Are you looking for better home prices, or even a lower mortgage rate? You might find both in one place: a newly built home. While many buyers are overlooking new construction, it could be your best opportunity in today’s market. Here’s why.There are more brand-new homes available right now than there were even just a few months ago. According to the most recent data from the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 1 in 5 homes for sale right now is new construction. So, if you’re not looking at newly built homes, you’re missing out on a big portion of what’s...
Over the past few years, affordability has been the biggest challenge for homebuyers. Between rapidly rising home prices and higher mortgage rates, many have felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.But, something pretty encouraging is happening. While affordability is still tight, mortgage rates have shown signs of stabilizing in recent months. And that may finally make it a bit easier to plan your move.Mortgage Rates Have Stabilized – For NowOver the past year, mortgage rates have had their share of ups and downs, making it tough for buyers to know what to expect. But recently, rates...
Some HighlightsIf recent home price headlines have you feeling worried, here’s some perspective.??Home values almost always go up in the long run. ?And the long-term gains offset any short-term dips. Basically, if you plan to live there for 5 or more years, you should be able to buffer yourself against any short-term declines.Connect with an agent to have a conversation about what’s happening with prices in your market.
There are plenty of headlines these days calling for a housing market crash. But the truth is, they’re not telling the full story. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what the experts project for home prices over the next 5 years. And spoiler alert – it’s not a crash.Yes, in some local markets, prices are flattening or even dipping slightly this year as more homes hit the market. That’s normal with rising inventory. But the bigger picture is what really matters, and it’s far less dramatic than what the doom-and-gloom headlines suggest. Here’s why.Over 100 leading housing market experts...
If you’re a homeowner planning to move, you’re probably wondering what the process is going to look like and what you should tackle first:Is it better to start by finding your next home? Or should you sell your current house before you go out looking? Ultimately, what’s right for you depends on a lot of factors. And that’s where an agent’s experience can really help make your next step clear. They know your local market, the latest trends, and what’s working for other homeowners right now. And they’ll be able to make a recommendation based on their expertise and your needs.But...
Some HighlightsNow that summer’s here, you may be planning your next getaway. But what if you didn’t have to? ?Buying a vacation home means having a built-in escape you can use year after year. It gives you the chance to generate rental income and have a go-to retirement destination in the future.If you’re dreaming of owning your own slice of paradise, connect with an agent to see if you can make it happen this summer.?
If you’ve been putting off buying a home because you thought getting approved would be too hard, know this: qualifying for a mortgage is starting to get a bit more achievable, but lending standards are still strong.Lenders are making it slightly easier for well-qualified buyers to access financing, which is opening more doors for people ready to make a move.So, if strict requirements were holding you back, this shift could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, without repeating the risky lending practices that led to the housing crash back in 2008.Lenders Are Opening More DoorsBanks...
Remember the chatter in the headlines about all the homes big institutional investors were buying? If you were thinking about buying a home yourself, you may have wondered how you’d ever be able to compete with that. Here’s the thing. That’s not the challenge so many people think it is – especially right now.Let’s break down what’s really going on and why the recent shift in the approach investors are taking could tip the scales in your favor.Large Investors Are Pulling BackThe truth is institutional investors never represented as big a share of the housing market as people think. And...
Multi-generational living is on the rise. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 17% of homebuyers purchase a home to share with parents, adult children, or extended family. That’s the highest share ever recorded by NAR (see graph below):And what’s behind the increase? Affordability. NAR explains:“In 2024, a notable 36% of homebuyers cited “cost savings” as the primary reason for purchasing a multigenerational home—a significant increase from just 15% in 2015.”In the past, caregiving was the leading motivator – especially for those looking to support aging parents. And...
Fear of a recession is back in the headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying or selling sometime soon, that may leave you wondering if you should reconsider the timing of your move.A recent survey by John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) shows 68% of people are delaying plans to buy or sell due to economic uncertainty.But it may not be for the reason you think. Not everyone is holding off because they’re worried. Some buyers are waiting because they’re hopeful. According to Realtor.com:“In 2025Q1, 3 in 10 (29.8% of) surveyed homebuyers said a...