The New Rules of Homebuying: Budgeting for a House in 2025

For decades, buyers have been told to follow one simple rule: Don’t spend more than 30% of your income on housing. That is the gold standard. The budget benchmark. The line in the sand between “affordable” and “overextended.” But in 2025, that line no longer seems attainable. According to a Realtor

Is It Too Late to Buy Your First Home? Not Even Close.

Buying your first home doesn’t look anything like it did 30 years ago.  The average first-time buyer in 2024 is 38 years old. Compare that to 33 in 2020 and 31 between 1993 and 2018. So if you’re renting in your 30s or 40s, it’s easy to wonder: Did I miss my window? The short answer is not at all. 

What Really Happens to Home Prices During a Recession?

Every time the word "recession" starts popping up in headlines, it brings a wave of uncertainty—especially for anyone thinking about buying or selling a home. You might be wondering: Are home prices going to crash? Will mortgage rates skyrocket? Should I wait to make a move? Totally fair que

Is the Housing Market Waking Up This Spring?

You’ve probably heard the headlines: mortgage rates are still high, and the market is tough. But here’s what most of those headlines miss: subtle signs of life in the housing market. Mortgage purchase applications are up year over year, and even though rates are still above 6.5%, demand is starting