According to Google Trends, online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. And that’s a clear sign more buyers are trying to figure out what they really need to save before making a move (see graph below):
If you’re wondering the same thing, you can always turn to the internet for answers. But a lot of the time, it’s better to ask a local expert. Because here’s what a pro would tell you.
The 20% Down Payment Myth
The idea that you need 20% down to buy a home is one of the biggest misconceptions around the homebuying process. And the data debunks the myth.
While there are benefits to putting that much money down, most first-time buyers put down far less.
Here’s why. Unless it’s stated by your lender, you typically don’t have to have a 20% down payment. There are even some loan options designed to help you get into a home with a much smaller upfront cost. As the Mo ...

 


Buying your first home can feel frustrating when the numbers don’t line up the way you expected. You may know you’re ready but finding something that fits your life and your budget is the hard part.
That’s where townhomes come in.
Townhomes are becoming a bigger part of today’s housing supply, and that shift is opening doors for first-time buyers in a way we haven’t seen in years. That’s because they offer a more realistic path to step into homeownership without stretching yourself too thin, especially in a market where affordability can still feel tight.
There Are More Townhomes To Choose From
Builders are building more townhomes than they have in decades. In fact, when you look at data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), nearly 1 in 5 new single-family homes being built today is a townhome. That's the highest share on record (see graph below):

T ...

 
Buying your first home can feel like a tough matchup today – which is why so many first-time buyers stay on the sidelines, waiting for an assist from the market. But the buyers who actually win don’t wait for the market to help them out. They take the ball and run. And here are some ways you can do that. With the right prep, maybe you’re not watching the big game at someone else’s house next year. You’re watching it from your own living room. If buying before next season is on your radar, let’s build a game plan that’ll make it happen. #HomebuyingTips #FirstTimeHomebuyer #KeepingCurrentMatters ...

 


Who doesn’t love a top 10 list? Well, here are two top 10 lists for the housing market this year. But before you take a look, there’s something you should know.
If a move is on your radar for 2026, here’s the most important thing you need to understand upfront: there isn’t one housing market this year – there are many.
Experts agree 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most geographically split housing markets in years. Some areas are tilting in favor of sellers, while others are opening real doors for buyers. Who has the advantage depends almost entirely on where you are. Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at Cotality, puts it this way:

“Looking ahead to 2026, regional differences will remain pronounced, with demand favoring areas that offer both economic opportunity and relative affordability.”

To show just how divided the landscape is, here’s a look at where sellers are expected to have the upper ...

 


If you’re one of the thousands of homebuyers waiting for rates to fall, you should know it’s already happening. And they recently crossed an important milestone. Rates officially dipped their toes into the 5s – something that hasn’t happened in about 3 years.
This moment marked a critical threshold. Now, rates are sitting in the low 6% territory. And expert forecasts project they’ll hover near this range throughout the year.
Here's why that’s so good for you.
Why Current Rates Are Such a Big Deal
A mortgage rate doesn’t just affect the interest you end up paying on your home loan. It shapes your entire buying experience.
When rates were up around 7% just one year ago, a lot of buyers felt priced out. Payments were higher. Budgets felt tighter. Affordability was a bigger challenge. That’s especially true for first-time homebuyers, who felt the biggest pinch.
But according to industry experts, that’s starting ...