Found 14 blog entries for May 2025.
If you’ve been house hunting lately, you’ve probably felt the sting of today’s mortgage rates. And it’s because of those rates and rising home prices that many homebuyers are starting to explore other types of loans to make the numbers work. And one option that’s gaining popularity? Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).
If you remember the crash in 2008, this may bring up some concerns. But don’t worry. Today’s ARMs aren’t the same. Here’s why.
Back then, some buyers were given loans they couldn’t afford after the rates adjusted. But now, lenders are more cautious, and they evaluate whether you could still afford the loan if your rate increases. So, don’t assume the return of ARMs means another crash. Right now, it just shows some buyers are
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Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash.
But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the market returning to a more stable, healthy place.
Based on the latest data from Realtor.com, inventory just hit its highest point since 2020, shown with the white line in the graph below.
But what you need to realize is, at the same time, inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray):
That means there are more homes for sale now than there have been in quite some time.
And
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When buying a home, you’re probably thinking about mortgage rates, home prices, your down payment, and maybe even your closing costs. But you may not be thinking about homeowners association (HOA) fees. While you won’t necessarily have these, you should know it’s a possibility, depending on where you decide to live.
A homeowners association is basically an organization that oversees a housing community (including shared spaces) and sets and enforces rules for things like upkeep. Some buyers love the perks that come with an HOA, others may see the fees as an extra expense. The key is knowing what they cover and whether the benefits outweigh the costs for you.
Think about this. If you’ve fallen in love with a
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• Are you wondering what to expect if you buy or sell a home in the second half of the year? Here’s what the expert forecasts tell you.
• Mortgage rates are expected to come down slightly. There will be more homes available for sale. And as inventory rises, home price growth will moderate.
• Want to know what this could mean for your plans? Let's connect and talk through it together.
If you have a 3% mortgage rate, you’re probably pretty hesitant to let that go. And even if you’ve toyed with the idea of moving, this nagging thought may be holding you back: “why would I give that up?”
But when you ask that question, you may be putting your needs on the back burner without realizing it. Most people don’t move because of their mortgage rate. They move because they want or need to. So, let’s flip the script and ask this instead:
What are the chances you’ll still be in your current house 5 years from now?
Think about your life for a moment. Picture what the next few years will hold. Are you planning on growing your family? Do you have adult children about to move out? Is retirement on the horizon? Are you already
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Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you're wondering:
Having questions like these is normal, especially when you’re thinking about making such a big purchase. But you should know, you may be putting your homeownership goals on the backburner unnecessarily.
In the simplest sense, what you want to know is can you still buy your first home if you have student debt. Here’s what
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Especially in areas where inventory is rising, both homebuilders and sellers are sweetening the deal for buyers with things like paid closing costs, mortgage rate buy-downs, and more. In the industry, it’s called a concession or an incentive.
When a seller or builder gives you something extra to help with your purchase, that’s called either a concession or an incentive.
Today, some of the most common ones are:
Whether you’re planning to move soon or not, it’s smart to be strategic about which home projects you take on. Your time, energy, and money matter – and not all upgrades offer the payoff you might expect. As U.S. News Real Estate explains:
". . . not every home renovation project will increase the resale value of a home. Before you invest in a swimming pool or new addition, you should consider whether the project will pay itself off by getting prospective buyers in the door when it’s time to sell."That’s why, before you pick up a power tool or call a contractor, your first step should be talking to a local agent.
If you plan to move relatively soon, you’ll want to get a jump start on your to-do list. And even
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