6 Costs Renters Should Budget for Before Buying a Home

Most renters who are preparing to buy their first home know they'll need a down payment and closing costs. They research mortgage payments, compare interest rates, and carefully calculate what they can afford each month. But that's only part of the picture. The move from renting to homeownership com

The Median Foreclosed Home Sells for 27% Less. Should You Consider One in Cedar Rapids?

In the first half of 2026, buyers saved about 27% on foreclosed homes listed for sale.  And as of April, foreclosure listings made up 1.3% of total for-sale listings, the highest level in six years.  New data from Realtor.com also shows foreclosed property listings, also called REO listings, are get

53% of Americans Now Prefer Buying Over Renting. Here's What That Means for You

For the first time since 2023, more Americans say buying beats renting.  That’s the headline stat from Bank of America’s 2026 Homebuyer Insights report. Based on responses to their national online survey, 53% of respondents say it’s better to buy a home in the current market than to rent or move in

Nearly Half of Home Sellers Are Giving Concessions Right Now. Here's What to Ask For.

According to new Redfin research, home buyers have more negotiating power than they’ve had in years.    Last month, sellers gave concessions to buyers in 46.2% of all U.S. home sales. That’s the highest share for May that Redfin has ever recorded. Nearly half of all sellers are sweetening the deal f