By Cicely Wedgeworth | Nov 30, 2016 We won’t pretend to know everything that 2017 will bring—heck, 2016 sure surprised us—but we’re pretty certain there will be changes. A lot of them. And while the surprise triumph of Donald Trump in the presidential election won’t alter the fundamentals shaping the 2017 real estate market, its impact is already being felt. We’ve seen interest rates jump since the election, a movement that’s likely to affect the youngest generation of home buyers. Just like last year, realtor.com®‘s economic data team analyzed our market data and economic indicators to come up with a picture of the key housing trends for 2017. As we prepare to bid farewell to 2016, it looks like we’ll be saying goodbye to the last of the record-low interest rates of the past few years, too. Interest rates have shot up 40 basis points, or 0.4 percentage points, since Trump’s election. And that’s significant, especially for first-time home buyers, including many millennials. “With more than 95% of first-time home buyers dependent on financing their home purchase, and a majority of first-time buyers reporting one or more financial challenges, the uptick we’ve already seen may price some first-timers out of the market,” says Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke, who worked on the realtor.com 2017 housing forecast.According to the forecast, the 2017 national real estate market is predicted to slow compared with the past two years, across the majority of economic indicators studied.  But maybe “slowdown” isn’t quite the right description. “I would characterize our 2017 forecast as a moderation, as opposed to a slowdown,” says Smoke. “The pace of growth is still strong and, for pricing, still represents an above-average level of appreciation.” Smoke says we’re mostly reverting to normal prices, after years of appreciation as the housing market recovered from its 2008 crash. Recovery is good, but the flip side is that pricing is tougher for consumers, Smoke points out. “Throw in higher mortgage rates, and it becomes more challenging to be able to afford homes compared to what it was over the course of this recovery,” he says. Here are some of the key predictions for 2017: 1. Millennials and boomers will move markets In 2017, the U.S. real estate market will be in the middle of two massive demographic waves that will power demand for at least the next 10 years.Millennials and baby boomers, the two largest American generations in history, are both approaching life stages that typically motivate people to buy a home: marriage, having children, retirement, and becoming empty nesters.Smoke predicts that millennials will make up 33% of buyers in 2017, lower than his original estimate due to those increasing interest rates. 2. Millennials will look to the Midwest While...

By Jennifer Geddes | Nov 30, 2016 Odds are you’ve made the rounds to plenty of people’s homes for parties, be it for a housewarming, the holidays, or other event. And, as you should know by now, a prime way to work your way into the party host’s good graces is to bring a little housewarming gift. Only what? Allow me to fill you in. When it comes to parties, you name it, I’ve hosted it. Super Bowl? Every year, without fail. Triple Crown race? Twice, in fact, for 30 people each. New Year’s Day soirees, spring fling cocktail parties, Thanksgiving for 24 (two turkeys, seven pies), and even a Kentucky Derby/Cinco de Mayo combo. As a result, I’m an expert in hostess gifts. From the good and the bad to the downright ugly, I’ve gotten it all and I’m here to say: No one wants your cast-off bottle of chardonnay. Same goes for that rancid candle in a jar. Instead, do the right thing and offer up something your hostess reallywants. Here are eight perfect picks that are all but guaranteed to result in a return invitation. Breakfast the next day It sounds obvious, but almost no one offers up this godsend: After a late night of wiping up spills, doing mountains of dishes, and putting away every piece of glassware I own, I’m exhausted. The next day, all I want is to sleep in and enjoy a ready-to-go meal. It doesn’t have to be homemade jam or granola (though both are excellent choices). Instead, a yummy loaf to slice and slather with butter is ideal, especially if it’s an almond stollen from Red Truck Rural Bakery ($31). New dish towels I use at least two or three every day, which means after a few months they end up looking stained and frayed and downright nasty. A guest who brings a pretty tea towel or dishcloth gets extra meatballs and the top-shelf bourbon in her Old-Fashioned. I literally leap for joy when I see this gift coming. These beauties from CypressInk ($10 each) are a good place to start. (I love the jellyfish and the octopus!) These towels are hand-printed with eco-friendly ink on soft cotton Cypressink.com Something personalized My husband loathes fancy cursive monograms, but he’ll live with personalization at home if it’s a very simple version. Coasters or cocktail napkins with the host’s last initial are very welcome. Even better is this useful and unusual gift ribbon from Namemaker ($21) for the endless holiday wrapping that’s coming up. Personalized ribbon is also a two-fer, eliminating the need for a name tag. Personalized ribbon is cute and useful.  Namemaker.com Candles I don’t mean boring white tapers or those 100-pack votives, though I do stock a cabinet full of each. Instead, seek out something really beautiful—maybe one...

By Kimberly Dawn Neumann | Nov 30, 2016 The holidays are fun for sure, but they’re also a huge drain of cash—so if buying gifts has depleted your bank account, there may not be much left over for a huge Christmas tree or major light show out front. But hey, no one said holiday decorations need to cost an arm and a kidney. Just check out these cheap Christmas decorations for the home that cost under $5—or, better yet, nothing at all! Bonus: They’re not only easy on your wallet but on your time, too, so you aren’t running around like mad trying to pretty your place up. “When the holidays sneak up on you, decorating can seem overwhelming—like another expense and mandatory project instead of fun,” says Angela DeYoung, founder of Designs by DeYoung. “The good news is that there are lots of ways you can repurpose or ‘dress up’ things you already own to make your home seem seasonal without spending a fortune. A little creativity goes a long way!” With that in mind, here are some budget-but-still-beautiful tips from top designers to bring some holiday cheer to your house. Frame a festive card “When you receive a card that has special meaning to you, or an especially beautiful image, trim it to fit inside a standard-size frame and use it as tabletop decor,” suggests Jill Hosking-Cartland, owner and principal designer for Hosking Interiors. “Shop the existing frames in your home before purchasing a new one. Changing out photography or art in existing frames is a great way to get a fresh look without spending a thing.” Borrow from your yard For holiday decor, “don’t overlook the most budget-friendly decor source there is: your backyard,” says Hosking-Cartland. “Clip green branches from a tree or large bush, place in a pretty vase or garden urn you already own, and add color and texture with faux or real berries or other natural material.”   Also, DeYoung suggests a bowl or arrangement of pine cones. For a little more flair, top it off with an ornament. Pin a little costume jewelry to a stocking for extra pizzazz. Nothing says “the holidays” like a bit of sparkle, and what better way to use your glittery jewelry collection than to deck out your home? “Up-cycle vintage jewelry for some added bling to fur stockings and other household items,” suggests DeYoung. Try draping sparkly necklaces around vases, pinning brooches to pillows, or hanging crystal bracelets where the light will catch them. Cost is free if you own the jewelry already; if not, check out places like Claire’s or Michaels for inexpensive accessories. Tie it up with a bow Packages shouldn’t be the only thing tied up this holiday! Adding big, beautiful...