Judy Dutton Journalist Profile

Articles

Markets where real estate prices have dropped the most

1 week ago | theplaybookmb.com | Judy Dutton

With tariffs threatening to jack up prices on everything from coffee to Shein jeans, here’s a surprising silver lining: The Big Kahuna of all purchases, a house, may finally be getting more affordable. That is, if you know where to shop. Although real estate prices have remained stubbornly high at $424,900 nationwide, if you zoom in to the ZIP code level, it’s a different picture.
6 tricks to tariff-proof your real estate

2 weeks ago | theplaybookmb.com | Judy Dutton

With President Trump's whiplash-inducing tariff announcements sowing chaos for global trade, what damage will the levies do to the housing market—which was already on life support? Some warn that we should brace for even higher home prices, while others pray that mortgage rates will plunge. Meanwhile, house flippers, landlords, and other real estate investors are scrambling to overhaul their strategies before they’re stuck paying for “made in China” merchandise that’s doubled in price overnight.
“My wife and I turned a hoarder house into a beautiful home.”

2 weeks ago | theplaybookmb.com | Judy Dutton

Husband-and-wife real estate investors Casey and Jillian TeVault in Diamond Bar, CA, often tackle the unappetizing task of purging houses packed with, well … everything. Hoarder homes may be bargains, but what does it really take to wipe a slate like that clean? Casey recounts one of their most challenging recent projects, which he nicknamed the High Desert Hoarder House, and all the teachable moments within. How’d you end up with this eyesore of a property?
How Beyoncé's tour affects short-term rentals

3 weeks ago | theplaybookmb.com | Judy Dutton

Park your Lexus, throw your keys up—because Beyoncé is back on tour this spring, which means short-term rentals in cities where she’s performing are filling up fast and stand to rake in serious dough. The Grammy winner’s “Cowboy Carter” Tour kicks off on April 28 in Inglewood, CA, then trots across the world for three months and 32 shows in Chicago, New York City, Houston, DC, Atlanta, Las Vegas, London, and Paris.
“We bought a vineyard—but knew nothing about wine”

3 weeks ago | theplaybookmb.com | Judy Dutton

Buying a vineyard is fantasy real estate investing at its finest. But what’s the reality of running one really like? To find out, we talked to Janette and Ben Cade, who bought Christine’s Vineyard in Webb City, MO, in 2022, even though they knew nada about wine (other than that it tastes fantastic). Janette recounts how they got where they are today and what they’ve learned along the way. How did you get started in this venture?
The best time to sell a home

4 weeks ago | theplaybookmb.com | Judy Dutton

Everyone in the real estate industry knows spring is the season when homes sell like hotcakes, but the window to earn tip-top peak profits is more specific than that—and coming up fast. A recent report from Zillow found that homes listed in the last two weeks of May fetch 1.6% more money than at any other time of the year, which amounts to an extra $5,600 on a typical US home. Meanwhile, Realtor.com economists argue that optimal conditions arrive a bit earlier, April 13–19.
“I bought a triplex at 20 for $12,000”

4 weeks ago | theplaybookmb.com | Judy Dutton

Austin Glanzer was still in college when he decided to buy his first home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Only why stop at just one when you can buy three? Here’s how he bought a triplex with a down payment costing less than a new car, and how this investment enabled him to secure financial independence before graduating. How’d you get started investing in real estate? At 20, just married—crazy, right?—I purchased a $300,000 triplex using an FHA loan and seller assistance, putting just $12,000 down.
10 ways to invest in real estate

1 month ago | theplaybookmb.com | Judy Dutton

Many people dream of investing in real estate, of rolling up their sleeves to flip a fixer-upper or opening an adorable Airbnb, but aren’t sure if they have what it takes to pull it off, financially and otherwise. Though it’s true that some real estate investments demand deep pockets or serious elbow grease, many other opportunities can be pursued just fine with minimal cash, time, and expertise up front.
Our Economist Breaks Down What It Means for the Housing Market

Oct 11, 2024 | realtor.com | Judy Dutton

The housing market had a week that might give homebuyers and sellers whiplash—but there’s still good news on the horizon. Although mortgage rates plummeted to two-year lows in late September, rates jumped to 6.32% for a 30-year fixed loan in the week ending Oct. 10. That’s “the biggest leap in the past six months,” says Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale in her latest weekly video recapping recent data on the housing market.
7 Remodeling Mistakes Even Design Pros Commit

Jul 22, 2024 | newsbreak.com | Judy Dutton

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