Celebrity Homes • October 4, 2026

Tyler Perry’s Beverly Hills Megamansion By Wendy Bowman

The filmmaker is selling his ultra-private, 22-acre estate that once served as a refuge for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for $57 million.

10 Beverly Ridge Terrace Tyler Perry House Beverly HillsMarc Angeles; Savion Washington/FilmMagic

The sprawling residence features eight bedrooms and 15 baths in roughly 25,000 square feet, plus a one-bedroom guesthouse.

Housing Market • October 4, 2026

That Affordable Home May Come With An Expensive Surprise By Michele Lerner

Whether they’re new homeowners or not, plenty of consumers face sticker shock when they get their monthly utility bills. Nationally, average monthly utility bills rose to $412 in 2025, up 7 percent from 2024, according to JD Power.

Overall, non-mortgage costs to homeowners — including utilities, property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance and renovations — average nearly $24,000 annually on top of their mortgage principal and interest, according to the 2026 True Cost of Owning a Home survey by Clever Real Estate, a site that matches consumers and real estate agents. The biggest culprit: utility bills, which annually come to an average of $7,679.

“In our survey, 82 percent of homeowners said non-mortgage costs have increased since they bought their home, and 45 percent said those costs are higher than they expected,” said Clara Haverstic, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based data analyst for Clever. “Nearly one-third [29 percent] said they weren’t aware of these additional costs when they purchased their home.”

How to estimate utility costs

When home buyers are evaluated for a mortgage, lenders don’t include utility bills as part of their monthly expenses. Those costs vary widely depending on location, the size of the home and how energy-efficient it is, along with homeowner habits. While most people think primarily about electric and gas bills, many homeowners also pay water bills. Trash collection, internet, phone and cable services can also be included as utility expenses, although renters pay some of those bills.

“Between high prices and interest rates, buyers’ budgets are really stretched,” said Robin LeBaron, co-founder and president of Pearl, a provider of home-performance ratings for all single-family homes in the United States. “We sponsored a survey by Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative, which found that 84 percent of recent buyers said that energy efficiency was very or moderately important to their home-buying decision. But only about 8 percent of listings even mention energy efficiency.”

Buyers of single-family houses and townhouses with their own HVAC units can go to the website for Pearl, a provider of home-performance ratings, enter an address and get a score for the home’s performance. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Home buyers can ask their agent or the listing agent of a home they want to buy about estimated utility bills, which some sellers are willing to share, said Kendra Sinclair, a Hudson Valley, New York-based design trends expert at Thumbtack, a home services platform.

“Buyers can also call utility companies to get a 12-month look-back at the bills, since they’re tied to an address,” Sinclair said. “It’s important to get the full year of costs, since they’re typically lower in spring and fall and higher in the summer and winter.”

In some cases, a utility company will provide an average bill based on a comparable nearby home, said Marc Blackwood, owner of Real Property Management Pros.

“Buyers should ask their agent and sellers about energy-efficient upgrades in the property, along with the age of appliances and systems,” Blackwood said. “Always have a home inspection and ask the home inspector for estimates of the age and efficiency of appliances, along with the water heater and the heating and air conditioning system.”

Buyers of single-family houses and townhouses with their own heating and air conditioning units (rather than communal systems such as in a condo) can go to Pearl and enter an address to get a score for the house’s performance based on its safety, comfort, operations (which includes utility costs), resilience and energy efficiency, including whether it has solar power and storage. The score is based on data the insurance companies and mortgage underwriters see from public records, LeBaron said, along with some proprietary data. Homeowners can update information with documentation if anything is missing or inaccurate.

Installing ceiling fans can improve air circulation. (MileA/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“Buyers can also ask their home inspector to review the age of the mechanical systems in a house and see whether they’ve been well-maintained, which will have a big impact on their efficiency,” LeBaron said. “Buyers can look for the make and model themselves, as well as the year a system was installed to estimate when they may need to replace it.”

If you have concerns about a house or your house inspector flags something, you can hire an electrician, a plumber or an insulation, roof or window expert to assess the relevant system or component and estimate replacement costs, Sinclair said.

“If you smell mold or mildew, you should ask your inspector to look for evidence of leaks, which can contribute to higher water bills,” she said.

Inexpensive ways to lower your utility bills

Depending on market conditions, it may be possible to ask sellers to make repairs or give you credit at the closing to pay for them, but generally if a system or appliance works, the sellers are not responsible for upgrading it. However, some simple and inexpensive fixes you can do after you move in to lower your energy bills include:

Caulking around doors and windows can help block drafts and make homes less expensive to heat. (Evgeny Gostuhin/Getty Images)
  • Replacing the weather stripping or caulk around doors and windows to block drafts.
  • Installing a programmable thermostat to schedule heat and air conditioning to reduce usage.
  • Adding thermal curtains to keep cold air out in winter.
  • Changing light fixtures or bulbs to LED lights, which last longer and require less electricity.
  • Changing or clean your air filters regularly to keep heating and air conditioning working smoothly.
  • Checking with your electric company to see if it charges more for usage during peak hours. If it does, you might be able to adjust your habits to reduce your electricity consumption then.
  • Hiring a plumber to tighten your outdoor water spigots.
  • Installing leak sensors under sinks and next to your water heater to catch leaks and get them repaired.
  • Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to reduce water use.
  • Adding insulation to the attic, including the hatch to the attic.
  • Installing ceiling fans for better air circulation.
  • Buying a water heater blanket to keep energy in the unit and not heating the space around it.
A programmable thermostat can reduce energy usage by scheduling heating and air conditioning. (Olivier Le Moal/Getty Images)

“Homeowners should develop a plan based on when their appliances are likely to need replacing,” Haverstic said. “You have to assume things will break and need repair, so you should have dedicated savings for repair or replacement and know who to call.”

Haverstic suggests considering a home warranty, which is a service contract for the appliances and systems covered by the specific policy. Home warranty policies cost an average of $30 to $90 per month.

He lost everything. Then he found riches in a dumpster.

Blackwood recommends buying an annual service plan for your heating and air conditioning system as well as a plumbing service contract to catch issues before they get serious.

Bigger investments for future utility savings

Solar panels, like these in Folsom, California, are a good way to improve a home’s energy efficiency. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

If your inspector finds that your house lacks insulation or has old and damaged insulation, you might want to invest in professional spray foam insulation, which can quickly reduce energy consumption, Sinclair said.

“A midrange project that can improve comfort as well as lower your bills is to seal the air ducts in your attic,” LeBaron said. “You can install storm windows and a storm door if you have older single-pane windows and are not ready to replace them yet.”

Higher-cost improvements include a heat pump water heater and a high-efficiency heat pump.

“You’ll need to invest more if you’re replacing your heating and air conditioning system, your water heater, your windows and your appliances, but you’ll get payback over time from improved efficiency,” Sinclair said. “Depending on where you live and the availability of rebates from your utility company, solar panels and storage can have an even bigger impact.”

Financing these upgrades can be a challenge, but some mortgage programs such as FHA 203(k), Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation and Freddie Mac ChoiceRenovation loans allow borrowers to include renovation costs in their purchase loan. For example, home buyers can have an energy-efficient heat pump, extra insulation, better windows and a heat pump water heater installed before they move in — that’s as long as they can qualify for the larger loan payment. More often, homeowners wait until they can save money for upgrades or borrow against the home equity they build up over time.

Housing Market • October 4, 2026

Why So Many Sellers Are Cutting Their Price Right Now By Keeping Current Matters

Price cuts are turning up everywhere right now, and they read very differently depending on which side of the deal you’re on.

Sellers tend to worry a cut means walking away with less than they hoped. Sometimes that’s true, but more often it just means the market moved faster than the listing did.

Buyers, for their part, often assume a cut means something’s wrong with the house. Most of the time, that’s not it.

This is what’s actually driving all those price cuts, and why it matters no matter which side of the deal you’re on.

42% of Homes for Sale Are Now Carrying a Price Cut

According to HousingWire Data, the share of sellers cutting their asking price has climbed every month for 7 straight months (see chart below):

a graph showing the growth of a straight month

Today, more than 4 in 10 active listings have had at least 1 price cut, and the typical seller is cutting about $17,560 off their original number.

Here’s why that’s happening. With rates still elevated and more homes to choose from, buyers can afford to wait for the right number. So, sellers who don’t start there often end up adjusting anyway.

What does that mean for you?

  • If you’re selling, this isn’t a red flag. But it is a sign that pricing it right from day 1 is your best bet. Just know that the market’s been shifting fast enough this year that sometimes even a well-priced house can fall behind within a matter of weeks. If that happens to you, dropping your price to catch up to where pricing actually stands today tends to bring in more buyers and helps you sell closer to true market value.
  • If you’re buying, it’s easy to assume a price cut means something’s wrong with the house. But with cuts happening on more than 4 in 10 homes right now, the reality is sellers are just catching up to where the market already is. And with affordability still tight, that’s exactly the kind of opening you need to get a better deal.

Why Sellers Are Adjusting Faster than Before

HousingWire Data also shows list prices are trending down nationally. That’s often a sign sellers are pricing more realistically from the start instead of listing high and getting stuck cutting later. List prices have fallen about $26,000 from last year’s peak.

Some of that decline is seasonal, since list prices typically soften each winter before rebounding in the spring. So, expect asking prices to keep drifting a little lower before turning back around (see chart below):

a graph of a number of people

Jake Krimmel, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, explains:

“That is good news for buyers, who are seeing lower asking prices and more room to negotiate, but it is also good news for sellers: Pricing to today’s demand is helping homes move and keeping more transactions alive in a high-rate environment.”

Translation – with rates still elevated, buyers can only stretch so far. Sellers who meet them where they are instead of holding out for unrealistic prices are the ones actually getting to closing. And doing that up front is always better than chasing the market later.

Buyers, You’ve Got Room To Negotiate Again

At the same time, Redfin data shows sellers now outnumber buyers by about 58%, the widest gap on record (see chart below):

a graph of sales

That changes the power dynamics of the market – and impacts how homeowners should price their house. Nationally, about 7 in 10 markets now favor buyers or are trending that way.

  • For sellers, that means standing out matters as much as pricing. With more homes to choose from, buyers are comparing you directly against the competition. So, a little flexibility, like covering closing costs or being open on timing, can be what gets your house picked over another.
  • For buyers, it means more room to ask for a lower price, help with closing costs, repairs after inspection, or some combination of all 3. That’s especially true for homes that have already sat for weeks, where sellers are often the most willing to talk.

Bottom Line

Price cuts are a normal part of today’s housing market, and both buyers and sellers can use them to their advantage. Connect with a local real estate agent to look at what’s actually happening with prices in your neighborhood, so you know exactly where you stand before you list or make an offer.

Food • September 26, 2026

Chicken Wontons in Spicy Chili Sauce By Pinch of Yum

How To Make Chicken Wontons with Spicy Sauce

Step 1: Cut Up Your Vegetables.

I like shiitake mushrooms (for flavoring the brothy goodness) and green onions (for topping). I’ve also loved the versions I’ve made with either spinach or bok choy!

Bowl of shitake mushrooms and green onions

Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms and Wontons.

I usually start with the mushrooms in some sesame oil, and once they’re good to go, I add my wontons.

Chicken wontons being sauteed in a pan.

Step 3: Build the Sauce.

I add chicken broth, a bit of teriyaki sauce, a spoonful of chili oil, and a drizzle of sesame oil. It’s somewhere between a dipping sauce, a soup broth, and a finishing oil. It’s all three in one.

White hand adding chili oil to chicken wontons in a pan.

Step 4: Scoop It Into Bowls, Garnish, and Serve.

Serve it up, top with green onions and sesame seeds, and dive in.

Bowl of chicken wontons in a soup-y broth.

Looking For More Dinner Ideas?

Check out our collection of 30+ top dinner recipes!

chicken wonton in spicy chili sauce.

Chicken Wontons In Spicy Chili Sauce


 

Big, beautiful, bossy flavors ahead! Shiitake mushrooms and chicken wontons swim in a brothy flavor-filled sauce and get finished with a swirl of sesame oil and chili crisp on top. Yum!


INGREDIENTS

Chicken Wontons with Spicy Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
  • 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • one 12-ounce bag frozen wontons (I like the mini chicken cilantro ones from Trader Joe’s or Costco)
  • 1–2 cups chicken broth (depending on how soupy you like it)
  • 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 1–2 tablespoons chili crisp

Toppings:

  • green onions, sliced
  • sesame seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms; sauté until softened and yummy. Add garlic for the last minute or two of sautéing.
  2. Add the frozen wontons, chicken broth, and teriyaki sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes, with a lid on, until the wontons are heated through.
  3. Finish with remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil, chili crisp, and top with sesame seeds and scallions.
Celebrity Homes • September 26, 2026

Nick and Vanessa Lachey List the $8.2 Million L.A. Home They Bought from Naomi Osaka By Wendy Bowman

Nick and Vanessa Lachey put their Encino home up for sale a little more than a year ago and doled out $8 million to buy back another property in nearby Tarzana they had owned and sold once before. Now, as they plan to leave California for a new chapter, the pair is looking to offload the sprawling San Fernando Valley mansion with a $245,000 jump in price.

The married reality TV show hosts have put an $8.195 million price tag on the East Coast traditional-style residence they picked up from tennis superstar Naomi Osaka in August 2025 for $7.95 million. Before that, it was owned by former NFL wide receiver Randall Cobb, who sold it to the Lacheys in 2020 for a dash over $5 million. Built in 2014 and renovated and expanded by Osaka, the home is listed with Mauricio Umansky and Craig Knizek of The Agency.

4760 Amigo Nick and Vanessa Lachey House Tarzana
A coffered-ceiling family room opens to a covered loggia via pocketing doors.James Moss

RELATED: Nick and Vanessa Lachey Pay $8 Million to Buy Back an L.A. Home They Sold to Naomi Osaka

Set beyond a cul-de-sac and a double-gated driveway on a flat lot spanning over half an acre, the white horizontal lap-sided and black-shuttered house offers a total of six bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and two powder rooms. Roughly 7,000 square feet across two levels showcases engineered hardwood floors paired with walls of glass overlooking picturesque valley and mountain views.

A walkway framed by mature trees and boxwood hedges leads up to a columned porch. Inside, a coffer-ceilinged family room sporting a fireplace and built-in bookshelves spills out to a covered loggia, while a kitchen with dual islands adjoins a breakfast nook. Other highlights include a formal dining room embellished with wainscoting, a movie theater, a game room with a wet bar, and a wine cellar, plus a second-floor primary suite flaunting two private balconies.

 

4760 Amigo Nick and Vanessa Lachey House Tarzana
Osaka added a guesthouse/gym that includes neon inspirational quotes.James Moss

In addition to an 800-square-foot detached guesthouse/gym with a kitchenette and bath added by Osaka, the backyard hosts a pool with a Baja shelf and an inset spa, a barbecue station, a fire pit, and a sunken sports court. Out front, a four-car garage anchors a motor court with parking for up to 20 vehicles.

The Encino property that the Love Is Blind co-hosts purchased in 2024 for $6.8 million recently sold for $6.15 million, after first listing for $7.5 million. The couple previously owned a Hawaii home near Oahu’s Kahala Beach they bought in 2022 for $8.8 million, shortly after Vanessa was cast in the CBS show NCIS: Hawaiʻi. They sold that house two summers ago for nearly $9.5 million after the police procedural was canceled.

Housing Market • September 26, 2026

Why Your Asking Price Matters More Now Than Ever By Keeping Current Matters

Most sellers come into the market with one number in mind. And it’s often the one that costs them the most. That’s their asking price.

A survey from Realtor.com shows about 8 in 10 (80%) of sellers expect to sell at or above their asking price today. But here’s where things get interesting.

In reality, only about 4 out of every 10 (roughly 40%) actually do.

That’s a big gap. And it’s where a lot of sellers get caught off guard. So, why the disconnect? And how can you set yourself up to be one of the 4 in 10 that get top dollar?

Let’s break it down.

What Should You Really Expect To Get for Your House?

That 40% may sound low at first, but it’s not.

If you look back to the last typical year for the housing market (2019), what we’re really seeing is a return to what’s normal (see chart below). If anything, slightly more homeowners are able to sell above list price today compared to 2019:

a graph of a market

It only feels low because the past few years were anything but typical. Between 2020 and mid-2022, buyer demand was sky-high and the number of homes for sale was at record lows. Almost everything sold over asking.

Now, the market has shifted.

There are more homes for sale. Buyers have more options. And that means they’re more selective about how they spend their money.

In other words, the rules have changed – and pricing like it’s still 2021 is where sellers run into trouble. You have to meet the market where it is if you really want to cash in big.

What Happens When a Home Is Priced Too High

Here’s the reality. It’s easy to think pricing high gives you room to negotiate. But it usually does the opposite.

When your home is priced above what buyers expect, in this market, they don’t negotiate. They move on.

Because buyers notice price first. And if your home doesn’t line up with similar options in your area, it may not even get a showing. And that’s when things start to snowball:

  • A high price gets less interest from buyers.
  • Less interest means fewer offers.
  • And fewer offers usually means more time on the market.

Take a look at this table from the Indiana Association of Realtors. While this data is from one state, the general trend is going to hold true across many markets in the country. It shows that homes listed at or under market value sell fast. But homes priced high? They linger. And that delay comes at a very real cost.

a blue and white rectangular chart with numbers and text

The Price Cut Trap (And How To Avoid It)

When a home sits that long without offers, a lot of sellers will do a price reduction. According to HousingWire Data, over 40% of sellers are going that route today.

But here’s the real problem. Even a price cut doesn’t guarantee a sale.

In fact, some buyers will see a reduction as a sign something’s wrong with the house – even when nothing is.

That’s why data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the longer a home sits, the bigger that price cut tends to be to attract buyers back:

a graph of a house price

So, what starts as a strategy to “leave room” for negotiate can end up costing you more in the long run.

Why Pricing Right from Day One Matters

Even though listing at or even just shy of market value may sound counter intuitive if you’re looking to get as much money for your house as possible, a lot of the time it really is the best strategy.

Because the goal isn’t just to list your house to see what price sticks. It’s to price it in a way that creates demand from day one.

NAR puts it best:

“While some sellers are pricing their homes higher than ever, a more ‘goldilocks’ frame of mind is a better approach to avoid price cuts and lingering time on the market.”

In other words, there’s a sweet spot. Too high, and buyers disappear. Too low, and they question the value.

But right in the middle? That’s where the magic happens.

And that’s where the right agent comes in.

They help you understand what buyers are actually paying right now, how your home compares, and how to price it so it stands out immediately. And in today’s market, that strategy is the difference between:

  1. Listing high, watching it sit, and selling for less later.
  2. Or, pricing it right, creating competition, and putting yourself in a position to win from the start.

Bottom Line

A lot of homeowners think they can list high now and negotiate later, but that’s a mistake that costs them. And it’s the reason only 4 out of every 10 sellers are getting their asking price or more.

If you want to be in that group, it starts with getting the price right from day one.

Food • September 18, 2026

Pumpkin Brownies By Taste Of Home

Ingredients for Pumpkin Brownies

  • Sugar: We sweeten the brownie batter and pumpkin batter with granulated sugar. At first glance, it looks as though there are a lot of different ingredients for this recipe. However, both the brownie batter and pumpkin batter use almost all the same ingredients. Just make sure you have enough for both.
  • All-purpose flour: You’ll need 3/4 cup all-purpose flour for the brownie batter, plus 1 cup for the pumpkin batter.
  • Baking cocoa: Whenever I make brownies, I find a huge difference in taste when I use one of the best cocoa powder brands. A good cocoa powder should be both sweet and bitter, with a very dark brown, slightly reddish hue.
  • Baking soda: Double-check that your baking soda hasn’t expired. We use it in both batters for this recipe, and it would be a shame if they didn’t rise properly!
  • Canola oil: Neutral-flavored canola oil creates a soft, tender texture. Feel free to use melted butter if it saves you a trip to the store.
  • Eggs: If you can remember, take the four eggs out of the fridge 30 minutes before starting this recipe to bring them to room temperature. Room-temperature eggs will make for much better emulsion in both batters.
  • Vanilla extract: Just 1 teaspoon vanilla extract is a small way to enliven this pumpkin brownies recipe with sweetness and delicate floral flavors.
  • Pumpkin pie spice: We pack in the flavors of fall with 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
  • Canned pumpkin: Grab one of the best canned pumpkin brands from the store. Stock up on a few if you plan on making more pumpkin desserts, like a classic pumpkin pie or this contest-winning pumpkin cheesecake, before the season is out.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the brownie batter

Lining a 13x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper
TASTE OF HOME

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment, letting the ends extend up the sides. Grease the parchment with baking spray.

In a large bowl, mix sugar, all-purpose flour, baking cocoa, salt and baking soda
TASTE OF HOME

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, all-purpose flour, baking cocoa, salt and baking soda. In a small bowl, whisk together the canola oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until moistened.

Step 2: Create the pumpkin batter

mix canola oil, eggs and vanilla extract in a small bowl
TASTE OF HOME

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, pumpkin pie spice and baking soda. In a small bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree and eggs. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until moistened.

Step 3: Layer and swirl the batters

Spreading pumpkin batter
TASTE OF HOME

Evenly spread half the brownie batter into the prepared pan to all edges and corners of the pan. Don’t be alarmed if the layer seems thin—it should be! Then drop half the pumpkin batter by tablespoonfuls over the top. Gently spread the pumpkin batter to cover most of the brownie batter.

Evenly spread the batter in the baking tray
TASTE OF HOME

Drop the remaining pumpkin and brownie batters by tablespoonfuls over the pumpkin layer. Gently swirl the batters on top with a knife or toothpick.

Step 4: Bake the pumpkin brownies

Pumpkin brownie batter in tray
TASTE OF HOME

Bake the pumpkin brownies until a toothpick comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool the brownies in the pan on a wire rack at room temperature. Lifting with the edges of the parchment, remove the pumpkin brownies from the pan.

Cut them into bars and enjoy.

Pumpkin Brownies on parchment paper
TASTE OF HOME

Recipe Variations

  • Add some mix-ins: Try throwing in some different mix-ins! If you like nuts, stir 1 cup chopped walnuts into the pumpkin batter before adding it to the pan. You can also add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the brownie batter—just keep in mind that it’ll be a little more difficult to spread a thin layer over the bottom of the pan.
  • Finish with a topping: Want to take this pumpkin brownies recipe over the top? Drizzle on a sticky salted caramel sauce, a thick and creamy fudge frosting, or something lighter like a nutty hazelnut whipped cream.
  • Bake in a different pan: Don’t have a 13×9-inch pan? No worries! Instead, bake these pumpkin brownies in a 12-inch skillet, two 9-inch round pans or two 8-inch round pans.

How to Store Pumpkin Brownies

Store these pumpkin brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Just make sure they’ve cooled to room temperature first before storing. To extend the brownies’ shelf life by a couple of days, store them in the fridge.

Can you freeze pumpkin brownies?

Absolutely! Once the pumpkin brownies have cooled to room temperature, place the pieces in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy your pumpkin brownies again, let them thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for an hour.

Pumpkin Brownie Tips

Pumpkin Brownies
TASTE OF HOME

Can you use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned?

You can use homemade pumpkin puree if you have it on hand, but our Test Kitchen cooks actually prefer to use canned pumpkin for fall baking. The water content can vary in homemade pumpkin purees, altering the texture and taste of your pumpkin dessert recipes.

Canned pumpkin, however, will always have the same texture as the can of pumpkin next to it on the shelf. And, honestly, we just find that canned pumpkin tastes better too. Perfectly silky and vibrantly orange, canned pumpkin is the all-around winner for us.

What can you serve with pumpkin brownies?

They’re delicious by themselves or as the base for a fall brownie sundae. If you do decide to add ice cream, go for an autumnal flavor: Homemade pumpkin ice cream is perfect for these brownies if you have an ice cream maker at home. A pint of the best vanilla ice cream or the best chocolate ice cream from the store works well too.

After-dinner drinks like port or whiskey make excellent sippers with pumpkin brownies. A creamy milk stout or a porter with coffee and caramel notes complements the sugary pumpkin and complex chocolate notes. Or, grab your favorite pumpkin ale or pumpkin cider, because ’tis the season.

Watch How to Make Pumpkin Brownies

Celebrity Homes • September 18, 2026

Inside Robert Pattinson’s Hollywood-Pedigreed Property Portfolio By Abby Montanez

Robert Pattinson has come a long way from the moody vampire who made him a household name. The British actor first caught Hollywood’s attention as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire before becoming a global phenomenon as Edward Cullen in Twilight. The five-film franchise made him one of the biggest stars of his generation. Over time, Pattinson has gravitated toward stranger, more challenging roles, earning praise for his acting in Good Time and The Lighthouse before taking on another blockbuster role: Bruce Wayne in The Batman.

At 40, Pattinson is hardly slowing down. He’s coming off a packed stretch that included shooting Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and the third Dune installment, while also starring in The Drama alongside Zendaya and Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime, which opens Sept. 25. Offscreen, he’s been the longtime face of Dior Homme and recently added a new gig as a global ambassador for Jaeger-LeCoultre.

His career has also made him a very wealthy man, with an estimated fortune of $80 million to $100 million. These days, Pattinson’s life looks pretty different from his Twilight years. He and partner Suki Waterhouse welcomed a daughter in 2024, and the family now rents a house in Beverly Hills. Before that, though, Pattinson spent years quietly building a very Hollywood real estate portfolio, from a storied Los Feliz estate to several private homes in the Hollywood Hills. Here’s a look at where the actor has lived—and what those houses were like.

Housing Market • September 18, 2026

Selling This Fall? You Haven’t Missed Your Window By Keeping Current Matters

Summer’s winding down, and if you’ve been thinking about selling, you might be wondering if you missed your chance. Better to wait until next year or even next spring, right?

Not so fast. About one in three of all home sales happen in the last four months of the year.

Fall Is Busier than You Think

Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows around a third of existing home sales happen in the final four months of the year. And that share has grown every year since 2023 (see graph below):

a graph of sales

Here’s What That Means for You

According to forecasts from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), NAR, and Wells Fargo, there will be about 4.16 million existing home sales this year. Based on how many sales have happened so far, that means roughly 1.4 million sales are expected between now and December.

That’s about 11,800 houses selling every single day this fall.

So, the market isn’t frozen and you don’t need to put your plans on ice either. Yes, higher rates are keeping some buyers on the sidelines. But hold out for next spring, and you’ll sit out months when other serious buyers are ready to move before the new year.

How do you get in front of those buyers who are still out there looking right now? Getting your house sold this season comes down to how well it’s priced and presented,  and that’s where a local agent shines.

A good agent knows what buyers in your area want right now, prices your house to match this fall’s market, and positions it to stand out to the serious buyers shopping before year-end. From the first photo to the final offer, they handle the details that turn your house on the market into one of the 11,800 selling every day.

Bottom Line

Listing this fall doesn’t mean your house will sit on the market until spring. Buyers are out there right now, ready to make a move before the new year – and your window is still open.

Travel • September 12, 2026

Professional Organizers Always Pack These 5 Things First for a Move—and Keep These 4 Essentials Out Until the End By Jenny Hughes

  • Start packing early to avoid underestimating the time it takes and reduce last-minute stress.
  • Pack items you use least, like seasonal clothes and decor, to streamline the process.
  • Save daily essentials for last so they’re easily accessible during and after the move.

Unless you’re doing a gut renovation yourself, doing your own packingfor a move might be the task that requires the most time and attention from any renter or homeowner.

“The biggest mistake people make is underestimating how long packing takes. Even a few months before your move is not too early to start,” says Lauren Pearl, professional organizer.

It’s such a time-intensive task (and one that most people underestimate), pro organizer Sandra Einstein recommends getting a quote from professional movers to find out the cost to pack half. “You can compromise and do half yourself and let them do the other half,” she says.

Whether you’re packing half or all yourself, our experts recommend packing these five items first, and saving these four items for last.

  • Lauren Pearl is the founder and CEO or Pearl Concierge Services, offering organizing, packing, and decluttering services.
  • Sandra Einstein is the founder of e=mc2 organizing & coaching consultants, inc., specializing in organizing and time management.

5 Items to Pack First

“The same principle applies throughout the house: pack what you use least first,” Pearl summarizes. “The essentials you use every day should be packed last.”

Serveware, Formal Dinnerware

Counter to what you might think, Pearl recommends starting in the kitchen.

“Take a break from hosting as your move approaches, and pack your formal dinnerware, glassware, and the large serving platters and bowls you use for entertaining first. You won’t need them, and they take time to wrap and pack properly,” Pearl says.

Serveware and nice dinnerware tops Einstein’s list as well. “China, silverware, good stainless steel or silver utensils,” she lists.

Seasonal Clothes

“Start with the things in your home you won’t be using in the timeframe before the move,” Einstein says. One of the top examples of this is seasonal clothing.” For example, if you’re moving in the dead of winter, you definitely won’t need your sun hat and linen pants for many months.

If your seasonal clothes are stored in plastic bins, you still might want to repack them in cardboard boxes. When the plastic bins are mixed into a tall stack of heavy cardboard boxes in the moving truck, the weight of the boxes could cause the plastic lids or boxes to crack.

The Guest Room

Similar to how you’re unlikely to be hosting a party in the weeks before moving, you’re unlikely to host guests.

“Items in the guest room can usually be packed well before moving day,” Pearl says.

If your extra linens (sheets, blankets, towels) aren’t kept the in guest room, you can pack those away too, says Einstein. Just be sure to keep enough out for you to use in the coming weeks.

Books

Hardcover books packed standing upright in box
The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

Both organizers had books on their lists of items to pack first. Keep your current read and and your next book or two set aside and pack the rest.

Pearl recommends packing books in smaller boxes—the weight adds up quickly. “Even if movers will be doing the heavy lifting, you’ll probably end up moving boxes around yourself, and smaller, lighter boxes are easier to handle,” she says.

Decorative Items

Anything that’s decorative should be packed up.

“Knickknacks and any decorative items, such as vases and picture frames,” Einstein rattles off.

Although, if any of your decorative items are particularly valuable, like a notable piece of art or a piano, Einstein recommends having them professionally packed and, ideally, professionally moved.

4 Items to Pack Last

Valuables

“Keep valuable and irreplaceable items with you,” Pearl says. These are the items you don’t want to let out of your sight. Things like jewelry and passports.

“Important papers should go with you in the car or in a suitcase if [you’re] flying,” Einstein agrees. Anything that would require you to get in touch with a government service should be considered an important document: marriage license, birth certificate, title to your car, social security cards, etc.

“About a week before your move, set out a suitcase for these must-haves. As you think of things you use all the time and don’t want accidentally packed away, drop them into the suitcase. This way, everything you’ll need during the move and immediately afterward stays together,” Pearl says.

Cleaning Supplies

You’ll want to keep your detergents and cleaners set aside to do laundry and keep your house from becoming generally gross while you’re living there.

However, Einstein questions if you should be packing cleaning suppliesat all, since they can leak or damage your other possessions. She recommends considering how far you’re moving before packing the supplies up. If you’re moving long distance, it might give you peace of mind to buy cleaning supplies in your new location.

Some professional moving companies won’t even move cleaning supplies, as they’re considered hazardous materials. Ask your moving company for a list of what they won’t move.

Items You Can Get Rid of

stuffed dog in donation bin
MementoJpeg / Getty Images

“Try not to move things you could/should get rid of,” Einstein says.

There’s no point taking the time and energy to pack something (and possibly pay someone to move it) if you don’t want it. Take this as an opportunity to go through your possessions and give away or donate what you don’t plan to use in your new home.

“The less you move, the less you’ll have to unpack and deal with when you arrive,” Pearl says.

What Helps You Live Comfortably

Whatever you truly need on a daily basis should be packed last.

“These include your medications, everyday toiletries, chargers, clothing, and whatever else you need to comfortably get through the final days before your move and the first few days in your new home,” Pearl says.

Think of it like this: the things you pack last should be the first things you’ll want to unpack.

For example, Einstein recommends saving your everyday linens (towels, sheets), medications, and small household appliances, like a coffee pot or toaster, as the items to pack last.

4 Items to Set Aside to Have Accessible at Your New Place

  • Toilet paper
  • Box cutters or scissors
  • Hand soap
  • Basic tools (screwdriver, hammer, measuring tape)