Have you seen where mortgage rates have been lately? One day they go down a little. The next day, they go back up again. It can feel confusing and even frustrating if you’re trying to decide whether now’s a good time to buy a home.

Take a look at the graph below. It uses data from Mortgage News Daily to show that after a relatively stable month of March, mortgage rates have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride in April:

This kind of up-and-down volatility is expected when economic changes are happening.

And that’s one of the reasons why trying to time the market isn’t your best move. You can’t control what happens with mortgage rates. But you’re not powerless. Even with all the economic uncertainty right now, there are things you can do.

You can control your credit score, loan type, and loan term. That way, you can get the best rate possible in today’s market.

Your Credit Score

Your credit score can really affect the mortgage rate you qualify for. Even a small change in your score can make a big difference in your monthly payment. Like Bankrate says:

“Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider when you apply for a mortgage. Not just to qualify for the loan itself, but for the conditions: Typically, the higher your score, the lower the interest rates and better terms you’ll qualify for.”

Keeping your credit score up is key when it comes to qualifying for a home loan. If you’re not sure where your score stands or how to improve it, talk to a loan officer you trust.

Your Loan Type

There are also different types of loans out there, and each one comes with unique requirements for qualified buyers. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains:

“There are several broad categories of mortgage loans, such as conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA loans. Lenders decide which products to offer, and loan types have different eligibility requirements. Rates can be significantly different depending on what loan type you choose. Talking to multiple lenders can help you better understand all of the options available to you.”

Always work with a mortgage professional to figure out which loan makes the most sense for you and your financial situation.

Your Loan Term

Just like there are different loan types, there are also different loan terms. Freddie Mac puts it like this:

“When choosing the right home loan for you, it’s important to consider the loan term, which is the length of time it will take you to repay your loan before you fully own your home. Your loan term will affect your interest rate, monthly payment, and the total amount of interest you will pay over the life of the loan.”

Most lenders typically offer 15, 20, or 30-year conventional loans. Be sure to ask your loan officer what’s best for you.

You can’t control what’s happening with the economy or mortgage rates, but you can work with a trusted lender and take steps that’ll help you get the best rate possible.

Let’s connect to talk about what you can do today to put yourself in a strong spot for when you’re ready to buy a home.

If you’ve been frustrated by the lack of homes for sale over the past few years, here’s some good news. You have more options, so it may finally be time to kick off your home search again. As Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, explains:

“Now is the best time to buy in the last two years. Mortgage rates are comparable to what they were two years ago, and prices remain high. However, there is significantly more inventory . . .”

The number of homes for sale has grown compared to last year, and even more options are on the way. While this is typical for the busy spring season, here’s why this is so important right now.

Homeowners are listing their houses at the highest pace we’ve seen in a while.

New Listings Are on the Rise

Over the past few months, the number of new listings, or homes that have recently been put on the market for sale, has been steadily rising (see graph below):

Basically, more people are putting their homes on the market each month – whether they’re moving up, downsizing, or relocating. And this trend is a positive sign for the housing market.

Sellers who may have been on the fence the past few years are starting to jump back in. That’s helping to boost overall inventory and create better opportunities for both buyers and move-up sellers alike.

But it’s not just that the number of fresh options is up month-over-month; there’s also been a jump compared to last year.

According to Realtor.com, new listings in March were 10.2% higher than last year, making it the biggest March for new listings since 2021 (see graph below):

For anyone who’s been waiting for more choices, this is exactly what you’ve been hoping for – because more homes coming onto the market means more options and a better shot at finding one that fits your needs.

To make sure you don't miss out on any of the latest listings for your area, lean on a local real estate agent.

If you're thinking about making a move this spring, now may be the time to start exploring your options. With more fresh listings hitting the market, you may find a home you love waiting for you.

Whether you’re buying or selling a house, here’s something to think about that most people don’t. Your decision doesn’t just impact your life and your family’s, it sparks a ripple effect that has a positive impact on your entire community.

Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts out a report that breaks down the financial impact that comes from people buying and selling homes.

The data shows that if you buy an existing (previously lived-in) home, you're giving the local economy a boost of just over $60K. And if you buy a newly built home, that number goes up to over $125K (see visual below):

That’s because of all the people needed to build, fix up, and sell homes. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains how the housing industry adds jobs to a community:

“. . . housing is a significant job creator. In fact, for every single-family home built, enough economic activity is generated to sustain three full-time jobs for a year . . .”

When you think about it, it makes sense. Behind every home sale is a network of people involved, including contractors, city officials, real estate agents, lawyers, specialists, and more. Everyone has a job to do to help make sure your deal goes through.

Put simply, when you buy or sell a home, you’re helping out your neighbors. So, your decision to move doesn’t just meet your needs; it supports their families, strengthens your town, and shapes the future of your community.

Imagine walking through the front door of your next home, knowing your decision helped a local contractor keep their crew working or a small business thrive. Remember that feeling as you make your decision this year.

Moving isn’t just a personal milestone – it's an investment in your community, too. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect. You’ll make a difference for more people than you know.

It’s no secret that remote work has surged over the last few years. And that flexibility gave a lot of people the freedom to move — and work — from wherever they wanted.

But now, a growing number of companies are requiring employees to return to the office. And that’s leading some people to make decisions about where they live and if they need to move.

How Return-to-Work Policies Are Impacting Housing

During the rise of remote work, a lot of employees took the opportunity to move away from expensive or crowded city centers. Some opted for suburban neighborhoods and larger homes with yards, while others relocated to more rural areas. But lately, more people are returning to the city.

And according to data from Bright MLS, more than half of workers surveyed would have to rethink where they live or deal with long drive times if their job enforced a return-to-office policy (see chart below):

And maybe you’re one of them. If you moved farther out of the city during the work-from-home era, you may be facing a longer commute that you never expected to make daily. Once you've done it a few times, you might find it’s something you can get used to and isn’t as bad as you may have thought.

But sometimes, it’s just too hard to make it work — no matter how much you try. A drive or train ride that seemed fine once or twice a week can feel like too much of a grind five days in a row. It may also cost too much to commute so often, take too long, or cut too far into your free time. As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, notes:

“During the pandemic, when remote work became the norm, homebuyers were able to move farther out . . . But workers do not have the same flexibility that they used to, and some are going to have to make a tough choice if and when their employer calls them back into the office full-time.”

If you’re thinking you may want to move, don’t stress. Talking to an agent can help you weigh your options. Whether it’s finding a home closer to work, balancing commute time with affordability, or even selling a home in one area to buy in another, having a pro on your side makes the process easier.

If having to be back in-office has you considering a move, let’s connect. That way you have an agent to help you figure out what’s possible and what makes sense for you.

For the past few years, it’s been mostly a seller’s market. But dynamics are shifting as the number of homes for sale grows. And that means that the market is balancing out a bit. As a result, some sellers are finding they need to be more flexible to close a deal. One strategy that can help? Offering concessions.

As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“As home inventory begins to grow and buyers regain some advantage in the market, sellers may consider offering more in negotiations to make the deal more attractive and get to the closing table.”

What Are Seller Concessions? 

Concessions are homebuying costs that a seller agrees to cover as a way to get their house sold. And based on data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), nearly 1 out of every 4 sellers (24%) offered a concession in 2024. Here are a few of the most common types of concessions:

• Covering Closing Costs: The seller pays for part (or all) of the buyer’s closing costs, like appraisal fees, title insurance, or loan fees. 
• Price Adjustments: Instead of making repairs, a seller might lower the purchase price to make up for updates the buyer will need to tackle. 
• Adding a Home Warranty: A seller may throw in a home warranty, giving the buyer peace of mind key repairs will be covered in the first year. 

And don’t worry. This doesn’t mean you have to come up with more cash to make it happen. These are things that get subtracted from your profits at closing – not more funds you have to bring to the table.  And not all concessions are about money.

There are other extras you could throw in. Like, if your buyer is coming from an apartment and has never had a yard before, they may ask if you’d be willing to leave your lawn mower behind. That’s another lever you could pull to keep them happy.

How Concessions Help Sellers 

Offering concessions can be a smart strategy for sellers to get a deal done. As Dennis Shirshikov, Professor of Finance and Economics, City University of New York/Queens College told The Mortgage Reports:

"Pricing homes realistically and being willing to offer concessions, such as covering a portion of closing costs or including upgrades, will be key to closing deals . . . in a less frenzied market.”

For example, let’s say you accepted an offer from a buyer, but after their inspection, you found out there are some repairs they want you to tackle before you hand over the keys.

Rather than starting at square one and searching for a new buyer, you could offer a concession. One option is you can take on the repairs and cover the costs yourself. But, if you really don’t want the hassle of dealing with contractors, you could reduce your price by however much repairs would cost. Alternatively, you could offer to pay a portion of your buyer’s closing expenses with the idea they’d use the money they saved at closing toward doing the repairs themselves.

Either way, a concession can be a great way to meet in the middle. However, it’s important to have an agent on your side to help with these negotiations.

A good real estate agent can help you decide when and how to offer concessions, so you don’t give away too much while still ensuring your house gets sold. It’s all about finding the right balance. 

With the market becoming more balanced, seller concessions are coming back into play in some areas. The key is having an agent to help guide you through the process, so things work out in your favor. That’s where I come in.

If you’re like a lot of aspiring homebuyers, there’s a major hurdle standing in your way — the cost of living. From groceries to gas, eggs, and just about everything else, prices have gone up. And that rings true for home prices, too.

But even when everything feels expensive, there are still ways to make homeownership more than an item on your wish list. You may just need to think about where you plan to buy a bit differently.

Think of Your First Home as a Stepping Stone 

One of the biggest misconceptions among buyers is that their first home has to be their forever home – or that it has to check all the boxes of what they want right out of the gate. In reality, it’s just a starting point.

Once you own a home, you start to build equity, which grows over time as home prices rise. Down the road, if you want to move — whether to a larger space, a better location, or both — the equity you’ve gained can help you do just that.

So rather than waiting until you can afford your dream home in your ideal neighborhood, consider starting with something that works for now.

Expand Your Search To Find More Affordable Options 

If high home prices in your favorite area are holding you back, it’s time to cast a wider net. By keeping an open mind and being flexible with location, you may be surprised at what’s possible within your budget. Many buyers find success by looking in surrounding areas – and some even choose to move out of state.

According to a report from Realtor.com, these are some of the best markets for first-time homebuyers this year (see chart below):

Of course, moving to a different state isn’t for everyone – and isn’t a necessity. The right agent can help you find more cost-effective options wherever you are.

If you want to stay local, looking just outside your preferred neighborhood could help you find something you can afford that’s still pretty close to your favorite restaurants, shops, and activities. Sometimes, moving as little as 10 minutes away makes a big difference.

And the best way to see what’s available is to work with a real estate agent who understands the local market and can help you identify hidden gems nearby. An agent can point you to communities you may not have considered that have lower price tags now and are steadily gaining value and appeal. That way you can buy your first home and be set up to gain equity through the years.

Today’s cost of living is a challenge for many homebuyers. But by exploring different areas and working with a knowledgeable agent, you can take that first step toward owning a home — and building equity for your future. 

How far outside of your area would you look to make homeownership happen? Let’s connect to chat through your options. 

It’s no secret that affordability is tough with where mortgage rates and home prices are right now. And that may have you worried about how you’ll be able to buy a home. But, if you don’t need a ton of space, you may find you have more cost-effective options in an unexpected place: new home communities.

Builders Are Building Smaller Homes 

Since smaller homes typically come with smaller price tags, buyers have turned their attention to homes with less square footage — and builders have shifted their focus to capitalize on that demand. As U.S. News notes:

“The combination of higher home prices and mortgage rates has strained a lot of people's budgets. And that's something builders recognize. To this end, they may be leaning toward smaller spaces . . .That, in turn, can lead to savings for buyers.”

Data from the Census shows the overall builder trend toward smaller, single-family homes has been over the last couple of years (see graph below):

As the graph shows, the average size of a brand-new home has dropped from 2,309 square feet in Q3 2022 to 2,171 square feet in Q3 2024. That’s a difference of 138 square feet.

At the end of the day, builders want to build what they know will sell. And the number one thing homebuyers are looking for right now is less expensive options to help offset today’s affordability challenges. As Multi-Housing News notes:

“The growing trend toward smaller homes is evident. These homes are less expensive to build and more attainable for many middle-income families, meeting both housing needs and modern lifestyle preferences.”

The Benefits of These Brand-New Homes

So, if you’re having trouble finding a home in your budget, it might be worth exploring newly built homes with a smaller footprint.

Not to mention, since newly built homes come with brand new everything, they have fewer maintenance needs and some of the latest features available, like energy-efficient appliances and HVAC. That’ll help you save on repair costs and your monthly utility bills. Sounds like an all-around win.

Today’s builders are focusing their efforts on smaller homes at lower price points. That could give you more opportunity to find something that fits your budget. If you're planning to buy soon, let’s connect to explore what's on the market in your area and get your homeownership goals over the finish line.

Your credit score plays a big role in the homebuying process. It’s one of the key factors lenders look at to determine which loan options you qualify for and what your terms might be. But there’s a myth about credit scores that may be holding some buyers back.

The Myth: You Need To Have Perfect Credit

According to Fannie Mae, only 32% of potential homebuyers have a good idea of what credit score lenders actually require.

That means two-thirds of buyers don’t actually know what lenders are looking for – and most overestimate the minimum credit score needed.

The Reality: Perfect Isn’t Necessary

But the truth is, you don’t need perfect credit to become a homeowner. To see the average score, by loan type, for recent homebuyers check out the graph below:

There is no set cut-off score across the board. As FICO explains:

“While many lenders use credit scores like FICO Scores to help them make lending decisions, each lender has its own strategy, including the level of risk it finds acceptable. There is no single “cutoff score” used by all lenders, and there are many additional factors that lenders may use . . .”

So, even if your credit score isn’t as high as you’d like, you may still be able to get a home loan. Just know that, even though you don’t need perfect credit to buy a home, your score can have an impact on your loan options and the terms you’re able to get.

Work with a trusted lender who can walk you through what you’d qualify for.

Simple Tips To Improve Your Credit Score

If you want to open up your options a bit more after talking to a lender, here are a few tips from Experian and Freddie Mac that can help give your score a boost:

1. Pay Your Bills on Time

This includes everything from credit cards to utilities and other monthly payments. A track record of on-time payments shows lenders you’re responsible and reliable.

2. Pay Down Outstanding Debt

Reducing your overall debt not only improves your credit utilization ratio (how much credit you’re using compared to your total limit) but also makes you a lower-risk borrower in the eyes of lenders. That makes them more likely to approve a loan with better terms.

3. Hold Off on Applying for New Credit

While opening new credit accounts might seem like a quick way to boost your score, too many applications in a short period can have the opposite effect. Focus on improving your existing accounts instead.

Your credit score doesn’t have to be perfect to qualify for a home loan. The best way to know where you stand? Work with a trusted lender to explore your options.

Planning to buy a home soon? Why not go for something brand-new? Because data shows a lot more buyers are seeing the appeal of new home construction these days – and you may find out it’s what you want too.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains that newly built homes accounted for 15% of all homes sold last year. That’s a significant increase, and is actually the highest percentage in 17 years (see graph below):

To get a closer look at why so many people are opting for a brand-new home, NAR surveyed recent buyers. And here are the top reasons why new builds gained so much popularity (see graph below):

 Avoiding Renovations or Problems with Plumbing or Electricity (42%)

According to buyers, the number one benefit is the peace of mind that comes with getting brand-new everything. Because let’s face it, buying a home right now is pricey. And with inflation also putting a pinch on your wallet, you want to do everything you can to cut down on any additional costs. Enter new builds.

A home that was just built is less likely to have unexpected repairs, and that means less maintenance you’ll need to budget for upfront. Plus, since many builders include warranties on their homes, that’s an added layer of protection for your wallet on some of the home’s major systems.

Ability To Choose and Customize Design Features (27%)

You may also get the chance to personalize parts of the build to your unique tastes. That can be as small as which knobs go on the cabinets and which light fixture goes in the dining room to as big as floor plans and siding color. So, if you’re not finding a home you like, it may be time to build one.

The Amenities of New Home Construction Communities (25%)

Many new developments also offer amenities like parks, pools, fitness centers, and community spaces. These features could help you feel more connected to your neighborhood and can be a great perk for your lifestyle.

Lack of Inventory of Previously Owned Homes (15%)

Since the supply of existing homes (homes that were previously lived in) is still lower than the norm, more people are asking their agents if they can see what builders have available – and builders aren’t disappointing. Right now, new builds make up a larger portion of the homes available for sale than the norm. So, checking out these homes can really open up your pool of options. And don’t worry – builders are not overbuilding. They’re just catching up after years of underbuilding.

Energy Efficiency (14%)

Not to mention, newly built homes usually have the latest energy-efficient materials and technologies. This not only feels good, but can also lead to lower utility bills and a reduced environmental footprint. In a U.S. News Real Estate interview with Kevin Morrow, Senior Program Manager at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), this topic came up:

“The more energy-efficient mechanics of the house also help reduce utility bills for new home buyers . . . Newly-constructed homes often include green systems and appliances—like high efficiency stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters, furnaces, or air conditioning units—that homes built years ago might not.”

Smart Home Features (11%)

And last on this list is the integration of smart technologies. Tech-savvy buyers often want the latest and greatest advancements – and new home construction usually delivers.

The Importance of Using Your Own Agent

Newly built homes are becoming a top pick for buyers these days, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re feeling motivated to see what’s out there, just remember you need to have your own real estate agent.

Builder contracts often have some complex terms and complicated fine print. If you bring your own agent, you’ll have someone to advocate for you, make sure you’re getting quality construction, and guide you through the process from start to finish. 

Imagine skipping the hassle of renovations and having the freedom to pick out the exact design features you want. If this sounds good to you, let’s connect to make sure you’ve got your own agent to help you negotiate with the builder so you can buy a new home with confidence.

More entry-level homes – also known as starter homes – are popping up on the market. And after several years with very few homes available to buy and prices rising, there are finally some more options for first-time buyers.

Inventory Is Increasing – Especially at Lower Price Points

Over the past year, the total supply of homes for sale has improved. According to Realtor.com, in November there were 26.2% more homes for sale compared to this time last year, marking 13 months of inventory growth and the most homes available since December of 2019.

Interestingly, the growth isn’t spread evenly among all types of homes, though. According to Redfin, starter homes have seen the biggest increase (see graph below):

So, if you’re a first-time buyer who’s been sitting on the sidelines waiting because you thought you might never find a starter home in your market, this could be a game-changer. You finally have more options to choose from, and you just might be able to find one in your price range.

How an Experienced Agent Helps You Find a Starter Homes

Finding the right starter home at the right price point in your local market might feel like an unthinkable challenge, but a local real estate agent makes it easier. They stay up to date on the latest starter home listings in your area, so you don’t miss any opportunities.

Your agent will help you focus on homes that match your budget and your needs, making the search less stressful. They’ll also guide you through how to make the right offer and negotiate to get the best outcome possible.

On top of that, they handle the important details, like documentation and deadlines, so you can stay right on track. And if you have questions, your agent is there with answers and expert advice every step of the way.

Starter homes are making a bit of a comeback, and this could be your chance to find one. Whether you’re ready to visit listings, need advice, or just want to see what’s out there, let’s connect.