If you’ve been wondering whether buyers are still out there, here’s your answer: yes. And they’re looking more online than they have in two years. Even before last week’s big mortgage rate news (ICYMI, rates dipped to 6.55% on August 7), online searches for “homes for sale” were climbing fast in July. That means plenty of people were already getting serious about finding their next home. The kicker? After that dip, mortgage applications jumped. And […]
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For the first time in years, existing homes (yes, the older ones that often need updates) are selling for more than brand-new construction. According to the latest numbers, the median price of an existing home is $429,400. For a newly built home? $410,800. That’s an $18,600 difference. So if you’ve been eyeing a resale home thinking it’s the “cheaper” option, you might want to check out all your options. Let’s break down what’s going on, […]
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If you’ve owned your home for more than a few years, chances are you’re sitting on a significant amount of equity and possibly wondering if now’s the time to downsize. According to a recent Realtor.com analysis, baby boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964—own an estimated $18 to $19 trillion worth of real estate. That’s nearly half of the housing wealth in the U.S. Whether your kids are out of the house, you’re retiring, or just […]
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Overwhelmed by high home prices, interest rates, or the feeling that you’re “just not ready” to be a homeowner yet? You’re not alone. According to the 2025 NextGen Homebuyer Report, nearly 60% of Gen Z and Millennial buyers believe homeownership is attainable, but only 19% think now is a good time to buy. So what are they doing instead? They’re getting creative. Here are the four most popular alternative buying strategies young buyers are using […]
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So your kid wants to buy a home, and you’re thinking about stepping in to help. Good news: you’re not alone. Bad news: doing it wrong can trigger taxes, tension, or both. Today’s first-time buyers are facing a combo of sky-high prices and interest rates that just won’t quit. The typical down payment climbed to $63,000 in 2024, and mortgage payments are at near-record highs. According to a Redfin survey, almost a quarter of Gen […]
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If your home didn’t sell the first time, or you’re thinking about listing soon, there’s one question that can make or break your entire experience: How do you price your home? Not “what’s it worth” on Zillow. Not “what you need to net” to buy your next home. Not even “what the neighbor’s house sold for.” We’re talking about a real pricing strategy, one based on data, buyer behavior, and your goals. Unfortunately, a lot […]
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If you’re thinking about selling your home, there’s a good chance you’ve already asked yourself the big question: What’s it worth? But the better question might be: What will it actually sell for? The truth is, how much money you walk away with doesn’t just depend on your home’s condition or your neighborhood comps. It depends on the decisions you make before your home even hits the market. And according to new research from Zillow, […]
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For decades, buyers have been told to follow one simple rule: Don’t spend more than 30% of your income on housing. That is the gold standard. The budget benchmark. The line in the sand between “affordable” and “overextended.” But in 2025, that line no longer seems attainable. According to a Realtor.com® Affordability Report, the typical U.S. household would need to spend 44.6% of their income to buy a median-priced home today. And in cities like […]
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Buying a home hasn’t exactly felt “easy” the last few years. The past few years have seen intense competition, high prices, and “better luck next time” bidding wars. But now, things are shifting. While we’re not in a full-blown buyer’s market just yet, inventory is up, competition is cooling, and sellers (and even builders) are making moves to attract serious buyers. Here are five signs the market is turning, and why now might be the […]
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Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025? As we head into the second half of the year, a lot of buyers and sellers are asking the same thing: What’s next for the housing market? While no forecast is guaranteed, economists from Fannie Mae, Zillow, NAR, MBA, and others have released updated projections on everything from home prices and mortgage rates to sales activity and market recovery. In this post, we’ve rounded up the key […]
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