Home design is evolving, and today's buyers are looking for more than just beautiful finishes. This week on Real Estate Today, we explore the latest home design trends inside and out, from the features and layouts buyers want most to the curb appeal projects homeowners are tackling this summer. We also examine whether the open floor plan is losing popularity and what today's design preferences could mean for buyers and sellers.

Discover the home upgrades making the biggest impact, insights from Thumbtack's 2026 Curb Appeal Report, and the outdoor projects helping homeowners create a lasting first impression.

Guests include Christian Perry, homebuilder and REALTOR® with Sotheby's International Realty, and Kendra Sinclair, home trends expert at Thumbtack.

The 2026 summer real estate market is here. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down the latest housing trends, including what's driving price changes, inventory shifts and buyer demand this summer, along with what these shifts mean for anyone looking to buy or sell a home.

Discover where opportunities are emerging, which real estate strategies are actually working, how to save money on your mortgage and the practical moves you can make right now to achieve your homeownership goals.

Guests include Cara Ameer, real estate professional with Coldwell Banker, and Scott Haymore, senior vice president and head of mortgage capital markets at TD Bank.

Multigenerational living and co-buying are reshaping homeownership in today's housing market. This week on Real Estate Today, we explore the next generation of housing trends and how buyers are adapting to rising home prices, affordability challenges and changing lifestyle needs.

Discover why more families are choosing to live under one roof, how friends and other co-buyers are teaming up to achieve homeownership, and what these shifts mean for first-time buyers navigating today's market. We also examine how homeowners are creating flexible, stylish spaces that work for multiple generations and evolving household dynamics.

Guests include Sue "Pinky" Benson, REALTOR® in Naples, Florida; Nikki Merkerson, community development and housing specialist at Pairgap; and Daniel Ickowicz, CEO at Elite International Realty.

Is it smarter to rent or buy in today's housing market? With home prices high, mortgage rates elevated, and affordability stretched, many consumers are wondering whether homeownership is still worth pursuing.

In this episode of Real Estate Today, we break down the real financial math behind renting vs. buying—and explore the creative strategies helping first-time buyers enter the market despite today's challenges.

Justin Cambra of eXp Realty shares how buyers are using "house hacking" strategies to offset mortgage payments and build wealth through real estate. Susan Isaak of Coldwell Banker Realty explains how first-time buyers can determine whether they're financially and emotionally ready to buy a home, along with the hidden costs of homeownership. Matt Schulz from LendingTree dives into the financial realities of buying a home today, including down payment assistance programs and FHA, VA and USDA loan options. Laurel Djoukeng, founder and CEO of KeyPath, explores how AI and fintech innovation could reshape the future of renting and ownership.

Whether you're a renter trying to buy your first home, a homeowner exploring investment strategies, or simply curious about where the housing market is headed, this episode offers practical insights and forward-looking ideas for navigating real estate in 2026.

Closing day is in sight—but getting there is where the real work begins. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down what it takes to successfully navigate the final steps of selling a home and why having a trusted real estate professional can make all the difference in one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make.

Sarah Scattini, REALTOR® from Nevada, explains the most common issues that can derail a transaction and how sellers can avoid costly delays. Matt Cook with HomeTeam Inspection Services shares how new technology is giving buyers deeper insight into a home and helping them move forward with confidence. Home stager Cathy Hobbs highlights the biggest showing mistakes sellers should avoid, from managing pets to tackling cluttered spaces like garages. And Adam Brawer, a real estate agent in Santa Monica, joins us with eye-opening stories from the luxury market, including a buyer who received a $200,000 offer just to walk away from a deal.

If you are preparing to sell your home, this episode delivers expert insights to help you reach the closing table with confidence.

This week on Real Estate Today, we take a closer look at the latest real estate fraud trends, the red flags buyers and sellers cannot afford to miss, and how scammers are using new technology to target transactions. With 1 in 5 homeowners reporting they have received a fraudulent message before closing, understanding how these scams work has never been more important.

Hear from homeowner Raegan Bartlo, who shares her experience of losing a $255,000 down payment in a real estate wire fraud scam. Tom Cronkright, REALTOR® and founder of CertifID, explains how artificial intelligence is making these scams harder to detect and what steps consumers can take to stay protected. Levi Rodgers, REALTOR® from San Antonio, also joins us to break down five growing real estate scams to watch for and how he is helping keep his clients safe.

The spring housing market is here, and it's bringing new opportunities for buyers and sellers. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down the latest housing market data, what to expect during this traditionally busy season, and how this year compares to past spring markets. Learn how buyers can navigate a shifting market, what they can do to put themselves in the best position to qualify for the lowest possible mortgage rate, and how strategies like using a tax refund could help boost buying power.

Guests include Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of REALTORS®; Todd Luong, REALTOR®; and Ashley Moore, community lending manager at Chase Home Lending.

Thinking about giving your home a fresh look? This week on Real Estate Today, we dive into the latest trends in home remodeling, simple DIY projects that can make a big impact, and strategies to boost your home's value. From easy upgrades to tips for tackling fixer-uppers without regret, this episode is packed with insights for homeowners and first-time buyers alike.

Guests include Elizabeth Lord-Levitt, real estate broker and residential designer; Michelle Doherty, REALTOR® from Virginia; Don Ruthroff, architect at Design Story Spaces; and Michael Silva-Nash, president of Molly Maid.

Can buyers still afford to move in today's housing market? On this week's episode of Real Estate Today, we explore mortgage rates, housing affordability and strategies buyers can use to make the numbers work without overextending. We also take a closer look at whether the long-standing 30% affordability rule still holds for today's homebuyers and how students at 20 universities are competing to tackle housing costs.

Guests include Mabel Guzman, REALTOR® from Chicago; Nadia Evangelou, principal economist and director of real estate research at the National Association of REALTORS®; and Bobby Vance, architect and assistant professor at Virginia Tech.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, Jon Grishpul, co-founder of GreatBuildz, joins us to discuss ADUs and how they can improve affordability and multigenerational living.

With home prices high and inventory limited, getting your starter home right has never been more important. This week on Real Estate Today, we explore how the idea of the starter home is evolving and whether the traditional first home still exists or has simply been reimagined. Learn what today's buyers should prioritize in a shifting housing market, why a home's condition can make or break a deal when budgets are tight and which inspection red flags buyers simply cannot ignore.

Guests include Mike Bruce, real estate professional from Denver, Colorado; Matt Cook, director of operations at HomeTeam Inspection Service; and Korey Dropkin, a REALTOR® from Minnesota and silver medalist at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, Jennifer Adams, home designer with Engel & Volkers, shares what's trending in home design.