After some not-so-good years, the housing market is finally starting get a boost.

The market, however, has had a few changes since the recession. For one, home buyers are getting older, with the average age of a homebuyer now 43, up from 35 in 1985.

"We consistently tell that story of people delaying homeownership," says Skylar Olsen, senior economist at Zillow. "People are delaying things that pre-date homeownership -- like getting married later and having children later."

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Holiday shopping is just around the corner, and if you’re not properly prepared, your credit score could take a hit.

Start by checking your credit score now. It may be a good idea to sign up for a new credit card before the season begins, but not if you have a high number of credit inquiries.

Your spending is going to spike during the holiday season, but don’t spend more than you can afford. If necessary, increase your credit limit to counteract your increase in spending.

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At an event hosted by Rubicon Venture, technology startups got some good and bad news.

According to data from CB Insights, more than $1.4 billion is expected to be invested in real estate tech startups this year.

But Dave Eisenberg, chief executive of Floored, offered a warning for entrepreneurs: it may be challenging to convince customers that they need new technology.

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The home buying process has been made much more convenient with the onset of the Internet, but these sites still have their flaws.

The information you find online may not always be correct. Make sure you ask the important questions when you're house hunting. Don't rely on the information you find.

Also, while photo slideshows can help you immensely when looking at houses, there's really nothing better than looking at a home in person. Photos can be misleading, so make sure you make your final decision after seeing a home in person.

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A new group has been formed by The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Association of Global Automakers to help prevent cyberattacks on cars and trucks.

Alliance President CEO Mitch Bainwol said, “Network security must be incorporated from design to roadway, and our auto companies are exploring the best ways to enhance cyber resiliency while continuing to be nimble and responsive to new developments."

The new group is currently in the early stages and may not complete its findings until next year.

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As state and local governments in crease spending on charter schools, more and more real estate investors are becoming interested.

Charter schools, while often operated by nonprofit organizations, often rent and buy buildings from private real estate companies.

Many real estate firms are now investing in charter schools because of the growth of the charter school movement. According to the National Alliance for Charter Schools, 500 new public charter schools opened in the 2014-2015 school year.

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EMV technology is just being introduced in the U.S., but the FBI wants to stress that consumers could still be susceptible to criminals.

Chip-enabled cards do offer an edge over older cards, but there are still ways that criminals can access your information and make fraudulent charges.

Last week, the National Retail Federation the new cards to create roadblocks for criminals, but they can't prevent numbers from being stolen.

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Luxury real estate developer OQYANA Real Estate and Amillarah Private Islands are collaborating to create 33 floating islands in Dubai.

Paul Van de Camp, the CEO of Dutch Docklands says the project is one of a kind and that they are the only company offering floating private islands in the world.

“Our ‘Amillarah Private Islands’ are completely self-supporting, scarless and all contain the latest state-of-the-art technology,” said Van de Camp. “Each one will be a piece of art that you can live in.”

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More and more real estate agents are switching brokerage firms to pursue better deals and commissions.

“There’s not a lot of brand loyalty,” said Billy Rose, an agent and co-founder of the Agency in Beverly Hills, CA. “A lot of times they become mercenaries."

The Agency is a firm that attracts many real estate agents because of its marketing support. While most firms have one or two marketing people, the Agency has 20 for tasks like posting listing photos. This kind of support gives agents more time to close more deals.

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On Thursday, Realtor.com released a new report detailing the top five reasons individuals and families purchased homes in 2015.

According to the site, many homeowners simply grew tired of their current digs and craved a change of scenery. For others, it was a combination of low interest rates, steady asking prices, increased savings and – in some cases – a growing family.

“A change in family circumstance or composition was cited by 18% of this year’s active home shoppers,” noted reporter Jonathan Smoke. “Births increased last year and appear to be poised for another year of growth this year.”

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