If you’ve been watching mortgage rates lately, you might feel a little stuck. Rates climbed above 7% this year, and a lot of buyers have decided to sit tight and wait for them to come back down. But rates are only half the story. When you buy a home, you usually get one of two things: low rates or negotiating power. It’s rare to get both at the same time. And right now, you have a lot more of that second one than you might think. Why Low Rates and Leverage Don’t Usually Show

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

Buying your first home is an exciting journey, but it can also feel overwhelming. One of the biggest steps is securing a mortgage with the best possible rate. Getting a good mortgage rate can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. I want to walk you through how to find those best rates for first-time buyers and make the process feel a little easier. Understanding the Best Rates for First-Time Buyers When you’re new to the home buying process, mortgage rates

Buying a home is an exciting journey, but it can also feel overwhelming. One of the best ways to start on the right foot is by getting pre-approved for a home loan. This step not only shows sellers you’re serious but also helps you understand your budget clearly. I’m here to walk you through the mortgage pre-approval process in a simple, friendly way. Let’s dive in! Understanding the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process Before you start house hunting, it’s important to know what mor

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. There are so many numbers to crunch, terms to understand, and decisions to make. One tool that can make this process much easier is a first-time buyer mortgage calculator. It helps you get a clear picture of what you can afford and what your monthly payments might look like. I want to walk you through how this tool works and why it’s a must-have for anyone stepping into the housing market for the first tim

Buying a home is a big step, and if you’re carrying student loan debt, it might feel even more challenging. I get it - balancing monthly loan payments while trying to save for a down payment can seem overwhelming. But here’s the good news: owning a home is still within reach. With the right approach and some practical tips, you can make your dream of homeownership a reality, even with student loans. Let’s walk through what you need to know and do to confidently move forward.

Buying a home or refinancing your current one can feel like a big step. But with the internet, applying for a mortgage has become much easier and more convenient. You can now start the process from the comfort of your own home, at any time that suits you. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps of applying for a mortgage online, making the whole experience less intimidating and more manageable. Your Online Mortgage Application Guide: What to Expect When you decide to a