Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for many homebuyers lately. Every time they rise, buyers hesitate and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.” But here’s the real scare: waiting for that perfect five-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet later. The “Magic Number” Myth According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “A 30-year fixed rate mortgage of 6% would make the median-priced home affordable for about 5.5 million more households—including 1.6 m

If you put your home search on pause because of high prices or mortgage rates, it might be time to take another look. Affordability is improving in 39 of the top 50 U.S. markets , according to First American — and it’s the fifth month in a row  that buying a home has gotten a bit easier. Monthly Payments Are Falling Redfin data shows that the average monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home is now $283 lower  than just a few months ago — saving buyers roughly $3,400 a

More buyers are choosing newly built homes —and not just for modern designs or smart-home tech. The real reason? Builders are offering serious incentives  to attract buyers. New home sales recently hit their highest level in over two years , and for good reason. Why Builders Are Offering Deals There’s more new construction inventory right now than there’s been in years. That means more choice for buyers—and more motivation for builders to sell. To move homes faster, builders