Powell Hints at Change At the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium on August 22, 2025, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested that a Federal Reserve rate cut may be coming in September. He acknowledged that while inflation in 2025 remains above the Fed’s 2% target, slowing job growth is raising concerns. Powell stressed that the Fed will remain data-driven and independent from politics, leaving...
Mortgage rates are still a hot topic, and for good reason. After the most recent jobs report came in weaker than expected, the bond market reacted almost instantly. As a result, in early August mortgage rates dropped to their lowest point so far this year at 6.55%. While that may not seem like a huge shift, many buyers have been waiting for rates to ease. Even a modest drop like this gives hope that we...
Buyer activity is picking up again and the signs are hard to miss. Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening behind the scenes and why the housing market may be more active than it appears. Buyers Are Looking, and Search Trends Prove It One of the best ways to gauge what’s on people’s minds is to look at what they’re searching for online. According to Google Trends, interest in phrases...
According to Fannie Mae, 90% of buyers either don’t know what credit score lenders are actually looking for or assume it needs to be higher than it really is. That’s a big deal, because it means many potential homebuyers may be holding back unnecessarily, thinking they don’t qualify. You might even be one of them. But the truth is, the requirements may be more accessible than you think. Let’s...
If you've been keeping an eye on the market, you've probably already noticed some changes this year. So, what's on the horizon? From home prices to mortgage rates, here’s what the latest expert forecasts predict for the remainder of 2025 and what these shifts could mean for you. Will Home Prices Fall? Many buyers are hoping home prices will drop soon, and recent headlines showing slight dips in some...
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, and having the right guidance can make all the difference. While this may be your first time going through the process, it’s not your agent’s. They've walked plenty of first-time buyers through it and know exactly what to expect, what really matters, and how to help you navigate it all with more clarity and confidence. Here are a few practical tips...
Life can feel a little uncertain these days — from inflation to the economy and shifts in the housing market, there's a lot to navigate. But even with all that change, one thing remains clear: many people still long for a place to truly call their own. In times of unpredictability, home has a unique way of offering comfort and stability. As the team at 1000WATT says: “Homeownership isn’t...
Lately, it seems like every headline about the housing market comes with a dose of uncertainty. Are prices rising or falling? Is a crash coming? Will interest rates ever drop? With all the media noise, it's completely understandable to wonder: is now really the right time to buy a home? Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough — real estate has always been a long-term game. When you...
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...
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...