Category: For Buyers
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You’ve probably heard plenty of doom and gloom about the housing market lately. High rates. Stretched budgets. Headlines that make buying or selling sound like a terrible idea. But the data tells a very different story. This isn’t 2020 or 2021. It was never going to be. Those were the “unicorn years” – historic low mortgage rates, bidding wars on everything, homes flying off the market in days. That kind of market was a once-in-a-generation anomaly, not a baseline. So, when people compare today to that, of course it looks rough.But compared to almost any other...
The 1 Factor That Explains Everything Happening with Home Prices Right Now
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 actually dipped slightly negative. So, what’s causing all of that variation? It All Comes Down to InventoryHere’s the simple version:When there are more homes for sale, buyers have options.More options, means less competition.Less competition means sellers can’t push prices...
More Sellers Are Taking Their Homes off the Market. Here’s What You Need To Know.
You may be hearing that a near-record number of homeowners are pulling their houses off the market. And if that headline has you thinking, “Wait… is something bad about to happen?” You’re not alone.Because when people start stepping to the sidelines, it sounds like a warning sign that something’s coming – or that they realize something you don’t know.Here’s the thing. This trend gets spun like it means the market is about to crash. But the data tells a more practical story.What the Numbers Actually SayAccording to the latest data from Redfin, 5.5% of all listings were taken off the market...
That House That’s Been Sitting Could Be Your Best Shot at a Deal
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 usually gets.Where Some Buyers Are Finding Better DealsIf affordability has been your #1 hurdle to buying, here’s a surprisingly simple strategy that could help you finally get your foot in the door. Start with the homes that have been sitting the longest. That’s often where the best deals...
Is It Still a Seller’s Market? Here’s What the Data Says.
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 market is starting to look a lot more like a two-way street again.And that balance is something we haven’t had in a while.Whether you’re buying or selling, here’s what you need to know about what’s changing and what it means for your move.The Most Buyer-Friendly Market in YearsThe...
Think Home Prices Will Crash? Here’s What the Experts Actually Expect.
One of the biggest reasons buyers are still sitting on the sidelines is because they think home prices are going to come down.Some believe a crash is coming and they’ll get a better deal if they hold off.Others worry they’ll buy now and watch their home’s value fall later.And nobody wants to overpay or buy right before values drop. But here’s the question worth asking:What if the crash you’re waiting for isn’t actually coming?Because that’s what the latest data suggests.Experts Are Not Calling for a CrashIf you’ve spent any time online...
Think You Have To Put 20% Down? Most First-Time Homebuyers Don’t.
According to Google Trends, online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. And that’s a clear sign more buyers are trying to figure out what they really need to save before making a move (see graph below):If you’re wondering the same thing, you can always turn to the internet for answers. But a lot of the time, it’s better to ask a local expert. Because here’s what a pro would tell you.The 20% Down Payment MythThe idea that you need 20% down to buy a home is one of the biggest misconceptions around the homebuying process. And the data debunks the myth.While...
3 Things That Are Not Going To Happen in Today’s Housing Market
There’s a lot of uncertainty right now and that’s leading to some dramatic headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that can make you feel a little less sure about your decision.A recent study by CNBC asked homebuyers what they’re most worried about, and three themes kept coming up again and again:Mortgage ratesThe number of homes for saleHome pricesBut a lot of what you may be hearing on those is based more on misconceptions. Not facts. So, let’s break it down and separate fact from fiction.Misconception #1: “I’ll Just Wait, Because Mortgage Rates Are Going To Fall...
More Options Are Popping Up This Spring
Did you try to buy a home last year, but you ended up pressing pause?Maybe you couldn’t find a home that really fit your needs. Or maybe the ones you liked just weren’t affordable. According to a recent survey from NerdWallet, those were the top two reasons buyers gave up on their search in 2025.But this Spring, there’s one trend that could help fix both of those frustration points: more homes are hitting the market.The Number of Fresh Listings Is Almost 2x Higher Than a Few Months AgoData from Realtor.com shows there are nearly 2x as many new listings hitting the market today as...
Rent or Buy? The Real Tradeoff Most People Don’t Talk About
You’ve probably asked yourself lately: Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now? It’s a question a lot of people are asking.With today’s home prices and mortgage rates, renting can feel like the easier path. In some cases, it might even seem like the only realistic option right now. And if that’s where you are, there’s nothing wrong with that.But if you’re weighing the decision, there’s one part of the conversation that doesn’t get talked about enough.It’s what each choice does for your future.What Renting Really Gets You (And What It Doesn’t)Depending on your situation, renting does...