Real Estate

The writer in a flower field in North Carolina.

I moved from New York City to Raleigh 5 years ago. These 5 things have surprised me the most.

4 min read

Side by side view of belleview inn (L) and selfie of author at the hotel (R)

I stayed at a Florida Gilded Age hotel loved by the Vanderbilts, DuPonts, and Fords. It felt like traveling back in time.

11 min read

a woman in an orange dress holding a newborn baby in blue overalls

My husband, our newborn, and I live in my 110-square-foot childhood room in my parents' home. We want more space, but can't afford it.

Monica Luhar Field had to leave her beloved apartment and move in with her parents after surgery for her high-risk pregnancy and losing her job.

3 min read

damaged mobile home surrounded by flood water after hurricane ian

Our daughter bought us a new home after ours was destroyed by a hurricane. She sold it a year later.

Theresa Siller and her husband had been living in a damaged mobile home with a partially collapsed roof for months. Their daughter helped them out.

4 min read

Airbnb hosts running profitable businesses share the software tools they use to work as little as 6 hours a month

One Airbnb hosts brings in $9,000 a month and spends just six hours a week managing his rentals. That's an hourly rate of $1,500.

5 min read

Exclusive

Michael Shvo's long-stalled Miami Beach hotel and condo project attracts potential new buyer

Developer Michael Shvo envisioned turning three Miami Beach hotels into an ultra-luxury destination — but the site has sat vacant for years.

3 min read

The writer, her husband, and their child snowboarding in Colorado.

I left my dream job in New York City to move home to Colorado with my family. Two years later, I have zero regrets.

After working my dream job in New York, I decided to move to my Colorado hometown with my family. We have no regrets and love the proximity to nature.

4 min read

We sold our home in Hawaii to buy 4.5 acres of land with no plumbing or house. It's been an adventure, but I'm not sure I'd do it again.

Christy Werner and her husband dreamt of owning land. So, when the opportunity arose, they went for it. There are good moments but many struggles.

5 min read

A for sale sign is displayed near a home on April 24, 2025 in Austin, Texas.

The number of first-time homebuyers is plummeting. Why that's bad news for the US economy.

The housing market is a bellwether for the broader economy, and a key group of buyers has been slowly dwindling since 2010.

4 min read

The 10 best cities for first-time homebuyers — and 10 that are the worst

The best places to buy your first home are mostly in Florida; the worst cities for first-time homebuyers are in California.

5 min read

A dark vintage living room with a dramatic fireplace and brown leather couch.

Interior designers share the 9 trends they wish they saw more of in homes

From colorful ceilings and canopy beds to biophilic design elements, here are the home trends interior designers wish they saw more of.

4 min read

A selfie of Michael McCready on the beach in Puerto Rico.

I moved from Chicago to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rent is more expensive here, but the slower lifestyle and great weather make it worth it.

Michael McCready wanted a new home base. He moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, from Chicago, and now lives three buildings from the beach.

5 min read

A man carrying a box and standing behind a sign that says "House for sale by owner."

I got a 3% mortgage rate when most people were getting 6%. Assumable mortgages aren't perfect, but it's still a great deal.

By assuming a home seller's mortgage, Gavin Carter got such a low rate — 3% — that he said he doesn't need to work extra hours to cover his monthly payments.

5 min read

Dani Smith poses in front of a brick wall while wearing a reddish-pink sweater.

Our family of 4 shares a 900-square-foot apartment. The benefits outweigh the negatives.

Apartment living was hard when the kids were babies, but now we enjoy having everything we need nearby and an almost car-free lifestyle.

3 min read

The writer at the bar of her restaurant.

After years in a big city, we moved to a small town in Arkansas. Now, we've built a community and careers we love.

I moved from Washington, DC to a small Arkansas town, which inspired me to change careers and open a restaurant. I love my new workweek and community.

4 min read

The mansion the circus built: See inside the 56-room Florida home built by the Ringling family a century ago

Circus magnate John Ringling and his wife completed the Venetian palazzo in Sarasota, Florida, in 1926.

8 min read

I've toured 8 historic Gilded Age mansions. Here are the most extravagant displays of wealth I've seen.

The wealthiest families of the Gilded Age lived in enormous mansions outfitted with gold, marble, and priceless art. Take a look inside.

9 min read

Sindhu Mahadevan in front of a mountain range at Banff National Park, Alberta.

I left the US for Canada. Getting a green card seemed impossible, and the uncertainty overshadowed the positives of living in America.

Sindhu Mahadevan moved to the US as a student but struggled to get a permanent visa. She eventually left for Canada and now feels more secure.

5 min read

I was scared to leave NYC — but I moved to Nashville, fell in love, and have been happily living here for a decade

After decades of living in New York City, I moved to Nashville and fell in love. I never thought I'd leave NYC, but I'm happier raising kids here.

5 min read

As warehouse market slumps, Brookfield makes a bold $428 million move

Brookfield bets on older, lower-cost warehouses as trade uncertainties and oversupply cloud the outlook for industrial storage.

3 min read

I'm 38 and live in a retirement village. My rent is cheap, and my neighbors have taught me how to be a better friend.

I'm 38, and I live in a retirement village. My neighbors have never made me feel out of place, and living here has changed how I view aging.

5 min read

Wade TK and Selena Lounds stand in front of a rainbow.

I bought a house with my best friend. We turned it into an Airbnb and have made more than $60,000 in 3 years.

Selena Lounds says that owning a home with her best friend isn't all "roses and glitter" but it's been a great investment decision overall.

6 min read

The Torre Guinigi is significantly taller than the buildings around it in Lucca, Italy.

Wealthy Italian neighbors used to compete by building tall towers. See inside one that's still standing after 600 years.

Torre Guinigi is a 14th-century tower that provides a fascinating insight into how Italy's wealthy classes once operated.

4 min read

Lawyers for the Alexander brothers hail Diddy sex-trafficking acquittal as 'heartening'

Lawyers for luxury brokers Tal and Oren Alexander and brother Alon say the verdict shows a jury can see beyond the emotion of a sex-trafficking case.

6 min read

Three sharks swimming in the clear waters of Pohnpei, Micronesia.

In our 50s, we moved to a remote Pacific island. We know we'll need better healthcare someday, but for now, it's paradise.

He always dreamed of retiring somewhere quieter, more like the Maui he knew from the late '60s and early '70s.

4 min read

The Villa Barberini gardens in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.

Photos show Castel Gandolfo, the 135-acre Italian estate where the pope takes summer vacation

Pope Leo XIV is on vacation at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, a 135-acre estate featuring multiple properties and gardens.

3 min read

We bought an apartment in Italy for less than what we'd spend on a down payment in the US. The renovations are a headache, but it's still worth it.

Kelly Beigle and Boris Krstevski wanted to own property. For the price of a down payment in the US, they were able to buy an apartment in Italy.

6 min read

Author Katie Lemon smiling on bike in front of tree and mountain views

I gave up my life abroad to follow my partner to the Midwest. It cost me far more than I expected.

After years of solo travel, I gave up life abroad to follow my partner's law school dreams in the US. We broke up, and I learned a hard lesson.

4 min read

A US Army vet thought he'd work into his 70s. A move to South Korea gave him the freedom to retire in his 50s.

Steve Wilson picked up a new hobby after retiring early in South Korea. "We can't just sit around and watch TV. That's just too boring," he told BI.

7 min read

Woman standing in the doorway of a home, carrying two cardboard boxes. Sunlight streams in from outside, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

5 tips homebuyers should know in 2025

Gain a competitive edge in homebuying with practices like preapprovals and partnering with independent mortgage brokers for expert guidance.

5 min read

The writer in the Czech Republic after moving from America.

I'm an American who moved to the Czech Republic 5 years ago. It's completely changed my definition of work-life balance.

I moved from the US to the Czech Republic. Work-life balance is different in Europe, and I prioritize my mental health and quality time with my family.

4 min read

A photo illustration of Benjamin Franklin doing a thumbs-down and a yellow couch with a big plant next to it.

I'm an interior designer who works with wealthy, high-profile clients. I rarely see these 7 things in their homes.

As an interior designer, I've noticed wealthy clients rarely have things like mass-produced art, overly trendy decor, and fake plants in their homes.

3 min read

A man and a woman sit on a porch talking.

Newly built homes have one feature that's luring buyers: Outdoor living spaces

Homes with porches and patios are luring buyers. It's all about maximizing outdoor living spaces, and connecting with nature, experts said.

3 min read

Two women sitting at a table outside and holding up drinks while smiling.

I bought a duplex with my sister in San Francisco. We share resources, split the mortgage, and babysit for each other.

My sister and I bought a duplex in San Francisco. It was a smart financial move, we share resources, and our kids get to grow up together.

3 min read

After my husband lost his job, we moved in with his mom. I learned that multigenerational living is the way to go.

After my husband lost his job, we moved in with his mom. We save money, and our twins get time with their grandmother.

4 min read

The writer and her husband on the French Riviera.

I traded my career in London for a flexible life on the French Riviera. Two kids and 8 years later, I have no regrets.

My husband and I decided to move from London to the French coast. We love raising kids in France and accessing nature, but miss our support system.

4 min read

A woman and her 97-year-old mother smiling for a selfie.

I moved from Atlanta to Panama with my 97-year-old mother. Healthcare is excellent here, and we can afford a larger home.

Debbie Boyd moved from Atlanta to Panama with her 97-year-old mother, who has dementia, for lower costs and healthcare options.

7 min read

Aerial view of houses in a developing neighborhood

We thought we'd built our dream home. Over 15 years later, I can admit it's too big, and I regret many of our choices.

We thought we were creating a big dream home for our family and loved ones. But we made mistakes and regret having too much space in our house.

4 min read

I moved from the US to Argentina for the lower cost of living. It helped me pay down student debt, but living abroad had its dark side.

Greyson Ferguson left the US for Buenos Aires in 2022. But when living in Argentina grew more costly, he moved to Albania in search of a cheaper home.

5 min read