The Typical Down Payment Just Hit a 4-Year Low. Here's What That Means for Buyers.

According to a new report from Realtor.com, the median down payment in the U.S. fell to its lowest level in four years.  In Q1 2026, the median down payment was $23,400, or 12.8% of the purchase price. Down payments have now declined for four straight quarters, with a median of $28,900 one year ago.

Nearly 80% of Gen Z Homebuyers Got Help With Their Down Payment.

A 2026 survey looked at how Americans are actually getting into homes right now. It found 40% of all surveyed homeowners received financial help with their down payment, up from 35% just three years ago.  The generational numbers are even more striking: more than half of millennial buyers got help,

The Top Backyard Upgrades Homeowners Are Making Right Now

So many of the best parts of being at home happen in small moments. Sitting outside with a cup of coffee. Enjoying a moment in relative privacy while the sun and fresh air revive you. Spending time with family and friends in a space big enough for everyone.  More homeowners in Cedar Rapids are shapi

6 Surprise Home Repairs (and How to Prepare for Them)

Homeownership comes with a lot of things nobody warns you about. The mortgage you planned for. The $12,000 roof replacement? Not so much. Most people know things break eventually. It's just part of owning a place. What catches us off guard is how fast a small problem can spiral once a home starts ag