When mortgage rates climb, buying a home can start to feel like trying to hit a moving target. Every jump in rates makes monthly payments bigger, and that pushes a lot of buyers to look for another way in. More and more of them are finding it in the adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM. The ARM Option Here’s how an ARM differs from a more traditional mortgage. With a regular fixed-rate mortgage, your...
Selling your house is a big step, and you want it to go smoothly. And with houses taking a little longer to sell these days, renting it out might start to sound like a nice backup plan. But the reality is, while renting can work well for some people, it’s also a big commitment. So before you decide, it helps to see the whole picture first. Why Some Sellers Are Deciding To Rent Instead Lately, some...
Whether you own a house already or you’re looking to buy one, you probably care about home prices. But it’s not always easy to figure out what’s really happening right now, especially if you look at the headlines. One says home prices are falling. The next says they’re still climbing. So, which one’s right? It comes down to where you live. What’s Really Going on with Asking Prices Part of the...
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...
What's the biggest payment you make every month? If you’re a renter, it's probably your rent. But did you know that you can pay your rent on time, every time, for years, and it may never show up in your credit history? It's pretty frustrating, especially if you'd like to buy a home someday and you’re trying to build your credit. The good thing is that’s changing right now. Here’s what you need...
If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are slowing down, you may be wondering: is this really a good time to sell? While the latest numbers show sales picked up slightly in September, they're still down compared to last year. But here’s the perspective the headlines can miss. Homes are still selling every single day. Because no matter what’s happening with mortgage rates or the economy, life...
Mortgage rates being back above 7% isn't exactly the news most people wanted. But it’s changing the market in ways that matter whether you’re buying or selling. The number of homes for sale is growing faster than it was this time last year. And interestingly, the main reason isn’t a flood of new listings. It’s because homes aren’t selling as quickly. Here’s why – and what that means if...
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...
You've spent years making your house feel like home, celebrating milestones, making each room your own, and turning neighbors into friends. As you look ahead to the next chapter of your life, it's natural to wonder if this is still the place you want to spend it. Whether you're leaning toward staying in your house as you get older or moving to a 55+ community, the goal is the same: a home that fits the...
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...
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