From our friends at the kcm blog
Hearing talk about home prices falling? That may leave you worried about whether your house is losing value. But here’s what you need to know. While some local markets have seen small price dips this year, home prices are not falling nationally. So, don’t let the headlines scare you.
The vast majority of the country is actually seeing prices rise.
While that may feel surprising after the headlines you’ve seen, the map below uses year-over-year data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to make that clear:
Let’s break down what this really shows.
Most states are seeing prices rise (the blue in that map). Not fall. Now, the gains aren’t as big as...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
You may not want to put your homebuying plans into hibernation mode this winter. While a lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to buy a house, new data shows January may actually be the best time of year for budget-conscious buyers.
Kind of surprising, right? Here’s why January deserves a serious look.
1. Prices Tend To Be Lower This Time of Year
Lending Tree says January is the least expensive month to buy a home. And there’s something to that. January has historically offered one of the lowest price-per-square-foot points of the entire year. But the spring? That’s when demand (and prices) usually peak. And that’s not...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
One of the biggest homebuying advantages you can give yourself today is surprisingly simple: a flexible wish list.
Think of it like this. Your wish list and your budget are the guardrails of your search. And when your budget needs to hold firm, there’s another lever you can pull. That’s seeing if you truly need all of your desired features. Because the truth is, a small compromise could be the difference between feeling stuck and getting the keys to your next home.
The data shows more buyers are using that strategy to offset affordability hurdles in today’s market. A recent study from Cotality found most buyers (70%) ended up compromising on one...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
A lot of people are asking the same thing right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?” And the truth may come as a bit of a surprise…
For many homeowners, the answer is a strong yes.
Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: your equity. Odds are, if you’ve lived in your home for a while, you know you have significant equity. But how much are we really talking about? The number might just change everything about your next move.
The Hidden Wealth of Homeownership
Here’s how it works. When you own a home, you build up something called equity.
Each time you make a mortgage payment, you’re...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Spring gets all the attention, but it’s not always the best time to sell a house. Yes, more buyers show up, but so do a lot of other sellers.
Winter is different. With fewer homes on the market, your house has a much better chance of standing out. And that one advantage can make a big difference.
Winter Is When Your Listing Stands Out
History shows the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the winter months. It’s a trend that’s predictable almost every year.
Data from Realtor.com shows this pattern clearly. Inventory dips in the winter (the green circles in the graph below), then climbs again...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Whether it’s at a family gathering, your company party, or catching up with friends over the holidays, the housing market always finds its way into the conversation.
Here are the top three questions on a lot of people’s minds this season, and straightforward answers to help you feel more confident about the market.
1. “Will I even be able to find a home if I want to move?”
Yes, more than you could a year or two ago.
The number of homes for sale has been rising over the past few years. According to data from Realtor.com, there have been more than one million homes on the market for six...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Want to know how to find the best deal possible in today’s housing market? Here’s the secret. Focus on homes that have been sitting on the market for a while.
Because when a listing lingers, sellers tend to get more realistic – and, more willing to negotiate. And that’s where the savviest buyers are finding homes other buyers overlook.
The Opportunity: 1 in 5 Homes Has Had a Price Cut This Year
According to Realtor.com, about 1 in every 5 listings (20.2%) have dropped their asking price at least once. And while so many things in today’s housing market vary by region, that number is consistent throughout the country....
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From our friends at the kcm blog
When the holidays roll around, travel plans, family gatherings, and all the chaos of the season may make you think it’s better to pull your listing off the market or to wait until 2026 to sell your house. But here’s the thing.
Waiting could mean missing out on a great window of opportunity. Because while other sellers are stepping away, you can lean in – and that might actually give you the edge. Here are 4 reasons selling now may be the better bet.
1. Buyers This Time of Year Are Serious
Don’t let the season fool you. While casual browsers tend to step back...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Here’s something you should know before you sell your house. The homeowners who win in today’s market aren’t the ones waiting it out or stepping back. They’re the ones who adapt from the start.
A number of homeowners this year didn’t get the outcome they wanted. But it’s not because something’s wrong with the market. It’s because something wasn’t right with their expectations.
Realtor.com reports 57% more homes have been taken off the market compared to last year. That means they listed… but didn’t sell. But here’s the honest truth. It was mostly because of two things: price and timing.
And if the seller had come in with the right mindset on each,...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
If you’ve served in the military (or if your spouse has), you have access to one of the most powerful homebuying tools out there. The chance to buy a home without having a down payment.
Unfortunately, 70% of Veterans (that’s 7 out of every 10) don’t know about this benefit, according to Veterans United.
And that’s a big missed opportunity for those who’ve earned this benefit through service. So, let’s break down what you really need to know about Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans right now.
Why VA Home Loans Can Be a Great Option
For nearly 80 years, VA loans have made homeownership possible for millions of Veterans and active-duty service...
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