Home Depot’s chief financial officer said people are “moving on” from today’s high mortgage rates and have started investing more in their homes. The home improvement company reported strong fourth-quarter results, although CEO Ted Decker said consumers are still reluctant to make larger investments like a kitchen remodel. Experts say people may start to view today’s […]

Artificial intelligence is making its way into one of life’s biggest financial decisions. About 1-in-3 prospective homebuyers (32%) are using AI tools as part of their homebuying journey, according to a recent survey released today by Veterans United Home Loans, the nation’s largest VA lender. The nationwide survey of nearly 900 prospective buyers found that searching for and […]

While Western Washington is relatively well protected from risk of wildfire, the recent devastating fires around the country have served as a wake-up call for all of us. While we can’t control the weather, we can take proactive steps to protect our homes. Creating defensible space around your property is crucial, and focusing on the exterior is […]

Back in September 2024, the Federal Reserve finally began to lower interest rates and continued the cuts at its November and December meetings. HELOC rates have fallen in response. In fact, borrowing against your home’s value hasn’t been this affordable in about a year.  People are paying attention. Mortgage holders collectively withdrew about $48 billion of their home […]

When deciding whether to buy a home in today’s climate, you’ll want to think beyond market conditions and focus on your individual circumstances. Here are some personal considerations to keep in mind. Financial health Take stock of your current savings, credit score, and debt. Can you afford a home? Or does renting make more sense?  Housing is a […]

Starter homes are getting even smaller. Inflation is hard-felt by typical Americans, even if it seems to be mostly under control on paper. It’s hit the housing market too, only in the form of shrinkflation. Homes are getting smaller—and more costly. In fact, they’re hitting levels we haven’t seen since 2009 and 2010, after the Great Recession. […]

If 2024 didn’t see you owning your own home, maybe it is on your vision board for 2025. Homeownership offers more than just a permanent place to call your own, it also comes with a whole host of tax benefits that can significantly impact your bottom line. Understanding these advantages can help you make informed […]

US employers added 227,000 jobs last month, exceeding analyst forecasts in a rebound from October – but the unemployment rate also unexpectedly ticked higher. While the jobs market bounced back compared with the prior month, when hurricanes and labor strikes weighed against hiring, the November figures released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics signaled […]

Potential homebuyers are responding to lower mortgage rates and a higher supply of homes for sale. That fueled mortgage demand last week, as consumers looking to refinance pulled back. Total mortgage application volume rose 2.8% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. An additional adjustment was made for […]