk in,” “doorless shower ideas,” and “home spa bathroom,” signaling that showers are on the verge of overtaking soaking tubs as the most luxurious bathroom amenity.

Getty Images

America’s hottest markets might have a few reigning champs, but some serious competition in the Midwest is nipping at their heels.

The Realtor.com® Hottest Markets List reveals that the average home listing price for December’s 20 hottest real estate markets was $313,000—about 21.8% lower than the national median as buyers increasingly sought out affordability. (The rankings factor in a combination of demand—measured by the number of unique views per home listing—and how quickly homes are selling in that area.)

Manchester, NH, about an hour northwest of Boston, took the No. 1 spot for the 16th time in the past 22 months. Rochester, NY, not far from the U.S.-Canadian border, also maintained a strong showing on the list, coming in second in the rankings. But these Northeastern hot-market heavyweights might not stay in the lead for long.

Homebuyers seeking deeper discounts are now finding them in the mighty Midwest.

Before the pandemic, turning a house into a hub for big gatherings seemed like a good idea.

Before the pandemic, turning a house into a hub for big gatherings seemed like a good idea.

So you've decided to join us at Inman Connect New York. Bravo! Here's a day-by-day breakdown of the conference along with some tidbits to get the most out of your week in NYC.

When there are new obstacles or needs, rezoning allows for certain properties to be used differently than they were before.

Realtor.com

Industry titans seeking private retreats along New York’s iconic Roslyn Harbor could easily be seduced by this lavish, five-acre property in Roslyn, NY.

Located just 26 miles from Manhattan, the historic estate is listed for $7,985,000.

A sprawling main house, pool house, and several guest dwellings—for a total of 22 bedrooms and five buildings—are included in the sale.

The jaw-dropping property also comes with a greenhouse and tennis court.