Home designers and builders speaking at the recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas say that buyers are seeking cost-effective features and rejecting things that don’t have lasting value.

“It's all about family togetherness – casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces," says Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design …

RISMEDIA, February 6, 2010—(MCT)—If you have a good job and good credit, the next few months might be a good time to go house hunting. Fence-sitters take the risk that Congress may let a rich tax credit expire, and that interest rates may rise. Buyers and sellers should …

Now is the time for home owners contemplating a spring sale to spruce up their properties in anticipation of what Mike Larson of Weiss Research calls a potentially vibrant home-selling season.

"If you have been beating your head against a wall, this is going to feel a lot better,” …

Existing-home sales fell as expected in December after first-time buyers rushed to complete deals during the months leading up to the original November deadline for the tax credit. However, prices rose from December 2008 and annual sales improved in 2009, according to the National Association of REALTORS^®.

Existing-home sales …

You can't always avoid stress, but it is possible to avoid a complete meltdown when stressful situations arise. We asked women on the iVillage message boards their best strategies for defusing difficult situations and staying calm. Some of our favorite responses:

1. Breathe deep. Just sit still for a …

Courtesy of Carra Riley; of Carra Rielly, Inc. Real Estate

There are four varibles that sell a house.

1.  Price

2.  Terms

3.  Condition

4.  Location

All four of the variables go together to create the "perfect sale."  Each aspect must be taken into consideration if …