If you’ve served in the U.S. military—or if your spouse has—you have access to one of the most powerful homebuying benefits available: the VA home loan . This unique program gives qualified Veterans and active-duty service members the opportunity to buy a home with no down payment , no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and often better loan terms than traditional mortgages. But here’s the surprising part: Nearly 70% of Veterans don’t even know they qualify for this benefit ,

After a hot few years, the 2025 housing market  is showing signs of cooling. Slower price growth, rising inventory in key regions, and slightly lower mortgage rates are giving buyers some breathing room. But experts say major price drops may still be out of reach—at least for now. Fed Rate Cuts and Mortgage Relief In October 2025, the Federal Reserve  made its second rate cut of the year , lowering the federal funds rate to 3.75%–4.00% . While mortgage rates have dipped to th

The U.S. housing market is still feeling the chill, with the number of homes changing hands dropping to the lowest level in three decades , according to a new Redfin report. Only 28 out of every 1,000 homes  were sold in the first nine months of the year — a clear sign that both buyers and sellers are holding back . Why It’s Happening Rate lock effect:  Many homeowners are keeping their low-rate mortgages (below 5%) and don’t want to sell and buy again at today’s higher rates

The Federal Reserve’s recent decision to cut interest rates by a quarter point  is offering a glimmer of relief for the housing market. Mortgage rates have dropped again — averaging 6.17% for the week ending Oct. 30 , according to Freddie Mac. That’s the fourth straight week  of declines. While the Fed doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, its actions often influence them — especially adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) , which tend to react more quickly to rate changes. What

Consumer confidence stayed mostly steady this month, showing that most Americans feel the economy hasn’t changed much recently. While younger consumers are feeling slightly more optimistic, middle-aged and older consumers remain cautious—mainly because of ongoing concerns about inflation and high prices. According to the latest survey from the University of Michigan , year-ahead inflation expectations dipped slightly from 4.7% to 4.6% , while long-term inflation expectations

Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.” But here’s the twist. Waiting for that perfect 5-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet later. The Magic Number According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “. . . a 30-year fixed rate mortgage of 6% would make the median-priced home affordable for about 5.5 million more households—including 1.6 million renters. If r

The housing market is finally cooling after years of wild swings. According to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index , home prices across the U.S. grew just 1.5% year-over-year in August  — the slowest pace since 2023. And in 9 of the 20 biggest metro areas, prices are actually down. Where Prices Are Falling Most of the soft spots are in the South and West , including several big California metros — San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, and even Seattle . These markets

You’ve got big plans for 2026. But what you do this year could be the difference between a smooth sale and a stressful one. If you’re thinking of selling next spring (the busiest season in real estate), the smartest move you can make is to start prepping now. As Realtor.com says : “If you’re aiming to sell in 2026, now is the time to start preparing , especially if you want to maximize the spring market’s higher buyer activity.”  Because the reality is, from small repairs

Affordability is still a big challenge in today’s housing market — and builders are responding. According to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index , 38% of builders cut home prices in October , with an average price drop of 6% . That’s helping to close the gap between new and existing homes . Median new-home price:  $413,500 Median existing-home price:  $422,600 (as of August) This is unusual — new homes typically cost more , but to

If you’ve seen headlines or social posts calling for a housing crash, it’s easy to wonder if home values are about to take a hit. But here’s the simple truth. The data doesn’t point to a crash. It points to slow, continued growth . And sure, it’s going to vary by local area. Some markets will see prices rise more than others. And some may even see small, short-term declines. But the big picture is: home prices are expected to rise nationally, not fall, over the next 5 years.

After a couple of years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 may be the year things shift back into gear. Expert forecasts show more people are expected to move – and that could open the door for you to do the same. More Homes Will Sell With all of the affordability challenges at play over the past few years, many would-be movers pressed pause. But that pause button isn’t going to last forever. There are always people who need to move. And experts think more

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home this year, good news — the best week to buy in 2025 is officially here. According to Realtor.com®, the week starting October 12  marks the sweet spot of the year for homebuyers — a time when listings are up, prices are down, and competition eases  just enough to make a real difference. 💡 Why This Week Matters Here’s what makes this window so special: More homes to choose from:   Realtor.com projects nearly 33% more active listings

There’s a trend taking hold in real estate right now: more buyers are choosing newly built homes. And it’s not just about getting the latest technology or modern floorplans. It’s because they may be able to get a better deal. Builders are offering serious incentives today, and people are jumping on them. In fact, new home sales just hit their highest level in over two years ( see graph below ): Why Builders Are Throwing in Perks There are more newly built homes for sale ri

If you’ve been following real estate news lately, you’ve probably seen headlines saying home prices are flat. And at first glance, that...

When it comes to buying a home, one of the biggest questions people ask is: “How much do I need for a down payment?” It’s an important...

You want mortgage rates to fall – and they've started to. But is it going to last? And how low will they go? Experts say there’s room for...

A recent survey from Bank of America asked would-be homebuyers what would help them feel better about making a move, and it’s no...

Industry experts are forecasting a rise in home sales next year. After several years of shifting market conditions, this is welcome news...

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, there’s one expense you can’t afford to overlook: closing costs . Almost every buyer knows...

There’s a new divide in housing right now. In some states, buyers are gaining ground. In others, sellers still have the upper hand. It...