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The numbers: U.S. new home sales rose 7.5% to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 632,000 in October from a revised 588,000 in the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

Analysts polled by The Wall Street Journal had forecast new-home sales to fall to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 570,000.

The data are often volatile. Sales in September were initially reported at 603,000.

Key details: The median sales price of new houses sold in October jumped to a record $493,000, up from $455,700 in the prior month.

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Scottish-born musician KT Tunstall is letting go of her Topanga, CA, abode, which is listed for $3 million.

The singer-songwriter, who’s best known for her hit “Suddenly I See,” purchased the property just northeast of Los Angeles in 2018 for $1,587,500, according to Realtor.com®

Since then, the 2003 home’s midcentury look has received some chic upgrades that elevate the landscape, offering endless views from massive windows.

With four bedrooms and five baths, the nearly 4,700-square-foot home embraces an open layout with beautiful millwork, soaring ceilings, and glass doors.

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We all love a good Black Friday sale.

And what could be better than a Black Friday sale on real estate?

OK, so these cozy, little cottages, all priced below $100,000, are not specifically on sale for Black Friday, but they are true bargains that might be tempting to snap up.

Some of them might be in somewhat remote locales, but there are certain advantages to getting away from it all. Others are in sizable cities such as Memphis, TN, and Baton Rouge, LA—yet still come with a surprisingly low price tag.

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Few areas of a home you hope to buy get more attention than the kitchen. This is where you may salivate over smart appliances, melt over waterfall countertops, imagine entertaining guests for your next dinner party… and given all the hopes and dreams pinned on this space, it’s no wonder that the kitchen can make or break a decision of whether to make an offer on a home.

Yet in the excitement of a finding a kitchen you love, it’s possible for some homeowners to overlook subtle problems in terms of its layout and design. Sadly, not all kitchens make the grade when it comes to the placement of appliances, flow of foot traffic, and overall craftsmanship. And since this area is a workhorse that must run smoothly, such flaws may eventually drive you nuts after you’ve moved in.

So lest you get blinded by all those shiny appliances and gleaming counters, here are some telltale signs of poor design in a kitchen. Take note and watch out!

1. No work triangle

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Realtor.com

Historic Spanish style meets modern luxury at a remodeled estate known as The Spanish Castle, in St. Petersburg, FL.

On the market for $3,326,000, the four-bedroom home sits on almost an acre—just blocks from the water.

“This property is located in a metro area. But because of the size of the property and the fact that it’s surrounded by walls, you have a real sense of peace and serenity,” says listing agent Glen Richardson, of Smith & Associates Real Estate.

Built in 1920, the 5,374-square-foot residence remains true to its Spanish roots—even after a recent renovation and update.

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That was fast. A-list celebrity couple Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas just listed their Miami waterfront estate for $16,995,000—after purchasing it a little more than a year ago for $11 million.

The duo reportedly moved into the 10,416-square-foot home with their two children before deciding to sell—and after remodeling it.

The “Game of Thrones” actress and her popster husband hired interior designer Sarah Ivory to redesign the deluxe digs, according to a Wall Street Journal interview with listing agent Carl Gambino, of Compass.

The project was completed in August.

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The fulfillment of one family’s dream is now the most expensive home for sale in Ohio.

The sprawling estate—known as Ravencrest, in Hunting Valley—is on the market for $15 million.

“It’s 153 acres in the most coveted section of Northeast Ohio, so to be able to buy a piece of land like this is really extraordinary,” says listing agent Adam Kaufman, with Howard Hanna. “On top of that, the house itself is just unbelievable,”

The three-level home has an astonishing 35,000 square feet of living space and includes a main-floor primary wing. Five additional bedroom suites are on the second floor.

Property brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott have worked with many a film, TV, and pop star on their show “Celebrity IOU.” But this is the first time they’ve ever been able to help a Broadway legend.

In the episode “Idina Menzel’s Slam Dunk,” they meet Idina Menzel, who has starred in “Wicked” and “Frozen,” among many other musicals and shows.

“She is known as the Queen of Broadway, and I am known as the King of Construction,” jokes Jonathan.

“No, you’re like the jester of construction,” Drew quips back.

Menzel wants to give back to her friend James, who started a basketball camp for kids—including Menzel’s own son—to teach them both game and life skills.

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Cue the music! DJ Calvin Harris is playing a farewell tune to his massive mansion in Beverly Hills, CA.

The property has hopped on and off the market since the beginning of the year, at the same whopping price of $25 million. But now seems to be the moment for Harris to list it again.

The Scottish-born spin master is reportedly spending more time in Europe and likely has less need for this megamansion in his real estate portfolio. He purchased it in 2014 for $15 million.

The 10-bedroom, 12-bath compound has undergone significant improvements and now offers five different buildings on the 2.7-acre lot. They include the main house, a two-car garage with a theater, a stand-alone gym, and a two-bedroom guesthouse. The latter is currently in use as two recording studios. Feast your eyes!

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If you own an abundance of appliances and tech gadgets, chances are you can’t live without power strips and extension cords. They allow you to power multiple electrical devices at once and can be neatly tucked out of sight.

But magical as they are, power strips and extension cords can hold only so much. If you overload them, you can run the risk of their overheating or even catching fire. Plugging multiple power strips together, or “daisy chaining,” can overload your electrical system. And extension cords can be used safely only with certain appliances.

“It’s generally not advisable to use an extension cord with larger appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and washing machines,” says Jason Metzger, senior vice president and head of risk management at PURE Insurance. “Some appliances explicitly state not to use their products with any type of extension cord.”

To keep your home happy and hazard-free, here are a few high-capacity appliances that should not be used with a power strip or extension cord.

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For the past several years, venture capital–backed investment behemoths and mom and pop newbies alike have poured money into real estate. With mortgage interest rates at historically low levels and stimulus cash sloshing through the economy, real estate investment went from vigorous to full-on feverish. And along the way, investors—many of whom came to the party with all-cash offers—fully changed the face of many markets, sometimes locking out first-time homebuyers.

However, many of those investors, especially smaller ones, have recently slammed the brakes on their purchases as the housing market has shifted.

The market conditions that made the foray into real estate investment such a sexy proposition have in large part begun to dry up as mortgage rates have soared—and the large hikes in rental prices are beginning to slow.

In some parts of the country where investors competed directly with first-time and other buyers, often winning the bidding wars, investors have been beating a hasty retreat. So Realtor.com® dug into the data to figure out where investor home purchases have fallen the most. Buyers might have a stronger shot at purchasing homes where they hope to live in these markets if they’re not competing with as many cash-flush competitors.

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A one-of-a-kind midcentury modern home in San Francisco designed for famed furniture designer Jules Heumann was sold after just 10 days on the market.

The prized property perched above the city with astonishing views was snapped up at full price for $3,750,000 in a cash deal.

The spectacular, trilevel beauty was custom-designed in 1965 by the San Francisco architecture firm Marquis & Stoller.

The space features vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the views that span from the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate Bridge to Marin and the East Bay.

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Former tennis pro Lindsay Davenport wants to net some rental income. Her palatial Orange County, CA, home is available for $27,500 per month.

Located on Emerald Bay—a gated community in Laguna Beach—this pretty abode sits right above the water, offering ocean-blue views for miles. Davenport purchased the place in 1997 for just over $2 million.

With five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and nearly 5,000 square feet of living space, this luxe rental will wink at anyone who needs a quiet coastal getaway.

Realtor.com

Realtor.com

If it’s a piece of “living” art history you’re after, how about moving into this adobe-style retreat, located just 30 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, NM?

The four-bedroom, three-bath, 3,364-square-foot home at 16 Camino Libre in Galisteo was built in 1994 by Santa Fe artist and designer Douglas Atwill.

His signature style has helped establish the aesthetic of homes throughout the region, most notably along Santa Fe’s historic Canyon Road.

Atwill, who has lived in Santa Fe since 1969, also penned a book about the 59 homes he’s renovated or built, and subsequently sold.

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Eager to deck the halls with a little reality star assistance? Look no further than “Fixer Upper” duo Chip and Joanna Gaines, whose popular Hearth & Hand line at Target is resplendent with tree ornaments, table toppers, kitchen gear, and other home accessories that will make your home merry and bright.

Even better, many of their wares come at inflation-friendly prices. In fact, the items we curated below all go for $25 or less.

But watch out for a few duds, too (even the Gaineses can’t knock it out of the park every time). Read on, and get ready to shop for the most wonderful time of year.

Get it: Placemats you can color

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An incredible lakefront home in New Durham, NH, offers a unique view from inside an enchanting indoor “Birdhouse.”

Custom-built in 2005, the spacious four-bedroom house features a treehouse-style structure that appears to be growing right up from the living room floor.

The Granite State property caught the web’s attention this week, racking up thousands of clicks and making Realtor.com®’s Most Popular Homes list.

So just how did the aviary-themed gem take flight?

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Chip and Joanna Gaines have finally unveiled their most ambitious project in the finale of their miniseries “Fixer Upper: The Castle.” And it certainly is fit for a king!

In the episode “A Royal Reveal,” the couple have finished renovating this 1913 estate and simply need to stage it before it goes on the market.

“I’ve got two weeks to get it completely decorated, and there’s really no room for error on these two weeks,” Joanna says. While she is experienced when it comes to staging houses, this castle is massive, with four bedrooms, three stories, and multiple living spaces.

Joanna admits, “I’ve never really staged a house like this.”

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Few A-list celebrity couples can match the real estate chops of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi when it comes to buying, decorating, and then selling.

The retired talk-show host and her wife are perpetual house flippers, but this time they’re offering a rental deal.

For a staggering $27,500 a month, you can tuck into their lovely three-bedroom, four-bath home in Montecito, CA, which is just minutes from Santa Barbara. The place comes “tastefully renovated,” the listing notes.

DeGeneres picked up the property in April for $8,067,500.

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Stuff happens! That’s especially true during the holiday season. With guests coming and going, the fireplace regularly blazing, and packages arriving at your front door by the truckload, this is a particularly precarious time.

Now, new data reveals that fires, frozen pipes, and porch pirates (aka nefarious folks who sneak up to your doorstep and steal your packages) are among the most dreaded holiday-related mishaps, according to a survey from home security company SimpliSafe.

Almost half (45%) of the respondents reported they have had packages stolen from their front porch or home. Not enough to worry about? Well, a majority of respondents (70%) confessed to setting off their smoke alarms while cooking.

But home-related hazards don’t have to cast a pall on your holiday season.

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The drumroll of bad tidings in the housing market was interrupted last week by a glimmer of good news. Finally.

Soaring mortgage interest rates, which have caused deep financial pain for many homebuyers and led to a freeze in the housing market, dropped by about half of a percentage point last week. They fell from above 7% to 6.6% for 30-year fixed-rate loans in the week ending Nov. 17, according to Freddie Mac.

Buyers shouldn’t celebrate just yet, though.

Many real estate experts believe the lower rates are a temporary reprieve, not a sign that rates will go back to the 2% and 3% ranges seen last year. In fact, many anticipate rates will return to around 7% this year.