From our friends at the kcm blog
If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you’re not alone – and you’re definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today’s market is offering something you haven’t had in a while: options.
Experts agree, buyers are in a better spot right now than they’ve been in quite a long time. Here’s what they have to say.
Affordability Is Finally Improving
Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says affordability is finally starting to...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.” But here’s the twist. Waiting for that perfect 5-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet later.
The Magic Number
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“. . . a 30-year fixed rate mortgage of 6% would make the median-priced home affordable for about 5.5 million more households—including 1.6 million renters. If rates were to hit that magic number, it’s likely that about 10%—or 550,000—of those additional households would buy a home over the next 12 or 18 months.”
When the market hits that mortgage...
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By Holden Lewis, NerdWallet|SFGATE
Mortgage rates are likely to fall in October, even as the government shutdown will make it hard to see where the economy is going and where it's been.
Presented with the humility of someone who doesn't always get these predictions right, here's why mortgage rates might fall in October.
But first, how else will mortgage shoppers be affected? In past government shutdowns, most mortgages have been available, including those backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA loans) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA loans). There were delays in some cases. USDA loans, backed by the Department of Agriculture, were unavailable.
A Fed rate cut is almost a sure...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
There’s a new divide in housing right now. In some states, buyers are gaining ground. In others, sellers still have the upper hand. It all depends on where you live. Curious what’s happening in your state?
These 3 maps show how the split is playing out across the country. In each one:
Darker Shades of Blue = Buyer friendly
Lighter Shades of Blue = Seller strong
Inventory Sets the Stage
While the number of homes for sale has improved pretty much across the board, how much growth we’ve seen can look dramatically different based on where you live. And that impacts who has the leverage today.
This...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
You may be seeing headlines about how foreclosures are rising. And if that makes you nervous that we’re headed for another crash, here’s what you should know.
According to ATTOM, during the housing crash, over nine million people went through some sort of distressed sale (2007-2011). Last year, there were just over 300,000.
So, even with the increase lately, we’re talking about numbers that are dramatically lower. But what does the future hold? Is a wave coming? The short answer is, no.
Here’s why. Experts in the industry look at mortgage delinquencies (loans that are more than 30 days past due) as an early sign...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
If you tried to buy a home a few years ago, you probably still remember the frenzy. Homes were listed one day and gone the next. Sometimes it only took hours. You had to drop everything to go and see the house, and if you hesitated even slightly, someone else swooped in and bought it – sometimes even sight unseen.
That kind of intensity pushed a lot of buyers to the sidelines. It was stressful, chaotic, and for many, really discouraging.
But here’s what you need to know: those days are behind us.
Today’s market is moving slower, in the best possible way. And that’s creating...
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From HouseLogic
Here’s how to house hunt to focus on what’s most important and avoid buyer’s remorse.
Buying a home is one of the biggest and most considered financial decisions you’ll ever make. Some buyers may think they're making a good decision but end up with regret. In fact, 82% of recent homebuyers said they had at least one regret about their purchase, according to a 2024 survey conducted by Clever Real Estate.
Attention-grabbing features like updated kitchens and cosmetic touches like fresh paint can distract buyers, says Gabriella DeBartoli, a real estate pro with the DeBartoli Real Estate Group, part of Huntingon and Ellis, in Las Vegas. When they're distracted,...
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By Cathie Ericson|Realtor.com
In light of today's rising mortgage rates, the thought of saving money on a monthly mortgage payment by paying for a home all in cash might seem like a safe bet.
Moreover, home sellers swoon over all-cash offers, since it means there's no doubt that you've got the coin to close the deal. And a happy seller means the house will be yours that much faster.
But before you drop every dollar you have on buying a home, you should understand all of the expenses you'll have to cover, even if you plan on financing the house with cold, hard cash.
How to buy a home with cash
You can use cash from a variety of sources...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Depending on where you live, the housing market could feel red-hot or strangely quiet right now. The truth is, local markets are starting to move in different directions. In some places, buyers are calling the shots. In others, sellers still hold the power. It’s a tale of two markets.
What’s a Buyer’s Market vs. a Seller’s Market?
In a buyer’s market, there are more homes for sale and not as many buyers. That means homes sit longer, buyers have more negotiating power, and prices tend to soften as a result. It’s simple supply and demand.
On the flip side, a seller’s market happens when there aren’t enough...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Buying your first home is a big milestone – and the right support is going to make it a whole lot easier.
Because while this process might be brand new to you, it’s not new to your agent. They’ve helped plenty of first-time buyers through it. They know what works, what actually matters, and how you can move through the process with a lot less guesswork.
Here are a few real-world tips based on that experience of helping other first-time buyers.
Tip #1: Get Pre-Approved First
Rocket Mortgage says this is one of the most common mistakes first-time buyers make. And it’s easy to see why. Looking at...
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