Many first-time homebuyers are intimidated by the idea of saving for a down payment, often because they believe they need 20% of the home's purchase price. However, this is a myth—many loan programs require much smaller down payments, ranging from 3% to 10%, or even none at all in some cases. The 20% figure stems from the past, but it's no longer a requirement. Real estate offers a unique investment opportunity by allowing buyers to control a large asset with a relatively small upfront cost, providing significant leverage. Beyond investment potential, homeownership also provides stability, security, and the opportunity to build equity. Though buying a home may seem complicated, it can be an accessible way to invest in your future. Working with a knowledgeable lender and real estate agent can make the process less overwhelming, helping you explore options and realize that homeownership might be more attainable than you think.

Real estate agents often hear buyers say they’re waiting until the new year to purchase a home, especially as the holidays approach. While the reasoning is understandable—December is busy, inventory is low, and many hope for better options or lower rates after the holidays—this waiting game doesn't always lead to significant changes in the market come January. As a result, many buyers end up following the same pattern year after year without seeing the dramatic shifts they expect.

The holiday season can be a busy time, and many people delay house hunting until the spring, assuming there won’t be good options available. However, there are distinct advantages to buying a home during the holidays. With fewer buyers in the market, you may face less competition and potentially avoid bidding wars, giving you a better chance at finding a great deal. Sellers during this time are often highly motivated, whether due to job relocations or personal circumstances, and may be more willing to negotiate. Additionally, browsing listings now allows you to better understand the market, so you're prepared when the right home comes along. While there may be fewer homes available and some delays in scheduling or processing, the holiday season presents a unique opportunity to get ahead of the competition and make the most of your home search.

Technology has transformed the home-buying process, making it easier to browse listings, get pre-approved, and apply for mortgages all online. This convenience allows buyers to explore options without the pressure of in-depth financial questions or sales pitches, giving them more control over their journey—especially in the early stages.

In our latest blog, we explore whether a fixer-upper is the right choice for you. We cover essential factors like budget, time commitment, potential for profit, and how to assess the true condition of a property. If you're thinking about renovating, this guide will help you weigh the pros and cons before taking on your next project. Read on to see if a fixer-upper fits your goals and lifestyle!

Home insurance is designed to cover you in the event that your home is damaged. You pay a monthly fee so that if and when you need to use your policy, you don’t have to spend your entire savings trying to cover the damages, or worry that you won’t have enough money to even cover the damages.

Has your house been sitting on the market longer than expected? If so, you’re bound to be frustrated by now. Maybe you’re even thinking it’s time to pull the listing and wait to see what 2025 brings. But what you may not realize is, the decision to hold off could actually cost you. Here’s a look at why staying the course could be the smarter move.

Sellers aim to sell their homes quickly, profitably, and with minimal hassle. A key factor in achieving this is setting the right asking price. An overpriced home can deter potential buyers. This week's blog outlines four signs that your high asking price may be pushing buyers away and emphasizes the importance of consulting your real estate agent to make necessary adjustments.

If you’re thinking about downsizing, you may be hearing about 55+ communities and wondering if they’d be a good fit for you. Here’s some information that could help you make your decision.

Have you ever heard the phrase: don’t believe everything you hear? That’s especially true if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in today’s housing market. There’s a lot of misinformation out there. And right now, making sure you have someone you can go to for trustworthy information is extra important.

The housing market is going through a transition. Higher mortgage rates are causing more moderate buyer activity at the same time the supply of homes for sale is growing.

And if you aren’t working with an agent, you may not realize that. Here’s the downside. If you’re not informed, you can’t adjust your strategy or expectations to today’s market. And that can lead to a number of costly mistakes.

Here’s a look at some of the most common ones – and how an agent will help you avoid them when you sell.

Figuring out what to do with your house when you're ready to move can be a big decision. Should you sell it and use the money for your next adventure, or keep it as a rental to build long-term wealth? It's a question many homeowners face, and the answer isn't always straightforward. Whether you're curious about the potential income from renting or worried about the responsibilities of being a landlord, there’s a lot to consider. Let’s walk through some key questions to ask to help you make the best decision for your situation.

If you own a home, your net worth has probably gone up a lot over the past year. Home prices have been rising, which means you're building equity much faster than you might think. Here’s how it works.

Summer is officially here and that means it’s the perfect time to start planning where you want to vacation and unwind this season. If you’re excited about getting away and having some fun in the sun, it might make sense to consider if owning your own vacation home is right for you.

Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now. You may even see some headlines talking about last week’s Federal Reserve (the Fed) meeting and what it means for rates. But the Fed doesn’t determine mortgage rates, even if the headlines make it sound like they do.

The truth is, mortgage rates are impacted by a lot of factors: geo-political uncertainty, inflation and the economy, and more. And trying to pin down when all those factors will line up enough for rates to come down is tricky.

Many homeowners looking to sell feel like they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. Today’s mortgage rates are higher than the one they currently have on their home, and that’s making it harder to want to sell and make a move. Maybe you’re in the same boat.

But what if there was a way to offset these higher borrowing costs? There is. And the money you need probably already exists in your current home in the form of equity.

You’re ready to sell your house. But what do you need most from your real estate agent? Well, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) asked that very question to recent sellers and found one of the top things they were looking for is help marketing their house to potential buyers. Maybe that’s what you need the most help with too.

When you’re planning a move, it’s normal to wonder where you’ll end up and what your future home is going to look like. Maybe you’ve got a specific picture of that house in your mind. But unless you came into this process knowing you want to buy a newly built home, you may not have pictured new home construction. A trusted real estate agent can help walk you through these two reasons you may want to reconsider that.

The number of homes for sale is playing a big role in today’s housing market. And, if you’re considering whether or not to list your house, today’s limited supply is one of the biggest advantages you have right now. That’s because your house stands out more when the inventory is low, especially if it’s priced right.

You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s more affordable to rent right now than it is to buy a home. And while that may be true in some markets if you just look at typical monthly payments, there’s one thing that the numbers aren’t factoring in: and that’s home equity. Here’s a look at how big of an impact equity can have and why it’s worth considering as you make your decision.