Every day I ask myself, how did I go from a successful divorce lawyer to knowing 80 varieties of palm trees? If you had told me four years ago that I would be quitting a 12-year career as a lawyer to install and design gardens, I would have laughed.
Architect-turned-interior designer Anh Ly, founder and CEO of Mim Concept, explains why the color surged in the first place: "Butter yellow had a magic moment because it felt optimistic and comforting, especially during a time when people were craving warmth at home." Now, that emotional pull is also what's working against it. "It fell short on resale since it's a very emotion-specific color. Buyers tend to see it as personal rather than neutral, which makes it harder for them to imagine themselves in the space," Ly adds.
If you dream of sunrise hikes and coastal drives, Maine could be your ideal home. Nicknamed "Vacationland," the state draws in visitors with its lighthouse-lined shores, working harbors, and 3,400 miles of tidal shoreline. It stands out with its small-town charm, protected wilderness, and revitalized historic mill communities. With holiday celebrations that feel like they belong in a Hallmark movie, it's clear why so many people choose to move here.
For a state where folks are supposedly fleeing, Californians keep their homes for a long time. My trusty spreadsheet peeked at one yardstick of longevity: Attom's study on the average length of ownership for home sellers across the 50 states and the District of Columbia in the third quarter of 2025. This year's California sellers owned their homes for 11.2 years, the third-longest nationwide, and almost 3 years longer than the 8.4 years nationwide. Remember, California's stagnant population is not about people leaving for other states. It's largely due to woefully few Americans moving to the Golden State.
WaterSense fixtures which reduce water use by at least 20% were the fastest-rising feature in 2025, appearing 289.6% more often in listing descriptions than a year earlier. Homes with these fixtures had a median listing price of about $628,000. We're seeing homeowners prioritize features that make their properties more efficient, resilient and self-sustaining, said Anthony Smith, senior economist at Realtor.com.
James Guimaraes was on mile seven of his last training run for the New York City Marathon when he got sucked into a bidding war. The Corcoran broker's clients had an offer in on something, and it was the sellers' agent calling: Was there any way to up the bid? Guimaraes spent the next four miles of his run trading off on calls between his clients and the other agent.
They were a frequent fixture of the residential homes he designed, sometimes placing even three or four fireplaces within a single home. As Wright once said, "the hearth is the psychological center of the home," knowing that it was a place where people naturally gathered around and psyches could be comforted and uplifted.
The real estate industry is changing faster than ever, fueled by innovation, rising consumer demands and fluctuating market conditions, said Toby Schifsky, vice president of Kaplan Real Estate Education. Kaplan's inaugural Real Estate Survey of Trends shows that success today requires more than passing exams it demands continuous learning, market expertise, and strong client skills. We're committed to giving agents the tools and training to leverage AI, generate leads, and thrive, helping them turn industry change into opportunity and sustainable career growth.
From January to June 2025, Kenosha listings drew 2.9 times more views per property than the typical U.S. listing and sold in a median of 29 days. The median listing price came in at $321,000, well below the national median of $440,000, underscoring why this Midwestern hub has become a magnet for value-driven buyers.
