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At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many white-collar workers suddenly had the ability to work from anywhere—anywhere, that is, with an internet connection stable enough to attend Zoom meetings. Shell-shocked by fast-rising home prices and in desperate need of more square footage, many left their city apartments and small homes in the nearby suburbs behind and purchased much larger, more affordable houses in the farthest out suburbs and smaller cities. Remote work helped to turbocharge these real estate markets.

And then big employers like Amazon, Salesforce, and Disney began calling workers who had been able to telecommute back into their offices. Those big, cheap houses that these buyers had clamored for just months before were abruptly less appealing given the long, expensive commutes that many homeowners and renters were facing.

And now the future of those previously hot real estate markets in the most remote suburbs, also known as exurbs, and secondary cities has become uncertain.

“These ‘Zoom towns’ are the places at most risk of prices actually falling year over year,” says Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist of the Bright MLS, the multiple listing service covering the mid-Atlantic region.

Photos by decofromablondie / mmlighting via Instagram

Some things are just meant to go together: macaroni and cheese, Pam Beesly and Jim Halpert, a bubble bath and a glass of wine. But when it comes to bathroom decor, some pairings are less obvious.

During our weekly scroll through Instagram, we noted a number of stylish bathrooms with decor pairings that are both complementary and unexpected. So if you’re looking to liven up your loo or add value to a bathroom in your home you plan on selling, the following design ideas are sure to provide some inspiration.

Here are five dreamy bathroom design pairs made in heaven.

1. Natural wood cabinetry + black walls

If you have a natural wood vanity in your bathroom, this tip is for you. The painted black walls, seen in a post from @decofromablondie, really make the wood tone pop.

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Part of the fun of watching “The Flipping El Moussas” is learning more about reality TV’s hottest couple Tarek and Heather El Moussa. And the latest episode contains eye-opening details about Heather’s past.

In “Five Flipping Bears,” the El Moussas buy a vacation cabin in Big Bear, CA—which happens to be Heather’s hometown (and also means her parents are able to pop over for the big reveal).

Built in 1955, the two-bedroom, one-bath cabin measures 938 square feet and cost them $200,000. They originally anticipate spending $80,000 on the renovation, plus about $20,000 in selling costs, and hope to sell it for around $400,00—making a potential profit of $100,000.

But since the market is changing wildly every day, this project does not go as originally planned. Check out what happens, and get some sage advice on buying, renovating, or even just booking a remote little cabin in the woods.

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There’s no doubt about it—we’re infinitely intrigued by tiny homes.

Perhaps it’s because they allow us to live in wildly varied locations without spending an arm and a leg. Or perhaps it’s because these petite properties are low maintenance, and have a way smaller footprint.

Whatever the reason that draws you to diminutive dwellings, you’ll love these five we’ve picked out. Some have extraordinary views. One is right on the water, and several come with quite a bit of land.

Not all the price tags are as tiny as the homes—convenience and location have something to do with that. But all come with big impact in a small space. Take a look:

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It’s no blarney!

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we rounded up six homes on the market that are located across the country, and offer full bars to toast the luck of the Irish. Some of them even boast full taverns. They’re perfect spots for celebrating the holiday without ever leaving home.

For a full look, just scroll on down. Cheers!

1. 646 Albany Tpke, Old Chatham, NY

Price: $1,800,000
Why it’s here: Jackson’s Old Chatham House provides the opportunity to live in a four-bedroom home while operating a full tavern.

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While most Americans rarely worry about their bank, that faith was shaken this week when several (including Silicon Valley, Silvergate, and Signature) went under. Withdrawal runs and stock market chaos ensued, sending ripple effects far and wide. 

Yet by some miracle, one facet of the economy that remained astonishingly unruffled was the housing market—which even showed a glimmer of good news. 

Namely, mortgage rates fell this week to 6.6% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, according to Freddie Mac. This marks the first drop after five weeks of pushing upward, cresting last week at 6.73%.

Plus, homebuyers who are bracing for another hefty rate hike to hit next week when the Federal Reserve meets again may instead find some relief. The Fed, after all, might be more interested in the short term in stabilizing an economy rocked by recent bank craterings rather than taming inflation.

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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.

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A Nashville, TN, home belonging to Michael Moloney of “Extreme Makeover: “Home Edition” has quickly found a buyer. It came on the market just last month for $1,850,000 and went under contract after 10 days.

While the listing agent would not comment on the seller, the listing states that a “highly creative and talented owner bought this property in 2003.”

“We have had multiple offers and have a backup as well,” says listing agent Beth Ligon Molteni, of Fridrich & Clark Realty. “The home has great street appeal, is situated on a walkable street in Nashville, and sits higher than the road. It also has a nice backyard.”

Flexible floorplan

The next owner will have a lot of options with the five-bedroom home, she adds.

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Forget the splashy in-ground pools, the brand-new deck, and those impressive fire features. The landscaping that can fetch the highest return on investment might cost homeowners only an afternoon of work.

It’s all about curb appeal. Homeowners who invest in standard lawn care service—which can be as simple as seeding and mowing their lawn to keep it green and healthy—generally see a 217% ROI, according to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors® and the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Those who would rather not lug the lawnmower out to tackle their grass generally pay about $415 for lawn maintenance.

A home’s exterior and front yard are “the first thing that many homebuyers see as they drive up,” says NAR’s Vice President of Research Jessica Lautz. “It does impact whether a buyer is willing to step inside.”

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Skeletons, coffins, and spiders, oh my!

A “haunted” house that has been scaring people in Baird, TX, has officially creeped out social media, making it this week’s most popular home on Realtor.com®.

The home has been operating as a seasonal haunted house and boasts a staged interior decked out with spooky scenes. Skeletons adorn the living room, where the Grim Reaper lurks in the background. Tarantulas crawl the walls of the kitchen. There’s even a secret door found behind a coffin.

Bonus: Its affordable price won’t scare away buyers!

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How much house can you afford? Knowing you want to buy a home is one thing. Knowing how much of a mortgage payment you can handle is quite another.

Too often, dreams and reality collide in an anxiety-producing mess. You yearn for a comfortable four-bedroom Colonial, but given your income and credit card debt, the best monthly loan payment you can manage would get you a two-bedroom bungalow in a sketchy party of town.

So how do you pinpoint a house where your monthly mortgage payment makes sense and won’t drive you deep into debt? Allow us to help you paint your payment profile picture and find that magic number.

Why your mortgage payment depends on your income

Getting a ballpark estimate of how much house you can afford starts with looking at your income, or how much money you’re pulling in.

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Finally.

You put your signature on the closing paperwork. You’re happy with your loan … well, as happy as you can be, considering the magnitude of the debt you just accepted. Stress dreams have mostly subsided, barring the occasional vision of some movers dropping your grandmother’s curio cabinet, shattering this priceless antique while they run off with your money.

Moving can be a pain in the you-know-what. That’s why we’ll share some expert tips and tricks to make the process as easy and pain-free possible.

Do repairs and painting first

Before moving in, take a trip through your new home with a critical eye. Look for any necessary improvements that can be completed before you bring your stuff in. Is the bedroom wall a nasty shade of taupe? Is the hardwood floor scuffed and dirty? Before your movers start lugging in boxes and placing heavy furniture, get it done.

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A 1934 hacienda-style estate in Los Angeles is seeking a new steward. The listing price is $10,350,000.

The property consists of a 4,796-square-foot main house and a 2,092-square-foot guesthouse, with six bedrooms and five baths total. The 6.7-acre lot is located in West Hills in the western San Fernando Valley region. It’s about 30 miles northwest of downtown L.A.

“It became very important in motion picture history,” says listing agent Mike Deasy, of Deasy Penner & Partners, about the estate. “That part of the [San Fernando Valley] was largely undeveloped, (used) as ranch land.”

In fact, it was formed from an original 270-acre Spanish land grant.

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The Gorman House, which was made popular by Chip and Joanna Gaines on their very first season of “Fixer Upper,” is for sale again. This time for $1.2 million.

The seven-bedroom, seven-bath home in Waco, TX, has been on and off the market since 2021, with the price varying only slightly from $1.2 million to $1.1 million.

It’ll be interesting to see if the current owners, Baylor soccer coach Chuck Codd, and retired soccer pro Charmaine Hooper, let it go this time.

You see, after Chip and Joanna’s remarkable renovation about 10 years ago, the 3,284-square-foot Gorman House became a popular short-term rental, attracting many visitors to Waco, partly due to the Gaineses’ rising popularity and partly for Baylor University events and activities.

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.

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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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You’re this close to owning a new home, you can almost taste it. The closing paperwork is prepared, your new digs passed the inspection, and—wonder of wonders—you’re even happy with your loan. Homeownership is just on the other side of the hill.

As long as the final walk-through goes according to plan.

OK, take a breath—there’s no need to panic. The vast majority of walk-throughs reveal no problems at all, and even if they do, most issues are easily fixed. Still, it can be an awkward, stressful process that can make you want to reach for heartburn medication, especially for first-time buyers. Learn what to look for on your last trip through the house before the sellers hand over the keys. Your new keys!

Create a checklist

Before your walk-through, work with your agent to create a comprehensive checklist covering all of your concerns with the home—the items that you’d like to see addressed or fixed, pronto. Look at your notes from previous walk-throughs and the inspection report to determine what areas of the house you should double-check.