The Housing Muse Podcast with Melissa Dittmann Tracey

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 competitive real estate market. Let's dive in to what home...

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, founder and president of KBCO Interior Design, as...

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 you'll even be willing to try to jump on the hype!...

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 fresh coat of paint. (Royalty free music by Bensoun...

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 Trends Making a Comeback Follow The Housing Muse's Mel...

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 and unreal. And guess what? The Housing Muse has 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 guesses and find out what the surveys say.     Foll...

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, "Fix My Flip."   Follow The Housing Muse on Twitt...

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 advisors" can help. (Royalty free music by Bensoun...

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 Twitter @housingmuse. (Royalty free music by Bensou...

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 types of house envy. How to channel your house envy...

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 suggest homeowners budget annually for home mai...

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 Bensound.com) Follow Krisztina Bell, No Vacancy Ho...

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 holiday season. Royalty free music by  bensound.co...

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 season. *Royalty free music by  bensound.com Follow...

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 season: To flock or not?   View Megan and Stefanie's c...

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 perfect colors and look for your home's exterior. (Ro...

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 out your next move.  Follow the Housing Muse on I...

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 & considerations   Trendy standing desks—with health...

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 episode: 4 Simple Ways to Show Off the Kitchen   Foll...

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 introverted personality, you may be suffering the most...

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 their own DIY skills. Save yourself some time, money a...