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Zillow, Trulia Shares Soar Friday as Merger Rumored to Get Approval by FTC

Several outlets were reporting Friday that stocks of Zillow (Z) and Trulia (TRLA) had soared by midday on talk of expectations that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is going to green-light the merger between the two online listing giants. Shareholders of the two firms approved the acquisition, but the deal was still awaiting regulatory approval […]
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Living Smart: Don’t Take Kitchen Appliances for Granted

(TNS)—Most people depend on their kitchen appliances for daily use and occasionally for a cooking marathon before a holiday feast. They’re staples of the kitchen, and expected to work. But as soon as the refrigerator stops cooling or the oven won’t warm, panic sets in. Appliance repair pros say regular, routine maintenance and care can […]
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Study Shows Consumers Aren’t Shopping around for Mortgages

A recently released study done by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) found nearly half of Americans looking to purchase a home do not do their due diligence by shopping around for mortgage lenders. Rather, the survey found potential borrowers seriously consider only one lender, and that lender is often someone they’re already working with […]
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HUD Secretary Julián Castro to Answer Housing Questions in Live Fireside Chat Wednesday, Moderated by Zillow Chief Economist

Zillow® will bring together an esteemed group of national real estate experts, influencers and policy makers to debate and discuss housing trends and policies from different communities as we begin to identify housing issues that will have the greatest impact over the next two years. HUD Secretary Julián Castro will be discussing the Obama administration’s […]
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5 Ways a Strong Dollar Helps You

(TNS)—The “strong dollar” is making headlines. What is a strong dollar, and how does it impact us? The dollar is “strong” in value relative to other currencies because global investors have choices about how to hold their wealth. They have been choosing to exchange their currencies for dollars. They’re worried about the future of the […]
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Selling Solar: Homebuyers Willing to Pay More for Outfitted Homes

Once exclusive to wealthy, eco-conscious homeowners, rooftop solar panels are becoming an increasingly common fixture in residential housing – and homebuyers are taking notice. According to a new report funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, homebuyers have consistently been willing to pay more for a property with owned solar photovoltaic systems (PV), regardless of […]
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Living Smart: Will Wallpaper Trend Stick This Time?

(TNS)—Denise Jordan has seen wallpaper come and seen it go. She and her husband, owners of Jordan Wallcoverings based in Gastonia, have made a living covering walls in the Charlotte area and beyond for more than 30 years. For decades, the wall-coverings business was dominated by wallpaper, adding accents and personality to rooms, and making […]
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Your Budget: Rethink These Modern-Day ‘Necessities’

Compare your monthly expenses to those of your grandparents (maybe even your parents), and you’ll probably find that your expense list is quite a bit longer. Over the decades, more and more conveniences, habits, and gadgets have found their way into our everyday lives. And gradually we’ve accepted them as normal, even necessary. (For instance, […]
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Small, Exterior Home Improvements to Offer Best ROI in 2015

Homeowners often consider various remodeling and replacement projects as a way to add value to their homes. Some projects add more value and better recoup their costs than others, according to REALTORS® who rated small and exterior projects as the most valuable home improvement projects in the 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. Compiled annually […]