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☆ HGTV's new show 'Zillow Gone Wild' brings the popular Instagram account to life and shows off the one-of-a-kind homeowners behind the listings
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

HGTV's new show "Zillow Gone Wild" premieres May 3rd. AdvertisementHost Jack McBrayer tours one "Zillow Gone Wild" home with its owner Tracy Turco. Zillow Gone Wild is now driven by mostly user submissions, its founder tells BI. The "Pink Palace" is one home featured on HGTV's new show "Zillow Gone Wild." "Zillow Gone Wild" airs 10:30 p.m. on Fridays on HGTV and is streaming on Max.

Persons: —, Jack McBrayer, Kenneth, Tracy Turco, Samir Mezrahi, Mezrahi, perusing, Dan Latu, Magda Gabor, Gabor, glamor, McBrayer Organizations: Service, HGTV, NBC, Hollywood Regency, Hollywood, Max Locations: Instagram, North Carolina, California, Palm Springs, Hollywood, Florida

☆ The US could give homeowners a $980 billion stimulus at no additional cost, 'Oracle of Wall Street' says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. That's if Freddie Mac secures approval from its regulator to operate in the market for secondary mortgages, also commonly known as home equity loans. If greenlighted, the scheme would be equivalent to a huge stimulus injection, but without a cent added to the national deficit, the "Oracle of Wall Street" explained. As Freddie Mac is a massive provider of mortgage market liquidity, the move could encourage more banks to extend this financing to customers. The proposal noted that options are limited for homeowners who want to tap their equity, meaning that few are benefiting from the housing market's appreciation.

Persons: —, Meredith Whitney, Whitney, Freddie Mac, Freddie Mac's, Freddie, Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Aston Martin opens 66-story residential tower in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Miami has a new addition to its skyline – a 66-story residential tower built by Aston Martin, marking the British luxury sports carmaker’s first foray into the residential real estate market. Comprising of 391 units, Aston Martin Residences Miami sits at the mouth of the Miami River on Biscayne Bay, the firm said in a statement Tuesday. Aston Martin touchesHomeowners are able to customize their interior space with the help of the Aston Martin design team, with three style packages – Timeless, Covert and Indulgent – drawing on the company’s British heritage, as well as the building’s context. Aston Martin Residences MiamiAston Martin said that 99% of the properties sold before the building was completed. Aston Martin isn’t the first luxury carmaker to enter the residential property market.

Persons: Aston Martin, Rodolfo Miani, Bodas Mian Anger, ”, Aston, Germán Coto, “, Coto, Marek Reichman, Reichman, ” Reichman, you’ve, Aston Martin Residences Miami Aston Martin, Aston Martin Vulcan, Aston Martin isn’t Organizations: CNN, Miami, Aston Martin Residences Miami, G Business, Formula, Prix, Martin Residences Miami, Aston Martin Residences, Aston, Aston Martin, Aston Martin Residences Miami Aston, Residences Locations: Miami, Biscayne Bay, jacuzzis, cabanas, Bentley, Sunny, Beach , Florida

☆ Tom Lee says the bar is lower for the Fed to cut and so stocks are set to do ‘quite well’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Cracks might finally be forming in the Federal Reserve's firm hawkish stance, according to Fundstrat Global Advisors' Tom Lee. As investors expected, the Fed kept interest rates unchanged after central bank policymakers had their meeting. "That's not really an inflationary signal, so I think the bar is actually being lowered now for the Fed to cut and I think that's something many people picked up." All in all, Lee thinks there's a "good probability" that interest rates are currently at their peak. If inflation does indeed improve in the next few months and interest rates fall, he has optimistic prospects for stocks.

Persons: Tom Lee, Lee, That's, Jerome Powell, We're, Powell, there's Organizations: Fundstrat Global, Starbucks, Fed, Investors

☆ Making the power grid 'smart' could save us all money and prevent blackouts. Chattanooga made the $280 million investment.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Chattanooga's utility built a $280 million smart grid, creating $2.7 billion in economic value. The local utility, called EPB of Chattanooga, spent $280 million to refurbish its power system with smart technologies to make a "smart grid." The traditional power grid carries electricity from a power plant to homes and commercial buildings. Smart grids can bring huge economic benefitsEven Congress knows the nation needs a smart grid. Though a smart grid requires a big up-front investment, it can save a lot of money down the line.

Persons: —, That's, Tiago Majuelos, Monika Skolimowska, Kevin Schneider, Schneider, Joshua Rhodes, David Wade, EPB, Wade, Taylor, David Swanson, We're Organizations: Infrastructure, Service, Chattanooga Smart, US Department of Energy, Wall Street, Getty, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, American Society of Civil Engineers, University of Texas, Department of Energy, C Electric Company, BI, Reuters, Nationwide Locations: Chattanooga , Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee, EPB, California, Austin, Hamilton County, Palm Springs , California, Columbia, Southern California

☆ Demand for riskier adjustable-rate mortgages hits highest level of the year, due to rising rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

When mortgage rates rise, consumers look for any way to lower their monthly payments, and that often leads them to adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). These loans offer lower interest rates than their fixed-rate counterparts but are considered riskier. When mortgage rates hit record lows back in 2021, the ARM share of applications was in the 3% range. Meanwhile, the average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs decreased to 6.60% from 6.64%. "Inflation remains stubbornly high, and this trend is convincing markets that rates, including mortgage rates, are going to stay higher for longer.

Persons: Mike Fratantoni Organizations: Mortgage, Association, ARM, MBA's, Federal Reserve Locations: Hawthorn Woods , Illinois

☆ How to make your home hurricane resistant, as scientists predict an 'extremely active' storm season
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

In this article Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTRyersonclark | E+ | Getty ImagesMaking your home hurricane resistant can be a significant financial undertaking. In 2024, the national average cost to upgrade an entire house with hurricane windows runs between $1,128 and $10,293, or $100 and $500 per window, including installation, according to This Old House. Hurricane resistance is about preventing 'pressurization'Hurricanes are different and unpredictable storms, said Jeff Ostrowski, a housing analyst at Bankrate. If installing new hurricane windows aren't in the budget, shutters are lower-cost options to protect windows and other openings, said Chapman-Henderson. Talk to your insurer about possible discounts Strengthening your home against disasters may help lower your insurance cost.

Persons: Phil Klotzbach, Jeff Ostrowski, Leslie Chapman, Henderson, Jennifer Languell, Chapman, Kin, Melissa Cohn, William Raveis, Bankrate's Ostrowski, Ostrowski, Loretta Worters, Worters, Languell Organizations: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Hurricanes, National Oceanic, Fluid Dynamics, Climate, Energy Solutions, Swiss, Finance, Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric, Federal Alliance, Safe, Safe Homes, Department of Energy, Trifecta, William Raveis Mortgage, Insurance, Institute, Homeowners Locations: windstorms, U.S, Florida, In Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, dsireusa.org

☆ My $500,000 Home Renovation Turned Into a Real-Estate Nightmare
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Christine Chitnis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

What was supposed to be a yearlong $140,000 renovation ballooned into three excruciating years that cost us more than $500,000 — and the work is still not finished. But as my husband and I soon discovered, unless you've made a plan, legal protections for homeowners are close to nonexistent. Every time our contractor turned up the temperature, we grimly adjusted to the reality of our demise. Knowing the cardinal rule of home renovation — never pay in full until the job is over and inspected — we grew suspicious. Despite completing several home-improvement and renovation projects with her husband over the years, she lacked the confidence to DIY the renovation of her newly purchased 6,500-square-foot home.

Persons: Arcadis, you've, Christine Chitnis, wasn't, It's, We've, Amanda Jane Jones, Jones, David Jensen, Greenberg Traurig, He'd, Jensen, Lisa DiAntonio, DiAntonio, hadn't, what's, Condé Organizations: Homeowners, Harvard's, for Housing Studies, Department of Business, American Institute of Architects, Vogue, The New York Times Locations: Rhode Island, North America, Northern Michigan, Michigan, Utah, New Jersey, Andover , Massachusetts

☆ What the Fed’s Moves Mean for Mortgages, Credit Cards and More
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Tara Siegel Bernard | More About Tara Siegel Bernard | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

American households who have been hoping interest rates would soon decline may have to wait a bit longer. The Federal Reserve is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday. But yet another report of persistent inflation may ultimately cause the policy-making body to keep rates elevated for longer than it had previously expected. For people with money stashed away in higher-yielding savings accounts, a continuation of elevated rates translates into more interest earnings. But for people saddled with high cost credit card debt, or aspiring homeowners who have been sidelined by higher interest rates, a lower-rate environment can’t come soon enough.

Persons: they’ve Organizations: Federal

Average 30-year mortgage rates continue to hover around 7% after spiking up earlier this month, according to Zillow data. This means we could see mortgage rates improve somewhat as we approach fall. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. Lower mortgage rates will bring more buyers onto the market, putting upward pressure on prices.

Persons: decelerating, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, Investors, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

☆ The spring homebuying season isn’t what it used to be, thanks to the Fed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

All that has caused the spring homebuying season to take a timeout — and could spell trouble for the remainder of the year. Since 1999, more than a third of home sales for the entire year occur between March and June on average, according to Freddie Mac data. Given the Fed is in no rush to cut interest rates, Khater expects mortgage rates to remain elevated for longer. Taken together, all these factors will likely put upward pressure on home prices, Khater and his team said in the report. “Our outlook does depend on mortgage rates, which are creating their own seasonality,” she added.

Persons: That’s, ” Zillow, Nicole Bachaud, “ Buyers, Bachaud, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac, Khater, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, CNN, “, Fed Locations: New York, Texas, Florida

☆ I'm a millennial first-time buyer who moved into a micro home village. I had to downsize my stuff, but it was worth it for the community.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kristi Campbell, a 28-year-old business consultant, who moved into micro-home community South Park Cottages in 2023. In 2022, my boyfriend sent me a link to South Park Cottages' website, a Black-owned tiny home village. South Park Cottages afforded me the opportunity to buy my first home sooner than planned — it was the official stamp for adulthood. AdvertisementBefore I was even considered for a home at South Park Cottages, I had to be pre-approved for the full loan amount of the home. I chose South Park Cottages' preferred lender, along with a preferred closing attorney.

Persons: —, Kristi Campbell, It's, Campbell, it's, — we're, There's, you've, I've Organizations: Service, Business, East, Bluetooth Locations: New York, East Atlanta, Atlanta, California, Georgia

Currently, 30-year mortgage rates are above 7%, according to Zillow data. Hotter-than-expected economic data has pushed mortgage rates up this year. This would allow more hopeful homebuyers to enter the market and find a home with an affordable monthly mortgage payment. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Fannie Mae, homebuyers, you'll Organizations: Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ I quit a comfortable tech job to launch a startup. I had to sacrifice a lot, but now I make $400,000 and travel all the time.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Perri Ormont Blumberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Gene Caballero left his stable job at Dell to cofound GreenPal, an on-demand lawn care service. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Gene Caballero, a 44-year-old cofounder of GreenPal, based in Nashville. I'm a cofounder of GreenPal, a platform that connects homeowners with lawn care professionals. After purchasing my first home, finding reliable lawn care for myself and my mom was a daunting task.

Persons: Gene Caballero, —, It's, Uber, Airbnb, Bryan Clayton's Organizations: Dell, Service, Business Locations: Nashville, West

When you miss a mortgage payment, you incur late fees and hurt your credit score. But skipping mortgage payments comes with serious consequences that could include losing your house. Are you finding it hard to make your monthly mortgage payment? This allows you to pause your mortgage payments for a certain amount of time or, in some cases, make reduced payments instead. FAQsWhat should I do first if I realize I can't make my mortgage payment?

Persons: Craig Martin, Christian Mills, Freddie Mac, you've, you'll, it's, Aly J, Yale Aly J, Bob Organizations: Christian, US Department of Housing, Urban, Chevron, Yale, Forbes, Money Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, Bob Schieffer College of Communication, Twitter

Sticky inflation has pushed mortgage rates up in recent months, and we likely won't see them trend down until inflation starts decelerating again. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Up (+0.23%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.48%, 23 basis points higher than last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Fall Slightly (-0.11%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.42%, 11 basis points lower than last week. Mortgage rates also rose dramatically in 2023, though they started trending back down toward the end of the year.

Persons: decelerating, it's, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Federal, US, of Economic, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ Showcase for Antebellum Homes Displays Their Finery. But What About the History?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Rick Rojas | Kate Medley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

WHY WE’RE HEREWe’re exploring how America defines itself one place at a time. In Mississippi, a tradition of house tours is about more than architecture. It’s a window into how a city sees its past and its ambitions for the future. It was also a highlight of the longstanding tradition known as Pilgrimage. Every spring, the city’s finest antebellum homes are opened to the public for a few weeks, inviting people in to marvel at the craftsmanship and the opulence.

Organizations: . Homeowners Locations: Mississippi, Riverview, Southern, Columbus, Alabama

Most major forecasts believe that mortgage rates will ultimately trend down this year. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.17%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates inched up to 6.44% this week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically over the last two years, but they're expected to go down at some point this year.

Persons: Fannie Mae, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Reserve, US, of, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Miami is 'ground zero' for climate risk. People are moving to the area and building there anyway
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +20 min

South Pointe Beach in Miami Beach, Florida. Climate risk is "always on our thoughts," said Habibian, 39, who moved to Miami-Dade County about six years ago. Despite that risk, 66% of Miami-Dade County residents said they'd never leave, according to a study published in the journal Climate Risk Management. "We try to be smart about it, try to be proactive as best we can," Arditi said of climate risk. Juxtaposed at left was one of the last remaining patches of mangroves in the urban Miami area, a living memorial to a once-thriving population.

Persons: Greg Iacurci, Daniel Habibian, Harold Wanless, Sonia Brubaker, Saul Martinez, Andrew Rumbach, Rumbach, Joe Raedle, Irma, Al Diaz, they'd, Steven Bustamante, Bustamante, Jeff Greenberg, There's, David Arditi, Arditi, Aria's, Jeff Bezos, Goldman Sachs, Douglas Sacks, Ken Griffin, Brubaker, Biscayne Bay . Miami Worldcenter, Chandan Khanna, Dion Williams, Williams, Dion, Todd Crowl, Crowl, We're, Erik Salna, Chris Baraloto, Rita Teutonico, Amy Knowles, Knowles, it's, City of Miami Beach Greg Iacurci Miami Organizations: Greg Iacurci MIAMI, University of Miami, City, CNBC, Cumming Group, Florida Department of Transportation, Bentley, Bloomberg, Getty, Urban Institute, Organisation for Economic Co, Miami, Volunteers, Florida Keys, Miami Herald, Tribune, Service, Dade, Risk, Yale University's School of, Finance, SEC, Miami Beach, Universal, Group, Aria Development, National Association of Realtors ., Miami Realtors, Amazon, Citadel, Resorts, Bloomberg News, Dade County's, Getty Images, Residences, Pointe Park, Fifth, Afp, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Management, Sunshine, Insurance, Institute, Florida International University Institute of Environment, Hurricanes, University of Pennsylvania, International Hurricane Research, of, Florida International University, City of Miami Beach Locations: Pointe Beach, Miami Beach , Florida, Miami, South Beach, Dade, City of Miami, Dade County, New York, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm, South Florida, Florida, Tampa, St . Petersburg, Miami , Florida, Southeast Florida, Miami Beach, City, Aria's Miami, U.S, California , New York, New Jersey, America, Caribbean, New York City, Biscayne Bay . Miami, Pointe, It's, Surfside, . Florida, Biscayne Bay, Miami's, Bermuda, Kampong, Coconut Grove, Brittany Bay, South Pointe, City of, Brittany Bay Park

☆ New home sales inch higher despite 7% mortgage rates: 'There's more opportunity,' economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

While the spring housing market has been plagued with low supply, high prices and spiking interest rates, would-be homebuyers are focusing on new construction. New homes have more incentives and availability than previously owned ones. "There's more opportunity in new construction," said Nicole Bachaud, a senior economist at Zillow Group. Meanwhile, sales for previously owned homes dropped by 3.7% from March 2023, the National Association of Realtors found. With 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates sitting above 7%, homeowners who bought at much lower rates in recent years don't like the prospect of trading in their low rate for a higher one.

Persons: Nicole Bachaud, Biden, Bachaud Organizations: Zillow, . Census, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban Development, National Association of Realtors, Finance, Buyers Locations: U.S

☆ Jamie Dimon thinks he knows why people are so gloomy about the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The bottom 20% of American earners have been left out of the economic boom, Jamie Dimon said. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . One reason is they've largely missed out on the boom times, Jamie Dimon says. Advertisement"There's parts of society who's kind of struggling, parts of society who's not," Dimon said.

Persons: Jamie Dimon, —, who's, Dimon Organizations: JPMorgan, Service, Wall, New York Times Locations: America

How to cancel your life insurance policyCanceling a term life insurance policyThere are several ways to cancel a term life insurance policy. Alternatives to life insurance cancelationcanceling your life insurance policy isn't ideal if you have dependents who rely on your income for financial support. If you have a whole life insurance policy, look into reduced paid-up life insurance. Life insurance settlementIf you don't have a terminal diagnosis and you want to sell your term life insurance policy, you can apply for a life insurance settlement with a third-party provider instead of canceling your policy. Canceling life insurance FAQsWill I get any money back if I cancel my life insurance policy?

Persons: Lucas Siegel, Siegel, wouldn't, policyholders, you've Organizations: Internal Revenue Service

Mortgage rates should go down later this year, increasing affordability for many hopeful homebuyers. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 30-year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.17% this week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week, average 15-year mortgage rates were 6.44%, a five-basis-point increase from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Lawrence Yun, homebuyers, you'll, it's Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Despite a US housing shortage, Florida and Texas have too much supply, Redfin said. AdvertisementA lack of US housing has fenced off most would-be buyers, but two states are dealing with the opposite problem — an overflow of homes. According to Redfin, Florida and Texas have properties stagnating on the market, as demand is shifting away from these areas. The number of homes also jumped 25% in McAllen, Texas, Redfin reported on Thursday. Of the country's top 10 metros where sellers were most likely to slash listed prices, seven are located in these two states.

Persons: Redfin, —, Eric Auciello, Auciello, isn't Organizations: Service, North Port, First Locations: Florida, Texas, Redfin , Florida, Coral, North Port , Florida, McAllen , Texas, North, North Carolina, Tennessee

☆ Billionaire's million-dollar Nantucket beach house has officially been swept away
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Madeline Berg | Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. AdvertisementA representative for Sternlicht told Business Insider the house was to be demolished but did not provide further comment. The tony island of Nantucket is a favorite among billionaires like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Blackstone leader Steve Schwarzman. "Erosion takes out houses, roads, infrastructure, sewer beds, even airport runways," he told Business Insider. Despite the island's propensity for natural destruction, the town has strict rules regarding what structures owners can take down.

Persons: Barry, Sternlicht, Forbes, Shelly Lockwood, tony, Eric Schmidt, Steve Schwarzman, James Pallota, Pallota, Lockwood, Brendan Maddigan, Steven Cohen, Cohen Organizations: Service, Billionaire, Business, Sternlicht, Nantucket Current, Blackstone, Celtics, Boston Globe Locations: Nantucket

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