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2 weeks ago | 
realestate.usnews.com | Liz Brumer-Smith |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala
Key Takeaways: Perform routine air conditioning maintenance to prep for the summer heat. Key tasks include cleaning drain lines, clearing the condenser and changing air filters. You can DIY basic maintenance or hire a pro for a full inspection. The hot, sunny days of summer are right around the corner. For homeowners in heat-prone states, it also means your AC is about to go into overdrive. The good news? With a little routine maintenance, an untimely breakdown doesn’t have to happen.
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3 weeks 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.
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3 weeks ago | 
realestate.usnews.com | Maryalene Laponsie |Dawn Bradbury |Liisa Rajala
Key Takeaways Elevated interest rates, limited inventory and high prices are all hallmarks of the 2025 housing market. Experts say the situation may not improve in 2026 so people shouldn’t delay purchasing a home. Renting is best for those who don’t plan to live in an area long, want a lower monthly payment and don’t want to dealwith maintenance.
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4 weeks 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.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Kimberly Lankford |Barri Segal |Liisa Rajala
Key Takeaways Trump's tax bill, which the House passed on May 22, will reduce taxes for high earners. The bill preserves many of the tax breaks from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which were scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. The top tax bracket will continue to be 37% rather than reverting back to 39.6%. The bill reduces the itemized deductions for taxpayers in the top income tax bracket.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Kimberly Lankford |Barri Segal |Liisa Rajala
Key Takeaways: The House bill passed on May 22 includes several new or expanded tax breaks for children, health care costs, car loans and education expenses, and some significant changes to student loans. The government would contribute $1,000 to new child savings accounts for babies born from 2025 through 2028. Expanded HSA contributions and eligible expenses may help middle-income families. Revising student loan repayment rules may cost families more.
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1 month 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.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Erica Sandberg |Barri Segal |Liisa Rajala
Key Takeaways Eighty-five percent of U.S. consumers are actively seeking financial information, with most turning to friends and family members for advice. Trusted individuals can be appealing sources of information but may not have the acumen to provide neutral, tailored and accurate advice. Eighty-six percent of people know what they want about their money, and 45% said they secretly know more about finances than they typically let on.
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1 month 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.
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1 month 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%.
