A seemingly inconspicuous home in Bristow, VA, with a bizarre basement captured everyone’s attention, making it this week’s most popular listing on Realtor.com®.
From a “Where the Wild Things Are”–designed kid’s bedroom to a possibly “Ghostbusters”-inspired basement, the theme is certainly the brainchild of the home seller’s imagination. The 3,013-square-foot home boasts a mostly traditional design—until you head to the basement. That’s when things get very weird.
Other real estate offerings that made the popularity list include a magnificent Georgia estate featuring every luxury imaginable, a Florida mansion looking to set a record, and a California beauty where Stevie Wonder once lived.
For a full look at this week’s 10 most popular homes, keep on scrolling.
Price: $2,100,000 Why it’s here: This French-inspired chateau features a barrel-vaulted orangerie.
Originally designed to house fruit trees in the winter from the 17th to 19th centuries, this orangerie with its barrel-vaulted ceiling, brick floors, and seven pairs of French doors was simply designed to capture the picturesque backyard views.
Built in 1973, the three-bedroom, 4,726-square-foot home features a modernized chef’s kitchen, a library with built-ins, and three fireplaces. The living room boasts antique French corner cupboards.
The 6-acre parcel includes a guest cottage and gardens reminiscent of Versailles.
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Price: $169,000 Why it’s here: Built in 1800, this antique barn features two silos and an original milk house. It’s being sold as is.
The 1-acre property is dotted with pine, walnut, chestnut, and fruit trees. An additional 1.6 acres is also available for purchase.
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Price: $1,295,000 Why it’s here: This magnificent home comes with a front-row view of Pike Lake.
Built in 1969 atop a hill, the four-bedroom house features a vaulted tongue-and-groove ceiling and hardwood floors throughout 4,226 square feet of living space.
The living room boasts a gorgeous stone fireplace and lots of windows. There are three bedrooms on the main level and one downstairs. The lower level also includes a family room with a wood-burning fireplace.
A dock and boatlift come with the property, which is already pending sale.
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Price: $239,000 Why it’s here: This adorable and affordable abode has been entirely modernized on the inside.
Built in 1980, the three-bedroom farmhouse offers 1,813 square feet of living space. The open floor plan boasts an enormous, front-to-back living room with a gas fireplace and a kitchen with custom cabinetry and granite countertops. The primary suite upstairs comes with a sitting area, and a loft space would be ideal for a home office.
There is a raised slab off the back porch with gas and water hookups.
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Price: $1,300,000 Why it’s here: From barrel-vaulted ceilings to a built-in bed, this magnificent estate features every luxury imaginable.
The five-bedroom home sits on 7 private acres. It was built in 2020 and boasts 6,821 square feet of living space. From the reading room with a built-in bookcase to a dog washing room, every member of the family was thought of when constructing this home. An extraordinary chef’s kitchen boasts a wood-beam ceiling, custom light fixtures, high-end appliances, and an oversized island.
The first-floor primary suite is surrounded by windows and features a glass-enclosed shower, two vanities, and a soaking tub. The lower-level entertainment area has a roll-up garage door that leads to a wet bar.
The professionally landscaped property also boasts a six-car garage, an apartment loft, and a pool with a spa.
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Price: $1,652,000 Why it’s here: The historic Creole cottage was originally built circa 1798 as a neighborhood kitchen and bakery. (Gen. Andrew Jackson was believed to have eaten here in 1815.) It later became the home of Beat Generation writer William Burroughs, according to the listing.
The 2,800-square-foot, three-bedroom floor plan features original transoms, baseboards, hardware, and doors. An updated kitchen offers stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops. The library features built-in, floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Primary suites can be found on both levels.
The property also claims to contain “one of the largest gas-lit, private, bricked courtyards in the Quarter,” according to the listing.
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Price: $59,900,000 Why it’s here: This spectacular, waterfront estate could set a sale record in Delray Beach if the sellers get anywhere close to their asking price.
Built in 2008, the 19,055-square-foot mansion features nine bedrooms and 17 bathrooms. The palazzo-inspired design features custom finishes, built-in bookcases, and a marble fireplace.
Designing the estate was a labor of love for homeowner Massimo Musa, who flew artists in from Florence, imported limestone from Mexico, and sourced other products from South America, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The 1.5-acre lot also boasts fountains, an oceanfront pool and spa, and a covered loggia with an outdoor kitchen. There is also a carriage house for guests.
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Price: $299,000 Why it’s here: Who needs house guests when your house is decked out with dolls?
Dolls adorn the shelves and line the stairs. There’s even a life-size statue of Elvis, and one of the three bedrooms is designed in his honor. Another is overflowing with dolls lined along the walls, crowded in cribs, and tucked away in a scary bassinet centerpiece.
Seemingly, every inch of the 2,832-square-foot home is staged with toys.
If you dare to go downstairs, there’s another doll on a riding horse. The creep factor notwithstanding, the doll-filled house has already attracted one buyer and is pending sale.
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Price: $10,999,999 Why it’s here: Stevie Wonder once lived in this Hollywood Regency estate. The legendary singer-songwriter is said to have leased the home from 2011 to 2015.
Located in the Trousdale Estates neighborhood, the 6,217-square-foot spread features a grand foyer with a soaring ceiling. There are four bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
The residence was built in 1970 and has since been updated. A chef’s kitchen serves up high-end appliances and an enormous center island.
The property also comes with a four-car garage, a home gym, a pool, and a covered loggia.
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Price: $699,900 Why it’s here: While the exterior might appear traditional, the basement is anything but.
Built in 2015, this four-bedroom home comes with many amenities, including a spacious kitchen with a granite countertop and a center island and a family room with an exposed-brick accent wall. But wait until you venture downstairs.
The finished basement features a hidden room complete with a creepy, blood-red floor and black brick walls.
“Truly a unique feature you won’t find anywhere else, and you’ll have to see to believe,” the listing states.
The corner lot also features an oversized garage and stamped concrete patio. All this and a recent price reduction could perhaps tempt a brave buyer.
Marking the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking book, Fear of Flying, novelist Erica Jong has plenty of things to celebrate.
With a lucrative five-decade career in the span of which she published 25 books, a loving, close-knit family that visits often, and an unforgettable novel that secured her a mention in history books, Erica Jong is now actively documenting her well-lived life in a biography that we can’t wait to get our hands on.
Until that one hits the shelves, we’ll peer into another aspect of the celebrated novelist’s life: her longtime New York City apartment, which recently hit the market for $4,250,000 (Maria Daou of Coldwell Banker Warburg holds the listing).
Set on the 27th floor of the highly coveted Imperial House — a white-glove co-op in the heart of the Upper East Side designed by Emory Roth & Sons — the generously sized 3,000-square-foot apartment comes with panoramic views of the city skyline to the west, north, and south.
Unsurprisingly, the novelist’s home is filled with books, with the living room and library both boasting floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that house Jong’s impressive book collection.
The 3,000-square-foot apartment, which we also got a chance to see last year when Jong invited The New York Times inside for an intimate feature into the author’s home life, has 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths.
According to our sources, Erica and her husband, Kenneth David Burrows, have been calling the apartment home since 1990, when they bought it for $1.494 million.
SEE ALSO: Stephen King’s House is the Beating Heart of Bangor, Maine
The Imperial House unit comes with a functional kitchen equipped with stainless countertops and appliances, ample storage, an extra pantry, a walk-in closet, and a small office nook.
But what caught our eye is the enclosed solarium, rightfully touted as a “serene space where you can relax and soak in the sweeping vistas of Central Park and the vibrant city skyline,” per the listing.
SEE ALSO: Mark Twain’s houses: From his Connecticut mansions to the NY brownstone known as ‘The House of Death’
The primary bedroom, with its generous size and southern exposure, includes an en-suite bath and provides excellent closet space. The second bedroom is equally spacious, accommodating a king-size bed, a walk-in closet, and an adjacent bathroom.
But the list of perks extends beyond the doors of the celebrated author’s apartment.
The Imperial House co-op offers its residents quite a few fantastic amenities and services, including concierge service, full-time doorman and elevator operators, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a yoga studio, a game room, and tailor/dressmaker services on-site.
More stories you might like
‘The Martian’ author Andy Weir lists ‘Home Alone’ lookalike houseWhy Stephen King’s House is the Beating Heart of Bangor, Maine Mark Twain’s houses: From his Connecticut mansions to the NY brownstone known as ‘The House of Death’ ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ author Robert Kiyosaki selling oceanfront home in Hawaii for $7.35M
The bond market is increasingly resigned to the fairly boring task of waiting to find out whether bulls or bears will be victorious in the battle over the nest big dose of directional momentum. In other words, rates have been range-bound and they’re ready to go higher or lower depending on the balance of economic data in the coming weeks and months. Indeed, it could take months for this case to be closed. In the meantime, we can only hurry up and wait while periodic flashpoints such as last week’s CPI or Tuesday’s Retail Sales make for small scale volatility inside the confines of a sideways range.
NY Fed Manufacturing
-31.8 vs -18.0 f’cast, +10.8 prev
08:42 AM
Weaker overnight but recovering a bit after NY Fed data. 10yr up roughly 1bp at 3.472. MBS down 3 ticks (.09).
12:28 PM
10yr grinding against ceiling, up 4.6bps at 3.509. MBS down just over an eighth (.16). No obvious themes emerging yet.
03:42 PM
Super sideways all day. 10yr finding some support at 3.51%, currently up 3.1bps on the day at 3.494. MBS are down an eighth of a point.
Download our mobile app to get alerts for MBS Commentary and streaming MBS and Treasury prices.
Today we’ll review East Coast based mortgage broker “Silver Fin Capital,” which says it’s the #1 rated certified lender in New York based on LendingTree reviews.
The company has also been ranked the #1 lender across LendingTree’s nationwide network four times since inception in 2005, and landed in the top-10 rankings eight times.
Additionally, they pride themselves on never having a complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau, while maintaining an A+ rating.
So clearly they’re making their customers happy and striving for perfection when it comes to customer satisfaction, which is a big plus.
Assuming they also offer low mortgage rates with limited fees, they could be a good choice if you need a mortgage on the East Coast.
Let’s discover more about them.
Silver Fin Capital Fast Facts
Mortgage broker that offers home purchase loans and refinances
Founded in 2005, headquartered in Great Neck, NY
Has 60+ wholesale lender partners in its network to choose from
Currently licensed to do business in Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, and New York
A LendingTree Certified Lender for the year 2021
Pride themselves on having zero complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
As noted, Silver Fin Capital is a mortgage broker, which means they connect homeowners with their wholesale lender partners.
This allows them to shop your loan scenario and mortgage rate with a variety of their partners all at once to land you the best possible rate with the fewest fees.
At last glance, the company said it had more than 60 wholesale lender partners in its network, meaning they should have lots of options to both shop your rate and find a suitable loan program.
The company got its start back in 2005, and is headquartered in Great Neck, New York.
They are currently licensed to do business in just four states, including Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, and New York.
Aside from their flawless BBB rating, they are also a LendingTree Certified Lender.
This means they’ve demonstrated a commitment to employee development with at least half of their loan originators certified (while also earning high marks from LendingTree customers).
How to Apply for a Home Loan with Silver Fin Capital
First call them up or fill out a short contact form on their website
A loan originator will then discuss loan options and rates with you
They offer secure document uploading to speed up the loan process
Unclear if they offer a fully digital mortgage application or eClose options
To begin, you can either call Silver Fin Capital up directly or fill out a short contact form on their website.
If you go the online route, a licensed mortgage loan originator will promptly contact you to discuss loan options and provide a personalized rate quote.
Once you speak with a loan officer and intend to move forward, you can proceed to filling out the mortgage application.
It’s unclear if they offer a fully digital application, but my assumption is you’ll be able to complete most tasks electronically, whether it’s eSigning documents or uploading documents.
They do have a page dedicated to secure document upload, so once you are approved, you’ll easily be able to share files to satisfy any outstanding loan conditions.
Based on their stellar customer satisfaction ratings, Silver Fin Capital probably makes it super easy to apply for and manage your home loan from start to finish.
Loan Programs Available at Silver Fin Capital
Home purchase loans
Refinance loans: rate and term, cash out, and streamline options
Home renovation loans
Conventional loans
Jumbo loans
FHA loans
VA loans
Reverse mortgages
Interest-only home loans
Fixed-rate options: 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years
Adjustable-rate options: 3, 5, 7 or 10 years
One plus to using Silver Fin Capital is their extensive product menu. This is a benefit to using a mortgage broker, as they have not one lending menu, but dozens.
In fact, they say they’ve got 60+ lender partners to choose from, meaning you should be able to get your hands on just about any type of home loan that exists, regardless of your property type.
They should have you covered whether it’s a home purchase, mortgage refinance, renovation loan, or even a reverse mortgage.
You’ll also be able to get anything from a conventional loan to a government-backed loan (FHA or VA) to a jumbo or interest-only mortgage.
The one major loan type they might not have is USDA loans, which are reserved for borrowers in rural areas.
In terms of specific loan programs, they offer both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages in a large variety of loan terms.
You shouldn’t face too many restrictions in this department, and brokers also tend to be good at funding difficult scenarios, whether you’re self-employed or experienced a recent credit event.
Silver Fin Capital Mortgage Rates
While Silver Fin Capital doesn’t advertise its mortgage rates on its website, they will have numerous options for you to choose from due to their many wholesale lender partners.
Instead of showing you rates from just one company, they have the ability to shop your rate with dozens of lenders simultaneously to find you the best combination of rate and fee.
They also say they structure most loans where the lender pays them directly, meaning you won’t have to pay anything out-of-pocket if that’s your wish.
But even though they’re a broker who can shop on your behalf, it’s still recommended to compare two or three brokers to see what they can offer.
It might be possible to find better pricing, or negotiate more effectively if you can pit two brokers against one another.
Silver Fin Capital Reviews
On LendingTree, they have a perfect 5.0 rating from 700+ customer reviews, along with a 99% recommendation rate.
The company is also one of just eight Certified Lenders on the LendingTree platform for the year 2021.
Over at Zillow, they’ve got a similarly stellar 4.95-star rating out of a possible five from 120+ reviews, with a good chunk of them saying the interest rate received was lower than expected.
Additionally, they’ve got a 5-star rating on Google from about 125 customer reviews, which tells us they’re consistent in the customer satisfaction department.
Lastly, they are an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and currently have an ‘A+’ rating based on complaint history.
And as mentioned, they’ve never had a complaint filed against them with the BBB.
In summary, Silver Fin Capital could be a good choice for both home buyers and those looking to refinance, who prefer a more hands-on approach from a broker.
Their ability to shop rates on your behalf is also a plus if you’re not one to put in the time yourself.
Silver Fin Capital Pros and Cons
The Good
Offer a simplified and streamlined mortgage loan process
Can shop your mortgage rate with dozens of lenders all at once
Lots of loan programs to choose from thanks to their many lender partners
Excellent reviews from past customers across all ratings sites
A+ BBB rating, accredited business (with no complaints filed)
Mortgage glossary and mortgage calculators on their website
It’s getting pretty exciting on Allen Street lately, with the new streetscape, a number of new businesses popping up and on the way, and now we have a home store!
Roaring Spring Home has softly opened at 19 Allen Street right next door to Petal Pusher and across the street from the recently opened ‘26‘ (formerly Cathode Ray).
Store owner, Lydia Beebe Safulko, had been collecting vintage furniture and home decor for years and enjoyed it so much that she eventually decided to make a living out of it. Safulko initially established herself in a formal business setting at Hiraeth House (501 Delaware – a co-op of micro businesses). When 19 Allen Street recently became available, Lydia jumped on it.
“I love the vibes over here, it’s a fun part of the city,” she exclaimed.
And we are happy to have you!
Inside the shop, customers will find vintage pieces such as chairs, tables, lamps, artwork, and glassware, mixed in with some modern touches like the locally made vintage vessel candles. The space is nicely put together, welcoming and bright. Roaring Spring Home is an amazing addition to the growing retail scene in the neighborhood, and a great place for the residents (such as myself) looking for some unique goods to outfit our homes.
Seeing Safulko grow her business from an incubator location to a full-fledge business on Allen is an inspirational success story. Plus, having a home store on the street is exactly the sort of business we were hoping for.
There’s a lot of synergy and camaraderie in Allentown at the moment, and it’s only getting better with each new business that opens. It’s always important to have a solid mix of shopping and dining offerings too. Thankfully, this new blend of businesses means that more people will be frequenting the district this summer, and all year round for that matter. The more walkable the street, the better it is for everyone – business owners and residents.
Roaring Spring Home’s Grand Opening Day Celebration is Thursday, June 8, from 5-8pm. The event will feature numerous local artists displaying their works. Safulko will also take part in future First Friday Gallery Walks, with rotating artists from the area.
I get sick when I think about that day and the mistake that cost me $5,000.
I compare it to something in between smashing my thumb with a hammer to breaking your mother’s most beloved piece of China.
It is something that makes me sick just reliving it.
I actually just puked in my mouth a little bit. <ugh….>
I had been a financial advisor for almost four years so I should’ve known better.
But thanks to a lot of greed and even more ignorance, I got my rear handed to me on a silver platter.
The Temptation
I was meeting with a client who was telling me the story about their daughter’s boyfriend whose dad worked for some mining company.
[Do you see how bad this starts off? I usually make fun of people that will even entertain stories like this. And here I was caught up in the moment. Back to the story…]
The client was telling me how this company had just signed some new deals and since it was a penny stock, otherwise known as an OTC or over-the-counter thinly traded security, there wasn’t a lot of news about it. His theory was that this penny stock could soar pretty quickly.
[Don’t you like how I’m getting advice from my client who really knows nothing about investing. And I’m really considering taking his advice about what the next stock is I’m going to buy? This has “epic fail” written all over it. ]
I had some cash in my investment account (lucky me!) so I thought I might as well give it a shot.
[Seriously, that was my logic: “might as well give it a shot”. I should have hired one of these advisors to punch me in the face.]
I proceeded to place a trade to buy a certain number of shares of this stock that was going to make me millions.
[Hah. Not even close buddy. Not by a long shot.]
Buying an OTC Stock – Woops
When buying an over-the-counter stock, otherwise known as a penny stock, you must be sure to protect yourself and make sure that when you place an order to buy or sell, that you put a specific price on it. I unfortunately put an order in to buy “at market”.
Translating, that means that I put an open order to buy whatever a price that someone is going to sell it to me for. If you think about it in Ebay terms, instead of bidding on the price, I elected to “Buy Now” and the seller could increase the price if they so choose.
In larger stocks that are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ, that’s typically not an issue because the market will keep that price in check. In the over-the-counter market, it’s a different story. An entirely different story.
The Wild, Wild West
You can think of the OTC market like the Wild, Wild West of trading. Just because the stock is trading at $0.90 doesn’t mean that you’ll buy or sell those shares at $.90.
If I put a buy order in “at market”, that price could shoot up to $1.90, $3.00; whatever their price might be. Essentially that’s what happened in my case.
I had put in an order to buy say 2,500 shares (I don’t remember the exact number) and a few 100 of the shares executed at what I thought was the market price. But I quickly and expensively learned that a lot of them issued at a price double of what I intended to buy it for.
To make matters worse, after the trade settled, the prices were displaying what I thought I was paying for it in the beginning. To summarize:
I submitted a buy order for 2500 shares of a penny stock “at market” and thought I was buying it for $.90.
I bought a few hundred shares at $.90 but most executed at least 2 if not 3 times that. That means I made an investment of $5,000 instead of what I thought was going to be $2,250.
After the trade settled, the price reverted back to the original price of $.90. If I sold it that day I would take an immediate huge loss.
If I’m doing a bad job of explaining how the system works, it’s a further demonstration of why I have no business buying penny stocks. Chances are if you’re reading this, you fit that description, too, so let’s reflect of how I screwed up royally.
Don’t Do as I Do, But Do as I Say
Before you start trying to make yourself believe that you can make millions off buying penny stocks, take note of how I screwed up and I let my over-confidence and flat out ignorance get the best of me.
I listened to advice from someone I had no business getting advice from. My client knew nothing about the stock, knew nothing about the company, other than what his daughter’s boyfriend had told him. Whenever you’re getting investment advice from someone, make sure you consider the source.
I had no idea how the over-the-counter market works. This system works nothing like logging into my TD Ameritrade account and picking up a stock on the NY exchange. It’s more like traveling to Spain, going to a flea market, and trying to bargain with a vendor even though I don’t speak the language. Chances are I’m going to be screwed just like I was in this situation.
Greed is not always good. I don’t care what Gordon Gekko says, I was doing just fine making a decent return on my boring mutual funds but the chance of quadrupling my money in a short amount of time got the best of me.
That was the last penny stock that I’ve ever bought and will ever buy again. I don’t care if my best friend’s uncle’s seamstress knows a guy that has an insider at some other company. Never again…
Have you invested money into something that you didn’t understand?
A 1970 home known as Birchwood is a modern marvel that sits between a 500-acre park and the Hudson River in New York.
The asymmetrical, 3,600-square-foot house is wedged into a wooded mountainside. It has had no fewer than three architects working on it over the years. It’s fully restored and available for $1,850.000. The home last changed hands in 2015 for $1,350,000.
“Each put their stamp on the house,” says listing agent Richard Ellis. “In particular, the first and last architect really made it what it is today.”
Birchwood
(Realtor.com)
Architectural elements
The original architect was Charles Winter, known for building geometric homes in natural settings. The Nyack, NY, home’s open-concept layout and the way the design flows across the dwelling’s many levels are staples of Winter’s style.
In the 1980s, the second architect added more natural elements to house, including hard surfaces in a variety of wood finishes such as bamboo, teak, white oak, and tree bark. Industrial elements of stone, concrete, steel, and stainless steel are found in the kitchen and luxe baths.
The third and final architect, Dominick Pillar, worked with the owners to renovate and prepare the three-bedroom, two-bath house for sale.
Living room
(Realtor.com)
Lofted sitting area
(Realtor.com)
Dining room
(Realtor.com)
Kitchen
(Realtor.com)
Bedroom
(Realtor.com)
Bath
(Realtor.com)
One of the first things you notice when walking through the front doors is the view—mountain and river vistas from each window.
The third-acre lot also offers a private garden with custom stonework and four spacious, sunny decks.
The layout has a great room with a wood-burning fireplace, multiple sitting areas, a formal dining space, a casual dining area, and an outdoor dining deck.
Other features include a two-car garage, gym, and an office.
The owners recently updated the exterior to include an enlarged driveway and parking area; a bluestone knee wall; and a snow-activated, heated driveway.
“The riverfront villages of Nyack and Piermont, with gourmet restaurants and plenty of shops, are within a five-minute drive of the property,” notes Ellis.
The home’s Lower Hudson Valley locale is just 35 minutes from New York City.
A New England Colonial built in 1640 in Ipswich, MA, is the oldest home on the market this week on Realtor.com®.
Five fireplaces, wide-plank flooring, and exposed-beam ceilings can be found throughout the 3,672 square feet of living space. It also includes a two-story, rear addition.
Other historic residences to hit the market this week include a stone farmhouse on 33 acres in Pennsylvania, an affordable Cape Cod–style home in Connecticut, and an iconic property in South Carolina.
Scroll down for a full look at this week’s 10 oldest homes.
Price: $1,250,000 Year built: 1640 Preston-Foster House: This charming First Period Colonial sits along the banks of the Ipswich River.
The five-bedroom abode has been home to children’s book illustrator Ed Emberley and his wife, Barbara Emberley, for more than 60 years. While it has been updated over time, the owners took great care to thoughtfully preserve much of its historic architecture. A first-floor primary suite was recently constructed.
Located just minutes from Town Wharf, the property also boasts professionally designed and maintained gardens.
Ipswich, MA
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Price: $1,100,000 Year built: 1696 Titus House: This five-bedroom, 3,670-square-foot dwelling features restored hardwood flooring, exposed-beam ceilings, three fireplaces, and many built-in bookcases.
The country kitchen includes a casual dining area that overlooks the private backyard. The formal dining room features a fireplace with a decorative mantel.
There is a spacious brick patio out back to take in views of the 1.5-acre lot, which also features a pool and pool house.
Westbury, NY
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Price: $7,950,000 Year built: 1704 Finale Farm: This seven-bedroom home has been expanded over the years and now offers 6,323 square feet of living space.
The stone farmhouse boasts historic charm and modern amenities. Historic highlights include stone walls, a walk-in fireplace, and exposed-beam ceilings. Updates over the years have made way for a designer kitchen and bathrooms, high-end appliances, and French oak flooring. A glass-enclosed sunroom and slate patio are ideal spots to take in the serene views.
The 33-acre property comes with an updated guesthouse, stone bank barn, pool, and pond.
New Hope, PA
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Price: $399,000 Year built: 1704 Affordable Cape: This four-bedroom abode has been updated with many modern amenities.
The 2,126-square-foot floor plan has a cozy kitchen with a wood-burning stove, a spacious family room with a stone fireplace, and two bedrooms on each level. There is a covered porch along with a stone patio and outdoor fireplace designed for relaxing.
The 3-acre property is zoned for residential and commercial use. An outdoor furniture business operating out of an adjacent building is available for purchase for an additional $250,000.
Brooklyn, CT
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Price: $649,000 Year built: 1723 Updated antique: This three-bedroom domicile recently underwent a major renovation.
A bright and airy living room features a bay window and a wood-burning stove. The updated kitchen includes a stone wall, butcherblock countertops, and stainless-steel appliances. A spacious family room has French doors, which open to a bluestone patio and fenced yard. The first floor features one bedroom with a private entry. The bedrooms upstairs have exposed-beam ceilings and pine floors.
The half-acre lot includes a garden shed and raised beds. An offer is pending on the property.
North Kingstown, RI
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Price: $839,000 Year built: 1725 Charming Cape: This classic, three-bedroom dwelling features exposed-beam ceilings, wide-plank wood floors, and four fireplaces.
The kitchen and two full bathrooms have all been updated. A comfortable living room boasts built-in bookcases.
The first-floor bedroom has a fireplace and a small office, which could be converted into a nursery. Two more bedrooms can be found upstairs.
Located just a few blocks from downtown Rockport, the 1,962-square-foot house is a short walk to beaches, shops, restaurants, and galleries.
Rockport, MA
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Price: $649,900 Year built: 1726 New England Colonial: This four-bedroom farmhouse features original hardwood floors, six fireplaces, and even “secret passages.”
The 3,324 square feet of living space include a modernized chef’s kitchen with custom cabinets and high-end appliances. The cozy living room offers a wood-burning fireplace, and a wood-paneled dining room features a walk-in fireplace. There’s a bedroom on the first floor and three more upstairs, including the primary suite.
The 18-acre property includes two large patios, a pond, shed with a storage area, and small barn.
Coventry, CT
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Price: $1,325,000 Year built: 1735 Hoyclo House: This six-bedroom, 4,303-square-foot home offers period details, including wood-paneled walls, wide-plank wood floors, and built-in bookcases. The six bathrooms have all been modernized. A spacious kitchen offers custom cabinets and updated appliances. Fireplaces can be found in the den, living room, and dining room.
The 1-acre lot features professional landscaping and comes with a pool, a one-bedroom barn apartment, and a one-bedroom cottage.
Stamford, CT
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Price: $1,750,000 Year built: 1740 East Parish Farm: This seven-bedroom Colonial was expanded in 2015, nearly doubling its size to 6,260 square feet.
Historic highlights include a library with custom shelves and a living room with a built-in bookcase. Fireplaces can be found in the family room, kitchen, and living room.
The 2-acre property includes a pool, perennial gardens, and a three-car garage.
Boxford, MA
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Price: $3,195,000 Year built: 1741 Located in historic district: This two-bedroom beauty is located on one of Charleston’s most well-known corners with many restaurants, galleries, and shops nearby.
This 6,856-square-foot property includes a retail unit on the first floor, two offices on the second floor, and a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment on the third floor. The building is equipped with an elevator.
Feel like you missed the boat buying a house? Homes are now about as affordable as they were last year — here’s why ‘homebuyers are acclimating’ at last
Despite the Fed pushing its policy rate above 5% for the first time since 2007, average mortgage rates ticked down this past week.
Nadia Evangelou notes the gap between this year and last year’s affordability is narrowing, with mortgage rates just one percentage point higher than they were this time a year ago.
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“Home prices are modestly lower, while American family income is about 6% higher than a year ago,” writes the senior economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
“After putting 20% down, current buyers need to spend about 25% of their income on their mortgage payments compared to 24% a year ago.”
30-year fixed-rate mortgages
The average 30-year fixed rate declined to 6.39% this week, compared to last week’s average of 6.43%.
A year ago at this time, America’s most popular home loan averaged 5.27%.
“Spring is typically the busiest season for the residential housing market and, despite rates hovering in the mid-6% range, this year is no different,” says Freddie Mac chief economist Sam Khater.
“Interested homebuyers are acclimating to the current rate environment, but the lack of inventory remains a primary obstacle to affordability.”
15-year fixed-rate mortgages
The average rate on a 15-year home loan moved up from 5.71% to 5.76% this week.
This time a year ago, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.52%.
The top concern for sellers in this market is being able to buy a new property before selling their old one, according to a recent Realtor.com survey.
“Financial challenges due to high home prices, high mortgage rates and high inflation have been cutting deep into their budgets,” economist Jiayi Xu writes.
“To succeed in this market, they may need to put larger down payments to manage the size of their mortgage loans, which may require a significant amount of existing savings.”
Read more: This janitor in Vermont built an $8M fortune without anyone around him knowing. Here are the 2 simple techniques that made Ronald Read rich — and can do the same for you
Price growth is decelerating
While “affordability headwinds persist,” listing prices aren’t growing as fast as they were last year, reports Realtor.com.
The national median list price increased 2.85% from $424,000 in March to $430,000 in April. This is not only lower than March’s 6.3% growth rate, it marks the lowest rate of growth since April 2020.
“For buyers, decelerating and potentially declining listing prices could be a welcome reprieve, but higher interest rates continue to challenge affordability,” says chief economist Danielle Hale and economic data manager Sabrina Speianu.
“Meanwhile, sellers who have built up home equity are better positioned to find their next home in a cooling market, but may need to temper expectations for the sale of their current home.”
Mortgage applications decline despite lower rates
Demand for mortgages dipped 1.2% from last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).
Refinance activity increased slightly by 1% — but remains 51% lower than the same week a year ago.
“Elevated rates continue to both impact homebuyer affordability and weaken demand for refinancing,” says Joel Kan, vice president and deputy chief economist at the MBA.
“Home purchase activity has been very sensitive to rates and local market trends, including the very low supply of existing-home inventory. However, newly constructed homes account for a growing share of inventory, giving more options for prospective buyers.”
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Looking for something a little bit spacey? Something that’s so far off the beaten path, it’s out-of-this-world cool? A dome home could be for you, as it conveys “rugged individualism” and “retro chic” all at the same time.
Architect, writer, inventor, and futurist Buckminster Fuller is credited with popularizing the geodesic dome home in the United States in the mid-1940s.
Since then, they’ve remained a source of fascination. The curved contraptions do have their advantages: The structure is self-supporting, and it is often less expensive to construct.
So for all you dreamers out there, here are five fabulous dome homes at prices ranging from $449,900 to $925,000, in all corners of the country. Take a look:
Price: $825,000 Luna Dome: This trilevel home is one of the larger ones we’ve seen, with four bedrooms and three baths in 4,560 square feet of living space. Its wide-open floor plan makes it seem even more spacious.
This particular specimen, called the Luna Dome, sits on a hilly, 5-acre lot, with spectacular mountain views from its numerous decks. It has a lower, walk-out level with a separate entrance; it could be an independent unit, featuring a living area, den, kitchenette, bedroom, and bath.
“This unique home has hosted people from all over the world and has proved to be a great investment opportunity,” states the listing.
It’s located about an hour’s drive from Denver and major ski resorts.
Idaho Springs, CO
(Realtor.com)
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Price: $499,900 Ready for liftoff: We’re willing to bet you’ve never seen anything like this fully shingled, flying saucer-style dome home. It’s built of custom-cut components delivered in special containers, including windows from Denmark.
The traditional front door welcomes you into the futuristic-looking lair. But the use of knotty pine accents and oak flooring brings this four-bedroom, five-bath design back down to Earth. The soaring cathedral ceilings certainly add a sense of awe.
The 5-acre lot includes a metal building with a covered porch, an office, and plenty of storage, which can sometimes be an issue with dome homes—there aren’t a lot of corners where you can place your stuff.
The property is zoned for horses and is covered with native plants, which offer a tax benefit.
Somonauk, IL
(Realtor.com)
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Price: $449,900 White House of the future: This special property doesn’t just have a wraparound porch—it also has a wraparound balcony and a wraparound driveway! That’s a lot of wrapping.
Built in 2013, this four-bedroom, 3.5-bath dwelling is equipped with solar panels, which provide energy for most of the home. There are even solar panels on the well that supplies water to the house and 4.5-acre property.
The lower level of this 2,900-square-foot abode appears to be a massive garage. It’s large enough for your cars, a couple of motorcycles, and a washer/dryer combo, or it could fit a skating rink.
The location is a relatively quick drive from Fayetteville, Huntsville, and Lynchburg.
Taft, TN
(Realtor.com)
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Price: $925,000 Double-domed home: Each dome home is unique, of course, but this one caught our eye with its red, barnlike exterior and colorful, Space Age meets prairie style interior.
The larger dome has an open floor plan and a main-level primary suite. Two bedrooms, a bath, and a beautiful cupola can be found on the second level. The smaller dome has a garage, workshop, and two additional bedroom suites with kitchenettes.
The 29-acre property has off-the-grid features like geothermal heating and solar panels. There’s also a pond, pastures, and woods. The location is about an hour from Roanoke.
Natural Bridge, VA
(Realtor.com)
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Price: $470,000 Geodesic classic: Based on the original works of Buckminster Fuller, this geodesic classic was built in 1995. The triangular skylights with wood frames accent the fact that you’re in someplace unique.
Set on 36 acres, the four-bedroom, two-bath, 2,782-square-foot home has an open floor plan. The kitchen is sleek, modern, and colorful. The ceramic tile floor is heated to keep you cozy and warm in the winter.
In the summer you can swim or fish in the nearby Neversink River. You can also enjoy the trails on your own property and those that wind through the adjacent nature conservatory.
The location is relatively close to the Pennsylvania state line and about 1.5 hours from New York City.