According to the National Association of Realtors the typical first-time homebuyer was 35 years old in 2025.  That’s down from 36 in 2024 and from a recent high of 38 in 2018, according to a new report. Repeat buyers’ median age fell to 47, down from 52 in 2024. Why this matters to you NAR’s […]

There’s surprisingly less cash buyers these days:

An FHA loan is a government-backed mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), designed for low-to-moderate-income borrowers and first-time homebuyers with less-than-perfect credit. Key Aspects of FHA Loans: Who Qualifies?  Primary Cons of FHA Loans Key reasons to consider an FHA loan:

The Covenant Homeownership Act:  A History of Racism in Housing, A Commitment to Make it Right In 2023, thanks to the advocacy and leadership of the Housing Development Consortium, the Black Home Initiative, Rep. Jamila Taylor, Sen. John Lovick, and Rep. Frank Chopp, the Washington State Legislature passed the Covenant Homeownership Act. The act created a new program and […]

Mortgage rates are currently stable, with the national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.16%, only slightly above its recent low. While mortgage rates have been gradually declining since May, they remain above 6%, and experts are uncertain about future reductions in 2026. Factors that could lead to lower mortgage rates include proposals from […]

A recent study led by Georgetown Professor Steven C. Salop highlights that borrowers using Zillow Home Loans endure higher mortgage costs compared to those opting for other lenders. This report aligns with ongoing lawsuits accusing Zillow of steering clients through affiliated real estate agents to its own lending arm. According to Salop’s analysis, which was […]

Bucking trends and spitting out confusing, counterintuitive outcomes have been hallmarks of the COVID economy and the post-pandemic years. The resilience of the American consumer is probably the most well-known example. But bond markets, reacting to a global realignment on trade and rattled by uncertain expectations of American governance, have introduced another puzzling inconsistency. Last September, […]

The U.S. housing market is projected to enter a period of stability in 2026, marking a gradual recovery from the volatility of recent years. Noted economists largely agree that while a sharp housing crash is unlikely, the market is poised for a “Great Housing Reset”, characterized by slowing home price appreciation, easing mortgage rates, and a […]

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that the baseline conforming loan limit for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2026 will rise to $832,750, an increase of $26,250 from 2025. The conforming loan limits are required by law to reflect the percentage change in the average U.S. home price during […]

Three metrics that measure competition in the U.S. housing market each dropped to the lowest September level in six years last month. Share of homes selling above list price: 25.3% of homes that sold went for more than their final list price, down from 28.5% a year earlier. Average sale-to-list-price ratio: This metric came in at 98.6%, […]