Here’s how one couple brought their Federal house in Salem, Mass., into the 21st century — with ‘color, character and eccentricity.’

Shadow or No Shadow, Real Estate Shines Bright as Spring Approaches

An early spring isn’t just limited to the anticipation of warmer weather — as we’ve been predicting, a busy real estate season is beginning to bloom! Buyers have started to turn up to the market in droves, thanks to mortgage rates that have dropped a full percentage point since October. Due to this decline in rates, homebuyers with a $3,000 monthly budget have gained nearly $40,000 in purchasing power. That paired with a welcome increase in inventory is providing them more choices than they’ve had in a long time.

New listings increased almost 15% year-over-year to 3,280 and pending home sales increased 6.5% to 3,294. Although buyer activity has increased, many buyers still seem to be choosier than they have in years past. Prices are still at all-time highs and buyers want more bang for their buck, desiring move-in ready homes to help alleviate the sticker shock of current home prices. Median days in MLS has increased by almost 6% to 36 days. Closed sales have declined by about 6.25%, although that shouldn’t be surprising as these homes likely went under contract in December which is our traditionally lowest inventory month of the year. 

In Bushwick, the neighborly ‘hello’ in the hallway led to hanging out in each other’s apartments, and spirited theater-karaoke nights singing show tunes.

A pop-up ice skating rink has finally come to Brooklyn Bridge Park, a decade after developers planned it.

An adobe compound in Joshua Tree, a one-bedroom condominium in West Hollywood and a bungalow within walking distance of the beach in Aptos.

There are several avenues you can take to try to get better leadership. Whichever you choose, make sure it stands up to legal scrutiny.

Check out these February events!

Throughout February: Black History Month

Take a look at high-profile residential property sales.

After getting to know the Queens neighborhood as a renter, a tennis instructor with a job on Randall’s Island went looking for a place of his own in a relatively new building.

This week’s properties are six-bedroom in Danbury, Conn., and Millwood, N.Y.

This week’s properties are in Kips Bay, Turtle Bay and on the Grand Concourse.

Baby boomers who are now empty nesters own twice as many large homes as millennials with children.

Dr. Woodson’s house, the birthplace of the annual month, was a hub of scholarship, bringing together generations of intellectuals, writers and activists.

Maybe you’re working from home more often — or you need a place to retreat from the world. Here’s how to make your bedroom do double (or triple) duty.

A Tudor Revival house in Indianapolis, a Colonial Revival home in Lancaster and an updated Craftsman bungalow in Walla Walla.

The state comptroller wants eXp Realty to look into allegations that female real estate agents were drugged and assaulted during company events.

As his apartment on the Lower East Side crumbled, a former Club Kid resented the moneyed millennials who filled his building. Then he let them in on a secret that transformed their lives.

A storybook cottage in Los Angeles, a Prairie-style house in Orange and a renovated 1939 home in Redwood City.

In situations where people have died and their estate is in court, fixing a problem in their former apartment is legally complex.

Once a necessity, fireplaces are now an indulgence in New York City.