Refinance applications picked up as mortgage rates fell last week, but purchase loan activity had only a small gain, according to data released Wednesday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The MBA’s survey — which covers 75% of all retail residential mortgage applications in the U.S. — found that the seasonally adjusted refinance index increased 16% for the week ending Aug. 2 compared to...

More households led by older Americans who are either in or near retirement are carrying higher levels of debt. This has major implications for the nation’s retirement readiness posture, according to an issue brief published last week by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). “While improving in many respects in the most recent years, the overall trends in debt are troubling in terms of...

Industry-leading reverse mortgage lender Finance of America (FOA) recorded another loss in the second quarter of 2024, but it managed to move closer to profitability while also expanding its dollar volume of loans through other business metrics that show improvement. This is according to the company’s Q2 2024 financial results, as well as statements given to analysts, during a Q&A portion of its...

Zillow Group has promoted Jeremy Wacksman from chief operating officer to CEO, according to an announcement on Wednesday. The firm made the announcement less than an hour before its second-quarter 2024 earnings call with investors and analysts. In addition to being named as the firm’s CEO, Wacksman has also joined the company’s board of directors. Wacksman is replacing Zillow co-founder Rich...

Zillow’s second-quarter 2024 earnings call with investors Wednesday evening marked a pivotal moment for the firm. It was the first since company co-founder Rich Barton announced he was stepping down as CEO. Less than an hour before the call, Zillow Group announced that it had promoted Jeremy Wacksman, the firm’s chief operations officer, to CEO. Barton will remain on Zillow’s board of directors...

A one-of-a-kind mid-century modern home in Danville, California that served as the longtime home of Ken Behring — the former owner of the Seattle Seahawks and a prolific real estate developer — was recently up for auction. And it didn’t go down quietly. The unique estate, a gated hilltop property with a mid-century modern aesthetic inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s legendary Fallingwater house,...

Give dated exterior brick a curb appeal-boosting refresh with these expert-recommended paint colors. Courtesy of Valspar If you want to update a brick exterior that feels worn or dated, a fresh coat of paint is one of the best ways to do so. It's more cost-effective than replacing or covering the brick with siding, and it gives the home a current look while preserving its original charm and...

Use this comprehensive guide with expert recommendations to help protect your home from costly flood damage. Getty Images / nbmims / FOAP Whether you live in a flood zone or are anticipating severe weather, knowing the protective measures you can take to minimize potential water damage is crucial. Flooding can come from various sources, whether it's heavy rain, water runoff, rising lakes and...

Better Homes & Gardens presents The 2024 Stylemaker Issue: Meet the creators who are crafting a more colorful future in the worlds of design, garden, and food. Ditte Isager/Corinne Mucha Over the past few years, Pamela Anderson has had more time to contemplate life. That is, until things kicked into high gear again—but more on that later. At the start of the pandemic in 2020, she moved from...

Wait, did I just change my tune on chain restaurants?! LPETTET / Getty Images As a child of the Midwest suburbs, I was raised on a steady diet of Mom’s chicken dinners and Dad’s grilled fare. Once a week or so, it would be a treat to dine at Panera, Applebee’s, or TGI Friday’s. And if it was a really special occasion, like a birthday, we’d head to Olive Garden—where you better arrive...