Five Emotional Traps to Avoid When House Hunting
Buying a home is an exciting and emotional journey, but it's important not to let your feelings take over your decisions. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, avoiding these common emotional traps can save you time, money, and regret.
Falling for the First Property
It's easy to become infatuated with the first house you visit. However, making a hasty decision... Read More
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Struggling to Save for a Down Payment? Assistance Is Available
Buying a home is a major financial step, and coming up with a down payment is often the most challenging part. Fortunately, down payment assistance (DPA) programs make homeownership more attainable by providing funds to cover part of the down payment.
How DPA Programs Ease Your Homebuying Journey
DPA programs offer financial support through... Read More
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These Smart Landscaping Tips Also Help Cool Your Home
Creating an energy-efficient landscape can significantly reduce your cooling costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using trees, shrubs, and vines to design an energy-conserving landscape can lower cooling bills by as much as 40%. Here are some ways to passively cool your home through smart landscaping.
Trees Provide Shade
Deciduous trees provide shade in summer, reducing sunlight and cooling your home... Read More
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Experts Predict a More Balanced Housing Market by Year's End
The housing market is gradually recovering. Experts, like Lawrence Yun from the NAR, expect it could be more balanced by the end of the year. Factors such as mortgage rates, inventory levels, and home prices are all connected and influencing this recovery.
Mortgage Rates and Inventory
A key change on the horizon is a shift in mortgage rates. As inflation slows and the Federal Reserve likely lowers interest rates later this year, mortgage rates are expected to improve. Forecasts suggest the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage will be between... Read More
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Record Prices, Buyer Activity, and Growing Inventory
Median existing-home sales prices set records in May, climbing 5.8% year over year to reach $419,300. This is the 11th consecutive month of price gains, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). What's more, every sales region in the country recorded price gains. While these record-setting prices are a boon to home sellers, they are creating a divide between those owning homes and those who are dreaming of entering the housing market. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, typical mortgage payments are currently more than double that of homes purchased prior to 2020, yet despite the challenges, "first-time buyers in the market understand the long-term benefits of... Read More
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