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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From our friends at the kcm blog
Fear of a recession is back in the headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying or selling sometime soon, that may leave you wondering if you should reconsider the timing of your move.
A recent survey by John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) shows 68% of people are delaying plans to buy or sell due to economic uncertainty.
But it may not be for the reason you think. Not everyone is holding off because they’re worried. Some buyers are waiting because they’re hopeful. According to Realtor.com:
“In 2025Q1, 3 in 10 (29.8% of) surveyed homebuyers said a recession would make them at least somewhat more likely to purchase a home...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
After years of it feeling almost impossible to find a home you want to buy, things are changing for the better.
Nationally, inventory is growing, and that gives you more options for your move. But here’s what you need to know. That level of growth is going to vary based on where you live. And that’s why you need an agent’s local market expertise.
Here’s a quick rundown of the current inventory situation, so you know what’s happening and what to expect.
Significant Growth Across the Nation
Nationally, the number of homes for sale is rising – and that’s true in all regions of the...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you might feel like the odds are stacked against you in today’s market. But there are resources and programs out there that can help – if you know where to look. And one thing that can make homeownership easier to achieve? An FHA home loan.
They’re designed to help you overcome some of the biggest financial hurdles in the homebuying process – and that’s why so many first-timers are using them to make their purchase.
Whether you’re dreaming of ditching rent, planting roots, or just wanting a place that’s truly yours, an FHA home loan could be the path...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
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 community (including shared spaces) and sets and enforces rules for things like upkeep. Some buyers love the perks that come with an HOA, others may see the fees as an extra expense. The key is knowing what they cover and whether...
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#LifeInMarinWithJenn | @HomesInMarin
If you’ve been wondering whether buying a home in the Bay Area is still within reach, you’re not alone. According to newly released data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), housing affordability across the San Francisco–Oakland–Berkeley metro is tightening — and while the challenges are real, so are the opportunities.
📊 What the Numbers Tell Us
🏡 Housing Affordability Index (HAI):At just 32.9, the Bay Area’s HAI is well below the national average — meaning fewer households can afford a median-priced home here.
💰 Price-to-Income Ratio:Currently at 12.3, which means homes cost more than 12 times the median household income. (To compare: a balanced market typically hovers...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
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 latest data from Realtor.com, inventory just hit its highest point since 2020, shown with the white line in the graph below.
But what you need to realize is, at the same time, inventory levels still haven’t...
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