J. Lo’s Love Don’t Cost a Thing, but Her Dreamy Bel-Air Compound Is $42.5M

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Jennifer Lopez has just put her massive Bel-Air spread on the market for a jaw-dropping $42.5 million.

Located on 7.8 acres in the posh Los Angeles neighborhood, the 12,817-square-foot retreat is tucked away on a gated property, just minutes from the famed Bel-Air Hotel.

TMZ reported that the actress and singer listed the home, noting that she and husband Ben Affleck originally intended to renovate the space.

The news comes just six months after the A-list celebs tied the knot in Las Vegas.







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Erin and Ben Napier Find a Home for Just $50K—With One Major Catch

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On “Home Town,” Erin and Ben Napier are pros at turning cheap old houses into luxurious dream homes, but on the latest episode, they find what might be their biggest bargain yet.

In the Season 7 episode “Mississippi Made,” the Napiers help store manager Hayley find a two-bedroom, one-bath starter home in Laurel, MS, for just $50,000. There is a very big catch: The previous owners had the whole place gutted before deciding to sell. So, while the exterior is intact, the interior is a big, empty box.

“It’s a little deceiving because it looks so fresh and pretty on the outside,” Erin says when first showing Hayley the property.

Luckily, Erin and Ben have $100,000 left in the budget to reimagine this clean slate. Read on to find out how they create character from scratch, with plenty of budget-friendly design ideas you might be inspired to try around your own abode.

1940s home
updated porch
engineered hardwood
blank slate house
kitchen
kitchen vent
blue oven
old bathroom
updated bathroom
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Fired Texas Basketball Coach Chris Beard Lists Austin Home for $5M

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Former University of Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard is leaving Austin, TX, behind.

He’s selling his four-bedroom, 4.5-bath, 4,000-square-foot home in the capital city for $4,950,000.

The listing follows his December arrest on a domestic family violence charge, after an argument with his fiancé. The school immediately suspended Beard without pay and eventually fired him in early January. And because his termination stemmed from a felony charge, the school won’t have to pay out the more than $25 million left on his contract.

Built in 2012

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5 Bedroom Staging Mistakes That Can Totally Turn Off Buyers

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Home staging is a strategy that many sellers use to show off their property’s potential, and it’s one of the most important tasks you can do before putting your house on the market.

Staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize the space as their future home, according to 82% of buyer’s agents surveyed for the National Association of Realtors® biennial Profile of Home Staging. And nearly a quarter of buyer’s agents said that staging a home increased the sale price by 1% to 5%.

The survey also points out that the primary bedroom is one of the three most important rooms to stage. But staging a boudoir involves more than making the bed and calling it a day.

If you’re determined to stage your home to the nines and fetch top dollar, avoid these common missteps.






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A Tale of 2 Housing Markets: Why Some Homes Still Cause Heated Bidding Wars While Others Sit Unsold

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Homebuyers who are closely watching the correction in the real estate market might believe now is a good time to pounce. After all, homes are sitting on the market for longer, those maddening bidding wars have dried up, and wild offers over the asking price are things of the past, right?

Well, not exactly. It all depends on what they’re hoping to purchase.

Those searching for a home are seeing plenty of fixer-uppers, homes lacking curb appeal, and those in less desirable areas sitting on the market for longer and undergoing price reductions. But well-appointed, well-situated turnkey homes are still selling fast, often receiving multiple offers, and even selling over the asking price. It’s as if the housing slowdown hasn’t affected these properties much at all.

“If it’s a good home in the resale market, it’s selling quickly,” says Ali Wolf, chief economist of the building consultancy Zonda. “The buyer who is buying today is not the same buyer buying 12 months ago. If [they’re] paying this much, it needs to be a nice home.”

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POV: Above It All in This $10M Oregon Coast Home and Lighthouse

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A home with a unique viewpoint is coming into focus on the Oregon coast.

The 7,442-square-foot home, with its own lighthouse, sits on almost 26 acres along the Pacific Ocean in Cloverdale, OR. The stunning property is listed for $10 million.

“The Oregon coast is beautiful and rugged—they call it the wilderness coast, and it’s exceptional in its beauty,” says Brian Ladd, with Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty. He is co-listing the property with Josh Reed. “I think what’s so iconic about this property is the setting.”

Exterior

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Christina Hall Reveals the One Thing She’s Clueless About Renovating a House

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Christina Hall might know a whole lot about renovating a house, but the latest episode of her new show, “Christina in the Country,” reveals she still has some major blind spots now that she’s moved to Tennessee.

In the episode “Some Like It Hot,” she meets Tom and Terese, who recently relocated from California. They want Hall to put together a stunning new kitchen and bathroom, with an $85,000 renovation budget.

See how Hall’s project unfolds—and the major stumbling block she encounters that forces her to put half of this renovation on hold. Let this serve as a reminder that remodeling in the country can be a whole different ballgame–and even accomplished designers will need to learn new things!

Rural homes may have a septic tank instead of sewage hookups

Christina Hall cringes at a poorly laid-out bathroom.

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Christina cringes at a poorly laid out bathroom.
Essential soft close cabinets
Refrigerator, sink and stove arranged in the cook's triangle
Old granite countertops
Trendy white quartz countertops
Doric columns
Kitchen opening without the columns
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Good Things Come in Small-Priced Packages: 5 Charming Homes for Under $100K

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Does the thought of paying for a home these days give you heart palpitations? We get it. After all, it’s hard enough to afford eggs right now. Affording a house? That’s a bird of a very different feather.

That’s why we searched our listings and found five turnkey homes in various parts of the country for under $100,000. Whether you’re looking for a cute cottage in a big city or an adorable starter home in a small town—we’ve got you covered.

And while these prices are on the low end, the quality is quite high.

Only $99,900 for a three-bedroom, two-bath Victorian with a wraparound front porch, and all the charm you could hope for in Mississippi? It’s available.






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The Latest, Greatest, and Lamest: What We Loved, What We Didn’t at the New American Home 2023

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After the past few years of isolating in our homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for seamless, indoor-outdoor living was very much on display in this year’s New American Home.

The 40th iteration of the show home, built every year to feature the latest and greatest building methods and products, was unveiled this week at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas.

The contemporary, four-bedroom, seven-bathroom home spans nearly 7,600 square feet and is located in a gated, upscale community in Henderson, NV, about 20 minutes outside of Las Vegas. The two-level residence, with a two-level pool, private patios outside most of the bedrooms, and outdoor kitchens, is on the market for about $15 million. The newly built home also features an elevator between floors, an office with a private bathroom, and a two-car garage.

“What’s the most impressive about this house is everything you don’t see,” said architect and builder Michael Gardner, of Luxus Design Build, at a press conference. “When you walk into the home, the simplicity of it and the complexity behind it, that to me is one of the coolest parts of it.”





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Mortgage Rate Drop Creates a Homebuying Window, but How Long Will It Last?

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Mortgage rates have dropped yet again—could this spell an opportunity for homebuyers?

The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate home loan fell to 6.09% for the week ending Feb. 2, according to Freddie Mac. That’s down nearly a full percentage point from October’s 20-year high of 7.08%.

Meanwhile, the number of homes for sale is soaring, flying 71% higher for the week ending Jan. 28 compared with this same week a year earlier, according to a recent analysis by Realtor.com®.

This dip in mortgage rates, combined with plenty of homes on the market, adds up to a potential win for homebuyers.


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Tommy Hilfiger Reportedly Snags Palm Beach Estate for a Stunning $36.9M

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Tommy Hilfiger has splashed out a cool $36.9 million for a stylish pad in Palm Beach, FL.

The fashion designer purchased the five-bedroom, seven-bath, waterfront estate from Larry Moens, one of the area’s top real estate brokers, according to The Real Deal.

Moens has sealed the deal on numerous Palm Beach properties for high net worth buyers, including Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, actor Sylvester Stallone, and casino developer Steve Wynn.

Pool

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Renting Out Your House: A Comprehensive Guide

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There are many reasons you might be a homeowner wondering if you’d be better off renting out your home.

Perhaps you’ve tried to sell your home but the market’s too sluggish and you’re tired of paying the mortgage. Or maybe you’re moving to a new area but want to hold on to your old real estate property and rake in some income on the side. Or you might think it’s a savvy idea to hold rental property in a rising market as a real estate investor.

Whatever the reason, it’s a good time for you as a homeowner to consider becoming a landlord.

The real estate rental market is hot: A 2022 study from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University found that the rental market roared back in the second year of the pandemic. The number of rental households across the country soared to 44 million. Depending on your real estate market, the desirability of your house, and your monthly mortgage and other expenses, you may be able to at least cover your mortgage, if not make a small profit.

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5 ‘Cottagecore’ Decor Ideas That Bring Cozy Vibes to the Kitchen

@laurenbradshawdesign / @josephgbradshaw / @home_decor_daily via Instagram

If there’s one decor trend that seems wholly appropriate for the winter months, it’s “cottagecore.” Nailing cottagecore decor in your home is all about embracing the comfort and coziness of rustic, handmade designs that harken back to a slower way of living.

“It’s countryside living viewed through rose-colored spectacles and evokes the feeling of a simple life with home-baked bread, herb gardens, and freshly made lemonade,” says Jen Stark, home improvement expert and founder of Happy DIY Home.

Since many consider the kitchen the heart of the home, it’s one of the best places to live out your cottagecore fantasy. The best part? The stakes are low for achieving this aesthetic as many cottage-inspired looks cost next to nothing and can even be done by yourself if you’re the crafty type.

Here are five of our favorite decor ideas from Instagram at the moment. Keep reading to learn how you can re-create these cozy vibes in your own kitchen.

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Amen! A Former Religious Retreat in Michigan Is the Week’s Most Popular Home

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A former religious retreat in Battle Creek, MI, in need of salvation has ascended to the top of this week’s most popular home listings on Realtor.com®.

Built in 1938, the dwelling once served as a spiritual sanctuary for the Sisters of Mercy, an institute of Catholic women. The 8,480-square-foot estate fell into foreclosure a few months ago and does need work, which is why it is being offered for just $799,000.

Other homes that made the popularity list include a tropical Florida retreat, a cabin in the Ohio woods, and a storybook home in Illinois.

For a full look at this week’s 10 most popular homes, keep on scrolling.











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Pennsylvania Megamansion Serves Up Chic, Los Angeles Vibes for $8.8M

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In an area where farmhouse-style homes reign, a mostly glass mansion really stands out.

The contemporary creation in West Chester, PA, sits on 21 acres and looks like something more at home in Southern California than Pennsylvania. The house clocks in at 23,000 square feet of finished living space.

“The entire home is built with steel, concrete, and glass,” says listing agent Rory Burkhart, with Keller Williams Realty–Kennett Square. “There’s nothing in it that’s wood. It’s completely unique.”

The modern home is listed for $8.8 million, the most expensive home listing in the area. The property is located outside of Philadelphia and originally hit the market in 2020 for $8.6 million.











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Hell on Earth: 4 Reasons I’ll Never Buy in an HOA Again

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As a first-time homeowner, I hadn’t really considered the potential downsides of living in a homeowners association. At first, it seemed nice to live somewhere with a few rules. After all, they kept everyone’s properties tidy and meant that our road was well-maintained.

But the red flags quickly started piling up once I moved in. And living in an HOA these past few years has felt a lot like getting stuck working on a group project with the most incompetent people in the class: high stakes, low rewards, and lots of frustrating interactions.

Because of this overwhelmingly negative experience, I’m here to spill the tea and share a cautionary tale for would-be homeowners considering making the move to an HOA.

Here are my four reasons I’ll absolutely never buy in an HOA again.

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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Understanding Their Role in the Mortgage Market

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What is Fannie Mae? What is Freddie Mac? These government-sponsored enterprises are responsible for helping thousands of people get a home mortgage.

Whether you’re shopping for a mortgage or just occasionally skim financial news headlines, you’ve probably heard of Fannie Mae.

But what is Fannie Mae, anyway? And for that matter, what about her buddy Freddie Mac?

While they may sound like names you’d encounter on a sitcom, they aren’t real people. Rather, they’re oddly cute nicknames for major forces in the mortgage market.

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Does Fred Flintstone Live Here? Desert Dome Dwelling Dots Joshua Tree Landscape

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Outer-space orbs? “Flintstones” home? Hobbit house?

The otherworldly Bonita Domes in Joshua Tree, CA, seem to pop out of the desert landscape.

The compound with a large adobe dome and several smaller domes, totaling 1,339 square feet of living space, sits on almost 2 acres.

“I thought it was the most unique property I’ve ever seen. Literally, I’ve never seen anything like it,” says listing agent James Bianco, with Coldwell Banker Realty. “The first thing that came to mind was Star Wars Land from Disney or some extraterrestrial place.”










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The Property Brothers Unveil the Coolest Bed We Guarantee You’ve Never Seen—Take a Look

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Property brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott know that guest suites are more valuable than garages—particularly in places like California where cars can park in a driveway without enduring much inclement weather. So it’s no surprise, then, that a garage conversion is the next renovation challenge on the latest “Brother vs. Brother.”

In the episode “Garages to Guest Suites,” they’re both starting with detached garages roughly 400 square feet in size, and they’re converting them into accessory dwelling units perfect for housing visitors or making short-term rental income on Airbnb.

The judges for this challenge are the indomitable Trixie Mattel, of “Trixie Motel” fame, and Breegan Jane, one of California’s top interior designers and the woman behind “HGTV Dream Home.”

Both brothers work hard to impress the judges and come up with a bunch of fun features—including one we’ll bet you’ve never seen before. Read on to get a gander, as well as plenty of tips you might be inspired to try around your own abode.

New footings under the garage
Bed descending from the ceiling
Furniture that's comfy and stylish, but not
Warm porcelain floor that looks like expensive terrazzo
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‘Today’ Co-Anchor Savannah Guthrie Is Selling Her Posh Manhattan Condo

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It’s a New York City home that has seen many early wake-up calls and live shots.

The Tribeca home that “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie shares with her husband, Michael Feldman, is listed for $7.1 million.

The home last changed hands in 2017 for $7,114,393, according to Realtor.com®.

Built in 2016, the turnkey, four-bedroom condo takes up an entire floor of its Lower Manhattan building, with 3,735 square feet of living space and 10-foot ceilings.











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