If you've spent any time on real estate TikTok in the last few years, you've probably seen the house hacking pitch. Buy a property, rent part of it out, let your tenants cover the mortgage. Live for free. Build wealth while you sleep.

It sounds like the kind of thing that works great in a YouTube thumbnail and falls apart in real life. And honestly? Sometimes it does.

But here's what those videos usually get right even when they oversell the outcome: housing costs have outpaced wage growth by a wide margin, and for the right buyer, generating income from a property can make ownership viable when it otherwise wouldn't be. The strategy is real. The "living for free" part is just the clickbait version of it.

In 2026, the smarter question isn't

For a long time, multigenerational living had a reputation problem. It was the option families turned to when something had gone wrong - a job loss, a divorce, a health crisis. Moving back in with your parents, or having your parents move in with you, meant something hadn't worked out.

That story has changed pretty significantly.

Today, families are choosing this arrangement on purpose — not as a fallback, but as a deliberate decision to share costs, stay connected, and build something that actually works for how their lives are structured right now. According to NAR, 14% of buyers recently purchased a multigenerational home, and the year before that hit 17%. [1] These aren't people making the best of a bad situation. They're rethinking what

The playbook for selling a home has changed fast. Buyers have more options, more leverage, and they are using it. Active housing inventory rose more than 16% year-over-year in 2025 — one of the largest annual increases since the pandemic-era crunch.¹ At the same time, 62% of homebuyers in 2025 paid below the original list price, the highest share since 2019, with the average discount hitting 7.9%, the biggest in over a decade.²

What does that mean for sellers? It means the “list it, snap a few photos, and wait” era is over. Today’s buyer is more informed, more cautious, and more willing to walk away when something feels unclear, overpriced, or risky. The listings that win are not necessarily the biggest or the newest — they’re the ones that remove

The world of luxury real estate can be fascinating. In beautiful places like Boca Raton, Highland Beach, Delray Beach, Hillsboro Beach, and Gulf Stream, luxury homes and condos are in high demand. But why do some homes sell for millions while others do not? Let’s explore what makes a luxury home in these areas valuable.

---

## Why Are Some Luxury Homes So Expensive?

In Boca Raton and its nearby areas, the luxury real estate market is unique. The value of a luxury home or condo can depend on many things. The market is seeing some interesting trends, with prices rising in recent years.

Here are some key facts:

- Single-Family Homes: These homes have a median sales price of $2,192,500. This is up from $2 million the previous year. The market

Timing isn’t everything in real estate, but it can mean the difference between saving $20,000 or paying a premium, selling in 30 days or waiting three months, and negotiating from a position of strength or uncertainty.

As we look toward 2026, understanding seasonal patterns has become more critical than ever. With inventory levels normalizing and market conditions continuing to evolve, knowing when to make your move can dramatically impact your outcome. Whether you're a first-time buyer watching every dollar or a seller trying to maximize your profit, the season you choose matters.

The challenge? Not everyone can wait for the "perfect" time. Job relocations happen in January. A growing family needs more space in July. Retirement doesn’t wait for

For millions of homeowners, checking their Zillow Zestimate has become as routine as checking a stock portfolio—a quick hit of seeing your home's estimated value, right at your fingertips. With 178 million monthly users and over 100 million homes covered, the platform's instant, free, and convenient appeal is undeniable.

But here's a famous cautionary tale: Spencer Rascoff, Zillow's former CEO, sold his own home for a staggering 40% less than its Zestimate. This story highlights a critical fact that many homeowners don't realize: Zillow itself calls its Zestimate a "starting point... not an appraisal"1.

If the creator of the system can be off by that much, how accurate are online home valuations for the rest of us? Relying on an automated number

Real estate continues to dominate as America's favorite long-term investment strategy. For the 12th consecutive year, 37% of Americans consider real estate the top investment choice—nearly doubling stocks at just 16%.1 This isn't just sentiment; investors are putting their money where their beliefs are, purchasing 13% of all homes sold in 2024.2

The truth is, real estate offers unique advantages that traditional investments can't match. A rental property provides multiple income streams, delivering monthly rent payments while simultaneously building equity and appreciating in value. Plus, leverage amplifies returns: Even if you put down 20%, you’ll benefit from 100% of the property's appreciation gains. Tax advantages, such as depreciation and

Tax season. Just the words can send shivers down your spine.
But if you're a homeowner, there's a silver lining: potential savings! 

You’ve probably heard that you can deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage — but did you know there are many other ways homeowners can reduce their tax burden? Before you start your return, read this post for common home-related tax deductions, eligibility requirements, and tips on how to maximize your savings.

Home-Related Tax Savings: The Basics

Before we get into the details, it’s important to define some important terms to set the stage. 

Tax Deductions vs. Tax Credits

Most tax savings opportunities for homeowners come in the form of tax deductions. Deductions work by reducing your taxable income —

4 Home Remodeling Projects with the Highest ROI

Ask any homeowner about what they would like to change about their home, and most will say, “How much time do you have?".

Home improvements (cue Tim Allen on the TV show) or home remodeling projects can stem from a variety of motivations, like preparing your home to put on the market, adding space for a growing family, addressing outdated features or aesthetics, or fixing structural/functional issues with the home.

However, when it comes to home remodeling projects, too many people assume their project will proportionally increase the value of their home. Few actually consider the complete scope of return on investment (ROI), taking into account not only potential impact on resale value but also

Experts Predict Home Values to Increase 1.5% to 3.6% in 2025. Top housing experts and economists give a glimpse of what mortgage rates, home values and the national real estate market will do in 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Mortgages are forecasted to remain higher for longer; but there are things you can do to lower your rate.
• Home values are predicted to increase incrementally on a national level; and there are projects you can do to increase your home's value.
• The national market will slightly favor sellers in negotiations; however, real estate is driven by local dynamics and may favor either buyers or sellers.

Note: real estate is a dynamic market and forecasts made in this article will change as the year unfolds.

Mortgage Rates