Deborah Kearns

1 week ago | realestate.usnews.com | Deborah Kearns |Dawn Bradbury |Carolyn Neugarten

Key Takeaways: Certain materials like lumber and steel, typically sourced from abroad, will likely have higher price tags. Lengthy and costly remodeling projects with imported materials will be most impacted. Minor projects and many exterior projects will be the ones most likely to stay static. Communication with contractors and thorough project planning can help combat price uncertainty. Spring and summer offer homeowners a prime window to check home renovation projects off their list.

1 week ago | rismedia.com | Deborah Kearns

The rental crisis that has plagued American renters for years appears to be abating, with 50 of the nation’s largest 100 metropolitan rental markets now trading at a discount, according to the latest Waller, Weeks and Johnson Rental Index released by the University of Mississippi. The research shows a massive shift in rental dynamics as a boom in multifamily construction creates more supply and puts downward pressure on rents across major markets.

2 weeks ago | rismedia.com | Deborah Kearns |Claudia Larsen

Denee Evans, CEO of the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS), announced Thursday that she will step down from her role at the end of the year after more than a decade leading the real estate trade group. The announcement was made in a message to CMLS members on Thursday, with Evans describing the decision as both personal and professional. “After more than a decade of working together, this is a deeply personal and meaningful moment for me,” Evans wrote to members.

1 month ago | kiplinger.com | Deborah Kearns

Harvard University recently announced that undergraduate tuition will be free for families earning $200,000 or less beginning with the 2025-26 academic year. The university joins a growing number of institutions that are expanding financial access to higher education for families who would otherwise struggle to afford it. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Pennsylvania, for example, also offer free tuition for families earning less than $200,000.

1 month ago | rismedia.com | Deborah Kearns

Digital mortgage lender Lower has acquired real estate portal Movoto in a move that shows a growing appetite for deals between mortgage companies and consumer-facing real estate platforms. The acquisition announced Tuesday combines Lower’s mortgage lending platform with the digital home-search reach of Movoto.com, which attracted more than 150 million visits in 2024.