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.

House hunting starts online for most buyers, but what looks perfect on your screen may tell only part of the story. This week on Real Estate Today, we help buyers become smarter online shoppers by breaking down how to spot the difference between eye-catching listings and what really matters once you see a home in person. Learn how to avoid getting catfished by listing photos and what red flags to watch for.

Guests include Ryann Brier, REALTOR® from Michigan, who shares expert tips on what buyers should look out for when shopping for homes online; and real estate professional Scott Henderson, who explains how he creates catchy songs to creatively market listings.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, Krisztina Bell, founder of No Vacancy Home Staging in Atlanta, weighs in on selling a home by leaving rooms completely empty and the growing use of virtual home staging.

Buying a home today takes more than finding the right property. It also takes financial fitness. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down the true cost of homeownership, from hidden expenses buyers often overlook to the impact of soaring home insurance bills. Learn how much buyers really need to save, what down payments look like in today's market, and the smart ways buyers are getting creative to make homeownership possible.

Guests include Christopher Wands, REALTOR® with Douglas Elliman Real Estate; Shawn Yerkes, group president of financial services at Genstone Financial; and Julia Taliesin, data journalist at Insurify.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, we look at what's trending in home design, including color capping, texture maxxing, tile drenching, cozy maxxing and loud luxury, along with design trends officially out this year, such as minimalism, modern farmhouse and dainty florals.

The hottest home trends for 2026 are coming into focus, and they could have a major impact on resale value. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down what's driving tomorrow's design decisions and how homeowners can remodel with resale in mind. From trending colors and finishes to smart updates that appeal to buyers, real estate and design experts share practical advice to help homes stand out in a competitive market. We also explore insights from the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate 2026 Design Trends Moving Real Estate report, along with the "HGTV effect" and how buyer expectations shaped by television can clash with real-life home tours.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, we examine black window frames and matte black hardware.

Guests include Ginger Wilcox, president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate; Emily Kantz, color marketing manager for Sherwin-Williams; and Jennifer Bien, director of interior design at DAHLIN Architecture.

This week on Real Estate Today, we take a close look at what's ahead in 2026: We're talking bold builder incentives designed to attract buyers and the housing markets expected to be in highest demand. Whether you're thinking about buying a home or you're a current homeowner planning for the future, this episode explores what these emerging trends could mean for your next move. We also break down why Florida continues to capture national attention as a housing hot spot.

Guests include Dr. Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®; Robert Dietz, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders; and Dr. Brad O'Connor, chief economist at Florida REALTORS®.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, we take a look at home design trends making waves, including animal prints, shiplap walls, wellness and activity zones, and home libraries.

What will the housing market look like in 2026, and how can buyers, sellers and investors prepare now? This week on Real Estate Today, we look ahead to the next phase of the real estate market as leading economists and top industry voices share their outlook for the year ahead. From long-term housing trends to economic forces shaping homeownership, our guests break down what to expect and how those shifts could impact decisions to buy, sell or invest.

Guests include Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®; Matt Vernon, head of consumer lending at Bank of America; Nadia Evangelou, senior economist and director of real estate research at the National Association of REALTORS®; and Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, we break down three home design trends making waves right now: unfitted kitchens, also known as freestanding kitchens; curved silhouettes in kitchens, from islands to doorways; and beige-on-beige color schemes.

This week on Real Estate Today, we break down why winter may be the secret season for savvy buyers and why hitting pause until spring could mean missing real opportunities. We take a look at the current housing market, explore why first-time buyers make up the smallest share of buyers on record, and highlight opportunities for today's buyers, including how purchasing in winter could work to your advantage and how to shop smarter for a mortgage and potentially save.

Guests include Dr. Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®; Christine Belin, REALTOR® based in Corpus Christi, Texas; Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst at LendingTree; and Patrick Roach, president and co-founder of Southwestern Real Estate in Wheaton, Illinois.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, we weigh in on Pantone's Color of the Year for 2026, Cloud Dancer, and the use of light pink in interior design.