Here’s something most homebuyers don’t think about. When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don’t always respond the same way. Think about it. If you’re selling your house and aren’t getting the offers you want, you could make the choice to take it off the market and stay put, and wait for things to improve. But builders? They may be more motivated to stay the course. They’ve already invested money in building those houses. And every completed home that si

When mortgage rates climb, buying a home can start to feel like trying to hit a moving target. Every jump in rates makes monthly payments bigger, and that pushes a lot of buyers to look for another way in. More and more of them are finding it in the adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM. The ARM Option Here’s how an ARM differs from a more traditional mortgage. With a regular fixed-rate mortgage, your rate stays the same for your whole loan. But with an ARM, your rate is locked

Whether you own a house already or you’re looking to buy one, you probably care about home prices. But it’s not always easy to figure out what’s really happening right now, especially if you look at the headlines. One says home prices are falling. The next says they’re still climbing. So, which one’s right? It comes down to where you live. What’s Really Going on with Asking Prices Part of the confusion out there may be based on what’s happening to asking prices and how the me

When you picture buying your first home, chances are you’re imagining a traditional single-family house with its own yard, maybe a garage, and little extra room to grow. But with affordability still tight, getting everything on that list right away may come with a higher price tag than you’re comfortable with right now. So, if you’re running the numbers and buying a house like that feels like a stretch, there may be another way in. A condo. Because in a lot of markets, condos

Mortgage rates being back above 7% isn't exactly the news most people wanted. But it’s changing the market in ways that matter whether you’re buying or selling. The number of homes for sale is growing faster than it was this time last year. And interestingly, the main reason isn’t a flood of new listings. It’s because homes aren’t selling as quickly. Here’s why – and what that means if you’re thinking about buying or selling. Inventory Growth Is Picking Up Steam According to

With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now. Everyday expenses cost more. Mortgage rates are higher than you’d like. And when the economy feels uncertain, taking on a mortgage can feel like a much bigger leap. But here’s some perspective that may help… Most people who already made that leap would do it again. According to a recent survey from NerdWallet, the vast majority of recent buyers (74%) were glad they bought thei

You've probably heard the Federal Reserve (the Fed) is raising rates again. And if you're planning to buy or sell a house, you may be wondering what that means for you. With all the headlines, it’s easy to think the Fed sets mortgage rates. That’s actually a common myth. But the Fed’s decisions can still have an impact on them. So, where does that leave you? The next few months could get a little bumpy. But the Fed is playing the long game. And with the right plan, you can st

For a lot of first-time buyers, owning a home can feel perpetually a few years out of reach. Saving for a down payment takes time, and each year you spend renting can make owning feel further off. But buying your first home doesn’t have to happen to feel like a far away goal. Two choices you control can bring your first home years closer, even with affordability as tight as it is right now. How Long Buying Really Takes First, one quick definition. "Breaking even" is the point

Half the buyers out there are scared home prices are about to crash. The other half are hoping they will. A recent survey from Clever found 58% of Gen Z buyers are actually rooting for a crash, just so homeownership feels within reach. So, what do the forecasts actually say? Every quarter, Fannie Mae surveys more than 100 housing experts on where prices are headed. The newest results are in. And spoiler alert: they’re not calling for a crash – not even the pessimists. What th

You may have seen the headlines saying mortgage rates have climbed to the highest point since January 2025. And if that's left you reluctant to buy a home, here's what you need to remember… That's not necessarily the number you'd get. It's a common misconception that the rate you see in the headlines is the same one you'd get when you buy. The truth is, mortgage rates shift often, and the rate you actually end up with can vary a lot from what you may see or hear about. What D

Price cuts are turning up everywhere right now, and they read very differently depending on which side of the deal you’re on. Sellers tend to worry a cut means walking away with less than they hoped. Sometimes that’s true, but more often it just means the market moved faster than the listing did. Buyers, for their part, often assume a cut means something’s wrong with the house. Most of the time, that’s not it. This is what's actually driving all those price cuts, and why it m

Today’s housing market splits into four distinct types. You’ve got cash buyers, buyers financing a purchase, owners who feel locked into a low rate, and builders with homes to sell. Which type you’re in changes how you should buy or sell. Ryan Serhant, CEO of SERHANT agrees: “There is no longer a housing market . . . There are four Americas.” Here’s what each looks like, and what it means for you. Cash Buyers: 1 in 4 Buyers Are Paying with Cash If you already own a home, you

If you're trying to buy a home, affordability is probably what keeps you up at night. And as you watch mortgage rates tick up again lately, it’s fair to wonder if you should just hit pause and wait for them to go down. For now, though, they’re headed the other way. Mortgage News Daily data shows how rates have risen this year (see graph below): And if you’re wondering why? There are actually a number of reasons. Mortgage rates are impacted by the situation overseas, economic

Want to buy a house this year, but not sure if the timing’s right? Seasonally, it may actually be a better time to buy than you expect. Yes, mortgage rates have been ticking up lately – and that’s creating some real challenges with affordability. No one’s arguing that. But there are also predictable trends that happen this time every year that can put some wind back in your sails. According to research coming out of Realtor.com, nationally, the week of September 27 – October

Data centers probably weren't on your list of things to think about when buying or selling a home. School districts? Sure. How close you are to family? Absolutely. A large building full of computer servers down the road? Probably not. But that may be changing. Data centers are popping up in more communities across the country. And as they do, buyers and homeowners are starting to wonder what having one nearby could mean for everything from home values to utility bills. So, le

For most first-time buyers, the hardest part of buying a home is making the numbers work. You budget, you save, and the finish line still feels far away. But your salary is only half the equation. Where you live shapes what you can afford just as much. And if you can work remotely, you have an advantage a lot of buyers don't. You're not tied to living where the jobs are, so you can look where your money goes further. Where You Work Doesn’t Have To Dictate Where You Live Remot

You've been waiting for something to change before you buy. It just might not be the thing you expected… While everyone’s paying attention to mortgage rates, only the savviest buyers know that the changing season can start tipping things in their favor. Because every fall, buyers tend to get more to choose from, better prices, and more room to negotiate. And that’s why Hannah Jones, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, says: “We always see that the best time to buy window usually

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 be sure to talk with a financial expert before you do anything. Why Dipping int

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 sellers, that shows up in the price. Lower asking prices. More price cuts. And homes pri

A recent survey from Talker Research asked Americans to pick one word to describe how 2026 has felt so far. The winner? Stressful. And honestly, there’s been a lot going on. So, it’s understandable if you've been putting off buying or selling a home until things settle down. But you may be waiting on something that's already happened. While everything else has felt shaky, the housing market has become one of the steadiest things out there. Look at the data. Home Prices Have L