Holly & Chris Luxury Homes

buying

Affordability Has Improved in All 50 States

Over the past few years, affordability has been the biggest barrier for many homebuyers. It may have caused you to pause your plans as well. At some point, you likely ran the numbers, looked at the monthly payment, and decided to wait for conditions to improve. But here is something many buyers may not realize. Over the past year, housing affordability has improved in all 50 states. According to...

From First Conversation to First Home: Molly’s Journey with Holly and Chris

Buying a home in San Fernando Valley, California requires the right combination of preparation, guidance, and skilled negotiation. For Molly Tuthill, working with Holly & Chris Luxury Homes Group meant having experienced real estate professionals guiding every step of the process. Her home purchase in San Fernando Valley, located in the sought-after San Fernando Valley community, was successfully...

Should You Wait for Lower Rates?

Mortgage rates have dipped into the upper 5 percent range twice this year. But each time, they quickly moved back into the low 6 percent range. If you saw that and thought you missed your chance, you are not alone. Many buyers view rates in the 5 percent range as a major turning point. Dropping from 6.1 percent to 5.99 percent can feel like a big shift. But here is what most people do not take the...

The Hidden Advantage Repeat Buyers Have Right Now

What if your next home did not come with a mortgage payment? It may sound unlikely, but for many homeowners, it is more realistic than you think. According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly three out of ten homes purchased today are bought with cash. That share is significantly higher than it was before the pandemic (see graph below). So how are so many buyers making all cash...

Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You

Renting can seem like the simpler option at first. There is no large down payment, no unexpected repair costs, and no long term commitment tying you down. But then the rent increases. And it increases again. Over time, what once felt flexible can start to feel expensive, especially when you realize you are not building any equity. That cycle can leave many renters feeling stuck. There is also a lot...

It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home

There’s finally some good news for anyone who’s felt priced out or stuck on the sidelines. Buying a home is starting to feel more affordable again. Monthly mortgage payments have begun to ease, and the pressure buyers have been dealing with over the last few years is slowly starting to lift. Now, that doesn’t mean affordability challenges have disappeared overnight. But after such a difficult...

Buyer Momentum Is Real: What an 18% Surge in Purchase Applications Means for Today’s Market

The real estate market is sending a clear signal as we move into the heart of the year: buyer momentum is back. Recent data shows that purchase applications have posted one of the strongest starts to a year in several years, rising 18% year over year. This is a meaningful indicator, especially after a period where many buyers chose to pause, watch, and wait. So what does this actually mean? And why...

Mortgage Rates Recently Hit a 3-Year Low. Here’s Why That’s Still a Big Deal.

If you’ve been waiting for mortgage rates to drop, the good news is that it is already happening. Recently, rates reached an important milestone, dipping into the 5 percent range for the first time in about three years. Today, rates are sitting in the low 6 percent range, and experts expect them to remain near this level throughout the year. Here’s why this matters for you as a homebuyer. Why...

Is Buyer Demand Picking Back Up? What Sellers Should Know.

The housing market is showing more energy than it has in a long time, and the data supporting it is hard to overlook. Mortgage rates have dropped by nearly a full percentage point this year, and that shift is bringing buyers back into the market. Home loan applications are rising, activity is increasing, and sellers who act early may benefit from this momentum before competition intensifies. Let’s...

This May Be the Best Time To Buy a Brand New Home

New home construction is giving buyers something they have not seen much of lately. It offers a real chance to get both the home they want and the deal they need. More newly built properties are hitting the market, and builders are offering incentives that make these homes more affordable than many people realize. This combination does not come around often, and it is putting buyers in a surprisingly...