2025

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...

Infographic showing real estate as America's top long-term investment for 12 consecutive years, according to Gallup. A bar graph ranks investment choices: real estate (37%), gold (23%), stocks/mutual funds (16%), savings accounts/CDs (13%), bonds (5%), and cryptocurrency (4%). A quote from First American’s Senior Economist explains homeownership’s role in building long-term wealth. Bottom section includes contact info for Paul Garrison, JPAR® Real Estate.

Real Estate Is Voted the Best Long-Term Investment 12 Years in a Row

In a recent poll from Gallup, real estate has once again been voted the best long-term investment. And it’s claimed that top spot for 12 straight years now. That’s because homeownership is one of the top ways to build your wealth, even with home price growth moderating and ongoing economic uncertainty. If you’ve been trying to decide if it makes sense to buy a home today, let’s connect and talk...

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

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

If you’ve been house hunting lately, you’ve probably felt the sting of today’s mortgage rates. And it’s because of those rates and rising home prices that many homebuyers are starting to explore other types of loans to make the numbers work. And one option that’s gaining popularity? Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). If you remember the crash in 2008, this may bring up some concerns. But...

More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It's Your Buying Opportunity

More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It’s Your Buying Opportunity

Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash. But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the market returning to a more stable, healthy place. What’s Going on With Inventory? Based on the...

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...

You Could Use Some of Your Equity To Give Your Children the Gift of Home

You Could Use Some of Your Equity To Give Your Children the Gift of Home

If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve built up a lot of wealth – just by living in your house and watching its value grow over time. And that equity? It’s something that could help change your child’s life. Since affordability is still a challenge, a lot of first-time buyers are struggling to buy a home in today’s market. Even if they have a stable job and a solid plan, buying can still...

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...

Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate?

Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate?

If you have a 3% mortgage rate, you’re probably pretty hesitant to let that go. And even if you’ve toyed with the idea of moving, this nagging thought may be holding you back: “why would I give that up?” But when you ask that question, you may be putting your needs on the back burner without realizing it. Most people don’t move because of their mortgage rate. They move because they want or need...

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...

Texas Passes Major Property Tax Relief – What It Means for DFW Homeowners

Texas Passes Major Property Tax Relief – What It Means for DFW Homeowners

Big news for North Texas homeowners: property tax relief is on the way. The Texas House and Senate have reached a deal on a sweeping property tax relief package that promises to put real money back in homeowners’ pockets. If you own a home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (especially in the fast-growing northern suburbs), you could soon see a noticeable drop in your property tax bills. Below, we’ll break...