From our friends at the kcm blog
At some point, as you start thinking about the years ahead, this question tends to come up:
“Could I stay here long-term… or would it make more sense to move?”
It’s not always urgent. It often shows up in small moments, like going up and down the stairs, keeping up with the maintenance, or just thinking about what the next chapter of your life might look like in this home.
And for most people, the answer is simple. They want to stay.
The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology found about 90% of adults over 65 prefer to stay in their homes as they get older (see below):
But even if staying...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
For a while, buying your first home hasn’t just felt hard. It may have felt out of reach.
Not because you weren’t ready.
Not because you weren’t trying.
But because every time you ran the numbers, they didn’t work.
That’s why so many first-time buyers stepped back.
But after years of sitting on the outside looking in, this Spring could give buyers like you an opening again – especially in some markets.
Metros Where Buyers May Have an Easier Time Breaking into the Market
Zillow just released a list of the top 50 metros for first-time buyers this Spring. And here’s a quick snapshot of the top 10 (see chart below):
According to Zillow, in these top-ranked markets,...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
If you’re getting a tax refund this year, here’s something worth thinking about. That money could actually help you get closer to buying a home.
It may not be something you’ve factored into your plan yet, but it can give your savings a nice boost right when you need it most. And whether your refund is a few thousand dollars or more, there are some smart ways to put that money to work as you get ready to buy.
Your Refund May Be Even Bigger This Year
Let’s start with the good news. People are getting even more money back in their refunds than they...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
When your house sits on the market longer than expected, it can get frustrating fast.
You start asking: what now? And for a growing number of homeowners, that turns into: should I just rent it instead?
While it sounds like a simple backup plan, becoming “accidental landlord” is actually a much bigger decision than most people realize. That’s when someone planned to sell, didn’t get the price or traction they hoped for, and decided to rent the house out instead.
And lately, that’s happening more often.
Why the Number of Accidental Landlords Is Rising
If you’re faced with the same choice to rent or to sell, here’s what you need to...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
While the Spring season consistently offers up some of the best conditions for home sellers, Realtor.com says there’s one window where the stars really seem to align year after year. And it’s coming up fast.
Based on their analysis of historical trends, the ideal week to put your house on the market this year is: April 12–18.
And here’s why this window stands out as being particularly seller-friendly:
Buyers Are More Active. According to the research coming out of Realtor.com, homes listed during this week typically get about 16.7% more views than in a normal week. And in a market where buyers have options, getting that extra attention can set the tone for your entire sale.
Sales...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also be a little nerve-wrecking because it’s something you’ve never done before. And trying to think of everything you need to do can feel like a lot. But here’s the key.
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. And you don’t have to do it all at once. Just tackle it one thing at a time.
Here’s a simple list of 3 main things you should focus on to help you get started.
1. Assemble Your Team: Don’t Do This Alone
Buying a home is a team sport. And having the right professionals by your...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range. If you saw that and thought, “Great. I missed it,” you’re not the only one.
A lot of buyers are treating the 5s like some kind of magic number. As if moving from 6.1% to 5.99% suddenly changes everything. And from a mindset perspective, it does feel different.
But here’s the part most people don’t actually run the math on.
The Payment Difference Isn’t What You Think
Let’s say you’re looking at a $500,000 home loan. At 6.1%, generally speaking, your principal...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Homeowners looking to sell usually want three things: plenty of interested buyers, strong offers, and a short timeline. Spring is the season that most often delivers all three.
So, if a move has been on your mind this year, this is the window where momentum tends to work in your favor. Here’s what makes this season so powerful for sellers.
1. More Buyers Will Be Looking
Typically speaking, in the housing market, there’s no more popular time to move than the Spring. Historically, data coming out of ShowingTime proves that’s when buyer activity peaks each year. Take a look for yourself (see graph below):
And this year, there’s more than just...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Let’s be clear: selling your house is absolutely possible right now. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 11k homes sell every day in this country.
And the sellers who are making their moves happen all have one thing in common: they’ve adjusted their strategy to match today’s market. They’re realizing inventory has grown. Homebuyers are more selective. And buyer expectations are higher.
The sellers who struggle are usually approaching today’s market with yesterday’s expectations. Here are the three biggest mistakes they’re making – and how to avoid them.
1. Pricing Based on What Their Neighbor Got a Few Years Back
Setting your price is the most important decision you make...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
There’s one decision you’re going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later.
And that’s your asking price.
The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong Number
If you’re thinking of moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know...
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