December can be a very good time to buy a house, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. The key is whether you find the right home at a price and monthly payment you can comfortably afford. December is a different kind of housing market. There are usually fewer buyers actively shopping during the holidays, but […]

Can I afford to buy a home? These questions address the biggest concern many first-time buyers have: whether homeownership fits their budget. Mortgage rates and financing Buyers want to understand their financing options and how to avoid paying more than necessary. Timing the housing market Many buyers worry about purchasing at the wrong time or […]

Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. With mortgage rates, home prices, and economic uncertainty on many buyers’ minds, it’s natural to wonder whether now is the right time. The truth is that there are compelling reasons to buy your first home today as long as the timing works […]

Yes — but I would call it a “good time to buy carefully,” not a “great time to buy.”  The current market actually gives you some advantages that weren’t available to buyers a couple of years ago. What’s happening right now? 1. Mortgage rates are the biggest negative.As of October 1, Freddie Mac’s national average […]

The housing market is showing signs of a significant shift as mortgage rates climb above 7%, putting pressure on both buyers and sellers. According to Realtor.com’s September 2026 housing market data, 20.8% of U.S. listings had a price reduction, up 0.9 percentage points from a year earlier. That represents the highest share of price cuts […]

With mortgage rates hovering around 7%, many homebuyers are taking a second look at adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). While a traditional 30-year fixed mortgage offers predictability, an ARM can provide a significantly lower initial rate and monthly payment. So, is an ARM worth considering? The answer depends largely on how long you expect to own the […]

Your credit score can affect far more than your ability to get a credit card. Lenders, landlords, insurers, and even utility companies may consider your credit history when deciding whether to approve an application or what terms to offer. Because credit scoring can seem complicated, several myths continue to circulate. Here are some of the […]

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Along with the excitement of getting the keys comes a long list of potential expenses; some expected, others less predictable. That’s why many homeowners consider purchasing a home warranty. But is a home warranty worth the cost? The answer depends on the age […]

If you’ve spent any time browsing property listings recently, you know the feeling: the excitement of a potential new beginning quickly dampened by the sticker shock of current market realities. Being a homebuyer in 2026 is, to put it mildly, a complex experience. While there are whispers that we are reaching a turning point, the […]

Mortgage rates dropped on Wednesday due to a combination of lower oil prices and the announcement of changes to Treasury’s bond buyback program. The oil price angle is easy to understand. Throughout the war, higher fuel prices have caused volatility in inflation expectations and inflation is a critical consideration for bonds/rates.  The Treasury buyback news is […]