First-time homebuyers accounted for a record share of agency purchase lending in the first quarter, as higher interest rates continued to dampen repeat buyer participation in the market, ICE Mortgage Technology reports. At the same time, Gen Z buyers made substantial gains in more affordable states, while FHA loans regained popularity as a critical tool for affordability-minded […]

Home sellers gave concessions to buyers in 44.4% of U.S. home-sale transactions in the first quarter. That’s up from 39.3% a year earlier and is just shy of the 45.1% record high at the start of 2023. This is based on an analysis of data submitted by buyers’ agents across the country, covering rolling three-month […]

New home sales jumped in March despite still-high mortgage rates and the beginning of a decline in consumer confidence stemming from tariff fallout that is slowing the existing home market. The number of new single-family homes sold in March reached 724,000 on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, a figure that’s 7.4% higher than February’s and […]

Selling your home can be a significant endeavor, requiring careful preparation and attention to detail. Often, homeowners neglect certain repairs that may not bother them but could dissuade potential buyers or raise concerns during home inspections. To ensure you fetch the top dollar for your property and avoid unexpected last-minute repairs, follow these essential steps […]

In a shift that underscores changing dynamics in the housing market, baby boomers now make up the largest generational group of home buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors®.   NAR’s 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report, which examines the similarities and differences among recent home buyers and sellers across generations1, found that the […]

As housing affordability remains a critical challenge across the country, mortgage rates continue to play a central role in shaping homebuying power. Mortgage rates stayed elevated throughout 2023 and early 2024. Recent data, however, shows a slight decline in mortgage rates. Even modest declines can have a significant impact on housing affordability, pricing more households back into […]

Zillow projects that U.S. home prices will rise just 0.8% between February 2025 and February 2026. On Tuesday, Zillow economists published their updated forecast model, projecting that U.S. home prices, as measured by the Zillow Home Value Index, will rise 0.8% between February 2025 and February 2026. That’s another downward revision. Last month, their 12-month forecast […]

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 […]