Michele Lerner

Washington, D.C.

Real estate and personal finance journalist for The Washington Post, Boston Globe, Mansion Global, USA Today, PRO Buider, Green Builder and REIT magazines

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Articles

How much do you know about home inspections?

3 days ago | seattletimes.com | Michele Lerner

One of the most important steps homebuyers can take — especially first-timers — is to have a thorough inspection before they finalize their purchase.
Sustainability Tips for Kitchens and Baths

1 week ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

More ways to upgrade your kitchen and bathroom while downgrading your carbon footprint. If you’re looking to build a new kitchen or bathroom, retrofit the one you have, or just learn more about sustainability for your next building, an abundance of innovations and technology are available to increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions during the manufacturing process, recycle materials and manage water use.
8 Reasons to Get Ahead of the Curve with Continuous Insulation

1 week ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

New rules for Energy Star certification require insulation upgrades. Continuous Insulation can help. Most people, including builders, resist changing something that works well for them. But sometimes change can be easier than we think and lead to new opportunities.
What are bank statement loans?

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Michele Lerner

When people apply for a traditional mortgage, they typically must provide W-2 forms and tax returns as proof of income, along with numerous other documents. If you’re buying a house as a self-employed borrower, independent contractor, or gig worker, you may not have a W-2 to show a mortgage lender. Business owners often have complex tax returns that don’t accurately reflect their income since they may deduct extensive business expenses.
AHF Products: No More Singing the Blues about Scratched Hardwood Floors

1 week ago | probuilder.com | Michele Lerner

AHF Products: No More Singing the Blues about Scratched Hardwood FloorsWhile hardwood floors are revered for their timeless beauty, some homeowners opt out because of the fear of water damage or that their pets will scratch the wood. Proprietary technology from AHF Products solves that dilemma.
Buy a House for Less: 5 Tips To Win With a Lowball Offer

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Michele Lerner

Everyone wants a deal in real estate—but there’s a fine line between savvy and insulting. While it’s rare to stumble on an underpriced gem, some buyers try to manufacture a bargain by making a lowball offer. The risk? You might lose the house before negotiations even start. Sellers often reject lowball bids outright, especially if they feel disrespected. And while some agents will encourage their clients to counter, others won’t give your offer a second look.
Tariffs Are Already Making Custom Home Building More Expensive

1 week ago | mansionglobal.com | Michele Lerner

While the assumption is that buyers of luxury custom homes can afford to spend a little more on the lumber and steel—not to mention the slab stones or other imported finishes—that go into their residences, tariffs on materials could be a tipping point that softens business for smaller custom-home builders. President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on April 2 and then put on hold the charges for goods from most countries.
When Disaster Strikes, REITs Step In: Here’s How They’re Making a Difference

2 weeks ago | reit.com | Michele Lerner

SHARE When Hurricane Helene slammed into Asheville, North Carolina in September 2024, Stephen Yalof’s first concern was for the safety of the many employees of Tanger Outlets Asheville, as well as the broader Asheville community.
Century-Old Brooklyn Townhome Gets Reborn as a ‘Passive House’

2 weeks ago | mansionglobal.com | Michele Lerner

While the Carroll Gardens townhouse has good bones, it also had structural issues, including chunks of plaster falling from the walls and ceiling, Ingui said. “It was divided into a three or four family house with lots of damage over time, so we had to take it down to the studs to renovate,” Ingui said. “Since we had to open the walls anyway, it made sense to seal out the bugs, dust and noise.
Can Reforms Speed L.A.’s Permitting, Rebuilding, after the Fires?

2 weeks ago | urbanland.uli.org | Michele Lerner

January’s Eaton and Palisades wildfires damaged or destroyed more than 16,000 properties in Los Angeles, making recovery a daunting effort. Yet experts see a potential bright spot that could speed things along: reforms to L.A.’s infamously slow and disjointed permitting process. “I am establishing a self-certification program to reduce redundancy in the permitting process,” announced L.A.’s mayor, Karen Bass, in her State of the City address at City Hall on April 21, 2025.