Finance

FAQs, Finance

Here’s What the Rise of Homeowners Associations Means for Buyers

When searching for a new home, many buyers dream of a property free from a homeowners association (HOA). But with the increasing prevalence of HOAs, avoiding them may be more challenging than ever. In fact, HOAs are growing rapidly in the U.S. According to the U.S. Census, 65% of new single-family homes in 2023 were […]
Finance

Mortgage Rates Are Dropping – Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Home?

Mortgage rates are finally starting to trend downward, sparking excitement among homebuyers eager to enter the market. The Federal Reserve has begun lowering short-term interest rates, with another rate cut anticipated before the year ends. Sam Khater, chief economist for Freddie Mac, notes, “Even a modest drop in rates has led to noticeably improved […]
Finance, Real Estate News and Tips

What to Expect from the Housing Market in 2025: Insights for Buyers, Sellers, and Renters

The real estate market is gearing up for an eventful 2025, with promising opportunities and a few challenges to navigate. From shifting buyer-seller dynamics to mortgage rate rollercoasters, here’s what you need to know about Zillow’s latest housing market predictions—and how you can prepare to make the most of the year ahead. A More […]
FAQs, Finance, Home Maintance

What Not to Fix When Selling Your Home: A Smart Guide for Sellers

Getting your home ready to sell is all about striking the right balance. While you want your property to shine for potential buyers, you don’t need to fix every little thing—or embark on costly upgrades. In fact, many big-ticket projects won’t pay off at closing. Here’s a friendly guide to help you focus on […]

FAQs Here’s What the Rise of Homeowners Associations Means for Buyers When searching for a new home, many buyers dream of a property free from a homeowners association (HOA). But with the increasing prevalence of HOAs, avoiding them may be more challenging than ever. In fact, HOAs are growing rapidly in the U.S. According to the U.S. Census, 65% of new single-family homes in 2023 were […]

Finance Mortgage Rates Are Dropping – Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Home? Mortgage rates are finally starting to trend downward, sparking excitement among homebuyers eager to enter the market. The Federal Reserve has begun lowering short-term interest rates, with another rate cut anticipated before the year ends. Sam Khater, chief economist for Freddie Mac, notes, “Even a modest drop in rates has led to noticeably improved […]

Finance What to Expect from the Housing Market in 2025: Insights for Buyers, Sellers, and Renters The real estate market is gearing up for an eventful 2025, with promising opportunities and a few challenges to navigate. From shifting buyer-seller dynamics to mortgage rate rollercoasters, here’s what you need to know about Zillow’s latest housing market predictions—and how you can prepare to make the most of the year ahead. A More […]

FAQs What Not to Fix When Selling Your Home: A Smart Guide for Sellers Getting your home ready to sell is all about striking the right balance. While you want your property to shine for potential buyers, you don’t need to fix every little thing—or embark on costly upgrades. In fact, many big-ticket projects won’t pay off at closing. Here’s a friendly guide to help you focus on […]

Finance When Could Mortgage Rates Hit 5% Again? Here’s What Experts Say If you’re hoping for mortgage rates to drop back to 5%, you’re not alone. Today’s higher interest rates have put homeownership out of reach for many Americans, forcing some buyers to pause their plans. While rates dipped briefly in September 2024, they quickly rebounded, leaving many buyers waiting for a more affordable rate environment. […]

Finance Mortgage Rates Update: What You Need to Know Now The housing market is always evolving, and mortgage rates play a big role in determining when it’s the right time to buy a home or refinance your current loan. As rates change, so do opportunities for homebuyers and homeowners alike. Here’s a breakdown of today’s trends, what experts predict, and how you can make […]

Finance Housing Market Predictions for Late 2024: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know As 2024 draws to a close, the housing market remains a mix of challenges and opportunities. With historically high home prices, persistently low inventory, and evolving mortgage rates, the dynamics of buying and selling are anything but straightforward. Here’s a closer look at what experts predict for the remainder of the year and what […]

Finance The Shift Away from All-Cash Offers: A Win for Smaller Investors During the intense housing market of the pandemic years, cash offers dominated, often outpacing traditional buyers. However, the landscape is changing, offering new opportunities for smaller investors and regular homebuyers. Decline in All-Cash Purchases According to a recent Realtor.com® report, the percentage of investors buying homes with all cash dropped to 64% in the first […]

Finance Buyers Hold Steady as Mortgage Rates Remain Flat As we keep an eye on the housing market, mortgage rates have remained steady this week, leaving many potential homebuyers in a holding pattern. Meanwhile, inventory is growing, but sellers are starting to pull back. Let’s break down the latest market trends and what they mean for you. Mortgage Rates Update This week, the average […]

FAQs Get the Most Home for Your Money Understanding a home’s price per square foot can help you determine if you’re getting a good deal or paying too much. It’s a handy metric when you’re shopping for a home, offering a quick way to gauge whether the seller’s asking price is reasonable compared to similar homes in the area. Zillow® analyzed the top […]

FAQs 21 Expert Tips from Real Estate Agents for Buying a Home When you’re ready to buy a home, tapping into the expertise of real estate agents can be invaluable. We asked four of our partner agents to share their best advice on staying on budget in a competitive housing market. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, these 21 tips can help you navigate […]

Finance 7 Types of Homes Expected to Soar in Value by the End of 2025 Halfway through the year, it’s still a seller’s market in many U.S. real estate markets. According to Forbes, there are only about three months’ worth of inventory available in some states, far below the six months needed for a true buyer’s market. Home prices are continuing to climb, with the median U.S. home sales price […]

FAQs All Under One Roof: Trends in Multigenerational Living Multigenerational living is becoming increasingly popular, though there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to make it work. Families and builders are finding creative, flexible ways to meet the unique needs of this living arrangement. Key Takeaways There’s no single answer to making multigenerational living work, so homeowners and builders must come up with various solutions. The United […]

Finance Exciting News for Washington Homebuyers: The Covenant Homeownership Program is Here! A Step Towards Justice and Homeownership As of July 1, 2024, the Covenant Homeownership Program is officially open! This program, championed by the Housing Development Consortium, the Black Home Initiative, Rep. Jamila Taylor, Sen. John Lovick, and Rep. Frank Chopp, aims to address historical housing discrimination in Washington state. Passed with bipartisan support, the Covenant […]

Finance Weekly Mortgage Demand Dips as Rates Climb Again Mortgage demand has hit a three-month low as rates start to climb once more. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances (up to $766,550) edged up to 7.05% from 7.01%. This uptick followed a brief period of lower rates throughout much of May. This slight increase, the first in four […]

Finance Your Path to Financial Security Unlocking Home Equity Understanding home equity is the key to unlocking your home’s hidden wealth potential. It’s the difference between your home’s market value and what you owe on it, offering a unique opportunity for financial growth. Let’s dive into the details of what home equity is, how it works, and why it matters. […]