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Category: Affordability

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Want a More Affordable Home? Don’t Overlook Condos.

When you picture buying your first home, chances are you’re imagining a traditional single-family house with its own yard, maybe a garage, and little extra room to grow. But with affordability still tight, getting everything on that list right away may come with a higher price tag than you’re comfortable with right now.So, if you’re running the numbers and buying a house like that feels like a stretch, there may be another way in. A condo.Because in a lot of markets, condos come with a significantly lower price tag. And that could make them a smart way to get your foot in the door.Condos...

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Why Most People Are Still Glad They Bought a Home

With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now. Everyday expenses cost more. Mortgage rates are higher than you’d like. And when the economy feels uncertain, taking on a mortgage can feel like a much bigger leap. But here’s some perspective that may help…Most people who already made that leap would do it again.According to a recent survey from NerdWallet, the vast majority of recent buyers (74%) were glad they bought their current home. Only a very small 3% of people regret it:And here’s a big reason why so many people feel it was worth...

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Myth vs. Reality: Does the Fed Control Mortgage Rates?

You’ve probably heard the Federal Reserve (the Fed) is raising rates again. And if you’re planning to buy or sell a house, you may be wondering what that means for you.With all the headlines, it’s easy to think the Fed sets mortgage rates. That’s actually a common myth. But the Fed’s decisions can still have an impact on them.So, where does that leave you? The next few months could get a little bumpy. But the Fed is playing the long game. And with the right plan, you can still make a move that works. Let’s break it down.Why the Fed Is Raising RatesIt all comes back to...

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Two Moves That Can Get You Into Your First Home Sooner

For a lot of first-time buyers, owning a home can feel perpetually a few years out of reach. Saving for a down payment takes time, and each year you spend renting can make owning feel further off.But buying your first home doesn’t have to happen to feel like a far away goal. Two choices you control can bring your first home years closer, even with affordability as tight as it is right now.How Long Buying Really TakesFirst, one quick definition. “Breaking even” is the point where owning has cost you about the same as renting would have over the same period. And after that...

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The Mortgage Rate You See Online Isn’t Necessarily the One You’d Get.

You may have seen the headlines saying mortgage rates have climbed to the highest point since January 2025. And if that’s left you reluctant to buy a home, here’s what you need to remember… That’s not necessarily the number you’d get. It’s a common misconception that the rate you see in the headlines is the same one you’d get when you buy. The truth is, mortgage rates shift often, and the rate you actually end up with can vary a lot from what you may see or hear about. What Determines Your Real Rate? Advertised rates and “real rates” aren’t always the...

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Why So Many Sellers Are Cutting Their Price Right Now

Price cuts are turning up everywhere right now, and they read very differently depending on which side of the deal you’re on.Sellers tend to worry a cut means walking away with less than they hoped. Sometimes that’s true, but more often it just means the market moved faster than the listing did.Buyers, for their part, often assume a cut means something’s wrong with the house. Most of the time, that’s not it.This is what’s actually driving all those price cuts, and why it matters no matter which side of the deal you’re on.42% of Homes for Sale Are Now Carrying a Price...

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3 Things You Can Actually Control About Your Mortgage Rate Right Now

If you’re trying to buy a home, affordability is probably what keeps you up at night. And as you watch mortgage rates tick up again lately, it’s fair to wonder if you should just hit pause and wait for them to go down. For now, though, they’re headed the other way. Mortgage News Daily data shows how rates have risen this year (see graph below):And if you’re wondering why? There are actually a number of reasons. Mortgage rates are impacted by the situation overseas, economic data, inflation numbers, oil prices, and even decisions from the Federal Reserve (who recently decided to hike...

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The Best Time To Buy a Home in 2026 Is Almost Here

Want to buy a house this year, but not sure if the timing’s right? Seasonally, it may actually be a better time to buy than you expect.Yes, mortgage rates have been ticking up lately – and that’s creating some real challenges with affordability. No one’s arguing that. But there are also predictable trends that happen this time every year that can put some wind back in your sails.According to research coming out of Realtor.com, nationally, the week of September 27 – October 3 will be the best time to buy this year for this very reason:“The week of September 27–October 3 brings together the...

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Remote Work Could Be Your Affordability Answer

For most first-time buyers, the hardest part of buying a home is making the numbers work. You budget, you save, and the finish line still feels far away. But your salary is only half the equation. Where you live shapes what you can afford just as much. And if you can work remotely, you have an advantage a lot of buyers don’t. You’re not tied to living where the jobs are, so you can look where your money goes further.Where You Work Doesn’t Have To Dictate Where You LiveRemote job openings are on the rise. According to FlexJobs, remote job postings climbed 22% from the quarter...

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Why Buyers Shouldn’t Overlook a Fall Move

You’ve been waiting for something to change before you buy. It just might not be the thing you expected…While everyone’s paying attention to mortgage rates, only the savviest buyers know that the changing season can start tipping things in their favor. Because every fall, buyers tend to get more to choose from, better prices, and more room to negotiate. And that’s why Hannah Jones, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, says:“We always see that the best time to buy window usually falls in the early fall around October.”And that’s exactly why, if you’ve been waiting for a better moment...

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