Author: josh

High interest rates, growing inventory and economic uncertainty have cooled the housing market, forcing sellers to make price cuts and concessions. Agents say realistic pricing, smart repairs and strong presentation are key to helping homeowners navigate the new normal — where bidding wars are rare and days on market are rising.

Key takeaways:  Escrow ensures fairness and security by holding funds or documents with a neutral third party until all transaction terms are met. There are two main types of escrow: Transaction escrow (during the purchase) and mortgage escrow (after closing). Escrow accounts simplify ownership costs by combining property taxes and insurance into one predictable monthly payment. They also reduce risk for both homeowners and lenders by ensuring critical payments are made on time. As a first-time homebuyer, you may have encountered the term “escrow”, but what does it actually mean? Escrow refers to holding something, like funds or documents, by…

The battle for America’s fried chicken loyalty shows no signs of cooling. Yet amid the heat of the so-called “chicken wars,” Bojangles has quietly cooked up a comeback. Since being taken private in 2019 for roughly $590 million, the North Carolina-based chain has nearly tripled in value (reportedly exploring a sale of upwards of $1.5 billion), and is now even preparing to bring its biscuits and Cajun chicken to New York City. For CEO José Armario, though, success has always been about more than just market cap or a fancy title—it’s been about leading with humility. “I personally think you…

Bank of America is betting big on its wealth and investment management business, essentially leaning further into the top echelons of the upper class. The banking giant (No. 17 on the Fortune 500) hosted its first investment day since 2011 on Nov. 5 in Boston. Executives set ambitious goals for the wealth unit: 4% to 5% net new asset growth in Merrill Wealth Management over the next three to five years, and revenue growth nearly twice the rate of expenses, with a target return on allocated capital rising to 30% for the entire segment. “There is a huge opportunity in…

Let’s face it, clutter happens to the best of us. Piles of mail, overflowing closets, and that random collection of “maybe I’ll use it someday” items can quickly make your home feel smaller and more chaotic than it really is. That’s where smart declutter tips come in.  In this Redfin guide, we’ll show you practical, budget-friendly ways to reclaim your space, simplify your daily life, and actually enjoy being at home. Whether you’re cleaning out your home in Portsmouth, VA or Wilson, NC, these tips will help you turn any room from cramped to calm—without spending a fortune. 1. Start…

Key takeaways: Get your finances in order early to know what you can afford. Find the right team – a great agent and lender make all the difference. Stay organized from preapproval to closing to make the process smoother. You’ve been scrolling listings for weeks, maybe a craftsman-style home in Seattle, WA or a sunny condo in Nashville, TN. Exciting, but overwhelming too. Between preapproval, inspections, and closing paperwork, it’s easy to lose track of what comes next. That’s where a home buying checklist helps. It keeps you organized through every stage of the homebuying process, from finances to keys…

If you ever plan on selling a rental property (which you probably should), listen to this Rookie Reply.Halloween is over, but we’ve got two real estate investing stories that would make any investor’s skin crawl. First, a buyer is delaying closing longer and longer, coming up with excuses, lying to the seller, and wants more time. But…they’re your only offer, and it’s getting close to the winter slow season. What do you do?Next, a seller financing deal gone wrong (in every single way). Your buyer stops paying you, starts renting your house out, takes the money, and, get this, moves…

Markets are not in a comfortable place right now. The S&P 500 was down by more than a percentage at yesterday’s close, the Dow Jones by near the same, and the Nasdaq was down nearly 2%. The VIX volatility index, by contrast, is up more than 9%—suggesting the turbulence is far from over. Even then, Apollo’s chief economist, Torsten Sløk, wrote this week the S&P is at “historically extreme valuations.” In a note to clients yesterday, Sløk charted the “Warren Buffett indicator” (U.S. stock market cap to GDP) against the Shiller cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings ratio. The result is—perhaps unsurprisingly—that over…

Moving into a new home is exciting, but that feeling can quickly be replaced with dread when you’re faced with a sea of moving boxes. Whether you’ve relocated across town or across the country, having a clear plan for unpacking will help you settle in faster. Here’s a practical step-by-step guide to make unpacking after a move as stress-free as possible. 1. Clean your space before unpacking Before you start opening boxes, take time to clean your new home from top to bottom. Even if the previous owners or builders cleaned before you arrived, dust and debris can easily collect…

Dave:Housing demand is up, but prices are dropping. Mortgage rates have been a little bit better, but layoffs are all around us. The upside down economy that we’ve been in for years is rolling on, but we’re here to help you make sense of it. Everyone, welcome to On the Market. I’m Dave Meyer, joined by James Dainard, Kathy Fettke and Henry Washington today to talk about the latest news and try and instill some sense, some narrative that makes sense about what’s going on. Kathy, I think I’m gonna call on you first ’cause you got an uplifting story…