Dawn Bradbury

New Hampshire

Assistant Managing Editor, Real Estate at U.S. News and World Report

Assistant managing editor, Real Estate, U.S. News & World Report | Word nerd | Yogi | Chicken mom

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Articles

The 15 Best Small Cities to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026

3 days ago | realestate.usnews.com | Josephine Nesbit |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala

You don’t need to settle down in a major city for quality education, career options and things to do. Some of the best places to live in America are located in smaller cities, just outside the noise and sprawl of large metropolitan areas. When determining the top 250 Best Places to Live, U.S. News’ annual analysis evaluated data related to desirability, quality of life, job market and value in 859 U.S. cities.
How Rent Control Affects the Housing Market

1 week ago | realestate.usnews.com | Liz Brumer-Smith |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala

Key Takeaways: Rent control limits how much landlords can raise rent and sets rules for leases. It aims to stabilize housing costs for tenants while allowing landlords to recover their investment. However, it can also discourage development, restrict landlord cash flow and reduce tenant mobility. Housing affordability remains one of the biggest challenges in the United States, not just for hopeful homebuyers, but for renters, too.
4 Home Maintenance Tasks to Do Yourself, and 4 to Outsource

1 week ago | realestate.usnews.com | Maurie Backman |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala

Key Takeaways Home maintenance tasks that aren't dangerous or overly complicated are good candidates for DIY. Be cautious about work that's hazardous, like gutter cleanings or roof repairs. Save HVAC maintenance and pest control for the professionals. When you buy a home, you don't just commit to a mortgage payment. You also commit to the time and expense of maintaining that property both inside and out.
Why Johns Creek, Georgia, Is the Best Place to Live in 2025-2026

2 weeks ago | realestate.usnews.com | Josephine Nesbit |Dawn Bradbury |Barri Segal

Key Takeaways Johns Creek, Georgia, ranks No. 1 on the 2025-2026 Top 250 Best Places to Live list. Johns Creek is only 25 miles from downtown Atlanta, and is near major highways and international airports. The city offers a higher value of living thanks to its top-rated schools, low crime rates and strong sense of community.
How Much of Your Income Should Go to Rent?

2 weeks ago | realestate.usnews.com | Robyn A. Friedman |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala

Key Takeaways: For most Americans, the largest expense in their monthly budget is housing, whether rent or a mortgage payment. A general rule of thumb is “the 30% rule,” which states that renters should not spend more than 30% of their gross monthly income on rent. To avoid crimping your budget, consider finding a roommate, living in a less expensive area, negotiating with your landlord, downsizing or asking family for financial help.
Is Buying or Selling 'Subject To' a Good Idea?

3 weeks ago | realestate.usnews.com | Liz Brumer-Smith |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala

Key Takeaways: A subject-to transaction lets buyers take over payments on a seller’s existing mortgage, often at a much lower rate than the current rate. The buyer takes title and responsibility for the home, but the seller remains on the mortgage. This strategy carries legal and financial risks and has recently faced increased scrutiny. As of May 15, the average 30-year-fixed mortgage APR is 7.04% and the average 30-year refinance mortgage APR is 7.21%.
6 Ways to Create Indoor-Outdoor Spaces You'll Love

3 weeks ago | realestate.usnews.com | Barbara Bellesi Zito |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala

Key Takeaways: Create focal points that draw your eyes outdoors, from water features to pathways lined with plants. Ensure design continuity by using similar flooring, lighting and layouts to make the indoors and outdoors appear as one large room. Decorate with natural tones and textures, from earthy colors and rattan furniture to plants and flowers – even if they’re faux. Select furnishings upholstered in performance fabric to bring comfortable yet weather-resistant seating outdoors.
Should You Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Old One?

1 month ago | realestate.usnews.com | Robyn A. Friedman |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala

Key Takeaways: Competitive markets sometimes require fast action from buyers and sellers. Buying first allows you to sell your home vacant without having to worry about maintaining it in show-ready condition. Purchasing a new home first comes with risk. You might end up carrying the costs of two homes until your old home sells. If you’re in the market for a new home, but, like most homeowners, you need to sell your old one, what’s the best way to handle the logistics?
Questions Every Buyer Should Ask When Viewing a Property for the First Time

1 month ago | realestate.usnews.com | Josephine Nesbit |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala

Key Takeaways Asking the right questions can help buyers make a competitive offer on a home that fits their lifestyle and budget. Buyers should ask about the property's costs, condition, renovation history and any potential issues. After the viewing, buyers can direct questions to their real estate agent, who can gather and confirm the correct information. A home is one of the biggest purchases you can make.
Should You Move or Renovate Your Home?

1 month ago | realestate.usnews.com | Liz Brumer-Smith |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala

Key Takeaways The decision to move or renovate should be driven by cost, feasibility and personal needs. Moving can be a better choice if your home can't support changes, renovations are too expensive or you can improve your living situation by moving. If you’ve got space, the money to renovate or a great mortgage rate, renovating in a location you love may be best. There often comes a point in a homeowner’s journey when their current space just doesn’t work anymore.