Buying Tips
Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021
Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home. And with affordability as tight as it’s been lately, it’s fair to wonder how anyone manages it right now. Here’s something you may not have seen coming. Some people are getting their foot in the door with a smaller down…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreWhen I think about people saving to buy their first house
When I think about people saving to buy their first house, it brings me back to my early working years. My husband and I used a plain old savings account to accumulate our down payment. Today, young people are devising fresh options, including two ideas that happened to converge in our Tech Tuesday newsletter—an app that incentivizes…
Read MoreThat 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…
Read MoreIs 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…
Read MoreTwo Big Reasons To Move This Summer
A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: “Maybe I’ll just wait until later this year once things calm down.” While waiting sounds like a good plan, there’s something worth knowing before you decide. Rates aren’t expected to change much, so if that’s the #1 reason you’re waiting, it…
Read MoreLower Asking Prices Are a Win for Today’s Buyers
If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there’s a little good news. Asking prices have started to come down. The typical seller listed their house for a median of $429,500 in May. That’s 2.4% lower than a year ago, according to Realtor.com. On its own, that won’t transform what…
Read MoreCould Moving a Bit Further Out Change Everything About Your Budget?
Whether you’re dreaming about buying your first home or wondering if it’s time to move on from the one you’re in, affordability is probably weighing on your mind. Home prices are still high in many markets, and even though things have improved a bit over the past year, making the numbers work can still feel…
Read MoreLess House, More Home: Why Smaller Homes Are Paying Off for Today’s Buyers
You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured. That’s the reality for a lot of buyers right now. Affordability is tight. But don’t let that discourage you. Going smaller might actually be a smart play in…
Read MoreWhat Most Veterans Don’t Know About Their VA Home Loan Benefit
Nearly half of Veterans (49%) feel homeownership is currently out of reach, according to a recent survey from NewDay USA. But many are closer than they think. And you might be, too. If you’re a Veteran, you probably know the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan benefit exists – it’s been around for over 80 years.…
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