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
Cutting out the agent might seem like a smart way to save when you sell your house. But here’s the hard truth.
Last year, homes that sold with an agent went for almost 15% more than those that sold without one.
That gap is pretty hard to ignore. And with more homes on the market to compete with right now, selling on your own is a mistake that’s going to cost you.
This Isn’t the Market for DIY Selling
A few years ago, you might’ve gotten away with a “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) sign in your yard, navigating the process on your own. That’s because homes were flying off the...
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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
According to Realtor.com, the best week to list your house this year was April 13–19. And since that week has come and gone, you might be wondering: did I miss my chance? Not at all – and here’s why.
That’s just one source’s take, based on their own research. Other organizations run similar studies. And since different places use different methodologies for their research, sometimes the results vary too – and that’s actually good news for you. According to Zillow, the best time to list your house is still ahead.
The latest research from Zillow says sellers who list their homes in late May tend to see higher sale prices based...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Recession talk is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. And that leaves people wondering what would happen to the housing market if we do go into a recession.
Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in housing for each recession going all the way back to the 1980s.
A Recession Doesn’t Mean Home Prices Will Fall
Many people think that if a recession hits, home prices will fall like they did in 2008. But that was an exception, not the rule. It was the only time we saw such a steep...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Spring is in full swing, and the housing market is picking up along with it. And if you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here’s the inside scoop on why this spring may be a great time to make your move.
1. There Are More Homes for Sale
After a long stretch of tight inventory, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active listings are up 27.5% compared to this time last year.
Look at the graph below and follow the green line for 2025. You can see, even though inventory levels still...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Buying your first home is exciting, but let’s be real – it can also feel overwhelming. It’s a big step, and with that comes plenty of questions. Am I making the right decision? Can I really afford this right now? Will I be able to make ends meet if I have unexpected repairs? What if I lose my job?
Here’s the thing: every first-time homebuyer has these thoughts.
The homebuying process has always been a mix of excitement and nerves, and that’s completely normal. Here’s some information that can give you a bit of perspective, so you don’t have these concerns.
Focus on What You Can...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Spring is the busiest season in the housing market. It’s the time of year when buyers are most active – that means it’s when homes sell faster and for top dollar. If you’ve already got a move on your mind, why not list this spring and take advantage of the added buyer demand?
Since spring is just around the corner, now’s the time to start getting your house market-ready. You’ve got just over a month to do the prep work. And while that may sound like a decent amount of time, it’s going to go by quickly. And you won’t want to rush...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
A recent report from Realtor.com says 20% of Americans don’t think homeownership is achievable. Maybe you feel the same way. With inflation driving up day-to-day expenses, saving enough to buy your first home is more of a challenge. But here’s the thing. With the right resources and help, you can still make it happen.
There are options that can help make buying a home possible today — even if your savings are limited or your credit isn’t perfect. Let’s explore just two of the solutions that could help get you into your first home no matter the market.
1. FHA Loans
If your down payment savings and your credit score aren’t...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Let’s face it — buying a home can feel like a challenge with today’s mortgage rates. You might even be thinking, “Should I just wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?”
But here’s the thing, no one knows for sure where mortgage rates will go from here, and waiting could mean facing more competition, higher prices, and a lot more stress.
What if buying now — before the spring rush — might actually give you the upper hand? Here are three reasons why that just might be the case.
1. Less Competition from Other Buyers
The winter months tend to...
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