How Mortgage Rate Drops Boost Your Buying Power

Imagine saving $150 a month on the same home, just because rates dropped.  That’s exactly what’s happening now, thanks to mortgage rates dropping to their lowest point in 11 months. That drop means homebuyers in Cedar Rapids have more purchasing power today than they’ve had in nearly a year.  Let’s

How to Save for a Home Without Sacrificing Life’s Big Moments

Saving for a home doesn’t mean putting your entire life on pause.  You still want to celebrate your friends’ milestones, take the occasional vacation, and enjoy your weekends. But without a plan, those “one-off” expenses can quietly eat into your down payment fund. Take wedding season as an example:

You Could Be Overpaying for a Fixer-Upper. Here’s What’s Changed.

For the first time in years, existing homes (yes, the older ones that often need updates) are selling for more than brand-new construction.  According to the latest numbers, the median price of an existing home is $429,400. For a newly built home? $410,800. That’s an $18,600 difference. So if you’ve

The 4 Most Creative Ways to Buy a Home in 2025

Overwhelmed by high home prices, interest rates, or the feeling that you’re “just not ready” to be a homeowner yet? You’re not alone. According to the 2025 NextGen Homebuyer Report, nearly 60% of Gen Z and Millennial buyers believe homeownership is attainable, but only 19% think now is a good time t