When you’re planning a move, every monthly cost counts. That’s why it can be frustrating to see home insurance keep creeping up. According to Intercontinental Exchange, it now makes up 9.6% of the average monthly mortgage payment. But the latest numbers show some progress on that front – as the increases start to slow down. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do about it. Premiums Are Rising More Slowly Now A look at the past two years shows how much things have co

Here's something most homebuyers don't think about. When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don't always respond the same way. Think about it. If you're selling your house and aren't getting the offers you want, you could make the choice to take it off the market and stay put, and wait for things to improve. But builders? They may be more motivated to stay the course. They've already invested money in building those houses. And every completed home that si

With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now. Everyday expenses cost more. Mortgage rates are higher than you’d like. And when the economy feels uncertain, taking on a mortgage can feel like a much bigger leap. But here’s some perspective that may help… Most people who already made that leap would do it again. According to a recent survey from NerdWallet, the vast majority of recent buyers (74%) were glad they bought thei

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 you control can bring your first home years closer, even with affordability as tight as it is right now. How Long Buying Really Takes First, one quick definition. "Breaking even" is the point

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 shows how rates have risen this year (see graph below): And if you’re wondering why? There are actually a number of reasons. Mortgage rates are impacted by the situation overseas, economic

Few things are as rattling as the thought of your home sale falling through at the last minute, right before closing. All that waiting, all that progress, out the window. But if you’re getting ready to sell, here’s what you should know. Even in today’s market, it rarely comes to that. Buyers who are moving at today’s rates and prices are generally moving because of some big life change. That means they’re motivated, and eager to get all the way to the closing table. According

If you’re planning to buy your next home soon, you’ve probably heard the old rule about saving 20% for your down payment. The truth is, you usually don’t have to. Plenty of loan options let qualified buyers put down much less. But a lot of repeat buyers are choosing to put down 20% anyway. So, why are they if they don’t have to? Two reasons. They know a bigger down payment pays off, and after years in their current house, they’ve built up enough equity that it’s finally possi

If you're a homeowner getting ready to move, one question usually comes first: should you buy your next home before you sell, or sell your current house before you start looking? There's no single right answer. The best call depends on your finances, your local market, and your timeline. And a trusted agent can help you weigh all of it. But in a lot of cases these days, selling first puts you in the stronger spot. The Advantages of Selling First Selling is usually the trickie

If you own a luxury house, you're in a stronger spot than most sellers right now. While much of the market has cooled, the high-end tier hasn't. Sale prices and buyer demand are both up. So if you're considering selling, now could be a great time to make your move. Luxury Is Leading on Price Let’s start with prices. But before we get into it – what actually counts as a luxury home? Generally, these are homes in the top 5% price range for the area, so it varies depending on wh

If you’ve thought about buying a home in the past few years, you may have run into two frustrations: asking prices that kept climbing and too few homes to choose from. In many places, both sticking points are letting up this summer, with lower asking prices and more homes for sale. Let’s look at the trends, and what they mean for your search. Sellers Are Pricing To Attract Buyers According to Realtor.com, the national median asking price was $430,000 in June, nearly $11,000 u

Negotiations are back. More buyers are asking for better deals, and more sellers are giving them. Builders are throwing in extras, too. That’s why whether you’re buying or selling today, there are two terms you’ll hear a lot: concession and incentive. A concession is something a seller agrees to during negotiations to get a deal done. An incentive is a perk a builder (or a seller) advertises upfront to attract buyers. Let’s run through what you need to know about both and ho

Buying or selling a home is a big financial decision. And right now, it feels even bigger. Inflation is high, costs are high, and you want to be sure the timing is right before you make your move. But if you do decide to go for it, whether you're buying or selling, here's something reassuring to hold onto. Not only does your move change your own life, but it also gives your whole community a boost. Real estate is a huge part of the economy. In 2025, it added up to about $5.6

Buying a home or refinancing your current one can feel overwhelming. But applying for a mortgage online has made the process much easier and more accessible. I want to walk you through the steps of applying for a mortgage online, so you feel confident and prepared. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to refinance, this guide will help you understand what to expect and how to get started. Understanding the Online Mortgage Application Steps The online mortgage appl

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 causing all of that variation? It All Comes Down to Inventory Here's the simple version: When there are more homes for sale, buyers have opt

Open up a home search, and you'll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some even longer. Most buyers scroll right past these homes, assuming something’s wrong with them. But that instinct could be costing you. The longer a home sits, the more motivated the seller usually becomes. Where Some Buyers Are Finding Better Deals If affordability has been your biggest hurdle to buying, here’s a surprisingly simple strategy that could help you get you