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8 Things You Should Never Store Under Your Bed

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If there’s one storage spot in your home that embodies the “out of sight, out of mind” attitude, it’s under the bed. Stashing stuff under there is an efficient method for keeping bulky items out of the way, but it’s also an easy place to put things you’ll quickly forget about—a storage black hole, if you will.

Whether under the bed is where your out-of-season clothes go to hibernate or it’s a spot for your abandoned scrapbooking projects, there are some things that you’re better off keeping away from the black hole. Ahead, organizing experts reveal the eight things you should never store under your bed.

Anything Made of Paper or Cardboard

You might be tempted to kick a shoe box or two under the bed for safe keeping, but that’s a bad idea according to Danica Carson, cofounder of The Uncluttered Life blog and creator of the Declutter Deck, a set of organizing prompt cards.

“Paper products are actually a food source to some insects, from silverfish to moths to cockroaches,” Carson says. “Speaking strictly from a preservation perspective, paper products like photographs, books, documents, and boxes should never be stored under the bed.”

Linens and Textiles

Ever whack an old blanket only to watch dust puff out of it? That scenario is almost a guarantee if you store linens and textiles under the bed.

“Never store blankets, pillows, or anything fibrous or porous under the bed unless the items are contained in a container, or at least bagged,” says Monica Fay, a decluttering expert. “The reason for this is dust easily accumulates underneath furniture, especially beds, and will settle into the material. It may not be as noticeable as it would be on a plastic or wooden surface.”

This is especially important if you suffer from asthma, Carson adds. To be safe, keep your comforters away from dust mites.

Leather Goods

Putting leather shoes or purses under the bed is almost like setting them out in the sun. The environment wreaks havoc on them.

“Dust can cause your leather items to dry out, crack, and become discolored over time,” explains Carson. “If you absolutely have to store these items under the bed, they need to be stored in plastic containers to prevent dust from accumulating on them.”

Awkward or Heavy Items

When you bend down to retrieve items under the bed, you put yourself at risk of straining your back. That’s why it’s wise to avoid storing heavy or awkward items under there. “You increase your chances of injury so much—and increase the risk of damage to the items,” Carson says.

Food

This might seem like a no-brainer, but the experts say you’d be surprised to hear what they find under beds. Food, even unopened boxes of granola bars, are a no-go. Mice and other pests can chew their way through cardboard to get to the goods. (And even if they don’t, do you really want to eat from a dusty box of crackers?)

Electronics

Beyond your bed skirt is not the place for your old DVD player—or the previous model of your phone. “Dust can actually impair or destroy electronics over time,” Carson says. “Additionally, anything with a battery poses an increased fire risk under the bed. Because dust can negatively affect electronics, those batteries are more likely to malfunction than batteries stored in cool, dry places.”

Psychological Torment Devices

This one’s a more philosophical recommendation, Fay says. “Never store memories of your ex or your goal weight clothes under the bed,” she explains. “You deserve to sleep both literally and symbolically in peace every night without lying on top of the physical reminder of the past or a life you aren’t living currently.”

Anything At All

Here’s one you may not have considered: anything at all. Some organizing pros warn against putting anything under the bed. Kristi Perry, a professional home organizer and owner of Art of the Space, is one of them.

“I recommend not storing anything under your bed unless it is something that you regularly access and your back can handle bending down to pull out time and time again,” she says.

The "black hole effect" is real, adds Carson. She estimates 80% of what’s stored under there is forgotten. And no matter how spotless your home is, she says, dust, allergens, and bugs will accumulate there.

If you do truly need to stash stuff under the bed, Carson recommends using airtight storage containers that are clear so you can see what’s in them. Containers with wheels are great, too, especially if retrieving them might be tough for you.

Read more at Real Simple

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Fed Cuts Interest Rate: What Happens to Mortgage Rates Now as Markets React

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The Federal Reserve has lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point, in a highly anticipated decision surrounded by extraordinary political drama.

The 11-1 decision supported by Fed Chair Jerome Powell and a majority of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) brings the central bank’s overnight rate down to a range of 4% to 4.25%, marking the first change in rate policy in nine months.

President Donald Trump's economic adviser Stephen Miran, newly appointed to the Fed's Board of Governors and sworn in on Tuesday, was the lone dissenting vote on the panel, calling instead for a larger half-point rate cut.

In a press conference following the decision, Powell called the rate reduction a "risk management cut" in response to rising unemployment, pointing out that inflation remains elevated.

"We have a situation where we have two-sided risk, and that means there's no risk-free path," said Powell, referring to the dual threats of inflation and rising layoffs. "And so it's quite a difficult situation for policymakers."

A quarter-point cut was widely anticipated and already largely priced into mortgage rates, which have fallen in recent weeks and reached an 11-month low of 6.35% last week, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rates typically follow long-term bond yields, which moved higher on Wednesday as markets digested the summary of economic projections issued by the FOMC alongside the rate decision.

Those projections showed Fed policymakers have a median expectation of making two additional rate cuts this year, but just one in 2026—fewer than the three cuts next year that markets had anticipated.

"This ongoing gap between market and Fed expectations means that some risk of upward pressure on mortgage rates remains," says Realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale. "But for now, consumers have already benefited from the drop in mortgage rates that has brought mortgage rates below 6.5% for the first time in nearly a year and is likely to continue at least through this week."

Following the rate decision, the major stock indexes wavered in mixed trading, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average giving back some of its earlier gains and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite down slightly.

The S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index, which tracks shares of major homebuilders, jumped more than 2% on the rate decision. Homebuilders have been especially sensitive to higher interest rates, which affect both their own financing costs for construction loans and mortgage rates for their customers.

Robert Dietz, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders, notes that "the reduction of the federal funds rate will have a direct, beneficial effect on interest rates for acquisition, development and construction loans" that private builders rely on to finance new projects.

"This will reduce lending costs for builders across the nation and enable more attainable supply," he says.

Yields on 10-year Treasury notes, a key indicator for mortgage rates, moved to session highs as Powell spoke to reporters. Still, those long-term yields, as well as mortgage rates, remained close to their lowest levels of 2025.

However, prospective homebuyers who are holding off in anticipation that mortgage rates will automatically fall further after the Fed decision may face disappointment, housing economists warn.

"There are still risks of a reversal in mortgage rates, despite the Fed’s rate cut today and even if they cut rates two more times this year," says BrightMLS Chief Economist Lisa Sturtevant. "Inflation heated up in August, and if the September inflation report shows another bump in consumer prices, it’s possible we could see rates rise."

The Fed uses higher interest rates to curb inflation, and lower rates to stimulate the labor market, in keeping with its dual mandate to maintain price stability and maximum employment.

The Fed does not directly set mortgage rates, which instead tend to follow the yields of long-term bonds. Those bond markets are influenced by investor expectations about future Fed policy and financial conditions, including inflation and government deficits.

A case in point: One year ago, mortgage rates plunged to a two-year low ahead of expected Fed rate cuts in September 2024. But as it became clear that the Fed cuts would not be as extensive as markets expected, mortgage rates began to rise again, even as the Fed made further cuts.

Weekly mortgage rates are likely to fall again when Freddie Mac next reports on Thursday, with the Fed decision coming too late in the reporting period to have much impact.

After that, the path remains unclear, although most housing economists expect mortgage rates to remain above 6% through the end of the year.

Political drama surrounds Fed's interest rate decision

The Fed has long taken pains to preserve its independence from political pressure or influence, but that tradition has been challenged in recent months by Trump's public pressure campaign for lower rates.

Soon after starting his second term, Trump began demanding lower rates, at various points threatening to fire or sue Powell. Trump has said that lower rates would help the government refinance its massive debt on more favorable terms and also boost the housing market.

Powell has resisted, however, telling Trump at a White House meeting in May that the central bank's future decisions on interest rates would be "based solely on careful, objective, and non-political analysis," according to a Fed statement on the meeting.

The standoff has intensified in recent weeks with Trump's attempt to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors over allegations of mortgage fraud.

Cook, a Biden appointee, supported Powell in holding rates steady the last time the FOMC voted on policy in late July. She is currently battling Trump in court and voted on Wednesday's rate decision after a federal judge temporarily blocked the president's attempt to remove her.

Asked about Cook's legal battle with Trump, Powell responded: "I see it as a court case that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on."

Meanwhile, Miran, a White House economic adviser and Trump's pick to fill a vacant seat on the Fed's Board of Governors, was sworn in with immediate voting power Tuesday morning following a narrow 48-47 confirmation vote in the Senate.

Although he has taken a leave of absence as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, Miran is technically still an employee of the president, making him the first White House official on the Fed's governing board

The precedent-shattering move potentially gives Trump a direct line to monetary policy deliberations within the rate-setting FOMC, raising questions about the Fed's ongoing independence.

Asked whether Miran's appointment threatens Fed independence, Powell told reporters: "We did welcome a new committee member today, as we always do, and the committee remains united in pursuing our dual mandate goals. We're strongly committed to maintaining our independence, and beyond that, I really don't have anything to share."

Central bank independence is important because, historically, maintaining artificially low interest rates for political reasons often leads to runaway inflation and capital flight, driving government borrowing costs higher in the long run as investors lose confidence.

"Lessons learned from both the U.S. experience and the experience of central banks around the globe suggest that monetary policy decisions are better and more credible when they are insulated from politics," says the economist Hale.

In comments to reporters on Monday, Trump said he supports an independent Fed, while reiterating his view that the Fed rate should be "much lower."

"It should be [independent], it should be. But I think they should listen to smart people like me. I think I have a better instinct than him," Trump said, referring to Powell.

Read more at Realtor.com

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‘Biohacking’ Amenities Are What Wealthy Homebuyers Are Clamoring for Right Now—but Is It Worth the Investment Long Term?

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Once considered the pinnacle of wellness living, gyms and swimming pools were the go-to amenities for health-conscious homeowners. Today, affluent buyers are looking for "biohacking" amenities designed to optimize the body and extend longevity.

This includes everything from cold plunges and infrared saunas to luxury kitchens designed for optimal health.

"Million Dollar Listing New York" star Fredrik Eklund recently revealed that celebrity clients are moving beyond traditional gyms and spas to install these high-tech wellness features at home.

But will these investments actually hold up in resale?

The rise of biohacking amenities in luxury real estate

Fredrik Eklund tells Fortune magazine that celebrities are outfitting their homes with biohacking tools, and that the trend is intensifying.

Biohacking is a DIY approach to improving health, longevity, and well-being through wellness routines, recovery tech, and home-based optimization.

"Today’s luxury buyer places enormous emphasis on personal wellness and optimizing their living environment," says luxury real estate broker Jenny Lenz, managing director of Dolly Lenz Real Estate in Manhattan. "Biohacking amenities speak directly to that priority, which is why more developers and homeowners are leaning into the trend."

Many high-profile adopters swear by these biohacking techniques. Jason Buechel, the CEO of Whole Foods, is a long-time proponent of infrared saunas, as well as cold and hot plunges. Thrive Market co-founder and CEO Nick Green also has a barrel sauna and ice bath right outside his bedroom. And Norges Bank Investment Management CEO Nicolai Tangen calls steam saunas “a key to happiness.”

The most in-demand features right now

Wellness designer Sharon L. Sherman of Thyme and Place Design says steam showers and air tubs are in demand at the moment.

"They offer a great source of relaxation and recharge for the whole family," she says.

According to Lenz, high-profile buyers are also hyper-focused on wellness features such as purified air and water systems.

"They want to drink the cleanest water and breathe the purest air, even in the middle of a dense city like New York," she says.

Real estate agent Kirsti Jane, CEO of House of Luxury Group, has seen a surge in interest for smoothie stations, yoga spaces, and red light therapy beds in the luxury market, as well.

Lenz says saunas and cold plunges are also fast becoming must-haves for her high-end clients, while Sherman says she's getting more requests for refrigerated drawers in bathrooms for chilled towels and skincare elixirs.

"While traditional luxury amenities like pools and gyms are still sought after, biohacking features go deeper, supporting physical, emotional, and mental well-being," says Sherman. "They’re less about entertainment and more about optimizing how people feel and function every day."

Will these investments pay off in the long run?

San Diego-based real estate investor Jessica J. Vance, who often installs biohacking amenities in her resale properties, says cold plunges and hot tubs typically run anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000, while infrared saunas can run up to $10,000.

"In my opinion, these investments will pay off in the right property," she says. "Any biohacking improvement will be a value-add to a luxury buyer."

Andrew Tanner, global real estate advisor at Premier Sotheby's International Realty, says biohacking amenities are much more than a niche attraction for luxury buyers.

"If the right wellness features are available, there will always be a market for them—which makes them future-proof," he says. "Most of these buyers travel extensively and experience these things in wellness spas and luxury hotels, so why not at home?"

However, Sherman predicts that some of these features will age better than others.

"Cold-plunge pools might be more trend-sensitive, but steam showers and air tubs have already stood the test of time," she says.

Right now, red-hot biohacking features increase marketability.

"Biohacking amenities create buzz," says Lenz. "In a crowded market, anything that draws attention and brings buyers through the door is an advantage."

Many experts believe that biohacking amenities will boost resale value in the future, as well.

"Biohacking amenities, such as saunas, add $10,000 to $20,000 to resale value in wellness markets like Maui, and that’s a sign of modern luxury," says Evan Harlow, a real estate agent at Maui Elite Property. "Their attraction to health-aware clients will increase the property worth on average by 2% to 5%."

But biohacking can pay off in other ways, too.

Luxury real estate agent Casey Gaddy, of The Gaddy Group in Philadelphia, says, "Some of my clients see the return on investment in their well-being, which is worth the price tag."

Read more at Realtor.com

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Thinking About Renting Your House Instead of Selling? Read This First.

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If your house is on the market but you haven’t gotten any offers you’re comfortable with, you may be wondering: what do I do if it doesn’t sell? And for a growing number of homeowners, that’s turning into a new dilemma: should I just rent it instead?

There’s a term for this in the industry, and it’s called an accidental landlord. Here’s how Yahoo Finance defines it:

“These ‘accidental landlords’ are homeowners who tried to sell but couldn’t fetch the price they wanted — and instead have decided to rent out their homes until conditions improve.”

Why This Is Happening More Often Right Now

And right now, the number of homeowners turning into accidental landlords is rising. Business Insider explains why:

“While there have always been accidental landlords . . . an era of middling home sales brought on by a steep rise in borrowing rates — is minting a new wave of reluctant rental owners.”

Basically, sales have slowed down as buyers struggle with today’s affordability challenges. And that’s leaving some homeowners with listings that sit and go stale. And if they don’t want to drop their price to try to appeal to buyers, they may rent instead.

But here’s the thing you need to remember if renting your house has crossed your mind. Becoming a landlord wasn’t your original plan, and there’s probably a reason for that. It comes with a lot more responsibility (and risk) than most people expect.

So, if you find yourself toying with that option, ask yourself these questions first:

1. Does Your House Have Potential as a Profitable Rental?

Just because you can rent it doesn’t mean you should. For example:

  • Are you moving out of state? Managing maintenance from far away isn’t easy.

  • Does the home need repairs before it’s rental-ready? And do you have the time or the funds for that?

  • Is your neighborhood one that typically attracts renters, and would your house be profitable as one?

If any of those give you pause, it’s a sign selling might be the better move.

2. Are You Ready To Be a Landlord?

On paper, renting sounds like easy passive income. In reality, it often looks more like this:

  • Midnight calls about clogged toilets or broken air conditioners

  • Chasing down missed rent payments

  • Damage you’ll have to fix between tenants

As Redfin notes:

“Landlords have to fix things like broken pipes, defunct HVAC systems, and structural damage, among other essential repairs. If you don’t have a few thousand dollars on hand to take care of these repairs, you could end up in a bind.”

3. Have You Thought Through the True Costs?

According to Bankrate, here are just a few of the hidden costs that come with renting out your home:

  • A higher insurance premium (landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more)

  • Management fees (if you use a property manager, they typically charge around 10% of the rent)

  • Maintenance and advertising to find tenants

  • Gaps between tenants, where you cover the mortgage without rental income coming in

All of that adds up, fast.

While renting can be a smart move for the right person with the right house, if you’re only considering it because your listing didn’t get traction, there may be a better solution: talking to your current agent and revisiting the pricing strategy on your house first.

With their advice you can rework your strategy, relaunch at the right price, and attract real buyers to make the sale happen.

Bottom Line

Before you decide to rent your house, make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons of becoming a landlord. For some homeowners, the hassle (and the expense) may not be worth it.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

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Patience Won’t Sell Your House. Pricing Will.

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Waiting for the perfect buyer to fall in love with your house? In today’s market, that’s usually not what’s holding things up. And here’s why.

Let’s be real. Homes are taking a week longer to sell than they did a year ago. According to Realtor.com:

“Homes are also taking longer to sell. The typical home spent 60 days on the market in August, seven days longer than last year and now above pre-pandemic norms for the second consecutive month. This was the 17th straight month of year-over-year increases in time on market.”

Part of that is because there are more homes on the market. So, with more options for buyers to choose from, they aren’t getting snatched up quite as fast. But there’s another big reason: price.

The Average List Price Isn’t Going Up – and That Matters

Today, a lot of homeowners are overshooting their list price. They remember the big climb in home prices a few years ago, and they don’t realize how much has changed.

One of the most important, but often overlooked, changes in today’s housing market is this: average list prices have held steady for the past few years.

That’s a big shift from a typical market, where prices were rising steadily each year. And it’s significantly different than the 2021-2022 surge when sellers could set their price just about anywhere and still attract multiple offers over asking.

But now? That trend has leveled off – and sellers who want to stay competitive need to take note.

Buyers are a lot more price sensitive now. And sellers can’t keep trying to inch the bar higher, or their house will sit without any offers.

Homeowners who expect to bring in more than their neighbors did last year may be setting themselves up for a longer, more frustrating experience.

And while homeowners are starting to realize prices can’t keep climbing at such a rapid pace, the hiccup is that list prices aren’t actually coming down yet as a result. They’re hanging around, holding steady. And sellers who make this mistake are often holding onto hope that they’ll be able to eek a few more dollars out of their sale. But that’s the problem right there.

If you want to sell today, you need to be in line with where the market is today. Not last year. Not during the pandemic. Today.

Because buyers will skip over homes that feel overpriced, even if it’s only by a little. It’s not that they aren’t interested. It’s just that in a market with more homes to choose from, buyers can be more selective, and sellers don’t get the same benefit of the doubt. If your house isn’t priced to sell, buyers just move on. They’ve got other options anyway.

4 Signs Your Price May Be Too High

You may already be feeling this yourself. If your home is listed and you’re not seeing results, watch for these common red flags noted by Bankrate:

  • You’re not getting many showings

  • You haven’t gotten any offers (or you’ve only gotten lowball offers)

  • Buyers that do come to see your house leave overly negative feedback

  • Your house has been sitting on the market longer than the average for your area

If any of these sound familiar, know that waiting it out won’t fix it. But adjusting your price will.

So, What’s the Solution?

Work with your agent to make sure your house is positioned for today’s market. Depending on your what’s happening in your local area, a few weeks without traction can raise questions for buyers about whether your price is realistic. And don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be a big drop. Even a small adjustment can be enough to bring the right buyers through the door.

And if you’re worried you won’t get the high-ticket sale price you thought you would be able to land, keep in mind that your equity has probably grown quite a bit. Chances are, you’re still ahead of the game simply because you invested in a home over the last 5, 10, or more years. You’re still winning when you sell today.

Bottom Line

Patience isn’t a strategy. Pricing is.

If your home isn’t moving, the market is telling you something – and the right price can change everything. Your house will sell, if you price it strategically.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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