Buying a home is one of the largest financial transactions most people will ever undertake. Agents who are REALTORS® are a trusted source of advice and stand ready to help you navigate your homebuying journey and make the choices that work best for you. NAR’s recent settlement has led to several changes that benefit homebuyers,…

Mortgage Rates have plunged following the recent emergence of economic storm clouds Amid the tremors rippling through the US economy in recent weeks, the main topic on the lips of the mortgage industry is the question of how far mortgage rates are likely to fall. Sudden gloom in the national economic outlook, propelled in large…

Expectations of a big Federal Reserve rate cut in September have swelled during the past week amid rising unemployment and the sudden prospect of a recession. Fed chair Jerome Powell’s language after last week’s rate decision suggested the door was open for a move to lower rates in its next announcement – and that darkening…

In May Fannie, Freddie and the FHFA (Federal Housing Finance Agency) which runs Fannie and Freddie released a new form and a new idea to understand the need of First-Generation Homebuyers. A First-Generation Homebuyer is defined as a family who either grew up without parents or with parents that were not financially capable of helping…

A homestead exemption is a legal provision that helps reduce the amount of property taxes you owe on your primary residence. By applying for this exemption, you can often lower the taxable value of your home, which in turn decreases your property tax bill. The specifics of homestead exemptions can vary depending on the state…

Is there good news at last for the mortgage realm? It’s fair to say that the mortgage market has been searching for silver linings amid what has been a cloudy – if not stormy – couple of years for the sector. So now, is it possible that two rays of sunlight have appeared in the…

The Feds Hold Rates. As anticipated, the Federal Reserve has chosen to maintain its current policy rates during its latest meeting. Here’s what you need to know about what lies ahead: What changed in the Fed’s statement?  While the Fed’s statement indicates the Board was encouraged by moderating inflation, it pointed more strongly to the importance…

Availability note: I am not originating construction-to-permanent loans at this time while I finalize a new underwriting relationship for this product. This article stays up because the information is still accurate, and I am glad to talk through a build with you regardless. See my construction loan guide for current status. Construction-to-permanent loans, often called…

The median U.S. home-sale price reached an all-time high of $397,482 in Early-Q3 2024. This 4.7% yearly increase is the most significant growth in over four months.