Mortgage Rates: Past, Present, and Possible Future   You're likely paying close attention to mortgage rates if you want to buy a house this year. It's worth taking a look at where mortgage rates have been in the past and how they compare to where they are now because they affect how much you can afford when you get a home loan. This is especially important now when it comes to cost. Aside from that, it's important to know how they relate to inflation to get a sense of... [read more]

Home Price Forecasts Revised for 2023 [INFOGRAPHIC]   Some Highlights Last year, some housing experts projected a decline in home prices by the end of 2023. But that didn’t happen – inventory was just too low. While it’s normal for experts to re-forecast throughout the year, the good news for 2023 is that prices are no longer projected to... [read more]

People Around the Country Want Homes That Cost Less, and Builders Are Responding There are two main things that make it hard for buyers to afford homes in today's market: mortgage rates that are higher than they have been in the past couple of years and rising home prices caused by a lack of homes for sale. To deal with these problems, a lot of people are working with their local real estate agents to find homes that cost less. And because there are more newly built houses entering... [read more]

How Owning a Home Grows Your Wealth with Time [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, be sure to factor in the long-term benefits of homeownership. Over time, homeownership allows you to build equity. On average, nationwide home prices appreciated by 290.2% over the last 32 years. That means your net worth can grow significantly in the long term when you own a home.... [read more]

The Three Factors Affecting Home Affordability Today   There has been a great deal of attention on the impact of rising mortgage rates on the affordability of homes for today's purchasers. It is true that rates have substantially increased since the pandemic-era record lows. But home affordability is determined by a combination of mortgage rates, property prices, and wages. Considering how each of these factors is evolving provides a complete picture of the current state of home... [read more]