Home Price Appreciation Keeps Cooling; New Loan Limits Coming Into Focus

Both the FHFA and the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller indices released new home-price data this week covering the month of August. The message is unchanged: prices remain higher than a year ago, but the pace of appreciation continues to slow. Case-Shiller’s national annual gain eased to 1.5%, the sma

Mortgage Applications Responded to Lower Rates, But Things Are Already Changing

Mortgage applications jumped sharply last week, driven by lower rates and a rebound in refinance activity. According to MBA’s Weekly Applications Survey for the week ending October 24, total volume rose 7.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis and 7% unadjusted. The Refinance Index increased 9% from the

How to Test Smoke Detectors in Your Home

Smoke detectors are essential for home safety. They can prevent a burning meal on the stove from becoming a real emergency. Smoke detectors are easy to overlook, but you must keep them in working condition, and regular testing is the best way to make sure your alarm functions properly. Here’s how to

Tax Benefits of Owning a Home: Tax Breaks, Incentives, and More

Key takeaways: Homeowners may be eligible for valuable tax breaks, including deductions for mortgage interest, property taxes, and certain home improvements. Some benefits require itemizing your deductions, while others—like energy credits—can apply even if you take the standard deduction. Tax laws