You may have seen headlines saying home sales dropped in January , which can sound concerning—especially if you’re thinking about selling. But the full story matters. Yes, sales fell about 8.4% compared to December , according to data from the National Association of Realtors . However, this kind of slowdown is actually typical for January . Real estate activity often dips after the holidays and before the spring market begins. What Caused the Bigger Dip This Year? One major

Renting can feel like the easier option. There’s no large down payment, no surprise repairs, and no long-term commitment. But when rent keeps increasing year after year, that “flexibility” can start to feel expensive — especially when you’re not building equity. While many headlines focus on affordability challenges, the math may be more favorable than you think. In Many Areas, Owning Costs Less Than Renting Recent data shows that in nearly 58% of U.S. counties, it’s actually