New-home sales soar 28.8%

Sales of new single family homes clocked in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 685,000 in August, up from 532,000 in July, according to new U.S. Census data released Tuesday.

Top Tips for Great Sleep this Autumn

Summer, it’s been a blast. Though as the last of the BBQ’s sizzle out and the mornings get a little darker it’s time to get set up for the cozy season. This may mean making a few changes to our routines to ensure we stay healthy, especially when it comes to bedtime. As we transition into Autumn, many of us can experience disrupted sleep. The effects this has on your mood can be heightened as the clocks go back with SAD (seasonal affective disorder) affecting 1 in 3 people across the UK. If you struggle with sleep this time of year, grab yourself a pumpkin-spiced latte and enjoy a read of these top tips to stay rested all Autumn. 

Light it up

Not a fan of dark mornings and shorter evenings? You are not alone. This is one of the main reasons people do not look forward to Autumn, though with a few easy tweaks you can let the light in! Exposure to light in the morning is important to help regulate your circadian rhythm, whether this means opening the blinds in the morning or using a light therapy lamp. Lighting up your bedroom room in the morning helps signal to your pineal gland that it’s time to start the day. Getting as much natural light throughout the day as possible will also boost your mood and keep your internal body clock ticking down the hours till bed. Make it part of your Autumn routine to get your boots on and enjoy a leaf-crunching walk around the park, followed by a nice hot drink when you get home!

Find the perfect mattress

Is there anything better than that last ten minutes in bed on a cold morning? Nope! As long as you have a great mattress. If there’s ever a time to invest in better bedtimes it’s Autumn, and your mattress is the first place to start. Sleep is personal, though we can all benefit from one that offers proper spinal support, optimum comfort, and motion control to prevent disturbances throughout the night. A Bamboo Hybrid Mattress ticks all the boxes, with a breathable BioCell Foam that regulates body temperature and a hypoallergenic bamboo cover to take care of skin. A thermo-regulating mattress will keep you sleeping comfortably for seasons to come. In the quest for great sleep this Autumn, it’s worth finding ‘the one that will make bedtime perfect. 

Work it out

If you missed the gym this summer, now is a great time to make up for it. Keeping active throughout Autumn will help release dopamine and endorphins that will boost your mood and keep you energized. Low energy is typical in the darker months, though a daily workout whether a quick stroll or replacing an uber with a bike ride will make a big difference. Firstly, having a routine may help you stay more positive especially when it involves something that is great for your heart, mind, and joints! Secondly, exercise can give your immune system a boost. You are fending off pesky colds and sniffles. Get your trainers at the ready and get your sweat on for a glowing Autumn. 

 Fill up on the good stuff

Autumn is full of things to be grateful for. From better fashion (hello knitted jumpers and warm socks) delicious food and cozy nights on the sofa. Netflix better has some goodies in store. Though most importantly it’s a time to spend with our loved ones and gives us an opportunity to slow down and take better care of ourselves. From filling up with nutritious, seasonal food, less work, more rest, and plenty of hot chocolates. Allow yourself to fill up on the good stuff this Autumn, and who knows… it might just become your favorite season!

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Moody’s says odds of recession have risen to ‘uncomfortably high’ 59.5%

Investors who fund mortgages are demanding unusually high premiums in comparison to government bonds, out of fears the loans they make now could quickly be refinanced if rates drop.

At Home With Jacques Pépin

The celebrated chef has a Connecticut property with two kitchens, an herb-and-vegetable garden and a dog named Gaston. And yes, he has a new cookbook.

At 86, Jacques Pépin Isn’t Slowing Down

The celebrated chef lives in Madison, Conn., on a property with two kitchens, an herb-and-vegetable garden and a dog named Gaston. And yes, he has a new cookbook out.

Judge ‘baffled’ why Anywhere won’t give up NAR commission rule docs

Judge M. Page Kelley pushed back against the real estate holding company formerly known as Realogy, noting that NAR's buyer broker commission rule is "virtually identical" to that of MLS PIN.

Drama From the ‘Selling the OC’ Premiere, and the Story Behind Derek Jeter’s Tampa Mansion

“House Party” is the official Realtor.com® podcast about the overlapping worlds of home and pop culture, hosted by Rachel Stults and Natalie Way. Click the player above to hear our take on this week’s hot topics.

We’re back with a jampacked episode!

This week, Realtor.com celebrity news writer Claudine Zap joins Natalie to dive into the premiere of “Selling the OC,” the buzzy spinoff of the real estate reality show “Selling Sunset.”

Drama From the ‘Selling the OC’ Premiere, and the Story Behind Derek Jeter’s Tampa Mansion
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3 Ways to Get Home Values Wrong

One of the most significant roles of a real estate agent representing a home seller is to provide them with an accurate market value. Homeowners use the information provided by agents to make many financial decisions in their life.

The value received could even be an impetus to whether a home seller decides to move or not. Given the stakes are so high, it makes sense that there should be quite a bit of thought that goes into an accurate home value.

There are a few things that can easily throw off home values. Some of the most common ones include using price per square foot, providing the wrong comparable sales, and using Zillow for an estimate of value.

None of these methods will lead to the right results. Let’s take a look at what you need to know.

These Methods Lead to Inaccurate Market Values

Using Price Per Square Foot

One of the easiest ways to come up with the market value of a property is using price per square foot. It is also one of the least reliable.

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Real acquires lending arm of LemonBrew Technologies

Agents working under the banner of The Real Brokerage can now extend mortgage services to their clients as a result of the company's acquisition of LemonBrew Lending.

How to read and use body language to close more deals

Understanding body language, both your own and that of others, can help you negotiate more effectively on each side of a transaction.

51 blog or video topics for marketing to homesellers

Whether you're creating a new blog post, a YouTube video or content for your social media channels, these topics are geared toward hopeful homesellers. Broker Teresa Boardman offers a host of ideas designed to help you fill your listing pipeline.

Homebuyers in these US cities are backing out of deals at a higher rate

Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tampa and Austin attracted homebuyers at a higher rate during the height of the pandemic. But according to Redfin, those same Sun Belt cities are now cooling the fastest.

How technology can benefit the showing experience

During this session at Connect Now, Supra welcomed a top agent to discuss his experience with technology and how he needed to streamline his tech stack to better service his customer. “As professionals, we want consumers to have great experiences. That includes from prior to the showing, during the showing, and after the showing. But […]

Create a concierge experience for your listings

"Digital curb appeal is a new phenomenon," said Olivia Mariani, VP of Marketing at Curbio. The team delivered this informative session at Inman Connect Now.

St. Regis Chicago duplex deal marks priciest of the year for Windy City

The unidentified buyer of units on the 71st and 72nd floors of the Residences at the St. Regis Chicago inked the deal for $20.56 million, a far cry from Chicago's priciest transaction of all time.

CoStar’s Homesnap and Broker Public Portal get a divorce

BPP will pivot to creating a national "superset" of listing data for MLSs to power their own listing sites and developing a "Fast Pass" for real estate innovation.

A Brooklyn Top-Floor Loft for $500 a Month

Jens Rasmussen and Maria Aparo couldn’t walk away from Mr. Rasmussen’s spacious loft in Greenpoint, which is covered under New York’s 1982 Loft Law.

Zillow launches ShowingTime+ in bid to win over real estate agents

The new brand will house all existing products and services from ShowingTime, Bridge Interactive, dotloop and Zillow's Rich Media Experience team.

$750,000 Homes in California

A Spanish-style cottage in Los Angeles, a two-bedroom home in Sonoma and a fully furnished 1991 house in Joshua Tree.

Agent Outlook: Life events will still drive home sales, you can hang your hat on it

The market may be slowing in some areas, but it will not come to a complete halt. Eric Forney of Livian shares this week's market insights and says that life events will keep consumers buying

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