Tuesday, April 29, 2025 / by Kathy Dulhagen
When it feels like the cost of just about everything is rising, it’s only natural to wonder what that means for the housing market. Some people are even questioning whether more homeowners will struggle to make their mortgage payments, ultimately leading to a wave of foreclosures. And recent data showing foreclosure filings have increased is only feeding into this fear. But don’t let that scare you.
If you put the latest data into context, it’s clear there’s no reason to think this is a repeat of the last housing crash.
This Isn’t Like 2008
While it’s true that foreclosure filings ticked up in the latest quarterly report from ATTOM, they’re still lower than the norm – and way below levels seen during the crash. And it’s a lot easier to see if you graph that out.
If you compare Q1 2025 (on the right side of the graph) to what happened in the years surrounding the 2008 crash (shown in red), it’s clear the market is in a . ...
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Monday, April 28, 2025 / by Kathy Dulhagen
It’s not really a surprise that 70% of buyers paused their home search last year. Maybe you were one of them. And if so, no judgment. Conditions just weren’t great.
Inventory was too low, prices were too high, and mortgage rates were bouncing all over. That made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford. And why sell if you’re not sure where you’re going to go?
But here’s the thing: the market’s shifting. And it might be time to hit play again.
The Inventory Sweet Spot
More homeowners are jumping back into their search to make a move this year. Builders are finishing more homes. And together, that’s creating more options for you when you move – maybe even the home you’ve been waiting for.
More homes = more possibilities.
But there’s more to it than that. When you sell, you don’t want to feel like it’s impossible to find your next home. At the same time, you also don’t want inv. ...
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Tuesday, April 22, 2025 / by Kathy Dulhagen
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 y. ...
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Monday, April 21, 2025 / by Kathy Dulhagen
According to Realtor.com, the best week to list your house this year was April 13–19. And since that week has come and gone, you might be wondering: did I miss my chance? Not at all – and here’s why.
That’s just one source’s take, based on their own research. Other organizations run similar studies. And since different places use different methodologies for their research, sometimes the results vary too – and that’s actually good news for you. According to Zillow, the best time to list your house is still ahead.
The latest research from Zillow says sellers who list their homes in late May tend to see higher sale prices based on home sales from last year. The study explains why:
“Search activity typically peaks before Memorial Day, as shoppers get serious about house hunting before their summer vacation and the new school year in the fall. By targeting late spring, sellers can get their home listed when the most shoppers are looking. ...
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Friday, April 18, 2025 / by Kathy Dulhagen
Some Highlights
Unfortunately, a lot of sellers today are setting their asking price too high. That’s leading to an uptick in price cuts.?
Some of the most common reasons this is happening are that they’re not paying attention to current market conditions or they’re trying to leave room for negotiation.
The best way to avoid this mistake? Lean on an agent. Let’s connect to make sure your house is priced to pull people in, not push them away. ...
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