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Home Buying

Thinking about an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Read This First.

If you’ve been searching for a home recently, you’ve probably felt the pressure of today’s mortgage rates. With both rates and home prices on the rise, many buyers are exploring different loan options to help make homeownership more attainable. One option growing in popularity? Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs. If the term brings back memories of the 2008 housing crash, you’re not alone. But...

What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees

When you're in the market for a new home, your focus is likely on mortgage rates, home prices, your down payment, and closing costs. But one thing that might not be top of mind is homeowners association (HOA) fees. While not every home comes with them, it’s important to know they’re a possibility—especially depending on the neighborhood you choose. A homeowners association is a group that manages...

Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year

With home prices rising and mortgage rates fluctuating, it’s no surprise that many people are wondering what the rest of the year will bring — and whether now is a smart time to make a move. The good news? You don’t have to guess. Trusted industry experts are sharing their latest market projections, and the outlook may be more encouraging than you think. Leading housing analysts have begun...

The 20% Down Payment Myth, Debunked

Saving for a home can feel daunting—especially in today’s market. And for many first-time buyers, the belief that a 20% down payment is required often seems like a major hurdle. The good news? That’s one of the most common myths about homebuying. Here's what you really need to know. Do You Really Have To Put 20% Down When You Buy a Home? Unless your specific loan program or lender requires it,...

Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Aren’t a Warning Sign

With prices climbing across the board, it’s understandable to have questions about how that impacts the housing market. Some are even concerned that rising costs could lead to more homeowners falling behind on their mortgage payments and possibly spark a surge in foreclosures. Recent reports showing an uptick in foreclosure filings may seem alarming at first glance — but it’s important to take a step...

Wondering If You Missed the Best Time To Sell? Not Quite.

According to Realtor.com, the week of April 13–19 was projected to be the best time to list a home this year. And if that week has already passed, you might be asking yourself: did I miss the window? The good news — not at all. Here’s why. While that prediction is based on Realtor.com’s own analysis, other real estate sources use different data and approaches — which means their findings often...

Why You Don’t Want To Skip Your Home Inspection

Finding the home you want to buy is an exciting moment. You’ve walked through it, imagined your furniture in each room, maybe even pictured sipping your morning coffee on the porch. It’s tempting to keep the momentum going and skip a few steps—especially when you’re eager to make an offer or worried about competing buyers. But here’s the reality: buying a home is one of the biggest financial...

The Truth About Newly Built Homes and Today’s Market

Lately, headlines have been buzzing about the rise in new home inventory, noting that we’re now seeing levels not experienced since 2009. If that immediately brings to mind the housing crash of the late 2000s, you’re not alone — and it’s completely understandable to feel a little uneasy. But before jumping to conclusions or letting fear take the wheel, it’s worth remembering that headlines are...

4 Things To Expect from the Spring Housing Market

Spring is here, and with it, the housing market is starting to heat up. If you’ve been considering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here's a closer look at why this spring could be the perfect time to make your move. 1. There Are More Homes for Sale After a prolonged period of limited inventory, the number of homes available for sale is finally on the rise. Recent data from Realtor.com...

Rising Inventory Means This Spring Could Be Your Moment

Curious why this spring could be the perfect time to buy a home? Here are two key reasons: First, there’s more inventory available, and sellers may be more open to negotiating. That means you’ll have more choices and stronger bargaining power than buyers have had in years. Let’s break it down: 1. More Homes on the Market This February saw the highest number of homes for sale in the past five...