Watching your house sit on the market with no offers can be frustrating, but you’re not alone. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average time a home stays on the market has increased over the past few years. In fact, homes are staying on the market eight days longer compared to last year. While some of this is due to increased inventory and higher mortgage rates, which are out of your control, there is something you can control—working with the right agent. With the right strategy, your house can still sell quickly, even in today’s shifting market. Here’s How Partne ..read more

After months of sitting on the sidelines, many buyers are finally getting a chance to jump back into the market as mortgage rates trend down. Today’s market is a buyer's sweet spot, but it may not last long. If you’ve put your home search on hold, here’s why you might want to reconsider delaying any longer. As you decide whether to buy now or wait, think about this: What will everyone else do if rates continue to drop? According to a Bankrate survey, over half of homeowners say they’d be motivated to buy if rates fall below 6%. With rates already in the low 6% range, we’re not far off from hi ..read more

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When buying or selling a home, choosing the right real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. This choice affects your entire experience and how smoothly the process goes. However, myths about real estate agents could hold you back from making the best decision. Let's debunk some of these common misconceptions: Myth #1: All Real Estate Agents Are the Same Many believe all agents provide the same service, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Agents vary in experience, specialties, and market knowledge, which greatly impacts your results. For example, an agent s ..read more

Should you buy a home now or wait? That’s a question many are asking, and the answer depends on your individual circumstances. But here’s one key factor to consider: as soon as you buy, you begin to build equity. And even with moderate home price growth, equity adds up quickly. Each quarter, Fannie Mae publishes the Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES), which gathers forecasts from over a hundred economists and market experts. According to the latest report, home prices are projected to rise nationally through at least 2028. While appreciation may vary year-to-year and by location, prices are ..read more

Believe it or not, nearly 80% of first-time homebuyers qualify for down payment assistance, but only 13% take advantage of it. If you’re looking to buy a home, that’s a gap you don’t want to miss out on. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your down payment in today’s housing market. Amplify Your Down Payment Potential The key to a successful down payment is knowing and utilizing all available resources. There are various loan programs out there designed to help you as a first-time buyer. Some options require as little as 3% down, or even 0% for certain qualified borrowers, like ..read more

Every seller wants to sell their home quickly, for top dollar, and with as little stress as possible. If you’re like most homeowners, you likely feel the same. However, one of the biggest factors that can impact your success is the asking price for your home. Pricing your house correctly from the start is one of the most important steps in the selling process. Here are four signs your high asking price could be turning potential buyers away and why leaning on your real estate agent is the best way to adjust course. 1. You’re Not Getting Many Showings or Offers If your home has been on the mark ..read more

Even though home affordability is improving, buying a home can still be challenging. However, there's good news: builders are shifting their focus to smaller homes and offering incentives to buyers, which can help ease the burden of finding a home that fits your budget. Builders Are Building Smaller Homes During the pandemic, there was a demand for larger homes as people sought extra space for working from home, home gyms, and virtual schooling. Builders responded by constructing larger homes. But now, with affordability being a key concern, builders are pivoting to smaller single-family homes ..read more

Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest point in over a year and a half, which is significant if you’ve been waiting to jump into the homebuying market. Even a slight decline in rates can significantly affect your monthly payment, and this recent drop is more than just slight. Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, states: "Mortgage rates have fallen more than half a percent . . . and are at their lowest level since February 2023." The Impact on Your Monthly Payment To understand how this affects you, let's break down the numbers. Imagine taking out a $400,000 loan: - Back in April ..read more

A shift is happening in the housing market this season, and if you've been waiting for the perfect moment to dive back into your homebuying journey, now could be your time. According to experts, the best week to buy a home this year is just around the corner. The Best Week to Buy in 2024 The team at Realtor.com has identified September 29 – October 5 as the ideal week for homebuyers. Here’s why this timeframe is considered the sweet spot: - Inventory Is High: There's an abundance of homes on the market, giving you more choices. - Prices Are Below Peak Levels: You’ll find homes priced more affo ..read more