First-time buyers in 2026 should focus on readiness, not rate timing. Pricing constraints remain, so early lender talks and clear budgets can help. NEW YORK — First-time home buyers preparing to enter the housing market in 2026 are being encouraged to prioritize readiness over waiting for ideal conditions, as affordability pressures and limited inventory persist. … Read more
The FinCEN rule requires reports on certain all-cash sales involving entities or trusts, adding compliance duties for title companies and closing agents in some cases. WASHINGTON – A new federal reporting rule from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will take effect March 1, 2026, expanding national anti-money-laundering obligations into the U.S. residential real estate … Read more
AI tools are helping brokerages protect their brand, streamline operations and standardize onboarding, freeing agents and staff to focus on higher-value work. NEW YORK — Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is increasingly focused on reducing friction rather than replacing people, as brokerages look for ways to improve consistency, protect their brand and free up staff time … Read more
Missing or invalid direct deposit details can temporarily freeze IRS refunds this year. Taxpayers must update bank info or request a paper check to release funds. WASHINGTON – Tax season is in full swing, and with the chance at “very large” refunds, you may feel inclined to file as quickly as possible. A small mistake, … Read more
Rates on 30-year mortgages were essentially flat this week at to 6.11%, while 15-year rates inched up to 5.5%, reinforcing stable conditions for buyers and sellers. WASHINGTON – The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate barely budged this week, staying close to 6% as the spring homebuying season nears. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate … Read more
Designers say staging increasingly highlights screen-free spaces, helping buyers picture rooms meant for rest, creativity and time offline. NEW YORK — Screen-free “analog rooms” are emerging as a design response to growing digital fatigue, with homeowners and designers carving out spaces intentionally free of smart technology and constant connectivity. Rather than optimizing homes for screens … Read more
Updated TVs, sound systems and lighting can boost an entertainment room’s appeal. Smart upgrades help buyers picture daily living and can strengthen a home’s showing. NEW YORK — Life in the twenty-first century can feel like it’s moving at breakneck speed. Perhaps nowhere is that feeling more pronounced than within the technology sector, where new … Read more
By skipping the perfect-home myth, first-time buyers can focus on budget, condition and location, and choose a home and neighborhood that truly fit how they live. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Question: My partner and I have been together for a few years and have been living in a rented house. It’s time for us to … Read more
The Fed left rates unchanged, citing solid growth and a steady job market. Officials want clearer progress on inflation before resuming cuts, likely later this year. WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve pushed the pause button on its interest rate cuts Wednesday, leaving its key rate unchanged at about 3.6% after lowering it three times last … Read more
Consumer sentiment climbed higher than first reported in early January, reflecting broad gains, though confidence remains well below last year amid inflation pressures. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Revised data released by the University of Michigan on Friday showed consumer sentiment in the U.S. has improved much more than previously estimated in the month of January. … Read more
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