Imagine waiting a year to buy a home, only to find mortgage rates haven't changed much. That may sound frustrating.But it's a real possibility. A lot of people are putting their plans on hold because they believe much lower mortgage rates are right around the corner. But, based on today's forecasts,

Torn between buying a home now or holding out for the perfect moment? Trying to time the market rarely works. Rates, prices, inflation… These variables are all beyond your control. So, if you want or need to move, focus on your numbers instead. Because… “Ultimately, whether it’s a good time to buy c

If buying a home is on your radar, you've probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance.  Homeowners insurance has always been part of owning a home. But over the past few years, it's become a larger expense for many homeowners – somethin

After more than a year of headlines talking about how home prices are going to crash, the latest data shows that price growth may be starting to pick back up again. And depending on whether you’re buying or selling, that shift means something different for you. The Numbers May Be Starting To Turn Fo

Today's home prices have a lot of buyers – especially first-time buyers – wondering if there’s even anything out there that’s in their budget. But owning a home may be more within reach than you think. Sometimes, it just means considering a different type of home. Condos and townhomes can be a great

If you’ve thought about buying a home in the past few years, you may have run into two frustrations: asking prices that kept climbing and too few homes to choose from. In many places, both sticking points are letting up this summer, with lower asking prices and more homes for sale. Let’s look at the

Negotiations are back. More buyers are asking for better deals, and more sellers are giving them. Builders are throwing in extras, too.  That’s why whether you’re buying or selling today, there are two terms you’ll hear a lot: concession and incentive. A concession is something a seller agrees to du

Student loans are back in the spotlight. And whether you've been following the headlines closely or just catching bits and pieces here and there, there's a good chance they've been on your mind lately. And if you’re questioning whether you have to hit pause on your plans to buy a home, here's the th

Think first-time buyers are getting shut out of the market? Think again. They just made up 35% of all buyers – the highest share of the market since 2020. And that’s up from just 30% a year ago. As more homes hit the market, more first-timers are finding their way in. So don’t give up. Let’s connect

Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home. And with affordability as tight as it’s been lately, it’s fair to wonder how anyone manages it right now. Here’s something you may not have seen coming.  Some people are getting their foot in the door with a smaller down paym

Think a newly built home is out of reach? It might cost less than you’d think. Compared to an existing home, new homes save buyers an average of about $25,000 over their first 10 years. Because having a brand-new roof, HVAC system, and water heater means lower bills and fewer repairs early on. Ready

You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off. And that's true – nationally. But zoom in on individual markets across the country, and the picture looks completely different depending on where you are. Some areas are still seeing solid price growth. Others have gone flat. A few have actuall

Open up a home search and you'll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some longer. Most buyers scroll right past them, assuming something’s wrong with the house. But that instinct could be costing you, since the longer a home sits, the more motivated the seller usua

v Remember a few years back when sellers held all the power and buyers were stuck offering way over asking or waiving inspections just to get a chance at the house? In many markets, those days are behind us. While it’s going to vary by area, more metros are slowly shifting to favor buyers, and the m

A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: "Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down."  While waiting sounds like a good plan, there's something worth knowing before you decide. Rates aren’t expected to change much, so if that’s the #1 reason you’

If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there's a little good news.  Asking prices have started to come down. The typical seller listed their house for a median of $429,500 in May. That’s 2.4% lower than a year ago, according to Realtor.com. On its own, that won'

Whether you're dreaming about buying your first home or wondering if it’s time to move on from the one you're in, affordability is probably weighing on your mind. Home prices are still high in many markets, and even though things have improved a bit over the past year, making the numbers work can st

You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured. That’s the reality for a lot of buyers right now. Affordability is tight. But don’t let that discourage you. Going smaller might actually be a smart p

Nearly half of Veterans (49%) feel homeownership is currently out of reach, according to a recent survey from NewDay USA. But many are closer than they think. And you might be, too. If you’re a Veteran, you probably know the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan benefit exists – it's been around for over