Buying Tips

Common Real Estate Terms Explained

Common Real Estate Terms Explained

If you're a first-time homebuyer, chances are you'll come across some terms you’re not familiar with. And that can be overwhelming, especially while going through one of the biggest purchases of your life.  The good news is you don’t need to be an expert on real estate jargon. That’s your agent’s job. But getting to know these basic terms will help you feel a lot more confident throughout...

What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees

What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees

When buying a home, you’re probably thinking about mortgage rates, home prices, your down payment, and maybe even your closing costs. But you may not be thinking about homeowners association (HOA) fees. While you won’t necessarily have these, you should know it’s a possibility, depending on where you decide to live. A homeowners association is basically an organization that oversees a housing...

Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025

Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025

Are you wondering what to expect if you buy or sell a home in the second half of the year? Here’s what the expert forecasts tell you. Mortgage rates are expected to come down slightly. There will be more homes available for sale. And as inventory rises, home price growth will moderate. Want to know what this could mean for your plans? Let's connect and talk through it...

Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you're wondering: Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home? Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt? Having questions like these is normal, especially...

Why Buyers Are More Likely To Get Concessions Right Now

Why Buyers Are More Likely To Get Concessions Right Now

Especially in areas where inventory is rising, both homebuilders and sellers are sweetening the deal for buyers with things like paid closing costs, mortgage rate buy-downs, and more. In the industry, it’s called a concession or an incentive. What Are Concessions and Incentives? When a seller or builder gives you something extra to help with your purchase, that’s called either a concession or an...

Why You’ll Want a Home Inspection

Why You’ll Want a Home Inspection

Once your offer is accepted, an inspector will assess the condition of the house, including things like the roof, foundation, plumbing, and more. That information is incredibly important and paves the way for you to re-negotiate with the seller, as needed. So, you don’t want to skip this step. An inspection is your chance to avoid costly headaches and get peace of mind. Let’s connect to talk about...

The 20% Down Payment Myth, Debunked

The 20% Down Payment Myth, Debunked

Saving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like a major roadblock. But that’s actually a common misconception. Here’s the truth. Do You Really Have To Put 20% Down When You Buy a Home? Unless your specific loan type or lender requires it, odds are you won’t have to put 20% down....

Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

At some point, you’ve probably heard the saying: “Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.” That’s because homeownership is about the long game – and home prices typically rise over time. So, while you may be holding out for prices to fall or rates to improve, you should know that trying to time the market rarely works. Here’s what most buyers don’t...

What You Can Do When Mortgage Rates Are a Moving Target

What You Can Do When Mortgage Rates Are a Moving Target

Have you seen where mortgage rates have been lately? One day they go down a little. The next day, they go back up again. It can feel confusing and even frustrating if you’re trying to decide whether now’s a good time to buy a home. Take a look at the graph below. It uses data from Mortgage News Daily to show that after a relatively stable month of March, mortgage rates have been on a bit of a roller...

Don’t Miss This Prime Spring Window To Sell Your House

Don’t Miss This Prime Spring Window To Sell Your House

According to Realtor.com, the best week to list your house this year was April 13–19. And since that week has come and gone, you might be wondering: did I miss my chance? Not at all – and here’s why. That’s just one source’s take, based on their own research. Other organizations run similar studies. And since different places use different methodologies for their research, sometimes the results...