Get consumer advice on product purchases, financial planning, recalls, scams, fraud and more. Take a look at our articles, blog posts, Q&As, videos and radio shows for consumer advice on a wide variety of topics.
Mortgage Delinquency is Down, Credit Delinquency is Up
Mortgage delinquency rates are down, credit delinquencies are up. CoreLogic reports 30-day-plus delinquency is the lowest it’s been in over a decade. It’s a good news, not-so-good news situation. First, the good news: More people are paying their mortgages on time. Unfortunately, credit delinquencies are up as more people are having trouble getting their [...]
5 Top Home Design Trends from Industry Insiders
5 top home design trends from industry insiders. Home design insights from the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the International Builder’s Show. A special report by John Burns Real Estate Consulting offers an insider’s look at the biggest home design trends from this year’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and the International Builders’ [...]
The Hottest Houseware Trends of 2019
These are the Hottest Houseware Trends of 2019 directly from the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago. Which ones will you take home? As we walked the halls of the 2019 International Home and Housewares Show at McCormick Place earlier this month, we were surprised by how much hasn’t changed. Yes, we know this [...]
(Un)Common Plumbing Problems in Your Condo
When it comes to common plumbing problems, here’s one you won’t see that often: a reader’s condo doesn’t have cold running water in the kitchen. How do you resolve this (un) common plumbing problem? It may not be that easy, and there’s a question about whether the seller knew there was a plumbing issue before [...]
Will My Home Warranty Cover Defective Smoke Detectors?
Will the home warranty company cover defective smoke detectors? You should call the home warranty company and ask but here are some other options to replace defective smoke detectors. Q: I bought a house last year and had it remodeled. I have a home warranty plan. The smoke detectors in my home were very old [...]
Home Improvement: What’s Most Valuable for Resale?
Home improvement: what’s most valuable for resale? Exterior renovations, like siding replacements, recoup a higher percentage of homeowner costs. Did our last post on kitchen trends get you thinking about renovation projects for your home? Homeowners who are planning to make home improvements this year will want to want to consider how much their investment [...]
Kitchen Renovation Trends: What You Need to Know
Kitchen renovation trends: what you need to know about high-tech upgrades, style and building materials when planning your kitchen renovations. Thinking about renovating your kitchen? You might want to pay attention to the latest kitchen renovation trends so that it’s easier to sell your home when the time comes. Homeowners today want high-tech upgrades, open-concept [...]
Buyers Remorse: Is It a Bargain or a Bad Idea?
Buyer’s Remorse: Is it a bargain or a bad idea? Sponsored posts from influencers and ads in social media streams motivate Americans to buy into the hype. It’s the time of year when cash and credit fly around freely. But, it’s also the season of buyers remorse. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that [...]
Is Black Friday Shopping Worth It?
Is Black Friday shopping worth it this year? Your Thanksgiving night might be better spent with loved ones thanks to Cyber Monday, pre-holiday sales and post-holiday extended sales. Between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday, U.S. consumers will spend well over $20 billion, predicted by Adobe Analytics in their holiday sales forecast. That makes up a huge [...]
How to Save Money on Holiday Travel
How can you save money on holiday travel? Strategic planning can spare you from financial stress over the holiday season. A vast number of Americans will travel this upcoming holiday season, if last year’s number of holiday travelers are any indication. In 2017, a record 107 million Americans left their homes to travel over the [...]