Derek Veldhouse

Getting a home ready for the school year works best around four functional zones: a dedicated work zone for kids, smart storage that keeps daily clutter out of sight, a quiet office for working parents and a mudroom that catches gear at the door. Each one solves a specific problem that shows up once schedules fill back up. The same spaces matter whether a family is settling into a current home, shopping for a new one before the year starts or preparing a home to sell, since f

That spare room on the main floor. The finished basement with a kitchenette and its own entrance. The bonus room you’ve been using for storage. To you, it’s extra space. But to a growing pool of buyers, it’s the reason they’d pick your house. Here’s why. Multi-generational homebuying is on the rise. Millions of Families Are Living Multi-Generationally The number of multi-generational households is climbing. That’s when 3 or more generations live under one roof. And data shows

No starter home checks every box, and that’s perfectly normal. For most buyers, a first home is an opportunity to build equity, establish financial stability, and create a foundation for future moves. Buyers who feel good about their purchase usually focus on the features that matter most while remaining flexible on items that can be improved over time. If you’re wondering what to expect from a first home, here’s where REMAX professionals suggest focusing your attention. What

Four trends define home design in summer 2026: seamless indoor-outdoor living, soft minimalism, Mediterranean revival and dedicated wellness spaces. They share more than a season. All four favor natural materials and warm neutrals, and all four rethink rooms around daily life instead of formality. The wall between the kitchen and the patio is disappearing. Minimalism is getting warmer. Stone and terracotta are back. And the formal dining room is losing ground to the sauna. He

Local knowledge matters more than ever because the real estate market does not move the same way in every city, neighborhood, or price range. National headlines can show broad trends, but they rarely explain what buyers and sellers should do in one specific local housing market. Local housing market data show which homes are selling, how long they are taking to sell, how prices compare with recent sales, and how buyers are responding. That context can help buyers make stronge

The Des Moines metro housing market continued its strong summer performance in June, with gains in a number of metrics, reflecting sustained buyer demand and a healthy supply of homes across the region. "June's housing statistics highlight a market that continues to perform well as we move through the summer," said Scott Steelman, president of the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®. "More homes are available for buyers and sales activity remains strong. These are all s

Homeownership has started to feel out of reach for many buyers, especially younger households trying to enter the market for the first time. For Gen Z and millennial buyers, the path to buying now takes more planning, more patience, and a clearer strategy. Still, feeling priced out today does not mean the door is closed for good. The question ‘why can’t I buy a house’ usually points to a few connected roadblocks, from financing to market timing. Once those barriers to homeown

Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and many smaller decisions feed into it. One of the things first-time home buyers ask is “How much house can I afford?” The answer depends on some key variables: Salary Credit score Down payment The interest rate you qualify for The market you’re buying in With data from REMAX and input from our real estate experts, this guide goes through how each of these variables helps to answer the questio

You do not need a contractor, a permit or a six-month timeline to love your home again. Micro home makeovers, the practice of making small, intentional updates one room at a time, deliver a visible payoff in a single weekend. The idea has real momentum: Pinterest’s 2026 Spring Trends Report identified micro renovations as one of the year’s defining home trends, with users searching for ways to personalize their spaces without the cost of a full project. Whether you just got t

When weighing a condo vs townhouse vs single family home, the right choice comes down to lifestyle, budget, and how much ownership responsibility a buyer is ready to take on. Choosing the right property type is just as important as choosing the right neighborhood or price point. Condos, townhouses, and single family homes each come with their own rhythm of ownership. From what gets maintained to how much freedom buyers have over their space, each one is different. There is n

The Des Moines metro housing market continued to gain momentum in May, with rising inventory and steady sales signaling a healthy transition into the busy summer homebuying season, according to statistics from the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®. "May's housing data reflects a market that continues to provide opportunities for both buyers and sellers," said Scott Steelman, president of the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®. "Inventory is expanding, giving buye

Buying your first home used to come with a standard script. Start small, build equity, sell, and move up. That was the classic property ladder. But today’s market has made that path less predictable. Higher home prices, elevated mortgage rates, tight inventory, and changing lifestyle needs have many buyers asking a bigger question. Should I buy a starter home first, or stretch for the forever home from the beginning? The answer depends on your budget, timeline, and long-term

Many renters wonder whether renting is a waste of money or makes more financial sense than buying a home. Renting offers flexibility and lower upfront costs, but those advantages often come with long-term tradeoffs. For renters who have stayed in the same market for years, rising rent and lost equity can add up to a significant opportunity cost. The question is not whether renting always costs more, but whether it costs more for your situation. Key Takeaways Renting often cos

Curb appeal trends are plenty, but what will have staying power, what works with your budget, and even your regional style preferences are worth considering when choosing which updates to make. To help make your home's exterior give the best first impressions, we’ve checked in with an all-star crew of home design experts to outline the curb appeal trends worth investing in for 2026 and beyond. 1. Shades of Green Sara McDaniel, designer, renovator, and creator of Simply Southe

Porch season is nearly upon us, and this year, instead of simply jazzing up your space with a few new container gardens, it's time to create an outdoor living space that you never want to leave. The best part is, these so-called trends are anything but fleeting. We scoured out the best porch trends straight from the pros, ensuring every one of these design tricks, tips, and philosophies is made to last. 1. Multifunctional Spaces We need more from our spaces in 2026, and the p

Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest shopping events of the year. Retailers across the country offer some of their best discounts, making it the perfect time to save on everything from electronics to home goods. If you want to make the most of this opportunity, knowing where to look and what deals to expect can help you shop smart and save big. Memorial Day sale on home appliances What Makes Memorial Day Sales Special Memorial Day sales stand out because they combine de

If you’re a veteran, active-duty service member, or surviving spouse, a VA loan can put homeownership within reach. Many of the people who are eligible for this outstanding benefit don’t fully understand how it works. Here are answers to important questions like Can you use a VA Home Loan more than once? What is a VA Remodel Loan? Can closing costs be included in a VA Loan? And more. What Is a VA Home Loan? A VA Home Loan is a mortgage that the US Department of Veterans Affai

The dream of owning land starts with a simple feeling: the desire to plant your feet on something permanent and call it home. That dream can sour fast if you jump into a deal without really understanding the process or how to buy land in a way that manages your risks. The key is to slow down just enough to check the land itself, learn the rules that come with it, and build the right protections into your offer and contract. We will walk through exactly what to do once you hav

Spring curb appeal improves fastest when you treat the front of the home like a simple “street-to-door” design. People notice cleanliness, sharp lines, and a strong entry focal point within seconds. When those are handled well, even a modest yard looks finished and well-maintained. The biggest reason spring refresh efforts fall flat is not effort. It is usually the lack of a clear visual plan. Materials get picked in isolation, plants get added one at a time, and the final vi

Moving marks the end of a chapter, and the start of an exciting new one. The anticipation of living in a new home brings endless possibilities – but the process to get there can feel overwhelming. Here are 10 pointers to help make the moving experience as smooth and stress-free as can be. 1. Book movers in advance Once your move-in date is set, secure a moving company as soon as possible. Booking early will avoid the hassle of having to make last-minute arrangements and give