Authors
Kristen Herhold

Kristen Herhold

Director of PR

Kristen Herhold is the Director of Public Relations at Clever Real Estate, leading a team that has secured media coverage in prominent outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, HousingWire, and Inman. With a background in journalism, she specializes in translating real estate and personal-finance research into compelling narratives that drive industry thought leadership. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

Featured Published Articles

  • Home Prices vs. Inflation: 2026 Housing Data

    The median U.S. home would cost $242,309 if home prices had kept pace with inflation since 1984. Instead, it actually costs $423,100. Clever Real Estate found that home prices in all 50 of the largest metros have outrun inflation over 15 years, but more than half actually trailed inflation over the past year.

  • Real Estate Commission Statistics: 2026 Home Seller Data

    A 6% real estate commission was the industry default for decades, and many sellers still assume it is. Clever Real Estate surveyed 500 people who sold a home in the past two years and found that only 8% said the traditional 6% would have been fair.

  • 2026 Data: Nearly Half of Recent College Grads Have Had to Move Back in With Their Parents

    Gen Z grew up expecting to graduate, move out, and buy a home. A 2026 Clever survey of 1,000 college students and recent grads found the opposite: Half of recent grads have moved back in with their parents, and most doubt they'll afford a home at the age their parents did.

  • New Data: 1 in 4 Couples Who Bought a Home Together Expect Their Home to Outlast Their Relationship

    Buying a home together is supposed to bring couples closer. But a 2026 Clever survey of 1,000 people who bought with a partner found their home often competes with their partner: 26% say it is more likely to outlast their relationship, and 29% say nothing has strained their relationship more.

  • April 2026 inflation jumped to 3.8%, its largest annual increase since 2023. With mortgage rates at 6.37% and a Fed rate hike now back on the table, here's what the April CPI report means for home buyers and sellers acting right now.

  • Owning a home comes with a staggering price tag beyond the mortgage: nearly $24,000 a year in taxes, insurance, repairs, and more. Clever's survey of 1,000 American homeowners reveals the financial strain, the deferred repairs, and the regrets most buyers never see coming.