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 it, even now.
Homeownership Is a Long-Term Play
When you’re deciding whether to buy, it’s easy to focus on what’s happening right now. What’s today’s mortgage rate? Are prices going up or down? Those things matter. But don’t get so caught up in buying in the perfect moment that you miss the bigger . ...

 
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 life you want, with more time for the people and things you love. So, here's what to consider before you decide.
What It Can Take To Stay Put
Wanting to stay in a house you love and are familiar with makes sense. But most houses need at least some updates to make aging in place easier.
In fact, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS) finds that fewer than 4% of homes have the basics, like single-floor living, no-step entries, and wide hallways and doorways (see graph below):

That means for most homeowners, staying put means doing a remodel.
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 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 Rates
It all comes back to inflation. With prices rising fast, everything is getting more expensive – and that leaves buyers with less spending power and makes homes cost more to build.
So, the Fed raises its key short-term rate (the Federal Funds Rate) to slow down inflation. And that’s where a lot of people get tripped up.


MYTH: The Fed controls mortgage rates.


REALITY: The Fed has . ...

 
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 Takes
First, 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 point, owning starts to cost less than renting. Kara Ng, Senior Economist at Zillow, puts it this way:

"Buyers should think about not just when they can afford to buy, but how long they'd need to stay before owning makes more financial sense than renting."

So how long does reaching that point usually take? And what are the shortcuts? Let’s do the math.
According to Zillow, it usually . ...

 
Higher mortgage rates don't just affect buyers. They can change what it takes to sell your house, too.
That's because today's buyers are paying close attention to affordability. And when rates rise, even a relatively small change can make a noticeable difference in their monthly payment. So, they're looking for ways to make the numbers work. And in some markets, new construction is giving them exactly that.
If you're planning to sell, that doesn't mean you can't compete. But it does mean you need to understand what builders are doing to win over buyers – and what options you have, too.
Builders Are Competing on the Monthly Payment
New construction has something interesting going for it right now. While existing-home sales  (homes that have previously been lived in) continue to struggle under the weight of higher mortgage rates, new-home sales are holding up a bit better.
In a recent interview, Logan Mohtashami, Chief Economist at HousingWire explains new-home . ...