How Can You Tell When You Have Leverage? Is a seller ready to negotiate? Sometimes the clues are sitting right in the listing history. In July 2026, Redfin estimated there were about 967,000 active homebuyers compared with 1.46 million sellers nationwide, giving many buyers more choices and negotiating power. Redfin also classified 39 of the 49 major metros it analyzed as buyer’s markets. But real estate is local, and a national buyer’s market does not […]
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The ROAD to Housing Act is now federal law, but here’s the important part if you’re buying or selling a home: most of these changes are not going to transform the housing market overnight. The law became effective July 11, 2026, and includes more than 50 provisions aimed at increasing housing supply, improving financing, and addressing affordability. For buyers and homeowners in Northern Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, a few pieces are […]
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Buying a home in Northern Virginia and West Virginia is a lot easier when you understand the process before you start scrolling listings and scheduling showings. In fact, some of the biggest decisions happen before you ever walk through the front door of a house. While every purchase is different, most buyers move through four basic stages: Here’s what that process typically looks like. Start With a Home-Buying Strategy Before looking at homes, figure out […]
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Real estate is the best long-term investment, according to more Americans than any other option in Gallup’s 2026 poll. That does not mean everyone should rush out and buy a house. It does show that, even after years of affordability concerns, changing mortgage rates, stock market swings, and growing interest in cryptocurrency, Americans continue to trust real estate as a long-term wealth-building tool. What Americans Chose in 2026 Gallup asked Americans which investment they believe […]
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Renting to buying involves more than saving for a down payment and calculating your future mortgage payment. Your closing costs may get most of the attention, but lease obligations, moving expenses, utility deposits, and first-month purchases can also take a meaningful bite out of your budget. The good news is that most of these expenses are predictable. Planning for them early can help you move into your first home with fewer surprises and more financial […]
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Buying a foreclosure in 2026 could help some buyers stretch their budget, but a lower price does not automatically mean a better deal. During the first half of 2026, foreclosed homes reportedly sold for about 27% less than other homes listed for sale. Foreclosure listings also reached 1.3% of all active listings in April, their highest share in six years. Buyers are paying attention. Foreclosed properties received 26.5% more online views than typical listings, according […]
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Better to buy than rent is not a phrase every buyer has been eager to hear over the last few years. With higher home prices, elevated mortgage rates, and affordability concerns, many buyers have been waiting for the market to feel easier. But according to Bank of America’s 2026 Homebuyer Insights Report, the mindset may be starting to shift. For the first time since 2023, more Americans say it is better to buy a home […]
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Seller concessions are becoming a bigger part of today’s real estate market, and for buyers, that can create real opportunity. According to Redfin, sellers gave concessions to buyers in 46.2% of U.S. home sales in May 2026. That is the highest May share Redfin has recorded. Translation: nearly half of sellers are offering something beyond the price to help get their homes sold. That does not mean every buyer gets to walk in, ask for […]
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Home buying red flags can make buyers panic, over-negotiate, or talk themselves into problems they absolutely should not ignore. Buying a home is exciting. It can also make smart people say things like, “A little water in the basement probably isn’t a big deal.” Sometimes, that’s true. Sometimes, it is very much not true. According to a 2026 survey by Clever Real Estate, 76% of home buyers said they would be willing to overlook red […]
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Home insurance increase notices are hitting homeowners hard right now, and if your latest renewal made you look twice, you are not the only one. According to Pew Research Center survey, 71% of U.S. homeowners say their insurance costs have increased over the past few years, and 42% say those costs have gone up “a lot.” That is frustrating, especially because most people do not think about homeowners insurance until the bill shows up. The […]
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