Want To Buy an Old Home? These Are the Most Common Repairs To Watch Out For

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Many homebuyers seek out old houses for their charm and character. The architecture of an old home, like a Tudor, Victorian, or Colonial, offers owners a sense of originality not typically found in new builds or cookie-cutter tract home neighborhoods.

“There’s a reason some say ‘they don’t make them like that anymore,’” says Vickey Barron, a broker at Compass in New York. “The quality of materials, design, and planning that went into many old homes would be extremely costly in 2023.”

But every homebuyer looking to purchase an old home should consider the possibility that they’ll have to spend money on repairs at some point in the future.

Best-case scenario? The previous owners overhauled the home’s major systems and you won’t have to shoulder any costly improvement projects. Worst-case scenario? You have to spend big bucks bringing things like plumbing and HVAC up to date.

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America’s Hot Mess of a Housing Market Just Got a Little Bit Uglier—Here’s Why

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Make no mistake, today’s housing market has plenty of homes for sale, but very few buyers are biting.

According to a new report by Realtor.com®, the overall number of homes for sale in the U.S. increased by a whopping 67.8% in February. That amounts to 234,000 more homes on the market than there were during this same month last year.

The problem, though, is that most of these listings are stale—ugly ducklings that have been sitting online for weeks or even months with no takers. Homebuyers and sellers all know that a real estate listing garners the most excitement in the first few days after it hits the market, so when a home lingers (and lingers), buyers get suspicious, wondering: What’s wrong with this house?

As for fresh listings, those were down in February, with 15.9% fewer home sellers entering the market compared with a year earlier. This lack of new homes for sale is even starker when you compare these numbers with pre-COVID-19 levels from 2017 to 2019, when fresh listings were 27% higher than they are now.

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Doing the Rounds: Another Dome Home Surfaces in Miami, Nabs a Buyer

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It was supposed to be the future of Florida construction. Instead a geodesic dome home is a rare find in Miami.

Multiple offers came in even before the 6,045-square-foot home officially hit the market in early February for $1,850,000. It’s now pending sale, according to Realtor.com®.

The curved construction on a half-acre lot is a design marvel.

“Its footprint is very minimal from an external viewpoint. When you’re walking up to the house, you’re obviously intrigued by the dome and the shape of the house, but you don’t really experience the magnitude of it until you walk inside,” says listing agent Avi Werde, with Compass.










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And Action: Oscar-Winning Director Guillermo del Toro Lists His SoCal Home for $3.2M

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That’s a wrap!

Famed Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is selling his four-bedroom, 4.5-bath, Westlake Village, CA, abode for $3.25 million.

The inviting home was on the market for a little more than a week and has gone into contingent-sale status.

If del Toro gets his full asking price, he’ll land a tidy profit on the place he picked up in 2012 for $1.65 million.










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Mystery in History: We’re Not Quite Sure How Old This Week’s Oldest Home Really Is

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An affordably priced home in South Kingstown, RI, is the oldest property to hit the market this week on Realtor.com®. But exactly how old? According to the listing, the home dates to “the late 1600s-early 1700.”

The New England Colonial still features many original details, including restored hardwood floors, built-in cabinetry, exposed-beam ceilings, and three fireplaces. The 1.3-acre property might be subdividable.

Other vintage dwellings to hit the market this week include a Maryland farmhouse once a part of a dairy production facility, a stone home in Pennsylvania, and a relocated antique in New York.

Scroll down for a full look at this week’s 10 oldest homes.











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6 Unexpected Kitchen Trends That Can Boost Your Home’s Asking Price

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kitchen update can present an overwhelming number of options. What countertop material is best? Should we go with a single- or double-bowl sink? Will we regret repainting the walls in a color other than white?

If you plan to sell your home soon, these concerns could become paramount. Not only do you have to think about what you like in a kitchen—you also have to deliberate over potential homebuyers’ preferences.

Lately, we’ve noticed a number of kitchen design trends that are creative enough to satisfy owners but versatile enough for a range of would-be buyers. From streamlined appliances to an unexpected color for cabinets and fixtures, these looks can modernize a home and improve its efficiency—two qualities that are very attractive to house shoppers.

“The kitchen is one of the rooms that can have the biggest impact on a home’s value,” says Keely Smith, lead interior designer at JD Elite interiors in North Vancouver, BC. “If you’re planning to sell soon, it’s worth considering some of the design trends that we’ll see this spring—and beyond.”







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Why Does ‘Fixer to Fabulous’ Star Jenny Marrs Hate This One Feature So Many Homeowners Have?

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On “Fixer to Fabulous,” Dave and Jenny Marrs have been doing many remarkable remodels around Bentonville, AR—but that’s not to say we agree with all of their design decisions across the board.

In the episode “California Couple’s Dream Home,” the Marrses meet Dusty and Hannah Layugan, who have just moved to the area from California. They want to completely renovate a home they’ve just bought so it can better accommodate them and their three kids.

The Layugans have budgeted $150,000 for the project, and that stretches a lot further in Arkansas than it would in California. Also, Dave’s carpentry skills go a long way to mitigate the expenses.

As Jenny and Dave work wonders in Dusty and Hannah’s home, they give us some great ideas for our own abodes, even if their fix for a certain “situation” in the family room doesn’t compute (at least with us). Check out the upgrades they incorporate, and weigh whether you’d follow in their footsteps or skip certain aspects. Because, let’s face it, figuring out which design decisions you admire—and hate—is part of the fun of watching reality TV!

An all red brick home
New white and black exterior
Black shutters add welcome contrast to a white house.
Tray ceiling
New, flat ceiling
Main bath before
Main bath after
Calcutta marble-look tile
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‘The Risk of a Deep Housing Slide Persists’: Dallas Fed Says Downturn in U.S. and German Housing Markets Could Affect the Rest of the World

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U.S. mortgage rates are up again, threatening to push the housing sector back into a recession, and a new report is warning that the weakness in the housing market has implications for the rest of the world.

In the report by the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, researchers called out the possibility of a “deep global housing slide.” Weaknesses in the U.S. and German housing markets in particular “pose a vulnerability to the global outlook” due to the size of the countries’ economies as well as their “significant cross-border financial spillovers,” the report said.

In comparing home prices with rents, which is akin to comparing the price-to-earnings ratio for stocks, the researchers at the Dallas Fed tried to measure the profitability of housing as an investment opportunity.

They found that if the price-to-rent ratio grows “at an explosive rate” as compared with its fundamental-based ratio, which is estimated using long-term interest-rate and rent growth data, then it’s worth considering whether the sector is in a bubble.

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Rays Pitcher Tyler Glasnow Scores a $2.35M Waterfront Home in Tampa

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He received a vote of confidence from the Tampa Bay Rays and started house-shopping.

In August 2022, pitcher Tyler Glasnow signed a two-year contract extension with the Rays and will remain with the team through 2024.

So the baseball pro spent his offseason looking for a house in the area. And he recently landed a four-bedroom, 4.5-bath, waterfront townhome in a gated community.

Glasnow paid $2.35 million for his Tampa retreat. It’s a real deal, considering the home originally hit the market in July 2022 for $3 million.








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Does Your Clean Kitchen Look Like a Hot Mess? Here Are the 6 Little Missteps You Might Be Making

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Your rooms might never look as gorgeously appointed and perfectly spiffed up as some spaces do in decor magazines. But if you’re like us, you can usually tidy up well enough before you open the door to guests for a party.

Yet maybe sometimes, when you put the cleaning products away, something still looks off.

Here’s why. Despite our best efforts, there are still a few mistakes that lots of folks tend to make when it comes to tidying and streamlining their kitchens. Granted, this is a tough room to keep pristine. But if you focus on a few hot spots, you’ll achieve a space that’s darn near perfect.

So check out the common missteps you’re likely making in the kitchen that contribute to the visual disorder, even after you’ve scoured every surface.







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Exclusive: Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent Open Up About Their Own Struggles With Design

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Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent have just returned for Season 2 of their HGTV show, “The Nate & Jeremiah Home Project”—and although they’re total pros at making over their clients’ homes, that doesn’t make curating their own spaces as easy as you might think.

“I’m still not over it,” Berkus revealed to us about furniture the couple sold during their most recent move. “If you go on Realtor.com, you can see the old listing photos. It was great stuff!”

And it turns out, this urge to hang onto things runs in the family, as these married dads admit that their daughter is their “most lovable little hoarder” ever.

Eager to hear more, we had a heart-to-heart with these designers to learn what they love about their new home, as well as their own personal challenges decluttering and making it perfect. All in all, it will convince you that even designers’ homes aren’t always as pristine as reality shows might have you believe.

'Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent discuss design choices on season two of The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project.' width=1199
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent inside their West Village home.
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent with their children, Poppy and Oskar.
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How To Lodge a Complaint With Your HOA, Co-op Board, or Landlord—and Get Results

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As every parent knows, the chances of your children getting their way has to do with their delivery and the content of their ask. Little Billy wants to play outside with his friends for an extra 30 minutes? He’d better ask nicely, say “please,” and give you a good reason why.

Similarly, adults who live in communities operated by homeowners associations, co-op boards, or landlords must take a comparable tack when lodging a complaint.

Favors, general appeals, and demands for mediation between you and a third party are much more likely to be successful if you approach the higher-ups in a reasonable and respectful manner, armed with evidence. If, on the other hand, you use a harsh tone or lack the proof to back your claim—no matter how reasonable the request is—you won’t get very far.

Here’s how to raise your voice in an effective way so your HOA, co-op board, or landlord listens.

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Clear the Tracks! Arizona House With a Quirky Boxcar Bunker Quickly Finds a Buyer

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It only took about two weeks for the ranch with the notorious railroad-car bunker to be claimed. An offer has been accepted on the Arizona landmark that was listed recently for $1.35 million.

Located in Cave Creek, AZ, about an hour north of Phoenix, the unusual property offers even more than the famous treasure in the backyard.

The home’s peaceful setting and mountain views come with a trio of buried Santa Fe railroad cars, says Ryan Buckley, who is listing the property with Lori Cedarstrom. Both are with the Scottsdale office of Coldwell Banker Realty.

The ranch is conveniently nestled close to town, a short drive to entertainment and shopping, Buckley says.












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Are You a Basket Case? Why We Love All Things Woven (and How To Up Your Basket Game)

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Baskets are taking over the decor world.

Don’t believe us? Just click or scroll for a minute or two and count the rooms without baskets holding blankets, storing paper towels, lining pantry shelves, and corralling books. We’ll wait.

And this trend seems to get bigger every year, with baskets popping up at all price ranges and in every type of room. However, “traditionally and historically, baskets were most commonly found in the farmhouse or country-style home,” notes Shanda Richardson, a real estate broker with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in Asheville, NC.

Curious about how baskets as a decor trend got started? See below for more of the history, and then read up on a few ways to make this look stand out in your home.






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Waterfront Wonder Crowned Connecticut’s Most Expensive Home at $150M

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Imagine waking up just steps away from your own mile-long beach, only 35 miles from midtown Manhattan.

That’s exactly what Copper Beech Farm, in Greenwich, CT, offers. That is, if you have $150 million.

The state’s most expensive property is listed with Leslie McElwreath and Joseph Barbieri, of Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage.

The home last hit the market in 2014, when it reportedly sold for $120 million—a drop from its initial $190 million asking price.








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Homeowners Hold On Tight: Wind Damage Expected To Cause Billions in Losses to These Regions

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Homebuyers along the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast might increasingly be throwing caution to the wind.

Climate change is expected to worsen the risk of wind damage that homes in these regions face from storms, according to a recent report from the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research and technology group, and Arup, a global consulting and engineering firm.

In the next 30 years, about 13.4 million homes that currently aren’t considered in harm’s way will be at risk of tropical cyclone wind damage as more storms become more powerful—and therefore more dangerous—due to climate change, the report stated.

Storms are also expected to expand farther north along the East Coast. Average annual losses are expected to increase from $18.5 billion to $19.9 billion.

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‘Rico to the Rescue’ Reveals Some Sneaky Yet Legit Ways To Spot (and Deal With) Shady Contractors

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Disreputable contractors who botch renovations or, worse yet, take a homeowner’s money and run are all too common—and a new HGTV show highlights the drama and some much-needed solutions.

On “Rico to the Rescue,” Denver-based real estate agent and construction restoration consultant Rico León helps homeowners rectify half-done renovation jobs, while also chasing down the contractors who’ve done the shoddy work.

“I resolve conflicts between homeowners and homebuilders,” says León. “Years ago, my parents got taken advantage of by a contractor. That’s why I’m such an advocate for homeowners.”

In the episode “Ranch House Redo,” León works with Chris and Katie, who bought a ’70s ranch house with four bedrooms and a large basement that needed a complete renovation from top to bottom.

León and his team discuss what the renovation will really cost.
Rico León and the homeowners in the house the way the contractor left it.
León's licensed dog
Empty basement left without finishes
Finished basement with generously donated materials
León speaks with the contractor
Freshly renovated kitchen
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‘Mortgage Financing Remains a Headwind for Home Prices’: Home-Price Growth Slows in December, With San Francisco Leading the Way

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The numbers: The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city house price index rise fell 0.5% in December, its sixth monthly decline.

Year-over-year appreciation was still up 4.6%, but has slowed down from a 6.8% annual increase in the previous month.

A broader measure of home prices, the national index, fell a seasonally adjusted 0.3% in December, but was up 5.8% over the past year.

Key details: Miami, Tampa and Atlanta reported the highest year-over-year gains among the 20 cities in December.

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NFL Champ Darren Sproles Rushes Into a Gorgeous SoCal Home for $4.65M

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Football legend Darren Sproles has put down roots in sunny Southern California. The diminutive former running back recently scored a home in Tarzana, CA, for $4.65 million.

After 15 years in the NFL, Sproles retired after the 2019 season. Now he can catch some well-deserved rays at his new five-bedroom, 6.5-bath, modern farmhouse-style home.

Spread over 6,000 square feet and situated on a quiet, dead-end street, the lovely abode offers an array of chic decor details. There’s an ultrastylish kitchen island and open shelving, along with stunning light fixtures in every room—even the closets! Take a look.

Built in 2019

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Property Taxes Can Take a Big Chunk of Your Housing Budget: Here’s Where They’re the Lowest and the Highest

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The only certain things in life might be death and taxes—but the dollar amount of those taxes is likely to vary greatly depending on where someone lives.

U.S. property tax bills can range from an annual average of a few hundred dollars in Alabama to thousands in New Jersey, according to a new analysis from WalletHub. States, counties, municipalities, and school districts can calculate the taxes differently and charge disparate amounts for similar homes.

“Prospective buyers should definitely take property taxes into consideration when deciding where to move,” says Jill Gonzalez, an analyst with WalletHub. “This is a significant expense and should be accounted for in anyone’s budget when making a decision to relocate.”

As the WalletHub analysis makes clear, there are a lot of factors that go into determining property taxes. For example, Hawaii is the state with the lowest property tax rate, at 0.29%, but it’s also home to the priciest real estate in the nation. For a home at the state’s median price, $662,100, that works out to an annual property tax bill of $1,893, according to WalletHub.

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