The Project 305

The Features Turning Homes Into Must-Haves Features like quartzite counters, outdoor showers and fireplaces are drawing higher sale prices as buyers look for homes that feel updated and comfortable. NEW YORK – Home buyers appear willing to pay more for features that combine practicality with comfort and a sense of everyday luxury. “The h...

Inside the Mortgage Approval Process Lenders review income, savings, property value and credit to gauge risk. Knowing these can help buyers prepare before applying. NEW YORK – Qualifying for a mortgage can be intimidating. By learning what lenders assess when deciding whether to offer a loan, you can take actionable steps now toward ...

Builders Grow Cautious as Costs Climb Higher material and energy costs are slowing momentum. In the South, including Florida, conditions held steady as incentives remain widely used. WASHINGTON – Builder sentiment fell sharply in April, but conditions in the South, including Florida, held steady even as higher interest rates, rising m...

All the Single Ladies? They’re Homeowners Single women now own far more homes than single men and lead in most U.S. metros, including fast-growing Florida markets where prices better match single incomes. NEW YORK — Single women continue to outpace single men in homeownership, even though they typically earn less and spend a larger share ...

How Deck Problems Can Reshape a Sale What looks like a minor deck issue can turn into an expensive project, with hidden structural problems, labor and materials quickly driving up costs. NEW YORK – This column is about home improvement, specifically wooden decks. It is also a reminder, and perhaps a wake-up call, to homeowners and bu...