If you’ve been house hunting lately, you’ve probably felt the sting of today’s mortgage rates. And it’s because of those rates and rising home prices that many homebuyers are starting to explore other types of loans to make the numbers work. And one option that’s gaining popularity? Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).

If you remember the crash in 2008, this may bring up some concerns. But don’t worry. Today’s ARMs aren’t the same. Here’s why.

Back then, some buyers were given loans they couldn’t afford after the rates adjusted. But now, lenders are more cautious, and they evaluate whether you could still afford the loan if your rate increases. So, don’t assume the return of ARMs means another crash. Right now, it just shows some buyers are looking for creative solutions when affordability is tough. 

You can see the recent trend in this data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). More people are opting f. ...

For 80 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped countless Veterans buy a home. But even though a lot of Veterans have access to this powerful program, the majority don't know about one of its core benefits.
According to a report from Veterans United only 3 in 10 Veterans are aware they may be able to buy a home with no down payment with a VA loan (see visual below):
That means 7 out of every 10 Veterans could be missing out on a key homebuying advantage.
That’s why it’s so important for Veterans, and anyone who cares about a Veteran, to be aware of this program. As Veterans United explains, VA home loans:
“. . . come with a list of big-time benefits, including $0 down payment, no mortgage insurance, flexible and forgiving credit guidelines and the industry's lowest average fixed interest rates.”
The Benefits of VA Home Loans
These loans are designed to make buying a home more achievable for those who have served. And, by extension, they also giv ...

You may have heard inventory just hit a post-pandemic high. And nationally, it’s up more than 30% from this time last year. That might have made you start to worry: “does this mean the market is going to crash?”
Here’s some perspective that can help. Even with that jump (shown in the white line), we’re still well below normal levels (the gray lines in the graph). And beyond that, we’ve been in a housing shortage for years because builders haven’t been able to keep up with demand.
So, rising inventory isn’t a warning sign – it’s a signal the housing market is finally returning to a more stable, healthy place.
If you want to know what inventory looks like in our area, let’s talk. ...

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.  ...

If you're a first-time homebuyer, chances are you'll come across some terms you’re not familiar with. And that can be overwhelming, especially while going through one of the biggest purchases of your life. 
The good news is you don’t need to be an expert on real estate jargon. That’s your agent’s job. But getting to know these basic terms will help you feel a lot more confident throughout the process.
Terms Every Homebuyer Should Know
Once you’re familiar with this terminology, you’ll have a better understanding of important details – from contracts to negotiations. So, when those big conversations happen, you’ll feel informed, in control, and able to make the best decision for your unique situation. As Redfin puts it:
“Having a basic understanding of important real estate concepts before you start the homebuying process will give you peace of mind now and could save you a fortune in the future.”
Here’s a break; ...