Buying Tips

Are Home Prices Going To Fall? Here’s What History Says.

Are Home Prices Going To Fall? Here’s What History Says.

It’s one of the biggest hold ups some buyers have right now: “What if I buy, and home prices go down?” With everything in the news, that concern makes some sense. No one wants to make a big financial decision at the wrong time. But here’s what’s important to know. You don’t want to get hung up on the few places seeing slight declines right now. When you zoom out and look at the full...

Thinking About Tapping into Your 401(k) To Buy a Home? Read This First.

Thinking About Tapping into Your 401(k) To Buy a Home? Read This First.

Lately, headlines have floated an eye-catching idea about tapping into your 401(k) to cover a down payment on a home. Maybe you've caught the buzz and wondered whether that money could get you into a home faster, especially with affordability as tough as it is.  Here’s what you need to remember. Pulling from your retirement savings is a big decision, so take time to weigh all your options first and...

Sellers Are Cutting Prices To Meet Buyers Where They're At

Sellers Are Cutting Prices To Meet Buyers Where They’re At

You're scrolling through listings on your phone and everything looks good until you see the price (or the estimated monthly payment). Then you close the app.  Because even if you love the house, the numbers feel impossible. But here's the thing. Nationally, there are more homes sitting on the market than there are people out there looking. And when sellers need buyers more than buyers need...

Who Has the Upper Hand in Today's Housing Market?

Who Has the Upper Hand in Today’s Housing Market?

Ask around and almost every homebuyer out there wants to know if there’s a way to get a better deal. And just about every seller wants to know if they'll still get top dollar. The interesting thing is... both can be right at the exact same time. It just depends on where you live. That's because today's housing market isn't moving in one direction anymore. Some markets clearly favor buyers. Others...

The Case for Putting 20% Down on Your Next Home

The Case for Putting 20% Down on Your Next Home

If you’re planning to buy your next home soon, you’ve probably heard the old rule about saving 20% for your down payment. The truth is, you usually don’t have to. Plenty of loan options let qualified buyers put down much less. But a lot of repeat buyers are choosing to put down 20% anyway. So, why are they if they don’t have to? Two reasons. They know a bigger down payment pays off, and...

Thinking About Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates? Read This First.

Thinking About Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates? Read This First.

Imagine waiting a year to buy a home,only to find mortgage rates haven't changed much.That may sound frustrating.But it's a real possibility. A lot of people are putting their plans on hold because they believe much lower mortgage rates are right around the corner. But, based on today's forecasts, that may not happen. And you should know that before you decide what to do. Let's look at why experts...

Buying a Home? Here's What You Should Know About Home Insurance Costs.

Buying a Home? Here’s What You Should Know About Home Insurance Costs.

If buying a home is on your radar, you've probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance.  Homeowners insurance has always been part of owning a home. But over the past few years, it's become a larger expense for many homeowners – something that's especially frustrating when affordability already feels tight. The good news? While...

Home Price Growth Slowed Down. That May Be Changing.

Home Price Growth Slowed Down. That May Be Changing.

After more than a year of headlines talking about how home prices are going to crash, the latest data shows that price growth may be starting to pick back up again. And depending on whether you’re buying or selling, that shift means something different for you. The Numbers May Be Starting To Turn For the past couple of years, home price growth has been moderating – cooling from around 7% in...

Priced Out? A Condo or Townhome Could Be Your Way In.

Priced Out? A Condo or Townhome Could Be Your Way In.

Today's home prices have a lot of buyers – especially first-time buyers – wondering if there’s even anything out there that’s in their budget. But owning a home may be more within reach than you think. Sometimes, it just means considering a different type of home. Condos and townhomes can be a great way to buy without stretching every last dollar. And right now, two things make them worth a...

More Homes, Better Prices: A Buyer’s Summer

More Homes, Better Prices: A Buyer’s Summer

If you’ve thought about buying a home in the past few years, you may have run into two frustrations: asking prices that kept climbing and too few homes to choose from. In many places, both sticking points are letting up this summer, with lower asking prices and more homes for sale. Let’s look at the trends, and what they mean for your search. Sellers Are Pricing To Attract Buyers According to...