EPISODE 48: Many of us are making mistakes in cleaning our homes, and it could be hurting our home—and even our health. Yikes! Cleaning expert Debbie Sardone joins The Housing Muse Podcast to tell us the right way to clean. Here’s some extra incentive in why you should want to: A clean home makes YOU look good. Seriously! A new study from the Ameri…

EPISODE 47: A lot can go wrong with a house. It’s the less glamorous side to homeownership. But if you ignore some key signs, you could find small problems quickly turn into really BIG problems that may even make you want to toss over your house keys and move. Joining the Housing Muse Podcast is Scott Loignon, the owner of WIN Home Inspection in Ne…

EPISODE 46: You may have never given much thought to estate sales, but they could prove to be a “home rescue,” no matter if you’re the seller or the possible buyer. Estate sales can help you quickly clear a home due to a changing life circumstance or help you offset a costly move across the country. Estate sales can be a way to score some major dis…

EPISODE 45: The money-saving episode! Home appliances and household purchases can really bite into a budget. But how would you like to save potentially hundreds of dollars? Luckily, there are plenty of studies that can help turn us into savvy shoppers when it comes to outfitting the home. Housing Muse Host Melissa Dittmann Tracey sums up all the re…

EPISODE 44: It’s the merriest, most stressful time of year! Nearly 60% of Americans say they’re stressed out about the holidays, and that’s mostly due to preparing and decorating the home, according to a new survey from Thumbtack. After all, guests will soon be arriving at your doorstep and judging your home. Sorry to say, but they’ll be scrutinizi…

EPSIODE 43: What’s hot in 2024 in home design? Time to find out! From “dopamine décor” to sculptural and darker home elements and some wild color schemes, home designer and stager Krisztina Bell joins The Housing Muse Podcast to break down the trends entering into more homes. We get real on the latest design trends as well as ideas on how to incorp…

EPISODE 42: Every crime has a setting, and sadly too often, it plays out inside a home. Even if you’re a law-abiding citizen, you could face the fallout from crime in real estate. In this episode, we unpack five fearful real estate situations. Be prepared to get scared on everything from stigmatized properties, ghosts and paranormal activity, meth …

EPISODE 41: Pickleball is serving up some serious wins in real estate, like revitalizing once-abandoned shopping malls into booming pickleball hubs. Developers are in a race to bring more pickleball courts to more places all across the country. But there’s also a dark-side to America’s fastest-growing sport—that’s getting louder and louder. In this…

EPISODE 40: It’s one of our favorite regular segments on The Housing Muse: Quiz Time! Take our interactive quiz to test how smart you are when it comes to the latest real estate and home design trends, home maintenance and more. (Hint: If you’re a regular listener to The Housing Muse, you’ll fare well! Otherwise, we’re going to teach you a few thin…

EPISODE 39: Just like you clean your home on a regular basis, you can clean your home’s air, too. More research is showing why you should. Consider, this stat: Indoor air can contain two to five times more pollutants than outside, according to research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Yes, your home’s indoor air tends to be more toxic…

EPISODE 38: In part 2, we continue to highlight HGTV-inspired home design tips and tricks to make your home look as pretty as they do on TV. We also cover a few trends that may best be reserved for TV—and not real-life. Check out The Housing Muse blog to view an infographic of TV designers’ favorite home accessories: https://www.housingmuse.com/blo…

EPISODE 37: Home buyers are overwhelmingly disappointed at homes they tour for-sale. Why? Because they don’t look as pretty as they do on TV. The HGTV-effect is skewing our impressions of how a home should look. But there are some easy (and affordable ways!) to get our homes looking as pretty as they do on TV. Housing Muse Host Melissa Dittmann Tra…

EPISODE 36: Seasonal allergies can be a nuisance. Your home’s outdoor plantings may be making it worse. Joining The Housing Muse Podcast is gardening guru Linda Vater to share which plants may be more prone to triggering allergies, and how to plan a landscape so that you can breathe a little easier. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Linda Vater Find gard…

EPISODE 35: The top concerns from homeowners recently surveyed about selling their home: They fear their home is in need of too many repairs, has an outdated interior, not trendy enough fixtures and lacks curb appeal. Sorry to say, but all of those things could potentially lessen your sales price! So there’s reason to fear. But a pre-listing improv…

EPISODE 34: To get into real estate today, do you need to adopt a “mooch strategy?” Possibly. Young adults have been moving back home in record numbers—and even well into adulthood. Parents are footing the bills, and even helping their adult children achieve homeownership later on—that is, when they do finally move out. The mooch strategy may be in…

Episode 33: We take on the good, the bad and ugly of 2023’s hottest home styles. Krisztina Bell, home stager and designer with No Vacancy Home Staging in Atlanta, joins the Housing Muse Podcast to talk about the designs that you can expect to see more of in the new year, including the hottest paint colors, the freedom to no longer be “Pinterest-per…

Episode 32: Enter a judge-free zone with the Housing Muse. After all, even organization guru Marie Kondo recently said it’s acceptable to not have a spotless, perfectly organized home all of the time. Maybe tidy doesn’t always spark joy. As you adopt more of a get-‘er-done than perfection mantra, find hacks to solve everyday cleaning and organizati…

EPISODE 31: You have some of these in your home. We all do. In this episode of The Housing Muse Podcast, we question some mainstream design trends that may be doing more to make our lives harder than easier. Listen in as host Melissa Tracey offers an amusing countdown to the five trends she has started to question, and why she believes you should, …

Episode 30: The pandemic ushered in a DIY craze, as homeowners armed with YouTube tutorials and power searches on Google went to work on their homes in high numbers. But they may have taken on more than what they should have in an effort to save money and bypass waiting on overbooked contractors. Home inspectors are now spotting homeowners’ not-so-…

Episode 29: Ninety-four percent of homeowners admit to not disclosing property defects when selling their home. Home buyers then move in and uncover shoddy repairs and cover-ups. The percentage is alarmingly high, and particularly worrisome given that so many buyers recently waived their home inspection contingency to purchase a home in a competiti…

The interior designer behind the Siegels’ famous home, "Versailles," joins the Housing Muse to talk about designing the largest single-family home in the U.S. The home, belonging to socialite Jackie Siegel and billionaire David Siegel, has been featured on the Discovery-Plus series, “Queen of Versailles Reigns Again.” Hear from designer Kim Coombs,…

Find out about the latest craze in home design: Barbiecore. The iconic doll is inspiring real-life Barbie Dreamhouses that can be used for anyone’s home. In this episode, hear how Barbie’s home is inspiring interior design and how to incorporate the trend in more tasteful ways beyond bubblegum pinks. You may be surprised to find at least one trend …

Are hardwoods still the trendiest choice? LVP’s (luxury vinyl planks)—a yay or nay? Heidi Steele, founder of Surface Resources, joins the Housing Muse Podcast to provide insights into the latest flooring trends, and tips on how to pick the best flooring with style, safety and sustainability in mind. Links & More Surface Resources HousingMuse.com…

But so many people are crying! A new survey shows that 50% of home buyers said the real estate process left them in tears. Here’s why and how we may be able to cheer them up. Follow @housingmuse on Twitter and Instagram. Visit housingmuse.com to listen to other episodes and view blog posts.

Only one good thing happened in 2020 … Sherwin-Williams brought us this paint color! Find out which color we’re loving as home stager and designer Krisztina Bell joins The Housing Muse to go room-by-room in offering up paint color ideas for the bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, kitchen and more. Make your home look like a million bucks with just a f…

EPISODE 23: Homeowners may be unintentionally hurting their home’s long-term value through their actions. You undoubtedly want your home’s value to grow. So, don’t stand in the way of making that happen! Listen in as the Housing Muse offers up 10 ways you could jeopardize your home’s value. New blog post alert at Housingmuse.com! 5 Home Design Tren…

EPISODE 22: Hey, homeowners, have you noticed? It’s rainin’ money inside your home! Housing appreciation is in overdrive and equity is pouring in. There’s never been more homes valued at a million-or plus—you may be one of them if you hold on long enough! Join The Housing Muse on this latest episode to talk about the real estate market … the real a…

EPISODE 21: Listen to this fun, interactive quiz to see how cool and trendy you are when it comes to the latest home design trends. What is the hottest paint color of the year? Which surprising bathroom vanity color is seeing explosive growth? What furniture fabric choice is the latest must-have? And, are bathtubs—a yay or nay? Chime in with your g…

EPISODE 20: When home renovations or housing flips go awry, Page Turner is the expert you want to call. The host of the new HGTV show, “Fix My Flip,” joins The Housing Muse Podcast to talk about rescuing home disasters. Turner also joins in for a “Lightning Round” on the latest home design trends. Find more information on Page Turner’s HGTV show, “…

Welcome to The Housing Muse Podcast! Host Melissa Dittmann Tracey is an award-winning journalist who uncovers the latest home design and real estate trends--the good and the bad. Listen to this short teaser on what you can expect by following The Housing Muse Podcast. (*Royalty free music by Bensound.com)…

EPISODE 19: We’re all getting older and there may come a point when a house no longer fits your needs or a family member’s needs. Moving an aging parent, grandparent, or loved one can be stressful and cause tension in families when deciding the next steps. Mark and Rachel Healy, with the Senior Care Authority in Cincinnati, Ohio, share how “senior …

EPISODE 18: Gasp. Jaw drop. And be utterly surprised along with The Housing Muse at some recent trends in the real estate market. Home buyers are willing to blow their budget by how much?! Housing equity is up by how much?! The top Googled bedroom color trend?! And the average mortgage amount is how high?! Follow The Housing Muse on Instagram and T…

EPISODE 17: We’re all trying to keep up with the Joneses. And the Joneses keep winning! Many people admit they’re taking on home improvement projects solely to impress others. They’re spending thousands of dollars to do it too! In this episode: Find out what top home improvement projects are being done just to make others jealous. The personality t…

EPISODE 16: Many homeowners say they regret buying their house just because of the chore of maintaining it. A lot of us are clueless when it comes to what checkups a home regularly requires to avoid costly repairs. Take a quiz to see just how home savvy you are! *Royalty free music by Bensound.com In this episode: How much do you think home experts…

EPISODE 15: Home designer and stager Krisztina Bell joins The Housing Muse Podcast to talk about the hot trends expected to make a bigger splash in home design in the new year, from double kitchen islands, multifunctional spaces, to green colors everywhere and more. Find some trends you'll be tempted to try in your own home. (Royalty free music by …

EPISODE 14: What are the worst offenses of those who visit your home? Find out in this timely segment on hosting guests—or being one yourself—this holiday season. We'll break down three types of house guests—Cousin Eddie’s, Buddy the Elf’s, and Martha’s—and tell you how to prepare for each style of visitor who may be arriving on your doorstep this …

EPISODE 13: This very well could be the hottest holiday decorating trend of the year. Forget about festive front yard decor! Unleash your inner Clark Griswold style in this prime location in your home. You’ll be sure to bring some Yuletide smiles with this trend, and unlock—or should I say inflate!—a truly magical piece of the holiday spirit this s…

EPISODE 12: Warm up your spaces and impress your guests this holiday season with the perfect tablescape. Megan Bestul and Stefanie Barraco, founders of the Center of It All in Detroit, Mich., offer up several ideas in how. Gather affordable ways to dress up your tables, the mistakes to avoid, and the answer to the biggest question this holiday seas…

EPISODE 11: Choosing the right color and finishes on a home's exterior can be one of the most difficult and unforgiving aspects in home design. Learn the latest exterior home trends and how to give your home's outside a dramatic makeover. Matt Mosher, founder of Dzinly, joins the Housing Muse Podcast to offer a high-tech solution to finding the per…

EPISODE 10: The housing market is operating in crazy mode ... sky-high home prices and fierce bidding wars. So, is it a good time to buy a home? Or to sell? Are we in a housing bubble? Is a foreclosure wave coming? In this special fright-filled Halloween episode, let's take on some of the most pressing fears about the housing market and help figure…

EPISODE 9: A home office can be anywhere—whether you have a dedicated space, spare bedroom, or even just an empty closet! The Housing Muse catches up with Dave Adams with BDI Furniture to talk furniture trends. Get inspired to find more permanent solutions to makeover your work-from-home space. In this episode, we cover: Desk and chair trends & con…

EPISODE 8: Will trendy gray or blue kitchen cabinets age well? Should you go with granite or quartz for the countertops? What's going on with the lights ... greenery in pendants?! We talk the latest kitchen trends with home stager and designer Krisztina Bell. *Royalty free music from Bensound.com View some of the trends mentioned on this week's epi…

EPISODE 7: Homes today have a serious noise problem. We’ve knocked down walls in opening up our floorpans and then covered our floors in hard surfaces, like hardwood flooring and ceramic tile. That has only amplified the sounds! All the noise may be making it impossible for you to work from home or find some peace and quiet. And if you have an intr…

EPISODE 6: “The Great American Remodel” has emerged since the pandemic. And as more homeowners spruce up their space, they’ve taken on more of these household updates themselves. But on certain home projects, DIY can be disastrous! Home design TV shows may be making these design overhauls look too easy and make homeowners feel overconfident in thei…

EPISODE 5: "Wall Wizard" Brian Santos offers up the perfect paint colors for each room in your house. Which trendy colors should you use in the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, home office, or even for that challenging open floor plan? You'll gain some unexpected color ideas that can have a big impact. *Royalty free music provided by Bensound…

EPISODE 4: Learn painting tips and tricks from Brian Santos--a.k.a. "The Wall Wizard." Brian shares the latest trends that draw inspiration from the Roaring '20s. Listen how these bold choices can make a dramatic difference in elevating your home's style. *Royalty free music provided by Bensound由Melissa Dittmann Tracey

EPISODE 3: The best hues for your mood. Learn how science and psychological research can offer insight into paint and color choices in your home. Certain colors may lift your mood, make you more creative, or even more attentive to detail. In this segment, we break down the moodiness of a home's color schemes. *Royalty free music provided by Bensoun…

EPISODE 2: We’re counting down to the worst home design trends. Do you have some of these items in your home? If so, it's time to remove them NOW--particularly the number one offense. *Music courtesy Bensound.com由Melissa Dittmann Tracey

EPISODE 1: We’re letting the dogs out in the first episode of The Housing Muse Podcast. You may have heard about staging a home to better your chances of selling. But how about staging your dog to attract buyers? The pets are getting unleashed in real estate. Find out why. *Music courtesy Bensound.com…