Category: For Buyers
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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 – something that’s especially frustrating when affordability already feels tight.The good news? While premiums are still rising, the latest data shows those increases are beginning to slow. Here’s what buyers should know.Home Insurance Costs Have Gone UpYou’ve probably heard...
Home Price Growth Slowed Down. That May Be Changing.
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 TurnFor the past couple of years, home price growth has been moderating – cooling from around 7% in mid-2024, according to Redfin (see graph below). But look at the right side of that graph. The pace of that growth appears to have hit its low point and started to turn.While a couple months of data...
This’ll Change What You Think About Investors in Today’s Housing Market
There’s a lot of noise out there right now about investors in the housing market.Some headlines make it sound like big Wall Street firms are buying up everything in sight. And if you’re trying to purchase a home yourself, that can make it feel like the odds are stacked against you.But when you take a closer look at the data, a very different picture starts to come into focus.Most Investors Are Just Everyday OwnersFor starters, when you hear the word investor, you probably picture big corporations. And that misconception is a large part of what’s feeding into the myth that they’re buying up...
Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You
Renting can feel like the easier choice right now. There’s no big down payment. No dealing with surprise repairs. And no long-term commitment.But then your rent goes up again. And again. And suddenly the thing that seemed flexible starts looking… expensive, especially considering you’re not building any equity. And once that happens, it’s easy to feel a little trapped in the cycle.That’s because there’s so much chatter today about how buying a home isn’t affordable. But the truth is, the math may work out better than you’d expect based on what’s changed recently.Buying Is More...
Top 2026 Housing Markets for Buyers and Sellers
Who doesn’t love a top 10 list? Well, here are two top 10 lists for the housing market this year. But before you take a look, there’s something you should know.If a move is on your radar for 2026, here’s the most important thing you need to understand upfront: there isn’t one housing market this year – there are many.Experts agree 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most geographically split housing markets in years. Some areas are tilting in favor of sellers, while others are opening real doors for buyers. Who has the advantage depends almost entirely on where you are. Selma Hepp, Chief...
You May Not Want To Skip Over That House That’s Been Sitting on the Market
When you see a house that’s been sitting on the market for a while, the reaction is almost automatic. You start thinking:What’s wrong with it?Why hasn’t anyone bought it yet?Am I missing something?That mindset made sense a few years ago. But in today’s market, you may actually miss out.More Time on Market Isn’t Automatically a Concern AnymoreA few years ago, homes sold in just a matter of days. Sometimes, hours. Anything that lingered longer than that raised concerns. But that’s no longer the baseline.Inventory has grown. Buyers have more choices. And homes are taking longer to sell...
Not Sure If You’re Ready To Buy a Home? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions.
If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to become a homeowner in the next twelve months, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates, home prices, the current state of the economy, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. It’s a lot.But here’s what you need to remember. While housing market conditions are definitely a factor in your decision, your own personal situation and your finances matter too. As an article from NerdWallet says:“Housing market trends give important context....
Reasons To Be Optimistic About the 2026 Housing Market
If a move is on your radar for 2026, there’s a lot more working in your favor than there has been in a while.After a stretch where many people felt stuck, 2026 is shaping up to be a year with more balance, more options, and more clarity for people who want to make a move. Not because the market is suddenly “easy,” but because several key conditions are shifting.Here’s what the experts are saying you have to look forward to.Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com:“After a challenging period for buyers, sellers and renters, 2026 should offer a welcome, if modest, step toward a healthier...
Turning a House Into a Home: The Benefits You Can Actually Feel
There’s a lot of conversation about home prices, mortgage rates, and affordability right now – and those things are important. But if you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s worth remembering something the headlines rarely talk about: people don’t buy homes just for financial reasons. They buy them for their lives.Because while homeownership can absolutely be a smart long-term financial move, it also comes with some emotional benefits spreadsheets just can’t capture. Maybe that’s why a 2025 survey from Fannie Mae notes:“Consumers were twice as likely to mention lifestyle benefits...
Why So Many People Are Thankful They Bought a Home This Year
Homebuyers are weighing their options right now, and they certainly have a lot on their minds. With everything going on in the job market, the economy, and more – there’s a lot to think about these days. And maybe that’s making you wonder if it really makes sense to buy a home right now.But here’s what many recent buyers would tell you: even with all that, making a move is worth it. And this is why they’re thankful they went ahead and took the plunge already. Life doesn’t wait for better market conditions. So, your decision shouldn’t be about trying to time the market...