It’s one of the biggest hold ups some buyers have right now: “What if I buy, and home prices go down?”
With everything in the news, that concern makes some sense. No one wants to make a big financial decision at the wrong time. But here’s what’s important to know. You don’t want to get hung up on the few places seeing slight declines right now.
When you zoom out and look at the full picture, home prices usually rise over time.
What the Data Really Shows
Take a look at the visual below. It uses data from Case-Shiller and Bilello to show how home prices have changed year by year going all the way back to the 1950s.
Here’s the key takeaway.
Outside of the housing crash, home prices have either held steady or increased in just about every year for decades (see visual below):
That’s a remarkably consistent track record. And it shows something a lot of headlines mi ...

 


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 ...

 


For a lot of people, the math on buying a home just doesn’t really work right now. Maybe that’s how it feels for you too. You look at the cost of buying. Then you look at the cost of childcare. And it starts to feel like you have to choose one or the other.
But some families are finding a way to make both work by doing something a little different: teaming up to purchase a multi-generational home.
One Reason This Is Becoming More Common
It’s no secret that affordability has been a challenge in recent years. But for families with young kids, there’s an added layer that can make it feel even harder: childcare.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, childcare should take up no more than 7% of your monthly income. But in reality, the average married couple spends closer to 10% (see map below):
When you combine that with the cost of buying a home, it’s easy to see why things can feel stret ...

 


Spend about 5 minutes online searching for news about the housing market, and odds are you’ll see something pop up about home prices. You may even stumble onto social media influencers saying we’re headed for a crash. Let’s get you the context you need.
The truth is prices are going to vary depending on where you live. But they're not crashing.
Here’s what you need to know.
The Local Perspective: Home Price Trends by Area
The biggest thing feeding into the confusion online is how different home price trends are by area right now. Take a look at this data from ResiClub and Zillow (see graph below).
About half of the largest metros are seeing prices go up.
The other half are seeing some declines.
Unfortunately, the online chatter only focuses on the markets where prices are down – and that makes it sound like something bigger is happening.
But, as you can see in this graph, that’s only one s ...

 
Spring brings more listings, more buyers, and more competition to the housing market. And in such a busy season, knowing what to expect is key. That’s where the Spring Buyer & Seller Guides come in. These just-released guides are packed with market updates, expert insights, and real-life advice for today’s market. If a move is on your radar this season, you’ll want this in your hands. DM me or drop a comment with “BUYER” or “SELLER” below. And I’ll make sure you get a digital copy. #Homebuying #HousingMarketUpdate #KeepingCurrentMatters ...