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...
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...
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...
Life can feel a bit unpredictable these days. What’s happening with inflation? The economy? The housing market? But in the middle of all that uncertainty, there’s one thing a lot of people still crave – a place to call their own. Because when everything else feels up in the air, home can be the thing that grounds you. As the experts at 1000WATT put it: “Homeownership isn’t primarily...
Are you thinking about buying a home, but not sure if now’s the right time? A lot of people are waiting and wondering what the market’s going to do next. But here’s something only the savviest buyers realize: This summer might actually be the best time to buy in years. Here are three big reasons why. 1. You Have More Negotiating Power After several years of sellers having all the leverage,...
There’s a misconception going around that you have to put 20% of the purchase price down when you buy a home. But the truth is, many people don’t put down that much unless they’re trying to make their offer more competitive. And if you want to give your savings a boost, look into down payment assistance. Most first-time buyers qualify and the typical benefit is $17,000. To learn more about...
After years of it feeling almost impossible to find a home you want to buy, things are changing for the better. Nationally, inventory is growing, and that gives you more options for your move. But here’s what you need to know. That level of growth is going to vary based on where you live. And that’s why you need an agent’s local market expertise. Here’s a quick rundown of the current...
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you might feel like the odds are stacked against you in today’s market. But there are resources and programs out there that can help – if you know where to look. And one thing that can make homeownership easier to achieve? An FHA home loan. They’re designed to help you overcome some of the biggest financial hurdles in the homebuying process – and that’s why...
Homeownership is one of the best ways to build wealth in our country and it’s easy to see why. As you pay down your mortgage and as home values rise over time, you gain equity – and that helps grow your net worth. That’s why a homeowner’s net worth is nearly 40X greater than a renters. But you should only buy a home when you’re ready and able to do it. If you want to build a plan to get...
A lot of buyers are pressing pause on their plans these days, holding out hope that mortgage rates will come down – maybe even back to the historic-low 3% from a few years ago. But here’s the thing: those rates were never meant to last. They were a short-term response to a very specific moment in time. And as the market finds its footing again, it’s time to reset expectations. Back in 2020 and...