Posts by Deb Hitchcock Gale
Myth vs. Reality: Does the Fed Control Mortgage Rates?
You’ve probably heard the Federal Reserve (the Fed) is raising rates again. And if you’re planning to buy or sell a house, you may be wondering what that means for you. With all the headlines, it’s easy to think the Fed sets mortgage rates. That’s actually a common myth. But the Fed’s decisions can still…
Read MoreTwo Moves That Can Get You Into Your First Home Sooner
For a lot of first-time buyers, owning a home can feel perpetually a few years out of reach. Saving for a down payment takes time, and each year you spend renting can make owning feel further off. But buying your first home doesn’t have to happen to feel like a far away goal. Two choices…
Read MoreWhat Higher Mortgage Rates Mean for Home Sellers
Higher mortgage rates don’t just affect buyers. They can change what it takes to sell your house, too. That’s because today’s buyers are paying close attention to affordability. And when rates rise, even a relatively small change can make a noticeable difference in their monthly payment. So, they’re looking for ways to make the numbers…
Read MoreHoping for (or Dreading) a Housing Crash? The Experts Just Weighed In.
Half the buyers out there are scared home prices are about to crash. The other half are hoping they will. A recent survey from Clever found 58% of Gen Z buyers are actually rooting for a crash, just so homeownership feels within reach. So, what do the forecasts actually say? Every quarter, Fannie Mae surveys…
Read MoreThe Mortgage Rate You See Online Isn’t Necessarily the One You’d Get.
You may have seen the headlines saying mortgage rates have climbed to the highest point since January 2025. And if that’s left you reluctant to buy a home, here’s what you need to remember… That’s not necessarily the number you’d get. It’s a common misconception that the rate you see in the headlines is the…
Read MoreWhy So Many Sellers Are Cutting Their Price Right Now
Price cuts are turning up everywhere right now, and they read very differently depending on which side of the deal you’re on. Sellers tend to worry a cut means walking away with less than they hoped. Sometimes that’s true, but more often it just means the market moved faster than the listing did. Buyers, for…
Read MoreThere Are 4 Types of Housing Markets Right Now. Which 1 Are You In?
Today’s housing market splits into four distinct types. You’ve got cash buyers, buyers financing a purchase, owners who feel locked into a low rate, and builders with homes to sell. Which type you’re in changes how you should buy or sell. Ryan Serhant, CEO of SERHANT agrees: “There is no longer a housing market .…
Read More3 Things You Can Actually Control About Your Mortgage Rate Right Now
If you’re trying to buy a home, affordability is probably what keeps you up at night. And as you watch mortgage rates tick up again lately, it’s fair to wonder if you should just hit pause and wait for them to go down. For now, though, they’re headed the other way. Mortgage News Daily data…
Read MoreSelling This Fall? You Want To Get These 4 Things Right.
Selling your house this fall is absolutely doable. But there’s something you need to know about this time of year. Buyer activity typically starts to slow while the number of homes for sale climb – and you need the right strategy to get attention in this type of market. The good news? There’s a lot…
Read MoreThe Best Time To Buy a Home in 2026 Is Almost Here
Want to buy a house this year, but not sure if the timing’s right? Seasonally, it may actually be a better time to buy than you expect. Yes, mortgage rates have been ticking up lately – and that’s creating some real challenges with affordability. No one’s arguing that. But there are also predictable trends that…
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